All of this week’s waiver wire all-stars.
As sad as it was to witness Greg Oden suffer another season-ending injury, we must always be savvy with our fantasy team management. Oden is a very likable, charismatic guy who everyone wants to succeed. But, like it often does, reality comes along and kicks optimism between the legs. When you own a player as injury-prone as Oden you should own, or at least have queued, his backup. In this case the player to pickup is Joel Przybilla. Ghostface Billa won’t give you the same numbers that G.O. provided but he does rebound and block shots at a consistent rate. The Blazers don’t have many other options and you would have to imagine they would make a deal for a big man soon, considering they have Andre Miller and a heap of talented small forwards to use as trade bait.
I’m on Twitter and I will post stuff like the Przybilla pickup as soon as I hear about it so follow me now (Juvenile was well-ahead of his time. Can you believe this is 10 years ago? Check out Lil’ Wayne at 3:41).
How about the speedy return of Chris Paul? Dude returned in less than three weeks from his sprained ankle and recorded 16 points, 15 assists and 8 steals on Friday. Oh, and I just happened to win the steals category 38 to 37 this week. Thank you, CP!
Speaking of returns, Kevin Love made his season debut this weekend. He’s played in two games and – guess what? Two double-doubles! That’s right; he averaged 25 minutes, 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 threes (?!?!). Last season he shot 19 three-pointers and made only two and he opens this season 4 of 6 from downtown?! It appears Love worked diligently to add an element to his repertoire in the off-season, and I like what I see.
‘Nate Robinson: DNP – Coach’s Decision’: Likely one of the top causes of fantasy owner chagrin the past week. The only thing to report is that Nate apparently is in D’Antoni’s doghouse. Sunday’s win against the Nets was his third straight DNP-CD and the Knicks have won three of their last four games so I wouldn’t expect major changes to be made.
Pickups
Carl Landry – If your league is full of owners who don’t watch basketball or just play fantasy so they
can say they have a team, then maybe he’s available in your league! Otherwise, Landry probably isn’t a free agent.
Joel Przybilla – As mentioned above, he should be owned in most formats and will remain valuable until: a) He’s injured or b) Portland trades for a better Center. (Marcin Gortat, perhaps?)
Ryan Gomes – Even with Love back in the rotation he’s producing. He’s averaging 21.3 points in his last four games.
Tyson Chandler – He’s beginning to rebound and block shots like he should. Nazr Mohammed was starting to make noise but now it seems Chandler is ready to hold down the starting gig.
Mike Conley – He’s back? He played over 30 minutes in each of the Grizzlies’ last two games and averaged 15 points, 3 assists, 3 threes, and 1.5 steals. The Grizz won both games.
Roy Hibbert – So here’s the deal with Hibbs: Through the Pacers first nine games he averaged 28 minutes and they started 5-4. In their last nine games he averaged 17.5 minutes and they are 1-8. I think they need to get him more involved. Let’s hope he Pacers’ brass is catching on. So don’t part ways with Hibbert just yet. If you already have, consider re-acquiring.
On The Radar
Earl Boykins – Recently signed by the Wizards, he has come in and made a difference. They nicknamed him ‘The Closer’ for his late-game heroics and he even got some murmurous ‘MVP’ chants in the Verizon Center. So far, he’s averaged 11.1 points and 4.2 assists in his three-week stint in DC.
For the record, I have to say I’m very disappointed by Gilbert Arenas’ start to the season. Sure he’s averaging 20.4 points and 6.5 assists per game, but while shooting under 40 percent and turning it over 3.5 times per game you have to wonder – Is he doing more harm than good? Hopefully the reason is that he’s still getting back to form after missing so much time during the past two seasons and this isn’t the Gil we have to watch from now on. I’m not ready for that.
Vladimir Radmanovic – Worth mentioning. Don’t expect it to last, but 15 points and 6 rebounds in his last three is a good reason to pick him up. For Nellie though, it’s a good reason to bench him.
Quentin Richardson – I reluctantly include him this week, once again. If you pick him up, do so cautiously because ‘Quentin’ will forever be synonymous with ‘inconsistent’ in my brain.
CJ Watson – Scored in double-figures in his last four games. As usual, don’t take it too seriously because we know Nellie shuffles through his options like Tiger Woods.
Chris Duhon – Players on the Knicks are going to have eye-popping numbers some nights. It was Duhon’s turn on Friday in Atlanta where he posted 25 points, 10 assists, and 4 threes.
Willie Green – Those of you in very deep leagues might have Squeezin’ Willie on your rosters because of his recent scoring surge (20 ppg in his last four). Remember who’s coming back to town tonight? Time for Willie to move back to his old position: Left Out.
Wesley Matthews – Strong as a starter for the Jazz. He can hit threes and get you some steals. CJ Miles is working his way back into the rotation so that could hinder Matthews.
Other names to consider in The Deepest of Leagues:
Jeff Foster
, Chase Budinger, Kenny Thomas, Wayne Ellington, Devin Brown, DeMar Derozan (Upper Case!), Austin Daye, Nick Collison, Toney Douglas, Eric Maynor
Other Fantasy Notes
– Danny Granger had to leave his last game with a lingering heel injury; definitely bad news because he usually plays through minor injuries.
– Brandon Jennings has made only 47 of his last 147 shots, making it extremely difficult for his owners to win the FG% category.
– Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are supposedly very close to returning to the Pistons lineup. I really like the way Jonas Jerebko is playing (two double-doubles in his last four games) but you’d have to expect him to be relegated to the bench when these two return.
Fantasy Line of the Week
Anthony Randolph: 28 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers
Not the best line of the week but one of the most exciting in Fantasyland because we finally see Randolph tapping into that potential.
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