.png){kind=small}
With the fantasy playoffs looming near, every roster move you make has drastic implications. Do you really want to drop a player to another opponent only for them to improve their squad? Can you afford to hold a struggling player or a stash for hopefully, a turnaround or a breakout? What is the real likelihood your team can really make a deep playoff run? Trades? Playoff schedules? Knowing when to drop deadweight?
I already pointed out in my fantasy guide earlier in the season on you need to be well-prepared if you want to focus on winning your actual fantasy league. It takes a lot of time, dedication, and luck to get that gold trophy by the end of the season. You need to really follow up with all basketball related news, as one player injury or one pickup away could make or break your season. Sometimes it takes a gut feeling or a gamble on a certain player, other times it just doesn’t pan out. I’m always available to answer anything related to basketball, so don’t be afraid to tweet me @fungo24 for everything fantasy!
Week 14 Breakout Performers:
Joel Embiid PF/C PHI – I’ve become one of the biggest fans of Embiid, and with good reason. He was limited to 1 game this week, but he was best overall player during the week with averages of 32 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks with 4 3-pointers. Yeah man, #TrustTheProcess #AllStarSnub
Jrue Holiday PG NOR – Jrue was phenomenal this week, putting up 24 PPG 4 RPG 10 APG 2.5 STLs and 1.3 blocks with 3.3 3PTm. He did this shooting 59% through 4 games, impressive. He was always capable of this upside, he just needs to stay healthy. Congrats if you gambled on him for cheap on draft day.
Karl-Anthony Towns C MIN – KAT makes this list yet again, with another ridiculous week. Through 3 games, 29.3 PPG 11 RPG 1.7 STLs and 1.7 BLKs with 2 3PTm. He doesn’t appear to be slowing down and he’s looking like the 5th pick most owners spent to get him.
Nerlens Noel PF/C PHI – Noel was always capable of being a fantasy stud, it’s just Philly might not be the ideal place for him to bust out. With Embiid out this week, Noel put up averages of 13 PPG 7.8 RPG 2.5 APG 1.8 STLs and 2.3 BLKs on 63% FG and just 0.5 turnovers. That’s value, good for 1st round value #12 overall.
Myles Turner PF/C IND – The hype was real and Turner is that new generation of young up-and-coming big men in this league. Myles turned in averages of 19.3 PPG 7 RPG 1.8 STLs and 2.3 BLKs through 4 games this week, good for 2nd round value. He’s still putting up top 25 numbers on the season and those who drafted him on draft day got a steal.
Jae Crowder SF/PF BOS -There’s a reason why Celtics are not desperate for Carmelo Anthony, and that’s because they have a prototypical 3 & D player in Crowder to fill the void at the forward spots. He’s not a better player than Carmelo, but he’s arguably a much better fit. He spaces the floor, player defense, and can rebound. Crowder averaged 19.8 PPG 7 RPG 3.8 APG with 1 steal and 3.3 3PTm this week, underrated as always in fantasy AND in real life.
Tyson Chandler C PHO – I’m not sure how this dinosaur still does it. But I give credit to Tyson because he’s been balling. He’s been great this season and as long as he’s getting 30+ minutes a night, he’s a double-double threat with great FG% anchor. Keep rolling him out there until the wheels fall off.
Paul George SG/SF IND – PG13 has stepped it up this week when his team needed him the most. The Pacers have won 3 in a row now and they are improving their playoff chances with each win. Through 4 games this week, PG13 put up 32.3 PPG 6 RPG 3.5 APG with 1.3 steals and 2.5 3PTm. He has 1st round upside and he’s heating up at the right time for the Pacers.
Courtney Lee SG/SG NYK – Perhaps the only bright spot for the fading Knicks this week, Lee averaged 17.5 PPG 5.5 RPG 2 APG with 2 3PTm. He won’t be this good obviously as this might be his best string of games in his career, but he’s worth owning as long as he’s this hot.
Isaiah Thomas PG BOS – I ran out of good things to say, he’s a beast. And I’m taller than him.
Darren Collison PG SAC – The injury of Rudy Gay really helped Collison, as Collison put up 2nd round value with averages of 19.5 PPG 3.8 APG 1.5 STLs and 2.8 3PTm. He’s not going to be this good going forward, but expect mid-round production. Someone has to takes shots besides DMC, right?
Robert Covington SF/PF PHI – Lord Covington is having yet another fine season. He was so bad earlier in the season most dropped him. I knew what he was capable of as I have him in all my leagues and he’s finally paying off. There’s going to be nights where his shot doesn’t fall, but he provides the defensive stats every time he’s out there. Through 4 games this week, Covington put up 14 PPG 7.5 RPG 2.3 APG 2.5 STLs 2 BLKs with 1.8 3PTm. Fill it up Lord Covington.
Kent Bazemore – The “Bazegod” is another player who some dropped because of his struggles over the last month or so. He was putting up mid-round value before he got hurt earlier in the season and now that he’s healthy, he’s obviously a must own player going forward. He has top 40 upside as he put up 3rd round value this week.
Short-Term Pickups:
Anthony Tolliver PF SAC, Austin Rivers PG/SG/SF LAC, Yogi Ferrell PG DAL, Shabazz Muhammad SG/SF MIN, PJ Tucker SG/SF PHO, Wayne Ellington SG/SF MIA, Jameer Nelson PG DEN, David Lee PF/C SAS
Long Term ROS playoff X-Factors:
Ivica Zubac C LAL – He’s a must own in my book already, as the Lakers are ready to let him loose. Baby Marc Gasol in the making. (Seriously, you heard it here first)
Seth Curry PG DAL – He’s a must own already (In case you didn’t know)
Brandon Ingram SG/SF LAL – He’s so bad right now, but has potential.
Caris LeVert SG/SF BKN – Quickly looking legit.
Willy Hernangomez C NYK – Just needs minutes…….
Lucas Nogueira PF/C TOR – Another underrated FG% anchor with great blocks upside, close to must own.
Jusuf Nurkic C DEN – Depending on which team he’s likely to get traded to.
Dario Saric / Ben Simmons PF PHI – If anyone follows him on Instagram, he’s hinting he’s ready this season.
Khris Middleton SG/SF MIL – Might return ASG, maybe not.
Week 15 Schedule & Maximizing Games:
4 Games - BKN, BOS, DEN, DET, MEM, MIN, OKC, ORL, PHI, PHO, SAC, TOR
3 Games - ATL, CHA, CLE, DAL, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, LAL, MIA, MIL, NOR, NYK, POR, SAS, WAS
2 Games - CHI, UTA
As experienced players know, you want to target players playing on the quieter days (Mon, Tues, Thurs) Using weekly adds is important so you don’t waste them.
The Sixers are the only team who play Monday and Thursday. The Wizards, Lakers, Rockets and Spurs play Tuesday and Thursday. The Clippers are the only team who play both Thursday and Sunday. The Kings are the only team who play both Monday and Tuesday. The Raptors, Nuggets, Thunder, Knicks, Pelicans and Hornets play Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Sixers, Warriors, Hawks, and Clippers have a Wednesday-Thursday back-to-back.
Good luck this week! You’re going to need it as we head down the stretch!