Fantasy Basketball Stock Watch
Guest Blog By Fantasy Fanatics
We are at the point of the season when most coaches have settled on their rotations and most players have settled into their roles. As a result, there are not many players who are going to shock us with a dramatic change in their production level, unless an injury or trade plays a role. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at some of the movers and shakers of the fantasy basketball world.
On the Rise
Gilbert Arenas – Guard – Wizards – Word is that Arenas has started more extensive workouts in preparation of a return shortly after the All-Star break. This may be the time to see if you can grab him at a bargain from an owner that is getting impatient.
Kirk Hinrich – Guard – Bulls – Although the statistics did not show it, Hinrich was starting to get his stroke back some before missing some game is month with back spasms. He exploded for 38 points on Wednesday night against Indiana. With Luol Deng and Chris Duhon sidelined for a while, there should be more big nights on the way for Hinrich. A word of caution, though, back injuries scare me some because they tend to linger.
Wally Szczerbiak – Guard/Forward – Sonics – If you were like me, you did not give Szczerbiak a chance to have much of a fantasy impact this season. First, he was coming off of an injury-filled season in Boston. Second, he was traded to a team in full-blown rebuild mode at age 30. This month, he has definitely been worthy of fantasy consideration. Despite being marred in an 0 for 11 January, the Sonics are playing Szczerbiak over 25 minutes a game. In that time, he is averaging 16.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 three pointers. The downside is that he does not give you much else outside of great percentages.
Al Thornton – Forward – Clippers – Thornton was a sleeper pick for Rookie of the Year going into this season. He started out extremely slow, averaging only 6.3 points in November and 8.1 points in December. Not only was he having trouble getting acclimated to the league, he was also loosing the confidence of the coach. In January, he is gaining that confidence by posting 13 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.7 blocked shots per game. It is probably too little, too late to be in the running for the R.O.Y award. Still, if he can continue this type of production, he could make the first team of the All-Rookie Team, helping your fantasy team along the way.
On the Way Down
Larry Hughes – Guard – Cavaliers – What happened to this guy? He used to be a solid fantasy starter and borderline fantasy star. He is still young enough to be in the prime years of his basketball career at age 29. Regardless, his numbers have gotten progressively worse each of the past four seasons. His production has hit a concerning low in January. His 8.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 36% field goal percentage should have him nailed to your bench until, or even if, he finds his groove.
Yi Jianlian – Forward – Bucks – Yi is going to be good someday, many agree, but he is not quite ready to be counted on for consistent fantasy production yet. He can frustrate fantasy owners with games of 29 points and 10 rebounds and then have 8 points and 5 rebounds the very next game. Part of the problem is that Yi gets himself into early foul trouble too often. His 8 point, 5 rebound January averages do not merit a spot on your fantasy team right now.
Jamaal Tinsley – Point Guard – Pacers – Tinsley enjoying a re-birth of his fantasy value earlier this season. He has struggled so far in 2008 thanks to injuries and inconsistency with his jumper, shooting a woeful 34% from the field and an even worse 6% from three point range. The positive side here is that he is keeping up with his assist totals, despite his horrid shooting. He has some bounce back ability, but you may be better off trading the Pacers point guard to a team desperate for assists.
Martell Webster – Guard/Forward – Blazers – Webster has huge upside as an offensive player. His production has yet to match his potential in his first two and a half years in the league. Although his statistics are up this season from the previous two seasons, he is not showing enough consistency and is constantly getting lost in the shuffle of the young emerging talent in Portland. His seven single digit scoring games and eight games with five rebounds or less in eleven January games suggest that he is a long way from helping your fantasy squad. Still, Webster is worth watching closely, he is not that far away from being a fantasy force.
Skimming the Free Agent Pool
Maurice Evans – Guard/Forward – Magic – Evans has taken over for Keith Bogans as the starting shooting guard in Orlando. His numbers as a starter this season in nine games (eight with the Magic, one with the Lakers): 11 points, 3 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and a three pointer per game on over 50% from the field. The numbers do not blow you away by any means, but he could help if you are hurting for points and three pointers.
Linas Kleiza – Guard/Forward – Nuggets – Kleiza is an offensive force. His problem is that he plays on a team with two other offensive forces in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. However, Kleiza has proven when given an opportunity he can light up the scoreboard. His 41 point performance against Utah was a display of what this guy can do. He filled in for an injured Anthony the past two games and averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 three pointers in those games. Anthony is not expected to be out an extended period of time. However, Kleiza has proven that he can still be produce in limited opportunities, just not as consistently.
Kendrick Perkins – Center – Celtics – You have to love Perkins, the forgotten man on the Celtics starting five. His job is to rebound, play defense, and stay out of the way on offense. Nevertheless, Perk does have some ability to put the ball in the hole. He does not have many plays called for him. Instead, he has to rely on put-backs and passes from double-teamed teammates. There seems to be more of those opportunities lately as he is averaging: 7.4 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks on 59% shooting from the field in January. The warning here is that he shoots under 60% from the line for the year. Perkins is worthy of a pick up if you need short term help at the center position.
Luke Ridnour – Point Guard – Sonics – Ridnour has struggled through an injury plagued season in Seattle. He is back in action and playing pretty well in limited minutes off the bench. In his last six games, he is averaging 8 points and 6.2 assists despite not playing over 28 minutes in any of those games. His production is still under that of starter Earl Watson, but you may see the Sonics go to Ridnour more often to showcase for a trade.
The Deep End:
Nenad Krstic – Forward/Center – Nets – Krstic may be back from his prolonged rehab in a week or so. He has a couple of battles ahead of him: the injured knee and the fine play of youngsters, Josh Boone and Sean Williams. If Krstic is healthy, which is yet to be determined, when he returns, he is at the very least worth a reserve spot. The payoff could be huge. Remember, he was averaging 17 points and 7 boards on 52% shooting before going down with the injury last season.
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POSTED IN: Buy Low, Player Analysis, Sell High, Waiver Wire
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