Three extremely important disclaimers.

1. This was the first REAL night of the season. I guarantee you that Gabe Pruitt has a great game this year, but you aren’t running out and grabbing Gabe Pruitt right?

2. The (Almost) Daily Fantasy is not a place you’re going to find information about the best players in the game. If you own Dwight Howard or Danny Granger I shouldn’t have to tell you that both players were absurd last night. This is a place to find out about pick ups, drops, guys who should be on your radar, injuries, and everything else you need to know to allow you to compete, and hopefully WIN, your league.

3. Rookies – Never before have so many rookies had big fantasy performances on opening night. Some of these guys just won’t get consistent minutes, others will hit a rookie wall, others will disappear from time to time, and few of them will do this night in and night out.

Now for the fun stuff…

Wilson Chandler – Wilson Chandler was very impressive last night. Take away the missed threes (which he was hitting in the preseason) and Chandler was all positive last night. Chandler should be owned in all 14 team+ leagues and most 12 team leagues. The consistent minutes are the big question, but Chandler only need 23 to go for 17 and 9 last night. At some point he’ll get a consistent 25 to 30 minutes a game.

Nate Robinson – Nate Rob was also extremely impressive last night. Playing the role of the Knicks Barbosa, Nate gave them 13 points (1 three), 7 dimes, 3 boards, and 2 steals – in 25 minutes. I love Nate’s game and certainly the Knicks are committed to him, but I do wonder how much more he can give in the 25 to 30 minute mold. He is 100% worth owning in most 12 to 14 team leagues and above.

Mario Chalmers - I liked what I saw from Chalmers last night and most importantly, the Heat NEED him to perform, need him to put up stats. Last night, Chalmers played 36 minutes, went for 17 points on 7 –13 shooting, hit two threes, dished 8 assists, and grabbed 7 boards. The point guard position is shallow on the waiver wire and Chalmers is worthy of a strong look and a pick up if you have the room.

Darrell Arthur – Wow. 11 points, 15 boards, and 2 blocks in 27 minutes. He’s definitely someone to watch carefully as he looks like the choice at power forward for the Grizzlies. That being said, always temper your actions with a rookie.

Troy Murphy – Turn back the clock T-Murph! 13 points and 15 boards are three year ago Murphy numbers. 3 blocks as well? Resurgence? I was a huge Murphy believer until he let me down for about 2 straight years. Let’s see if this is a tease or he can keep it up.

Spencer Hawes – Spencer Hawes owners are having very very ugly thoughts towards Brad Miller today. 6 blocks? 14 boards? Nice work if you started him this week. If he can keep it up, Brad Miller could very well move to the 4.

Jason Thompson – Thompson is going to be a nice 15 to 20 minute player off the bench this season for the Kings and he showed that last night with 18 and 10. I just don’t think when Brad Miller returns that Thompson will get enough burn for consistent value. At least right now. That could easily change as the year goes on. I wouldn’t pick him up today though.

Marc Gasol – 12 and 12 is about as good a debut as you could have asked for from the “other” Gasol. We expect better field goal percentage numbers, but there should be plenty of these types of double/doubles this season for Marc Gasol.

Kevin Love – Love had a really nice debut with 12 points, 9 boards, and 2 blocks but he played only 19 minutes. The T-Wolves seem to want to pace Love. Might be nothing wrong with that.

Brook Lopez – He may not be starting now, but he will be. 8, 8, and 2 (blocks) last night. He’s a great 3rd center right now and a decent 2nd center.

Russell Westbrook – Westbrook only played 22 minutes last night, but he had 13 points, 4 boards, and 4 dimes. Once the kid gets the keys, he could be in line for some legit stat lines.

Greg Oden - 2 to 4 weeks. Huge bummer (sorry, it’s the best word for it) for fantasy owners. I’m not running out to grab Pryzbilla and don’t recommend it unless you are either a desperate Oden owner or in dire need of blocks.

John Salmons – His numbers were sick last night – 24 points, 8 dimes, and 5 boards, but I still say he’s one of the more overrated players in the league. We’ll see though.

Kelenna Azubuike – I was a fan last year and I’m a fan this year. Especially if Azubuike is going to get 43 minutes per game like he did last night. Although Azubuike had 17 points last night, he hit zero threes. That will change. Grab him in all 14 team leagues and consider him in 12 team.

Udonis Haslem – Haslem should be owned in just about all leagues and certainly 12 team and above leagues. One thing is clear, if Haslem goes 10 for 14, and has 23 and 10 bigger centers are going to KILL the Knicks this season.

Elton Brand – I said this during the preseason, the lack of blocks makes me nervous. When Brand was healthy it was the blocks that really separated him from the pack. Zero blocks last night. Something to keep an eye on. He should destroy the Knicks interior defense tomorrow.

Andrea Bargnani – Perfect example of a guy NOT to run out and drop if you own him. Yes he had a goose egg last night, and yes he may very well be cutable, but it’s going to take a week or two to really figure it out. Give it a minute.

Shaun Livingston – Watching Livingston play for 4 minutes last night told me all I needed to know about where he is right now in getting back to old Livingston. He’s not that close. The Heat are going to try to gradually get him to a point where he can help them in the second half of the season. Right now, he’s not ownable and should be cut.

Mickael Pietrus – It isn’t the 20 points that surprised me, because I think Pietrus has that ability. It was the 16 shots. I can’t imagine Pietrus getting that many looks consistently. Ownable? Yeah. Startable? Not yet.

Yi Jianlian – The Nets need Yi to be that second scorer and last night Yi was exactly that. 17 points, nice percentages and even 2 blocks. I have a pretty good feeling about the Nets right now and it’s worth giving Yi a little bit of a look.

Jamario Moon – I warned against Moon this year after having some success with him last season. 6 points and 1 board was not a promising debut. He’s just not the small forward the Raptors need for that offense. By the end the week, he could be bordering on cutable.

Jason Kapano – I know he had a decent game last night, but I’m not a believer unless you’re in a rotisserie league and desperate for threes.

Luis Scola – It’s always going to be kind of ugly, but owners could do much worse. Especially owners in 14 team leagues and above. Scola’s 13 boards and 11 points came in only 25 minutes and there should be plenty of double digit rebound nights this season for the Argentinean.

Charlie Villanueva – And one night later, we see the other Chuck V. 20 points, 12 boards and 2 blocks. How long till we give him the “2 Face” nickname?

Nick Collison – Collison is incredibly frustrating. He had 7 points and 6 boards last night and will probably have more lines like this. At some point in the next two weeks, he’ll have a 15+ board game. Personally, I’ve always shied away from Collison for this exact reason.

OJ Mayo – There will be a lot more 5-20 nights in Mayo’s rookie year. Gotta take the good with the bad.

Steph – Um. You can cut him.

Ramon Sessions – Cut him and pick up someone from above. We’ll keep an eye on him for you.