In fantasy basketball, success is often determined by how nimble you are. How willing are you to scour the free-agents for a diamond in the rough. How close do you pay attention to injuries and roster changes? This regular series will help to take the guess work out of who you should have your eye on for some of the deeper fantasy leagues.
Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks - It wasn’t all that long ago that Dampier claimed he was the second-best center in the league behind Shaquille O’Neal. However, over the past few years Dampier really hasn’t been a fantasy option unless you were in the market for a serviceable rebounding presence. Given this fact, there’s a good chance that Dampier is available in your league. Most people probably consider him an afterthought at this point especially given his two-week hiatus for mysterious health issues. While he had an average night tonight (8 pts. and 8 rebs.), it’s difficult to refute his dreamy fantasy stat-lines in the previous two games. Dampier dropped a 20-point, 17-rebound, 2-block game against Miami on Friday and followed up that amazing performance with a 14-point, 18-rebound, three-block performance against Charlotte on Saturday. To make Dampier even more appealing, the guy shoots a ridiculous 71% from the field as most of his shots are dunks and shots right around the hoop. If you are in need of some help in the middle, don’t hesitate to pick up Dampier.
Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers - Holiday hadn’t played since Dec. 2 because of a strained right rotator cuff, but he made his return to the Sixers’ lineup on Friday against the Rockets where he saw limited action. But as the Sixers begin to tinker with their lineup with the addition of Allen Iverson, Holiday got the start tonight against the Warriors and capitalized on the opportunity. Tonight’s line for Holiday: 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. I’ll take that any night from my point guard. The most telling aspect of his night though, was that he played nearly 39 minutes. This would indicate that Eddie Jordan is comfortable with Holiday in the lineup, and this being their first win in the past 14 games I would expect Jordan to keep this successful lineup as long as it keeps working. While Holiday is likely only suitable for deep leagues, he could be a decent add/drop player if your league calls for it. It should also be noted that the return of Louis Williams looms (January), but you still have some time to take advantage of Holiday’s sweet numbers while you can.
Tyler Hansbrough, Indiana Pacers – Over the past few weeks, Hansbrough has used his relentless hustle and effort to increase his minutes and gain the trust of coach Jim O’Brien. While he still isn’t averaging a ton of minutes, Hansbrough has found a way to be an active contributor on offense. As he gets comfortable with his increased role, we’ll continue to see him increase his FG% and points – and we already know he’s an active rebounder. Over the past four games, Hansbrough has averaged 15 ppg, 7 rpg, and over one steal per game. As long as Danny Granger is out, we’ll continue to see notable contributions from Hansbrough.
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies – While there was a stretch of this season where Conley may have been rotting away on most free-agent lists, times may be changing for the Grizzlies’ point man. He was a risky addition as a timeshare with Allen Iverson, and still questionable when Memphis added Jamaal Tinsley for help in the backcourt. Those worries have subsided for Conley, as he has officially been handed the reigns and has logged major minutes for Memphis over the past six games (aside from their blowout win over Miami). Although the Grizzlies lost to the Celtics tonight in a competitive contest, it’s no secret that Memphis is a team on an upward swing. They have won four out of their last six games, and Conley has played a huge role in those wins (including two 20-point games). As long as Conley continues to lead Memphis to solid wins, you can expect him to contributing at a pace worthy of adding him to your fantasy team.
Mike Miller, Washington Wizards – I don’t suggest that you go out and pick up the injured Miller right now, but certainly keep an eye on him. While he has been out of action since November 22 with a calf injury, he is nearing return and is expected to join the Wizards during their upcoming West Coast trip. When he was healthy, Miller was consistently getting 35 mpg, was a solid 3-point threat, and was a surprisingly efficient rebounder. Give him a few games back in the lineup to see how he’s progressing, but definitely keep him on your radar for a potential add in the near future.
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