Category: NBA

Dirk Nowitzki is Still Putting Up Great Numbers

Dirk appears to be more machine than man as he continues to put up ridiculous fantasy numbers season after season, despite his advancing age.

Analysis: Once again Dirk is easily a top 10 fantasy pick in all leagues. He’s getting older but hasn’t lost any of his effectiveness. I believe if Dirk wanted to he could hit his fade-away jumper until he was in his 50s, nobody can defend it. While Dirk missed a stretch of this season and came back a little slow, he seems to be back to full speed once again. Dirk’s points are down a little but he has made improvements in other facets of his game that make up for the little scoring drop. He is shooting career highs in both field goal percentage and three point percentage, at 52% and 43% respectively. With Dallas tied for the second best record in the league, and Dirk having arguably his best teammates ever, he is more motivated than ever. Dallas is set to make a legitimate championship run this season and Dirk will take the lead just as he normally does.

Projection: Dirk continues to get it done in a variety of ways and you should capitalize on his stats if you’re lucky enough to get him. Tonight Dirk destroyed the Raptors shooting 11-20, good for 31 points, and grabbed 13 boards. Pretty good for a 32 year old European.

Shooting Bricks With Jose Calderon

We all know Jose Calderon can dish out plenty of assists, but is the rest of his game stable enough to be a potent fantasy option.

Analysis: Jose is actually having a career year in terms of assists, but can’t seem to find his shooting stroke. In his last 10 games Jose is shooting a horrid 29% from the field. However in the same 10 game stretch he is averaging almost 12 assists a game. Beautiful assist numbers contrasted by hideous shooting. The shooting is a strange occurrence because Jose has consistently shot close to 50% every season in the NBA, minus his rookie season. I expect Jose will eventually break out of his slump, but it is still cause for concern. Jose is grabbing some steals this season too, averaging a career high in that category. Jose has never been a high volume shooter so his shooting stats won’t hurt your team too much. After being completely overrated during last year’s fantasy season, Jose’s stock has come back down to earth.

Projection: If you need assists then pick up Jose because he will provide you them in bunches. On a positive note Jose had his first great shooting night in a while, tonight against Dallas, with 15 points on 7-10 shooting. One good game doesn’t necessarily mean he’s broken out of his slump, but it is a step in the right direction. Jose is a good fantasy point guard option this season even with terrible shooting percentages. When his shooting comes back, which it will, Jose will be a great pickup.

Randy Foye Is Clutch

Randy Foye is playing the best basketball of his life and is turning into a multi category fantasy basketball machine.

Analysis: Foye is averaging 20.8 PPG and 5.6 APG over his last five games. He’s got a lot of other things going for him as well. He’s got point guard and shooting guard position eligibility and he’s a career 86% free throw shooter. Although Eric Gordon will be coming back from injury soon he won’t be back to full strength for awhile and there is no way Foye won’t be getting at least 30 minutes a game when he does return. Foye is hitting just over one three per game for the year and has six multi steal games in his last ten contests. Randy Foye is doing it all from the PG/SG position and the fact that he’s available in seventy percent of fantasy leagues- what’s not to like?

Projection: Regardless of Eric Gordon’s return, Randy Foye will be getting tons of minutes. He’s averaging over 35 minutes a game over the last two weeks and no one can argue with his productivity. Expect 14-17 PPG, 5 APG, 1 3PM and 1 SPG the rest of the way for the Clippers.

The Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat

Marcin Gortat is finally getting some minutes while playing with a great point guard in Steve Nash, but will he keep up his recent production?

Analysis: Gortat was a great backup for Dwight Howard in Orlando, but he was never given the chance to shine there. Not surprising considering he was playing behind the best center in the game today. Recently he has been on quite a tear with his new big minute role on the Sun’s roster. In his last game against the Raptors Gortat brought down 11 boards, 17 points, and 1 block while only missing two shots and playing 34 minutes. Gortat is averaging 10 more minutes with the Suns and I think this number is only going to increase. Gortat runs a great pick and roll with Nash and actually has great finish around the rim. As he and Nash get more and more comfortable Gortat will become a must have player in every league. I don’t think we should expect Nash to turn him into the next Amar’e Stoudemire, but he can certainly put up some stats.

Projection: Playing with Nash and getting more minutes than ever before has Gortat in his happy place, and I only see his production getting better. The one disappointing feature has been Gortat’s lack of blocks. He is averaging 10 more minutes but his blocks have only gone up .2 per game. This hurts his fantasy value, but I expect his blocks to go up the more familiar he gets with the Phoenix system.

Thaddeus Young Is Heating Up

Thaddeus Young went 12-15 from the floor for 24 points Friday night against the Pistons. Available in over fifty percent of leagues nationwide he just may be what you’re looking for if you need points and steals.

Analysis: Does five consecutive 18 plus point games interest you? It should and he’s doing more than just scoring. Young has averaged five rebounds and one steal per game in that same five game span as well as shooting over 65 percent from the field. This is the time of year in the fantasy world where you have to ride the hot hands to a championship and Thaddeus Young may help you get there. He doesn’t contribute much in the three department but he’s shooting 73% from the stripe and his minutes are just under thirty a game. Young needs to be on the floor for the Sixers if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive and Young should be hitting the thirty minute per game mark from here on out.

Projection: Expect 15-19 PPG, 5 RPG, more than 1 SPG and solid field goal and free throw percentages the rest of the year.