Well Fantasy Ballers, it is that time of the year again! In fact, I am so excited I am thinking about picking up one of those new balls - you know the super slick ones that Shaq and Cassell hate - and play some hoops on a nine-foot rim. Can you say monster dunks? Ok, enough about me and my obsession with basketball. Let’s get started.

It’s time to look at some fantasy studs…the Lite version. The early rounds of your fantasy draft tend to be easier than the later rounds. Perhaps there was a fantasy star you were eyeing who got taken before you pick. What do you do? Think of your situation as beer. When you’re young and skinny, you can go for the high carbs of Budweiser (or Coors, if you’re a Coors man/woman). After a while when your gut starts to hang over your belt, you begin to realize that it might be time to switch to the Bud Lite. Half the guilt, but all the production (alcohol) you need.

Now let’s look at the Lite versions of fantasy basketball stars.

1) Shawn Marion Lite – Josh Childress

Josh Childress and Shawn Marion share similar things that a lot of fantasy participants don’t notice. Both have ugly shots, both have the ability to step out past the 3 point line and drain it and both can rebound. With the recent injury to Marvin Williams (out for 6-8 weeks), Josh should be looking at an increase in minutes when the Hawks go to a small line-up. Remember it was Marion’s third season when he really became a true fantasy stud. Childress can be found in rounds 9-10. Expect a line of 12.0 pts 6.0 rebs 2.0 assists 1.2 steals .5 blocks and 1.4 TOs.

2) Brad Miller Lite – Mehmet Okur

What I love about Brad Miller and Mehmet Okur is that they don’t hurt you in the %s and they are good passers for big men. Okur even developed a consistent 3-point shot last year. The negative with both these men is they don’t get blocks. One block per game does not cut it from your starting center. However, if you pair them with a shot-blocking SF, like Josh Smith, Kirilenko, or Gerald Wallace, you should be fine. Expect Okur to be gone in rounds 4-5 and produce these kinds of numbers: 17 ppg; 8 rbpg; 46% FG; 78% FT; 2.4 apg; 0.9 bpg; and 2.0 topg.

3) Jason Terry Lite – Leandro Barbosa

Good percentages, steals, threes and low turnovers, but don’t expect many assists from these two guys. The only knock on Barbosa is his minutes. If he could ever get upwards of 30+ he would be on every fantasy roster and would be right up there with Terry in the rankings. Until then, keep your eye on him because even the 6th man on Phoenix has fantasy value. Expect him to be available at the tail end of your draft. Expect 14 ppg; 2.6 rbpg; 3 apg; 1.5 threes per game; and %s of 48 & 75.

4) Yao Ming Lite – Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Again, here are two big men that don’t hurt you in %s and do produce in blocks. In my opinion, every fantasy team needs at least one of these guys. Can’t afford that early 2nd round pick on Ming? Well then wait until rounds 4-5 to nab Big Z. Not many centers can get you 50% from the field, 80% from the line, 7+ rebounds, while still coming close to 2 blocks a game.

5) Marcus Camby Lite – Tyson Chandler

I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Chandler is actually the son of Marcus Camby. OK, I am just joking on that one, but seriously. Both men are tall and skinny, huge injury risks, and both produce in the defensive categories. Granted Camby is an elite fantasy contributor and Chandler has yet to produce consistently, but the potential for 10 pts 10 boards 2 blocks and 1 steal is definitely there. Camby will require a 2-4th round draft pick while Chandler can be had in rounds 10-12.

6) Gerald Wallace Lite - Rudy Gay

I really don’t have any stats to prove this, but Gay is going to be a fantasy stud one day. He will get you defensive numbers, and will score at a pretty good clip. I honestly think if the playing time is there for Gay this year he will be ROY. Brandon Roy is nice, but Gay is the rookie you want to take a chance on. Gay has been going anywhere from round 8-10 so don’t sleep too long on this rookie.

7) Kevin Garnett Lite – Chris Bosh

I am reaching a bit on this one, but KG is typically a top 3 pick while Bosh can be had in the late first round or early second. Pair Bosh with a Chris Paul and you would be looking very good for the upcoming fantasy year. Why the comparisons to the fantasy king, KG? Well both players are able to do things that most men their sizes can not do. The scary thing about Bosh is he is only 22 years old and he is still improving. In fact, I read that he is even adding the 3 point shot to his repertoire.

So don’t fret if you do not draw a top 3 pick this year. Enjoy your later round picks and snare Chris Bosh a FC in most leagues. One of these years Bosh will become a top 3 pick, mark my words.