Player News – Page 83 – FantasySP Blog

Deep League Help- Derrick Favors

The third overall pick of the 2010 draft is finally getting some minutes to go along with his freakish athletic talent.

Analysis: Derrick Favors has the athletic ability of Dwight Howard and it was only a matter of time before he started putting up some numbers. Favors has nine blocks and three steals in his last three games. He’s averaging 7.7 boards in just under twenty-five minutes per game and that number will increase by year’s end if his minutes maintain. Favors does have a twenty point game under his belt this year but it is clear his fantasy weakness as a power forward will be his scoring. He is shooting over fifty percent from the floor but he’s only averaging seven field goal attempts per game.

As of now he will be putting up center like numbers as a power forward. He’s going to block tons of shots due to his athleticism and his rebounds will improve as he matures. Favors is available in eighty percent of fantasy leagues and if his solid play continues he won’t even be available in the deeper leagues. Favors has been coming off of the bench recently but if his minutes are in the low to mid twenty range… you’re fine.

Buying Low- Thaddeus Young

Thaddeus Young is being dropped from many fantasy squads across the country but there are reasons to keep the small forward.

Analysis: Thaddeus Young has never been a three point shooter but he brings a diverse skill set to the table. Young is averaging five boards per game and has seven steals in five games this year. Young is shooting over fifty percent from the floor and shot over fifty percent last year as well. He’s a solid seventy percent plus free throw shooter and his minutes are stable in the mid-twenty range.

When Thaddeus Young gets it going this year he will become a 15 PPG, 1.5 SPG player who will get you a healthy amount of rebounds for a small forward. He certainly has his place in deeper leagues because his only real weakness is the three ball. Young is available in over fifty percent of fantasy leagues and his steals, field goal percentage and points potential make him a valuable player. If he can start having more three assist nights(1.1 APG for career) like Wednesday night then Young will become a more complete fantasy asset. Keep your eye on him, he just may break out.

RJ Umberger Is Heating Up

Despite the awful season the Blue Jackets are having, RJ Umberger has been one of the few bright spots recently.

Analysis: RJ Umberger may not get the attention like Rick Nash or Jeff Carter in Columbus but he has been playing very well as of late and he deserves some fantasy recognition. Umberger has amassed seven points in his last seven games and a solid twenty-two shots on goal in that span. Since he plays in Columbus a lot of people tend to forget he has posted back-to-back fifty-five plus point seasons with a healthy amount of power play points.

RJ Umberger actually has a better plus/minus this year than teammates Rick Nash, Jeff Carter and Vinny Prospal. Umberger isn’t going to give you much in terms of penalty minutes but his ice time continues to stay in the nineteen minute range and his shots on goal are on the rise. Umberger is available in over fifty percent of fantasy leagues and if you are in need of a reliable, lower tier forward he just may be worth a look.

On The Rise- Carl Landry

Power Forward Carl Landry continues to quietly produce in his first full season with the Hornets.

Analysis: Carl Landry is averaging sixteen points and eight boards per game through four games this season. He’s getting twenty-nine minutes per game which makes him one very valuable power forward in the fantasy world.

Landry is as efficient as they come, he shoots 77% from the stripe for his career, not bad for a power forward. Landry also shoots over fifty percent from the floor for his career and his rebounding over the last few years has improved. He’s not going to light up the stat sheet in other areas but he won’t hurt you as a power forward. His blocks and steals are adequate but they can be a solid area for him if his minutes continue to stay in the thirty range.

Outside of Eric Gordon the Hornets do not have much in terms of offensive threats and Carl Landry appears to be the second option at the moment. Landry is available in fifty percent of fantasy leagues but he is on the rise and going fast.

Blocks And Boards- Marcus Camby

When Marcus Camby is healthy he is a force in the fantasy world. Although the veteran is thirty-seven years old, he still has plenty of fantasy upside.

Analysis: In Camby’s three games this year his fantasy line looks like this- 11.3 RPG with 2.3 BPG. He has always and will continue to produce in rebounds and blocks. His points per game can hurt you but he does not shoot enough to hurt you in field goal percentage as a big man. His minutes have been in the mid twenty range in all three contests this year and if he continues to get those kinds of minutes he will be an asset to any fantasy squad.

Camby is available in well over half of all fantasy leagues and next to Spencer Hawes he is the hottest center on the wire. Camby has not played in over sixty games since the 2008-09 season but adding him will not hurt. You use Camby until he gets injured and pick him right back up a few days before he is ready to return to action. This is the tried and true method over the years concerning Marcus Camby and fantasy basketball.