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.
The New Year kicked off with some great NBA games that produced some fantastic fantasy stat lines. Rajon Rondo registered another triple double, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul went head to head in the battle of Los Angeles and a lightly regarded fantasy option at the center position coming out of Orlando named Nikola Vucevic registered a 20 point 29 rebound outing on New Year’s Eve.
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 29.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 7.2 apg and 1.4 stls. Meanwhile Harden was hardly a slouch as he posted weekly averages of 28.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.6 apg and 3.0 stls.
This week sees three teams who have two game work weeks; the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and the red hot LA Clippers all have the lighter schedules. It’s too bad for the Clippers; Chris Paul is absolutely on fire and is producing top notch fantasy stats. Neither the Pistons nor Wizards really have that must start guy on their teams. Brandon Knight and Greg Munroe are good for stretches; however, they are not producing consistently.
Let’s have a look at the teams playing four game weeks and see who will be poised to maximize your fantasy points for the week.
Week 11 in the NBA starts January 7 and goes through to the evening games on January 13, 2013.
WEEK 11 – START EM’
Carmelo Anthony & J.R. Smith – NY Knicks
Well the Knicks are continuing to show that they just might be the team to beat this year coming out of the East. Carmelo Anthony is continuing to pump in the points; only now in addition to the scoring Anthony is rebounding and passing as well. The last five games have given Anthony’s fantasy owners 36 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 4.3 apg. Anthony needs to stay healthy and on the court; the only real concerns for fantasy GM’s is the missed playing time so far this season. There is no doubt that Anthony is getting dinged up; however, so long as nothing major occurs expect Anthony to do everything he can to be out there every night.
J.R Smith is making a serious case for sixth man of the year award. The competition is steep as Jamal Crawford is also a super-sub this season for the LA Clippers. The last five games for Smith have been awesome; he’s posted averages of 24.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.2 stl. Keep in mind that just because Smith is coming off the bench he is still seeing starter-like minutes and is often on the court with the first unit in the fourth quarter. The chemistry that Anthony and Smith seem to have developed is serving both players well as each is able to get their shots and score their points while complimenting one another’s playing style.
This coming week is very favourable for the Knicks as they host the Boston Celtics, go on the road to Indiana then return home for Chicago and New Orleans. I’m looking for both Anthony and J.R. Smith to have monster fantasy weeks. Looking ahead though, keep in mind that the Knicks go from a full slate of games this week to only ONE game next week which of course renders all Knick players as fantasy irrelevants for the coming week.
Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie and the Cavaliers have a nice four game stretch this week. They play Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and the LA Lakers; both the Nuggets and the Lakers are terrible defensively so there is a good possibility of some nice fantasy points there. Kyrie has brought his scoring up on average of six points per game from December into January while maintaining a nice assist and rebounding line. With Anderson Varejao out, the offense falls almost solely to Irving and whether he is scoring or creating it all equates to great fantasy numbers.
Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder
Like you need any extra incentive to start the best one-two duo in the league; however, 12 games in the next three weeks for Oklahoma makes these two fantastic long term fantasy options. Durant is posting his usual numbers, despite having a bit of a down turn in scoring the last five games. It seems that where Durant defers the scoring it is Westbrook who is only too happy to pick up the pace. Westbrook raised his scoring over the past five games to a whopping 25.6 ppg. Right now aside from Chris Paul there isn’t a point guard in the league who can keep up with Westbrook. This dynamic duo is a must start; three consecutive weeks with four games in each give you solid stats and conserves trades for down the road.
WEEK 11 – SIT EM’
Chris Paul & Blake Griffin – LA Clippers
About the only thing keeping the Clippers have another four win week is the NBA schedule makers. Here’s hoping that the lighter week doesn’t slow the Clip Nation down as they are flat out rolling. Chris Paul is forcing many to give him serious consideration for MVP as he is the guiding force behind the Clippers rise to the top.
Give Paul and Griffin a rest on this short week and look to jump back on the duo come next week as week 12 is a four game work week follwed by week 13 with a whopping five games for the Clippers.