The Fantasy Basketball Stock Watch
By the Fantasy Basketball Experts at FantasyFanatics.com
On the Rise
Samuel Dalembert – C – 76ers
Dalembert is not a gifted scorer. His value lies in what he can give you on the boards and in the shots that he blocks. In his past 10 games, he has provided plenty of value in those categories, averaging 11.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks a game. Dalembert is also solid from the field (54%) and you could do worse from a center at the line (71%). The Sixers do not have a great number of scoring options, so he will throw in an occasional 20 point scoring night as well.
Kenyon Martin – PF – Nuggets
Martin came out of the gates slowly this season. His recovery for the leg injury that sidelined him most of last year seems complete. His December numbers through six games: 14.8 points, eight rebounds, and 2.3 blocks while shooting a robust 64% from the field. The points and rebounds are around his career averages, so there is no reason to believe that he can not maintain those numbers – barring injury, of course.
Travis Outlaw – F – Trailblazers
Outlaw started the season with pretty ordinary numbers and it looked as though this was going to be another season of promise not yet fulfilled. However, he has turned up the heat in December, averaging 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds while maintaining a field goal percentage of over 50% in the first eight games of the month. Outlaw seems like a great fantasy play despite his role off the bench.
On the Way Down
Andrea Bargnani – F/C – Raptors
Bargnani appeared to be on pace to have a fantastic second season after finishing off his rookie season strong. He has been great from outside the arc, but has shot a putrid 37% from inside the three point line this season. He has not shown the defense prowess that he did last season or an improvement in his ability to rebound. This has kept his playing time way down. His December numbers through five games: 2.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists with no steals and no blocks – yuck! He seems to be a like a bad fit with Chris Bosh on the Raptors frontline, so I do not anticipate things turning around for Bargnani anytime soon.
Randy Foye – G – Timberwolves
Foye was about a week away from returning when it was learned that he will be delayed for another three to four weeks. The much anticipated start to the talented guard’s second season, his first as a full-time starter, will have to wait just a little longer.
Damien Wilkins – G/F – Sonics
What started out as a dream season for Wilkins – including a 41 point, nine rebound game, has turned to a pretty average one for him statistically. He is only averaging 7.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in eight December games while shooting only 36% from the field. Now is probably the time to move on if you still are holding on to Wilkins.
Skimming the Free Agent Pool
Dan Dickau – PG – Clippers
Don’t look now, but the Clippers’ point guard situation is in shambles. Sam Cassell is hurt and old, Shaun Livingston may come back eventually, but it will not be this season, and Brevin Knight has not shown that he deserves to play big minutes. So they have turned to the journeyman point guard Dan Dickau to carry some of the load at the point. Dickau scored in double figures in three of his last four games and managed to notch five assists in two of those games. He is not a top option, but if you need some scoring and three-pointers at your point guard spot, Dickau may be your guy.
Kris Humphries – F – Raptors
What do Al Jefferson and Josh Smith have in common besides being emerging fantasy stars? They both were taken in the 2004 NBA after Humphries. Humphries was a superb scorer and rebounder in his only year at the University of Minnesota. I tell you all of this to point out that the guy has some ability. With Andrea Bargnani first injured then struggling, Humphries has really stepped up his game. His December statistics: 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in just over 22 minutes a game. Humphries is not the most graceful of athletes, but he is a big strong guy that can rebound and score around the hoop. Also, he seems to be a better fit on the floor with Chris Bosh than Bargnani.
Luke Ridnour – PG – Sonics
The Sonics’ starting point guard job is all but settled. Earl Watson has done a nice job playing defense, but is a liability on offense. Watson’s weaknesses seem to be Ridnour’s strengths. Ridnour has scored in double figures in his last three games and is shooting 57% from the field for the month of December. He is also a couple years younger than Watson, which is important on a team in rebuild mode. Ridnour will probably never be a fantasy star, but could be a very good addition if ends up with the majority of minutes as the Sonics’ point man.
Craig Smith – F/C – Timberwolves
Smith appears to be having a break-out season in his second out of Boston College. He has muscled his way into the starting lineup and does not appear to be giving it up anytime soon. His December numbers: 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in eight games. The downside here: Smith does not do much outside of scoring, rebounding, and shooting well from the field. Also, he does not have the consistency that you want from a fantasy starter. In one stretch, he scored 36 points and followed that up with games of eight points, three points, and then another stellar game of 30 points. Smith is still worth grabbing, but temper your expectations going forward a little.
DeShawn Stevenson – G – Wizards
Stevenson has always been a decent scorer. However, it seems that he has turned his game up a notch lately, especially from three-point range. In his last three games, he has buried 15 three pointers, which is five threes per game! He has also averaged 19.7 points and five assists during that span. He should see increased opportunities with the ball in his hands more due to injuries to Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels. Stevenson is still a risky pick; he hasn’t scored in four games this season. But, his recent hot streak should take most fantasy owners take notice.
Rookie Review
Corey Brewer – G/F – Timberwolves
There is little doubt that Brewer is going to be a good NBA player someday. So far in his rookie year, he has been inconsistent, just like every other rookie. Brewer has played big time minutes lately, but has not done much with those minutes to help your fantasy team. As a starter, Brewer is grabbing almost eight rebounds a game and scoring 6.5 points a game. He is a better shooter than the 30% that he has put up so far, so his scoring should improve as the season goes on. He has the ability put up great steal and blocked shot numbers, too. The potential that he possesses has not turned into real numbers yet; however, there are signs that a break-through is not far away, including an 18 rebound game. Brewer is still not worth grabbing yet, but you should keep a real close eye on how he progress throughout the season.
A Friendly Fantasy Tip
If you notice a great performance from a guy that normally does not put up great numbers while looking over basketball box scores, remember to look at those key players that missed the game. A role/bench player may have turned his big minutes into a great game. However, if he was just filling in for a player that is missing a game or two due to injury or suspension, that surprising performance may not help your fantasy team long- term. He may not have an opportunity to repeat his performance when the key player returns. It is good to note the performance in case the situation changes for a longer-term due to a severe injury or trade.
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