Fantasy Basketball Stock Watch
Guest Post From FantasyFanatics.com
With just over a month left in the season, the fantasy landscape is all but settled. We are still seeing effects of some of the blockbuster deals, two-plus weeks after one of the busiest trade deadlines in years. Also, injuries and players coming off injuries are shaking up lineups and rotations across the league.
And at this point of the season, it is usually hard to improve your fantasy basketball team. However, things are not all bleak this year. There are still viable candidates that may just be worthy of a free-agent pickup and could make a difference in the stretch run in your league. We will even look at a former Bobcats’ castoff that is making a fantasy difference in the country’s heartland in The Deep End.
On the Rise
Devin Harris – Guard – Nets – Just coming off an injury and being dealt to a new team, Harris has had no problems making an impact for the Nets. In his first two games back, he is averaging 21 points, 3 rebound, 3.5 assists, and an amazing 3.5 three pointers a game. He will not be able to keep up the three point production or probably even the scoring pace, but, he seems to be thriving away from the demanding coaching style of Avery Johnson.
Larry Hughes – Guard – Bulls – The Bulls have a stable of guards, but it does not seem to bother Hughes much. He has absolutely thrived since arriving in Chicago. He is producing his best numbers since his time in Washington. In his first five games, he is averaging 19 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
Chris Paul – Point Guard – Hornets – Paul has been incredibly good lately, even adding a more reliable three point shot. The scary thing is that he is only 22 years old, so we probably have not seen the best he has to offer yet. It may just take a top three pick to get the Hornets’ rising star in next season’s draft.
On the Way Down
Al Harrington – Forward/Center – Warriors – Harrington has been yanked in and out of the starting line-up all season. His minutes have also resembled a yo-yo this season. However, this latest move to the bench was in favor of up-and-coming rookie Brandan Wright. Harrington still has some fantasy value, but no longer seems like a sure-fire starter.
Andrei Kirilenko – Forward – Jazz – Even before this latest hip injury, Kirilenko had been struggling lately. His February averages of 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists does not inspire much.
Marvin Williams – Forward – Hawks – It seems as though Williams is reverting to his inconsistent 2006-07 form. In the fourteen games since February 1st, he has scored in single-digits in half of those games and managed seven or more rebounds three times. Williams still has a bright future ahead of him, but you may want to sit him until he breaks out of this current funk.
Skimming the Free Agent Pool
Travis Diener – Point Guard – Pacers – Diener has been thrust into the starting role for the Pacers due to the lingering knee injury to Jamaal Tinsley and has done more than hold his own. As a starter this season, he is averaging 10.8 points, 6 assists, 1.4 three pointers, and almost a steal a game. He has been especially effective in his last three games, putting up averages of 15.7 points and 8.3 assists.
Desmond Mason – Guard/Forward – Bucks – Mason is beginning to look like a serviceable option lately. Since returning from injury in February, he is averaging 11 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and almost a block a game. More importantly, he is shooting well over 50% from the field.
Kendrick Perkins – Center – Celtics – Though not very graceful, Perkins is one of the hardest workers in the league. He benefits greatly from playing off of the three Celtics’ superstars and a pass-first point guard. He is a risk to get into foul trouble on an almost nightly basis and P.J. Brown may steal some of his playing time. But, Perk seems like a solid play, especially for rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage.
The Deep End:
Kareem Rush – Shooting Guard – Pacers – Despite being a first round pick in 2002 by the Lakers, Rush never really fit in with Los Angeles. He then spent a couple of decent but unspectacular years in Charlotte. The Bobcats released him after the 2005-06 season after he was tagged with the “locker room cancer” label. He resurfaced this season in Indiana. He has made the most of his second chance and has even become a decent fantasy option. If you are in need of three pointers, go out a grab Rush. Since the All-Star break, he has notched 2.6 three pointers, along with 12.9 points and 3.4 rebounds a game.
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