Thursday, February 26, 2009

Waiver Wire Watch (2/26/09): Stat Specific Edition


With fantasy basketball playoffs getting closer and closer, this edition of WWW will be slightly different than normal. Recent injuries to big stars have left teams handicapped during the most crucial period of the fantasy basketball season.

If your team is one of these teams, I suggest scourging the waiver wire and streaming some players. Examine your match-up each week, and determine the categories that are going to be close. Look at your opponents history, and figure out their weaknesses. To help, here are some players that can help in specific categories.

Blocks

Ronny Turiaf (owned in 47% of leagues): Turiaf is ridiculous rate shot blocker: 2.2blks per 20 mins. He had a pretty nice run while Biedrins was out, but Andris has returned. While I expect a slight decrease in minutes and points, you can still expect him to get you two blocks a night. Turiaf also shoots great %s from the field and the line (.50 and .81 respectively). However, keep an eye on his ankle situation; he's currently listed as a day-to-day.

Chris Andersen (owned in 23% of leagues): Nene is out with a knee injury and Kenyon Martin is dealing with back issues. This means more minutes for the Birdman. Andersen currently averages 2.2 blks in a little over 19 minutes; per 48 mins, that's 5.5 blocks a game. Realistically, we can expect Chris to see his minutes increase to around 25 minutes a game, which works out to about 4.2 blocks a night. In his last three games, he's had 4,3, and 5 blocks. Anderson is also a decent source of rebounds, occasionally scores, and his %'s won't kill your team (.57 from the field, .73 from the line). For a deeper analysis of Birdman (from Fantasy Basketball Jedi)

Joel Przybilla (owned in 30% of leagues): Przybilla hasn't been shot blocking at the same rate as the two centers previously mentioned, but he is still a solid source. Currently capitalizing off of Oden's knee injury, Joel has been quietly blocking about a shot a game while collecting 8 rebounds a night. Przybilla is a huge 7 footer so he could go off for 3 of 4 blocks any night. While he's averaging .655 from the field, his .639 FT% is a bit of a turn off. However, he only shoots about two of those a game. If you're team is weak at the center position, Przybilla is a decent fill-in.

Steals

Luke Ridnour (owned in 32% of leagues):
Steals is one of those tricky categories to work with; under normal circumstances, I'd suggest to target this category in trades rather than trying to find them on the wire. If you can't seem to work a trade out, Ridnour isn't a horrible option to pick up. Ramon Sessions has been receiving all the attention since Michael Redd went down, and he's living up to that hype for the most part. Ridnour however, I wouldn't suggest adding unless you're in a deeper league. He's averages a steal a game, and actually averages around 30 minutes a game (recently 25). He's good for 4-5 assists a night and close to 10 points.

Kirk Hinrich (owned in 37% of leagues): Again, not a player I'd recommend for every team to pick up. Like everyone on the Bulls not named Derrick Rose, Hinrich's production will be very inconsistent. Recent trends show he gets between 25-3o minuntes a night, and averages 1.3 steals a game. Remember that not too long ago, Kirk was a 2nd/3rd tier point guard. Who knows? Maybe he can bring back his glory days...just kidding, not a chance. However, Kirk will also be a decent source of assists and threes.

Sebastian Telfair (owned in 17% of leagues): Surprisingly Telfair is probably your best bet out of the guards in this category. The T-Wolves have shifted Foye to SG, and gave Telfair the chance to start at PG. He's collected 7 steals in his last three games, and is averaging well over 30 minutes a game in his last 10 games. Aside of steals, Telfair is also good source of assists (about 6 a game) and threes (10/29 from 3pt range in his last 5 games). Be aware of his FG% (.358).If he's a free agent, and you have a spot, he's worth the risk.

Three Pointers

Daequan Cook (owned in 15% of leagues):
The reigning NBA 3pt champ is one of those wildly inconsistent guys that could explode any given night. In Miami's latest game, Cook flourished when Spoelstra shifted Wade to PG and inserted Cook as SG (instead of inserting Quinn as PG). Cook is currently averaging a very good 2.3 threes a game. Some night's he'll make 5, others zero. Again, if you have an extra spot, or need threes for a match-up, pick him up. He doesn't turn the ball over much, and shoots a good FT% too.

Steve Blake (owned in 41% of leagues): Blake has played surprisingly well for the rapidly maturing Blazers. He makes about two 3pters a game, and is also averages 10pts and 5 assists a game while shooting 83% from the line. Another perk for this point guard is his low TO rate. Blake is definitely worth a final roster spot in standard leagues.

Rasual Butler (owned in 30% of leagues): Butler is purely a source of points and threes. He's put together a decent string of games as of late. He's 20/43 from long range in his last ten games, and has averaged 13.6 ppg over that period. Bulter will also get you an occasional steal and block. Additionally neither of his %s (.450 from the field, .754 from the line) will hurt your team too much. I don't know if I would make him a permanent fixture of my team, but he's definitely a guy I'd stream in and out depending on needs.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Dwight Howard's Pre-Game Ritual

This sort of stuff will always stir suppressed laughter in me. 

Monday, February 23, 2009

(not so) Quick Hits: Mon 2/23

  • NY vs IND game was a fantasy goldmine. Here are some notables from that game:
    -Jarett Jack had 33pts on 11-19 shooting. He topped that with 3 assists, 3 rebs, and 3 3pters.
    -Marquis Daniels is flourishing in Granger and Dunleavy's absence. 28pts on 12-23 shooting.
    -Troy Murphy doesn't get enough attention. 19pts and 21 rebs! He even tossed in a 3 pter.
    -Nate Robinson dropped 41pts on 11-18 shooting. Sounds like no one played defense today.
    -Al Harrington had 27 and David Lee had 20pts and 13 rebs
  • In Philly vs NJ:
    -Andre Miller had 17 and 10 assists. Dalembert got a double double with 13-10 and 2 blks. Iggy had 21-9-5 (pts,rebs,asts)
    -Devin Harris had a monster line: 39-2-8 with 5 3's, 2 stls, and a block.
  • Boston vs Denver was another blowout victory for the Celtics
    -The only real thing to note in a game like this is Ray Allen's 26pts and 6 3's. Seeing the Celtics manhandle their last few opponents without KG is scaring the rest of the league right now.
  • ATL vs Utah. Another game blown wide open.
    - Deron put up his expected 15pts and 10 asts. The Jazz are still slowly working Boozer back into the lineup. He had 2pts and 5 rebs in 21 mins.
  • There are still games that have yet to be concluded: NO vs SAC and GS vs LAC
    -Sjax is going off for the Warriors right now. He's got 20pts with 6mins left in the first half.
    -Tyson Chandler has rejoined the Hornets' lineup, though he's only got 3pts and 5rebs at the half.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Fantasy Market (2/19/2009)


As the trade deadline has just passed in the NBA, teams are primarily focused on one goal: the playoffs. The ones clearly out of the picture are prepping for next season, while those in the hunt hope to buckle down for the final stretch of the regular season.

Likewise, all you fantasy basketball players should be doing the same. Post-all-star break is a critical time in which you need your team to start putting together some consistent production. This is where experienced fantasy players separate themselves from their fellow noobs. Seasoned veterans will make the necessary moves and sacrifices with the ultimate goal of winning.

For those of you that clearly can't make the playoffs, keep your heads up and keep fighting each week; your participation can still greatly affect the playoff landscape.

For those that have hung onto injured players, it's time to realistically think about the future benefits that your injured player could potentially bring. As with money, take into account the present value of these future "cash flows". 12pts and 5 rebs off the waiver wire is more beneficial than 18 and 8 for the final week of the playoffs. Especially if your team can't even make it there. Fantasy trade deadlines are approaching. If you can't move these injured guys, then you take the risk of being stuck with a goose-egg the rest of the way (unless of course you drop him).

Sell High

Yao Ming: I mentioned him in the previous Fantasy Market. He has played 51 games thusfar. Last season he played a total of 55, the year before 48. I get the feeling history is about to repeat itself. Yao has strung together a nice serious of games recently so you should be able to get some great value for him. Get him off of your hands while he's still healthy!

Tyrus Thomas/Joakim Noah: One of these two guys (or maybe both) will slow down a bit with Brad Miller joining them in the Bulls's frontcourt. I've also just read that the Bulls have acquired Tim Thomas from the Knicks. Both have played surprisingly well in Drew Gooden's absence, but are bound to lose PT as well as offensive touches with these new big guys on the roster.

Jermaine O'neal: Yea, yea, yea...I know he just got traded to a Miami Heat team that was in desperate need of a dominant post presence. I know that when he's healthy, he's an awesome player that can pretty much do it all. I know this; everyone knows this. However, getting traded to the Heat does not make O'neal any more reliable health-wise. He's already missed significant stretches this season for various ailments, and there is no reason to think that he won't miss more. Take advantage of the current hype around his situation to sell high.

John Salmons: Salmons has had an awesome fantasy season up til this point. He can score, rebound, steal, and shoot good %s. But Chicago isn't the same situation as Sacremento. The Bulls are stacked in the backcourt. Rose, Gordon, Hinrich, and Deng all need touches. I'm not saying that Salmons will become fantasy irrelevent, but expect a decline in production. I'd move him if I could.

Buy Low

Al Horford:
Horford has been a relative disappointment this season given his success as a rookie. Many were expecting big things from this second-year, but his production is eerily close to the numbers he put up last season. Back from his first significant injury of his career, I expect to see Horford surprise many in the coming months. Horford exploded last season after the All-Star break, and I can see him doing it again this year. Thus far, he hasn't put together a consistent string of impressive games, but he has shown flashes of his potential dominance. Just last night, he had 18pts, 18rebs, 4asts, 2blks, and a steal.

Leandro Barbosa: The Suns put up 140+ pts in consecutive nights. Absolutely ridiculous. Now I know both games were against the lowly Clippers, but it's quite an accomplishment nonetheless. With Terry Porter out and Alvin Gentry in at head coach, Phoenix has returned to the run-and-gun, "seven seconds or less" offensive mentality. This means more shots for everyone. Take all this and add Jason Richardson's recent trouble with the law, and now you have a prime situation for Barbosa to shine. If you want points, threes, or steals, get him now.

Ron Artest: Tmac is out for the season (surprise, surprise). Someone will need to pick up the scoring slack. That someone is Ron Artest. Enough said.

Raefer Alston: Skip to my Lou just got traded to the Orlando Magic. I guess Anthony Johnson and Tyrone Lue weren't adequete to fill in for Jameer.

Mike Conley: Conley isn't the ideal buy low candidate; he's been putting up great numbers recently. However, his role as point-guard just got cemented even more when the Grizz shipped Kyle Lowry away. Conley's turnovers and shooting%s might be iffy, but he can score, rebound, and assist. He's a good type of player to have in the last couple of seats on your team.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Video's From Around the Net

In my scavenge around the Internet, I came across some pretty interesting basketball related videos. Check them out and tell me what you think.

First up is the New Jordan Brand Commercial: Field Generals



Personally I am a pretty big fan of this one. Team Jordan has put out some great commercials over recent years; I'm surprised I haven't bought myself a pair of Jordans yet.


Next up is Corey Maguette...



I don't have much to say about that one other than...freaking hilarious. Though I'm surprised the refs didn't catch that, I can't say I would've caught it real-team either. Messed up stuff...