We are well into the third month of the fantasy basketball season and the halfway mark is now in our sights. We'll examine players on the rise, players whose value is plummeting, and rookies making an impact. All in this edition of the fantasy basketball Stock Watch!

On the Rise

Mike Bibby – Point Guard – Kings
For those that have been stashing Bibby on their reserve squad waiting patiently for his return, it finally appears that your patience is going to pay off. He is scheduled to return on Wednesday, January 16^th. He may need a couple games to hit his stride, but he should be back to his normal 17 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two three pointers before too long. There are still trade rumors surrounding Bibby, mainly to the Cavaliers, but a move to a different team probably would not hurt his fantasy value much. The question is: what will happen to the sudden glut of guards when he and Kevin Martin get healthy? From what is coming from Coach Reggie Theus, expect Bibby and eventually Martin to log big minutes. That leaves Beno Udrih, John Salmons, Francisco Garcia, and Quincy Douby fighting for the 30 or so minutes left for the reserves at the two guard positions.

Mike Conley – Point Guard – Grizzlies
Conley has proven that he is ready to play at this level since returning from injury in late December. So far in January, he has per game averages of 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and two steals. The problem here is that he is shooting a field goal percentage of 41% and only 62.5% from the free throw line in those games. Considering that he played in only 10 of the Grizzlies first 34 games this season, Conley is still getting his feet under him professionally. He still needs quite a bit of work on his jumper, but he is lightning quick and can penetrate into the lane almost at will. It appears that the Grizzlies have turned the keys over to the youngster already this season, so the minutes should be there for him barring a complete meltdown – which is highly unlikely.

Eddy Curry – Center – Knicks
Okay, I will be the first to admit that even I was surprised when Curry made the Stock Watch “On the Rise” list. However, the perennial “On the Way Down” list-maker has put together some decent games since returning from his one game demotion to the bench. In four January starts, he has posted 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 63% shooting. My advice: deal him now while he is hot. Why? Curry is in his seventh year and has yet to prove that he can maintain those rebounding and shot-blocking numbers. Also, Zach Randolph has been dreadful during Curry's hot streak, averaging 10.7 points on 39% shooting. In January, Curry is getting 15 shots per game to Randolph’s 11. I tend to believe that things will even out, even tipping once again in Randolph’s favor.

Brad Miller – Center – Kings
Miller is starting off 2008 nicely with a bang: 21.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 0.8 three pointers a game in January. He was an afterthought going into most fantasy basketball drafts because of a dreadful season last year and having highly regarded rookie Spencer Hawes nipping at his heals. Miller does not seem to ready to give up his fantasy relevance or his starter’s minutes, at least not this year. He has had to step up his scoring with three of the team’s top scorers out. When the team gets these scorers back later this month, it is probable that Miller could see a drop off in scoring, but the rest of the statistics should be affect only slightly. The 85% from the foul line for a center is just gravy.

On the Way Down

Kyle Lowry – Point Guard – Grizzlies
You really can't blame this one on Lowry. He is more of a victim to circumstance. The strong play of the team’s high lottery pick, Mike Conley, has relegated Lowry to more bench time than he probably deserves. His January numbers are dreadful: 1.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 12.5 minutes a game. Yuck! Throw in his shooting percentage of 14% for the month and you don't touch Lowry with a ten-foot pole. He has some ability, as evidenced by his averages going into January: 9.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, all while battling the antique Damon Stoudamire for playing time. Lowry would benefit greatly by a trade to a team that needs a starter. However, until Conley can prove that he is durable, the Grizzlies would be foolish to make such a deal.

Jermaine O'Neal – Power Forward/Center – Pacers
O’Neal is just not the same this year. Whether it is bum knee, the new system, or his heart is just not in it, he is underperforming. He ended 2007 with two straight double-doubles and three straight games with 20 or more points. However, he has had no double-doubles and two games with single digit points and rebounds in his first four January games, despite playing over 30 minutes. On the bright side, he is still blocking shots at a nice pace. If you have full confidence that O’Neal can turn it around this season, hold on to him and keep your fingers and toes crossed. But, if you are like me and beginning to see that something with O’Neal is not right, try shopping him around in hopes of getting more fantasy production in return.

Beno Udrih – Point Guard – Kings
Udrih has been one of the more pleasant surprises on the waiver wire this season. It appears that it will all come to an end really soon. With Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin due back from injury soon, the minutes are going to run dry for Udrih. He has done a nice job as the team’s starter, averaging 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. The saving grace for him may be if Bibby is traded, which is rumored to be a possibility. Udrih has definitely proven that he is capable of being a productive player in this league. However, something has to change, either more injuries or a trade, for him to be able to help your fantasy team for the rest of this season.

Damien Wilkins – Shooting Guard/Small Forward – Sonics
It is official, Wilkins can now be released from all fantasy teams still holding on to him. He lost starting job to the promising rookie Jeff Green and has getting less than 20 minutes a game in his last four contests. He is averaging 1.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over that span. The soon-to-be 28 year-old does not forecast out as a prospect anymore, so the rebuilding Sonics have no real motivation to take minutes away from a younger player to distribute them out to Wilkins.

Skimming the Free Agent Pool

Ryan Gomes – Forward – Timberwolves
Gomes ended 2007 with a bang. He scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against the Clippers on New Year’s Eve. Although he has yet to match those numbers in 2008, he is putting up respectable statistics. In January, he is averaging 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 0.8 three pointers. On the down side, he has shot a sub-par 37 % from the field this month, bringing his season field goal percentage to 41.5%. Gomes is a good enough shooter to get that up to about 44% by season’s end. He has settled in to the starting small forward position on a team that desperately needs his offensive production. Expect Gomes to get a long look the rest of the season for evaluation purposes.

Nate Robinson – Guard – Knicks
Robinson was solid in the one game absence of Jamal Crawford and the five game absence of Stephon Marbury in late December. However, he has continued to thrive even since the two starters have returned. Since his one point performance on December 17^th, Robinson is averaging 16.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists with 20 three pointers. His role off the bench makes him a bit of a risk, but he logged over 25 minutes in his last eight games. Unfortunately, Robinson gives you little outside of points, three pointers, and a few steals. However, if you are in need of help in those categories, he may just be your man.

Anderson Varejao – Power Forward – Cavaliers
Varejao has been counted to shoulder more of the load at center since we have welcomed in the New Year. He is getting over 30 minutes a game in January, compared to playing 27 minutes a game in December. He has not disappointed, either. He is averaging a near double-double this month, with 7.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. He does not give you the blocked shots that you want from your big man, only averaging 0.4 for the season, and is below average from the line. He should be able to give you Nick Collison-like numbers in the rest of the categories.

The Deep End:

Matt Bonner – Power Forward/Center – Spurs
Bonner’s play has been erratic this season, mostly because his minutes have been erratic. However, as the season wears on, the Spurs like to work in their bench more to give their starters rest before their annual trip to the post season. That could make Bonner a fantasy factor. He has three point range, 40% three point percentage, and his per 48 minute rebound average is over 11. Keep a close eye on Bonner’s minutes, especially if you have Tim Duncan on your team.

Rookie Review

Daequan Cook – Guard –Heat
His three point range could result in over 1.5 makes if given 30 minutes a game. He is not bad at rebounding, either. His 2.7 rebound average is respectable in limited minutes. He is automatic from the line, making 94% of his first 36 attempts. He has not shown that he will offer up much on the defensive end in steals or blocked shots, yet. With the Heat’s immediate future in flux, it would not be a huge surprise to see Cook’s role and minutes grow, making him a fantasy factor. He is only 20 years-old, so it appears that he has a bright future ahead of him.