Fantasy Week 11: Step Up or Step Off
Mike Conley gets burn, Lowry and Stoudamire get burned.
I was watching one of those nostalgic Michael Jordan videos the other day, I think it was “Above and Beyond,” and couldn’t help thinking about fantasy basketball.
I’ve touched on this in an earlier column, but clearly fantasy hoops wasn’t what it is today in the mid-nineties. But for a minute let’s suppose it was; can you imagine the rush to the waiver wire when Jordan faxed that message that simple stated, “I’m Back” to the Chicago front office? Wouldn’t that have to rank as the greatest fantasy pickup of all time? Michael Jordan? You kidding me? Would Yahoo even have had him available?
You know that burnt feeling you get when a guy in your league snatches from you off the wire? It’s one thing if it’s Randy Foye; quite another to login and read: Added Michael Jordan, dropped Walt Williams. That one I wouldn’t get over by lunchtime.
It appears Ben Osborne and Kyle Lowry are going to have to part ways. Mike Conley is suddenly entrenched in the starting lineup for the Grizzlies and the young fella is producing in ways that should solidify him as the starter in Memphis.
I realize Conley is likely the future of the franchise and he was a top 5 pick in a loaded draft, but memo to Grizz coach Iavaroni, let Kyle Lowry live a little! As soon as Conley was healthy he straight snatched the starting gig. Old man Stoudamire isn’t feeling the situation and has asked for a ticket out of town. Keep your eye on where he ends up, the right situation could yield some value.
As for Lowry, unless you’re in an extremely deep league (16+ owners) it’s time to adios. The talent is there but the tick isn’t, and as we covered before, the NBA is all about opportunity (elsewhere Jamario Moon pours something out). But between Navarro, Lowry and Stoudamire the backcourt in Memphis is no place for fantasy owners to hold stock.
If you slept on last week’s column now may be your last chance to pick up Randy Foye. He had his knee checkout yesterday and the reports showed considerable improvement from a month ago. This means Foye will upgrade his light workouts and get into full contact drills in a week or so. The young ‘Nova product is itching to go and I would expect him back in action by months end. As for extended value, it’s tough to say. I’m holding onto him and expect him to slide right into the starting point guard slot much the way Conley did in Memphis, only with a firmer grip. Keep in mind that his running mates are Marko Jaric and Bassy Telfair. No disrespect to those two, but when inconsistency is your most consistent attribute, I won’t be sad to see your fantasy candle burn out.
How down is everyone on Shaquille O’Neal this season? I know the big fella is a shadow of his former self, but people are hating! His numbers this year are roughly 14 points, 8 boards, and nearly 2 blocks a night, better than you thought right? I know his free throw shooting is atrocious, and yes, I have attempted to trade him in every league I own him in, but people are just killing The Diesel these days.
To be fair, this latest injury does have me a little concerned. Shaq left the Heat on Monday to see a specialist for his hip injury and there’s no timetable for his return. That sounds to me like one of Shaq’s prolonged injury scenarios that go on until playoff time. Only issue is this year the Heat need to win now to even stay in the playoff picture, so he has some extra incentive to return to form. Fantasy owners need to get a sense of his value in individual leagues and try to make a trade happen. Sell the fact that the Heat have a banged up front line and Shaq has no choice but to put up numbers when he returns. You might also want to throw in the fact that hip injuries have historically corrected free throw shooting woes and weight problems, when in reality it’s likely to contribute to both.
All joking aside, I know everybody is pulling for T.J. Ford’s speedy recovery. Unfortunately for Ford the nature of his injury isn’t a break or a bruise, but one of the career threatening nature. Ford has yet to see the floor since getting railed by Al Horford in a game on December 11th where he was putting in ridiculous amounts of work against the Hawks. Owners, if you’ve held Ford this long, stay with him and if he’s available, pick him up.
For Gilbert Arenas owners things aren’t looking good. If you haven’t heard Arenas announced via his blog, that his rehab is coming along well but he’s in no rush to come back on the court. He’s impressed with his team’s play and said that rushing back for 15 or so games were not worth the risks. Although he seems to be correct, this isn’t the news fantasy owners want to hear. The call here is a tough one to make and boils down to positioning. If you’re atop the standings and could use that extra push when he returns then it’s smart to hold tight. If you’re scraping for position and need some help from the Wire, a drop makes a lot of sense. It’s never a good feeling to see your first-round draft pick helping a competitor’s squad but if it’s the difference between a playoff slot and missing out, well then, you already know. However, just so I’m not accused of dodging the question, in most cases, I’m recommending you part ways with Agent Zero. No NBA Live cover jinx my ass.
The waiver wire is so thin this week it would make Shawn Bradley look husky. The only guys I’m recommending adding are Anthony Carter and Tim Thomas. Carter should be looked at in deep leagues where owners need assists and some help with points. I can’t be high on Carter, even after dropping 15 dimes on Sunday because Chucky Atkins could come to life any minute and disrupt his value.
Thomas on the other hand was likely dropped after missing time and will contribute by default for the banged up Clippers. Al Thornton failed to step up in his absence and the three-point shooting, hand-waving forward will be back in action this week. As much as I despise Thomas’s lack of effort at times on the court, he is still very talented and will help fantasy teams in all formats.
Pat Riley announced recently that D. Wade’s shoulder injuries last season were more serious than the team led us to believe. He said Wade experienced tears in his tendons and obviously knowing what we know now, bringing him back was a disaster. This season Wade has continued to play through pain and came back early from injury. It’s not working out. Fantasy owners need to be very careful with this one. If you own Wade, I would try to move him ASAP. If the Heat continue to tank, Wade, or the Heat, may elect to shut his season down instead of risking further disaster.
Alright guys, that’s all for this week. I should point out that I was going to add Kwame Brown to the waiver list for potential pickups but my computer threatened to shut down and delete the column. All told. Talk to you next week.
46 Responses to “Fantasy Week 11: Step Up or Step Off”
Jan.8 at 4:41 pm
Big L says:
Just when I asked you about who to pick up, (Korver, Daniels, Salmons) they were all snatched up. I think other people in my league are reading this column. I want Mike Miller or Rashard Lewis but the owners are in last place but are holding on to them. How many players are they worth in a trade package?
Jan.8 at 4:42 pm
Big L says:
Oh yeah, First!
Jan.8 at 6:39 pm
Waters1981 says:
I have been keeping an eye on Kareem Rush, should I drop Navarro and pick up Rush? Navarro is not getting time.
Jan.8 at 7:00 pm
Gerard Himself says:
I just picked up Mike Bibby…. too early?
Jan.8 at 7:13 pm
Emry says:
Big L: I was surprised when you said Salmons and Daniels were available, both of those would have been excellent adds. Seems you’re looking for three balls? How about Kareem Rush off the wire? If you need more and require either Lewis or Miller I rate Lewis as an updated 4th - 5th round pick and Miller about the same. I wouldn’t go nuts for either guy though.
Jan.8 at 7:14 pm
Emry says:
Waters: Yes. Navarro is nice but tick is an issue in Memphis… Navarro and Rush will both jerk you around but if you need threes for a week or so Rush is def. worth owning.
Jan.8 at 7:21 pm
Emry says:
Gerard: No, good timing. He shouldn’t have been available this late.
Jan.8 at 7:26 pm
port says:
i have brewer, milicic, boobie, daniels, foye and sean williams. joe smith, conley, alston, barnes, louis williams, walton are on the waiver are any worth picking up and dropping the others.
Jan.8 at 7:34 pm
port says:
oh and i have jameer nelson.
Jan.8 at 8:09 pm
The Cool says:
I’m so glad you didn’t put Kwame on the waiver list, Emry. It probably would have gave my computer a freakin virus. play wit it.
Jan.8 at 8:10 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
in one of my winner leagues, i recently dropped salmons, before his monster game, and added kevin martin. hahaha
Jan.8 at 8:22 pm
Emry says:
Tarzan: Martin is the better pickup but dropping Salmons signifies a stacked team. Get’em.
Jan.8 at 8:24 pm
Emry says:
The Cool: I will never understand Kwame. I have seen him play some spectacular stretches. Totally dominant stuff. Remember when he was giving the Celtics work when he was on the Wizards and before the game Antoine and PP were yappin’ about how he was a bust to MJ? After Kwame was working him out MJ was giving it to them hard… that was about the peak of his career. I don’t know what his thing is… will never understand it. Does he care at all? Can’t blame the Lakers for that deal.. only as an armchair QB.
Jan.8 at 8:28 pm
Big L says:
Alright, good looking out Emry.
Jan.8 at 8:32 pm
Emry says:
Big L: Anytime and always… one more thing… if u were gonna make a play for one of them. I would go Miller, he isn’t as coveted although if you compare numbers, he’s very good, also, if you believe the trade talks that means he will be showcased.
Jan.8 at 9:42 pm
RV says:
james jones is also a good pick up, well has been for me for the last month
Jan.8 at 10:27 pm
Emry says:
RV: I covered Jones in a previous column and I love him as a player but… have you ever seen a more one dimensional guy? He makes Kyle Korver look like Josh Smith.
Jan.8 at 11:11 pm
Robbi says:
I dont really agree with the NBA Live Cover jinx. When Melo was on the cover, the Nuggets made the playoffs. When Wade was on it, they won the chip. Last year, T-Mac and the Rockets had a good run in the West before choking (as usual) in the playoffs.
Jan.8 at 11:55 pm
Emry says:
Robbi: True, I was sort of joking with that but perhaps the jinx get’s a bit stronger when a guy blogs about it openly like Gil has. Although, all your points are valid.
Jan.9 at 12:06 am
RV says:
emry he’s one dimensional on the court, but in the fantasy game i think he can help out a team different ways, in the last month he’s shot 50% FG, 88% FT, 2 3pters a game, 11 pts/game and not even one turnover per game. My league doesn’t count 3pt%, but he’s shooting almost 54% for the season.
Jan.9 at 3:51 am
Robbi says:
Emry: Lol. Just clearing things up. Love the articles, man. Does anybody still play NBA Live here???
Jan.9 at 3:54 am
Robbi says:
Because I dont. And havent since, NBA Live 2005.
Jan.9 at 4:04 am
Robbi says:
And Emry, I also think about what if fantasy hoops was popular before. Who do you think would be in the Top 10?
Jan.9 at 8:29 am
hursty says:
ive got rashard mccants in a very deep league but randy foye is still available should i pick him up 4 mcants prior to him returning from injury or let it go because i think he’ll get taken pretty quick, im worried about 1. the time he wont be playing 2. his below average… well everything, is he even good, help me out, also how many players for Joe Johnson or Josh smith (who everyone knows is a stud)
Jan.9 at 8:31 am
hursty says:
in fantasy leagues i mean. some people have weird perceptions on this sight.
Jan.9 at 8:31 am
hursty says:
in fantasy leagues i mean. some people have weird perceptions on this site.
Jan.9 at 8:35 am
Gilbert0 says:
thinking about old players, hakeem in 92/93 went for 26/13/3.5 with 2 steals and 4 blocks, shot 50% from the field and 76% from the line. that is unbelievable, I have to imagine hakeem or mj would be number pick back in the day, i havent checked by i imagine david robinson would have put up some insane numbers as well
Jan.9 at 9:27 am
t.dot dude says:
SOMEBODY ANSWER THIS.. WHEN IS TJ FORD COMMING BACK???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan.9 at 9:28 am
The Second Coming says:
per the conv. above about mike miller…he’s holding each of my 3 teams together! He doesn’t lack in any one category. I’m a big fan. Here’s a question…i’m PG-heavy and I need to get back my blocks and boards. Who should I trade for that I can get with relative ease?
Jan.9 at 9:29 am
The Second Coming says:
TJ is gonna take some time, I’d say a month from now he’s back.
Jan.9 at 9:39 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Emry, I had a funny scenario with the MJ fantasy return thing… the first time I played in a fantasy league, me and 2 friends sat around and did a draft at the beginning of Jordan’s comeback in the #45 year. Someone did take MJ in like that 10th round or whatever…
unfortunately we were too lazy to actually submit our picks to the fantasy league which was found in the back of a magazine. Long time ago.
Jan.9 at 9:49 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
emry, how is this for stacked? boobie gibson, brandon roy, kobe, josh smith, gerald wallace, rudy gay, sean williams, ilgauskas, stephen jackson, jose calderon, brendan haywood, luol deng, and kevin martin. throughout the season ive swooped boobie, sean, jose, brendan, and kmart as FAs. that is my winner league team that is doing very well, 1 game out of first. i have another team that is 1.5 out of first. of course, all that means nothing if i dont win the playoffs. and that is very tricky, i did it last year(from the 4 seed) thanks to mcdyess, nene, rondo, and warrior of the year jermaine oneal. last year a guy proposed al jefferson for jermaine, while most people would have jumped on that, i knew jo would be swatting daily down the stretch. anyways, i have a couple top notch teams, and some that are mediocre, but thats a fun challenge. also, i will no longer be doing autodrafts
Jan.9 at 11:09 am
Emry says:
Robbi: To me, NBA live is nearly unplayable now, I used to like 05 on the PS2 but they have failed to Port that game successfully to PS3, XBox360 in my opinion… that was is choppy and bunz.
Jan.9 at 11:11 am
Emry says:
Hursty: McCants is on fire right now and dropping him for Foye is a bit risky.. if you’re secure enough in the standings to do so, it’s a good move because everyone in the Wolves front court will take a hit when Foye returns. But you’re right, theres no reason to think that Foye will be a beast… this was supposed to be a jump year for him, and his injury didn’t allow us to get a glimpse of what he can do yet… that being said, he will be snatched up, so you gotta ask if you’re cool riding Mccants while another owner has Foye.
Jan.9 at 11:13 am
Emry says:
Hursty: The 2nd part of your question, how many players, I’m assuming you mean would you trade for them? Shoot, if I could trade 4 scrubs, 4… but for me J.J. is having an off year and shooting a miserable %, so he is a buy low guy right now. Good time to go get him, he’s a stud. Smith, wow! He’s unreal in fantasy, if you’ve read these columns you know how I feel about him, if he’s on your team, he’s your meal ticket… everytime I give him props I feel like I’m snuffing Jay Bilas.
Jan.9 at 11:15 am
Emry says:
Gilbert: The dream would def. have been a stud, filling that center position as well. That would have been nice… Gary Payton in his prime was a monster as well… Shaq was Dwight Howard before DH, even with the FT woes… Barkley and Malone also were monsters with points and rebounds.
Jan.9 at 11:16 am
Emry says:
T Dot: No one knows the answer to that, all I can say for sure is that TJ swears he will be back and I think he was quoted as saying once medically cleared he will only need “one day” to return to form.
Jan.9 at 11:19 am
Emry says:
The Second Coming - Darko is blocks on the cheap, if you trust Sean Williams (NETS) in the lineup he is blocks on the cheap as well… but if you’re looking to move for an actual piece for swats try Sam Dalembert, Haywood … also look at the Wire to sure up your blocks with D. Diop (esp. if Dampiers knee isn’t getting better) and Jamario Moon.
Jan.9 at 11:22 am
Emry says:
Sam: You’re a fantasy OG! That’s hilarious… was he just going off straight instinct that Mike would be back? There weren’t rumors at that point were there? He would have been deep in the baseball season when your draft went down. I didn’t know you were that seasoned in FBB. You’re like A-Wax from Menace with this news.
Jan.9 at 11:23 am
Emry says:
Tarzan: Autodrafts are for the birds man, sounds like you snatched some good players off the wire, and that chip last year… you rode that out well. That’s a good point you brought up about not moving Al for JO… people sleep on his swatting ability.
Jan.9 at 1:09 pm
RV says:
autodrafts aren’t too bad if you pre rank your players well, i’ve got josh howard, devin harris, amare, david west, rashard lewis, iverson, zydrunas, biedrins, and gordon off the autodraft, had darko, but i dropped him and have picked up FAs felton, raja, james jones, nazr
Jan.9 at 1:53 pm
Emry says:
RV: It’s not that they are bad but it’s not the team you picked, if I’m gonna ride with my boys for better or for worse I better have picked them myself… the good and the bad, feel me?
Jan.9 at 10:28 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
I’ve been debating for weeks about trading Wade, but I know I’ll never get good value. He has been solid lately, shooting almost 50% over the last month. His only downside (when healthy) are his turnovers.
Jan.10 at 2:05 am
Emry says:
I had the same thoughts about Arenas, right before my blackberry started vibrating with the news he was done for 3 months and now likely the year
Jan.10 at 1:35 pm
Ol' Marty-Mar says:
To make Shawn Bradley look husky the waiver wire must be down to like 3 active players! The Kings proved that they are a hell of a team on Tuesday night, beating Orlando without these 5 players active: Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim. They’ve got to have a trade brewing before the deadline - any ideas of who will end up where?
Jan.15 at 7:43 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
yea, gil was my no. 1 pick on a few of my teams, those are the mediocre ones now.