Fantasy Basketball Playoffs Waiver Wire Pickups for April 2nd – 8th
Apr 1, 2012 Blog
There’s four weeks left in the regular season and everyone should be starting their playoffs this week or already be into their second round of playoffs. I’ve got a few teams that barely limped into the playoffs and are facing top seeds and the list of players below are some guys who are longshots, but could produce some big nights to help you defeat those powerful top seeded playoff opponents.
Point Guard
Baron Davis (NYK) – Jeremy Lin’s Cinderella run came to a quick end with a serious knee injury that will probably knock him out for the rest of the season. Davis has been patiently waiting his turn and will likely give it some extra effort now that he’s playing for a team where the games actually mean something.
Donald Sloan (CLE) – Kyrie Irving missed Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury and Sloan got the start. He put up a decent line going for 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Keep an eye on Irving’s injury status and give Sloan a play if Irving misses more time.
Gilbert Arenas (MEM) – Mike Conley missed Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury and Arenas got 17 minutes of run, putting up 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. I don’t think he’s going to get more than 25 minutes of action in any game, but if you are desperate for a PG, Arenas has the ability to get hot and turn in the occasional big night.
Shooting Guard
Iman Shumpert (NYK) – I’ve actually seen Shumpert still floating around on a few wires, but he should be grabbed with the loss of Jeremy Lin. If Baron Davis goes down and injury, and he probably will, then Shumpert will be the man in the backcourt.
George Hill (IND) – Hill is either all or nothing. He’s scored 9, 4, 0, 0 and 24 points in his last five games and reached 30 minutes in two of them. The best thing he offers is the ability for across the board stats, especially steals. He won’t hurt you in any category and he helps in just about every one.
Anthony Morrow (NJN) – How aggravating is Anthony Morrow? He’s been one of my most inconsistent plays, but he has such a high upside that he’s worth the gamble if you need a huge night to save your playoff round. He went for 24 points Saturday, making 6 three pointers. If you need to make up ground in the three category, Morrow is a must play.
Randy Foye/Nick Young (LAC) – These two are locked into a timeshare, but I get the feeling that Foye will soon win this battle, which is a little surprising.
Avery Bradley (BOS) – As long as Ray Allen remains out, Bradley is a must pickup for the fantasy playoffs. Even when Allen returns, I expect that the Celtics will continue to be really careful with him, which means Bradley will probably still be getting decent minutes.
Alec Burks (UTA) – Burks is a great pickup for guys in keeper leagues and he can also provide some playoff help with his scoring ability.
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Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers for this Week’s Fantasy Basketball Playoffs
Mar 25, 2012 Blog
Just about every league I’m in is starting the playoffs this week, and if you need a little help, the following list of players might fill some holes in your roster for the stretch run. These guys aren’t stars and most of the time they’ll have mediocre nights, but if you’re in a daily transaction league and need to gamble on a big fantasy playoff performance, these guys are solid bets for some big numbers this week.
Point Guard
CJ Watson (CHI) – If the Bulls continue to hold Derrick Rose out with his groin injury, Watson is a must play in leagues that allow daily transactions. He’s had some solid games in Rose’s absence and can put up decent points, assists and steals.
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Tags: fantasy basketball, waiver wire
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 6
Jan 29, 2012 Blog
A few waiver wire tips for a slow Sunday:
Drew Gooden (MIL) – Andrew Bogut is likely done for the season with a fractured ankle. Gooden is a must add if you need help at center. He’s already shown in his first two starts what he’s capable of.
Avery Bradley (BOS) – I’ve been seeing some rumors that Rajon Rondo may be out for a month. I’ve also see some articles saying he’s going to play today, so who knows. If he is out for a month, then Bradley, and maybe E’Twaun Moore, become great spot starts.
Kirk Hinrich (ATL) – Jeff Teague is running out of steam and he’s also been a little banged up lately. Hinrich should build his minutes back up to the 25-30 minute range soon and makes a nice grab.
Chris Kaman (NOR) – I’ve seen Kaman dropped to a lot of wires, but he’s said to be on the trading block and he could see a huge spike in value with a trade to the right situation. He’s worth a stash on the bench if you have room.
Glen Davis (ORL) – Ryan Anderson is having some injury issues and Davis could pick up a few starts this week. He probably won’t put up any huge lines, but if you need some rebounds, he’s a solid pickup.
Rodrigue Beaubois (DAL) – Jason Kidd is hurting again and the Mavs need someone to step up at PG. Delonte West got the minutes last time Kidd was out, but he’s also dealing with some injury problems. Beaubois should get a chance to play this week and has decent upside.
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Tags: fantasy basketball, waiver wire
NBA Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 3
Jan 8, 2012 Blog
Leagues are moving into their third week and most of the prime waiver wire scoops have already been made, but there are always a few guys out there who can help you plug some holes in your roster. The guys below are all owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Derrick Williams, MIN (51%) – Williams is just a little above the cutoff, but I couldn’t leave him out this week. Michael Beasley is out with foot and finger injuries and Williams should get at least three starts. If he plays well, he could find himself a permanent fixture in the starting spot. Definitely an add in keeper leagues.
Jonas Jerebko, DET (47%) – Jerebko has been playing pretty well and Charlie Villanueva is still limited with an injury. If Jerebko can keep up the intensity, he could hang on to the starting job even with a healthy Villanueva.
MarShon Brooks, NJN (41%) – I was surprised to find that Brooks was still only 41% owned this season. He’s a must pickup in keeper leagues. The Nets are horrible and there’s a really good chance that Deron Williams won’t be there next season, so there should be a youth movement soon, which will be led by Brooks. Even with a healthy and happy Williams, Brooks is still better than Anthony Morrow.
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Tags: fantasy basketball, waiver wire
NBA Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Dec 28, 2011 Blog
It’s still early in the season, but several players have really increased their fantasy value for 2011. Sometimes you have to gamble early in the season with a few risky pickups and these players could provide big returns down the road. I’m basing waiver wire status on players who are owned in less than 30% of Yahoo Leagues.
Norris Cole (MIA) (13%) – I don’t think Miami has ever really liked Mario Chalmers and Cole might be the perfect excuse for the Heat to make the switch. Cole had a big game Tuesday going for 20 points. More surprising was that he led the Heat with 16 shot attempts, which was more than both Wade and LeBron.
Terrence Williams (HOU) (3%) – It feels like the Rockets are trying to decide whether to go with Chase Budinger or give Williams his shot. The roles for these two could be decided in the next two weeks. Williams is a big risk, big reward play.
Josh Howard (UTA) (6%) – The Jazz are evaluating Gordon Hayward and Josh Howard right now and this starting spot could be given to Howard based on his past experience.
Josh McRoberts (LAL) (9%) – McRoberts has looked pretty good, but remember that Andrew Bynum will be back soon which will send Josh back to the bench. He should be the first big man off the bench and you never know when another Bynum injury will occur. The real upside here is if the Lakers somehow trade both Gasol and Bynum, then the starting PF spot could open up for McRoberts.
Gilbert Arenas (FA) (14%) – You know someone is eventually going to get desperate and give Arenas a call. Could be a great stash if you have an available bench spot.
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Tags: fantasy basketball, waiver wire