Category: NBA

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.

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.

Deep League Help- Ekpe Udoh

Ekpe Udoh has at least one blocked shot in nine of his last ten games. The 6’10” big man is becoming a premier shot blocker despite his lack of minutes.

Analysis: Ekpe Udoh has averaged 2.5 blocks per game in that ten game stretch. The fact that he’s averging 2.5 blocks per game in just twenty-two minutes of floor time is impressive. His minutes have been on the rise and so has other areas of his fantasy game. Udoh has six steals in his last six games to go along with some improved free throw shooting.

Obviously, Ekpe Udoh can hurt you in some fantasy categories. His points production is awful but big men aren’t on your roster to light up the score sheet. Where he can really hurt you is the rebounding. Udoh is only averaging 3.5 rebounds per game in nineteen minutes this year. His field goal percentage has not been stellar either but he only takes less than four field goal attempts per game. It certainly is a mixed bag when it comes to Ekpe Udoh but he is blocking tons of shots lately and he cannot be ignored in deeper leagues from here on out.

Stock Rising- Corey Maggette

Corey Maggette has played very well this week since his return from a hamstring injury.

Analysis: Corey Maggette is five games into his return from injury but his last four games have been the most telling. Maggette has averaged an impressive 17.0 points per game in his four game hot stretch as well as 1.0 steals per game and 3.75 rebounds per game. Maggette’s minutes have been north of twenty-five per game since his return and all signs point to Maggette returning to form. With Gerald Henderson set to return to action in four days there are some questions regarding Maggette’s fantasy value. His hot play of late certainly merits enough playing time to put up some solid numbers. Also, keep in mind that Henderson isn’t expected to chew into Maggette’s minutes but rather Reggie Williams’.

Maggette is and will always be a scorer with solid rebounding for a small forward. He seems to be back on track and you can count on him in those two areas especially. He is still available in over half of fantasy leagues and he certainly has some value considering his minutes should not take much of a hit with the return of Gerald Henderson around the corner.