Posts Tagged Peja Stojakovic
Week 6 Recap (Starring Kevin Love as Troy Murphy) and Week 7 Pickups
Posted by fantasy hoopster in Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Pickups, Fantasy Basketball Strategy on December 6, 2009
I'm so sad I can't even make fun of Oden's 58-yr-old face. Oops I did it again. (Getty Images)
Week 6 featured the return of Chris Paul and Troy Murphy Kevin Love, although the “return” on everyone’s minds doesn’t come until tomorrow night in Philadelphia. It also featured the fall of one of my favorite sleepers on the year. Greg “Sigh” Oden.
Chris Paul
In case anyone forgot, Paul returned to the lineup earlier than expected to remind everyone why he’s the most valuable player in fantasy with a near triple-double (the CP3 way): 16 pts, 15 ast, and 8 stl.
Some other immediate ramifications: Peja Stojakovic’s shot attempts sunk to 10 after enjoying about 13 per game during Paul’s absence (although in Peja’s defense he was returning from a minor injury). Emeka Okafor saw an immediate boost in productivity, and I expect David West to follow shortly, in case you were looking to BUY LOW on either. And Devin Brown (2% owned in Yahoo leagues) is emerging as a fantasy-viable player as the starting SG, totaling 11 treys in Paul’s last 4 (complete) healthy games.
Kevin Love (and Al Jefferson)
Love did his best impersonation of Troy Murphy in his first two games of action, averaging 14.5 pts and 10.5 reb to go with 2.0 3pg. The 3’s were a pleasant surprise and after hitting only 2 all of last year, it looks like he’ll take at least 1 or 2 attempts per game this year.
Meanwhile, Al Jefferson enjoyed his two best rebounding games in a while, totaling 25 in Love’s first two games back. It might seem a little counter-intuitive, but I like this trend to continue, even when Love is inserted into the starting lineup. As I mentioned back when Love got injured, Jefferson doesn’t have to shoulder the entire rebounding load anymore, as the other team will actually have to box out another legitimate rebounder now. The other contributing factor? Jefferson has looked lackadaisical at times this year, but not the last two games. Energy is contagious around Love, and even though the Wolves won’t be fighting for a playoff spot anytime soon, I like Jefferson to play with a little more fire now that their squad has a legit chance to win every most some nights.
If you can convince Big Al’s owner that Love will actually eat into his stats, he could still be a nice BUY LOW option if you can get him at a reasonable price. Read the rest of this entry »
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)
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.
20-Second Timeout: Pau Gasol, Brandon Jennings, Russell Westbrook and MORE!
Posted by fantasy hoopster in 20-Second Timeout, Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Injuries, Fantasy Basketball Strategy on November 12, 2009
If you can flip Marc Gasol for this Gasol, either your name is Mitch Kupchak or you're one savvy fantasy manager. (Getty Images)
There was a lot of action on Wednesday night, on and off the court. Without further ado, some of the newsier and more actionable items:
Pau Gasol
Gasol hasn’t even suited up this year, but he was at the center of attention in fantasy news headlines Wednesday. First, earlier in the day, Phil Jackson told the Los Angeles Daily News that Gasol might be out until Christmas. Then, later that night, the Lakers clarified that Phil Jackson was in fact joking (Hahaha! Oh, Phil), and Gasol is actually day-to-day. How long will Gasol actually be out? Probably somewhere in between “day-to-day” and “a long time.”
One thing’s for sure, his owners are probably starting to lose patience, especially with these ambiguous/conflicting reports. If you can afford to stash him (for what could amount to several weeks), I think Gasol is a nice BUY LOW option right now.
Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut
As the guys over at BrewHoop mention, Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets and Chauncey Billups was supposed to be Jennings’ first true PG test (even though the young Buck already went toe-to-toe with Derrick Rose). He responded with 32 points and 9 assists while shooting 11-19, 8-8, and 2-2 from FG, FT, and 3-pt range. The guys at BrewHoop summed it up nicely: “In short, he was everything. Again.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Bogut did a pretty good impression of Andrew Bogut circa 2007 with 23 and 10 with 4 blocks. The makeup of their numbers will change when/if Michael Redd returns, but they should both be rostered in almost all fantasy formats. (Yet somehow they’re each available in 22% of Yahoo leagues.) Read the rest of this entry »
Fantasy Basketball Strategy: Eye-Opening Lines from Sunday night
Posted by fantasy hoopster in Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Rankings, Fantasy Basketball Strategy on November 1, 2009
Like Danilo Gallinari, Channing Frye is offically "en fuego". (P.A. Molumby/NBAE/Getty Images)
Again, in the first couple weeks of the season, sometimes it’s all about being the first in line. I’ll do this more regularly (probably every Sunday/Wednesday) during the season, but I just wanted to point out a few impressive lines so you can snatch these guys while they’re still around (especially if there’s an “again” next to their name).
Note: Danilo Gallinari and Brandon Jennings are not on this list because they didn’t play Sunday.
Channing Frye
A day after dropping 6 threes against the Warriors — yes, even though it’s against GS, the stats still count — Frye dropped 6 more on the T-Wolves. (Yes, even though it’s against MIN, the stats still count.) Frye was a popular item in many drafts after a solid pre-season, and even though his production will likely take a (small?) hit when Robin Lopez returns, Frye has clearly earned a place in the rotation. And he’s only owned in 52% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Ryan Gomes
Gomes finally had a big game, putting up 23 and 15 with 2 threes/steals. Sure it was against the Suns, and the Wolves are of course without Kevin Love, but sometimes we all just need a running head start to get going, right? (Currently owned in 29% of Yahoo leagues.)
Grant Hill (again)
Even with Jason Richardson returning from a 2-game suspension, Hill put up 23 and 10 with 1/1/1. Again, he should be rostered in most league formats. (Currently owned in 66% of Yahoo leagues.)
Marc Gasol (again)
Okay, so he’s already owned in 78% of Yahoo leagues, but he’s playing like he should be owned in all of them right now. He put up 20 and 11 in his last game.
Peja Stojakovic
Peja had his biggest game of the season, knocking down 6 treys against the Celtics Sunday night. I personally think there are better options out there (like anyone above), but if you need 3’s you could do worse. (Currently owned in 60% of Yahoo leagues.)
J.J. Redick
I really don’t feel like checking all of his career game logs, but Redick may have had the best game of his career on Sunday, posting 27, 6, and 5 with 5 threes in Vince Carter’s absence. If Carter’s injury lingers, Reddick is definitely worth a short term rental if you don’t have to sacrifice too much. Yes, there are a lot of “if’s” in that sentence. (Currently owned in 6% of Yahoo leagues.)
Ryan Anderson
And speaking of short term rentals filling in for injured/suspended Magic with long term potential, Anderson had his third consecutive solid game on Sunday, chipping in 5 threes against the Raptors. Plus, he’s C-eligible in Yahoo leagues. (Currently owned in 15% of Yahoo leagues.)
Other guys to keep an eye on (that may not have played Sunday):
Marreese Speights, Courtney Lee, Corey Brewer, Larry Hughes, DeJuan Blair, Erick Dampier
Fantasy Basketball Draft Rankings: 126-150
Posted by fantasy hoopster in Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Draft, Fantasy Basketball Rankings on October 6, 2009
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.
Rotoworld- O'Neal sets timetable with GM Danny Ferry - Shaquille O'Neal (C) Cleveland Cavaliers
- Williams scores 14 points vs. Blazers - Reggie Williams (F) Golden State Warriors
- Watson puts up numbers, loses game w/ foul - C.J. Watson (G) Golden State Warriors
- Morrow held to just nine points vs. Blazers - Anthony Morrow (G) Golden State Warriors
- Maggette scores 24 points in strong effort - Corey Maggette (G/F) Golden State Warriors
- Tolliver double-doubles in start at center - Anthony Tolliver (F/C) Golden State Warriors
- Ellis (back) returns to action vs. Blazers - Monta Ellis (G) Golden State Warriors
- Curry held to 6-of-15 shooting vs. Blazers - Stephen Curry (G) Golden State Warriors
- Camby grabs 17 rebounds against Warriors - Marcus Camby (F/C) Portland Trail Blazers
- Miller handles the Warriors, as expected - Andre Miller (G) Portland Trail Blazers
- Adrian Wojnarowski
- WojYahooNBA: RT @ArtGarcia_NBA: Step toward coaching gig? Mark Jackson signs w/Kauffman Sports Mgmt joining stable of NBA assistants. Ty Corbin too.
- WojYahooNBA: RT @AdamZagoria: St. Anthony 63, PC 49. 28 and 14 for St. Bonaventure-bound Elijah Carter. 22
- WojYahooNBA: RT @DanWetzel: I'm giddy over this Tiger-Ari Fleischer deal. A sure-to-be disastrous PR campaign is always good for a columnist
- WojYahooNBA: Column: Donald Sterling has big plans for the Clippers now. Next, he should fire himself. http://tinyurl.com/yhbokyp
- WojYahooNBA: RT @jimrome: You know you're having a bad day if Lester Munson is on tv talking about you.
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