Dylan Stephenson – Page 2

Hump is Playing the Best Basketball of his Life

Kris Humphries has been up and down for years now, mostly down, but he has finally figured out the game of basketball in recent weeks.

Analysis: Humphries has always been a solid per minute rebounder, but was never able to do enough other things to keep himself on the court. He was prone to fits where he thought he could score like Jordan, but this obviously wasn’t the case. Playing with a great point guard, in Deron Williams, seems to have revitalized his career. In his last 10 games Hump is shooting 55% from the field, putting up 15 points a game, and ripping down 16 boards a game. These numbers are pretty damn impressive, especially when you consider his career numbers. Hump has averaged an unimpressive 4.6 boards and 5.6 points a game on his career. This season was already an improvement with Hump averaging just shy of a double double every game, but his recent play makes him a must have fantasy option (at least for now). When you throw in the fact that he’s averaging 2 blocks a game in his last 10 games stretch Hump has a lot of value to offer your team. I think there are two significant factors that are finally allowing Hump to blossom. The first is playing with one of the best point guards in the league, and the second is the simple nature of finally getting enough minutes to put up some stats. He has averaged 39 minutes per game in his last 10 games.

Projection: As long as Deron is in New Jersey and Hump doesn’t start trying to do too much he is a great fantasy option. Ride the Hump, at least for now.

Rajon Rondo is Not Playing Up to His Potential

Rajon Rondo started the year off hot, putting up ridiculous assist numbers, but he’s struggled a lot recently and kills you in a lot of fantasy categories.

Analysis: Rondo was so terrific early in the season that any of his misgivings were completely offset by how good he was at everything else. Now with Rondo playing poorly, and not even putting up the assist or steal numbers we’ve grown accustomed to, his weaknesses are just that much more glaring. On the season Rondo is shooting 49% from the field, which is great for a point guard, but in his last 10 games Rondo has only shot 36% from the field. When you combine that with his notoriously bad FT% you have a player that is absolutely killing your percentage categories. Rondo is averaging a little over 8 assists a game, which is a respectable number for most guards, but not Rondo. I believe that given his talent, and the talent on his roster their is no reason for him not to average over 12 assists a game. He’s averaging close to that with 11.5 assists per game on the season. Rondo’s small points totals are also down in this recent stretch, going from 13 a game on the season to 7 a game in his last 10.

Projection: Rondo is not helping your fantasy team right now. Consider benching him until he gets back in the groove. It seems like losing Perkins had more of an effect on Rondo than anyone could have anticipated. If Rondo isn’t dishing out crazy assist numbers and stealing balls left, right, and center, than he is a lousy fantasy option.

Jimmer Mania! But Will it Translate to the NBA?

If you’re like much of North America then March Madness has completely taken over your household and you can’t help but get excited about BYU’s own Jimmer Fredette. The big question is whether or not Jimmer can translate any of this collegiate success into NBA fantasy production.

Analysis: As far as college players go, WOW, is Jimmer ever exciting to watch. I just finished watching the BYU versus Gonzaga game and Jimmer played superb. Urban Dictionary has even put up a definition for a Jimmer: “one who is in range as soon as he steps off the bus.” This couldn’t be more true as he regularly knocks down shots from almost the half court range. If anybody else was jacking up those kinds of shots they would immediately find themselves riding the pine, but not Jimmer. Jimmer is averaged 29 points per game this season, and has scored over 30 in both of his NCAA tournament games. Before we get too excited we have to check our expectations with a dose of reality. Great college numbers do not necessarily translate into NBA success, see Adam Morrison. Morrison averaged only a point less than Jimmer in his best season, and he did it in his third year (as opposed to Jimmer doing it in his fourth year). Morrison also put up far better percentages from both 3 point range and Field goal range. However I want to end any possible Morrison comparisons now, because their college games are quite different. Morrison had a significant height advantage in college, at his position, and was able to easily get his shots off. In the NBA this was not the case and he was never able to find his stroke. Jimmer has no such height advantage and thus relies more on craftiness to hit his shots. Jimmer will not be the next Adam Morrison.

Projection: At the end of the day Jimmer is a relatively unathletic white kid, and we should temper our NBA expectations of him accordingly. He’s not going to average 20 a game in the NBA, but he’s got the know how to be a respectable player right away. Another plus for Jimmer in the NBA is that he’s a Mormon and will have a tougher time getting into trouble.

All Aboard the Hansbrough Bus

Tyler Hansbrough has put up a solid few games recently and is definitely worthy of fantasy discussion.

Analysis: Tyler Hansbrough’s regular season statistics have been pretty underwhelming, that is, until recently. Hanbrough is averaging a mediocre, 10 points, 5 boards, and a 1/2 steal a game this season. Plus he’s only shooting 46% from the floor, which is quite poor for a power forward. However in his last week of games Hansbrough is averaging 24 points 8 boards, and 2 steals a game. While shooting an astonishing 59% from the field. The points and FG% are fantastic, but it is the steals that can really help you. 2 steals from the power forward position is a really nice feature of owning Hansbrough. In his last 5 games Hansbrough has not dipped below 20 points, and tonight he went off for 30.In the previous month of February Hansbrough only hit the 20 point plateau once.

Projection: Hansbrough is on fire right now and in the vast majority of leagues you are not going to find a better waiver wire option than him. The question remains as to whether or not he can keep this streak alive. One worrisome note is that 4 out of his recent games have come against sub-par defensive teams (New York twice, Toronto, and Minnesota) and his next two games are against Boston and Chicago. If he can continue to put up great numbers against 2 of the best teams in the East then we’ll know his streak is not a fluke.

The Terrific Rebounding of Reggie Evans is Back

After missing a big part of this current season Reggie Evans is back in action for the Toronto Raptors.

Analysis: Reggie has always been a great rebounder, always in the top when it came to rebounds per minute statistics, but that didn’t exactly help his case for fantasy basketball. That is because per minute boards doesn’t mean a thing for fantasy stats. This season he has had a bit of a resurgence actually getting a significant amount of minutes for the Raptors. Now his rebounding stats are actually worthwhile, and if you need boards he is a great option. Reggie is averaging over 12 boards a game this season, which actually ties him for fourth in the NBA in rebounding (he’s tied with Blake Griffin). Pretty impressive numbers for a undersized power forward with a career average of 19 minutes a game. He’s back with the Raptors after missing a big part of the season and looks like he hasn’t missed a beat, when it comes to rebounding anyways. Today against Charlotte Reggie ripped down 17 boards. Despite his amazing rebounding Reggie doesn’t do much else. His shooting percentages are awful, he can’t block to save his life, and he can’t put up points very well either. The only other redeeming quality that Reggie possesses is getting the occasional steal.

Projection: With Reggie Evans you get a guaranteed bunch of rebounds, but he hurts you in almost every other category. If you need to catch up in rebounding and can take a hit everywhere else than take a chance on Reggie. Otherwise his hustle doesn’t really translate into the fantasy realm.