I love bad teams! I love watching them, reading about their drama (on and off the court) and wondering which end of bench players will get a ton of garbage time production as a result of getting blown out most nights. I also love them because I know a lot of NBA fans and fantasy players ignore these teams. It is the really crappy teams that win you that ring. You don’t have to like them. You don’t have to watch them. This is not fantasy football though! These crappy teams still have to play all 82 games. Let the rest of the world ignore these teams. Find the players getting the playing time opportunities. Bad teams look for answers and are more prone to lineup and even rotation readjustments. Embrace these teams!
Tony Parker, PG SAS - 27% Ownership: Parker was one of the popular day three drops this season, but that doesn’t mean you forget about him. Parker is an established NBA Veteran and should be treated as such. While Parker’s minutes sit in the mid-20’s, he has scored in double figures in each of his last 3 games and has contributed 13 assists in his last 2 games. PARKER IS YOUR LAST GUARD. He’s an end of bench guy for your team, but, he starts, has experience and he will have a few 20-point performances.
Trey Lyles, PF UTA - 37% Ownership: The Jazz are plagued by injuries early and just when it seems like they are at full strength, another impact player goes down. First it was Hayward, and now it’s Favors and Hill. Who will score inside on offense? Rudy Gobert? Maybe, right under the basket, but he’s limited. Lyles, who has struggled big-time this season gets a golden opportunity and anywhere from 26-35 minutes per game to prove his value to this team until Favors comes back. Lyles has a few moves to the basket. His early-season failures revolve around unbalanced moves to the basket, and not being patient when backing your way inside. Lyles will not only score in double-figures, but he will help with rebounds and steals. The Jazz have virtually nobody else as his only competition for minutes is Boris Diaw.
Sergio Rodriguez, PG PHI - 39% Ownership: Good rule of thumb; When a player is averaging seven assists per game and they are on your waiver wire, pick them up and thank the heavens. Rodriguez has had multiple double-digit assist games this season and he will also help a bit with rebounds and steals. Rely on his scoring being a main contribution about 50% of the time. T.J. McConnell is on his tail for minutes, but at this point, Rodriguez has proven to be the smarter guard with the ball and more aggressive and will take contact.
John Henson, PF/C MIL - 18% Ownership: It’s very difficult to keep up with the Bucks rotation. Easily one of the biggest challenges of the season thus far. When you have a team like the Bucks who have an inconsistent rotation, you play the hot hand. Henson’s rebounding, scoring and playing time have all increased over his last few games and has proven that he can easily serve as a big body whose main responsibility is to wear down some of the most skilled big-men in the league. He will block shots. I can see a few consistent 14-point-7-rebound performances in the near future.
Vince Carter, G/F MEM - 19% Ownership: I say it every year! Carter is one of the few that fully transitioned his game to prolong his NBA career and he has transformed into a strict jump shooter. We normally get a couple of turn back the clock moments from him featuring dunks. Carter has not only scored in double figures in each of his last five games, but he has two 20-point performances in those 5 games. Chandler Parsons is still recovering from his knee injury and at least for the short-term Carter will be expected to play anywhere from 25-35 minutes per game. Carter will contribute rebounds and assists as well and is a great short-term pick up if you need a scoring boost.
Kelly Olynyk, C BOS - 24% Ownership: While I understand that once Al Horford is back Olynyk’s minutes will decrease, he is still a match up problem because of his long range shooting ability. Olynyk has been rebounding nicely as well. Horford is coming back from a concussion, but he will need a game or two to get back in rhythm, so I see Olynyk’s minutes staying in the late 20’s/early 30’s for the next few games. Olynyk is a good piece to have because he will draw out bigger defenders and either open up the inside or have a wide open shot.
Ersan Ilyasova, F PHI - 22% Ownership: Can we trust the process with this trade? Ilyasova has shown his 3-prong approach to his game: Post up, shoot the three, rebound. One of the intangibles of Ilyasova is his defense and body positioning in the post. Bigger forwards have a tough time cutting in the lane on him because of his positioning on defense. Expect his minutes to stay in the mid 20’s and he will reward owners with the occasional double-digit rebound game. He gets a decent amount of shot opportunities and has scored in double figures in each of his last three games.
Jared Dudley, SG/F PHX - 16% Ownership: Dudley not only has a ton of position eligibility (at least on Yahoo!) but he is on a team that lacks any form of mid-court or front-court organization. Dudley is a balance player for lineups in reality and in fantasy. Expect 10 points and 5 rebounds on average, but he is capable of doing more. Dudley is a hustle player and Coach’s love that that and will keep his playing time consistent, even when he is struggling shooting. He can also hit from beyond the arc.
P.J. Tucker, SG/SF PHX - 7% Ownership: Tucker is another Suns player to consider picking up because his minutes are starting to pick up as he is getting back into rhythm. Fantasy players have seemed to forget what Tucker can do. He can definitely average 14 points and 6-7 rebounds per game. The Suns have had very little success inside and Tucker has decent post-play and will draw contact. He will be competing for minutes with T.J. Warren and the revolving Power Forward. The Suns have a ton of playing time to be spread around in their mid and front court.
WILD CARD PICK UP:
James Johnson, F MIA - 7% Ownership: It’s a bit wild, but the stat-patterns are starting to show that when given over 20 minutes per game, Johnson produces. He has seen a few 30 minute games as well showing that the Heat are starting to commit to consistent rotation spot. Johnson can hit from long range, causing match up problems up front for opposing front courts and the Heat have a revolving door of players at their Power Forward position and Justise Winslow is hurt. With how bad the Heat are, and how strapped of offensive talent, is this THAT wild of a pick up?
**Ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo Sports