Fantasy Basketball Daily News and Notes (12/27/11)
Dec 27, 2011 Blog
Fanduel has two fantasy basketball tournaments going tonight, the $5000 NBA Rebound and the $1500 NBA Assist. Entry free for the Rebound is $10 and the entry fee for the Assist is $5. To register simply pick a screenname and password and click ‘Register’. You can deposit funds with Paypal or a Credit Card. I play under the screenname ‘Tippy’, so say hello if you catch me in the chatroom. Good luck in tonight’s tournaments.
Andray Blatche (WAS) – It’s only been one game, but Blatche is already trying to work himself into Saunders’ doghouse. Blatche says that he’s being asked to be more of a jumpshooter rather than being allowed to take the ball inside. Of course he also thinks he’s not getting the ball enough. Keep an eye on this and if it looks like trouble is brewing, you may want to see if you can deal him for someone a little more dependable.
Mehmet Okur (NJN) – Okur got just 20 minutes in his Nets debut, but he’s only been in camp a couple of days and it might take a week or so for him to get comfortable. Be patient with him over the next two weeks.
Damion James (NJN) – James got a surprising 40 minutes Monday and if he’s going to get 33-35 minutes a night, you have to think about picking him up, especially in keeper leagues. Yahoo has him listed at SG, and you have to love getting 14 rebounds from that position.
Jordan Crawford (WAS) – Crawford surprisingly got the start over Nick Young and had a pretty good game going for 15 points on 12 shots. Young had a nice game too going for 16 points on just 9 shots. Young suffered a minor ankle injury, so Crawford may be in store for more starts in the next few games. He’s definitely an add in keeper leagues.
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – Tough shooting night for Irving going 2 for 12, but he did get the starting nod and that has to make fantasy owners happy. He also only turned it over once, which is impressive for a rookie PG. You know you’ll have to ride out some bumps with Irving, but as the season progresses he’ll get better and better. If he does tank, be ready to try and buy low with him, especially in keeper leagues.
Gerald Henderson (CHA) – Henderson is a guy that should be moving up draft boards. He got 39 minutes Monday and put up 18 points on 14 shots. He’s all the Bobcats have at SG, so he should average 35 MPG this season.
Boris Diaw (CHA) – Diaw is going to be a sneaky source of assists this season and especially helpful since he may pick up center eligibility. He had 9 assists Monday to go along with 9 points and 11 rebounds.
Kevin Martin (HOU) – What a disappointing opener from Martin who went 1 of 10 from the field. Maybe the trade talk from preseason had him distracted, but it’s only one game. Give him a couple of games to get it going before doing anything irrational.
J.J. Redick (ORL) – Redick is going to get some decent run this year and deserves to be on fantasy rosters. The Magic used a Nelson, Redick, Richardson, Turkoglu, Howard lineup during last night’s game and we could see that more this season.
Stephen Curry (GSW) – Injured his ankle, again. He was looking great before the injury. Check his next gametime status.
Josh McRoberts (LAL) – Left the game with a sprained toe and sprained thumb and might be questionable for his next game.
David West (IND) – I had some questions about West’s knee going into the season and I avoided him in every draft. I wish we would have had more preseason to get a look at him, because avoiding him was probably a mistake, he looked very healthy Monday.
Paul George (IND) – If George is on your waiver wire, grab him. He is looking much improved and should get starters minutes this season, even if he comes off the bench at some point.
Markieff Morris (PHO) – Put Morris on your waiver wire watchlist. He’s looking like he belongs and could take some decent minutes away from Channing Frye, especially if the Suns fall out of contention and move into a rebuilding phase.
Delonte West (DAL) – Vince Carter was benched with West getting the start Monday. If you need guard help in a deep league, West is worth a pickup. As for Carter, well, a shout out to my friend Dan Back who was all over that one, nice call.
Terrence Williams (HOU) – Williams is another guy to put on your waiver wire watchlist. Chase Budinger is currently the starter in Houston, but Williams is making his case.
Kyle Lowry (HOU) – I had some doubts about Lowry this year, but after his performance last night it’s becoming clear that he is for real. Don’t let him slip too far in your draft.
Tiago Splitter (SAS) – Splitter could be an interesting waiver wire pickup. He got 33 minutes compared to only 10 minutes for DeJuan Blair (who did have some foul problems). I’d give this a game or two to see if it is a pattern that will hold.
Spencer Hawes (PHI) – Nearly put up a triple double. Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either.
Tags: fantasy basketball