Under The Radar- Augustin

One of the reasons why the Chicago Bulls are sitting in the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference is because of the play of DJ Augustin.

Analysis: DJ Augustin is the 21st rated fantasy point guard over the last month of the season. Augustin is getting tons of minutes this month(29.6/gm) and he isn’t weak in any key point guard categories. In the month of February he is averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 assists, 2.0 threes made and .9 steals per game. Augustin is shooting 89% from the stripe this year where he is averaging 2.3 attempts per game and 3.6 attempts per game this month. This season he’s hitting 1.7 threes per game- 11th best among point guards. His play is improving and with it the Chicago playoff hopes.

There are two potential negatives- field goal percentage and rebounds. Augustin is 41% from the field this year which is right in line with his career mark. However, the biggest concern is the rebounding. DJ is 30th among point guards in rebounds at 1.6 per game which certainly isn’t great but he is a point guard after all.

DJ Augustin is available in 20-35% of fantasy leagues.

Is Waiters Still A Risk?

Dion Waiters has played very well in the few weeks leading into the All-Star break, but is he still a risk to own?

Analysis: Waiters is averaging 15.4 points, 3.2 assists and 1.0 threes made in his last five games. Despite the surge in production he is just the 47th rated fantasy shooting guard over the last two weeks of the season. His minutes, threes and points are all fine but he is a liability in some key fantasy categories.

The former Syracuse star is shooting just 41% from the field this year and 43% from the field this month. His free throw shooting isn’t any better at 67%, 27th among qualified NBA shooting guards. Then you have the lack of rebounds for a guy who is averaging 28 minutes per game. The 2.9 rebounds per game is 24th among qualified shooting guards. Although Waiters is hitting 1.2 threes per game… that mark is 29th among shooting guards.

Yes, Dion Waiters is playing better ball lately and his assists have gone up a bit, but he remains a fringe fantasy option and a risky one at that. Currently, he is available in 25-50% of fantasy leagues.

Passing On Trey Burke

Trey Burke posted 8 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal in a win over the Lakers on Tuesday night.

Analysis: Burke has been struggling as of late. Over the last two weeks he is the 60th rated fantasy point guard and for the year he is the 44th rated point guard. Burke is especially weak in two key areas- steals and field goal percentage.

Trey Burke is only averaging 0.6 steals this season despite averaging 31 minutes per night. His 0.90 steals per 48 minutes mark is 81st among NBA point guards… 81st. His shooting is equally awful. Burke is shooting 37% from the field this year and 29% from the field this month. He’s taking nearly thirteen shots per game which means he is an extremely detrimental fantasy point guard right now.

Currently, he is available in 10-20% of fantasy leagues. Up next for Burke is the Sixers on Wednesday night. Keep in mind that there are better options available on the wire than a player who is the 60th rated point guard over the last two weeks. Pass.

Three Ball Help- Patty Mills

Patty Mills recorded 32 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and hit 4 threes on Saturday night against the Bobcats.

Analysis: Mills is one of the more interesting deep league players available on the wire. In just 17.7 minutes of action per night this season he is averaging 1.6 threes made, 9.3 points and .9 steals per game. In the month of February he is averaging 22 minutes, 18.2 points, 2.6 threes made and 1.2 steals. Mills is also getting it done from the floor- he’s shooting 47% from the field this year, 42% from three and he’s even shooting 87% from the line.

The Australian native can hurt you in assists. He’s only averaging 1.7 per game this year and 2.6 per game this month. If his minutes can stabilize in the low to mid twenties then his three ball, points and steals will be useful in most league formats.

Currently, Patty Mills is available in 85-95% of fantasy leagues. He has a hot hand right now so he is definitely worth keeping an eye on. Mills has made 13 threes and 16 of 17 free throws in his last five games. Up next for Patty Mills is Detroit on Monday night.

Stock Rising- George Hill

George Hill dropped 37 points in an overtime win against the Blazers on Friday night. He recorded 8 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 threes made.

Analysis: George Hill is the weakest link in the Indiana starting five but he still has a place in the fantasy realm. Over the last month of the season Hill is the 29th rated fantasy point guard. He is solid in most guard categories with the exception of assists. Hill is averaging just 3.3 assists per game this year. He’s at about 4 assists per game over the last month but it still isn’t much when compared to other average fantasy point guards like Jeremy Lin and Mario Chalmers.

Hopefully the Portland game is more of a marker of progress than a blip on the radar. Hill does have eight double-digit point games in his last ten games played which is interesting for a player who only averages 10.5 points per game. He also has 12 threes made and 11 steals in that ten game span which means he is consistent in most areas.

Currently, Hill is available in 15-25% of fantasy leagues.