Dennis Velasco

The NBA regular season is over, and with it, the fantasy basketball season. For those that did well, congratulations! For those that didn’t, you were probably hit with the injury bug to a significant player on your roster, saying nothing about your true skill in playing pretend NBA. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. Sigh.

That said, let’s take a look at those players that exceeded expectations, as well as those that fell flat on their faces.

NOTE: All players needed to have appeared in 50 games in order to qualify below (so, no Jeremy Lin) and Yahoo! O-Rank represents the ranking of past and projected performance while Yahoo! Rank represents the ranking for this season.

All-Good Value

Ryan Anderson, PF/C, Orlando Magic
Yahoo! O-Rank: 103; Yahoo! Rank: 8
61 G; 16.1 PPG; 43.9 FG%; 87.7 FT%; 2.7 3PTM; 7.7 RPG; 0.9 APG; 0.8 SPG; 0.4 BPG

Anderson didn’t exactly come out of nowhere, as he averaged double-digits in points (10.6) the previous season, as well as 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 three-pointers, all in about 10 less minutes per compared to this season. It seems all that he needed was some significant burn to produce, but who knew that he would beat out Glen Davis for the starting four spot from the get-go? Anderson is an excellent shooter but many say that his stats are only the result of playing with Dwight Howard. Well, in 10 April games without D12, Anderson averaged 16.3 points, 43.2 FG%, 96.0 FT%, 1.9 3PTM and 9.0 rebounds in 37.2 minutes. Not bad for someone who probably went undrafted in most leagues.

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This week, I’m going to throw out a dozen names to help you win your fantasy basketball championship. Also, if your league allows streaming — the practice of picking up multiple players off the waiver wire willy-nilly to accumulate stats — then this week’s TFJO should help you out. Good luck!

Waiver Wire Considerations

Kenneth Faried, PF, Denver Nuggets (43% owned in Yahoo! leagues)
In the past week (four games), Faried produced a double-double in three of four games and did nicely on the defensive stats. He averaged 15.0 points, 59.5 FG%, 80.0 FT% (5.0 FTA), 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in only 27 minutes of play. In those three games, the Nuggets won. In fact, when Faried achieves a double-double and starts (eight games), the Nuggets are 8-0. In the one game that Faried double-doubled, but didn’t start, the Nuggets lost 103-102 to the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s run for the playoffs time and the Nuggets would do well to give Faried the minutes, which would benefit his owners as well.

Matt Barnes, SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (16%)
Since Kobe Bryant has been out, Andrew Bynum hasn’t been the only Laker stepping up his game. In the past week (four games), Barnes averaged 14.3 points, 67.7 FG%, 71.4 FT% (1.8 FTA), 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in 27.5 minutes of play. Who knows when Kobe comes back and if the Lakers keep playing well without him (4-1, including four in a row), the team may choose to rest Bean for the playoffs to the benefit of players such as Barnes and….

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The fantasy hoops playoffs continue and if you’ve gotten this far, congrats on that, but there’s still a couple of weeks to go before you can breath that sigh of relief and exaltation as champion! Below are eight players to consider as you make your run for a title. Good luck!

Waiver Wire Considerations

Randy Foye, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers (36% owned in Yahoo! leagues)
Foye has played a significant roll in the Clippers winning seven of their last eight games and in the past week (five games), during which he’s averaged 19.2 points, 44.2 FG%, 100.0 FT% (2.0 FTA), 3.6 three-pointers, 3.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Foye has obviously been contributing all over the place offensively, particularly in treys. However, defensively, he’s giving you nothing, which is probably why he gets less burn on the court (32.5 minutes per game last week) than he could, considering the offensive output. Regardless, there’s a good chance he’s available in your league, so if you need some offensive punch during your playoff run, Foye is an excellent option.

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It’s fantasy basketball playoffs time in most leagues and every decision has tremendous implications in whether or not you advance towards a championship. Below are eight players that could help any fantasy hoops team. Ironic since three of them play for a franchise that they can’t help towards anything but a high lottery pick. Good luck to all!

Waiver Wire Considerations

Mike Dunleavy, SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks (49% owned in Yahoo! leagues)
Dunleavy is doing damage as he comes off the pine for the Bucks and he’s doing it big in the month of March as he seems to be finding his stride. In 14 March games, Dunleavy averaged 15.6 points, 56.9 FG%, 88.0 FT% (1.8 FTA), 2.3 treys, 3.9 boards and 3.1 assists in almost 29 minutes per contest. Other than the defensive categories, he’s been contributing for his fantasy owners. In the past week (four games), Dunleavy averaged 15.5 points, 64.9 FG%, 50.0 FT% (1.0 FTA), 3.0 threes, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 dimes, which is basically in line with what’s he’s been doing for the month. If he’s available in your league, grab him with the quickness.

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It’s getting to be crunch time for most fantasy basketball leagues with just one week left in the regular season. Below are six suggestions to help you get over the top and into the 74th annual Hunger Games! Err, I mean fantasy basketball postseason. Good luck, everyone. Paz!

Waiver Wire Considerations

Jason Thompson, PF/C, Sacramento Kings (43% owned in Yahoo! leagues)
Thompson has always had the tools to succeed and is one of those players that only need some consistency to really take it to that next level in his development. If there’s any time to start doing it, it’s now during his fourth season. Things are looking good if his recent play is any indication. In the past week (four games), Thompson, in 33.5 minutes per game, averaged 16.8 points, 60.9 FG%, 78.6 FT% (3.5 FTA), 13.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and a less-than-stellar 0.5 blocks despite his height and length. But, it’s hard to complain about the other stats considering he’s had five double-doubles in his last five games. If you need contributions in points, boards and field goal percentage, Thompson is a great choice. Since the All-Star break (14 games), he’s shooting 54.6% from the field and averaging 10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in about 27 minutes per contest.

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