The first few games of the NBA season have already provided some great highlights and compelling stories. The Eastern Conference teams are battling through storm Sandy’s aftermath. The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets had to postpone their anticipated season opening matchup in the much hyped Barclays Center.
Often overlooked in the highlight reels are those players who are contributing to their team without the fanfare of say a Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony. The first few games can offer early insight into how a player is fitting in with his team and how one is adjusting to being a starter. These players are fantasy gold for a GM as they come cheap and contribute like stars.
Known as sleepers in fantasy terms, these players are often playing in the shadows of over-hyped players; yet they continue to quietly put up solid numbers. For fantasy owners in daily leagues or salary cap leagues, identifying sleeper picks as the season progresses affords you more salary cap flexibility and increases your overall worth as you buy low and sell high.
Here are a few Eastern Conference players who are making a mark early, pick these guys up cheap, ride it out and look to add points and value to your fantasy squad. I’ve dug deep down into the teams rosters to find you these hidden gems.
Kevin Seraphin – Washington Wizards
This second year small forward had been stuck down the depth chart last season and never got the chance to play significant minutes. This season in Washington was shaping up to be much of the same as the Wizards acquired Nene and Emeka Okafor. In 57 games played last season, he averaged 7.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 1.3 bpg. Of those 57 games, Seraphin got 20 starts; during those games he posted averages of 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg.
This season saw Seraphin miss the opener with a calf injury, he did however play the following game. Against the Boston Celtics, Seraphin played 29 minutes and posted 19 points, 7 rebounds and a block. If regular minutes come to Seraphin then expect good results. This kid represents a true sleeper pick this early in the season.
Byron Mullens – Charlotte Bobcats
Mullens started 25 games last year for the Charlotte Bobcats and actually posted some decent enough numbers. He had six double-doubles on the year, had 27 games with over 10 points and 10 games with 10 or more rebounds. This season the strength and post moves look to have improved; combined with the nice outside touch could translate into some regular minutes for Mullens.
Through two Bobcats games, it looks like Mullens is going to have a larger role than last season. Here are the stat lines;
v. Dallas: 32 minutes, 16 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist.
v. Indiana: 31 minutes, 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
If the minutes continue to come to Mullens then look to pick him up on the cheap. November 19 – December 17 has the Bobcats playing 19 games in 28 days. I see this as a good time to pick up this sleeper and see if you can’t steal some valuable fantasy points.
Steve Novak – New York Knicks
Novak isn’t going to be cracking the Knicks starting lineup anytime soon, so you will have to be content with him getting around 23 minutes a night in a reserve role. Having said that, Novak is the most consistent three point shooter the Knicks have coming off the bench. Novak can step in and score quickly; he seems to have the green light out there to let them fly when he’s got the open shot.
While I don’t expect Novak to continue shooting the three ball at .625 clip like the first game, he remains a viable option as a cheap plug in player due to his ability to get hot and put up some good stats. In his first action of the season, Novak played 26 minutes and posted 17 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. If you are thinking of taking a flyer on Novak look to add him to your roster on November 12, as the Knicks will play 8 games during a 14 day stretch.