This blog article appeared as a guest article at Suite 101 - basketball. 
 

Player injuries, suspensions and trades have been the story of the NBA season thus far.  Stars like Yao Ming, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul have frustrated NBA fantasy basketball owners with missed games.  Even Allen Iverson missed several games as he waited out trade talks that eventually landed him with the Denver Nuggets.
 
Watching these stars sport their pin-striped suits on the sidelines has given younger players the opportunity to shine.  The NBA fantasy basketball team owners who have been able to advantage the service of these players are generally the ones who have had more success in their league(s). 
 
Five biggest NBA fantasy basketball surprises so far:
 

1. Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies
Miller’s been a three-point shooting machine and is currently second in the league in three-pointers made (2.9 per game).  With Pau Gasol out with injury for most of the season, Miller’s been good for 16.9 ppg, 6.4 rbpg and 4.4 apg.
 
2. Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings
When the Kings decided not to re-sign shooting guard, Bonzi Wells (now with the Houston Rockets), they looked for one of their young back-ups to pick up the scoring slack.  Martin has been better than imagined so far, averaging 21.2 ppg to go with 1.7 three-pointers per game.  However, the biggest bonus from Martin has been his high percentages.  He’s shooting 50% from the field and 89% from the line, while shooting free throws at a relatively high volume (7.1 free throw attempts per game).
  
3. Mo Williams, Milwaukee Bucks
Williams has greatly benefited from injuries to Bobby Simmons (out for the season) and Charlie Villanueva (potentially out for the season), averaging 17.6 ppg, 5.4 rbpg, 6.3 apg to go along with solid percentages.
 
4. Andris Biedrins, Golden State Warriors
Troy Murphy was supposed to be the big man to benefit most from the addition of Don Nelson as coach.  Yet, as Murphy’s numbers have decreased, Biedrins has emerged as the team’s regular starter at center, averaging 10.7 ppg, 9.5 rbpg, 2.0 bspg and only 1.6 topg.
  
5. David Lee, New York Knicks
Lee has given the Knicks toughness, energy and rebounding.  He’s averaged 10.7 ppg, 10.7 rbpg, shot 62% from the field and rarely turns the ball over (1.6 topg). 
 

(Honorable Mentions:   Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns; Matt Barnes, Golden State Warriors; Al Jefferson, Boston Celtics; Josh Childress, Atlanta Hawks)