Top 10: Power forwards | Small forwards | Shooting guards | Point guards | Centers

The NBA is back and I couldn’t be happier about it. From the squeaking of sneakers to the squawking of squealers in my fantasy leagues, it’s great to be clocking pro ball once again.

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We’ve had a couple nights of action, so I can’t get too crazy with my takes in this week’s column. Ah, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help you make sense of some of these early season stat lines. To that end, I’ve come up with some trends and mirages for you to nibble on while watching Kevin Garnett drop 30 and 20 on everyone.

Rafer Alston could have the ball in his hands a lot in Toronto. Sam Forencich/NBAE/Getty Images

Andre Miller, G, Nuggets: I don’t own Miller on either of my teams, but I can imagine his owners weren’t real psyched about 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in the opener. Sadly, you better get used to that low assist total because Miller doesn’t handle the ball enough to generate a high average. Carmelo Anthony likes to hold the ball in isolation situations and Earl Boykins is a vulture of both time and touches. Miller averaged 6.1 assists a year ago and I don’t see that number rising in 2004-05.

Rafer Alston, G, Raptors: I got excited about Rafer when I saw him starting during the preseason. And after seeing him drop 15 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds on the Rockets in the Raptors’ opener, I’ve morphed from excited to ecstatic. The Raps don’t really have a backup point guard, so Rafer is going to get huge minutes and pack the stat sheet all season.

Dwight Howard, F, Magic: When you consider Howard is one official game removed from high school, the fact he had 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals in the opener is astonishing. This dude is big, athletic, and smart, and he’s going to rock the house in fantasy leagues all season. I’m thinking right around a double-double with two blocks and a steal every night. That should be good enough for Rookie of the Year.

Richard Jefferson, F, Nets: There wasn’t anything outta whack about Jefferson’s 19-point performance in the opener—other than the fact he attempted only 12 shots. My point here is that Jefferson was the only Net with a stat line worth talking about and that trend shall continue as long as Jason Kidd is out. Speaking of Kidd, I can tell you with confidence that his knee was yelling at him during New Jersey’s 23-point loss to Miami. Like Tracy McGrady last year in Orlando, R.J. is a true one-man band in Jersey.

Manu Ginobili, G, Spurs: Well, well, well. Gregg Popovich finally listened to the Freak and started Manu. Thanks, Pop. That said, Manu (28 minutes) still logged less clock than Tony Parker (33) and Brent Barry (32) in the opener. But that’s all right, because neither Parker nor Barry rocked the SBC Center to the tune of 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 threes. Manu is going to breakout in a big, big way this season. So much, in fact, that he may be the Most Improved Player.

Could McGrady be lobbying for more shots? Tom Pidgeon/NBAE/Getty Images

Tracy McGrady, G, Rockets: Everyone and their mow-the-lawn-at-8:30-on-Saturday-morning neighbor is jumping off the Rockets bandwagon after two losses. But that’s crazier than the networks giving a candidate a state after only 62% of the votes have been counted. Tracy is averaging only 19.5 points after two games, but isn’t that number somewhat impressive when you consider the Rockets have been a complete disaster in Premiere Week? Tracy is going to right the ship with a 40-point effort soon enough. And it could happen Friday when the Rockets play the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum, where the Wizards — with eight dressed players — beat the home team by 12 on Wednesday. Please stop hating on T-Mac and the Rockets.

Jason Terry, G, Mavericks: Though he probably isn’t in too many starting lineups this week due to losing his starting job to rookie Devin Harris, Jason Terry isn’t long for the bench. I love Harris, who has a brilliant future, but rookie point guards tend to struggle and Don Nelson doesn’t have time to groom a youngster. If Nellie is indeed on the hot seat, he needs to win now. That probably means Terry will return to the starting lineup sooner rather than later. Hang in there if you own Terry, who showed signs on Wednesday with 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals against the Hornets.

Peja Stojakovic, F, Kings: Fantasy players covet Peja for his dead-eye shooting. Unfortunately, Peja’s aim has been that of a blindfolded lush through two games against the Mavericks and Spurs. Peja has 27 points on 8-of-29 shooting, including just 2-of-10 from three-point range. The good news is that there is no way this sharpshooter continues to struggle all season.

Chris Mihm, C, Lakers: Mihm was large in the opener against the Nuggets, amassing 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks. However, he came back to earth the very next night against the Jazz, who limited him to 6 points and 5 rebounds. And just think, when Vlade Divac gets healthy Mihm plays that much less. If you can find someone in your league who firmly believes in Mihm, go to work on a sell-high deal.

Bobby Simmons, F, Clippers: I’m happy for Simmons, who has vaulted from the NBDL to a starting job in the NBA. It’s a great story, and it got better on Wednesday night against the Sonics when Simmons shot 13-of-15 from the field en route to a 30-point performance. He also had six rebounds and six assists, and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the foul line. The problem here is that Simmons probably won’t have another game like that this season—maybe ever. Plus, like Mihm, Simmons is a temporary starter, as Kerry Kittles will start at the two when he returns from the injured list.

Rick Kamla can be seen throughout the season on NBA TV dispensing fantasy advice and commentary.