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 All Star festivities are over and it’s time to get back to meaningful NBA action. It has been shown time and time again that some players have a hard time leaving the mid-season break behind as their layoff can start to look like a bad hangover. Throw into the mix the fact that this week brings about the NBA trade deadline and with it players and teams alike can be distracted by the circulating rumours. It would be advisable to avoid players who are rumoured to be on the move as they can be yanked out of a lineup prior to game tipoff if a trade is imminent and even once the player is traded they might not suit up for their new squad right away, which translates to valuable fantasy points lost for you.
Here are four players to consider starting this week on your fantasy team and I’ve also dropped five players’ names that are definitely worth sitting down for the week. This week above all others look for roster consistency when putting your fantasy squad together. Players whose futures are a little uncertain this week are to be avoided; at least until the trade deadline dust has settled.
Week 17 in the NBA runs from February 19 through to the evening games on February 24.
WEEK 17 – START EM’
Greivis Vasquez – New Orleans Hornets
The last two weeks for Vasquez have been tremendous. Averaging 15.2 ppg, 10.2 apg, 5.6 rpg and 2.2 steals per game over that span has propelled Vasquez up the fantasy point guard rankings. This week brings three home games for the Hornets as they host Chicago, Dallas and Sacramento while they travel only once into Cleveland to play the Cavaliers. I like Greivis Vasquez to have another solid week here and once again assert his fantasy worth.
David Lee – Golden State Warriors
The All Star break came at a great time for the Golden State Warriors as they played 11 games in 19 days and lost five consecutive games leading into the break. Hopefully a little rest from competitive game action served David Lee and the rest of the Warriors some good as they need to find their winning ways again to keep pace in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. David Lee is doing his part as last month saw him average 18.1 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 4.6 apg over that torrid stretch of games. I like Lee to find his game again and start the second half of the season off on a strong note.
LeBron James – Miami Heat
Right now LeBron James is the best player on the planet and the Miami Heat have a four-game week ahead, enough said.
Zach Randolph – Memphis Grizzlies
Zach Randolph entered the All Star break on a high note; over the previous two weeks Randolph averaged 17.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg and 1.4 steals per game. The Grizzlies have a favorable four game stretch this week, particularly favorable for Randolph as the four teams they face are relatively void of any big-man talent. This coming week sees the Grizzlies travel into Detroit and Toronto followed by a home game against Orlando then back out on the road to Brooklyn. Randolph is superior to any big-man talent on these four teams and he should come through this week with some nice fantasy stat lines.
WEEK 17 – SIT EM’
Chris Paul & Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers
Last week the Clippers benefited from having the busiest week in the NBA, this week they are one of two teams with the slowest of schedules. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin continue to be excellent fantasy options and had these been a normal week you wouldn’t want to sit either guy; however, two games just doesn’t give enough potential fantasy points to risk it.
Al Jefferson & Paul Millsap – Utah Jazz
This week happens to be a doubly bad week to run any Jazz players. Not only do the Jazz only play two games this week but it also marks the end of the NBA trade deadline; a deadline that figures to be an active on for the Jazz organization. Both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are potential trade targets due to their expiring contracts but also for their on-court contributions. Both are solid fantasy guys who will each be better served without the other. Look for Millsap to be on the move come deadline day and the turmoil with a potential roster change can have detrimental effects on an entire team.
Josh Smith – Atlanta Hawks
Josh Smith continues to be rumoured as the most likely guy to be traded come deadline day. Given that the Hawks are actively exploring the multitude of trade options and the fact that the likelihood of Smith departing hot-lanta is high; this all equates to some down time for Smith. It is unlikely that Smith plays a full complement of games this week and even more unlikely that the games he does play will be productive one for your fantasy roster.