FANTASY BASKETBALL Daily Show: Week 3 (Jan 9th-Jan 16th)

FANTASY BASKETBALL Daily Show: Week 3 (Jan 9^th-Jan 16^th)

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This article will be updated every day this week. 

Last Updated: 1/14/12 (am)

In this column, MaddenArena will share Fantasy Basketball Observations that you can take or leave to help your team get better.  Feel free to ask questions, our experts will answer them. Check this page daily to see what we have to say about your players.

(For a Weekly Recap of all the Fantasy NBA action from each team in Week 2)
(Players to Sell, or Buy.  Check out the Fantasy Basketball Trade Market)

Monday (1/9/12)

• Paul George (4-16 Shooting) had a terrible performance when he could finally show what he was capable of with Danny Granger out of the lineup.  At least he’s taking his shots.
• Thaddeus Young (31 Minutes, 12 Points, 8 Rebounds) out played Elton Brand, and the 76ers gave hi, nearly double the running time.  Not a bad time to scoop up the former Georgia Tech superstar.
• Derrick Williams (11 Shots, 28 Minutes) took the second most shots on the T-Wolves.  Minnesota is getting ready to deal Beasley when he’s healthy.  They are ready for the new kid on the block from Arizona.
• Amir Johnson (19 Points, 11 Rebounds) is either ready to start breaking out, or proved that the T-Wolves have nobody that can guard a big man.  One of the two will be true.
• Jeff Teague (20 Points, 2 Steals, 4 Assists) is a good sell high candidate as Captain Kirk Hinrich is getting closer to return.  Teague will still put up good numbers, but will have more competition for PT.
• MarShon Brooks (19 Points, 10 Rebounds, Started) is ready to be in all fantasy lineups as he is clearly the #2 scorer on this team behind William.  That’s right starting lineups, if you haven’t done so already.
• Boris Diaw (19 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 Assists) turns out to be the entire Bobcats offense with Maggette out.  Every play runs through Diaw who looks to have great fantasy value once again.  He should continue to put up numbers, but you will be surprised in the quality you can receive back in a trade.
• Iman Shumpert (16 Points, 3 Steals, 34 Minutes) is the real deal.  Not only should he be added in all leagues, but he should be starting as well.  He is the glue of the Knicks and should thrive in that offense all season long.
• Brandon Knight (36 Minutes, 13 Points, 1 Assist) should be performing a lot better with Stuckey out.  You have to stay patient with Knight because he is a rookie, but 13 Points and 1 Assist..
• Carlos Boozer (23 Points, 25 Minutes) Boozer is boozing the way he played last night.  Not sure if that’s a good term or not, but either way his fantasy owners will take it.  With Joakim Noah playing as aggressive as Zoolander in a Coal field, Boozer should continue to have success.
• Chris Kaman (20 Points, 7 Rebounds) the caveman is looking the fantasy stud he once was.  He is by far the best post player the Hornets have to offer, and with Eric Gordon hurt the Hornets are going to need more games like this for them to be in the W column. Great player to own.
• Nene Hiliario (30 Minutes, 9 Points, 11 Rebounds, 2 Blocks) looked great in his first game back.  He may miss games here and there, but he is solid and should continue his breakout year in his natural position at PF.

Tuesday (1/10/12)

• Kyle Lowry (6 Points, 11 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 2 Steals) is now Jason Kidd 2.0.  He is the type of player that will bring you a fantasy championship because of his versatility in rebounds, assists and steals.
• Gerald Henderson (6-14 Shooting) has now taken 9 FG attempts or more in every single game this season.  He is well on his way to a breakout year and should be targeted in all trades if you can snatch him.  Boris Diaw only took 4 shots.
•  JaVale McGee (10 Points, 3 Blocks, 20 Minutes) should have had a bigger game with no Andray Blatche.  It does not seem like he has made that jump to an elite center this year and will only give you blocks and a handful of clunkers like this.
• Spencer Hawes (0 Points, 0 Rebounds, 10 Minutes) finally came back to earth.  He has definitely reached the next level in his NBA career, but a consistent #1 center on fantasy rosters he has yet to fully prove.
• John Salmons (32 Minutes, 6 Points, 3-10 Shooting) needed to have a big game with Marcus Thornton not playing.  To only put up 6 Points means he should not be on many fantasy rosters going forward.  There are plenty of FA’s with much higher upside.
• Amir Johnson (4 Points, 10 Rebounds) may have proven that it’s the Minnesota defense and not his high potential.  False alarm on Monday’s performance.
• Dirk Nowitzki (18 Points, 7 Rebounds, 0 3PTM) continues to have a down season.  He did make 9-10 Shots, but why can’t he bust out for that 30 point performance we are all waiting for.
• Austin Daye (17 Minutes, 7 Points, 3 Rebounds, 4 Assists) is maybe the last guy people are waiting for to breakout who has not gotten his opportunity.  He is a perfect buy low candidate and you do not want to wait too late for him.
• Russell Westbrook (30 Points, 2 Turnovers) looks to be over his problems and finally start playing like the 1st round pick he is.  Not the best all around game for Westbrook, but owners will take it.
• Mike Conley (15 Points, 10 Assists, 3 Steals) was a steal in most fantasy drafts this season.  He has been solid all year and is a great guy to own because of the consistent steals and assists.
  
• Carlos Boozer (3-10 Shooting, 6 Rebounds, 7 Points) continues to play with our hearts like Fergie.  Will she put out, will Boozer perform.  Yes, and not always.
• Anthony Randolph (18 Points, 29 Minutes) is now looking like he is going to be the starting center for the T-Wolves…MUST OWN IF YOU HAVE THE ROSTER SPACE.  This guy will fill up the stat sheet when given the opportunity; blocks, steals.
• Tim Duncan (20 Points, 8 Rebounds, 7 Assists) giving us a taste of vintage T-Dunc.  It’s nice to see in a box score, but the consistency factor has not been there all year.  He has yet to string back-to-back great games.
• Stephen Jackson (34 Points, 17 Shot Attempts, 8 Assists) wow.  You finally look liked the player the Bucs need.  On top of that he did it when Andrew Bogut returned.  You can sell high now, or you can see if he is ready to be the leader of that team.
• Al Jefferson (30 Points, 12 Rebounds, 2 Blocks) does it again.  I don’t know how many times he has to dominate for people to respect him as the #2 maybe #1b center because he can make a free throw.  But Big AL is now playing like BIG AAAALLLL!
• Antwan Jamison (22 Points, 7-18 Shooting, 7 Rebounds) is the man for the Cavs.  I keep saying it so everyone is convinced.  But this guy is the only dependable shooter on the team.
• Portlands Defense is a fantasy nightmare.  They have so many athletic big bodies that it is hard to get anything going.  Especially when they are at home.  Chris Paul, and Blake Griffin are just the most recent to have games you want to forget.
• Marcus Camby (12 Points, 11 Rebounds, 1 Block, 1 Steal, 34 Minutes) still has something left in the tank.  He won’t get you many double digit scoring games, but he rebounds and finds a way to get a block or a steal.
• Dwayne Wade (34 Points, 4 Steals, 6 Rebounds, 1 Block) does everything.  For the owners who were patient, you were rewarded.  Fantasy games like this do not grow off of trees, but they do for Wade.
• Dorrell Wright (6-11 3PTM, 20 Points, 38 Minutes) went off.  I told owners to put him in your lineup as this is his best chance to succeed his current trade value with Curry out.  He just did it.  One more game like this, and you can get the value you expected from him before it is too late.
• Steve Nash (13 Points, 8 Assists, 1 3PTM) has been consistent for the past week+.  You now know what he is capable of, and you can decide if you want to deal with that all season, or sell high and get a good quality guard with similar numbers but a lesser name.  Such as Mike Conley.  The choice is yours.
• Kobe Bryant (48 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Steals) is the MVP so far this season.  He is single handily carrying the Lakers and is just flat out dominating.  Since January 3rd, Kobe is averaging 36 Points a game and despite all of the LA drama; CP3, Lamar Odom, his ex-wife, and a new coach.  Lakers are currently the #3 Seed in the West.

Wednesday (1/11/12)

• DeMarcus Cousins (21 Points, 19 Rebounds) is absolutely dominating with Marcus Thornton not in the lineup.  Cousins is a beast and his trade value is very high, for a very good reason.
• James Johnson (30 Minutes, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Blocks, 1 Steal) remember this guy?  Well he still has not found his grove, but the blocks (1.7/game) and steals (1.3/game) are still coming on the reg.  He will have great value later on this season when he gets promoted to a higher role.
• Danny Granger (24 Points, 9/16 Shooting, 3 3PTM) is on one.  Maybe he will find his shooting stroke and start putting it all together.  Either way his trade value has risen again after this performance.
• Al Horford (Injury 3-4 Months) will allow Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, and Jeff Teague the opportunity to be consistent fantasy stars.  Zaza Pachulia will get the start at center which raises his fantasy value to a low-end #2 Center, he is not very talented.
  
• Jrue Holiday (40 Minutes, 13 Points, 4 Assists, 2 Steals) had to have a better night than this.  If he can’t perform top notch fantasy value when given 40 minutes than he could be the highest over drafted guard.  It’s going to be hard to get the value you wanted from him, but he is not the guy you drafted.  So far.
• Iman Shumpert (38 Minutes, 2 Steals, 1 Block, 10 Points, 3, Assists, 4 Rebounds, 0/6 3PT shooting) bottom line…This guy fills up the stat sheet and he plays a lot of minutes.  Not only is he must add, but he is pretty close to must start depending on the league.
• James Harden (14 points, 3/10 Shooting, 2 3PTM, 30 Minutes) despite having a bad game, and Russell Westbrookfinally playing like Westbrook again.  Harden is still putting up fantasy numbers.  He is a great guy to get in any trade as he will be very solid all season and still has the oppurtunity to get better.  Great Buy Low candidate if you can get him.
• Chris Kaman (8/16 Shooting, 17 Points, 2 Blocks, 9 Rebounds) is the Hornets offense with Eric Gordon out.  This is second straight elite game and he should be owned and starting in most leagues while Eric Gordon sits with his leg injury.
• Washington Wizards (64 Points) are turning into a fantasy disaster.  Outside of John Wall and JaVale McGee, no Wizard player is carrying consistent value.   It’s going to be a long season for Wizard fans as the team has not turned the corner like many thought they would.
• Carlos Boozer (4 Points, 6 Rebounds) your hot and your cold, yes and then no, your in and your out, your up and your down.  This guy will have you singing Katy Perry lyrics to figure him out.
• Lamar Odom (6 Points, 2 Rebounds, 2 Assists) hopefully you all took Sir Fantasy Drakes advice last week about (selling Lamar Odom) when you can, because as of now he has ZERO VALUE.
• Ray Allen (9 Points, 1 3PTM, 33 Minutes) sticking on the theme of Sir Fantasy Drake, he recommended you (sell Ray Allen) going into this week.  Now you have to wait for him to bounce back to get his value again.
  
• Kevin Martin (7-15 Shooting, 18 Points) is still finding his stroke after a huge season (80 Games, 23.5 PPG) last year.  He is proving that he can still score (17/game), and eventually he will get it all together.  This guy has always been elite, and it is a great time to bargain for him now.
• Kawhi Leonard (Started, 38 Minutes, 8 Rebounds, 11 Points, 2 Blocks) before we all get excited just know that his value will not be consistent, but as a low end option, he can be a good service gap.  If you picked up Gary Neal, you can swap him for this guy, but Leonard’s ceiling is Matt Barnes.
• Matt Barnes (11 Points, 7 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 27 Minutes) despite playing limited minutes he still puts up good enough stats to get you by.  He is a good candidate for the waiver wire as the Lakers need him just like the Knicks need Iman Shumpert.
• Josh Howard (18 Points, 2 3PTM, 33 Minutes) is exactly what theJazz need.  I talked about him earlier as a guy to pick up, after this performance.  He should be on everybody’s fantasy radar.
• Anthony Morrow (5 3PTM, 38 Minutes, 2 Steals) could see a boost in value with the injury to Deron Williams.  Morrow should be on everyone’s fantasy radar especially if you lack in the 3PT department.  This guy can make it rain with the best of them.
• Andre Miller (12 Points, 12 Assists, 2 Steals, 38 Minutes) gave you a sample of what he will bring to the table if Ty Lawson goes down long term.  It’s nice to see Miller still doing his thing as a 35 year old veteran, games like this will be as consistent as you would hope.
• Blazers Defense (shut down another fantasy superstar) one night after slowing down Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.  Dwight Howard only had (13 Points, 13 Rebounds, 0 Blocks, 0 Steals).  Lets not forget the 3-12 from the free throw line…
  
• Nicholas Batum (14 Points, 34 Minutes) is now a nominee for the next player to ruin everyone’s fantasy value on the Blazers.The Blazers have 7 capable fantasy players on their roster which will cause inconsistencies all season long by someone.  Gerald Wallace will suffer the most from this performance.
• Mario Chalmers (18 Points, 5 Assists, 40 Minutes) is still staying fantasy relevant with the return of Dwayne Wade.  Still a good sell high candidate, but for now Norris Cole can be waived in all leagues.
• DeAndre Jordan (8 Points, 11 Rebounds, 6 Blocks) a lot of owners are growing impatient with Jordan because of his FT% woes, and consistency of scoring.  But the man has 10+ rebound potential every night, DeAndre blocks shots more often than DJs spin Drake or Lil Wayne tracks.

Thursday (1/12/12)

• Byron Mullens (21 Points, 33 Minutes, Started) is now the starting center for the struggling Bobcats who have lost 5 in a row.  They will need his production, and to expect 14-16 Points a game would make a good #2 Fantasy center.  He should be targeted in most leagues, and if he has another good start then he is a must add.
• Joe Johnson (23 Points, 8 Assists, 7 Rebounds, 36 Minute) will see a huge boost with the injury to Al Horford.  With the team losing their best down low presence, Johnson will be shooting more and more, and will be asked to do more and more.  His value along with Jeff Teague and Josh Smith will continue to rise.
• Iman Shumpert (12 Points, 5/20 shooting, 4 Steals, 1 Block, 1 3PTM) is turning into a fantasy beast, and will now see even more of an increase in value with the ankle injury to Carmelo Anthony.
• OJ Mayo (18 Points, 8 Assists, 20 Minutes) remember this guy?  He is still not getting the run time he deserves, but once Tony Allen starts to cool down from his out of world experience offensively averaging a career high (13/ppg in his last 5 games).
• Greg Monroe (32 Points, 16 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 1 Block, 8/8 FT) is making the jump from high-end #2/low-end #1 Fantasy Center, to straight up #1 quality fantasy center.  To have that performance against Andrew Bogut means Monroe is ready for anything.
• Stephen Jackson (25 Points, 3 3PTM, 6 Rebounds, 6 Assists) is one game away from fully gaining back all that value he lost earlier this season.  You could get a special player for his services as these type of performances will not last all season for the 33 year old veteran, but of course there will always be believers.
• Kyrie Irving (26 Points, 6 Assists, 11/17 Shooting, 28 Minutes) is the future of the Cavs and he has not even reached his peak yet.  He is only averaging 27 Minutes a game on the season and is still putting up quality fantasy numbers (16.6/ppg and 5.2/Assists).
• Michael Redd (12 Points, 4/9 Shooting, 19 Minutes) is back.  Rumors are twinkling he could return to the starting lineup, and if that did happen he would carry some value because of his sharp shooting abilities.  Keep in mind, this guy has gone through knee surgeries, he’s 32 years old, and playing for a team with just a glimpse of playoff hope. 
• David Lee (42 Minutes, 6 Fouls, 26 Points, 12 Rebounds, 2 Steals) you already know the points and rebounds will be there on most nights, but he has now played 40+ minutes 3 nights in a row.  Including one game where he played 47:12.  He is all the way back to the player that made him so valuable to own when he was with the Knicks.
• Dwight Howard (21-39 FT Line, 45 Points, 23 Rebounds, 4 Steals, 2 Blocks) put up a line that made history.  He broke Wilt Chamberlin’s FT attempt record, and he put up the fantasy numbers of what some centers would put up in an entire week.  The Low end-ones.  Point is, he is 3 average fantasy centers combined to form one BEAST, but D12’s terrible FT% comes along with it.

Friday (1/13/12)

• LeBron James (35 Points, 3 3PTM, 6/11 FT shooting) has not been the 1st overall pick you expected him to be.  That was his first 3, 3PTM of the season, and on top of that he is shooting below his career average at the Free Throw line (73% on the season).
• Ty Lawson (24 Points, 9 Assists, 9/11 Shooting) it was great to Ty break out for a big game after a slow week.  The problem I have with this line though, he is not going to shoot 9/11 every night.  The team has too many scorers for Lawson to consistently put up 20 points with those assist numbers.  Though you could fool other owners in thinking otherwise, I would sell high.
• Kyrie Irving (21 Points, 4 Assists, 28 Minutes) continues to put up nice numbers despite the fact he plays limited minutes.  This will change as the season moves forward, and his potential is off the charts once he starts seeing 35 minutes a game.
• Kobe Bryant (42 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 4 3PTM) who says Kobe is done.  The guy is a fantasy beast, and you can make the argument he would be the #1 player drafted in most leagues that started today.
• Deron Williams (35 Points, 14 Assists, 6 3PTM) had the breakout game, that everyone should have seen coming eventually.  Williams is an elite NBA talent, and for the owners that bought him low.  Congrats, you now have possibly the best fantasy PG to own.  The Nets need him every night to put up lines like these.
• Ronnie Price (18 Points, 8 Assists) if Steve Nash gets traded or he rests, Price has some nice upside as a speedy PG in an offense that depends on the PG creating plays for others.  If you have the roster space, you can let Price sit on your bench in deeper leagues.
• Gerald Wallace (12 Points, 12 Rebounds, 4 Steals, 1 Block) had the night you expect Gerald Wallace to put up.  His numbers are down across the board from a season ago, and a line like this is a perfect time to confuse an owner from what the real Gerald Wallace is right now.  That is simply a role/hustle player on a deep team that has better offensive options.
• Tim Duncan (20 Minutes, 7 Points, 9 Rebounds, 1 Block) get rid of this guy.  Even when the Spurs win, they don’t need their future hall of famer to do much.  The fact that he put up these numbers in that amount of time will add some trade value to him.  Unload him now before he starts racking up the DNPs.
• Stephen Jackson (7 Points, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists) what goes up, must come down.  And that is what happened to S-Jax and now you will be lucky to convince an owner of how valuable he really is.  Once he starts doing well again, it is time to trade him instantly.  He is not the superstar he once was, if you can even call him a superstar.
• Jason Terry (17 Points, 3 3PTM, 2 Steals) has been the only fantasy player on the Mavericks to actually play at the value people expected him to be at.  Dirk/Kidd/Odom/Haywood have all been busts.  But Terry is still knocking down the 3’s and averaging 14.4 per game.
• Luol Deng (21 Points, 16 Rebounds, 2 3PTM) yep that will make you believe he is a lot better of a fantasy option than advertised.  Deng is a solid player no doubt, but the Bulls are a solid team that can live without Deng on some nights.  If you can get a top notch player like a Demarcus Cousins, you should pull the trigger.
• Paul Pierce (3/12 Shooting, 13 Points, 5 Assists) despite shooting a career low 36% from the field, Paul has made it clear that he will shoot himself out of this slump.  Not a bad thing for fantasy owners in leagues where FG% does not count, however Pierce will get it together and remains a great buy low candidate.  He was injured to start the season, and has admitted he is not 100% yet.
  
• Tyreke Evans (27 Points, 6 Rebounds, 5 Assists) is Kobe Jr.  The numbers look great now, but when Thornton comes back shortly, you can almost guarntee those numbers to drop off a little bit as Thornton needs his shots, just as much as Tyreke does.  A good time to sell high, because I’m you remember how inconsistent he was to start the season.
• Samuel Dalembert (21 Points, 16 Rebounds, 4 Blocks) Rocket fans, you can take a deep breathe as you now know that you may have a center.  Dalembert should be added in all leagues as he had already proven that he can be a valuable fantasy center.  Now that is in playing condition after signing very late with the Rockets, he will help your fantasy team instantly.
• Kevin Love (34 Points, 17/18 FT shooting, 15 Rebounds, 3 Blocks, 1 3PTM) wow.  Can you say first overall pick in next years fantasy basketball draft.
• Chris Kaman (0/10 shooting, 9 Rebounds, 17 Minutes) was benched the entire 4th quarter because of his terrible game.  But the fact that he kept shooting all the way until he missed 10 straight shots shows that the Hornets still need him to win games.  Great time to buy low, if the opportunity presents itself. 
• George Hill (22 Points, 32 Minutes, 5 Steals) should be targeted in all leagues, because when that day comes when he is in the starting lineup.  You will wish you had him.  Easily one of the most talented guards in the league, will eventually get his chance to shine with Darren “one season fluke” Collison.
• DeMar DeRozan (23 Points, 8/15 Shooting, 40 Minutes) now we all know, when Bargs does not play for Toronto, DeRozan tries to be Michael Jordan.  The Raptors have no problem with that at all.
• Byron Mullens (18 Points, 7 Rebounds, 9/19 Shooting) looks like he went from #2 fantasy center to #1 fantasy center as he is clearly the go-t0-guy in the new Maggette-less Bobcats offense.  Pick him up now if he still available.  The next closest person in shot attempts was Tyrus Thomas, and DJ White with 9 attempts each.
• Austin Daye (2 Minutes, 1 Rebounds) I am not giving up on this guy.  In fact I do not even own him, but now that his value has shrunk to absolutely worthless I am going to make a move to trade for him in my 12 team league.  This guy has Fantasy SUPERSTAR potential, and you will be glad you have him in less than 2 months.
• John Wall (7 Points, 5 Assists, 2 Steals) that is what happens when you play for the worst team in the NBA.  The Wizards are going nowhere, and there is nothing they can do besides hope Jordan Crawford plays out of his mind again like he did to end last season.
  
• Lou Williams (19 Points, 25 Minutes, 6 Assists) obviously Williams is the best G on the 76ers.  Will they admit that, no.  But in the process of this denial, Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, and Andre Iguodala all suffer a little because of this plethora of talent.