Author: TJ Streett

Stock Rising- Bismack Biyombo

The Charlotte Bobcats may be 4-29 but the play of Bismack Biyombo has been remarkable as of late.

Analysis: If you are looking for blocks and boards… you have found your man in one Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo has at least one blocked shot in eight consecutive games. He’s averaged 4.25 blocks and 8.0 rebounds over his last four contests as he emerges as a force in the fantasy world. His minutes have been up in the mid twenties lately and his numbers are on the rise. Biyombo even has dual power forward/center position eligibility.

Everything is not great with Biyombo. He’s only averaging 3.8 points per game on the season in about sixteen minutes of action per night. Even with the increase in minutes lately, Biyombo only had one double digit point total last month. He’s also a 41% free throw shooter for the year and he has been getting to the line a few times per game recently. While he isn’t going to kill you at the stripe because he doesn’t get there a ton, his scoring can. Regardless, Biyombo’s stock is rising and his block and boards production may be too great to ignore for many fantasy owners. Biyombo did tweak his shoulder last game and is listed as day-to-day, so keep an eye on his injury situation.

Buying Low- Dorell Wright

After a disappointing start to the season, Dorell Wright has been a valuable fantasy small forward these last two weeks.

Analysis: Dorell Wright has at least five rebounds and one block in his last four games. For a guy who averaged 2.4 three pointers made per game and a career high of 16.4 points per game last year, Wright is finding a way to contribute this year while struggling. His three ball numbers are still good- 1.7 threes per game this year and he’s taking nearly five threes per game. Wright is still averaging nearly one steal per game but the big drop off is the field goal percentage. Wright’s field goal percentage is only at 41% while only scoring 10.4 points per game.

Dorell Wright did have a twenty-three point game Wednesday against the Suns but he has not been a consistent scorer this year. The most telling stat is Wright’s minutes. He averaged 38 minutes last year to a still solid 28 minutes per game this year. With many owners giving up on the small forward, now is the time to make a move. Wright’s minutes are still good and he’s producing in the rebound and blocks categories rather consistently lately.

Deep League Help- Jiri Tlusty

Cane’s forward Jiri Tlusty is having his best professional season to date. Tlusty’s last two weeks have been especially impressive.

Analysis: Jiri Tlusty has amassed three goals, five assists and is a plus seven in his last eight games. This is definitely the best stretch of Tlusty’s young career. He was once considered a bust in Toronto and with good reason, Tlusty only scored twenty points in seventy-four games with the Leafs. He is a former top fifteen pick and he has finally put it all together.

Jiri is available in over eighty percent of fantasy leagues. Tlusty’s ice time has been a major factor, he’s averaging eighteen minutes of ice time over the past two weeks. He’s been getting some time on the power play and his shots on goal have been consistent and solid. His numbers will take a hit when his play comes down to reality but he still makes a solid deep league add. His only fantasy weakness is his penalty minutes and most owners can look past that. The Canes don’t have much depth at forward so expect Tlusty’s minutes to remain relatively high for the duration of the season.

DeJuan Blair Is Surging

DeJuan Blair has played increasingly well heading into the All-Star weekend. Blair’s 28 point, 12 rebound performance Thursday has many fantasy owners hopeful.

Analysis: DeJuan Blair averaged 17.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 1.0 SPG in his last three games prior to the All-Star break. His minutes in those contests were well over twenty per. Blair has always shot well from the field(52% career) and has averaged nearly one steal per game for his career. For a big man with power forward and center position eligibility who doesn’t rack up the blocks, those steals are necessary.

Blair is available in about seventy percent of fantasy leagues as his recent success has gone under the radar for the most part. Blair’s point production has been on the rise and if he can become a consistent twelve to fourteen point player he will be a must own in all fantasy leagues. As it stands now, he’s a solid rebounder who gets his fair share of steals and points. His minutes really do need to be in the mid twenties for him to be a real force. If you can afford to take a hit in the blocks department then DeJuan Blair should certainly be on your radar.

OJ Mayo May Be Available

OJ Mayo has not been putting up numbers near his career averages, however, he remains one productive fantasy shooting guard.

Analysis: OJ Mayo is available in over forty percent of fantasy leagues as his stock is seemingly falling. Yet, there is plenty to like about Mayo. He has hit nine threes in his last four games and his field goal percentage has risen in those four contests. Mayo is still averaging three boards and one steal per game despite getting twenty-six minutes per game, down seven minutes from his career average.

OJ Mayo’s field goal and free throw percentages are down this year but they should tick back up a bit. Mayo is a career 81% shooter from the stripe yet for the season he is only shooting at 70%. Mayo takes four threes per game which is great for a fantasy shooting guard and he doesn’t show any signs of slowing in that area. He’s not going to drop twenty points every night but his threes, free throw percentage and steals will all be there for you by season’s end. If he is available in your league he is certainly worth a look.