Derrick Rose, Bulls

We have all your Eastern Conference needs covered right here at SportsGrumblings.com.  It’s all part of our all-inclusive in-season NBA fantasy coverage.  We American types are “celebrating” Thanksgiving this week—mostly thanking the stars that the vast majority of us don’t really know what it is to struggle, really for anything.  I mean, some of us will struggle to get our top button undone or struggle to see the television from the dinner table, but actually struggle?  Puh-lease!  We have lives that permit us such indulgences as thirds and fourths of a dinner that is hedonistic in its gluttony to begin with.  We can afford to (financially and intellectually) to fret over having stomachs that are too full for us to be comfortable even if they were overstuffed with corpulence to begin with.  Hell, we even have enough leisure time to indulge in our manliest of man-tasies…fantasy sports.  If that’s not an indication of why we should be frickin’ thankful, I don’t know what is.

Atlanta Hawks: I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but, man…how good has Al Horford been?  Horford’s improved in every positive fantasy category this season while also decreasing his turnovers, so pay attention, 9-cat owners.  Considering ADP, he’s easily the most valuable center in fantasy to date. Center Zaza Pachulia is now completely irrelevant, despite having limited value lat year.  And, now getting more involved on offense, Marvin Williams is averaging 20 PPG over his last three.

Boston Celtics: Kevin Garnett is no longer an elite fantasy player, just in case those few of you that were hoping for a bounceback were still holding on to hope.  On the year, he’s been less valuable than Zach Randolph and Randolph’s a terrible basketball player.  Garnett’s down in EVERY category and that’s down from last year’s disappointing season.  KG’s still a leader, but this is Paul Pierce’s team, especially on offense with Rajon Rondo setting the pace.  Rondo doesn’t make free throes (33.3%), but he’s only attempted 24 on the year, so it’s of minimal impact.

Charlotte Bobcats: I’m starting to feel like Gerald Wallace is just not going to find his shot, not that he really has a shot to call “his”.  His 37.7% FG is killing his overall value, especially in ROTO leagues, and it’s certainly not helping his scoring average (13.7 PPG).  He’s a career 47% shooter, so this may be a good time to buy low and hope things turn around, but be aware that they may not.  Stephen Jackson, never a FG% asset, has been a useful addition to the Charlotte team.  Flip Murray too has been scoring a bit of late—almost 17 PPG over his last four.  At 4-9, this is a bad team looking for an identity.  Someone’s going to step up eventually, but whom?

Chicago Bulls: I’ve never been a sophomore slump believer, but Derrick Rose is doing his best to prove me wrong.  His scoring, and assists are down from his ROY season, and never an outside shooter to begin with, he has yet to make a single 3-point FG.  Maybe his 28 point outburst on November 21 (a season high) is a sign of things to come.  John Salmons had been getting better too, but turned in a 2/11 stinker the other night in an effort to keep his owners frustrated.  After averaging 18.3 PPG last year, he’s down a full 5 points a night.  He’ll get better, won’t he? His 34.4% FG says, yes, he will.  Buy low if you can.

Cleveland Cavaliers: What’s with the lack of love for Anthony Parker, people?  You hated him in Toronto and you hate him on the ESPN-hype machine otherwise known as the Cavilers. No, he’s not a scorer, rebounder, or passer, but savvy ROTO owners should know the value in his 2 3-pointers and 1.1 steals.  Shaq is still hurt and my H2H sleeper prognostication is starting to look silly—old and lost on offense too.  Zydrunas Ilgauskas has started five straight and has been a 10/8 player (or thereabouts) in those games.  Considering his career ratios (47.5%FG, 78.1%FT), he should get some love in H2H and ROTO.

Detroit Pistons: People seem a little peeved with Charlie Villanueva so far in this young NBA season.  His scoring and rebounding are down slightly from a season ago, so on the surface I can see why.  A closer look, however, reveals a big increase in FG% (to 48.1%) and better than a block and a 3-pointer a night.  Don’t worry, people.  Ben Wallace continues to drink from the fountain of youth as his rebounding (8.9 per game) and defense (1.3 STL, 1.4 BLK) lead the 5-9 team.  When (if ever) will Tayshaun Prince and/or Rip Hamilton come back?

Indiana Pacers: So, Troy Murphy finally saw the court again. Up until his 12 point, 1o rebound performance, he hadn’t played since November 4.  It’s good to see, but you have to be worried about his long-term prognosis.  His scoring average is down from 14.3 last year to under 10.  And, even more disconcerting, his rebounding has fallen off—from 11.8 to 9.4.  Roy Hibbert owners needn’t worry as this kid will continue to get minutes even with Murphy in the lineup.  And, another guy that looks like he’ll be around for a while (at least this year) is Dahntay Jones, as his scoring alone (1.5 PPG) makes him a nice compliment to Danny Granger.

Miami Heat: Where were you on November 18^th?  If you were in Atlanta, maybe you say the moment Michael Beasley finally figured things out.  He had good games before, but this game marked a string of 3 straight for Beast-ley.  Since then, he’s averaged 19.6 PPG and 10.0 REB on 50%FG.  Still far from being a star, he’s inching closer to being good.  As well, Jermaine O’Neal has missed one game already and he’ll miss more, but he’s enjoying his best season since way back in 06-07.  I’m buying for now, but don’t be afraid to sell either if the value is right.  EVERYONE has a price, and the trade season is just now starting to open up.

Milwaukee Bucks: Michael Redd (strained knee tendon) is shooting for a return to action this week.  With the emergence of rookie phenom Brandon Jennings, Redd may have to play second fiddle and may be relegated to settling for lower percentage perimeter shots—temper expectations accordingly.  Oft-injured center Andrew Bogut is hurt yet again and will miss four weeks.  Look for some combination of Ersan Ilyasova, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (day to day), and even [cough] Dan Gadzuric [cough] to attempt to fill frontcourt minutes.

New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris is finally back on the court.  That’s good.  His 12 point, 7 assist performance…we’ll give him an incomplete for now.  He’ll play and he’ll produce—both as long as he’s healthy, but it’s become quite clear that he’s going to have trouble staying healthy.  Rafer Alston hasn’t been terrible as a replacement (10.2 points, 4.8 assists), but his 33%FG is a ROTO killer.  Terrence Williams is learning on the job, but judging by his 35.6% FG, he’s got a lot of learning to do.  There’s a reason this team is still winless, BTW.

New York Knicks: After averaging a robust 22.7 PPG in two October contests, Danilo Gallinari’s scoring average has been cut in half in November.  His scoreless outing on November 18 was quite telling.  He’s young, so expect occasional (or more) bad outings.  Expect a lot of hit and miss (mostly miss) with the Knicks.  This is not a high percentage team with only David Lee and surprising Toney Douglass shooting better than 50% among players playing any significant minutes.  Oh, if you’re holding on to Chris Duhon because you need assists…STOP!  Duhon’s under 25% from the field on the year now, and that’s a direct reflection of how well he’s played.

Orlando Magic: Rashard Lewis is back after serving his drug-related suspension.  He’s been rusty, especially from downtown (17.4% 3PTM).  He’ll get better, especially with Dwight Howard keeping the middle so bunched.  Jason “White Chocolate” Williams is being allowed to turn back the clock following an injury to Jameer Nelson (big surprise there).  Williams may be worth an add in deeper (14 teams or more) leagues, if only for his assists.  He is the leader (PG) of an elite team (11-3), so you could do worse.

Philadelphia 76ers: Mareese Speights (13.5 PPG, 6.7 REB) going out with an injury is the best thing to happen to Elton Brand since he arrived in Philadelphia.  Brand’s minutes have jumped from the mid-20’s to the mid-30’s, and his production has increased almost exponentially.  Over his last three, Brand is averaging 19.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and a whopping 3.7 blocks.  Along with Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams, the Sixers now have three viable fantasy players, to say nothing of Thaddeus Young, who’s averaging 13.4 PPG.  Samuel Dalembert, a popular add following the Speights injury, has yet to see his playing time or production increase.

Toronto Raptors: Outside threat Marco Belinelli, a name we talked about in last week’s Hello, ROTO is now injured (right groin).  The team filled in for his absence, not with more minutes by rookie DeMar DeRozan, but by going small—playing Jarett Jack for 32 minutes.  Jack racked up 11 assists, BTW.  The more Jack plays, the less value the slumping Jose Calderon and Hedo Turkoglu will have.

Washington Wizards: The good news…Caron Butler has only missed one game so far.  The bad?  This second round pick (on average) has produced more like a 10^th rounder: 16.8 points, 7.0 points, and 1.2 assists all on only 40% FG.  With Antwan Jamison finally back for injury, and only so many shots to go around, maybe this will be as good as Butler will get.  Early surprise

Andray Blatche is back on the bench, but still looks to be the first option should really anyone in the frontcourt go down with an injury.

Care for another heaping helping of East Coast Bias, or want more of another tasty dish?  Contact me directly with all your questions: damianschaab@sportsgrumblings.com