I don’t know if you can’t see the double entendre I just did there in the Title. Big… get it? As in “bigs”. As in big guys who play the power forward and/or centre position. Pretty clever, I know. To further the mystery of my creative process, I submit that you need to secure the Power Forward and Centre position if you want to have a deep run in the playoffs. In addition, in case you had yet to arrive at this revelation, you will also need great wings and guards to complete the package. That is my Madden-ism for the week. So, to summarize: you need great bigs, wings and guards, or you won’t go far on your fantasy run.
For today, I’ll focus on the bigs only. The following dudes may be raising you up, or bringing you down. Take a gander:
BUY:
Robin Lopez PF, C
What happened in this new millennia that every celebrity and athlete needs an abbreviated version of their name as a nickname? I blame the media circa J-Lo/Benifer era. Not at all relevant to Robin, but I was just doing the bare minimum amount of research, and twice I was Lopez referred to as “Ro Lo”. Lopez is now given the name of a tasty chocolate treat. Terrible. Sorry for the tangent, kind reader. The fact is that Sideshow Rob has earned a spot on the fantasy main stage. In his last five games, he has posted 10/6/10.6/.8/.6/2.8. The swats are naaaasty. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect this kind of block production from him to continue at this clip, but it would be wise to try to pry him away from whomever owns him in your league.
Pau Gasol PF, C
Look at that! Two other-brothers in a row. It’s sad but true, Pau is now the “other brother”. Marc Gasol, when healthy, is the better fantasy player to have on your squad. But Pau has been quietly producing on a bad squad since his return, going 17/9.2/2/.5/2 in the last 4 games. And because the Lakers suck the sack, Pau will have all the opportunity he can handle.
Greg Monroe PF, C
From the “other brother” to the “other centre”. While all eyes are on Andre Drummond, Mr Monroe has been blue chip. In his last 5 games, he’s averaged 17.4/10.6/1.2/1.4/1.4, getting 36.5 minutes a night. Amazing, just like his 1970’s name. I don’t know why, but in my mind, I associate the name Greg Monroe with a cat wearing the Jackie Moon era too-tight-ball-hugger slacks, with bad-ass mutton chop sideburns, saying stuff like: “Solid” all the time.
SELL:
Tyson Chandler C
This is a “sell high” recommendation, not a negative endorsement. Tyson has been killing it lately, but there is no way he can play the way he has been for the balance of the season, given the level of production, and compound that with the absolute mess that is the New York Knickerbockers . In his last five, he has averaged 11.8/14.6/.8/.8/1.4. The boards have been absolutely monstrous, and now is the time to turn Chandler into another asset.
Jonas Valanciunas C
I will deservedly take some heat for this one, as I have been touting his value all season. While he has had runs of very good production, he has just been too inconsistent to hold on to, even those of us who were hoping for the second coming of Anvydas Sabonis to emerge. Jonas is also Lithuanian, but that’s where the comparison ends, for now. The fact is, he has played poorly since the all star break. I hope he finds his way, but I can no longer recommend sticking with him while he “finds himself”.
Enes Kanter PF, C
The Kanter has slowed to a lazy trot. That’s right, that great unifier, horseback riding humour. But while riding horses may be your thing, Enes should no longer be. For a while, Kanter was riding high, but he has been bucked from fantasy relevance, and it’s time to hitch your wagon to a new filly. Sorry, for all of that.
That’s all I could muster up, buckaroos. May all your shots tickle the twine.
Holla!
