It’s Crunch Time, Folks 01.31.2008 - Updated on 01.31.2008
 | | | | | | | | | | With many Fantasy Leagues quickly coming up on their Trading and Free Agent deadlines, it’s time for those stretch run decisions. Will your team be able to make the cut or not?
No one likes to lose, and I certainly do not and will not advocate tanking, however, like the Pro’s a Fantasy owner must face realistic decisions for the best interests of the franchise’s future. It is very true that with the start of the playoffs the season starts fresh, and I’ve seen teams that I wouldn’t have predicted at the outset of the season as a potential front runner get hot at just the right time. So, if you feel it then act on it.
As any team can get hit with an injury at any given time that could cripple their chances, a smart owner looks at his depth to be able to weather those issues. Results in the playoffs are not always about the best starting five, but who has the deepest roster depth. In a competitive league being two stars deep at multiple positions on your roster is unheard of, so take stock of your strengths and if at all possible look at getting the NBA backups of your starters where your depth is weak. This way if your starter goes down, at least you know you’ve got the guy who’ll be given the minutes and not be left in the lurch.
Conversely, if you’re on the bubble of making it to the post season, see your roster starting to age, have had your key players starting to get injured more frequently and production gradually decrease, then it’s time to start thinking long-term and building for the future.
Look to shop those high priced veterans that could still help out a contender this year, for a youngster or draft picks that you can stash away for the future. Don’t believe that you need to give away everyone; be smart. If there are players that could still have trade value in the off-season, you’re not going to miss out, so you can afford to wait for the best deal you can get.
With winning in mind, I’ve put together the key players at each position that you want to shoot for down the stretch, followed by my sleepers that may be available in your league’s Free Agent pool:
*Cream of the Crop numbers = Season (Last 10 G’s)
Centers
Cream of the Crop
Dwight Howard, Orl 42.36 (39.10)
Yao Ming, Hou 37.87 (39.00)
Chris Kaman, LAC 36.75 (33.20)
Chris Bosh, Tor 35.75 (41.80)
Amare Stoudemire, Pho 35.70 (39.30)
Tim Duncan, SA 35.35 (40.30)
Who’s Hot - Last 10 Games numbers
Pau Gasol, Mem 40.80
Al Jefferson, Min 35.60
Brad Miller, Sac 34.80
Andrew Bogut, Mil 33.30
Marcus Camby, Den 32.90
Shaquille O’Neal, Mia 29.67
Key Injuries
Andrew Bynum, LAL - May miss the rest of the Fantasy Season
Injury Replacements
Kwame Brown, LAL - Will get the bulk of Bynum’s minutes
Power Forwards
Cream of the Crop
Dwight Howard, Orl 42.36 (39.10)
Chris Bosh, Tor 35.75 (41.80)
Amare Stoudemire, Pho 35.70 (39.30)
Tim Duncan, SA 35.35 (40.30)
David West, NO 33.18 (37.11)
Dirk Nowitzki, Dal 35.90 (37.10)
Who’s Hot - Last 10 Games numbers
Pau Gasol, Mem 40.80
Al Jefferson, Min 35.60
Kevin Garnett, Bos 35.50
Marcus Camby, Den 32.90
Tyson Chandler, NO 28.90
LaMarcus Aldridge, Por 28.70
Key Injuries
Nene Hilario, Den - May miss the rest of the Fantasy Season
Jermaine O’Neal, Ind - Could miss more than a month
Injury Replacements
Linas Kleiza, Den - Had career game last week
Shawne Williams, Ind - Has performed well filling in for JO
Small Forwards
Cream of the Crop
LeBron James, Cle 48.09 (49.90)
Carmelo Anthony, Den 38.13 (39.20)
Josh Smith, Atl 34.31 (35.20)
Gerald Wallace, Cha 34.26 (42.20)
Shawn Marion, Pho 32.26 (33.67)
Who’s Hot - Last 10 Games numbers
Antawn Jamison, Was 33.20
Caron Butler, Was 33.80
Andre Iguodala, Phi 32.40
Rudy Gay, Mem 31.89
Lamar Odom, LAL 29.89
Danny Granger, Ind 29.30
Key Injuries
Luol Deng, Chi - Has been battling nagging achilles issue
Grant Hill, Pho - Probably out another month
Injury Replacements
Andres Nocioni, Chi - Should get the bulk of Deng’s minutes
Raja Bell, Pho - Has been filling in and doing it well
Shooting Guards
Cream of the Crop
LeBron James, Cle 48.09 (49.90)
Kobe Bryant, LAL 40.92 (41.00)
Allen Iverson, Den 39.10 (38.40)
Dwayne Wade, Mia 38.53 (36.33)
Gerald Wallace, Cha 34.26 (42.20)
Who’s Hot - Last 10 Games numbers
Jason Richardson, Cha 36.60
Caron Butler, Was 33.80
Andre Iguodala, Phi 32.40
Kevin Martin, Sac 31.80
Jamal Crawford, NY 30.60
Chauncey Billups, Det 30.20
Key Injuries
Mike Miller, Mem - Has been battling thru back issues
Injury Replacements
Kyle Lowry, Mem - Would split time Miller misses
Point Guards
Cream of the Crop
Allen Iverson, Den 39.10 (38.40)
Baron Davis, GS 38.40 (38.40)
Chris Paul, NO 38.16 (38.20)
Deron Williams, Uta 32.83 (33.50)
Jason Kidd, NJ 32.61 (33.20)
Steve Nash, Pho 33.38 (32.33)
Who’s Hot - Last 10 Games numbers
Mo Williams, Mil 31.33
Brandon Roy, Por 30.90
Jamal Crawford, NY 30.60
Chauncey Billups, Det 30.20
Jose Calderon, Tor 29.10
Rafer Alston, Hou 28.30
Key Injuries
Gilbert Arenas, Was - Could be back for the playoffs, or not TJ Ford, Tor - Could end up missing the entire season Stephon Marbury, NY - Who knows when or if he’ll be back Jameer Nelson, Orl - On and off again Foot injuries
Injury Replacements
Antonio Daniels, Was - Daniels has had his own issues Roger Mason, Was - Impressive starts when Daniels out Jose Calderon, Tor - The Raptors haven’t missed a beat Nate Robinson, NY - Has been excelling for the Knicks Carlos Arroyo, Orl - Will benefit with Nelson out
Free Agent Sleepers
PF Josh Boone, NJ - Making the most of his extended minutes, could be a 35+ guy soon.
PG Anthony Carter, Den - Another guy below the radar, has been feeding AI and Melo all season,
and can score too.
PG Anthony Johnson, Atl - Very quietly put together a nice season, and under many team’s radars.
PF Carl Landry, Hou - The ‘rook has held his own and could earn much more time as a result of
his play.
SG Kareem Rush, Ind - Has made the most of extended minutes, averaging close to 30 Fantasy Pts per game this past week.
SG Thabo Sefalosha, Chi - Watch out, with Deng’s issues he’s had more minutes threw up over 20 a game this past week.
When taking stock of everything remember, it’s all about the ring…
 |
|
| | |
No profanity or inaproppriate remarks. All i.p. addresses will be saved and abuse/hate posts will be reported to providers and authorities as part of the anti-spam act of 2003, thank you for posting comments on the articles only. | | | |
|
|
|
