While the NBA promotes its brand worldwide in training camps across the globe, fantasy players are looking for something completely different from training camp. It's a time when players compete for starting positions and good draft preparation can give a fantasy owner an edge over the competition. The drafts may be a few weeks away, but your work starts now. With that in mind, let's look at the emerging battles entering camp.
Point Guard:
Houston. Because Tracy McGrady initiates much of Houston's offense, the Rockets point guard isn't going to be used as a traditional point guard. He'll bring the ball over half court, pass to McGrady and be asked to knock down the occasional jump shot to create space for McGrady and Yao Ming. Rafer Alston has the edge as the incumbent, but this looks to be a situation tailor-made for Mike James. Steve Francis may get some work there in training camp, but this will be James' job before long.
Atlanta. The Hawks will be improved this season, but not playoff improved. The need for a veteran point guard, like Speedy Claxton, is not vital. I think a healthy Claxton will come out of camp with the job, but Acie Law will take over during the season.
Memphis. Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni is modeling his team after his former club, the Suns, and that means a true point guard. One who will give himself up to make teammates better. While we like Damon Stoudamire's ability to shoot the rock, being a selfless leader is not his calling card. Mike Conley will be leading the Grizzlies opening night with Kyle Lowry and Stoudamire getting what's left over.
Portland. Like Houston with McGrady, the Trail Blazers rely heavily on their shooting guard (Brandon Roy) to distribute offense. Jarret Jack did some nice things last season, but it looks like he'll have to fight Steve Blake and Sergio Rodriguez for minutes. There's nothing flashy to Blake's game. His outside shot is getting better and he knows how to find an open man. Rodriguez is more suited to changing the pace coming off the bench and should get more minutes this season, but not the starting job. Neither Jack nor Blake is a game-changer or game-dominator, and there'll be limited value because Roy will dominate the ball.
Cleveland. The Cavs could really use a point guard that can take the pressure of LeBron James while hitting his outside shots consistently. They toyed with Larry Hughes at the point last year, but he may be needed at shooting guard if Sasha Pavlovic follows through on his threat not to report to camp. That would open the door for Daniel Gibson. He's not a true point and will never run a team, but as LeBron's helper, he should be fine.
Shooting Guard:
Utah. The Jazz has an interesting battle going on with any of four guys in the mix for the starting job. Since morphing the best qualities of all four into one good shooting guard is not yet possible, the Jazz will have to choose the one with the least blemishes. A perimeter threat is what Utah requires most from the position, and Gordan Giricek's the most dangerous weapon they have. Giricek has held the job for various stretches the last four seasons, but has also played his way out those chances. Poor defense and shot selection have mostly been the issue. First-round pick Morris Almond won't be given the job, though he does pass the scoring test. Ronnie Brewer could make it an easy decision if he were a better shooter. His athleticism and defense are not in question; his outside shot is. C.J. Miles could be the answer, but his refusal to show up for summer league leaves him in coach Jerry Sloan's doghouse. Miles wants a contract extension, but the Jazz are not in the mood to give him one. In the end, it may not be who starts the game for the Jazz, but who finishes it. More often than not last season, it was Matt Harpring on the floor with Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams.
Small Forward:
Portland. Ideally, the Trail Blazers could use someone like they had last season when Ime Udoka defended hard and knocked down threes. The competition is between Martell Webster and Travis Outlaw. Webster has more offensive game, while Outlaw is the better defender.
Seattle. The early off-season talk surrounds Robert Swift, who won the job in camp last year before a knee injury wiped out the season. With so much change in Seattle, I think new coach P.J. Carlesimo would be better served leaving the seasoned Nick Collison at center to start the season. Swift, who's played in 63 games over two seasons, will get his minutes as the primary backup and gradually move into the starting assignment.