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.
This week in the NBA sees the All Star festivities get under way on February 15 with the game itself going on the 17th. Needless to say this week is a very short one for most teams as they schedule makers needed to take into account travel days for players participating in the All Star events.
With this condensed work week we see that there are five teams that only play once. The Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and the Phoenix Suns all benefit from an extra day of rest; however, that also makes their players must sit em’s for the week.
The rest of the league all play a two game schedule during the week, all except the Los Angeles Clippers who have the busiest week with three games. Given that there are many solid fantasy options on the Clippers it would be to your benefit to load them up for the week and take advantage of the extra game.
WEEK 16 – START EM’
Jamal Crawford – Los Angeles Clippers
Super-sub and the top scoring sixth man, Jamal Crawford can pop off the bench and start scoring immediately. With Caron Butler’s back problems and Lamar Odom’s struggles, Crawford takes on the primary scorers role in the second unit. Down side is that Crawford doesn’t offer much else other than scoring in terms of fantasy value. For this week, just take his scoring over the three games and don’t worry about the assist and rebounding stats.
Chris Paul – Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul served notice on Sunday that he is back and feeling good as he led his Clippers to an impressive road win against the New York Knicks. After missing nine consecutive games Paul had his best game since his return as he posted 25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. No reason to think that this production can’t be sustained heading into the break. Paul is rested and is looking sharp, pick him up for the week and take advantage of the three game week.
Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers
Just like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin returned from injury and rejoined the team as they travelled in Madison Square Garden for the showdown against the Knicks. Griffin looked good as he played with his usual reckless abandon and threw down the usual violent dunks that we have become accustomed too. I like the Clippers to run the table on this three game week and Griffin will be a big part of the team’s success.
WEEK 16 – SIT EM’
Carmelo Anthony – New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony was arguably the league’s first half MVP; despite this he gets a sit em’ status for the last week of the first half as the Knicks have only one game on the schedule. Anthony certainly looks to be in great form for the stretch run as his shooting stroke has been dead-on in the past few games. I don’t mind sitting Anthony down here and I might consider sitting him for the next few weeks right up until March 4 for that is when the Knicks kick off a six week stretch of four games per week.
David Lee – Golden State Warriors
David Lee has been one of the most consistent fantasy options at the power forward spot this season. His efforts were rewarded as he was named to the Western Conference All Star team. His participation in the game will mark the first time since Latrell Sprewell in 1997 represented the Warriors. Despite all that, the Warriors only play one game this week and that relegates David Lee to the sidelines for fantasy rosters.