Fantasy NBA: Week 3 (11/4-11/11)

Just two weeks into the fantasy season, there are already some incredible things happening in the NBA (see Freaky Friday). Find out who’s hot in the wonderful world of fantasy basketball.

Freaky Friday:
I have never seen anything quite like what happened on the night of Friday the 9th. 25 Players had double figure rebound games. Shawn Marion, Emeka Okafor, and Dwight Howard grabbed 20+ boards; KG had 19. Three Lakers -- Odom, Mihm, and Bynum -- snatched 10 rebounds. Reserve guard Devin Brown had 11 of his own. Granted, there were13 games, though two double digit rebounders per game isn’t too shabby.

Players of the Week:

• Andrei Kirilenko -- Kirilenko owners should be jumping for joy. Don’t jump anywhere near Andrei -- the impact of your landing could sprain his ankle. Injury jokes aside, Kirilenko has totaled 8 steals and 4 blocks in his last two games, in both of which he narrowly missed getting triple doubles. I would say sell high because chances that he consistently plays this well are slim, but who knows. When healthy and emotionally stable, Kirilenko is a top 15 fantasy player.

• Marvin Williams -- He continues to make his case for the league’s most improved player… He is fresh off a 20 point, 12 rebound, 6 assist, 1 block performance.

• Udonis Haslem -- Pat Riley, your wish has been granted -- Udonis is averaging a double-double. Haslem is exactly what I look for in a budget fantasy power forward. Great source of rebounds, solid source of points and field goal percentage, and based on his performances thus far this year, he’ll even give you a block and a steal per night.

• John Salmons -- So far Salmons has been the best bargain in the NBA. He is averaging 20, 4, and 4 while filling in for Mike Bibby (who will not return to action for another 10 weeks or so) and Ron Artest, who is due back from suspension on Wednesday. The pending return of Artest should not impede Salmons’s progress to any great degree.

• Chris Paul/Peja Stojakovic -- It is no coincidence that Chris Paul dished out 21 assists on the same night his teammate Peja Stojakovic drained a New Orleans Hornets record 10 three-pointers.

• Bonzi Wells -- Should be owned in all leagues! I do not claim that Bonzi Buddy (remember that lovable purple desktop gorilla?) will undoubtedly continue to ball the way he did in his previous two games, but his potential is just too great to pass up at this point. When on top of his game, he is one of the best thefts in the league as well as a top-rebounding swingman. Theoretically, he should thrive under Rick Adelman, as he did in Sacramento.

Other Notes:

• Ron Artest returns to action on Wednesday. I’m not sure how smart it is to try and explain what is going on his Artest’s mind. That being said, he is playing each game for his next contract (he is a free agent at the end of the year), and I expect him to put up some of the best numbers of his career.

• Dwyane Wade should be returning to action anytime now. He will be eased into his minutes, though 20 minutes of D-Wade is better than a full game of all non-elite fantasy ballers.

• Conley vs. Lowry: An interesting situation is unfolding in Memphis. Veteran Damon Stoudamire is currently the Grizzlies’ starting point guard, though he is the team’s worst fantasy option at that position. Going into the season I was a huge fan of Kyle Lowry’s. The Philly-bred tough guy is one of the most tenacious defenders in the league and can dish with the best of them. For a guard, his boards are on point, and he has no problem with putting points on the board. However, Lowry has had somewhat of a disappointing season. Carpe diem, Mike Conley Jr.! Conley totaled 10 points, 9 assists, and only 2 turnovers in 23 minutes on Saturday. At this point I am staying loyal to Lowry, but make sure to keep tabs on Conley.
  

Reader Question:
“Why isn’t Jason Terry starting? His numbers have still been solid, but there aren’t too many bench players that are worth having in fantasy leagues.” ~ Paul
Like you said, Terry has maintained his high level of efficiency off the bench for the Mavericks. Just like Leandro Barbosa, starter or 6th man, Terry remains a legitimate fantasy threat. His assist to turnover ratio is among the best in the league, and he is also a great source of points and threes.

Email me your questions @ dwolin@gmail.com!