Player News – Page 143 – FantasySP Blog

It’s Time To Dump Charlie Villanueva

Charlie Villanueva is averaging over twenty-four minutes per game this year, however, he hasn’t reached that mark in Detroit’s last nine games.

Analysis: Charlie Villanueva is a power forward who can hit the three but if he doesn’t get minutes he’ll kill you in rebounds. Villanueva hasn’t reached 12 points or 4 rebounds in Detroit’s last nine games and the biggest reason is Georgetown rookie Greg Monroe. Monroe is shooting over 50 percent from the field with 12 steals his last eleven games and in that stretch is averaging nearly 9 boards with 11 points. With the Pistons moving in a more youthful direction, Charlie Villanueva is the odd man out especially in deeper fantasy leagues.

Projection: Greg Monroe has topped thirty-three minutes each of his last four games and isn’t going to be giving any more minutes to Charlie Villanueva in Detroit ever again. Expect fifteen minutes a game with some threes from Villanueva the rest of the season but nothing special in any other category. Greg Monroe is the real winner here, grab him up before it’s too late.

Replace Marc Savard With Peter Forsberg

Marc Savard will miss the remainder of the season with ongoing issues from concussions. While his season has been a disappointment he was still worth a roster spot up until now. Enter Peter Forsberg and his career 1.25 points per game average.

Analysis: Yes, Peter Forsberg is thirty-seven years old but he put up 30 points in just 23 SEL games last year, he’s still a beast. There is no denying his offensive talent or his love for Colorado who are in a dogfight for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. He’s available in 85% of fantasy leagues and his pickup is a no-brainer. While it is still undecided what line the Avs will insert him in, one thing is for sure… he will produce.

Projection: The Avs have thirty games remaining on their schedule and “Foppa” will get them in the playoffs. Expect 8-12 goals with 18-23 assists the rest of the season if Forsberg can get his visa situation taken care of soon.

Mike Dunleavy Is Heating Up

Mike Dunleavy hit 5 threes while shooting 6 for 8 from the field for 17 points Sunday against the Nets. Dunleavy is hitting 40% from beyond the arc this year and averaging 2 three pointers made per game in doing so.

Analysis: He’s owned in about 50% of fantasy leagues nationwide and if you’re in desperate need of 3 pointers and free throw percentage in your league then this SG/SF may be a good fit for your squad. Dunleavy has hit 19 threes with 7 steals his last six games, as well as averaging 15 PPG and 4 RPG in that stretch. The Pacers are playing very well under new coach Frank Vogel who is seeing his team throw up tons of threes in his first four games as coach. Although Dunleavy’s minutes are slightly down the Pacers tempo and energy are not.

Projection: Expect more of the same with the ever so quiet Mike Dunleavy. He’ll average 13-15 PPG, 5 RPG with some steals scattered in but his real value will be his free throw percentage (80% career) and his 3PM while not hurting you as a SG/SF in field goal percentage with 45%. He’s a solid pickup for threes and he’ll be going fast over the next few weeks.

Evgeni Malkin Out, Who’s In?

Evgeni Malkin has a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. The injury was suffered Friday night after crashing into the boards on a Tyler Myers hit. This leaves a huge hole at forward on every fantasy roster who owns Evgeni Malkin, so the question is- what’s next?

Analysis: This season ending injury isn’t one to be taken lightly as Malkin is a top five to seven fantasy forward. You may want to consider turning to Tampa Bay winger Teddy Purcell. Purcell has recorded 4 goals, 5 assists, 13 SOG and is plus 5 in his last five games. Obviously he cannot sustain this pace but I don’t see him falling off the fantasy hockey planet either. New Jersey winger Brian Rolston has tallied 5 goals, 8 assists, 28 SOG and is a plus 7 in his last 11 contests. Finally, San Jose winger Devin Setoguchi has been on fire his last five games with 4 goals, 3 assists and 22 SOG.

Projection: If you’re in need in the goal department I would put my faith in Devin Sotoguchi to supply a goal at least every third game. From an assists and especially a plus/minus perspective I would pick up Brian Rolston, the Devils are 7-1-2 in thier last ten games. The wildcard here is Teddy Purcell. Tampa’s offense is scary and Purcell should continue to benefit from the attention Stamkos and St. Louis demand. Purcell is fully capable of averaging almost a point per game from here on out.

Need Assists? Ramon Sessions Can Help!

The Cavs may have dropped their twenty-third straight game Friday night, but that hasn’t stopped Ramon Sessions from putting up monster numbers. Sessions tallied 20 points, 11 assists with a steal and a block last night against the Grizzlies.

Analysis: Ramon Sessions has quietly put up top 20 fantasy point guard numbers over the last two weeks and don’t expect his play to fall off much if he continues play over thirty minutes a game, which he has in ten of his last twelve games. In this current five game span Sessions is averaging 9 assists, 15.6 ppg, 47% from the field and 88% from the line. The bottom line is Ramon Sessions is getting tons of minutes, he’s not turning the ball over and he’s one hungry dude. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, Sessions has been a streaky fantasy player the past few years with the Wolves and the Bucks.

Projection: Expect 7-9 apg, 13-15 ppg with 80 percent from the line and 45 percent from the field if Sessions continues to get over thirty minutes a game. His steals are down this year but expect .80 spg the rest of the season with room for improvement.