Posts Tagged Ramon Sessions
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.
Fantasy Basketball Sleepers 2009-10
Posted by fantasy hoopster in Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Draft, Fantasy Basketball Draft Strategy, Fantasy Basketball Rankings on September 30, 2009
Since you all are drafting him, might as well know what Anthony Randolph looks like (Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images)
I’m not a huge fan of the term “sleeper” when it comes to fantasy basketball. How many people does it take to jump on the bandwagon before someone graduates from being a Sleeper to becoming just plain Good? In any case, I’ll try to point out some guys who should provide value where they’re drafted (as long as you don’t reach too far for them).
First of all, a list of guys who have graduated from becoming sleepers: Derrick Rose, Brook Lopez (in fact, they both skipped the whole step of becoming a sleeper), John Salmons, J.R. Smith, Francisco Garcia, Charlie Villanueva, Spencer Hawes, you get the idea. Now then…
VALUE SLEEPERS (GUYS YOU ALREADY KNOW)
Jameer Nelson, ORL, PG
Nelson already came back from injury, and thankfully for his fantasy owners this year, he didn’t look so hot. That last image of a player looking a step too slow can sometimes play tricks on fantasy owners, even if an entire summer has passed. Nelson was a top 30 guy when he was healthy last year, and ORL had enough confidence in his playmaking ability to lose both Rafer Alston and Hedo Turkoglu in the offseason (although of course VC came aboard). Current average draft position (ADP) in Yahoo leagues: 57. I like him in the late fourth round (of a 12-team draft).
Chris Duhon, NY, PG
Going along with the “bad taste in your mouth” idea, Duhon made it look easy after the All Star break last year, as he frankly just burned out. But remember, he’s still the starting PG on a Mike D’Antoni team. Unless the management in New York has no clue how to run a team (quite possible), they’ll likely monitor Duhon’s minutes more closely this year. So while he probably won’t drop 22 AST on anyone this year, he’s certainly capable of averaging 7+ apg over an entire year. He’s not even cracking the top 100 in ADP, but I’d take him in the ninth, maybe eighth round.
Fantasy Basketball Draft Rankings: 81-90
Posted by fantasy hoopster in Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Draft, Fantasy Basketball Rankings on September 30, 2009
Fantasy basketball draft rankings: 81-90
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 | |
| 81 | Leandro Barbosa | PHO | SG | Post-coaching change, Barbosa was back to his usual ways, hitting 1.5 3’s and 17 ppg. I’d expect increases in both, as the Suns have less viable scoring options this year than they’ve had in the past. I just hope those bodies don’t burn out a la the Knicks last season… |
| 82 | Josh Howard | DAL | SG, SF | Howard provides a little bit across the board, although his main contribution is PTS. With Marion in the mix, Howard will have another body to compete for shots with, although that could be a good thing for his FG%, which has steadily declined the last five seasons. Marion will also take some REB away from Howard, but he is still a useful fantasy option. |
| 83 | Lamar Odom | LAK | PF | Like Paul Millsap, Odom is a feast-or-famine fantasy player. Well, not quite famine b/c he still produces as a super-sub. What’s one step above famine? Pleasantly full but could eat more? Anyway, the point is Odom is hard to project. Even though he’s a proven commodity, I’m treating him like a mid-to-late round sleeper when it comes to draft day. |
| 84 | Boris Diaw | CHA | PF | If Diaw was still C-eligible in Yahoo leagues he’d be ranked 15 picks earlier. Still, after being traded to Charlotte he was a 15, 6, and 5 guy with near 1/1/1 numbers. He’s a solid mid-to-late round value and usually finishes the year higher than his draft position. |
| 85 | Wilson Chandler | NY | SG, SF | Chandler is another 1/1/1 guy with position-flexibility. If he can be more consistent month-to-month, he’ll make a great addition to fantasy squads. It’s also worth noting that he’s one of the few Knicks not in a contract year, which in this case is actually a good thing because Chandler should be a lock for as many minutes as he can handle for development reasons. |
| 86 | Andrew Bogut | MIL | PF, C | After signing a big contract last summer, Bogut had a disastrous season. That seems to happen a lot with professional athletes… I expect Bogut to bounce back from last season, but not quite to the level of his ‘07 campaign. And he should come at a slight discount after an injury-riddled year. Added bonus: Bogut has actually averaged 0.7 spg over his career. G’job, mate! |
| 87 | Luis Scola | HOU | PF, C | With Yao out for the year, Scola could be a poor man’s David Lee, averaging 10+ rpg and a spg. You’ll have to find your BLK elsewhere, but Scola will easily have his best statistical year as a pro. |
| 88 | Ramon Sessions | MIN | PG | Sessions is an intriguing pick. He was basically last year’s “Anthony Randolph” after a torrid end to his rookie campaign. Now, his only competition for AST in Minnesota is a rookie not named Rubio. He’s one of my favorite sleepers. |
| 89 | Jeff Green | OKC | SF, PF | Green is a solid player who should continue to grow in his third year. However, he doesn’t provide much other than PTS and REB with decent %’s. If he could get his STL/BLK up, he’d be a great value here. Also, if you’ve drafted some riskier PF’s already, Green could potentially turn into one of those David West stabilizers. Although probably not this year. |
| 90 | Lou Williams | PHI | PG, SG | 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. Still, Williams should get plenty of run which will translate into plenty of PTS, if only 5 or so apg. |
Rotoworld- DeSagana Diop a healthy scratch from lineup - DeSagana Diop (F/C) Charlotte Bobcats
- Larry Brown believes Iverson will return - Allen Iverson (G) Philadelphia 76ers
- Scalabrine inactive due to Finley addition - Brian Scalabrine (F/C) Boston Celtics
- Aaron Gray returns from stomach infection - Aaron Gray (C) New Orleans Hornets
- Ellington returns after three game absence - Wayne Ellington (G) Minnesota Timberwolves
- Thompson scores 10 in win - Jason Thompson (F/C) Sacramento Kings
- Tyreke Evans gets first triple-double in win - Tyreke Evans (G) Sacramento Kings
- Beno big again in Kings win - Beno Udrih (G) Sacramento Kings
- Bargnani lone bright spot for Raptors - Andrea Bargnani (F/C) Toronto Raptors
- Walker donezo - Bill Walker (G/F) New York Knicks
- Adrian Wojnarowski
- 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.
- WojYahooNBA: Gonzo took Times vaccine at Duane Reade RT @PeteThamelNYT: When asked his reaction toTimes story, Gonzo said, "I’m immune to those things."
- WojYahooNBA: Larry Brown had been pushing for Sixers job too, but hard to believe MJ will let him out of contract to leave for Philly or Clips.
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