As the weeks roll on and the stats continue to accumulate, we will start looking for newly developing stat-trends a bit closer. Starting next week, it is time to look to see how a player is doing, not for a full season, but the last two weeks. It is much harder to see stat-improvement and trends otherwise. It will help you find those treasures you seek on the waiver wire. Remember, some of these players are listed to make you aware of them. Some will be must-adds and others will be players you should put on your watch-list for now and maybe even the duration of the season. Start looking at these stats a bit closer, especially when making trades. You will be at least one step ahead of your opposition. Part of being a coach is scouting trends. Watch the stats every two weeks. Watch a game here and there featuring your players. Be a coach!
Matthew Dellavedova, G MIL - 39% Ownership: It’s not pretty, but somehow Dellavedova gets the job done. He’s all over the place and the lack of trust from fantasy players certainly shows it. You can’t forget that playing time is still on his side. The Bucks have limited depth all over and need all of the help they can get. He has steals in his last four games and has provided minor rebound and assist help. He is one of those players who you cannot rely on for double-digit scoring outings, but will help in other areas consistently.
Jamal Murray, SG DEN - 39% Ownership: At first, I thought Murray was getting more run because of injuries, but after watching him plow down the lane with the ball, I am impressed with his control. Not only is he seeing more playing time, but, he has scored over 20 points in each of his last two games and grabbed a total of 10 rebounds in those 2 games. Besides being an aggressive slasher, Murray is an aggressive shooter and has shot 45% from beyond the arc this season. He takes at least 4 three-pointers per game. He is a player on the rise and the Nuggets need more organization up top. Murray also provides minor assist help.
Marco Belinelli, SG/SF CHA - 14% Ownership: Belinelli is another one of my on again, off again, on again type of waiver wire pick ups. In order to pick up the right players, you must see the trends and when a shooter like Belinelli is HOT, you must ride that wave. When Belinelli’s shot is on and he gets more playing time in the rotation, he utilizes that time to create with the ball and will even drive the lane. I’m not worried about Kemba Walker or Nicolas Batum because the Hornets frontcourt is a revolving door of inconsistency. They need relief when they are being doubled the whole time and Belinelli is a solid bailout option on the court. He has scored in double figures in four of his last 5 games and even grabbed 10 rebounds in 1 of them. In the two games that followed Belinelli’s 10-rebound game, he grabbed 4 and 5 rebounds. He has seen playing time in the 30’s as of late and that shows that he is a trustworthy final shooter for your teams.
Andre Roberson, SG/SF OKC - 11% Ownership: Roberson is one of those rare smaller players who to trust for everything except scoring. He plays just shy of 30 minutes per game and has grown into a fantastic defender. He possesses what Victor Oladipo lacks and the Thunder compliment Oladipo with Roberson’s perimeter and elbow defense. While he can absolutely serve as a bailout scoring option and hit the knock down three-pointer, his five rebounds per game make him even more appetizing. Roberson has blocked two shots in his last two games and he can be depended on for steals. Any time he scores in double figures, view it as an added bonus. His ample playing time and shutdown defense makes him a safe pickup.
Brandon Jennings, PG NYK - 17% Ownership: Jennings is known as a scorer, but he has played more of a traditional point guard role for the new-look Knicks to start this season and his overall game looks improved. You can rely on assists from him more than double digit scoring outings (Is it opposite day?). The guy is averaging over five assists per game. Jennings has shown an improved shot-selection and a more controlled flow with his ball handling. His quickness will help speed up the Knicks second-unit’s pace and he has also shown his quickness on defense. Jennings has been excellent at intercepting distance passes and breaking up the opposition’s offense. He has five steals in his last two games. Jennings is starting to see consistency in his playing time of over 20 minutes per game. Jennings also has grabbed at least three rebounds in four of his last five games and I can’t say it enough; guards who rebound are good fantasy options.
Larry Nance Jr, PF LAL - 26% Ownership: Nance is out there mainly for his enforcing skills down low. He is out there to wear down the bigger offensively skilled players. I have started to notice that he is more involved with the Lakers ball rotation during the possession. He starts up top and sometimes will even drive his freight-train looking body down the lane and will draw contact. Nance has a block in each of his last three games and grabbed six more rebounds in two of his last three games. His hustle gives him life in the Lakers rotation. He has seen his playing time balloon to the 30’s in some games, but mainly hovers in the mid-20’s. Coach’s love hustle and defense and the more playing time he gets, the more of an opportunity he gets. This is where fantasy meets reality.
Jerryd Bayless, G PHI - 24% Ownership: Bayless has only played in two games thus far as he was hurt, but I am already seeing positive signs. At the start of the season, the 76ers had major plans for Bayless to start and be the veteran floor general on a very young team. Now that Bayless is back and played 30 minutes in just his 2nd back, I am very confident that you will see a lot more 30-plus minute outings. He has dished 11 assists total in his first two games. He scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds versus Memphis and he is a drive-first guard with a disciplined shot selection. Expect steals from Bayless as well. The 76ers are still “finding” their rotation and Bayless already looks comfortable being back in the fold.
Allen Crabbe, G POR - 28% Ownership: Crabbe is more of a watch player TODAY than a must-add, but once he is trending upward with his shooting, he can serve as a final guard. The Blazers have opened up their rotation for him and he has been playing in over 28 minutes per game. Crabbe is the relief guard for the high-scoring Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Those guys need rest and because Crabbe can rotate to both guard spots, he plays more. When his shot is on, he stays on the court and provides minor rebound and assist help. His shot has struggled in his last couple of games and his playing time in those games reflects his struggles from the field. The Blazers lack backcourt bench depth so Crabbe’s playing time is safe and he can shoot from long range.
Timofey Mozgov, C LAL - 25% Ownership: While Mozgov’s playing time fluctuation looks like the heart beats on a heart monitor, the Lakers passing in their mid-court has been efficient and Mozgov is often spotted on the receiving end of an ally-oop (Hey! It’s how DeAndre Jordan scores HIS points). On average Mozgov has been playing over 21 minutes per game, and seeing his playing time in the lat 20’s-early 30’s semi-frequently gives me confidence and the Lakers lack depth up front. Mozgov has scored in double figures in both of his last two games and will provide some rebounding help. He has a four-steal game this season as well. Right now, Mozgov is more of a watch option, but if you see him play more in the late 20’s it shows the Lakers commitment and you can commit.
WILD CARD PICKUP: Joffrey Lauvergne, PF/C OKC - 1% Ownership: Lauvergne’s mid-range game has been unbelievable, but between all that Russell Westbrook does on offense and Victor Oladipo having his time with the ball, the Thunder do not take advantage of what Lauvergne can do. In multiple games, I have watched him curl out and cut back in to the middle of the paint and calls for the ball. He can do a lot with one hand and with the Thunder’s lack of offensively skilled big men, Lauvergne gives them a bit of a post presence and he is not afraid to take contact. He has scored in double figures and grabbed seven rebounds in two of his last four games. He played over 20 minutes in 2 of his last 3 games. He played in just six minutes in his last game, which is very discouraging, but he does have a place on this team. His post play is a bit untapped and the Thunder will turn to him when they face teams who are disciplined defensively on the perimeter. Deep league target…..For now!