By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer
Admittedly, the coverage on basketball has been a little weak around these parts, but without further ado, I introduce to you a spanking new article – Hoops Scoop. Before long, all the kids will be talking about it…
Brandon Roy is an excellent buy low candidate right now. Portland will find him minutes, and after a lengthy amount of time off due to injury, his hot start is long forgotten.
Andrew Bogut is another guy I’d target as a buy low option. His overall numbers really haven’t improved much from his rookie season, but he’s averaging 14.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists over his last five games. There isn’t a better passing big man in the game.
Earl Boykins is a strong play in the short-term. He should be owned in all leagues at this point. That has to be the smallest backcourt of all-time, right? He and A.I. weigh 290 lbs combined.
One of the best pickups of the year has to be Al Jefferson. He’s hauled in double-digit rebounds in eight straight games and should see an increase in scoring with Paul Pierce out. Available at center in most formats, Jefferson is all of a sudden living up to expectations and is fast becoming a fantasy stud.
What’s going on with Andrei Kirilenko? Not only is he an injury waiting to happen but is also averaging just 9.1 points per game? The guy is taking six measly shots per contest. He’s still extremely valuable, but he might want to start using his time more wisely.
Shaun Livingston is quietly coming into his own. Sam Cassell is both injured and relegated to the bench, with Livingston the future at point. Go get him before it’s too late. Speaking of, how bad are the Clippers? 2-10 on the road isn’t exactly getting it done. As a Kings fan, I sure hope that rumored Artest/Maggette deal doesn’t come to fruition.
Don’t forget about Bonzi Wells, who may very well still be available on your waiver wire. With no Yao Ming for as long as two months, and T-Mac’s back in question, Wells should see a big increase in minutes. There might not be a better rebounding guard in the league, and he’s also a big contributor in steals.
Andre Iguodala is going to be huge from here on out. Not only did Allen Iverson’s 25 shot attempts per game leave town, but a pass-first point guard was his replacement. Treat Baby A.I. as an elite fantasy option.
Not sure what’s wrong with Gerald Wallace this season, but I was mistaken in thinking a contract year would improve his numbers, apparently. How does he go from blocking 2.1 shots last season to just 0.6 this year? He’s got himself a sweet stroke too, evidenced by that 19.5 percent shooting touch from behind the arc.
T.J. Ford’s spinal cord may be hanging on by a thread, but he’s nevertheless been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA this year. If you think he can hold up physically, you might as well hang onto him.
If Jason Kidd is forced to help in the rebounding department even more so now that Nenad Krstic is out for the year, it’s not inconceivable to think he can actually average a triple-double this season.
It’s too bad Yao Ming keeps getting snake bitten. He’d be my third choice to start a franchise with, behind only LeBron and Wade.
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