Iverson is on Philly’s radar. Is he on yours?
by Charles Peach
You have to appreciate Lou Williams. He broke his jaw early in the game against the Wizards in DC last Tuesday but kept playing. In fact, he led a comeback in the 4th quarter that fell short when his potential game-winning shot bricked. He didn’t know it was broken until the nex
t day when he arose from a sleepless night in Boston and finally decided it was time to get X-rays.
During the game he was spitting blood constantly but assumed it was a tooth causing the trouble. If only that were the case, he could’ve made a quick stop at the dentist and continued his breakout party. Instead he’ll be on a liquid diet and out of uniform for two months. What a shame. Few things are going the Sixers way this season, but he was one of the few reasons to remain hopeful. Check out these averages through the first 14 games of the season: 17.4 points on 49.7 percent field goal shooting, 5.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and just 1.8 turnovers. Hopefully Lou’s recovery is as speedy as his transition game.
How can Philly rebound from such sad news? Bring back AI! Or at least “consider” it. That’s what we’re hearing. After a pathetic 5-12 start to the season and attendance rivaling Memphis for the League’s worst, AI couldn’t be a better fit! If the reunion does go down, I’m sure Iverson would be getting his numbers, so you might want to stash him on your roster this week if he’s still chillin’ on the wire. Did you hear that? I think Willie Green just dropped himself and added AI on his fantasy team!
If you own Lou, there is a big decision to make. Do you hang on to him and miss out on all of the production you’d be getting from free agents in those eight weeks or drop him? If your team is already in trouble you might want to consider dropping him because you don’t want to dig yourself too deep a hole. I don’t mean to just go out there and drop him for just anybody but maybe there is a free agent out there that could pick up the slack. And you might just find him in this week’s….
Pickups
Ben Wallace – He’s owned in both of my leagues and he shouldn’t be available in yours either. Don’t be distracted by the lack of scoring. He’s averaging 9.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He had over 10 offensive rebounds in each of his last two games, something he hasn’t done since the 2003 Playoffs against Orlando.
Luke Ridnour – On the radar last week, and now he’s a pickup. Mike Redd’s return was short lived and Luke continued his solid play averaging 18.7 points and 6.7 assists last week. By the way it’s a four-game week for the Bucks.
Raymond Felton – Could be sitting on a waiver wire near you. He can certainly kill you in FG% and TOs but the Bobcats have won their last 4 games and Felton has been surprisingly efficient (22 assists, 1 turnover) in that span. Larry Brown must be getting through to him because he’s only jacked three t
hrees in the last three games.
Mike Dunleavy – If he can make a full recovery he’ll be a definite starter for the Pacers and a must-own fantasy player. He scored 13 points in 15 minutes in his return.
Hakim Warrick – With opportunity he can be a valuable fantasy source, as he demonstrated last week averaging 17 points and 7 assists in four games. As long as Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (love writing that name) continues to miss time, the opportunity will be there.
Courtney Lee – In his first game in a couple weeks, he had 6 steals in 22 minutes. He needs to be playing 35 mpg, at least. I think he’ll regain his starting job soon which will send CDR to the bench.
Jamaal Tinsley – Mike Conley just doesn’t want the job, does he? Coach Hollins is giving him all the chances he can afford to give him but Conley isn’t getting it done. If he doesn’t want it, Tinsley’ll take it! In his last two he’s averaged 14 points, 6 assists, and 2 threes.
On The Radar
Thabo Sefolosha – A long, aggressive, reliable defender that is sometimes valuable in the fantasy realm. If he knocked down the three-ball a bit more often then he would be a nice player to own, but for now just keep monitoring his work to see if there is any continuity.
Jrue Holiday – He was a popular addition after the news about Lou Williams missing eight weeks dropped, but he hasn’t lived up to the fa
ntasies yet. Now with AI potentially returning to the Sixers he might find himself right back where he was when Lou was healthy – on that pine.
Jason Smith – He played pretty well in two starts while Elton Brand sat out, then he mysteriously played only 8 minutes against the Spurs on Sunday. He’s a promising talent, a 7-footer who can stroke the three, so if Brand continues to sit you might want to give him a shot.
Jonas Jerebko – Still no word on the return of either Tayshaun Prince or Rip Hamilton to the Pistons lineup and Jerebko is starting to produce. Last week he scored 22 against the Clippers shooting 4-4 from downtown and followed it up with his first career double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) against the Hawks.
DeJuan Blair – He can produce in bunches. Unfortunately that’s all he’s getting the chance to do, averaging less than 15 minutes per game. In 17 minutes against Philly on Sunday he put up 11 points, 10 rebounds (7 offensive), and 3 blocks.
Nazr Mohammed – He has also been scoring in bunches lately. In his last four he has played about 19 minutes per game and averaged 13.5 points and 6.2 rebounds. Plus he’s backing up Tyson Chandler, who is a little bit injury-prone.
Nick Young – He’s on the radar by default. Yes, he scored over 20 in consecutive games last week but I don’t see that kind of productivity lasting. He’s still behind Jamison, Butler, and Arenas in line to get shots in DC and is only getting more minutes now because of the absence of Mike Miller. Randy Foye, Andray Blatche, DeShawn Stevenson, and recently acquired Earl Boykins all want some shots too.
Omri Casspi – He’s seeing consistent minutes from Coach Westphal and responding, scoring in double-figures in each of his last five games. He’s a good three-point shooter but suspect from the charity stripe. In what would become his final game as Nets Head Coach, Lawrence Frank put him on the line repeatedly late in the fourth quarter but Casspi responded by making 3-4 when it counted.
Delonte West – What can we expect from him? I have no clue. But I know the Cavs would love more performances like the one against Dallas on Satur
day, when he delivered 10 points and 10 assists (0 turnovers) in 28 minutes. Let’s see if he gets more opportunities to do so.
Anderson Varejao – He’s been strong off the bench in his last five averaging 7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.
Arron Afflalo – His minutes and production will likely be inconsistent but as he matures and gets more comfortable in his role he may become a player you’d want in a deep league. If Streaky Earl is hittin’ his shots then Afflalo might find himself on the bench but for now he’s the starter at shooting guard.
Damien Wilkins – I don’t know if Coach Rambis is on to this or not but Wilkins has started 3 games for the T’Wolves this year. The team’s record in those games: 2-1. The team’s record when Wilkins doesn’t start: 0-14. So, maybe it has to do with a little more than just Wilkins but, hey, a trend is a trend. He also has double-doubles in both victories.
Sergio Rodriguez – He put together a few nice games last week but it isn’t production you can rely on just yet. There just aren’t enough minutes to distribute in Sacramento to turn Rodriguez into a fantasy player unless you’re in a very deep league.
Taj Gibson – He’s winning the job over Brad Miller at the moment but he’s having a lot of foul trouble. Regardless, he’s creeping up to double-double territory in his last few games as well as blocking a few shots.
Fantasy Line of the Week
OK, so one would assume that Melo and his fitty would be in here. BUT, I decided to go with his counterpart because Al Harrington actually would’ve won a standard, nine-category fantasy match-up with Melo. Let’s compare:
Al Harrington: 41 PTS, 58% FG, 69% FT, 4 3PTM, 10 REB, 1 AST, 2 BLK, 2 STL, 1 TO
Carmelo Anthony: 50 PTS, 61% FG, 94% FT, 1 3PTM, 6 REB, 5 AST, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 3 TO
Sorry, Melo. Mr. Harrington wins 5-4.
LATEST NEWS & RUMORS
View all »
- Video: Duke’s Austin Rivers Drains Buzzer-Beater to Beat UNC
- Video: Jeremy Lin Crosses Up John Wall, Throws it Down
- City of Houston to Host 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend
- Meadowlark Lemon to Make Appearance at Fairfield University
- Griffin, Irving, Rubio Highlight Rookie-Sophomore Game Rosters
- Larry Bird: Kobe Better Teammate for Winning, LeBron More Fun to Play With
- Draftstreet’s Free $250 Fantasy Basketball Challenge is Back
- Kobe on Shaq: ‘No Way We Would Have Lasted 15 Years’
- Study Shows UNC Alumni Have Earned the Most Money in the NBA
- View All »
I would scoop Ilyasova though for sure! He’s been long gone in my leagues. I would drop Hibbert for Ilyasova. See what happens tonight. Bogut returns for the Bucks so see how Ilyasova is affected. I don’t think it will make a big difference though, he’s the truth.
I’ve picked up Ridnour for the time being, only because of the four game week, and I’ll look for someone more long term for the future. Someone snagged CDR because I could get him (F you Brad Long)
How many players are in your league? I’m pretty sure once Biedris comes back, Randolph will disappear, so I’d find it hard to imagine there is NO ONE to replace Randolph with.
I also have Diaw, and I’m sticking with him: dude’s ankle has bothered him, so he might turn around with time.
12 Team ($ League) Brandon Roy (PG,SG,SF)
Monta Ellis (PG,SG)
Brandon Jennings (PG)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Gilbert Arenas (PG)
Anthony Morrow (SG,SF)
Josh Smith (SF,PF)
Amare Stoudamire (PF,C)
Andrea Bargnani (PF,C)
Jason Thompson (SF,PF)
Andrew Bogut (C)
Danilo Galinari (SF)
MIke Dunleavy (SG,SF) Morrow, Bogut, Danilo, and Dunleavy are all big time FAs I’ve picked up. Had been using Hibbert and Haywood for awhile, but just dropped them for Lil Dun and Bogut (FA steal)
No trades or anything, I just destroyed the middle rounds of my draft. Went with Amare 10th overall, BRoy at 14, Arenas 34th, JSmoove 38th, Monta 58th, Bargnani 62, Eric Gordon 82(!) Also snagged Jason Thompson and Brandon Jennings in the last two rounds! Sorry for the ridiculously long post…I’m just excited about how insanely dope and unstoppable my fantasy team looks this year.
and @JE. Good pick up on Bogut! But just don’t celebrate too early, since he IS known for his injuries.
and Hey Charles, who do you think is better? in terms of assists and 3′s? I have Stephen Curry in one League and someone recently dropped Courtney Lee. Should I hold on to Curry? I’m just a little worried since he barely played last night.
cdr
tony parker
josh smith
al horford
chris bosh
david lee
channing frye
lamar odom
haywood
aaron brooks
brandon jennings
ersan ilyasova
jamal crawford
louis williams, im holding onto him
jr smith
al jeff
shard
nene
bosh
david west
greg oden
brandon jennings
blake griffin
andrew bogut, just picked him up
I’d def stick with Steph Curry. I like Courtney Lee but Curry is a special player and I just don’t think you can drop him – as crazy as Nellie is.
Also, am I the only one who puts little stock into a good offensive game played against the Suns? Danilo Galinarri is ripping it up, but I have a hard time trusting numbers against the Suns, they just seem so inflated.
Danilo is one of the top 3-pt shooters in the League right now, if he’s available grab him.
Deron Williams
Dahntay Jones
Brandon Roy
Ersan Ilyasova
Danny Granger
Andrea Bargnani
Jermaine O’Neal
Joakim Noah
Gilbert Arenas
Jeff Green
Jason Thompson
Lou WIlliams
Kevin Love
I guess I can drop either Dahntay or Ilsyaova to pick up Danillo. The stats in the league are:
FT %
FG%
3 pt %
points
boards
assists
blocks
steals
turnovers
Basically everyone in your article is available.
BRoy
AI
CDR
JWill
Nick Young
Thabo
Melo Bigs:
Brook Lopez
Al Jefferson
David Lee
Boris Diaw
Sheed
Gooden
Anthony Randolph
I do enjoy me some football. Without sounding like too much of a bandwagon-er, I like Barca. I also cheer for Liverpool in the Premiership. Just wish I had time to see more matches.
Comments