And once again, I’m back. Howdy Ya’ll. It’s rodeo time.
Shooting Stars:
Kenneth Faried
Faried has lived up to his nickname, the “Manimal”, averaging Luis Scola-like numbers, posting 11.7 points and pulling down 8 boards in an eleven game span. Meanwhile, over the same amount of games, Scola has provided his owners with 13.8 points and seven-and-a-half boards per game. The two have different styles of play, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at those stat-lines. Faried can provide you with boards, points, and in rare leagues that count points-per-minute, like a league that I am in, he can contribute there, hitting 30-plus minutes just three times in eleven games. In addition to those categories, he’s been having a block-party the last three games, with two in each. And for those of you who read my article last week, you know that I have a dreadlocks fetish.
James Johnson
Johnson, much like Faried, can provide owners with both double-digit points and post a decent amount of rebounds in any game, if given the minutes. Though the Raptors are stocked at both the three and four, the two positions Johnson plays, he’s dipped under twenty minutes just once since February 5th. In his last two games, Johnson has chipped in eleven assists, contributing in more than two categories, by averaging more than one block and one steal per game on the season. He could be a very good player if he sees 30+ minutes a night, and is declared the starter. Buy low on him if you can. Which you should be able to, as Toronto is a small-market team.
Josh Howard
Many thought Howard would lose his starting job with the return of Raja Bell, but he managed to push Hayward out for the spot, according to the @Jazz official twitter page. This is good news for Howard, who has caught fire the past two weeks, never dipping below double-digit points. He’s also managed to pull down at least five rebounds. The down side, however, is that he hasn’t managed to score 20 or more points, or pull down double-digit boards. He’s a decent option in deep 12-team leagues, or points leagues.
Rajon Rondo
Rondo has two triple-doubles in his last three games. His stock can’t possibly get any higher. And for that reason, he belongs in this article.If you can afford to trade Rondo away, do it. You can most likely get a haul for him, and you shouldn’t settle for anything less than a top 20 player, as that’s what he is at right now. Fill your needs first, but take the best offer if you can’t fulfill such request.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk has been showing that he’s still got game. He’s put up 19+ points in 8 of the last nine games, and has managed double-digit rebounds in four of those nine. He hasn’t been a huge factor on the boards this season, but he is capable scoring against just about every team in the league, even if he’s double-teamed. Dirk is a hall-of-fame caliber player, and should be traded if you are needing another player, as he has put up 67 points in the last two games. Trade him only if you need to get a specific point guard, and don’t settle on anything cheap.
Antawn Jamison
Jamison might just be one of the most underrated fantasy players in the league. Jamison 17.9 points a game, and 6.6 boards. The man I talked about above, Nowitzki, has 19.9 PPG, and 6.8 rebounds. Dirk had an ADP of 14.3, as opposed to Jamison, who had a 91.3 ADP. They’re very similar in terms of production this year, and if I had to choose between taking Jamison at his ADP, or Dirk at 14.3, I’d take Jamison ever day of the week. Jamison remains the focal point of the offense in Cleveland, even with Kyrie there, and with Andy V out, it could mean a lot more for not only Jamison, but Irving as well.
Biggest Losers (not the TV Show):
Joe Johnson
It’s not only the injury that’s having him fall down (yes, literally), it’s the lack of production when healthy, for where you had to draft him. He was a fourth round pick in most leagues, and fifth and sixth round picks have out played him. Players, like Brandon Jennings (ADP 58.4), Greg Monroe (61.3), Marc Gasol (59.3), Kris Humphries (89.6), and Kyle Lowry (ADP 45.6) have all outplayed him this season. And most of them have done a lot better. If you can get something, anything above-average for Joe Johnson, who is average at this point, do the deal, and don’t hesitate. Hell, take Elton Brand.
José Calderon
José can you see why you’re sucking so much? We once proudly hailed your scoring ability. Now since last week, you have fa-ah-llen off. And we want you to. Play your very be-hest. AND IF YOU DOOOOOO we will all praise YOOU. For we are not worthy. Okay. Song done. If you didn’t understand it, then screw you. I tried. Since Jose put up six straight double-digit point games, he’s scored ten or more in only 2-of-6. For you math geeks out there, that’s 33.3(repeating)%. The trend would show that he’s do for another one in his next game, but we shouldn’t tend to follow trends in basketball. Trends are for Football and Baseball. Basketball is completely different. And no, that wasn’t a second-grade P.E. lesson. That was kindergarten.
Jason Kidd
Why can’t the kid Kidd come back? We could call him the Comeback Kidd. He obviously thinks the idea of that is stupid, and he wants to play like he’s aging. Kidd may just be a top-15 Point Guard of all-time, but those days are long gone, as he hasn’t managed to post double-digit-anything more than once in the last 16 games he’s played. Yet, he’s still owned in 71+% of ESPN leagues. Please tell me how that makes sense. Waiting. Waiting.. Waiting… Waiting…. Waiting. Need I go on?
Dorell Wright
The Wright move would be to release him from your fantasy teams. He’s been stinking up the join in Golden State since the 18th of February, with the exception of one game, in which he scored 23 points. Keep in mind, however, that those 23 points were against the Suns. Fellow teammate Brandon Rush has been seeing more and more time this past few games, and may overtake that starting roster spot. Yes, I said Brandon Rush.
Boris Diaw
Diaw isn’t owned in very many leagues. And rightfully so. He hasn’t been able to take advantage of Biyombo’s injury, and he has only 7.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. The rebounds are nice from a big man, but unless you’re in a 14-team roto league, he’s not worth considering having on your squad. Or even on the Bobcats, honestly.
