.png){kind=small}
Ah, the middle of December. It's not quite Christmas, but the pressure is still there. Hopefully by now you are holding up just fine and ready to move up the rankings in your fantasy basketball league. If you have one of the Fantasy Studs listed below, or maybe Anthony Davis on your squad, who just dropped a monster 50 point, seven rebound, six assist, and four steals game, then you might not be feeling any pressure at all right now. Whatever the case may be, don't get bogged down by the season, put your game face on and prepare for the madness.
Fantasy Studs
Five guys who stood out this week from the rest.
Troy Taormina-USA Today
Andre Drummond. In his most recent game, Drummond brought down 22 boards, which probably isn't surprising. He's also been racking up the blocks over the past few games. He's tallied 14 blocks in his last five games, to go along with 12 steals too.
Jimmy Butler. Butler has posted two triple doubles recently and he's seen his rebounding and assist numbers take a boost too. Over his last four games he is averaging over nine rebounds and seven assists per night.
Devonte' Graham. Graham has been an unexpected bright spot for the Charlotte Hornets, and if you happened to have the foresight to draft him, or at least you were one of the earlier owners to snag him up, he is probably paying off some sweet dividends for you right now. Over his last four games he's averaging nearly 10 assists per night. He even made 10 three pointers in one game. He's clearly the top dog in Charlotte for the time being.
Devin Booker. You knew Booker could get a bucket, but he's also been a quality fantasy player beyond just points and three's. He's getting around five rebounds a game, and six assists and is proving he can continue to contribute in more ways than one.
Steven Adams. It only seems fair to put Adams here after I've included him in the Duds list a time or two. This week he put together back-to-back games of 20+ points, and averaged 10 rebounds per night in those two games. He added six blocks, five assists, and two steals during those two games as well.
Fantasy Duds
Five guys who are probably looking forward to putting this week behind them.
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY
Brook Lopez. The good news? Lopez has blocked six shots over his last two games. The bad news? He's shooting 20% and not doing much of anything else.
Larry Nance Jr. Much like my dreams of playing the NBA, 78% of you in standard Yahoo leagues are holding on to Nance Jr. for reasons that just don't make sense. He'll string together some quality starts, but this week showed how bad his weeks can get. He averaged under five points and six rebounds per game, while shooting under 30%.
Joe Ingles. Ingles did have a 12 point, 10 assist game recently. However, the one prior he was only good for four points and five assists (with five turnovers too). He is only owned in 58% of standard Yahoo leagues, and I would imagine that number will continue to dip. He's not the guy he was last season.
Lonzo Ball. Ball makes this list mainly because he is having some serious consistency issues. One game he will give you 20 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds. The next game he gives you two points, two assists, and four rebounds, while shooting a whooping 11%.
Kevin Love. There have been trade rumors circling Love like vultures before their next meal. Maybe that could explain some why his play is down, with that contract, you have to hope that is the answer. In the two games he's played in December, he hasn't scored more than eight points, or rebounded more than seven boards.
Week 7 Overview
While this may not have been the most exciting week in the NBA, nor for your fantasy basketball team, you are starting to get a feel for your team and how you stack up with the rest of the league. Also by now, there is probably an owner or two who have completely thrown in the towel on the season. Part of finding success in fantasy sports in general is just being consistent. Set your lineups, be aware of guys who you are rostering with injuries, and make sure no one else is steal prizes in the waiver wire.
Waiver Wire Potential
Here are 10 guys who are owned in 50%or less in standard Yahoo fantasy basketball leagues could possibly help your team this week.
Jennifer Stewart-USA Today
Terrance Ross, SG/SF (50%). Ross is mainly going to contribute towards points and three's. So if that's what you need, fire him up! The Orlando Magic need a guy who can get buckets and Ross appears to be the one in the saddle.
Aron Baynes, C (41%). Due to his recently time away recovering from injuries, Baynes has seen a dip in ownership. He should be back soon, and if your league is one where he is dropped, he's be my first pick-up!
Nemanja Bjelica, PF (40%). I'm going to be honest here. I just watched Bjelica carve up my beloved Mavs for 30 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. While I current dislike him tremendously, He's is putting together some really solid games and is worth an add if you have an extra roster spot.
Kevin Huerter, SG (37%). Huerter probably is going to wow you with any big single stats, but where he will thrive is being solid all around. He's capable of scoring points, getting rebounds, dishing out assists, and hitting three's. Give him time, but by the end of the season you'll wish you owned him on your team.
Jae Crowder, SF/PF (34%). Crowder continues to do all the little things, which my not mean as much in fantasy sports, but he's capable of getting quality stat lines all across the board.
Coby White, PG (34%). White recently had a double-double with points and assists, and while this may not be very common, it's a promising sign that he has the ability to do more for your team than just accumulate points and three.
Alex Len, PF/C (30%). I'm not a huge Len fan, and he has been wildly inconsistent this season, but he has managed to string together five consecutive double digit scoring games. A few of those games he's rebounded well too.
Ish Smith, PG (27%). With Isaiah Thomas out, Smith has stepped into a bigger role. Twice this week he dished out eight assists in a game. He's also scored in double digits three games in a row, while providing some three's and rebounds.
DJ Augustin, PG (27%). Three games ago he scored a season-high 24 points. The two games that followed he tallied seven assists each game. He hasn't been consistent, but maybe he is starting to find his groove.
Garret Temple, SG/SF (21%). The Brooklyn Nets have been dealing with some significant injuries, yet they still remain competitive most nights. Part of that is thanks to Temple stepping up his game. He's averaging around 16 points a game, with four rebounds and four assists the past week or so and will continue to be a key contributor for the Nets moving forward.