If you look at the NBA in the same fashion as the NFL then there are 25 weeks of NBA action. By breaking down each week and analyzing team schedules you can load your roster with players playing more games and sit those who are playing fewer games.
If all this sounds like a lot of work then you need not worry; because we have done the leg work for you. We are posting a weekly NBA start em’ and sit em’ fantasy guide to assist you in maximizing your fantasy roster potential.
Well like the lore of Christmas’ past we were all treated to some fantastic NBA action over the holiday season. For those who tuned in on Christmas day we were treated to some great matchups and witnessed some of the league’s best go toe to toe.
Last week I recommended LeBron James and James Harden as must start em’ guys for your fantasy roster; they each came through and would have scored you great fantasy points on the week. Lebron’s stat line for the week was 29.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 7.2 apg and 2.8 spg. Meanwhile Harden was hardly a slouch as he posted weekly averages of 29 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.0 apg and 2.2 spg.
This week sees only one team with a two game schedule; the Golden State Warriors are playing the lightest week in the league. There are many teams who play a full and busy week with four games; remember it is far more beneficial to pick up guys with busier weeks than not. It may not seem like much but the difference of a few games stats over the course of a busy year can cost you.
Week 10 in the NBA starts December 31 and goes through to the evening games on January 6, 2013.
WEEK 10 – START EM’
LeBron James – Miami Heat
Fresh off a Christmas week of action that saw Lebron re-establish himself as not only the best player in the league but also the single biggest fantasy contributor out there. With another four game week on the horizon you need to run LeBron out there again and take advantage of this opportunity. The Heat play a close-to-home game against Orlando then actual home games against Dallas, Chicago and Washington. If I had to pick out a game in which to expect a monster performance it would be Dallas as their team defense is atrocious and seemingly getting worse by the game.
James Harden – Houston Rockets
I’m giving Harden back to back start em’ status as he is just lighting it up of late and you have to go with the hot hand when you can. The Rockets have a four game work week with the first two games at home against Atlanta and New Orleans followed by a two game road swing through Milwaukee and Cleveland. I like Harden’s aggressiveness right now as he is looking to be the go to guy. The feeling out process in Houston appears to be over and players are now familiar with each other’s game and are now diverting to Harden to be their primary scorer. Take advantage of the league’s highest scoring offense and run Harden out there again as he will be seeing a lot of scoring opportunities in the coming week.
WEEK 10 – SIT EM’
David Lee & Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors only have two games this week making them all fantasy liabilities for the week. The two primary fantasy options on the Warriors are David Lee and Stephen Curry; both of which are having solid seasons. I would look at dropping them both till at least the week of January 21 where the warriors once again resume four game work weeks.
Dirk Nowitzki & OJ Mayo – Dallas Mavericks
The return of Dirk has not gone smoothly; due in part to the lack of conditioning but also because the rest of Mavericks are still deferring to Nowitzki far too often offensively. They haven’t adjusted to having Dirk back and not being 100%. OJ Mayo is not nearly as aggressive with Nowitzki on the court and the offensive load has fallen onto the diminutive shoulders of Darren Collinson. For Nowitzki he hasn’t scored in double figures since returning to the Mavs lineup and his shooting percentage is a woeful .320. It is taking a while for the rhythm to return and till we see a huge improvement sit Nowitzki and his teammates.