ed that Webber didnt wait for him to make it to WEC but made it clear he

Realizing what a special superstar hes become in the pros, its amazing to look back at?Kawhi Leonards numbers from San Diego State. The Spurs star shot just 25 percent from 3-point range while competing in the Mountain West Conference, yet was fourth in the NBA last season at 44.3 percent from beyond the arc.However, the key reason we love Leonard as a fantasy basketball asset isnt his awesome improvement in shooting touch, but rather his amazing statistical diversity, namely his defensive exploits. Leonard is currently averaging an astounding (albeit unsustainable) five steals during his first two games.Having led the league in steals per game in 2014-15, Leonards current perch atop the league in larceny appears legitimate. Its also very possible his reign over the Player Rater could be sustainable if this seasons surge in offensive volume continues. Its easy to forget that Leonard just turned 25 this past June and enjoyed a massive 28.4 percent leap in scoring from 2014-15 to last season. Leonard is again enjoying a steep ascent on offense both in terms of shot volume and, more significantly, from the free throw line.As I wrote this past June, The playoffs confirmed for me that Leonard is a surefire top-five fantasy selection for 2016-17 drafts. In fact, Leonard ended up going seventh, on average, in ESPN drafts this fall. My lofty opinion of Leonard was due to his increasing offensive workload and his teams reliance on him -- and not LaMarcus Aldridge?--?as its chief creator in the postseason.With Tim Duncan retired and significant mileage on Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, this is undoubtedly Leonards team. For those that landed Leonard late in the first round, you just might have netted a dark horse candidate for the top overall fantasy asset this season.After perusing the upcoming week of the NBA schedule below, be sure to check out our trendspotting notes, as we delve into a number of rising players and intriguing trends.Access the downloadable forecaster chart PDF hereMatchup ratings are based on a scale from 1 (poor matchup) to 10 (excellent matchup). These are calculated using a formula that evaluates the teams year-to-date and past 10 games statistics, their opponents numbers in those categories and their performance in home/road games depending on where the game is to be played. The column to the left lists the teams total number of games scheduled, as well as home games, and lists the overall rating from 1-10 for that teams weekly schedule.Ratings roundupFor those playing in weekly head-to-head leagues, maximizing games played can prove paramount to almost all other factors. Even if your opponent hoards greater overall talent, you can surpass them statistically if you can guarantee more games in your weekly profile. When it comes to streaming players, then, we should look to identify teams with busy schedules.The Sacramento Kings, for example, lead the NBA with five games this week. Its rare to find a five-game stretch in a given slate, so this makes shares of guys like Ty Lawson, averaging more than 35 minutes as the substitute starter at point guard, and even Matt Barnes?and his 27 minutes per game somewhat attractive as rentals for the week ahead.The Atlanta Hawks enjoy a strong rating this week thanks to three home games out of four contests in total. They have inviting meetings with the likes of the fast-paced Lakers, Kings and Rockets. The?Cleveland Cavaliers play just three games this week, but its nice to see that they only play up-tempo opponents. That could extract increased exposure and output from LeBron James and his fellow stars.As for some of the weaker profiles this week, the Brooklyn Nets face a series of capable defensive teams prone to slowing the pace. The Charlotte Hornets play just two games this coming week, making them an avoidable source for streaming given such a limited slate. Similarly, the Miami Heat are limited to two games with one coming against the down-tempo, defensive-minded Raptors.Surging in CharlotteMichael Kidd-Gilchrist could serve as an awesome approximation of Leonard if you missed out on him in drafts. While he doesnt possess Leonards shooting touch, its nice to see such rich rebound and steal potential from the versatile forward after he played in just seven games last season. A gifted rebounder for his position, MKG enjoyed a league-high 30 rebounding chances in the season opener, which are defined as being within 3.5 feet of an available board.With nearly 35 minutes played in the first game and available in half of ESPN leagues as of press time, Kidd-Gilchrist is a strong early waiver warrior to consider for your player portfolio. With real defensive prowess and upside in steals and even blocks, this forgotten forward could prove to be quite valuable this season.Myles aheadOne fear for the Pacers Myles Turner was a potential lack of minutes on an increasingly deep roster. Yet, with 37 minutes played and 19 field goal attempts in Indianas first game, its clear hes a priority player on the new-look roster.Tabbed as a breakout candidate for this season, Turner led the NBA playoffs last summer with 3.3 blocks per game and a Whiteside-like block rate of 9.8 percent. Turners per-36 rates of 16.3 points, 8.7 boards and 2.3 blocks from his rookie campaign suggest increased minutes could propel fantasy stardom for the second-year big man.Croatian impactIll be writing a waiver wire column which debuts on Sunday but, as a preview, heres a widely available asset to admire early this season. Its?Dario Saric?of the 76ers, who could provide helpful numbers as a key rotation cog. The rookie enjoyed 20 rebounding chances in his debut thanks to his playing nearly 28 minutes.We saw his knack for playmaking emerge for Croatia in the Olympics this past August, and he might have the steadiest minutes profile of Philadelphias collection of big men. Even though he struggled from the field, there is upside found in his exposure rates (12 shots and the strong minutes). Saric is a name to watch in the early weeks of the season.Cheap Kd 9 Shoes . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Cheap Kevin Durant . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. http://www.cheapkdshoesclearance.com/cheap-kevin-durant.html . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Discount Kevin Durant . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Cheap Nike Basketball Shoes China . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2).YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi -- Fernando Alonso has reiterated his 100 percent commitment to Formula One following comments he made about Porsche, saying he wants to win a third world championship before thinking of a career elsewhere.Ahead of Webbers last World Endurance Championship race before retirement a video tribute was played in the Sakhir paddock, which included a message from friend Alonso. The McLaren driver joked that Webber didnt wait for him to make it to WEC but made it clear he expects to join your adventure in the near future, leading to speculation of a Porsche deal.Alonso had agreed to drive for Porsche at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours before Honda blocked the deal, allowing Nico Hulkenberg to take his place and win the prestigious event at the first attempt. Though the Spaniard admits the comments have become famous in the days since he made them, he says WEC remains something in the back of his mind but only once he is done with Formula One for good.When it was put to him that it sounded llike his message was a case of when, not if, he joined Porsche, he replied: Thats something I dont know either.dddddddddddd Its nothing new what I said in that message, which has become quite famous right now. Im committed to F1 100 percent next year here with the team, and then in the future its no doubt that its a very attractive challenge, and very attractive thing to do, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for me.I like the category, I like the cars, and as I said, its a good challenge. But that future, I dont know if it means in two years time, in five years time, or in 11 years time. I dont know yet. Its nothing new. The first thing that I want to do, and I will do, is to win a third world championship in F1, and then I see.Earlier this year Alonso, widely regarded as the most complete driver on the current grid, passed the 10-year anniversary of his second title win in 2006. ' ' '