FANTASY MAILBAG

	Kobe's been great this year, but NO ONE is having a better fantasy season than King James. Icon SMI
	REACT: Send Gary your fantasy basketball questions Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Make your case:

Hey Gary, who's better: Lakers G Kobe Bryant ($21,100,000) or Cavs G LeBron James ($20,300,000)?
-Matt, Maryland

Kobe is great Matt, but Bron is better. LeBron is putting up the kind of numbers the NBA hasn't seen in a very long time. Not only is a triple-double threat every night, but James looks like he's going to win the scoring title, and could finish with more than 30 points per game. I still consider Kobe one of fantasy basketball's top five players, but there's not a better player in fantasy basketball right now than James.

Who's better at forward: Celtics F Kevin Garnett ($19,800,000) or Magic F Dwight Howard ($17,100,000)?
-Jack, New York

Another close call Jack, but even if you didn't factor in salaries, Dwight is the right pick. Howard is simply a rebounding monster, whereas KG's rebounding numbers are down this season. Howard actually grabs five more rebounds a night than Garnett, and usually has one more blocked shot as well. KG is catching up to him in scoring and will get a couple more assists, but it's not enough to make up for those other categories.

What's the best pickup for $5,500,000? I have Hornets F Peja Stojakovic ($5,500,000) and he's not doing well for me.
-Isaiah, California

Remember Isaiah, those guys are cheap for a reason. They're not stars. Peja's actually not bad for that bargain basement price, but Timberwolves G Rashad McCants ($5,500,000) is playing a little better right now. Rockets G Bonzi Wells ($5,500,000) and 76ers G Louis Williams ($5,500,000) are guys to consider as well.

What's the difference between 6th man and the other positions?
-Michael, Massachusetts

Nothing really Michael. The 6th Man spot is just another guy for your lineup. And, unlike the other spots, he can be a center, forward or a guard. But LeBron James will score just as many points as your 6th man as he will as your guard.

Lakers F Luke Walton ($7,900,000) or Magic F Hedo Turkoglu ($9,500,000)?
-Nitesh, Arizona

Hedo is the man right now, Nitesh. Walton is still solid, but Turkoglu has been on a scoring tear lately. He has also become a better rebounder and is getting more assists than ever. He's a borderline All-Star right now.

Who's a better pick: Bobcats F Gerald Wallace ($13,700,000) or Timberwolves F Al Jefferson ($12,500,000)?
-Eric, California

I'd go with Wallace, Eric. He's not showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, only LeBron James is scoring more fantasy points per game in January. He even had seven -- SEVEN! -- steals against the Grizzlies last Saturday.

Would it be a smart choice to draft Kobe and LBJ and then get the rest of your players from BDW's (aka Duane's) list?
-Dan, Ohio

It's not a bad way to go Dan, and that's why Duane puts that list together. You won't always have the perfect team because those bargain basement guys can go into a slump or end up being benched at any time since they're not stars (that's why they're so cheap). But if those guys get hot, to go along with Kobe and LeBron, that would be a heck of a team.

Would it be smarter to get Nuggets C Marcus Camby ($13,300,000) instead of Rockets C Yao Ming ($16,500,000)? Yao is pretty expensive and Camby can jump higher and is more athletic of a center. He is also cheaper.
-Gavin, Arizona

I'd never trust Camby to stay healthy, Gavin. But at least until he gets hurt, I'd make the switch and take him over Yao. The thing is, Yao is still an elite fantasy player. But as good as he's been, Camby has been just a hair better lately because of some crazy rebounding and shot blocking numbers. And if Camby gets hurt, you can always switch back the next week.

What ever happened to Bobcats F Sean May? I haven't seen him play in the NBA at all.
-Danny, Maryland

May has had a rough start to his career, Danny. He's been battling knee problems from Day 1. In three NBA seasons, he's appeared in just 58 games. May has actually been a decent player when he's on the court, going a nice job scoring and rebounding off the bench. But he had major knee surgery last fall, and I'd be surprised if he played even a single game this season.

Why isn't Dwight Howard a center? And I support Paul Bako for Joint Solid Waste Management Board Of Directors.
-Luke, Minnesota

Thanks for joining the Bako Revolution, Luke. As for Howard, he had been more of a power forward over the past two seasons, with Tony Battie and Darko Milicic more like centers for Orlando. Even after Darko signed with Memphis, it looked like Battie would be back as the starting center when we set the positions last fall. But then Battie went down for the year, making Howard the only starter capable of being a center in Orlando. But since we can't change player positions after the NBA season had started, Howard was stuck as a forward.

Sometimes even great wizards have such tiny brains (and memories). As a campaign manager I support more than one cause. Derek Anderson for Joint Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors. Brady Quinn dropped out and C.C. Sabathia is a full time runner for Prez. By the way, Go Pats!
-Will, Ohio

Go Pats? Go PATS?! Even after they pounded your Browns into the ground last season? I'm speechless, Will. Utterly speechless.