Basketball Outlook - Hot Sleepers

Aside from the obvious stars (whose best RCs are just unattainable for us average collectors), here are a couple of players that I think are quiet sleepers waiting to break out into hobby stardom.

Charlie Villanueva (Mil Bucks, 05-06 RC) - With the lack of good big men in the NBA, teams are putting their hopes behind anyone who has some skills and a big body. I think that this guy has the chance to be a top F in the East, up there with Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison & Chris Bosh. In the 1st 4 games of the season, he's avg 18.8 ppg & 10.8 rpg. For a low cost quality RC, try Finest Auto #'d 349 ($20), Ulitimate Collection Signature Auto ($20). For a mid range quality RC try SP Sig Rookies INKorporated #'d 50 ($40), Topps Big Game Draft Day Moments Relics Hat/Auto #'d 129 ($40), SPx Auto/Jsy #'d 750 ($50). For high end RCs try Exquisite Collection Auto/Jsy #'d 225 ($300), SP Game Used Rookie Exclusives Auto #'d 100 ($120), SPx Spectrum Auto/Jsy #'d 25 ($225), Ultimate Collection Rookie Auto Patches #'d 25 ($300).

Josh Childress (Atl Hawks, 04-05 RC) - He's been coming off the bench for the past couple of seasons putting up decent numbers (10.1 ppg & 5.7 rpg), and getting increased minutes. I think that this year or next will be his break out season. If you want to pick up a low cost quality RC of his, try Bowman Signature Auto/Jsy #'d 399 ($15). For a mid range quality RC, try SP Sig Rookies INKorporated Auto #'d 100 ($25), SPx Auto/Jsy #'d 750 ($40), Bowman Sig Auto/Jsy #'d 50 ($30), SP Authentic Limited Auto #'d 100 ($45). If you can afford the best (which I can't!), try Exquisite Coll Auto/Jsy #'d 99 ($300), SPx Spectrum Auto/Jsy #'d 25, Topps Rookie Photo Shoot Auto #'d 55 ($100), Ultimate Collection Draft Day Ink #'d 6, UD Trilogy Rookie Premiere Patches Auto #'d 10 or Topps Chrome Auto Ref #'d 7, if you can find them!

more to come!