Author: TJ Streett

Tucker Still Available

PJ Tucker has been a consistent fantasy performer over the last few weeks as the Suns continue on with their playoff push.

Analysis: PJ Tucker is the 10th rated fantasy small forward and the 10th rated fantasy shooting guard over the last two weeks of the season. He’s not dominating any one particular category but he sure is filling up the stat sheet. In the month of March Tucker is averaging 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.1 threes made, 11.8 points and he’s shooting 58% from the field. He’s even logging 33 minutes per night this month… he’s doing it all.

Many people are forgetting that PJ Tucker has been and is a top 30 fantasy small forward this season. He’s 8th among small forwards in rebounds per game at 6.5 and 8th among small forwards in steals per game at 1.3.

Currently, PJ Tucker is available in 35-70% of fantasy leagues. His minutes remain well above 30 per game so he is becoming difficult to ignore from a fantasy perspective. Tucker has the Wizards and Knicks left this week and the Lakers, Clippers and Blazers next week.

Stock Rising- Jarrett Jack

Kyrie Irving will be out for the remainder of the season with a biceps injury. The Cavs won’t come out and say it but he will not suit up again this season. What does this mean? Well, Jarrett Jack has and will continue to be on the end of some major minutes.

Analysis: Jarrett Jack is averaging 35.6 minutes per game in his last five contests. During that stretch he is dropping 13.2 points per game, 4.0 assists and 1.0 threes. Over the last week of the season Jack is the 16th rated fantasy point guard and the 11th best fantasy shooting guard.

Obviously, Jack isn’t going to blow anyone away in assists, threes or steals but he is more than serviceable. Keep in mind that he is averaging 32 minutes per game in the month of March and because of the Kyrie Irving injury that number will continue to climb.

Currently, Jarrett Jack is available in 45-60% of fantasy leagues. He has OKC Thursday night followed by Houston on Saturday night. Jack also has four games on the schedule next week.

Amar’e Returns Again

Amar’e Stoudemire will return to action Saturday against the Bucks. He sat out just one game which was on Wednesday for rest.

Analysis: At least the brief absence was for rest and not injury related. Regardless, Amar’e is on fire right now. His line in the month of March looks like this- 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and he’s shooting 64% from the field. Who knows how long this will last but Amar’e is just one of those guys you have to ride until he breaks down.

Amar’e is averaging 27 minutes per game this month through six games compared to 20 minutes per game this season. If he can stay healthy the minutes and fantasy production will be there for you. Keep in mind that the Knicks are actually the 9th seed in the East at the moment behind a slumping Atlanta squad. I’m not saying they will make the playoffs but the Knicks are riding a five game win streak and will not go quietly.

Currently, Amar’e Stoudemire is available in 40-50% of fantasy leagues. He has the Bucks, Pacers, Sixers, Cavs, Lakers and Kings coming up in the next eleven days.

Stock Rising- Anderson

The Sixers may be on an eighteen game losing streak but James Anderson has been playing very well. Anderson hit 5 of 9 threes and scored 17 points in a loss to the Kings on Wednesday night.

Analysis: Anderson is averaging 17.5 points per game, 4.0 threes made and 3.0 rebounds over his last four games. He’s clocking over 30 minutes per game and shooting more than 11 shots per game in the month of March. His biggest asset is obviously the three ball. He’s averaging 1.3 threes made per game this year and once again a ridiculous 4.0 threes made per game in his last four contests.

The twenty-four year old shooting guard is finally starting to get some love in the fantasy world. Thirty-plus minutes per night and a hot hand can only go unnoticed for so long. Anderson’s numbers will come back down but we don’t know where considering he seems to be Philly’s second best offensive weapon at the moment behind Thaddeus Young.

Currently, James Anderson is available in 70-97% of fantasy leagues. Keep in mind his next four games are against the league’s best defenses- Indiana twice, Chicago and Memphis.

Ersan Ilyasova Heating Up

There are few players as frustrating as Ersan Ilyasova. His shot selection this year has been awful but somehow he manages to fill the stat sheet.

Analysis: Ersan Ilyasova is averaging 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.8 threes and 0.8 steals in the month of March. Over the last two weeks of the season Ilyasova rates as the 24th best fantasy power forward and the 21st fantasy small forward. His field goal percentage has picked up over the last month and he’s averaging 29 minutes per game since the beginning of February.

Ilyasova certainly has a unique dual position skill set. As a small forward he is 10th in rebounds per game and 8th in free throw percentage. As a power forward he is 16th in threes made and 9th in steals per game. He isn’t going to save your fantasy season but he is productive and has not been weak in any area for some time now.

Currently, Ersan Ilyasova is available in 20% of fantasy leagues. He has four games this week- Magic, Wolves, Hawks, Knicks.