FanHouse Aaron Afflalo

You kids and your Twitter. There's something about 140 characters to get your point across that just seems to make sense. The whole idea got me thinking that instead of dragging out some fantasy basketball column that you'll likely just skim over, what do you say I give you 50 fantasy basketball tips and observations in 140 characters or less. You have no vote in this matter, so you're getting them anyway.

These tips are not only designed for those of you who have yet to draft your fantasy teams, but they're also for those who are looking to improve on their post-draft squads. Hopefully this is a helpful way to get out as much information as possible while keepin' it mainstream.

PHOENIX -- As the arena began to fill up, Dan Majerle was working on his half-court shooting, warming up for the Haier Shooting Stars event. FanHouse NBA writer and next-door neighbor on press row Brett Pollakoff said Majerle practices knocking down the shots from halfcourt before every Suns home game, but it didn't rub off on Saturday in Phoenix.

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports that the Pistons signed Antonio McDyess to a two-year extension on Monday. The $14.46 million extension will keep McDyess, who had a year remaining on his current deal, in Detroit through 2010.

There's no doubt that McDyess has been the team's most valuable reserve in his three years with the team, but retaining him does nothing to change the public perception that the Pistons are an aging team. But even though McDyess will be 35 years old by the time the deal expires, is that perception really accurate? Maybe not.

Considering the Pistons also announced the signing of second-round pick Sammy Mejia today, this year's roster will feature four rookies: first-round picks Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Afflalo, Mejia and last year's second-round pick Cheikh Samb. Plus, 20-year-old Amir Johnson, who recently signed a three-year deal to stay in Detroit, and Jason Maxiell, 24, are also expected to factor into Detroit's rotation this year. That's six players who are all under the age of 25, including four expected to see a lot of playing time this year. And of the starters, only two are on the wrong side of thirty: Rasheed Wallace is 32, and Chauncey Billups is 30. .

It's been said that the addition of McDyess in 2004-05 was one of the reasons Darko Milicic never had a chance to develop in Detroit. Will keeping McDyess around prevent Maxiell and Johnson from breaking out? It's possible, but the lack of a true center on this roster outside of Nazr Mohammed often results in McDyess seeing time at the five. Besides, if Johnson fills out, he could end up seeing time at center, and if Maxiell keeps the 30 pounds he shed this summer off, he could see at least some time at small forward.

First, UCLA basketball star Aaron Afflalo decided to leave school early to enter the NBA draft--now he's turning his back on Bruin fans at Friday's Spring Football game.

Buried in the school's press release about how soe "weight events" have forced the football team to move its annual Spring Game this Friday from Drake Stadium to Spaulding Field, the Bruins' sports information team acknowledges, "Arron Afflalo had hoped to be available to sign autographs as his way of thanking Bruin fans for their support over the last three years. Unfortunately, Arron's agent has committed him to participate in an athlete performance facility over the next few weeks and he is unavailable."

Without Afflalo--or hope for the football team--we wonder if the move to the practice facility was more of an effort to prevent any fallout from a lower-than-expected crowd.

If there were an over-under on the question, does anyone think UCLA will be able to give away the 100 t-shirts promised?