Category: NBA

Blocks And Boards Help

The inconsistent Derrick Favors is on one of his hot streaks and now is the time to pick him up.

Analysis: There aren’t many players out there that can stuff a stat sheet like Derrick Favors and then disappear for weeks at a time. Regardless, Favors is at it again and it’s time to ride his hot streak. The twenty-one year old is averaging 9.75 RPG, 1.25 BPG and 1.5 SPG over his last four contests. He’s doing all this still averaging 22 minutes per game which is right in line with his minute totals this season. He has been relatively consistent with the blocks and steals this year but his rebounding numbers have been rather strong lately. Favors is available in 30-60% of fantasy leagues nationwide.

Marreese Speights is another fantasy big man to watch. He’s averaging 9.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG and 16.3 PPG over his last three games in increased minutes with the Cavs. Speights is available in 40-80% of fantasy leagues and HE IS THE STEAL right now on the wire considering his minutes are up a ton in Cleveland. He’s also a career 75% free throw shooter, not bad for a guy with center position eligibility.

The Case For Spencer Hawes

Spencer Hawes only recorded one rebound against the Kings in his last game but his fantasy value remains underrated.

Analysis: Despite a one rebound performance in 26 minutes against the Kings there is still a case to be made for Spencer Hawes. He’s averaging 6.6 RPG, 11.0 PPG, 1.8 BPG and is shooting 45% from the field over his last five games. Hawes is also averaging over thirty minutes per game in that span. He has power forward and center position eligibility and he is shooting a career high from the stripe this year(72%).

Take a look at the Sixers’ roster and tell me who is going to eat away at Spencer Hawes’ minutes down the road. Kwame Brown? That’s funny. The fact is that no one is going to stop him(a decent big man) from getting 25 minutes every night. His rebounds may hover in the 6-7 per game range but he blocks shots, scores ten points a game and is not a liability at the line. He’s available in half of fantasy leagues.

Up next for Hawes is Orlando Monday night.

Michael Beasley Is Available

Michael Beasley has two 25-plus point games over his last four games.

Analysis: Michael Beasley is one of the more frustrating fantasy players to own but he can be worth it when his desire is there and with the support of his coach. The former K-State product is averaging 17 PPG, 1.5 SPG, .75 3PM and 5.5 RPG in his last four games. His minutes are up as well as his shot totals and points production over the last week.

Overall it has been a down year for Beasley. His minutes, points and field goal percentage are the lowest of his five year career but he is playing very well as of late and offers tons of fantasy upside. Beasley won’t dominate any fantasy category but he does stuff a stat sheet when he is on his game. He’ll contribute a few threes, steals and blocks which is what you want from a fantasy forward but his points potential is his real value. A Michael Beasley getting 25-30 minutes of floor time per night is a Michael Beasley you want on your fantasy squad. At the moment he is available in about 40-60% of fantasy leagues.

Stock Rising- Elton Brand

Elton Brand has two double-doubles in his last three games.

Analysis: Elton Brand is averaging 13.0 PPG, 8.8 RPG and is shooting 56% from the field over his last five games. His minutes have been close to thirty per game in this span and he may be starting at center for the Mavs relatively soon. At the moment he is available in well over half of fantasy leagues but his stock is on the rise.

Brand also contributes at the line(80%) and is averaging 1.2 BPG and 0.6 SPG in just twenty-one minutes per game this year. He is quite the shot blocker for a 6’9″ power forward and even as a thirty-three year old he is still getting it done defensively. Brand has been a top twenty fantasy power forward over the past two weeks. In this span he has been outperforming Kevin Garnett, JJ Hickson and Ed Davis just to name a few heavily owned big guys.

Even at Elton Brand’s age he is still producing very well. He rebounds, blocks shots, shoots a high percentage and he won’t kill you at the free throw line… exactly what you want from your lower tier fantasy big men.

Harrison Barnes Is Heating Up

Harrison Barnes struggled early in his rookie campaign but recently he has taken his game to the next level.

Analysis: Harrison Barnes is averaging 10.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.6 3PM and 1.0 SPG over the last two weeks. He is doing everything a lower tier fantasy small forward needs to do- hit threes, score, steal and rebound at a respectable clip. The rookie is shooting 49% from the field in January as opposed to just 38% in December. He now has nearly forty games under his belt and the stat sheet is reflecting his maturation as a professional.

Barnes is available in over seventy percent of leagues and now is the perfect time to buy this kid. He has been on the end of about thirty minutes per game over the past few weeks which is always good news for fantasy owners. As a result of the increased playing time Barnes is shooting more than ever and rebounding at the best clip of his extremely young career. Barnes is becoming a valuable lower tier fantasy asset and keep in mind that he’s not going to kill you in deeper leagues in any important small forward categories as long as he is getting his 25-30 minutes a night.