fantasy hoopster » Antonio McDyess

Week 16 Pickups

fantasy hoopster — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:41:08 +0000

George Hill plays on Monday and Thursday this week. If that's important to you, then congratulations. You're a fantasy nerd. (AP)

Because Week 16 is a short week (4 days), pickups are that much more important in H2H leagues. So, in order to give you guys some more time to make those make-or-break pickups, I’m skipping the Week 15 Recap (Noah and the Foot Arch) in favor of posting this a day earlier than usual. First, some logistics:

Mabye the most important thing to note: ORL has 3 games.

Most teams have two games, but SA has two games and plays on both Monday and Thursday (where there are only a total of 5 games going on). This is important because it allows you to maximize (if your league doesn’t have a cap) the number of games you can get in for this week.

Think about it: If you’re only able to start 6 or 8 players per night, for example, you can maximize your games played (and minimize your games wasted on the bench) by picking up players that play on Monday and/or Thursday (or what I call “Off-Days” because most teams have those days off). ORL and SA both play on both of the Off-Days for this week. The following teams have 2 games this week, 1 of which occurs on an Off-Day: NO, GS, DAL, LAK, SA, DEN, and CLE. In other words, if you have limited pickups, target players on ORL, SA, or these squads. Now onto the pickups (by team, with all/most guys available in 50+% of Yahoo leagues):

Orlando

J.J. Redick and Jason Williams are both decent bets for 3′s, as they’re getting solid minutes off the bench. Matt Barnes has slowed of late, but he provides across the board production (and 3 games from him might be worth more than 1 game by a better player).

San Antonio

The best potentially available option out of SA is George Hill. I’ve already written enough about him the past couple weeks so I won’t add too much more. DeJuan Blair and Antonio McDyess could be helpful if you’re looking for boards.

Guys with 2 games (1 on an Off-Day)

The guys above are nice from a “quantity” perspective. These guys might provide better quality: Darren Collison (if he’s available in your league, but if you’re reading fantasy basketball blogs, he’s probably not), Marcus Thornton (missed last two games, check status), Drew Gooden and Rodrigue Beaubois (esepcially on Monday vs GS), Shannon Brown, Arron Afflalo, Daniel Gibson/Delonte West (check West’s status)

And if you don’t care about schedules…

Courtney Lee (heating up again), Brad Miller and Taj Gibson (with Joakim Noah out until the All Star break), Rudy Fernandez (with Roy out next week as well), Brandon Rush (only 1 game)

Fantasy Basketball Draft Rankings: 126-150

fantasy hoopster — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:04:15 +0000

I’ve finished updating my draft rankings from 101-150. I’ll post it in two different entries, to make it a little more readable. Be sure to check out the complete list from 1-150 on the Draft Rankings tab, complete with one-liners.

Fantasy basketball draft rankings: 126-150

These rankings are based on a standard 9-category format, with a slight leaning towards H2H leagues, although differing strategies for roto leagues are noted when applicable.

	Player	Team	POS	Analysis
126	Yi Jianlian	NJ	PF	Yi showed flashes of fantasy studliness last year, and I really do mean flashes (see: January). With the Nets in rebuilding mode, Yi might get enough playing time to approach 1/1/1 territory.
127	Courtney Lee	NJ	SG	Did I mention the Nets were rebuilding? Lee enters his second year with a new team and a chance to really improve across the board. However, I’m wary of his FG% as not only will Lee likely take more shots, but he doesn’t have nearly the same level of talent surrounding him to give him consistently open looks.
128	Samuel Dalembert	PHI	C	Dalembert’s value is almost completely in REB and BLK. With Brand returning, I expect the REB to decrease, while the BLK might actually rise as Dalembert won’t have to be the primary post defender all the time anymore. Of course, this is all assuming Dalembert gets playing time – no guarantee under new head coach Eddie Jordan.
129	Chris Kaman	LAC	C	As a backup to Camby, the Cave-man should be good for 8 REB and 1.5 BLK. And if he gets traded, possibly more.
130	Andrei Kirilenko	UTA	SF	Remember when AK-47 used to go in the second round? Kirilenko still offers 1+ spg/bpg and contributes elsewhere, but nowhere near how he used to. Reports are that he bulked up in the offseason at Utah’s request, indicating he might see more time at PF. But with Boozer and Millsap both healthy for next year, something seems fishy. Stay tuned…
131	Kenyon Martin	DEN	PF	Although his better days are long gone, he’s still capable of 1+ spg/ bpg. Personally, I like to avoid injury-riddled veterans this late in the draft, but he’ll probably finish the season ranked higher than his draft position.
132	Peja Stojakovic	NO	SF	He’s well past his prime, but Peja can still get a couple 3′s per game when healthy. Some people even have him on their sleeper lists, but I’m a little more cautious.
133	Brandon Rush	IND	SG, SF	When he started at SG last year, Rush averaged 17 and 5 with two 3′s and decent STL/BLK. He’s starting at SG this year. (Although Dunleavy is also slated to return… uh… I think.)
134	Antonio McDyess	SA	PF, C	As the starting C in SA, should put up usable stats starting opposite Timmy.
135	Brad Miller	CHI	C	As the starting C in CHI, Miller contributes a little bit across the board. The 3+ apg are his primary source of value from the C position.
136	Chris Wilcox	DET	PF, C	Wilcox will be battling for the starting C spot in DET. Either way he is a decent source of FG% and REB this late.
137	Mike Miller	WAS	SG, SF	By the end of the year, Miller could be a 6-man candidate. That is, if he doesn’t beat out Foye for the starting SG spot. Either way, he will contribute in 3PM and add above-average assists for F-eligible player.
138	Hakim Warrick	MIL	PF	In his career as a starter he’s averaged 15 and 7 with decent STL/BLK. Not exactly the most exciting ceiling, but not bad.
139	Shane Battier	HOU	SF	Battier should get plenty of PT next year, and he could approach 1/1/1 territory. Not bad if your sexier sleepers are already taken.
140	Larry Hughes	NY	SG	Hughes is slated to start at SG in a three-guard rotation for NY. In 25 games as a Knick last year he averaged 1.4 3′s and STL. Worth a look.
141	Delonte West	CLE	SG	West actually outplayed Mo Williams (at least in fantasy, which is all that should really matter anyway) over long stretches last year. But with the addition of Anthony Parker, West’s minutes will limit him from contributing as much in 3PM and STL this year.
142	Mickael Pietrus	ORL	SG, SF	He was a popular sleeper last year, but disappointed for the most part. He should have a similar role this year, with a similar opportunity to take that next step.
143	Tracy McGrady	HOU	SG, SF	Frankly, he’s not worth drafting and stashing for 2+ months. But he made the list because he’s worth keeping an eye on during the winter, when he is expected to return.
144	Mike Dunleavy	IND	SG, SF	Like T-Mac, I would avoid drafting someone who a) probably won’t play until the winter and b) has a very murky role on his team when he does return.
145	Grant Hill	PHO	SG, SF	A return to the shoot-early offense in PHO warrants a look at the versatile veteran.
146	Ryan Gomes	MIN	SF	Lost in the shuffle of the Rubio drama and Big Al’s return is a pretty good starting SF in MIN. With Miller and Foye out of the picture, someone has to score for the T-Wolves…
147	Chris Andersen	DEN	PF, C	Will very likely lead the league in BLK and will definitely lead the league in tattoos.
148	D.J. Augustin	CHA	PG, SG	He had some brilliant games last year, but he’s still only a 6-man. Regardless, this late in the draft, he could provide great value in 3PM.
149	Tyreke Evans	SAC	PG	Projected as the Kings’ starting PG, he should get at least 4 apg just being in the same building as Kevin Martin.
150	DeMar DeRozan	TOR	SG, SF	Toronto’s starting SG. He’s a deep sleeper, but with his athletic ability he could generate some solid defensive stats a la Jamario Moon circa 2007.

Fantasy Basketball Busts 2009-10

fantasy hoopster — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:53:18 +0000

If you drafted Noah in the third round of your 56-team league, congratulations. And seek help immediately (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Fantasy drafts are all about getting value. If you land Derrick Rose on your squad, that’s great. If you land Derrick Rose on your squad in the second round? Only great if you’re in a 24-team league. When labeling people “busts,” I’m mainly trying to point out guys that are probably not going to provide good value for their average draft position (ADP). So if you happen to draft one of the guys below, it’s not necessarily a bust if you drafted him late enough.

GUYS WHO SHOULD BE ON TEAMS, JUST NOT YOURS

Kevin Garnett, BOS, PF and Tim Duncan, SA, PF, C

Obviously, if these guys slide to the third round, maybe even early second, you probably have to take them. But both are on the downside of their careers. Although KG says he’s healthy, his minutes will likely be monitored all year. As for TD, his minutes have already decreased in 7 of the previous 8 seasons. It doesn’t help that both BOS and SA added depth to their rosters in the offseason, BOS with Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels and SA with Antonio McDyess, Richard Jefferson, and Theo Ratliff. Although Daniels and Jefferson aren’t even bigs, their scoring is likely intended to take some pressure off Garnett and Duncan.

Mehmet Okur, UTA, PF, C

Lost in the Carlos Boozer vs. Paul Millsap battle is the fact that they’re not the only ones affected by a crowded frontcourt in UTA. In fact, Okur’s minutes already trended downward month-to-month last year, with lows in March and April (when both Boozer and Millsap were healthy). News out of UTA also has it that Andrei Kirilenko put on some weight this summer, supposedly for durability reasons, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the post at some point. And it doesn’t help that Okur’s 3PA have declined the last three seasons (although his 3P% has increased). If you’re looking for a 3-pt shooting C, there are plenty of cheaper options: Al Harrington, Andrea Bargnani, and Rasheed Wallace to name a few.

Mike Conley, MEM, PG

This is actually an area of debate among fantasy basketball enthusiasts. Who will be impacted more negatively by Allen Iverson’s arrival in MEM — O.J. Mayo or Mike Conley? Well, after finishing his rookie year strong, Conley was expected by many (including me) to kick off his sophomore campaign in style. Enter O.J. Mayo, and Conley couldn’t get his act straight until his backup, Kyle Lowry, went down with an injury in February (and was subsequently traded). Who knows, really, but in their short history together, Mayo seems to do more acting than reacting (see: Rudy Gay’s stats last year), so my guess is that while both will be affected by AI, Conley will suffer more growing pains.

Lou Williams, PHI, PG, SG

How does someone make both your sleeper and bust lists? When the hype isn’t justified. I would make a comparison to the U.S. housing market, but that’s probably a little harsh. Williams’ numbers will definitely improve across the board, but when you hear the new coach talking about letting Thaddeus Young initiate the offense every so often, it’s not exactly a vote of confidence in your starting PG’s ball-distributing skills. He should get around 5 apg just from handling the ball so much, but he probably wont justify his draft position.

The bad news: he's a shoot-first PG. The good news: no subcommittees will be needed for this crisis

Josh Howard, DAL, SF

Howard is slated to slide in to the starting SG spot this year, which actually adds to his value because of the position flexibility. But the reason he’s sliding over is the reason he’s on this list. Shawn Marion. They’re both expected to run the wing next year with Jason Kidd at the helm. That doesn’t seem so bad for one’s fantasy prospects. However, there’s a couple other guys that might want to take some shots too. Dirk and Jason Terry, anyone? Terry’s fantasy value is in his 3′s, which I think he’ll continue to hit. But Howard’s value is in his scoring and overall contribution, the latter of which also happens to be Marion’s strength. Something’s gotta give.

Al Thornton, LAC, SF

It’s not like Thornton is being taken too early in drafts this year. But there will be some people who just look at his stats from last year — 17 and 5 with almost 1 STL/BLK — and think they’ve found a steal in the tenth round. Hell, they might even look at Thornton’s progression from his rookie year and reach for him even earlier. Of course, they’d be forgetting that the Clippers have a ton of talent joining/rejoining the team this year. Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman, and Baron Davis just to name a few.

BECAUSE I NEED TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE

Blake Griffin, LAC, PF

Yes, I do believe Griffin will probably finish the season ranked lower than where he’s drafted — even if he puts up 16 and 8 — because people are just drafting him so early. But the main reason he’s on this list is because I needed to make an example out of a rookie. Rookies are generally grossly overrated on draft day. Add in the fact that last year’s rookie class was so good (in fantasy and real life), and people will probably really overvalue rookies this year. Even if rookies do end up panning out, you usually have a chance to grab them off waivers after their original owner (who is probably pissed they’re not performing at an eighth-round level, where they drafted them) finally drops them in December. See: Russell Westbrook, 2008.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Hey, it’s kind of fun bustin’ on people. But if you’re going to dish it, you have to be willing to take it. So my final bust is none other than…

Fantasy Hoopster, various intramural and rec teams, SG

One thing fantasy hoopster has working in his favor is his work ethic. This guy never gives up on a play, even after the whistle blows. However, his face is buuuuusted. Slam.