Posts Tagged Ben Wallace

Fantasy Basketball Strategy: Week 4 Recap and Week 5 Pickups

Posted by fantasy hoopster in Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Injuries, Fantasy Basketball Pickups, Fantasy Basketball Strategy on November 22, 2009

Don't call it a comeback, Brand's been here all year long. He's just finally making some noise. (Getty Images)

Don't call it a comeback, Brand's been here all year long. He's just finally making some noise. (Getty Images)

WEEK 4 RECAP

They’re Ba-aaack

Week 4 featured the return of several fantasy studs: Rashard Lewis, Devin Harris, Troy Murphy, and Pau Gasol.  (Thanks for playing, Ryan Andersen and Rafer Alston.  Here are some nice parting gifts…)

As for Murphy and Gasol, their fantasy impact is a little more complicated.  Murphy will definitely take away some of Roy Hibbert’s stats, but I think the young center will still be valuable contributing a near double-double with 2 bpg.  Meanwhile, if you didn’t sell high on Andrew Bynum before Gasol’s return, please don’t panic and let someone buy low on him these next few (or more?) games as he readjusts to Gasol.  19 and 11 might be a little much to expect, but he’ll be much better than 11 and 8 (his first game with Pau back).

On the flip side, Week 4 also saw some key injuries, including Jameer Nelson and Andrew Bogut.  If you’re looking for replacements, Jason Williams has had a couple decent games thus far, while Kurt Thomas/Hakim Warrick have each had a nice game (depending on the matchup) in Bogut’s absence.  (There are some more exciting pickups further below.)

They’re “Ba-aaack”

Week 4 also featured the “return” of two stud centers: Elton Brand and Al Jefferson. With Marresse Speights out of the way due to injury, Brand absolutely erupted, averaging 20 and 10 with 2.7/3.7 spg/bpg this week, good for the #2 ranking by averages in Yahoo leagues.  I’m not sure what to make of this unexpected outburst quite yet, as the 76ers lost two of those games and barely beat a new-look CHA team in the other game, but I’ll have my thoughts on whether Brand is a sell high or buy low guy shortly.

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Fantasy Basketball Draft Rankings: 71-80

Posted by fantasy hoopster in Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Draft, Fantasy Basketball Rankings on September 30, 2009

Fantasy basketball draft rankings: 71-80

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
71 John Salmons CHI SG, SF I’m still kicking myself for not drafting Salmons in the seventh round of one of my leagues last year.  Chances are he won’t make it that far this year as Salmons steps into the starting SG role for the Bulls sans Ben Gordon.  Expect similar numbers as last year, except in AST unfortunately, where playing alongside Derrick Rose (instead of, uh, Beno Udrih) for an entire year will likely hurt his apg.
72 Russell Westbrook OKC PG I am looking forward to increases across the board in Westbrook’s sophomore campaign.  While his erratic FG% is worrisome (ranging from 34% to 46% month-to-month), one would think with a year under his belt he can limit those atrocious 3 for 19 outings.  Already a 15, 5, and 5 guy, look for him to approach Steve Francis numbers circa 2003 when Francis was going in rounds 3 or 4 of drafts.
73 Tyrus Thomas CHI PF A popular sleeper the last few years, Thomas finally delivered on a somewhat consistent level last year, finishing with 1.2 spg and 1.9 bpg a la a mini-Ben Wallace from yesteryear. With some added consistency, his numbers should tick up a bit across the board.
74 Rasheed Wallace BOS PF, C Although it’s unclear whether Sheed will start, at worse he’ll log super sub minutes a la Lamar Odom. Plus, the last time Sheed was traded to a contending, veteran team, he fit in quite well. Expect the usual 1/1/1 numbers.
75 J.R. Smith DEN SG, SF With Kleiza out of town, Smith will be relied on even more to score. Plus, his disastrous shooting games have slowly decreased the last couple years, a sign that George Karl is finally getting through to him. (In fact he’s shot about 45% over the last two seasons.) Given that he’s F-eligible in Yahoo leagues, hits 2+ 3’s per game, and has steadily improved his AST and STL, he’ll be a popular choice on draft day.
76 Jason Terry DAL SG Marion’s arrival won’t help the Jet’s fantasy numbers.  However, I expect Marion to more negatively impact Josh Howard, even though Howard is slated to slide into that starting SG spot.  Although his scoring will likely dip, I still expect 2+ 3’s per game, which unfortunately for us means we’ll be seeing just as much of that airplane-flying-thingy he does after every 3PM.
77 Eric Gordon LAC SG With the Clippers adding (through health or draft) multiple scoring options to the squad next year, expect Gordon’s sophomore jump to be tempered.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Baron sets him up for more 3’s, but the overall ppg might stay relatively level.  Add in the fact that he lost his F-eligibility (in Yahoo leagues) from last year, and his value takes another slight hit.
78 Anthony Randolph GS PF How much do you reach for Randolph?  The 7th round in a 12-team draft seems reasonable, but someone on the hype machine might grab him even before that.  If you do happen to land him, be prepared for inconsistency, but it should be a pretty fun ride.
79 Trevor Ariza HOU SF After being the fifth (maybe even sixth?) option on the Lakers last year, Ariza is suddenly the go-to guy on the Rockets this year.  While he should improve his numbers across the board, I have a feeling his %’s will give owners headaches all year.  With no Kobe, Pau, or Yao to free him up for open looks, things could get ugly for his FG%.
80 Spencer Hawes SAC PF, C As the starting C for the Kings last year, Hawes delivered 13 and 8 with a few assists while also tossing in 0.7/0.7/1.1 3PM/STL/BLK.  He’s slated to start at C this year and should be a nice fantasy play.

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