By Rick Morris
March 18, 2008 1:07pm CDT

All stats referenced are over the last 10 games unless otherwise noted.

Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson is up to a smoking 26.1 PPG recently. One reason? Mike Bibby is averaging 7.5 APG lately, up from 5.9 APG over the season. However, JJ's production appears even more impressive when you factor in the fact that his own assist totals have risen recently to 6.3 APG, up from 5.5 APG this year.

Boston Celtics: While Kevin Garnett is getting some decent MVP press, it bears repeating yet again that pure statistical production isn't always a key measure in the considerations. He has always been regarded as an outstanding all-around player, but contrast his recent numbers (19.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.9 APG) to his 2006-07 production (22.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 4.1 APG). The respect he is garnering from sportswriters for helping an excellent team reach its full potential this year does nothing for your fantasy squad, yet he cannot be removed from your lineup unless he gets hurt. Attempting to bolster your statistical production across the board by other means is the only slim chance to offset Garnett's (statistical) decline.

Charlotte Bobcats: Taking advantage of Gerald Wallace's recent injury, Jason Richardson posted a Warrior-throwback 25.3 PPG lately. Matt Carroll has also upped his scoring dramatically of late, at 14.2 PPG versus 8.9 PPG this season.

Chicago Bulls: While the Bulls themselves remain highly suspect as an actual team, key players recently acquired are acquitting themselves well statistically. Drew Gooden is producing better in terms of scoring and defense (12.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 1.5 BPG since the trade, 11.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 0.6 BPG before the trade). Larry Hughes is doing well in terms of shooting and distribution (15.3 PPG and 4.1 APG before the deal, 12.3 PPG and 2.4 APG since the deal).

Cleveland Cavaliers: With Zydrunas Ilgauskas only back for one game so far, one cannot draw too many conclusions about how the Cavs' offense will look. But inasmuch as Z will be the second option for Cleveland (or co-second option once Daniel Gibson returns in a few weeks), the stats of key players from Sunday's win over Charlotte are worth observing. Lebron James had 33 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists, while Z chipped in 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. Devin Brown (10 points) and Damon Jones (8 points) continued to jostle for position since one of them figures to be marginalized once Gibson returns to the rotation. Since Brown is a gunner and Jones is a (somewhat spotty) shooter, the battle may hinge less on their near-term production than on how their skill sets will fit into the team's complicated overlap of abilities. Ben Wallace, freed up from having to man the center position upon Z's return, managed 15 rebounds and demonstrated that his return to the power forward position may be a key to his revitalization.

Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince's recent scoring surge continues (17.8 PPG, up from 13.8 PPG this year). Chauncey Billups, however, has not been as successful in directing other people's scoring (6.3 APG lately, down from 7.0 APG this season).

Indiana Pacers: Mike Dunleavy is really hitting his stride lately with his scoring (21.7 PPG, up from 18.1 PPG this year). Conversely, Jermaine O'Neal's scoring has been tanking of late (14.1 PPG, down from 15.3 PPG this season and 19.4 PPG last year).

Miami Heat: With the loss of Dwyane Wade, the recent decline in Jason Williams' assist totals (4.1 APG, down from 4.6 APG this season) won't reverse itself anytime soon. On the other hand, Ricky Davis is benefiting from his increased opportunities at the wing and will continue to do so (16.6 PPG lately, up from 13.6 PPG on the season).

Milwaukee Bucks: The injuries to Yi Jianlian and Andrew Bogut will give more opportunities for frontcourt production to players such as Charlie Villanueva (15.8 PPG recently, up from 10.9 PPG over the course of the season). Charlie Bell is also up substantially in terms of his recent scoring (11.2 PPG, up from 7.4 PPG this year).

New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris has improved in key areas since coming over from the Mavericks (16.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 5.6 APG since the deal, 14.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG and 5.3 APG before the deal). Meanwhile, Marcus Williams is helping Harris to pick up the distribution slack for Jersey, post-Kidd (4.3 APG lately, up from 2.7 APG over the course of the full season).

New York Knicks: Eddy Curry's recent disappointing string (11.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG) comes to an end with the news that knee surgery will put an end to his season. That meager production won't account for much when it is divvied among others in the New York frontcourt. It's hard to believe that even with the additional minutes he'll receive, David Lee can improve much more on the glass beyond what he's done lately (11.0 RPG).

Orlando Magic: Hedo Turkoglu is back to the point he was at several weeks ago when he was playing well above even the levels of this career season (21.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 6.1 APG recently versus 19.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 4.9 APG this season and 13.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 3.2 APG last year). Rashard Lewis is also bringing up his scoring totals of late (20.4 PPG, up from 18.5 PPG this year).

Philadelphia 76ers: Thaddeus Young is producing at a high level recently (10.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG) for a player who would be in his sophomore year of college had he not turned pro. But as he himself admitted on his blog on the Sixers' website, he has to hit the weight room before next season. Rodney Carney is another young wing player who is proving that he'll be a part of the Philly future based on his recent play (9.0 PPG, up from 5.7 PPG).

Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani is continuing to make strides in his offensive play recently (13.4 PPG, up from 10.7 PPG this year). However, he's being dwarfed by the recent progress of Anthony Parker (19.1 PPG, up from 12.7 PPG this year). Carlos Delfino is rebounding better of late (5.2 RPG, up from 4.6 RPG this season).

Washington Wizards: The return of Caron Butler and the expected comeback of Gilbert Arenas in the next two weeks puts pressure on the other players in the rotation to produce before their minutes are diminished. Darius Songalia has been emerging strongly of late (9.2 PPG, up from 5.7 PPG this year), but is a prime sell-high candidate when the team's "Big 3" is fully constituted again.