There comes a time in every man’s life when he must admit defeat. Like when your girlfriend demands to know why you can’t just remember to put the toilet seat down. You can try to explain to her that the house is haunted and you would never be so inconsiderate. From experience I must say its not as convincing as it sounds in your head. The only correct response is to hang your head in shame and say, “I’m sorry”. Older bench players like Mo Williams and Nate Robinson are my toilet seats. I can’t seem to put them down and I will undoubtedly hang my head in shame when I do finally drop them. Why not skip that uncomfortable feeling all together? Why not take an unknown player who may blossom into a fantasy star? Here are a couple of bigs that I believe will outperform players like Omer Asik (63% owned), Samuel Dalembert (52% owned), and Luis Scola (42% owned).
OK I lied. I feel obligated to mention Patrick Beverley again. His ownership has doubled since Monday following news from the Biebs, aka Chandler Parsons, that he will start. He should be at 50% ownership by the time you read this. He is a must own player in even the shallowest leagues given the rib injury he sustained last night is nothing serious. Yes your league too. Would you like a projection based on 30 minutes per game? How about .430/.800/1.5/14.0/5.0/5.0/2.0/0.7/2.0. Those numbers are conservative, I would not be surprised if he outperforms in every single one of those categories. If I were drafting over I would have Beverley in the same tier as Jrue Holiday and well ahead of guys like Jose Calderon and George Hill. Aside from all that, and most importantly, Patrick Beverley is in dire need of a nickname. PBev is kinda meh. I’ve had a little fun with Pat Bev Devoe. “That Lin is Poooooooiiiiisonnnnn” Please feel free to leave suggestions in the comments.
Steven Adams C-OKC (3% owned) – I mentioned Adams a few days ago. To summarize, he’s good, Kendrick ‘Money Trees’ Perkins isn’t. Hereafter to be known as Lurch, Steven Adams will bring his energetic play to the Thunder off the bench. 15-20 minutes a night to begin the year feels about right. In only one year at Pitt, Lurch got only 23 minutes per game and responded with 7.2 points on 57% shooting, 6.3 boards, 0.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks. In limited Summer League minutes he received very favorable reviews for his toughness and athleticism. It was his preseason play that has garnered him minutes in the Oklahoma City rotation instead of a trip to the D-League. In 26 minutes Lurch posted a line of .586/.533/8.4/9.2/0.8/1.0/1.2/2.2. There are obvious holes in his game with his FT shooting and turnovers but those should both improve with practice. The only question remaining is will 15-20 minutes turn into 25-30 minutes this year? That’s tough to predict but I say it happens. An injury to Money Trees and I think he gets it immediately. For the year I give him a line of, .550/.600/0/10.0/8.0/1.0/0.8/1.8/1.8, in 24 minutes. “You rang?”
Vitor Faverani C-Bos (10% owned) – Faverani was a virtual unknown before the preseason but his game looks NBA ready. Thriving off his pick and roll play and movement without the ball he turned into a solid bench scorer for Valencia in the Euroleague. Per 40 numbers of 21/10 and 1.7 blocks touches on his upside. The biggest question is whether or not he can handle a starting job and 30 minute a night workload. Given the nickname of ‘El Hombre Indestructible’ for his energy and desire in the paint has me thinking he can handle it. In 15 preseason minutes per game El Hombre averaged 7.3/4.4 on 51% shooting and 1.3 blocks. Currently dealing with an injured back is unfortunate but the Celtics don’t believe it to be serious and I’m going to believe them. Going out on a limb a little I think he will see 30 minutes per game, if healthy, immediately. For the year I give him a line of, .480/.730/0.2/12.0/8.0/0.5/0.5/1.2/2.0 in 30 minutes. I think he is capable of more and on a team so talent deficient as the Celtics, 30 or more minutes per game shouldn’t be too hard to come by.
