The Phoenix Suns have arguably the least exciting line up in the NBA on paper, but that’s not to say these nobodies, err, “role players” aren’t without some fantasy value. We’re talking door buster deals, ladies and gents! Major fantasy bargains! And it all starts at midnight in the parking lot! The first 200 people get souvenir baseball bats! Don’t miss it! Anyway, as hard as it may be to believe, Jermaine O’Neal (yes, that Jermaine O’Neal) has proven to be quite valuable over the past week. Last night, he had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. In just the past four games, Jermaine “Crazy Knees” O’Neal has totaled 27 rebounds, 5 steals, and 7 blocks, and scored at least 10 points in all four games. In addition, Markieff Morris had 19 points and 7 rebounds in his first start on Wednesday and followed that game up last night with 23 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. He played 35 minutes and also hit 2 three’s to lead Los Suns to a win. P.J. Tucker is also a name to watch, last night he played 34 minutes and scored 15 points with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 3pm. This is now back to back games with double digit scoring for P.J., and if this trend continues he could be worth a look. Sure, O’Neal, Morris and Tucker definitely aren’t the sexiest names on the wire but they are all logging major minutes and producing stats right now that shouldn’t be ignored, and they’re available almost everywhere. So even though Jermaine O’Neal might look like his knees are going to explode at any second if he lands on them wrong, who cares, we need rebounds!
Here’s what else happened (black) Friday night in fantasy basketball:
Byron Mullens – 12 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast, 6 stl, 2 blk. His 38% FG percentage is almost as ugly as his Yahoo fantasy profile photo but Lord Byron still averages 12.6 ppg and 8.9 rpg and can contribute in all categories. Those six steals are definitely impressive and could certainly justify him being owned in more than 60% of leagues.
Anderson Varejao – 19 pts, 17 rebs, 3 ast, 1 stl. I feel like every year he’s underrated on draft day and every year he ends up being an absolute beast on the boards. Note to self: next year draft Wild Thing.
Dion Waiters – 25 pts, 3 rebm 5 ast, 2 stl. Waiters served up an impressive line in 37 minutes last night. With Kyrie Irving sidelined for the time being, look for Waiters to be the major contribute offensively for the Cavs. Naturally, he should be owned in all leagues right now.
Tyler Zeller – 13 pts, 9 reb. Another beneficiary of Irving’s injury, Zeller played 30 minutes last night and was finally able to get something going. If he ends up logging minutes like this consistency he could be worth a look.
Jeremy Pargo – 15 pts, 1 ast. Not nearly as impressive as his start Wednesday (28 pts, 5 ast), but he still played 39 minutes. Pargo is worth flier while he’s starting point guard as Kyrie is on the shelf and he’s available almost everywhere.
Moe Harkless – 6 pts, 4 reb. Started for the second game in a row but played just 16 minutes. Harkless has the skills to contribute in fantasy across the board but until he’s seeing more minutes there’s nothing to see here.
Nikola Vucevic – 10 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast. Just under 60% owned in Yahoo leagues, if you need rebounds Nikola is averaging almost 10 rpg over the past 7 days. Plus, his name sounds like a Russian mobster, so pick up Vucevic if you need rebounds or he’ll break your legs.
Brook Lopez – 26 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 3 blk. Another nice game and Bropez has been doing it all lately, except the only thing you need him to do: rebound. The 6.1 rpg is a disappointment so far, I mean, what’s sadder than a center who can’t rebound? A football player that can’t throw? Tim Tebow?
Kris Humphries – 2 pts, 3 reb. I’ve heard he’s almost as infuriating to own in fantasy as he is to be married to.
Manu Ginobili – 19 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk. Manu played 28 minutes off the bench as the Spurs 2007 All Stars really shined tonight. Tim Duncan had 22 pts and 17 rebounds and Tony Parker added 33 pts and 10 asts. Classic Spurs. Unfortunately, none of them were available for comment post game, because they collectively had to “lie down for a few minutes.”
Andrea Bargnani – 34 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk. Remember when you thought he was going to be the next Dirk Nowitzki? Yeah, me neither. But hey, nice game!
Andre Drummond – 13 pts, 13 rebs in 24 minutes. Andre teases me with games like this, showing us glimpses of what may one day be a reality, but until he can show some more consistency he’s remains on my watch list. Older brother (not really) Greg Monroe had 19 pts, 11 rebs and 5 asts. Something tells me in two years the Pistons could have one of the most fearsome front courts in the NBA.
Rajon Rondo – 6 pts, 8 rebs, 16 ast. He pass ball good…and the Celtics grab a huge win against the Thunder. Actually it was the 36th straight game Rondo has logged over 10 assists. Pro tip!* That will help your fantasy team. Jason Terry added 16 pts and 4 3pm and Jeff Green finally showed some life against his former team with 17 points, but I need to see more from Green before I’m ready to commit.
Kevin Martin – 3 points on 1-7 FG. Last night K-Mart couldn’t buy a bucket despite all the black Friday deals.
Serge Ibaka – 17 pts, 13 reb, 2 blk. Man, I wish I drafted this guy. And unless you own him, you probably do too.
Chandler Parsons – 31 pts, 5 rebs, 4 ast, 4 stl, 1 blk. The kid does it all, folks! Pars has been one of the biggest surprises of this young season and the 31 points was a career high, yet he’s still under 70% owned in Yahoo leagues. He should be owned everywhere by now so go do your thing, I’ll wait, and yes you should drop that other player for him.
Omer Asik – 18 pts, 14 rebs, 3 ast, 1 blk. Omergerd! I love this guy, too.
James Harden – 33 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk. By the beard of Harden! The Houston Rockets sure are fun to watch, especially last night when they dropped 131 points on the Knicks. Houston grabbed the W despite Carmelo Anthony‘s 37 points and 7 3pm.
Zach Randolph – 17 pts, 12 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl. Z-Bo was zebowing all over the Lakers last night, as the Grizz take down LA to silence any doubt that they are one of the leagues elite. Marc Gasol also outplayed his big bro handily with 14 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast and 2 blk. You’re not the boss of me anymore, bro! You’re not my dad!
Antawn Jamison – 16 pts, 7 reb, 2 3pm, 1 ast, 1 blk. I only mention him because I think this is the first time the Lakers bench has done anything all season, so yeah, naturally they lost.
Andre Iguodala– 29 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk, 3 3pm. I am going to start citing his performance in last night’s game as the reason why he is the perfect fantasy player. You da man, Dre! AI II.
Jarrett Jack – 17 pts, 4 asts, 2 stls. Golden State is without a true point guard and Jar-Jack should continue to see major minutes at point for them this season. If you are hurting for points and assists, Jarrett could be a Jack-pot.
Derrick Favors – 16 pts, 14 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk in 28 minutes off the bench. After a brief stint in the starting line up, Favors was back to coming off the bench last night with Marvin Williams (20 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast) getting the start. But after Favors’ showing last night, I’d guess he’d be back to starting in no time. The Jazz can’t hold him down much longer, I’d grab him if he’s available.
Ryan Anderson – 34 pts, 11 rebs, 1 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 8 3pm. Here’s what I said about Anderson last week, “Shouldn’t Anderson be playing more than 21 minutes a night? Do it for the tall, awkward, young white boys everywhere who look up to him.” Last night? 47 minutes starting for Anthony Davis, and Anders absolutely explodes with that pretty little line you see above. Hopefully New Orleans can find major minutes for him every night.
Greivis Vasquez – 25 pts, 14 asts, 5 reb. I benched him because, of course I did. Sonovabench.
Damian Lillard – 28 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast, 4 3pm. The Omen has been quite the opposite to the city of Portland, as he’s been every been as good as the hype, if not better. Finally, Lillard has given the PDX fans something to be excited about. Maybe he should switch nicknames with Greg Oden.
Kevin Love – 24 pts, 13 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl. Welcome back, old friend.
Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap, as fantasy basketball continues next week, all week long!
