I usually start of the write up with some news or something positive. Today I am going in a different direction cause I got something to rant about. I want to know how people in L.A., New York, and Philly go watch these crap ass NBA teams play ? I just don’t get it. Don’t tell me that people go to see the players on the other team either cause most teams are sitting there stars when they play these garbage teams. It’s not even bearable to watch. Do these people have nothing else better to do or spend there money on? If so give your tickets to some underprivileged kids that normally couldn’t go to a game. The money these people spend on tickets and other things at the arena, I am sure there are a bunch of charities that could use that money. I see Spike Lee at the Knicks game shaking his head and throwing his hands in the air in disbelief. Really? Don’t tell me you went to the Knicks game the other night and thought they were going to be competitive. It’s a flipping joke and it’s hurting the NBA. And if Adam Silver thinks these teams aren’t tanking on purpose he’s a damn moron. The only way these owners get the picture is if you hit them in the pocket and that’s by not going to the arena. How does this relate to fantasy you ask? It hurts season long leagues more than the daily side of it. In season long you’re just screwed when your stud player sits or barely plays against these weak ass teams. In DFS you have to be careful using high priced stud players against these teams. Yeah, you look on paper and the matchup is off the charts but is that player going to be needed for his team to win. We seen that most teams back ups are good enough to blow these teams out. So really it’s better if the player or players just sit out and we get to use the back ups in a good spot. It also creates much needed salary relief for your rosters. I bet you are all saying “will this guy just get on with it already”. Ok you win. We a nice 8 game slate on Saturday night with some very nice match ups. I also have a couple links down below about some industry news that happen this week.
http://rotoexperts.com/88013/anthem-media-acquires-ludawgs-com/
Point Guards
The prices on point guards are expensive across the industry. One matchup I like is Ty Lawson at home against Minnesota. Minnesota gives up the second most points to point guards and last in the league in defensive efficiency. Also Denver is ranked 5th in pace and Minnesota is ranked 6th. So it should be a up and down game.
Just play Michael Carter-Williams when Tony Wroten isn’t in the lineup. His usage rate without Tony Wroten in the line up is 27.3%. MCW has the upside of the high priced point guards.
One of the reasons for the Atlanta Hawks success this year is the play of Jeff Teague. This game at Chicago should be really competitive between two top teams in the East. Vegas has Atlanta favored by 1 ½ with a 199 ½ O/U right now. Overall the Bulls defense hasn’t been good this year. They rank 21st in defensive efficiency against point guards. I don’t think he will be highly owned which is good for your GPP’s.
Mike Conley sat out Friday with his foot in a boot. Beno Udrih drew the start and played 29 minutes. He had no problem meeting value as a cheap punt point guard option.
Shooting Guard
To be perfectly honest with you I think shooting guard sucks on Friday. As I write this I don’t see any value I feel comfortable using. That might change as we get closer to line up lock. If you play on Draft Kings where the positions are strict you’re kinda handcuffed. Now if you play on a site like Fantasy Aces you don’t have to worry about playing a shooting guard. No matter what site you are playing on James Harden is going to cost you. The way he’s playing he should be expensive. I’m not going to give you all these fancy stats for a stud player. I will tell you, James Harden is in a highly competitive game against the Warriors who are the leaders in the Western Conference. The game has a low point spread and 212 O/U.
The only other player I feel some what comfortable talking about is Klay Thompson. I think he is site specific too. I like rostering him on sites that give you 4 points for a made 3 pointer. James Harden should be guarding him and that’s not a bad thing.
Small Forwards
Robert Covington, where he is SF eligible, has a nice matchup against the Pistons who are 29th in defensive efficiency against the small forward position and give up the 2nd most fantasy points.
If you want a cheap value play, Derrick Williams got the start with Rudy Gay out. The Clippers really have a tough time guarding the wings.
Check the status of Andrew Wiggins before you put him your lineup. He left the game early on Friday night with an injury.
Power Forwards
Greg Monroe is playing a Philly team that gives up the most fantasy points to power forwards.
Taj Gibson got the start with Joakim Noah sidelined with an ankle injury. He let us down on Friday night but you have to have a short memory. Taj has a nice price around the industry in a highly competitive game.
Kenneth Faried had a slow stretch for a little bit but seemed to find his groove the last two games. On Saturday night the same Timberwolves team comes to town that Faried torched back on December, 26th for a 26 points and 25 rebounds. He seems to always play better at home too. Minnesota is dead last in defensive efficiency against power forwards.
If you want a little cheaper exposure against Minnesota’s front court J.J. Hickson is an option.
Centers
Andre Drummond has the same great matchup as Greg Monroe.
Just like peanut butter and jelly go together, so does playing Gorgui Dieng against the Nuggets. Plain and simple, he just owns the Nuggets. In the two games this year he has a total of 36 points, 25 boards, and 7 blocks.
Don’t forget to check twitter for any late scratches and player news. As always you can catch me on twitter @realdaddybigs or leave a comment below. Good luck this weekend in your games.
