When playing in season-long fantasy basketball leagues, always be looking out for a “Specialist”. What is a specialist? It is a player that helps out in primarily one or two categories. Consistency in certain standard fantasy basketball categories is hard to come by. It is not easy finding consistency in steals and blocks on the waiver wire. When looking on the waiver wire, categorize your seach by blocks leaders, steals leaders, etc. There is treasure to be found, but you have to be willing to dig to find it.

Memphis Grizzlies Guard Tony Allen and Philadelphia 76ers Guard Tony Wroten are averaging three steals per game. Wroten has the spotlight because of the health of Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder). Even when Carter-Williams comes back, Wroten will make an impact as the back up guard option and will see a ton of playing time. Allen is known as one of the top defenders in the NBA. His stature though, never seems to translate to fantasy basketball. It is very hard to believe that a known veteran, who is tenacious on defense, is available in 87 percent of leagues polled.  Allen is not a scorer, but, if he continues to grab 5.5 rebounds and 3 swipes per game, fantasy owners should welcome him to their teams with open arms. These are the type of statistics you should always be looking for.

Do not let lack of scoring deter you from picking up a player. It is the NBA we are talking about. Everyone has that big night of scoring at some point in the season. Points are simple to make up on the waiver wire. It is a lot easier finding scoring specialists. Look for players that help minimally in as many categories as possible. Dallas Mavericks Forward-Center Brandan Wright should be watched like a hawk because as he has proven in the past that he helps fantasy players in waves. In some week’s he is beneficial and others he does not produce. Right now, Wright is scoring 9.5 points per game, grabbing 4.8 rebounds and blocking 2 shots per game. He is helping in three categories. That would be beneficial for any fantasy team.

Los Angeles Lakers Forward-Center Ed Davis is a classic example of an under the radar player who produces minimally in many categories. Davis shoots 66.7 percent from the field, scores 10.4 ppg, grabs 7.2 rebounds, swipes the ball 1.2 times and blocks 1.4 shots per game. He helps in five categories and is only owned in 32 percent of yahoo leagues. Certain statistics do stand out to the naked eye. Looking for that player that helps minimally in multiple categories provides further balance to your fantasy team. Do not discount players who average 0.8 blocks and steals per game. That is still a good statistic and shows that in the majority of games those players play in, they contribute at least one block or steal in.

When looking at three-point specialists, look at how three-pointers that player has hit compared to how many shots that player takes per game. By looking at statistics such as field goals attempted, you can see how involved that player is in their team’s overall offensive plan. Indiana Pacers Forward Chris Copeland might be shooting 39.3 percent from the field, but he is making 3.5 three-pointers per game. He has taken 14 shots per game and has made 5.5 field goals per game. These statistics show that Copeland is mainly used as a perimeter scorer. He gets the ball at the top of the key, passes off and then passes through two screens surrounding the perimeter to try and get an open look. He is one of the Pacers top outside shooting options. Copeland is a three-point specialist and with Paul George (leg) out, he will get a ton of shot opportunities this season, especially from distance.

Look closely at these statistics because that is how you start to see these trends and consistency in a player. Seeing these trends before your competition does will ultimately benefit you. Look for the players that contribute in those harder categories to fill. Do not stop at the scoring. Do not only seek statistics in the double-figures. Look closer and win now.