Author: TJ Streett

On The Rise- Carl Landry

Power Forward Carl Landry continues to quietly produce in his first full season with the Hornets.

Analysis: Carl Landry is averaging sixteen points and eight boards per game through four games this season. He’s getting twenty-nine minutes per game which makes him one very valuable power forward in the fantasy world.

Landry is as efficient as they come, he shoots 77% from the stripe for his career, not bad for a power forward. Landry also shoots over fifty percent from the floor for his career and his rebounding over the last few years has improved. He’s not going to light up the stat sheet in other areas but he won’t hurt you as a power forward. His blocks and steals are adequate but they can be a solid area for him if his minutes continue to stay in the thirty range.

Outside of Eric Gordon the Hornets do not have much in terms of offensive threats and Carl Landry appears to be the second option at the moment. Landry is available in fifty percent of fantasy leagues but he is on the rise and going fast.

Blocks And Boards- Marcus Camby

When Marcus Camby is healthy he is a force in the fantasy world. Although the veteran is thirty-seven years old, he still has plenty of fantasy upside.

Analysis: In Camby’s three games this year his fantasy line looks like this- 11.3 RPG with 2.3 BPG. He has always and will continue to produce in rebounds and blocks. His points per game can hurt you but he does not shoot enough to hurt you in field goal percentage as a big man. His minutes have been in the mid twenty range in all three contests this year and if he continues to get those kinds of minutes he will be an asset to any fantasy squad.

Camby is available in well over half of all fantasy leagues and next to Spencer Hawes he is the hottest center on the wire. Camby has not played in over sixty games since the 2008-09 season but adding him will not hurt. You use Camby until he gets injured and pick him right back up a few days before he is ready to return to action. This is the tried and true method over the years concerning Marcus Camby and fantasy basketball.

Last Call On Paul George

Paul George was considered a sleeper in many fantasy basketball circles going into the 2011-12 season and he appears to be breaking out.

Analysis: Indiana shooting guard/small forward Paul George is off to a solid fantasy start in his first three games this year. George is hitting two three pointers per game and is averaging over five rebounds per as well. George is a perfect ten for ten from the stripe and is logging thirty-two minutes per game.

If you take a look at what George did in limited minutes as a rookie last year, it is impressive. George averaged one steal per game and nearly four rebounds per in just twenty minutes a game. George mainly came off of the bench last year but his minutes this year will play to his fantasy advantage. George’s long distance game seems to be a real strength this year and his young legs will be needed with the grueling schedule.

George is available in about half of fantasy leagues and he is going fast. As a shooting guard he’ll give you what you need and yet he still grabs enough boards to be a viable option at small forward.

Streaming Defenses- Week Seventeen- Broncos/Colts

Both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts have great fantasy matchups in week seventeen.

Analysis: The Denver defense has struggled some as of late but if the offense does not turn the ball over, the Denver defense can be lethal. The Broncos matchup with the Chiefs this week and it looks to be a favorable one. The Chiefs are averaging just 13.7 points per game and quarterback Kyle Orton has only thrown one touchdown in three games with Kansas City. The Broncos are seventh in the league with forty sacks and with a playoff berth at stake- they will be pinning their ears back more than ever this week.

Week seventeen also has another interesting fantasy contest with Indy at Jacksonville. Indy has quietly put together two solid defensive outings against the Titans and the Texans. Jacksonville will continue to be led by rookie Blaine Gabbert who is sporting a 64.3 passer rating. Gabbert has thrown an interception in five consecutive games and seven out of his last eight. The Indy defense may be a long shot considering they are available in well over ninety-five percent of fantasy leagues but Jacksonville is just plain awful on offense.

Kevin Smith Is A Must Start

Although Detroit running back Kevin Smith is owned in just seventy percent of fantasy leagues, he is a must start in week seventeen.

Analysis: Smith is coming off of a solid two touchdown performance against the Chargers and has carried the rock fifteen times in each of his last two contests. The Lions get the Packers in week seventeen and expect Detroit to use their running game as the score should not get out of hand because Green Bay will rest their starters. Green Bay does allow 4.7 yards per carry this year which is the seventh worst in the NFL and with the second string in who knows what to expect? If Kevin Smith is available or is on your squad then he is a must start this week.

Evan Royster is another back that you may want to consider picking up to see if he’ll get another start in place of the injured Roy Helu in week seventeen. Royster put up 132 rushing yards on nineteen carries with a score last week against the Vikings. If Roy Helu cannot go this coming week against the Eagles, Royster should be on the end of fifteen plus carries.