NBA Monday Tipps: Early Season NBA Fantasy Surprises
After the first full week of NBA action, there are a handful of players who are really showing improvement in their game and becoming useful daily fantasy contributors. Of course, there are also a few who have really busted. I’ve included some guys you may want to start using for your daily fantasy team, as well as a few to avoid until they show signs of life.
Early Season NBA Surprises to the Upside:
Spencer Hawes (PHI) – I’m not sure how much longer Hawes can shoot 68% from the field, especially when he’s only a career 46% shooter, but enjoy the ride while it lasts. He’s also produced a 5.7 rebound and 1.0 block average over his career, so I’m not sure if the 12.5 rebounds/game and 1.8 blocks/game numbers are going to hold either. He’s still young at 23 and it’s really difficult to tell how much is increased skill versus simple variation at this point, but he’s a cheap play on just about every site and should be played until his numbers start slipping.
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – Cleveland made the smart choice and decided to start Irving over Ramon Sessions and he has rewarded them with some great performances. He’s one of those rare point guards who can post stats in scoring (13.3/game), rebounds (4.0/game), assists (5.0/game), steals (1.0/game) and threes (1.0/game). He’s even thrown in .8 blocks in a small sample. His price will surely start to creep up soon, so enjoy the cheap price tag while lasts.
Jeff Teague (ATL) – Teague is the starter at PG this year for the Hawks and he doesn’t have any competition for minutes until Kirk Hinrich returns from injury rehab. Teague is never going to be an upper tier PG, but he should be able to consistently put up 13-15 points a game with 5-6 assists, a handful of rebounds and a steal per game.
MarShon Brooks (NJN) – Brooks has performed better than just about anyone predicted. He’s averaged 12.2 points a game in his first four. His per/36 stats are very impressive showing 22.2 points/game, 5.6 rebounds/game with 3.7 three pointers attempted. Keep an eye on his minutes and if it looks like he’s going to start getting 30 MPG, start giving him a serious look.
Boris Diaw (CHA) – The Bobcats traded away Kwame Brown, so they have no real center and have moved Diaw to the position in a small ball lineup. It’s been a great move for Diaw fantasy owners who have seen him put up 10 points/game, 8.8 rebounds/game and 6.5 assists/game. He should also gain center eligibility soon in Yahoo and ESPN season long leagues.
Paul George (IND) – George has taken over the starting SG spot for the Pacers due to his defense, but his fantasy stats are starting to show improvement. So far this season he’s averaged 9.8 points/game, 5.0 rebounds/game, 2.5 assists/game, 1.3 steals/game and .8 blocks/game. George Hill could cut into his minutes, but George should still consistently get 30 MPG.
Ryan Anderson (ORL) – It’s pretty clear now why Orlando was willing to part with Brandon Bass. Anderson has grabbed the starting PF spot in Orlando and doesn’t look like he’s going to be giving it up anytime soon. He’s averaged 20.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He’s also been deadly with the three ball averaging 9.0 3PA per game and hitting 46.7% of them. He’s the new Channing Frye.
Kyle Lowry (HOU) – Lowry isn’t a huge surprise for good performances, but he’s exceeded even the best predictions that I’d seen for him coming into the season. He’s averaging 13.3 points/game, 6.3 rebounds/game and a huge 11.5 assists/game. I wouldn’t expect too much dropoff for Lowry as the season progresses, he looks like the real deal.
Ricky Rubio (MIN) – I have no idea who is making the decision to start Ridnour over Rubio, but they should be fired, immediately. With 35 minutes a game, Rubio could post a triple double. He’s a much better rebounded than I’d expected and has a pretty nice shot from three point range.
Chauncey Billups (LAC) – A lot of people discarded Billups when the Clippers obtained Chris Paul, but Billups was plugged into the starting SG spot and it seems like he’s going to get solid minutes there. He’s averaging 16.0 points/game, which is his career average, but the assists have dropped from a career average of 5.6 down to 2.5 per game in 2012. He’s still great value most nights.
Jarrett Jack (NOR) – Jack is locked in as the starting PG for the Hornets and he’s been producing like a middle tier fantasy option putting up 13.0 points/game with 7.0 assists. His price tag on just about every site is still very low, which makes him great value.
Early Season NBA Surprises to the Downside:
Kevin Garnett (BOS) – Age is quickly catching up with Garnett. He’s looking like a lower tier fantasy option averaging just 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game so far, and that was even with Paul Pierce out. Now that Pierce is back, Garnett could even see fewer shots.
Jason Richardson (ORL) – Richardson has been reduced to standing on the three point line waiting for the ball, and even then he isn’t doing much with it, hitting just 16.7% from three over the first five games. The 9.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game aren’t worth the inflated salary price and he’s in real danger of losing his spot to J. J. Redick.
Stephen Jackson (MIL) – I’m not sure if Jackson is unhappy, injured or just getting old. Maybe even a combination of all three. His performance has been horrible this season with just 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Avoid him until he snaps out of it.
Vince Carter (DAL) – I think he lasted one half of one game as the starting SG for the Mavs. Delonte West now owns the spot. Carter is nothing more than a bench player for the Mavs.
Brendan Haywood (DAL) – He’s still starting for now, but might lose the spot to Ian Mahinmi, which speaks volumes about Haywood’s skills.
Dorell Wright (GSW) – I’m not sure what the problem is with Wright. The Warriors have been missing either Stephen Curry or Monta Ellis for most of the first week and Wright hasn’t been able to put up a single decent fantasy line. Maybe last season was a career year and we are seeing regression to the mean with Wright.
Michael Beasley (MIN) – Beasley has looked horrible and he’s in real danger of losing his starting job to rookie Derrick Williams. Beasley is a simple two category player. He’s holding his rebounding numbers, but his shooting is off, hitting only 39.7% of his shots. I’m sure the Wolves will give him time to correct the shooting, but it’s going to be a very unpredictable ride so avoid him until he gets it straightened out.
Serge Ibaka (OKC) – His minutes have been way down and they just refuse to let him touch the ball in the offense. He doesn’t take that many shots anyway and is a tough daily play if he’s only going to get 25 minutes a game. He is still getting the blocks for season long fantasy owners though.
Chris Kaman (NOR) – I really thought the Hornets would give Kaman some run in the starting center spot with Okafor moving to PF, but it hasn’t worked that way. Kaman is averaging just 23.5 minutes a game, and that just isn’t playable in daily leagues.
Channing Frye (PHO) – Not sure what happened to his shot, but he’s trying to lose his starting spot to Hakeem Warrick, which is a pretty big fall.
DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) – The Kings knew Cousins was a headcase before drafting him and now they are paying the price. Sometimes you can have all the talent in the world, but if the maturity isn’t there, it’s a complete waste.