Author: TJ Streett

Deep League Help- Jason Thompson/Ed Davis

Jason Thompson has been a rebounding machine since his return to the Sacramento starting lineup while Ed Davis’ minutes are on the rise.

Analysis: Jason Thompson has averaged 13.0 rebounds per game over his last three contests. His rebounding prowess shouldn’t come as a surprise, Thompson averaged 8.5 rebounds per game in the 2009-10 season. Like with all players, when Thompson’s minutes are up- so is his fantasy value. Thompson is available in well over eighty percent of fantasy leagues.

Jason Thompson has never been much of a shot blocker which does hurt his value a bit as a power forward. However, his points production(recently) along with a 54% field goal percentage this year does boost his value. Along with Toronto’s Ed Davis, Thompson is one of the few power forwards widely available on the wire that can have value in any league format as long as the minutes are up. Ed Davis is a freak but has only averaged twenty-two minutes per game this year. Despite the lack of minutes he’s still rebounding 6.4 per game with 1.0 blocks per game. Davis does have eight blocks and two double-doubles over his last six games. Ed also has center position eligibility which is always a bonus.

James Reimer Is Heating Up

James Reimer has been perfect for the Toronto Maple Leafs in his last two games.

Analysis: James Reimer has amassed seventy-four total saves in two shutout victories in his last two starts. These victories come against Pittsburgh and Ottawa, two playoff teams at the moment. Reimer does have a solid stat line on the year- a 9-5-4 win-loss record with a .912 save percentage.

Jonas Gustavsson has struggled recently for Toronto and it looks like the Leafs will ride Reimer’s hot hand at least for the time being. Gustavsson has allowed at least three goals in six of his last nine starts and appears to have fallen out of favor in Toronto.

Reimer is available in over forty percent of fantasy leagues but he is “the” goalie on the wire right now. Mathieu Garon may be racking up wins in Tampa lately but his goals against average has been pedestrian. Garon does at least offer the consistent starts you want from a lower tier fantasy goaltender. Garon has started seven of Tampa’s last eight games. Garon is widely available and with Tampa’s fire power you really do have to consider picking up Garon if only for the wins.

Time To Bail On Ridnour?

Luke Ridnour has not been playing well lately despite being on the end of some heavy duty minutes.

Analysis: Luke Ridnour is shooting just 38% from the field with only two three pointers made in his last five games. Ridnour is only averaging 9.0 points per game in that five game span despite playing over thirty minutes per game. Ridnour’s fantasy strength will always be as a point guard but his assist totals have been on the decline. Ridnour recorded five six or more assist games in his first seventeen contests but has zero in his last six games. His minutes remain high but he isn’t seeing much time at the point and even when he does, he’s just not producing.

Ricky Rubio is negating Luke Ridnour’s fantasy point guard numbers as well as the recent return of Jose Juan Barea. Between Rubio and Barea you cannot expect many assists going forward from Ridnour. He’s essentially a shooting guard now who isn’t a lock for ten points on a given night. He’s still owned in more than half of fantasy leagues but it’s just about time to bail on Ridnour.

Stock Rising- JJ Redick

JJ Redick has been back in the Orlando starting line up recently and it is paying off from a fantasy perspective.

Analysis: JJ Redick has started in Orlando’s past two games and he’s played over twenty-six minutes per game over his last four contests. Redick has hit ten three pointers in his four game hot streak and he is a perfect eleven for eleven from the line during that stretch. We all know Redick hits threes and is a 95% free throw shooter this year but he does provide some coverage in other fantasy categories as well. Redick is averaging twelve points per game this year and the 2.3 assists per game is certainly serviceable for a fantasy shooting guard.

Redick is available in over half of fantasy leagues and his recent performances have been going under the radar. If he continues to get starting minutes he will get to the line enough where he just isn’t a deep league option. Redick is heading in the right direction, he’s 10-16 recently in three pointers and if he continues to take at least four threes per game his stock will continue to rise.

Vince Carter Has Value

Vince Carter is four games in to his return from a foot sprain and his stock is surprisingly on the rise.

Analysis: In Vince Carter’s four games back from injury he’s averaging 15.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 2.0 3PM per game. Carter has averaged twenty-nine minutes of floor time in that span, up seven minutes from his season average of twenty-two minutes per game. Vince has always hit the threes and shot very well from the stripe and this year is no different. If his minutes stay up, I cannot see a reason why owning him wouldn’t be an option for fantasy owners. The shooting guard/small forward is available in seventy percent of fantasy leagues.

Carter is giving you everything you need from a lower tier shooting guard/small forward- he’s knocking down threes, hitting free throws, grabbing enough boards and has five steals in his last three games. Throw in the three and four assist games he’s had recently and you have yourself a productive little fantasy player. There is a concern that he will slow down or injure himself again but you have to ride the hot hand for as long as you can in this case. Vince Carter actually has some fantasy value, who would have thought?