Here’s a look at some fantasy basketball players that blew up the box score last night.
J.J. Hickson, Cleveland Cavaliers 33 MIN, 15 PTS, 7-9 FG, 1-3 FT, 7 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO
Hickson bounced back from a dud to post another solid game for the Cavs.
Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat 38 MIN, 30 points, 9-15 FG, 7-9 FT, 5 3PM, 1 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 2 TO
Chalmers more than tripled his scoring average. He’s worth owning, but he mainly provides steals and assists.
Jarrett Jack, Toronto Raptors 31 MIN, 17 PTS, 5-9 FG, 4-4 FT, 3 3PM, 3 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL
Jack had his first double-digit scoring performance of the year. Until he shows he can produce consistently, he’s not worth owning.
Kyle Lowry, Houston Rockets
27 MIN, 14 PTS, 4-9 FG, 5-7 FT, 1 3PM, 3 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO
Lowry is a decent source for assists. He doesn’t typically help in other categories.
James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder 26 MIN, 25 PTS, 8-11 FG, 5-6 FT, 4 3PM, 4 REB, 1 AST, 4 STL, 2 TO
The silky smooth Harden put up his second straight big game. Looks like the Rookie is figuring some things out.
Ronald Murray, Charlotte Bobcats 28 MIN, 17 PTS, 5-10 FG, 7-10 FT, 5 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO
Another solid game for Murray, who has been playing better since Stephen Jackson’s arrival.
Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trail Blazers 38 MIN, 19 PTS, 6-11 FG, 4-5 FT, 3 3PM, 4 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 4 TO
Ferndandez continues to produce for Portland while Travis Outlaw is out.
Rasual Butler, Los Angeles Clippers 34 MIN, 27 PTS, 8-15 FG, 7-7 FT, 4 3PM, 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 TO
Butlers has been up and down, and will lose value when the Clippers will start getting healthy.
Here’s a look at some fantasy basketball players that blew up the box score last night.
Jared Dudley, Phoenix Suns 28 MIN, 17 PTS, 5-G FG, 2-2 FT, 5 3pM, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 TO
Dudley has been pulling down a fair amount of rebounds for a wing player, and draining three-pointers. He’s inconsistent, but has been pretty solid over his last nine games.
Darren Collison, New Orleans Hornets 32 MIN, 15 PTS, 4-15 FG, 6-6 FT, 1 3PM, 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO
He shot terribly, but finished with a good rebound total for a Point Guard, and a decent assist total.
Marcus Thornton, New Orleans Hornets 20 MIN, 19 PTS, 7-12 FG, 3-4 FT, 2 3PM, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2 TOs
Thornton continues his strong play, averaging 15.8 points over his last four games. The Hornets only play two games next week so I wouldn’t necessarily add him.
George Hill, San Antonio Spurs 30 MIN, 18 PTS, 7-17 FG, 3-4 FT, 1 3PM, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 TO
Hill continues to be an effective scorer for the Spurs. He’s averaging 16.8 points per game over his past five.
Brad Miller, Chicago Bulls 29 MIN, 15 PTS, 4-8 FG, 7-9 FT, 5 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 1 TO
Brad has hit double-digits in three straight games, but he has been so up and down this year, he’s tough to trust.
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers 34 MIN, 24 PTS, 9-15 FG, 6-6 FT, 13 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK, 2 TOs
Simply pointing out that Pau is back.
Brady Quinn Medicine Woman - I think Jane Seymour could have played a better game.
Not Cutlering It - Five INTS. Even for a Bears QB, that’s just not cutting it.
Rottenberger - Big Ben let his fantasy owners down with a 174 yard, zero TD effort.
Sound Off Like You’ve Got a Pierre - Pierre Thomas had just 42 total yards against the Rams. Really?
Phony Maroney - My RB has a first name, F-U-M-B-L-E. He’s the real reason the Pats lost.
Very Much Vincible – Vincent Jackson had a whooping ten yards last week.
Lump of Colston - Marques Colston’s 13 total yards was the fantasy equivalant of coal in your stocking.
The Green Miles - If you started Austin Miles last week, you were likely a Dead Man Walking.
Witten the Hell is Wrong - Jason Witten has yet to crack double-digit fantasy points in non-PPR leagues.
Vernon Down the House - After a measly 16 yards, it must have felt like he burned your house down.
You’ve got to be Kaeding Me - It’s been four weeks since Nate Kaeding has been a top 12 fantasy Kicker.
Folk Face - After your kicker got you a mere one point, I’m sure plenty of expletives were flying.
Derek Jeter has broken the hearts of women almost as much as he has Red Sox fans over the years. In honor of his great taste in women, here’s a look at some of the hotties he’s dated over the years.
This Week’s Topic:
Thinking back to the players that you targeted in drafts at the beginning of the season, which 1 or 2 players have been the biggest disappointments? What kind of additional information do you think you could use to avoid selecting this type of underachieving player in 2010 ?
My Response:
A couple of players that I targeted in fantasy drafts this year were Calvin Johnson and Carolina’s Steve Smith. Both Wide Receivers were coming off of big years and came with high expectations.
However, a closer look at both of their situations would have revealed some red flags. Calvin Johnson had little talent around him on offense to take away some of the pressure that he faces from week to week. He also had to rely on an unproven Rookie QB in Matthew Stafford or washed up Daunte Culpepper. When you consider that he was being drafted ahead of Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Wes Welker, and Vincent Jackson it just makes you cringe.
There were warning signs for Steve Smith as well, that many chose to ignore. First of all he plays for a run-first offense. Plus, Carolina did not provide him a legitimate complimentary receiver. They don’t have a solid #2 WR, slot receiver, or even a pass-catching Tight End. It’s Smith and that’s it. Finally, the way Jake Delhomme imploded in the playoffs, especially when the Panther didn’t solidify their QB depth, should have been the last straw.
Next year, when I am investing an early pick on a Wide Receiver I am going to make sure he has a stable QB.
Cedric Benson (hip) didn’t practice this week. With Oakland on tap, I would be shocked if the Bengals risked Ced’s health this week.
Bernard Berrian (hamstring) and Brett Favre were both limited in practice today. They should both be fine against Seattle, but only Favre is worth a starting fantasy spot this week.
Steve Breaston (knee) was limited in practice again, but remains a strong WR3 this week against St. Louis.
I’m sure by now you’ve heard that Ronnie Brown is out for the year. I had high hopes for him coming into the year as he was over a year removed from his 2007 season-ending knee injury. He didn’t disappoint until he hurt his foot. That isn’t comforting to the fantasy owner (myself included) who is scrambling to replace him. His keeper and dynasty value took just as big of a hit. Can you really count on him as one of your key players?
Reggie Bush (knee) missed practice today. I’m starting to worry about his availability. Pierre Thomas owners should have their fingers crossed that he misses the game against Tampa Bay.
Todd Heap (ribs) missed practice. Now that the bye weeks are over, feel free to cut him loose if you have a solid starting TE.
Brandon Marshall (back) was able to practice today. I’d have a lot more faith in him if his QB situation wasn’t so shaky. Kyle Orton (ankle) is trying to gut it out and Chris Simms was awful last week. You have to play him if he’s good to go, but don’t expect another strong showing.
