Fantasy Hoops Week #5: Agent Zero is Compromised
Hello Antonio Daniels
If things continue like this in Jersey, I’m going to be forced to ask Nets coach Lawrence Frank for a sit-down, with Tony Soprano facilitating.
In last weeks column I announced Sean Williams as potentially the “best waiver wire pickup this year”.
It was a bold statement, but that’s how Williams had me feeling after his play in week #3. I had watched his minutes increase and his numbers improve. He was rebounding at a fierce rate and wracking up blocks and steals along the way. He earned his first start in the Nets lineup and it looked as though he’d done enough to secure the starting gig.
Turns out, shorty with the clipboard had other ideas. Out of nowhere coach Frank started turning back Williams minutes like daylight savings time. He played just 13 minutes on Wednesday, and 11 minutes on Friday.
Even in extremely limited minutes, Williams produced. But no one is going to have fantasy value if they average less than 15 minutes per game. On Friday night Frank gave the start to Malik Allen. Are you kidding me? Coach Frank, do me a favor this week … let the rookie live a little!
For those of you who went out and grabbed Williams, I understand your frustration. I’m there with you, but don’t cut him yet. On Friday, Nenad Kristic told reporters he is thinking about, “shutting it down” for a few weeks to get his conditioning where it needs to be, and this could open the door for our boy.
Perhaps the sit-down can be put on the back burner for now, as the message already seems to be ringing out. Last night against the Lakers, Williams played 30 minutes and recorded 6 points, 7 boards, 3 blocks and 3 steals. It’s not what owners are looking for, but the increased minutes are an excellent sign. As a result, I’ll turn off the Sopranos theme music, for now.
Andray Blatche was a very popular sleeper pick coming into the season but didn’t get a chance to burn after Brendan Haywood got off to a hot start. Tuesday night, Haywood sprained his ankle and that allowed Blatche to get his shine on in a blowout win over the Sixers. The next night he got his first start of the season and posted 12 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and five blocks. Respect!
The good news is Blatche has proven, with opportunity, he can contribute at the NBA level. The bad news is, for Blatche owners at least, is that Brendan Haywood’s ankle injury isn’t serious, and he was back in the Wizards rotation Friday night. Going forward the two will likely split minutes at the five slot. While this isn’t the best scenario for fantasy owners, both guys are going to have value. After a couple strong games, chances are Blatche is ghost from your waiver wire, but double check, and if he’s out there, pick him up.
Anyone who passed on Gilbert Arenas best have expressed their thanks before digging into that turkey this week. In case you missed it, Arenas announced on Wednesday he had surgery on the same knee he injured last season and will miss three months of action. This situation is devastating for Arenas owners who only got five games from their #1 pick before he hung his Adidas up for three very long months. Speaking of shoes, Antonio Daniels is going to be the man stepping into Gil’s as the starting point guard for the Wiz kids going forward. Daniels has always been a solid backup and should be picked up immediately in all leagues.
Blatche and Daniels are the hottest pickups in fantasy hoops right now but there are some other guys who deserve to be looked at:
Jordan Farmar – Phil Jackson has been bringing him along slow since he got into the league but with only Derek Fisher standing in the way of becoming the starting point guard, the job is Farmar’s to take. His minutes are on the rise and the longer he stays on the court, the more comfortable he looks in the triangle. If you need help in the backcourt, Farmar is a solid option with nice upside.
Monta Ellis – I received a panicked email from a reader who had just dropped Monta Ellis asking if there was a way to reverse a move made on the wire. Unfortunately, there is rarely any looking back in fantasy basketball. The fact that Ellis is super talented isn’t news to SLAM readers. Kid can flat out hoop. He’s put together two solid games in a row and shouldn’t be on waivers. Right now, Nelly is doing his mad scientist thing, figuring out a rotation, and Ellis’s minutes have suffered. If he’s out there, snatch him up and stash him on your bench until Nelly comes to his senses.
Jeff Green – The Sonics are rebuilding and if Durant is the foundation then Green is the support beams. It’s in the coaching staffs best interest to keep Green on the floor and get him acclimated to the NBA game. Fantasy value is often determined by opportunity (Jamario Moon stand up) and Green is going to get plenty of it. He had two double-doubles in week #4 and will be picked up in your league shortly. When I watch this guy ball, he just looks like he gets it. It’s not going to be an overnight thing, but he’s a player. If you want him playing for you, it’s time to pick him up.
Juan Carlos Navarro – He got off to a slow start last week but blew up over the weekend. If an impatient owner cut him, or if he was never picked up, grab him. He wont be a model of consistency but if you need trey balls there is no better option on the wire.
Antoine Walker – Whether they are looking for veteran leadership or simple showcasing him for a trade, Antoine Walker has been playing major minutes for the Wolves lately. Once again, opportunity equals value and Walker has responded. Against Denver he dropped 24 points, 5 boards, and 3 dimes and owners need to keep their eye on his minutes/production for waiver wire consideration.
If you drafted Jermaine O’Neal you had to figure injuries would be an issue at some point this season, but this early? What a beating! Apparently, there is swelling in O’Neals left knee and the Pacers are going to keep him out until they get a sense of exactly what’s going on. Injuries are an annual occurrence for O’Neal and while he remains one of the most talented bigs in the league, at this point, injuries are defining his career.
For some J.O. Relief, take a look at Jeff Foster. He’s a little inept of the offensive end but the man is a rebounding machine, and has been starting in O’Neal’s place. If you’re in a smaller league (8-10 teams) and Troy Murphy is still sitting on waivers, pick him up and enjoy a boost in value while O’Neal is sidelined.
To everyone who drafted Gilbert, all I can say is hold your head. If your team was doing well before the injury, you should think about holding onto Gil and monitoring the progress of his rehab. If you’re in the basement in your league and feeling a talented guy on the wire, obviously a drop is worth considering. I own Gilbert in a 12 team league where the wire moves at Devin Hester speeds. Right now, I’m in first place so I’m going to hold onto him and see how things unfold with him stashed on the bench. That’s a combination of not wanting to risk another patient owner grabbing him, and the fact that the waiver wire is thinner then Shawn Bradley on the 76ers right now.
Alright guys, thats what it is for this week. Post any questions in the comments section and I will get right back at you.
51 Responses to “Fantasy Hoops Week #5: Agent Zero is Compromised”
Nov.26 at 1:25 pm
ciolkstar says:
First!
Nov.26 at 1:54 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Jose Calderon
Nov.26 at 2:17 pm
Gerard Himself says:
I actually picked up Daniels as soon as I knew he was staring. Dude does a little bit of everything.
Nov.26 at 2:36 pm
dma says:
and a whole lotta nothing
Nov.26 at 2:46 pm
Sparker says:
psst. bad sp. error in title.
Nov.26 at 3:10 pm
Vinsanity says:
yeah i got arenas and am in the cellar what kind of value can i look to get if i want to trade him
Nov.26 at 3:17 pm
Emry says:
Vinsanity: I don’t think you can get much back for him at this point. His value is pretty much shot being that he is on the shelf for at least three months. You might try and package him and argue his upside for a playoff run to someone in the top three of your league currently, I would go that route.
Nov.26 at 3:23 pm
Big L says:
Yeah, I got Daniels this week too. 15 assists for the week and no turnovers. Thats always worth a bench spot. But I can’t get the steals and blocks department down. I thought Ty Thomas, Sean Williams, and Theo Ratliff would do. Hopefully your right Emry and Coach Frank puts SW back in the starting lineup.
Nov.26 at 3:25 pm
RV says:
Navarro is a tough pick, when he plays he gets 4 to 6 3-pointers, but considering thats like every third game, might as well get someone who hits 2 a game and plays every game
Nov.26 at 3:27 pm
Emry says:
Big L: I think Williams is solid for blocks, he was leading the league at one point last week as soon as his minutes played qualified him for contention. The steals and blocks are the hard to fill categories… no doubt. The other stuff comes easy, that’s why a do it all type like a Josh Smith has such fantasy value. Stick with Williams tho, if you are getting he and Daniels on the wire, you are doing the right thing.
Nov.26 at 3:52 pm
patrick says:
shawn bradley reference! jamario moon is a no-brainer at this point - i wanted to pick him up but im already dominating blocks and steals ..
Nov.26 at 3:53 pm
Vinsanity says:
i got an offer of ricky davis for arenas is tht something i should take advantage of and also should i drop anthony parker to get Juan Carlos Navarro
thx
Nov.26 at 4:13 pm
Emry says:
Vinsanity: I would drop Parker for JCN, yes. As for Arenas for Davis… I wouldn’t make that deal unless your team is really struggling. The owner that offered that is thinking long term and with Wade getting his legs under him he realizes Davis’s value is going down hill. You could send him a msg saying that is shooting to low and try and up the offer a bit…
Nov.26 at 4:27 pm
nothin personal says:
Drop Gil as soon as you can. This kind of injuries never come back on time. And keep in mind that’s a revamped injury, and it’s coming back with avengeance. Gil is as good as done for the season.
Nov.26 at 4:33 pm
Emry says:
NP: I tend to agree with you, but, that’s not what is being reported right now so if you rush and make that drop, you might be regretting it.
Nov.26 at 4:41 pm
Vinsanity says:
do u think dampier is going to see his minutes rise and with his production because right now hes not doin anything
Nov.26 at 4:49 pm
Emry says:
Vinsanity: Damps minutes will increase but not at a fast enough rate for you to hold onto him. You can cut him without losing any sleep.
Nov.26 at 4:56 pm
nothin personal says:
I prefer that, than the “Boozer experience”. I missed on DWest for that stupid decision and lost first place by 100 rebs and .02 of FG%
Nov.26 at 5:08 pm
huh says:
Compromised.
Nov.26 at 5:29 pm
Vinsanity says:
how many centers should a fantasy team have? thts an area tht im struggling in with only okafor and jeff foster and tht position any suggestions?
Nov.26 at 5:35 pm
A Pimp Named Slickback says:
dont listen to emry!! this is the guy who, in the kg cover issue, reccommended that you dont draft dwight howard because of free throw % and turnovers. what a tard! apparently, emry didnt pay attention over the summer, dwight’s shooting is much better. with everything dwight gives his owners, turnovers arent $hit.
Nov.26 at 5:50 pm
Emry says:
APNS: The point of that section wasn’t to say Howard wasn’t worth drafting… all I was saying is his FT % and turnovers make him, “Risky Business” for a super high pick (1st or early 2nd rd). However, you can hate on me for putting him in that section, if I wrote that today, I would leave him out. In any event, thanks I appreciate you calling me out. - As a side note, his free throws are actually no better this season (.603) then for his career (.609)-
Nov.26 at 6:05 pm
radio hood says:
I bet he wrote that preview column like 2 months before the season started, talk about a armchair quarter back. Chill Pimpnamedslick!
Nov.26 at 6:19 pm
JR says:
Al Horford, Damien Wilkins, Chris Wilcox, Ronnie Brewer, and Daniel Gibson. these guys need to get some more fantasy love. i’ve got a bunch of them on multiple teams and they’re all playin well. and most of them are getting drafted late or not at all. my teams are in 1st, 1st, and 3rd. and a lot of it has to do with getting guys like this late in the draft. cause thats how win in fanstasy sports. the first picks are easy to make.
Nov.26 at 6:20 pm
A Pimp Named Slickback says:
it is “A Pimp Named Slickback”, not, “APNS”. so get it right, bitch. “this is a list of three high profile players you are better off passing on during your fantasy draft”. that seems like you are saying, dont draft them. but whatever, i have howard on many of my teams, and he is a fn beast and mvp.
Nov.26 at 6:45 pm
nellyball says:
Haha. He def. did botch that Howard pick but he gave me a couple monsters on the waiver wire. But Howards free throws are still trash this season. Same with turnovers.
Nov.26 at 6:55 pm
Vinsanity says:
how many centers should a fantasy team have? thts an area tht im struggling in with only okafor and jeff foster at tht position any suggestions?
Nov.26 at 8:19 pm
Emry says:
JR: Couldn’t agree with you more. It’s all about the waiver wire
Nov.26 at 8:23 pm
Emry says:
Vinsanity: Depends how your league is setup. Most of the leagues I play in require you to start two centers each week, that means the position is going to be over saturated. Okafor is a solid center, provided he stays healthy, I am dealing with him in a couple of leagues so I am pulling for a long season from him. As for fill ins, Jeff Foster is a good start, especially with J.O. on the shelf right now. You could also look at Theo R., Sean W., D. Diop, A. Blatche if you need another guy to fill the slot.
Nov.26 at 9:03 pm
The infamous DP says:
This is crazy mane! I feel real bad for my friend who has arenas in my fantasy L! I really think that Blatche is going to go over haywoody and start for the rest of the season. Right now the only question I have is, is Iggy the most dangerous pick in fantasy or what? One night the guy gives me freakin crap and the other night he plays like his life depended on it. My team is just too unpredictable. play wit it.
Nov.26 at 9:41 pm
Emry says:
The Infamous: Could be worse with Gil tho, he could be lost for the year, I guess that is still possible though… after last year became the season of injuries some have got to be expected. It does hurt to only get 5 games from a #1 pick. As for Blatche, what makes you think he will take over Haywood’s spot? He has upside but Brendan hasn’t been Brenda this year, his game has looked tight. I think it will be a classic time share for both. As for AI pt II, he has always had that issue asserting himself as the man, I thought he would make that leap this season but thus far it hasn’t happened.
Nov.26 at 9:43 pm
RV says:
personally, i wouldn’t drop Parker for Navarro (although i see you already did it in the league) because like i mentioned earlier, navarro hits several threes every 3-4 games and rarely does anything in between. Parker gets you one or two every game. Parker plays every game and gets a a lot of minutes. Navarro may play 30 today and 3 tomrrow.
Nov.26 at 10:39 pm
Emry says:
RV: Which add/drop are you talking about?
Nov.27 at 12:02 am
Papa Pancake says:
Any word on Kyle Korver? I had a great trade to acquire him-Korver for Bunzi Wells. Is there a near return or did I make a trade for the heck of it?
Nov.27 at 1:20 am
RV says:
Vinsanity dropped anthony parker and picked up navarro, sorry i was talking to him, we’re both in the Slam-posters league
Nov.27 at 12:07 pm
C says:
i picked up jerry stackhouse early in the season in a league that is very competitive and has slim pickins on the wire. He is extremely inconsistent. One night good, one night horrific. Is it worth it too keep him or drop him?
Nov.27 at 12:10 pm
Emry says:
C: Can you define slim pickins? Who are your best available options for him?
Nov.27 at 12:26 pm
C says:
Well, none of the guys mentioned in your column are available unfortunately. But I am not surprised in this league. The best available that i see are Luke Walton, delonte west, the infamous Walter Hermann, derek fisher, and al thorton. Obviously nothing worth while; but anything that gives me more consistency might be better. What do u think?
Nov.27 at 12:31 pm
Emry says:
I would go with D. West if you need some backcourt help. Ridnour is out and Earl W. is unreliable at best. Not saying West is a stud but he is worth owning in a 12 team league with a quick moving wire. Good question… thanks
Nov.27 at 1:10 pm
C says:
Thank you for the help. Its very appreciated. I seem to have a good amount of bigs. Jamison, Diaw, Milicic, Blatche, Wilcox, Camby, and Bragnani. I feel confident about all these guys; but would it be smart to try and make a move in my league to get some more guard play. Or do you think these bigs fill it up enough?
Nov.27 at 1:12 pm
C says:
and if I should go dealing, who would be the smartest big to move, not giving up a lot; but making sure his value gets me somthing in return. Feelings?
Nov.27 at 8:02 pm
A Pimp Named Slickback says:
who are your guards? do you need a lot more threes?
Nov.28 at 1:42 am
Ol' Marty-Mar says:
HEY! Punk named Slickback - When you address the Fantasy Savior, show some respect. Emry deals with our concerns with dignity and class, so watch your mouth youngin.
Nov.28 at 11:58 am
Emry says:
C: Of the guys you listed clearly the most tradeable piece is Camby. I would hang onto him tho, he seems to have figured the health thing out. If you’re looking to sure up your backcourt look to move Darko (after he has had a couple good games upon returning) or Blatche, sell that potential. Otherwise, you should be pretty solid. Your bigs are versatile.
Nov.28 at 11:59 am
Emry says:
It’s a good time to own A. Jamison, with Gil on the shelf. Between he and Bargnani, that’s a pretty versatile frontcourt. Good questions, thanks.
Nov.28 at 12:24 pm
joseph says:
i recently picked up nachbar off the wire and seems like he will be a player for me. However, i have farmar, bogans, and francisco garcia. Any advice as how to handle these guys? The wire in my league is also “slim pickins”. So im not sure if i should hold these guys or take a risk on someone else?
Nov.28 at 2:35 pm
Bird PANTS says:
Jose Calderon is a madman when he starts. How long can I expect him to start? In other words, how long will TJ Ford be out? Any chance Jose continues to start even when TJ comes back? Thanks!
Nov.28 at 4:43 pm
Emry says:
BP: Hope you hung onto Monta Ellis. He is really starting to heat up. The Raps are targeting a return for TJ this weekend, he will be out tonight. As for the return of TJ and Calderon’s minutes, I don’t think it will be a classic timeshare but I do think he will still be worth owning. Ford himself admits they both bring different things to the table.
Nov.29 at 10:31 am
Bird PANTS says:
Yep, kept Monta and it has really paid off. I will keep Calderon even when TJ comes back because he is still a quality fantasy pg. It’s just he’s been putting up some monster numbers at the pg position with TJ out. I have also held onto Travis Outlaw and he exploded for 26 and 7 for me. Don’t know if you remember, but you told me to keep him. Hopefully he starts to contribute on a consistent basis. Keep up the good work
Nov.29 at 11:15 am
Emry says:
BP: Thanks man, I do remember telling you to hold onto Outlaw, but I’m sure plenty of people in your league would like to see you let him go. Imagine if their is is an injury situation in Portland (Beyond Oden)… Outlaw would really blow up. Maybe consider selling Calderon high while Ford is out? You should have a couple days left to make that move.
Nov.29 at 11:47 am
Emry says:
Joseph: I am recommending Farmar this week so to say cut him wouldn’t be a good move… Garcia can have some real solid games and then the next night play like a dud. And when Bibby comes back he should be totally shot… as for Bogans, he is the option at #2 in Orlando by default. I say drop Garcia, maybe look at a guy like Shawne Williams from the Pacers.