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NBA 2014: Our six-pack of Sleepers for Draft Day

Posted by fantasyfurnace on October 13, 2014
Posted in: NBA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

A new season is on the horizon with pre-season games already underway. Whistles will be blowing, technicals will be handed out (right? Joey Crawford)?, and buzzer beaters will be dropping. We have selected six potential sleepers for this season in this, the most popular and read of all our Basketball articles. Enjoy the 2014-’15 season and good luck in your leagues!

1. DeMarre Carroll-Forward-Hawks- This likely mid-round candidate, will continue to help your team in multiple categories such as points, steals, 3PT, FG%, and FT%, plus Carroll has committed himself to the 3-pointer as he had his best year in this category in 2013-’14. We see him knocking down around 2 shots from downtown per game while averaging around the same amount of steals. Throw in a half-dozen REB and you’ve got yourself a nice all around player who should be available at around pick 60.

2. Marcus Smart-Point Guard-Celtics- Smart, the sixth overall pick in the draft, will make for a good news-bad news scenario… He won’t start in Boston unless Rajon Rondo is traded or injured, and as we went to post, rumors regarding possible destinations for Rondo still abound. The good news is that should the 20 year old lottery pick actually get the start, his owners will garner a ton of assists and steals. His aggressiveness was obvious playing for Oklahoma St. where last season, averaging just under 33 MPG, Smart tallied 18 PTS, 5.9 REB, 4.8 AST, 1.58 3PM, 2.87 STL, and even managed a little over 0.50 BLK per game.

#36 Oklahoma St. star and Celtic lottery pick Marcus Smart has the recipe for a huge sleeper season should the Rajon Rondo rumors of a trade come to fruiyion. Photo: Fernando Medina/Getty Images

#36 Oklahoma St. star and Celtic lottery pick Marcus Smart has the recipe to be a huge sleeper season should the rumors surrounding the possible trading of Rajon Rondo come to fruition. Photo: Fernando Medina/Getty Images

3. Larry Sanders-Foward/Center-Bucks- Sanders, often misused under last year’s head coach Larry Drew, will have an ideal opportunity to exell under new coach and avid big-time fan of Sanders, Jason Kidd. Kidd if you’ll remember, tried his best to secure Sanders’ services last year when he was with the Nets, so you can be sure that the 6′ 11″ center will have the chance to become a top-5 roto center this season. We are projecting that Sanders will put up 10 PTS, 10 REB, and around 2.90 BLK per game.

4. Markieff Morris-Forward/Center-Suns- The 25 year old has seen his minutes rise every year over his three years in the league and this season will be no different due to the departure of Channing Frye. Already having had a mini-breakout season last year, this sixth-man-of-the-year candidate last season, could help your team in five categories. Our projections of 16 PTS, 7 REB, 1 STL, .472 FG%, & .790 FT%  are all completely attainable making Morris a top roto option.

#11 Markieff Morris climbes over Blake Griffith for the basket. The Furnace says that Morris' minutes will be increased with the absence of Channing Frye, making the 25 yr. old a sleeper Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images.

#11 Markieff Morris, shown here, climbs over Blake Griffith for the stuff. The Furnace says that Morris’ minutes will be increased with the absence of Channing Frye, making the 25 yr. old a sleeper candidate this season. Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images.

 

5. Jose Calderon-Point Guard-Knicks- It has been a while since New York has had a true all around point guard and they now have a very talented one in Jose Calderon. He had to share the ball all too often with Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis with the Mavericks last year, but will be afforded more minutes and have more success in the Knicks’ triangle offense. Calderon’s assists dropped off from almost 9 per game while in Toronto to 4.7 last season with the Mavs so his potential for amassing dimes is well known. An excellent FT shooter (.852% for his career),  Calderon, who will see his touches increased, is projected to heave up over two 3 pointers and 1 steal per game.

6.Gorgui Dieng-Center-Timberwolves- At some point in his career, the multi-talented Dieng will become a top 10 roto center in this league. Minnesota still has Nikola Pekovic but any injury or fall-off in production would foster a move towards inserting Dieng who, in fifteen starts last year, averaged 12.2PPG, 12.0 RPG, to go along with 1.7 BPG. There is no question that Dieng is destined to becoming one of the best defensive big men in the NBA. If you are in a deep enough league, preferably with two starting centers, Dieng is well worth a stash as he is just too good for the Timberwolves to keep off the court.

#5 Gorgui Dieng blocks Nets' Tyshawn Taylor from making an easy layup. Dieng could see extended playing time as Nikola Pekovic has had ankle issues in the past says the Furnace. Photo: AP

#5 Gorgui Dieng blocks Nets’ Tyshawn Taylor from making an easy layup. Dieng could see extended playing time as Nikola Pekovic has had ankle issues in the past says the Furnace. Photo: AP

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Fantasy Basketball 2013: This week’s Waiver Wire Pickups

Posted by fantasyfurnace on February 3, 2014
Posted in: NBA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Now that the Super Bowl is history, it’s time for those of you in Fantasy Basketball leagues to tweak your rosters with just around six weeks left in the Fantasy season. Some of this week’s pickups are for owners to keep an eye on, some are for those in deeper leagues, but all are widely available.

Marvin Williams-SF/PF-Jazz- 9% Owned- Williams is a “watch” candidate as he has just begun to see more minutes but the sampling is still to small for us. The former 1st round pick (2nd overall) in the 2005 draft has posted 25 points, 21 rebounds, and  7-7 at the free throw line over his last two games. Should this trend continue- Williams has averaged 30 minutes in those 2 games- then we would recommend  you consider adding him to your roster. The little owned Williams has had an achilles issue of late but has not missed much time because of the ailment.

#2 Marvin Williams is a "Watch" this week while we wait to see if he continues to start for the Jazz.

#2 Marvin Williams is a “Watch” this week while we wait to see if he continues to start for the Jazz. Photo: Brian Babineau NBAE/Getty Images 

 Andray Blatche-PF/C-Nets- 35% Owned- Blatche has missed the last couple of games due to a sore hip but is expected to make his return on Thursday when the Nets take on the Spurs. Prior to the injury, Blatche, in his last six games, has averaged 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.o block. He can also get you a 3-pointer on most nights which is always welcomed from the PF/C position.

Tim Hardaway Jr.-SG-Knicks- 20% Owned- We are very high on Hardawy Jr. as is his coach Mike Woodson: “He’s the biggest surprise on this team so far this season.” Although Hardaway Jr. has seen a surge in his playing time since Iman Shumpert went down, it is safe to assume that even with Shumps return, Hardaway Jr. will continue to see some decent minutes but owners should wait and see just how many before taking Hardaway Jr. off of waivers.. The 1st round pick in the 2013 draft already has the highest 3-point shooting percentage among all rookies and is fourth in scoring as well. In his last 5 games Hardaway has averaged 18 PPG, has one steal in all but one, and has drained 17 3-pointers. Hardaway Jr. won’t get you more than points and threes so if that’s what your lacking take a flier on the neophyte.

#5 Tim Hardaway Jr. has been squeezing his way into the Knicks lineup and should continue to see relevant minutes even with the return of Iman Shumpert. Photo: AP

#5 Tim Hardaway Jr. has been squeezing his way into the Knicks lineup and should continue to see relevant minutes even with the return of Iman Shumpert. Photo: AP

Patrick Patterson-PF/C-Jazz- 12% Owned- Averaging just around 24 minutes a game, Patterson has scored in double digits in three of his last five games and just missed a double-double in two of them. You can count on at least 10 points and 6+ rebounds a game and, as an added attraction, Patterson will get you a 3-pointer almost every night. In his last game, a loss to the Blazers, Patterson finished with 13 points, nine boards, three assists, one block and one 3-pointer. Those of you deeper leaguers could do worse than Patterson who is available in most leagues.

OUR TWO “QUICK PICKS”

DeMarre Carroll-SF/PF-Hawks-36% Owned- We simply cannot understand why Carroll is not owned in many more leagues. He is averaging 15.8 PPG, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.3 3-pointers over the past 2 weeks and is ranked 12th  according to Yahoo! sports over that span. Just makes no sense. Should you see him available and there are at least 10 or more in your league, snatch him up immediately!

#5 DeMarre Carroll, besides lighting it up with his offense, is also a staunch defender who should garner D. Clarke Evans/NBA/Getty Images attention.

#5 DeMarre Carroll, besides being able to light it up with his offense, is also a staunch defender who should garner your attention. D. Clarke Evans/NBA/Getty Images

Timofey Mozgov-C-Nuggets- 12% Owned- Solely for those of you in deeper leagues in search of a big guy who can rebound (6.2 over his last 5 games) can block (1.2) and get you a few points (11.6). The 27 year old former Knicks cast off is putting up those numbers off the bench over around 23 MPG.

NBA 2013- Five Waiver Wire Pickups for Week #2

Posted by fantasyfurnace on November 3, 2013
Posted in: NBA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

This week there are some serviceable finds on the waiver wire for 12+ leagues (and deeper) that are very widely available. Every player below is owned in under 30% of leagues; two of them under 20%. This would be a great time to tweak your roster and weed out any dregs from your recent drafts…

1. DeMarre Carroll-SF,PF-Hawks- 10% Owned-  This 1st round (27th overall) pick in the 2009 draft, after 4 years in the NBA, is finally getting a chance to start for the Hawks and although two games is a small sample to go on, he already leads the team in steals ( 3 per game) and in FT % (84.6). Getting to the free throw line is one of Carroll’s assets to those in fantasy-he has made 11 of 13 FT attempts. Carroll’s FG% will improve and level off at around 45-46% once the early season rust wears off. He’s someone to consider in 12+ leagues or for those with a shortage at the SF position.

2. Alec Burks-SG-Jazz- 28% Owned- Strictly for those in deeper leagues, Burks is another former 1st rounder (12th pick) of the Utah Jazz in the 2011 draft. His biggest contribution to your roster will come in the way of points where he is already averaging 18 per game, three games into the young season. We like his basketball savvy and his pick and roll defense, however Burks will not fill up your stat sheet as he is not proficient in many other categories except scoring. Watch Burks below in action:

3. Josh McRoberts-PF-Bobcats- 17% Owned- A name you are more familiar with, McRoberts came over from the Magic last season and was given the starting role in Charlotte at Power Forward. In the 23 games he started for the Bobcats, he had 9.3 PPG and 7.2 RPG. Not earth-shattering numbers but in leagues where there are multiple centers and a shortage of centers to go around, McRoberts can be a helpful addition. Don’t let his playing time on Saturday (15 minutes) concern you as he went up against Anthony Davis and scored well but had a problem defending the superstar (as most others have). McRoberts will average closer to 30 minutes a game under normal circumstances.

4. P. J. Tucker-SG,SF-Suns- 21% Owned- Traded from the Raptors two seasons ago, Tucker could finally be getting an opportunity to secure starters minutes as he fights veteran Gerald Green for that role. After finishing the final four games last season with a 15.3 PPG average, all indications are that he should overtake Green and become the Suns starting SF. In the early going, his 15 PPG hasn’t lowered those expectations. Clearly someone to consider in deeper leagues at this stage, it would be wise to take out a flier and watch the former 2nd rounder.

#17 P. J. Tucker picked up where he left of in the final week last season and should take over at SF for the Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America. Photo:

#17 P. J. Tucker picked up where he left of in the final week last season and should take over at SF for the Suns. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America.

5. Brandon Bass-PF,C-Celtics-26% Owned- Although Jared Sullinger will ultimately garner the starting PF position in Boston this season,  Bass put up 17 points in the season opener without Sullinger on the floor and 17 with him on the court. Strictly someone to consider in deeper leagues, Bass’ downside is that he won’t get you a ton of rebounds or blocks, so if you’re okay with something like 9 PPG, 5-6 RPG, and .75 BPG, then Bass could be a decent backup for you at PF/C .