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Blocks and Boards- Henson

John Henson returned from injury Monday night against the Toronto Raptors.

Analysis: Henson logged 17 minutes of playing time coming off the bench against the Raptors. He recorded 4 blocks, 5 rebounds and 8 points on 4 of 6 shooting. Henson is now averaging 7.9 rebounds per game and 2.3 blocks per game in 28 minutes of action per night. He currently ranks 4th in the NBA in blocks and 17th among power forwards in rebounds.

The former UNC product is available in 5-60% of fantasy leagues. He was dropped in quite a bit of leagues due to his ankle injury that kept him out for nearly three weeks.

We also have to mention Taj Gibson of the Bulls. Gibson is averaging 8.6 RPG, 1.6 BPG and 12.2 PPG over his last five games. He’s logging 32 minutes of floor time per night in that span which will equate into some very solid fantasy numbers going forward. Over the last two weeks Gibson is outperforming Derrick Favors, Glen Davis, Amir Johnson and JJ Hickson. Taj Gibson is available in 25-50% of fantasy leagues.

Redick Back In Action

JJ Redick was back in action Friday night after missing over a month with ligament damage in his right wrist.

Analysis: Redick put up 19 points on 8-15 shooting in 23 minutes of action Friday night against the Lakers. Redick is now averaging 15.9 PPG, 1.9 3PM and 0.8 SPG in 28 minutes per night this year. He’s also shooting 46% from the field and 93% from the line.

People forget that Redick was the 23rd rated fantasy shooting guard last year while playing on two awful teams. As long as Redick is getting 25-plus minutes per game his points production and threes should be enough to make him a valuable fantasy asset. Redick is available in 35-50% of fantasy leagues. Guys like Martell Webster, Vince Carter and Jarrett Jack can and should be dropped for Redick.

But— keep an eye on Avery Bradley. He’s hitting 1.1 threes per game and he’s shooting 39% from three. He’s getting 31 minutes of floor time per night and he’s averaging a respectable 14 PPG and 4 RPG. He’s currently averaging just 1 steal per game but that number could and should climb higher. Bradley is available in 40% of fantasy leagues.

Stock Rising- Randy Foye

Randy Foye may be on his fifth NBA team this year but he continues to play well despite being lost in the shuffle.

Analysis: Randy Foye is averaging 3.4 3PM, 17.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 3.6 APG over his last five games. He has hit a total of 17 threes in that span while averaging over 35 minutes of floor time per night.

Foye’s biggest problem as a shooting guard has always been his lack of steals and a low field goal percentage, so keep that in mind. In recent years Foye has become a good three point shooter in terms of volume and efficiency. He’s even sporting a career 85% mark from the line. Over the last week of the season Foye is outperforming Kevin Martin, Arron Afflalo and Evan Turner. Currently, Foye is available in 70-97% of fantasy leagues. If his minutes remain north of thirty per game it will be impossible to ignore him.

Jimmy Butler is another player on the rise in the wake of the Luol Deng trade. Butler shot a career high 18 times in his last game. He’s averaging 2.6 SPG, 15 PPG and 4.8 RPG over his last five games. He’s 9th in the NBA in steals and 14th among shooting guards in rebounds. Butler is available in 10-15% of fantasy leagues.

Last Call On Amir Johnson

Amir Johnson is the 13th rated fantasy power forward over the last month of the NBA season.

Analysis: Amir averaged 7.5 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG and 10.0 PPG in 28 minutes of floor time last year. This year his stats are very similar and Amir already has a career high 9 three pointers made. Amir is shooting 59% from the field and he’s 75% from the stripe this season. He is averaging 33 minutes per game over his last five games and has 12 blocks during that span.

Amir Johnson does have power forward and center position eligibility in most leagues. He is available in 8-15% of leagues despite his consistent play over the last two months of the season. He has been eating some major minutes lately and the steals and occasional three ball certainly adds to his value as a big man.

Another interesting power forward to monitor is Amar’e Stoudemire. His health is always a problem but he should be ready to go on Tuesday night. His minutes have been up in the low twenties over the last few weeks which is a good sign. He’s recorded two twenty-plus point performances and he’s getting to the line 4.2 times per game over his last six games. Amar’e is available in 60-80% of fantasy leagues.

Selling High- Shumpert

Iman Shumpert has recorded back-to-back 25 plus point games in the last week and is averaging 20 PPG in three games this month.

Analysis: Iman Shumpert is better in real life than as a fantasy shooting guard. Shumpert does have a few good things going for him which includes multiple position eligibility in most leagues. Shumpert is averaging 28 minutes per game this year which is solid. He is also averaging 4.8 RPG and 1.3 SPG, both are top seven marks among qualified shooting guards. However, this is where the positives end.

Shumpert is shooting just 40% from the field this year and for his career. He’s averaging just 7.5 PPG and he’s only getting to the line 1.2 times per contest which negates his solid free throw percentage(82%). Shumpert is a fine player and his three ball frequency will hopefully improve over time as it has in the last week on the road but as it stands now he is only a deep league add. He may have top seven marks in rebounds and steals but he’s 36th among shooting guards in scoring, 32nd in threes made and 39th in free throws made.

Iman Shumpert is available in 40-60% of fantasy leagues.