Happy Holidays, all.  I hope Santa was good to you and filled your stocking with plenty of hustle stats and waiver wire gems.  If he didn’t, then you came to the right place as we will delve into a pair of guys who may get you through the next few weeks.  A coaching change in Chicago may have opened up some more time for a cagey veteran, and a missing point guard in New York…well, let’s just say that things are not pretty in the Big Apple.  But this doesn’t mean that we can’t take advantage.  Right?  Right.  As we roll into the New Year, enjoy this week’s edition of Treasure Hunting.

Joe Smith, PF, Chicago Bulls

While many of us were spending the holiday weekend being thankful for what we have, Scott Skiles was given the pink slip as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.  Specifically on Christmas Eve, Skiles was let go after the Bulls started the season off with a 9-16 record – a win total far under the expectations given to the team from the windy city before the season.

Before Skiles was shown the curb, he started one of the smaller line-ups in the NBA with former first overall selection Joe Smith at center.  Smith didn’t exactly capitalize on the minutes by putting up a mere six points and three rebounds.  After four straight games of single-digit scoring, those that gave Smith a chance in their fantasy leagues had likely cut bait.

But not so fast.  In the last two games, Joe Smith has averaged 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and two blocks per game.  The only down side to this is that he hasn’t been given center eligibility even though he has logged in some minutes down low.  On the bright side, the Bulls suit up four times next week while teams like the Lakers only suit up twice. 

While Smith will likely have to split some time with Tyrus Thomas as well as rookies Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray, he provides the veteran leadership that a new coach loves to have on the floor.  If you’re struggling at the forward position, or have a two-game player going next week, even if Joe Smith gives you mediocre numbers, you will benefit from four times the love.  Give him a shot in deeper formats.  You won’t be disappointed.

Nate Robinson, PG/SG, New York Knicks

Like a train wreck that you just can’t stop watching, the New York Knicks continue to roll on.  The latest fiasco is that power forward Zach Randolph, despite making more than most of the NBA, is coming off of the bench as head coach Isiah Thomas feels that it helps the “chemistry.” 

What also seems to be helping the chemistry is the fact that All-World nightmare Stephon Marbury is on a “hiatus” with the team and is reportedly not returning until after the New Year.  The main beneficiary of the Missing Marbury has been the 5’9” guard Nate Robinson.  While he isn’t starting just yet, Robinson has tallied double figures in the last four contests, including a bevy of three-point field goals.  What may be even better is that one of the shortest players in the league pulled down nine rebounds in a recent game against the Los Angeles Lakers – more rebounds than Andrew Bynum recorded in the same game. 

While Robinson fails to give you typical point guard stats (assists, steals), he is a solid source of scoring and three pointers, and may even show up in the occasional highlight reel given his size and tenacity on the court.  Returning “after the New Year” is about as vague as it gets, so with the Knicks being a huge disaster right now, Robinson is worth the addition until Marbury returns and strings together several solid nights.