FANTASY BASKETBALL PLAYER UPDATE Part.2 (Week 8)

FANTASY PLAYER UPDATE Part.2 (Week 8)

BY: Muntradamus

(Player Update Part 1)
(Fantasy Trade Analyzer)

Every fantasy player that has any implications on any lineup will be listed in this article.  This is my perspective of what is currently going with every player.  If you have a question about a player, and a player only I will share my opinion on him.

For those that are new to the site, I spend hours upon hours of research and I man handle multiple high stakes fantasy basketball leagues at once.  I am here to help you win your league.  The ranking with the player name is their current trade value.

Daily Show and Daily Rankings will be back on Tuesday

Let’s get to it..

KINGS

Tyreke Evans (8.5/10)- Evans fantasy value has really taken a hit since Marcus Thornton returned.  I warned his owners of this, and hopefully you can still sell one of the most dynamic fantasy basketball guards for some good value.  When Thornton is out, he is a threat for 30+ Points and near triple-double numbers.  With Thornton, he is a bit inconsistent and can end up with 4 Point, 5 Assist games like he did this weekend.

 

Marcus Thornton (7.8/10)- This guy is secretly Ray Allen of a couple years ago.  He will knock down a lot of 3PT shots, he will get some great steal numbers, and most of the time he will eclipse 20 Points.  Consistentency is what holds him back.

 

DeMarcus Cousins (8.7/10)- Cousins is an absolute Beast.  This guy can rack up 20-20 games whenever he wants for the rest of the season.  He has a great shot for his size, and he can absolutely out power you with ease.  The only thing that holds him back from a 9, is his consistent foul trouble.

 

John Salmons (6.2/10)- Waiver wire material.  If you want someone that may score 10 Points then go with this guy.

 

Jason Thompson (6.7/10)- Thompson has lost some value with Chuck Hayes return.  A double-double was nice early in the week, but then in the other three games he averaged around 4 points, and 3 rebounds.

KNICKS

Jeremy Lin (8.2/10)- Lin-City is capturing New York, and the fantasy world by storm.  Some people think he will continue to play at a high level, but I personally think when Melo and Amare return his value may hit a wall.  Melo is getting paid $100 Million, Amare is a star player who wants to score 20+ every night.  Those two players will not give up their shots, and on top of that Baron Davis will return at some point.  If Lin has some poor performances in a row, and the Knicks are faced with diversity.  It would not be the most surprising thing if this Lin story was more of a chapter, than a season.  Then again, I am rooting for the kid to succeed and make NY a playoff team.  What a story in the making.

Carmelo Anthony (8.5/10)- Melo is about a week away and is now dealing with the tough dilemma of either help the Knicks win games and shoot less, or just pad my ego.  Chances are Melo will try to do both, and in the result is a lot appealing of a Knicks team.

Amare Stoudemire (8.4/10)- Amare returns this week, and is ready to get back to his dominant stretch he was having before the injury.  He should be heavily involved for the Knicks the rest of the season.

Tyson Chandler (7.8/10)- T-Chand is playing the best basketball of his career, and should continue to be a great fantasy center.  He is a Noah type of player that can create points, rebounds, and the other fantasy numbers just off of pure hustle.  I like Chandler to continue to play at a great level.

Iman Shumpert (6.7/10)- Shumpert is turning into a nice role player off the bench.  I like his value the rest of the season as a quality 6^th man to this team.  The steals and assists should be decent, while everything else remains a crapshoot.

Landry Fields (6.6/10)- Fields has been playing well recently, and is getting a nice amount of 3PTM.  His value will take a hit however once the Knicks get back to 100%.  There will not be enough consistent shot attempts for him to be a good fantasy value every night.

 

LAKERS

Kobe Bryant (10/10)- Kobe is playing at an elite level and is putting up great numbers across the board.  His value will be sky high all season long.  These are the type of players you want on your fantasy teams in the future.

Andrew Bynum (9.2/10)- Bynum the friendly giant has improved a lot this season, but lately his offensive game has dropped just a bit.  I would not be concerned, as Bynum will get his opportunities every night.

Pau Gasol (9.1/10)- Pau rounds up the Big 3 and has been a rebounding king lately.  In the month of February he is averaging 14 rebounds a game.

 

MAGIC

Dwight Howard (10/10)- D12 is in a class of his own.  No center can stop him in the NBA, and the 25 Point, 24 Rebound, 3 Steal, 2 Block performance that beat the Heat.  Makes him the most dominate player currently in the NBA.

Jason Richardson (6.3/10)-  J-Rich has been lighting it up lately averaging 20 Points a game in his last 5.  This also includes a 31 point performance that leads him up this week.  Make sure he is not sitting on any waiver wire.

Jameer Nelson (6.8/10)- The good news is, Nelson is healthy and he is in good condition.  The problem with Nelson is he still remains inconsistent.  Hopefully he starts to get it together.  He should not be on any waiver wire based off his Assist, and 3PT potential.  All it takes is two good games in a row before everyone wants to scoop him up.

Ryan Anderson (8.6/10)- His last truly horrible game came back in late January which makes me believe he is past his terribly inconsistent ways.  His scoring may fluctuate, but he makes up for it with solid rebound numbers.

Hedo Turkolgu (6.5/10)-  Always a bit inconsistent, Turk still brings solid Assists and 3PTM to his fantasy owners.  You can do a lot worse if you are forced to use Hedo.

 

MAVERICKS

Dirk Nowitzki (8.6/10)- Dirk is averaging 26.4 Points in his last five games.  He has not scored less than 20 in either of those games either.  Dirk is one or two more consistent weeks away from raising his fantasy value to the 9 range.

Jason Kidd (7.4/10)- Kidd is looking like his vintage self since returning from his injury.  In those two games Kidd is averaging (6.5 Points, 6.5 Rebounds, 8 Assists).  That is good enough to start him in most fantasy leagues.  It also helps to see he eclipsed 30 Minutes already.

Shawn Marion (7.3/10)- Marion is consistently seeing over 30 Minutes a games which is keeping his fantasy value alive.  With Dirks recent struggles it is hard to count on consistent scoring as Marion has only scored over 10 points, twice in his last five games.

Jason Terry (7/10)- Terry is doing his best to remain a consistent fantasy option.  But the truth is, if Carter and Delonte are on their A game.  Terry will not necessarily get the minutes or attempts he needs to be a good fantasy option for that night.  But over the long run, Terry will give you a lot more solid performance than negative ones.

Vince Carter (6/10)- Vincesanity is having a nice stretch run to his season right now.  With the Mavs getting back to full strength, it seems to be the end to his consistency.  Only the desperate owners should be using VC in their fantasy lineup.

Delonte West (5/10)- The Mavs are too deep to depend on Delonte every night.  If an injury or two occurs he would be an intriguing pick up.

 

NETS

Deron Williams (9.8/10)- D.Will is a stud and can either get 30+ Points, or 12+ Assists in any game.  Sometimes even both.  Williams is the fantasy point guard to own in fantasy basketball.

 

Brook Lopez (7.6/10)- Brook Lopez is ready to practice with the team, which means is ready to join them at some point in the very near future.  Expect the Nets to take it slow with their big man in the beginning.  When Lopez looks 100%, you got yourself a top 10 option at the center position.

 

Kris Humphries (8/10)- Humphries has been a solid rebounder all season, and is getting consistent double-doubles.  I do expect his value to take a hit when Lopez gets back to full strength, but for now continue to enjoy the success.  If there was ever a time to trade him, it would be right now.  Fire Sale.

 

Anthony Morrow (7/10)- Morrow is a 3PT wiz, but not a player I would trust to be consistent with the Nets getting back to 100%.  His season high has passed him, and for now he is a good reserve to have if you are desperate for the category.

 

MarShon Brooks (6.6/10)- Brooks is back, and 20 Minutes per game is what we have seen.  We all knew this was coming, but I expect that number to raise as he gets better conditioning.  However long term his value is not looking so hot, especially with the return of Lopez.  It will take a Nets playoff run to save his season.

 

NUGGETS

Ty Lawson (8.5/10)- Ty is quietly building back to the great player he was to start the season.  He can explode the box scores with the best of the fantasy point guards.  If there was a great player to target, Lawson would be that guy.

Andre Miller (7.7/10)- Miller is quickly losing fantasy value since Danilo has been out.  However it would be bad to panic and sell Miller for anything less than Marcus Thornton.  Expect Miller to get it together when the Nuggets figure out their offense again.

Nene Hilario (7.4/10)- Nene’s fantasy value should go up with all the injuries, but for now he has to prove himself.  The fact that he left Sunday’s game with a calf strain really hurts his fantasy value for now.

Danilo Gallinari (6.1/10)- Danilo continues to sit.  Owners who do not want to face him in the playoffs have to hold onto the semi-inconsistent shooter.

Aaron Afflalo (6.1/10)- Finally Afflalo is starting to break out scoring 49 Points in his last two games.  Besides steals, and 3PTM you cannot expect much from the solid UCLA Bruin.

Al Harrington (6.8/10)- Al will get more opportunities to thrive with Danilo’s injury, but just like Nene.  Al has to prove his fantasy worth and be scoring 15+ every night.  For now he remains a high upside fantasy reserve.

 

PACERS

Danny Granger (8.7/10)-Granger is starting to score the ball a lot more frequently as of late.  He fills up the stat sheet at the forward position almost in the same way that Stephen Curry does at the guard position.  He right up there with elite value, and makes an excellent fantasy asset on any team.  Blocks, Steals, 3PTM, Rebounds, FT, and Points.

 

Darren Collison (7.4/10)- Collison has been pretty decent with no George Hill breathing down his back.  Occasionally Darren will give you a 20 Point, 8 Assist performance.  But on most nights you have to settle with the near double-digit scoring, double-digit assists.  Enjoy it while it lasts.

Paul George (7.5/10)- Paul George is starting to gain some consistency as a fantasy basketball player.  He may not score a lot every night, but he does rack up the 3PTM, and gives solid steal and block numbers.  That is enough to make him a good option in a majority of fantasy leagues.

 

Roy Hibbert (8.2/10)- The offensive successes of David West, is starting to slowly eat away Roy Hibbert.  Already twice this month he has scored less than 10 Points in a game.  All of January he scored less than 10 points in a game, only twice.

 

David West (7.5/10)- West is starting to put it together and put 30+ Minute performances consistently.  He is starting to shoot the ball better averaging nearly 20 Points a game in his last three.

 

Tyler Hansbrough (6.2/10)- Hansbrough has some potential, but as long as West and Hibbert are on the court.  The bench is where his home is.  Fantasy owners should look elsewhere if they need rebounding help off the bench.

 

George Hill (5.5/10)- Hill will have an uphill battle to get his minutes back once he returns.  As long as Collison and Paul George play well, Hill will be hovering 20 Minutes upon his return.

 

PISTONS

Brandon Knight (7.8/10)- There are two good things about Brandon Knight.  Number one, he gets 30+ Minutes a night.  Number two, he will continue to see 30+ Minutes because he is their franchise PG.  That is good enough to give him good trade value despite the clunkers that come far more often than they should.

Greg Monroe (8.9/10)- Monroe is a fantasy center you want to own.  This beast has potential to put up 20-15 any given game.  No reason to think his value will drop anytime soon, and can only go up as he puts up more monstrous performances.

Rodney Stuckey (6.7/10)- With the return of Ben Gordon you cannot expect fantasy consistency from Rodney Stuckey.  For now continue to leave Stuckey as a reserve in all fantasy leagues until he can put a solid week together.

 

Ben Gordon (6.5/10)- B.Gord will soon enough help those fantasy owners who are despite for 3PTM.  He is averaging almost 12 Points in less than 20 Minutes per game.

 

Tayshaun Prince (6.8/10)- Tayshaun is a veteran on this squad and will look to get good minutes.  Austin Daye would be outperforming Tayshaun statistic wise by a long shot.  But right now this is the Pistons direction.

 

Austin Daye (5.8/10)- Daye is getting his FG attempts in while he can averaging 8 in his last two games.  For now that is good enough to reason to keep him around knowing that he will explode at some point when given consistent minutes.

 

RAPTORS

Jose Calderon (7.4/10)- Calderon is looking great lately, especially after a 30 Point performance against the Lakers.  Now would be an excellent time to sell high, as we saw how inconsistent he was when Jerryd Bayless was in the lineup.

 

Jerryd Bayless (6.8/10)- Bayless has huge potential and has already notched a 30 Point performance.  He is going to see big minutes every night and remains a player that must not be on your waiver wire.

 

DeMar DeRozan (7/10)- DeRozan has been a very inconsitent fantasy basketball option all season long.  With Toronto, DeMar should continue to see big minutes every night as he is a big part of their future.

 

Andrea Bargnani (6.7/10)- Bargs countdown appears to be sooner than later.  Make sure to snag him off the waiver wire if he is sitting there.  He can score with the best of the fantasy centers in the NBA.

 

James Johnson (6.8/10)- Gerald Wallace 2.0 is a bit inconsistent, but if Linas Kleiza continues to put up some solid performances.  Johnson could start to have a tough time finding good minutes.  The block and steal potential is too high to leave him as a free agent.

 

Amir Johnson (6.2/10)- Amir has some talent, but playing time remains his worst enemy.  With Bargs coming back it is not going to be easy for Amir to find the court.

 

Ed Davis (5.7/10)- When the Raptors find a way to get him consistent minutes he will be a solid fantasy starter in all leagues.  Until that happens he is best left as a reserve.

 

ROCKETS

Kevin Martin (7.7/10)- After a weird stretch where Martin was getting pulled, and not putting up big scoring numbers.  He came back in a big way scoring 28 on Sunday night.  His fantasy owners can take a collective breath together knowing that their 3PT, Steal, FT, Point king will be a good fantasy option to close out the season.

Kyle Lowry (8.3/10)- Jason Kidd 2.0 is barley doing enough to keep his fantasy owners pleased.  The assist numbers are solid, the steal numbers are solid, but everything else has a bit worried.  Lowry is a good player and as long as he develops some confidence one way or another, his fantasy value will be fine.

Samuel Dalemert (6.3/10)- Minutes continue to be a problem for Dalembert.  The fact he had 7 Rebounds, 5 Points, and 3 Blocks in 20 Minutes Sunday reminds us that he has the potential to be a great option.  He should not be on any waiver wire.

Luis Scola (7.6/10)- Scola has been very solid lately and is reminding us of his vintage form.  Out of the last six games, only one of them was semi-bad, 12 Points and 2 Rebounds.  Fantasy players want to see another week of consistency before buying him as a solid option again.

 

SPURS

Manu Ginobili (8/10)- Manu is still getting back in game shape, but his fantasy owners have a lot to be excited about.

Tony Parker (8.6/10)- Parker is already starting to see a decline in Ginobili’s first game back.  Sell high, or wait for another big performance.  Try to target Tyreke Evans.

Tim Duncan (8.1/10)- Duncan has been consistent even in games when he sees little playing time.  I know it is hard to take a bullet and sell Duncan for a player like Kris Humphries or Luis Scola.  But a move like that will help you in the long term as those DNP’s will rack up in a more intense second half schedule.

Tiago Splitter (6.2/10)- Tiago has shown that he will be a high-end #2 center if anything were to happen to Blair or Duncan.  His offensive skills are great, and he is long enough where he will grab rebounds.  Splitter is a great center to own in deeper leagues.

 

SUNS

Steve Nash (8.7/10)- Steve Nash is playing elite fantasy basketball lately, and there is no reason to think it will slow down.  In fact I expect it go up when he gets traded to a contender, where he can put up even higher assist numbers.  For now he is one of the most consistent fantasy point guards to own.

Jared Dudley (7.1/10)- Dudley has been a very solid option at the guard position for his fantasy owners.  He rebounds with the best of them, and on top of that he is hitting 3PT shots and getting decent steal numbers.  Dudley was the X-Factor for a lot of fantasy teams down the stretch of last season, and he is quietly becoming one again now.

 

Marcin Gortat (8.5/10)- Gortat consistently is putting up good numbers.  He always gets in the double-double range with decent blocks.  That is enough to consider him the closest thing to Anderson Varejao.

Channing Frye (7.7/10)- Frye is starting to find his shot again.  Mix that with his center eligibility, high 3PTM volume, good steal and block numbers.  You got yourself a quality option in all fantasy leagues.

 

Grant Hill (6.3/10)- Hill continues to see great minutes every night.  But that is not enough to make him a recommended starter in fantasy leagues.  His forward eligibility helps his value.

 

Markieff Morris (5.7/10)- Morris still remains a talented player marked by his 18 Point, 6 Rebound, 3 Block performance Saturday night.  However finding consistent playing time will keep him from being anything more than a fantasy reserve.  If Channing Frye struggles again, Morris is the guy to pick up.

 

THUNDER

Kevin Durant (10/10)- Durant is the right there with the best.  30+ Points, Rebounds, 3PTM, Steals, Blocks, he does it all.

 

Russell Westbrook (9.6/10)- Westbrook is an elite fantasy player.  Besides turnovers, he scores with the elites, and he gets all the intangibles to go along with the assists.

Serge Ibaka (7.9/10)-Serge has been a block shot machine getting two games with 10 Blocks in this month alone.  Add in the fact he is rebounding and scoring a lot better than he was earlier in the season and you got yourself a fantasy stud.

James Harden (7.8/10)-Harden has been a bit inconsistent as a scorer, which is the reason you grabbed him in the first place.  I expect his numbers to get better as he gains more confidence in his ability to take over games.  Hopefully that comes this season.

 

TRAIL BLAZERS

Gerald Wallace (7.8/10)- Wallace remains a bit inconsistent, and I would sell when I could.  The Blazers are too deep of a scoring team, and expecting Wallace to get 15+ Points a game will not happen as often as you would like.  His rebound and steal numbers keep him relevant, but everything else could slowly bring his value lower.  Especially if Batum starts stepping it up.

Raymond Felton (7.3/10)- Felton has shown some flashes of fantasy promise.  For the most part he is an inconsistent fantasy guard that is best used as a reserve.  It seems to be that Jamal Crawford could be a better option than Felton in fantasy leagues at this point.  2 Assists in 40 Minutes on Saturday will not do his owners any favors.

Wesley Matthews (6.3/10)- Matthews is a player who will not do much more than hover around 15 Points a game.  At times he fails to even reach double-digits which makes him a bad fantasy option.  As a player he is talented, but on this squad he is another fish in the sea.

LaMarcus Aldridge (9.4/10)- Aldridge is maybe the most consistent big man in the NBA next to Dwight Howard.  He is probably the best scoring big man hands down after getting a 33 and 39 Point performance in the same week.

Marcus Camby (6.7/10)- Camby is starting to get old.  His minutes are keeping him from a consistent option, but as a block and steal contributor he has great potential.  Rebounds have been going down for him, and age could play a factor.  Sell high.

Jamal Crawford (7.6/10)- Crawford may be the best 6^th man in fantasy basketball right now.  He shoots the ball at a ridiculous rate demonstrated by his 23 attempts in 42 minutes.  He racks up points (15), steals (1), 3PTM (1.5), and surprisingly not doing bad at assists (4).  Crawford is a great fantasy option.

Nicolas Batum (6.8/10)- Batum has the potential to be a difference maker as a forward in fantasy basketball.  As long as this Blazers team remains stacked, it is going to be hard to see Batum break into that category.

 

TIMBERWOLVES

Ricky Rubio (8.4/10)- Ricky Rubio has been a steals, and assist monster.  Combine that with his usual double digit scoring, decent rebound numbers.  You got yourself a great fantasy asset.

Kevin Love (10/10)- 32 and 21.  10/10 FT.  Lines like these just happen for the big fella.

Nikola Pekovic (7.4/10)- Pekovic has been a great fantasy center, and continues to remind me of Marcin Gortat.  Gortat 2.0 will be a force all season as there are not many people who play with the motor of this guy, with that truck like build.

 

Michael Beasley (7.7/10)- Beasley will get his FG attempts in, but besides that you don’t know what type of performance you are going to get.  I like his value long term, but right now it is a little murky.  I would use this opportunity to buy low on one of the great scorers at the forward position.

 

Derrick Williams (6.4/10)- Since Love’s return Williams has been back to a bench player.  It was not encouraging to see him play 13 Minutes in a close two point loss against the Knicks.  Chances are his fantasy value as a starter will only be when Beasley or Love get injured.

 

Luke Ridnour (5.7/10)- Somehow he stays relevant as a fantasy option.  I would have to be very desperate to keep Ridnour on my team, maybe as an insurance policy to Rubio.

 

WARRIORS

Monta Ellis (8.4/10)- A 48 Point performance had his fantasy value back to sky high range.  Only to see it fall right back to where it was, with a 14 Point performance.  But then he comes back with a 33 Point performance.  The roller coaster continues for his fantasy owners who should get 2^nd round type value when it’s all said and done for Monta.

Stephen Curry (8.9/10)- Steph can play like a 1^st round fantasy player any given night.  Owners would like to see it happen more often, but even when he isn’t on you still get solid numbers across the board.  Not many guards rack up stats in all the categories like this guy.

David Lee (8.5/10)- Lee had a fantastic week in which he put up a 3×2, and then showed that type of potential to close out the weekend with 6 assists.  David Lee is a great fantasy player to own, and his value will continue to rise as he is the best Warriors big man by far.

Dorrell Wright (7.6/10)- Dorrell Wright remains inconsistent with Brandon Rush playing behind him.  Despite that, you can always expect a couple 3PTM, to be mixed in with the occasional big game.  I like Wright as a fantasy option because there are not many forwards who get 3PTM like this guy.

 

WIZARDS

John Wall (8.7/10)- Wall is starting to put it together, and looks way past his inconsistent fantasy days.  I expect his numbers to continue to increase as the season continues.  He is one of those players that just play at a different speed, and as players get tired at the end of the season.  His legs will keep going, and going, and going.

Nick Young (7.5/10)- This guy just shoots, and shoots, and shoots.  The results are usually games that hover the 20 Point range, with some solid 3PT numbers to go along with steals.

Trevor Booker (6.4/10)- Booker has been a solid scoring big man with Blatche out.  I do expect Booker to remain productive, but I also expect Blatche to do what he can to get his job back.  Chances are if Blatche puts up a big when he returns, Booker will be back to the bench role.  Waiver Wire role in fantasy basketball leagues.

 

Javale McGee (7.7/10)- The potential for a mega super-star is there.  The potential for a mediocre fantasy center is there as well.  If you can get a really solid center like Joakim Noah for him then by all means make the deal.  If you want to keep hoping McGee puts it together for a long stretch of time, well then keep waiting.  His block shot numbers continue to stay elite.

 

Jordan Crawford (6.2/10)- Jor-Craw had a terrible week.  Luckily the Wizards are not a very good team so it does not take long to get on the good side of the franchise.  For now stash Crawford and wait for some big breakout performances before using him again.

 

Andray Blatche (5/10)- Blatche has a lot of potential, and is a lot better than Trevor Booker.  We will see if he can earn back his spot, and for now is best left as a reserve on your fantasy roster.