Matt Barnes is among a few options that can give your roster a boost
By now, most teams have played 10-12 games, meaning the season is roughly 17% over. We’ve had some pleasant surprises as well as some teams struggling to compete with the abbreviated season. With teams playing as many as five games in a single week, there are minutes to be had by some less known names, and with increased time comes increased production. Here’s a look at some under the radar options on the six division leaders, as well as players to watch that are on last place squads that can still aid your weekly fantasy basketballroster.
Spencer Hawes (76ers) – Quietly has been a very solid, and in a year where top big men are hard to come by, his value is that much more. Scoring 11ppg to go along with 9rpg and nearly 2 blocks per contest. His 62% shooting from the field doesn’t hurt either.
Mario Chalmers (Heat) – Benefits from the attention paid to the big 3. His percentages are off the chart (54% from field and 88% from line) and that should continue. He won’t be respected by opposing defenses, and will connect on an abundance of open looks
Luol Deng (Bulls) – Not superior in any one category, but will help across the board. His 7rpg is nice from a SG, as is the block per game. He continues to get plenty of looks (14 shots per game) and is the second option next to Rose.
Richard Jefferson (Spurs) – Not typically thought of as a marksman, but the stats don’t lie. He has connected on 35 triples, good for second in the league. With Ginobili out for at least another 30 days, Jefferson’s playing time will be constant.
James Harden (Thunder) – He’s not off the radar as much as these others, but he is definitely worth the hype. Look to acquire “the beard” and his great percentages. He also makes 2 threes per game to go with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Matt Barnes (Lakers) – Kobe and Gasol get the attention, but the lively Barnes is producing a very useful fantasy stat line He grabs 6rpg while shooting 55% and averaging a block per game. The aging legs of the Lakers gives Barnes a higher ceiling moving forward.
These players may be dismissed by those in your 2012 weekly fantasy basketball league, just because they play for a last place team. Don’t fall into the trap of avoiding players simply because their team doesn’t win, as even a bad NBA team will find its way to 80 points on most nights. Injuries have plagued these teams, but hope is on the horizon.
Deron Williams and Brook Lopez (Nets) – The duo plays better off one another, and Lopez has yet to see any action. I’m not buying the Dwight Howard to Nets rumors, so this is Lopez’s front court. DWill is a special talent, and that’ll become obvious with time.
John Wall (Wizards) – Everybody was quick to jump on the bandwagon as his dance and play took the nation by storm. Two weeks of struggling, and he is a prime buy low candidate. His percentages will pick up, and defensive improvement is legitimate.
Greg Monroe (Pistons) – Maybe his 32-16 day will get the attention of owners, but his skills shouldn’t be in doubt. Increase across the board is here to stay, and the fact that he is on pace for twice as many field goal attempts as last year is encouraging.
Eric Gordon (Hornets) – Don’t sleep on Gordon. Everybody loved him after CP3 trade, and it seems that he has been forgotten about while he’s injured. I’m not personally on the Gordon bandwagon, but he’s a bargain right now.
Ricky “Testigo” Rubio (T-wolves) – Testigo means “Witness” in Spanish, and we have witnessed some great play making ability from Rubio thus far. Tonight he was inserted into the teams starting lineup, meaning his production is on the upswing.
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