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 legwork for you. We are posting a weekly NBA start em’ and sit em’ fantasy guide to assist you in maximizing your fantasy roster potential.
Week 14 in the Association officially runs from January 29th through to February 4th. This week sees the normal three and four games sets for most squads; however, there are four squads who are on a short two game work week.
The Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trailblazers all have the slow week and thusly a few fantasy studs aren’t in play this week. The likes of Dwight Howard, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard should be sat down in favour of guys with busier work weeks.
Looking at the schedule we see that the Charlotte Bobcats and the Chicago Bulls each embark on a four game road swing and each team must play a back-to-back on that trip. I’m not a proponent of selecting guys with such a schedule as teams and individuals are poised for a let down during the stretch.
Let’s start by getting the hottest player in the league into our lineups, if he isn’t there already that is. Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant is on a tear. His last five games have produced a slash line of 36 ppg, 8 rpg and 7 apg. This week the Thunder have a four game week that includes a road game in South beach. One can bet that Durant will be pumped for that matchup with LeBron James and the results could be explosive.
The Phoenix Suns are probably the surprise team of the season so far as nobody predicted them to be seven games over .500 at this point in the season. It would seem as though their success is coming through smoke and mirrors as their roster, on paper, anyways is a little thin on talent.
Well the team success predicated on new head coach Jeff Hornacek’s philosophies is working and he is fortunate enough to have a steady-handed point guard who has bought in completely. Goran Dragic is having a career season and with Eric Bledsoe out due to injury, Dragic will showcase his talents all season for the Suns.
The Suns have a favourable four game set this week with two games on the road and two at home. Look for Dragic to continue his strong play into this week and expect averages of 20 ppg, 4 rpg, 7 apg and 1.5 steals per game. Solid production out of a guy who can still be had on the cheap in most fantasy leagues.
From point guard we go back to the forward spot and focus on one that is making nightly double-doubles the norm. Kevin Love is having as consistent a year as any player in NBA history. His season averages of 24.9 ppg, 12.9 rpg and 4.1 apg place him in the top five for fantasy performers on the year.
Minnesota has four games on the schedule this week, three of which are home games. The Timberwolves and Love will matchup favourably against the competition this week as New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta and Los Angeles Lakers are on the horizon.
Our last recommended must start comes out of the Eastern Conference as the Indiana Pacer’s Paul George is heating up heading into the all-star break. George’s last five games have seen a slash line of 27.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 2.6 apg and 2.0 steals per game. I’m definitely liking George this week and I’m looking for him to keep up the strong play.
The Pacers play Phoenix, Brooklyn and Orlando at home before finishing off the week with a road game in Atlanta. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pacers sweep the week in terms of wins and George be named as offensive player of the week in the Association.