FANTASY BASKETBALL MID-SEASON REPORT: Part 2.

FANTASY BASKETBALL MID-SEASON REPORT: Part 2.

By Muntradamus

Beast Dome community,

The mid-way point for fantasy basketball is coming up.  Instead of doing the traditional player update with a brief paragraph to recap the player. I will be projecting out the 2^nd half of the season by giving their outlook, along with if I think there stats will increase in the different categories.

Green = Stat will go up in the 2^nd half.

Red= Stat will down in the 2^nd half.

Black= Stat will stay the same.

Let’s get to it..

(Trade Analyzer)
(Waiver Wire)
(Mid-Season Report Part 1)

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MONDAY’S FANTASY NBA HEADLINES

• Derrick Rose returned for a strong 23 Points. 5 Rebounds. 6 Assists.
• Joe Johnson got the start at SF. 1^st time. Leaves with knee injury, expected to be okay after break.
  
• MarShon Brooks played 38 Minutes.  The Foot injury is no concern.
• Carmelo 11 Shots. Amare 17 Shots. Lin 17 Shots. Knicks Lose. More Melo Coming?
• Ryan Anderson struggles to score double digits again.
• Ersan Illysova continues hot play with 15 Points. 15 Rebounds.
• Kyle Lowry = Jason Kidd 2.0 (24 Points, 9 Assists, 7 Rebounds, 4 Steals, 3PTM)
• No Rondo or KG.  Pierce only gets 2 Assists and 20 Points.  Celtics lose.
• Dirk goes for 26 Points, 16 Rebounds.  He is back to elite.
• Jarrett Jack comes off bench for 18 Points, 5 Assists.  One more game to prove it.
• Durant and Westbrook each score 31 Points.  No James Harden with ankle.
• Manu out 2 weeks.  Duncan puts up 20 Points in 38 Minutes.
• Devin Harris has good game with 30 Minutes, 15 Points, 4 Assists.
• Ty Lawson hurts ankle.  Andre Miller comes in for 12 Assists.
• Nikola Pekovic 7 Points, 7 Rebounds, 10 Shot Attempts, 13 Minutes.  Before injury.
• Al Harrington explodes off bench for 31 Points.
• Jordan Crawford scores 20 Points, 3^rd time in last 4 games.
• Channing Frye outplayed Markieff Morris to put space in between the two.
• Mo Williams knocks down 6 3PTM, Clippers lose.
• ·         Ekpe Udoh started, 19 Points, 8 Rebounds, 2 Blocks.  (Waiver Wire).
• ·         Batum stays hot and dominates stat sheet (18-6-5, 2 Steals, 4 Blocks, 3 3PTM)
• Andrew Bynum only takes 7 shot attempts (14 Points, 19 Rebounds).

CLIPPERS (19-11) 4^th Seed in West

Chris Paul (9.5/10)

Stats: (36 Minutes, 18.5 Points, 8.6 Assists, 2.3 Steals, 1.4 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: CP3 has been a bit of a fantasy disappointment through the NBA season.  His assists are not in double digits, and his scoring is not above 20 a game.  His hamstring injury slowed down his progress, but he seems poised for a big 2^nd half. 

Blake Griffin (9.5/10)

Stats: (37 Minutes, 21.2 Points, 11.3 Rebounds, 2.9 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 0.8 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Blake’s FT shooting has been tremendously terrible all season long.  Besides that expect monster double-doubles by one of the most elite PFs in the league today.

Mo Williams (7.5/10)

Stats: (29 Minutes, 13.8 Points, 1.7 3PTM, 3.3 Assists, 1.0 Steal)

Second Half Outlook: Mo has the chance to be 6^th man of the year if he can knock down his shots more consistently.  The Clippers will continue to give him his chances, but Randy Foye is starting to take advantage of the slumping Mo.

DeAndre Jordan (7.3/10)

Stats: (29 Minutes, 7.9 Points, 8.8 Rebounds, 2.6 Blocks, 0.5 Steals)

Second Half Outlook: Kenyon Martin has been a terrible thing for DeAndre Jordan and his fantasy owners.  Jordan is having trouble breaking 30 Minutes a game, and there are time when Kenyon Martin plays the crunch time minutes.  It’s surprising the team does not show more confidence in their franchise center.

Caron Butler (7.8/10)

Stats: (33 Minutes, 14.6 Points, 4.0 Rebounds, 1.1 Steal, 2.0 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Caron needs to step up every game with no Chauncey Billups on the squad.  The fact that he is still inconsistent is a bit worrisome, but he makes up for it with some big nights.  He’s not going to be the elite forward he once was, but he will be a very solid fantasy option in all leagues.

Randy Foye (6.3/10)

Stats: (23 Minutes, 8.3 Points, 2.3 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 1.2 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Foye is starting to put it together offensively and the timing could not be better since Mo Williams is struggling to have a breakout game.  Foye is a dynamic player and as long as he remains the starting SG he will be a good fantasy option.  Nothing special, but the potential for big nights are there.

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GRIZZLIES(18-15) 7^th Seed in West

Mike Conley (8.1/10)

Stats: (36 Minutes, 13.3 Points, 6.7 Assists, 2.5 Steals, 0.9 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Mike Conley has been one of the most underrated fantasy PGs today.  His steals are elite, his assists are more than solid, and he knocks down the 3PT shot.  When Zach Randolph returns, expect all of his numbers to go up as he will have more space to do what he needs to do.

Rudy Gay (8.4/10)

Stats: (38 Minutes, 19 Points, 6.6 Rebounds, 1.6 Steals, 0.8 Blocks, 0.8 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Rudy has been having a solid season, but to expect him to be as good in the 2^nd half could be a stretch.  The shot attempts will take a hit with Zach Randolph returning, but besides that Gay offers most fantasy stats at the forward position that makes him very rare.

Zach Randolph (7.5/10)

Stats: (28 Minutes, 14.8 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, 1.3 Steals, 0.5 Blocks, 60.9 FT%)

Second Half Outlook: When Randolph returns expect him to be the go-to-guy right away.  He was the main reason why the Grizz made a great playoff run a season ago, and there is no reason to think he is not capable of dominating any team down low.  Even with all the increased offensive weapons Memphis will find a way to get ZBO the ball.

Marc Gasol (8.6/10)

Stats: (38 Minutes, 15 Points, 9.9 Rebounds, 2.9 Assists, 2.1 Blocks, 1 Steal)

Second Half Outlook: Marc will most likely take the biggest hit of any Grizzle when Randolph returns.  Marc makes a living off of catching the ball in the post and creating from there.  When Randolph returns, ZBo will need the freedom to roam from post-to-post and make the offense revolve around him.  The shot attempts will go down, the assists will go up.  He will turn into a more physical passing version of his brother.

O.J. Mayo (6.7/10)

Stats: (26 Minutes, 11.9 Points, 3.1 Rebounds, 1.1 Steals, 0.4 Blocks, 1.4 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: O.J. may come off the bench the rest of the season, but every night he will continue to get his chance to be a big fantasy contributor with solid minutes.  The Grizzlies love his scoring off the bench, and he should remain a good offensive option in all leagues.

Tony Allen (7.1/10)

Stats: (26 Minutes, 11.1 Points, 3.9 Rebounds, 1.9 Steals, 0.6 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: As O.J. Mayo is a good offensive option in all fantasy leagues, Tony Allen is a great defensive option.  Allen will rack up steals/blocks, while scoring in double figures consistently.  I like Tony as there are not many players who rack up the intangibles like this guy.  Do not leave him on the waiver wire if you really need to make a move in those two categories.

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HAWKS (19-13) 6^th Seed in East

Jeff Teague (6.7/10)

Stats: (32 Minutes, 12 Points, 4.6 Assists, 1.7 Steals, 0.5 Blocks, 0.9 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Teague appears to safe to hold the starting PG job the rest of the season.  His value has been a bit inconsistent, but if an injury were to happen to Joe Johnson or Josh Smith his value would become elite.  Teague is a rare PG who can get good steal numbers, with the occasional block.  He still has ways to go before becoming the fantasy option we are hoping for, but Jeff is on the right track.

Joe Johnson (8.2/10)

Stats: (36 Minutes, 17.6 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 3.8 Assists, 1.8 3PTM, 0.8 Steals)

Second Half Outlook: Joe Johnson has been one of the most inconsistent stars in fantasy basketball this season.  The Hawks need his scoring in order to win any games, but his scoring has been a problem.  I expect him to be more and more involved as the season continues as the Hawks have nobody else that is a threat to take his shot attempts.

Josh Smith (9.6/10)

Stats: (35 Minutes, 16 Points, 9.6 Rebounds, 3.7 Assists, 1.5 Steals, 2.1 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Josh Smith is on a mission to become an elite fantasy option.  He racks up the stats in all categories.  May not help you in FT% but everything else is top notch.

Zaza Pachulia (6.7/10)

Stats: (24 Minutes, 7 Points, 6.3 Rebounds, 0.8 Steals, 0.5 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Zaza has decently filled in for Horford.  The Hawks are not winning many games, but Zaza is putting up decent numbers.  He remains a bit inconsistent, but hopefully he is your reserve rather than your starter.

Marvin Williams (4/10)

Stats: (24 Minutes, 9.6 Points, 5.4 Rebounds, 1.1 3PTM, 0.6 Steals, 0.2 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Waiver wire material.  If you get 20 Points a game from him for 4 games straight.  I would consider adding him again in fantasy leagues.

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HEAT (25-7) 1^st Seed in East

Dwayne Wade (9.5/10)

Stats: (32 Minutes, 22.1 Points, 4.6 Assists, 4.4 Rebounds, 1.6 Steals, 1.4 Blocks, 0 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Dwayne Wade will always remain an elite fantasy option.  The only downside to his game is when the Heat blow teams out.  Wade is the one who suffers the most with little playing time.

Lebron James (10/10)

Stats: (37 Minutes, 27.9 Points, 8.2 Rebounds, 6.8 Assists, 0.8 3PTM, 1.7 Steals, 0.7 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: The King of Fantasy Basketball is the #1 option every time he steps onto the court.  Expect LBJ to continue his dominate 2^nd half of the season with no reason for it to slow down.

Chris Bosh (8.2/10)

Stats: (35 Minutes, 18.2 Points, 8.3 Rebounds, 0.9 Steals, 0.8 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Bosh is a solid double-double player at best these days.  He was an elite fantasy option when Wade goes down, but when he is healthy.  Expecting more than 15 Points, 10 Rebounds is a bonus.  Even that would be a HUGE game for Bosh these days. He is clearly the third option, and there are times when he sees little playing time because of the blowouts.

Mario Chalmers (5.4/10)

Stats: (28 Minutes, 10.9 Points, 3.6 Assists, 1.3 Steals, 2.0 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: The road to fantasy success keeps getting harder for Chalmers.  His fantasy value definitely took a spike when Dwayne Wade returned, and it is hard to say he’s been the same player since.  Decent 3PTM and steal numbers are what you can expect from Chalmers.  Norris Cole is a few big games away from making it a platoon.

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HORNETS (7-24) 15^th Seed in West

Jarrett Jack (6.8/10)

Stats: (35 Minutes, 14.9 Points, 6.4 Assists, 3.8 Rebounds, 0.8 Steals, 0.8 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Jack was an great PG option before his knee injury which allowed Vasquez to emerge as a great fantasy option.  The good news for Jack is that Eric Gordon is out for a while, so Jack will continue to lead the team when he is in the game.  I expect him to be able to approach the numbers he was once capable of.

Greivis Vasquez (7.5/10)

Stats: (24 Minutes, 8.3 Points, 4.7 Assists, 2.3 Rebounds, 1.2 Steals, 0.7 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Greivis has been a great fantasy story over the month of February.  I expect him to remain a solid fantasy player the remainder of the season as long as Montey Williams feels comfortbale with playing him at Point Guard.  I do not see why he wouldn’t.

Emeka Okafor (6.4/10)

Stats: (29 Minutes, 9.9 Points, 7.9 Rebounds, 0.6 Steals, 1 Block)

Second Half Outlook: Emeka’s injury has come at a terrible time as he appears to be the guy on the wrong side of the man equation as of now.  Chris Kaman, and Gustavo Ayon have looked too good to be reserves.  Jason Smith and Carly Landry are coming back as well.

Trevor Ariza (7/10)

Stats: (36 Minutes, 11.9 Points, 5.7 Rebounds, 1.7 Steals, 3.3 Assists, 0.7 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: Ariza has been stepping it up lately and has shown a new level of confidence.  However with Kaman being a big part of the offense, and Jarrett Jack now healthy it appears the offensive consistency could take a hit for Ariza.

Eric Gordon (6.5/10)

Stats: (39 Minutes, 21 Points, 5 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 1 Block, 0.5 3PTM) 2 Games

Second Half Outlook: With Eric Gordon not coming back until possibly late March it remains unlikely Gordon will give you more than a couple weeks of solid fantasy play.  Chances are he gets shut down early as the Hornets have no chance of making the playoffs this season.

Chris Kaman (7.3/10)

Stats: (25 Minutes, 11 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, 0.4 Steal, 1.2 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Kaman has gone from good fantasy option, to reserve fantasy option, to waiver wire fantasy option, to starting fantasy option.  The Hornets are soon to get really deep at the PF/C positon when Emeka, Smith, and Landry return.  I imagine that Hornets are now satisfied with Kamans production at the center position to leave him in there for starter quality minutes.  Then again it is Montey Williams.

Gustavo Ayon (6.8/10)

Stats: (17 Minutes, 5.6 Points, 4.5 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 0.9 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Gustavo has been great lately, but it is hard to imagine him being relevant on a team that has a rotation of; Kaman, Okafor, Landry, and Jason Smith.  His run was nice, but not likely to last more than another few weeks at most.

 

Carly Landry (6.1/10)

Stats: (24 Minutes, 11.5 Points, 4.4 Rebounds, 0.4 Steals, 0.3 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: When Landry comes back his role on this team will most likely be reserve.  A disappointing step in the wrong direction for a player that was ready to become a big time contributor in the right scenario.  Resigning with the Hornets was not the right career move for Landry.

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JAZZ (15-16) 11^th Seed in West

Al Jefferson (8.9/10)

Stats: (33 Minutes, 19.1 Points, 9.3 Rebounds, 1.6 Blocks, 0.8 Steals)

Second Half Outlook: Big Al will be motivated to have his biggest 2^nd half of his career.  The Jazz are in the best position to be in the playoffs in a long time, which would be Jefferson’s first time.  The offense will continue to run through him, and scoring 34 Points this past week shows you his potential for how dominant he can be.

Paul Millsap (8.2/10)

Stats: (31 Minutes, 15.8 Points, 9.3 Rebounds, 1.5 Steals, 0.7 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Paul has taken a bit of a fantasy hit when Jefferson is healthy, but still Millsap is a great fantasy player.  He can put up the 20 Point, 10 Rebound games pretty regularly.  But he just has not been doing it.  If you can upgrade him for a more proven player like Chris Bosh, it would not be a bad move.  Derrick Favor is a threat for more playing time as the season continues.  But maybe the Jazz will find a way to get Millsap to play SF, the position he wanted to play in the off-season.

 

Derrick Favors (6.8/10)

Stats: (20 Minutes, 8.1 Points, 5 Rebounds, 0.4 Steals, 0.9 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Favors is being very patient, but he has proven when given the opportunity he can thrive in the NBA.  The Jazz may start to find more ways to get Favors in the lineup and could have a good 2^nd half.  But the truth is, unless there is an injury Favors remains more of waiver wire material.

Devin Harris (6.8/10)

Stats: (26 Minutes, 9 Points, 4.4 Assists, 1 Steal, 0.8 3PTM)

Second Half Outlook: One of the biggest busts in fantasy basketball this season, Devin Harris will try to surge back for a big 2^nd half.  Harris is the teams PG, he just needs to show it or else he will lose his job to Watson.  Expecting him to bounce back would be a bit farfetched at this point, but expecting him to struggle all season is not realistic either.

Earl Watson (6.7/10)

Stats: (22 Minutes, 3.5 Points, 4.5 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 0.5 Blocks)

Second Half Outlook: Earl the Thrill is a good option if you need assists.  As of now he is splitting time evenly with Devin Harris, and the edge goes to Harris.  But as soon as Watson gets one of those 10 assist games, and then follows those up with great assist numbers.  The job will be his.  That is a lot to expect from Watson, but it is possible.

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ASK ANY FANTASY BASKETBALL QUESTIONS BELOW AND AN EXPERT WILL ANSWER THEM.

(FANTASY BASKETBALL MID-SEASON REPORT PART 3) Coming Soon..