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.
The inaugural week in the 2013-14 NBA season saw a few teams with busy schedules. The Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat all played five games apiece. The usual cast of fantasy studs played up to their stardom as Dwight Howard, James Harden and LeBron James all had great weeks.
As week two is set to tip off we see that there are no teams with five game work weeks as the majority of the teams are playing only four with the odd few playing just three. With so many teams playing the same four game week the fantasy options are plentiful. We aren’t going to waste your time by promoting Howard. LeBron and Kevin Durant here; instead we provide some lesser knows who are coming off a hot start and who are looking to keep the momentum going into week two.
The surprise of the week was none other than Michael Carter-Williams for the Philadelphia 76ers. The rookie was named as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week and deservedly so as he averaged 20 ppg, 7.8 apg, 5.0 rpg and 3.3 steal per contest.
The 76ers have a good four-game stretch this week as they play Cleveland twice, San Antonio and Washington. Pick up Carter-Williams for the week and ride the rookie’s hot-hand.
Another hot-hand out in the East is the Orlando Magic’s Arron Afflalo who seems determined to retain his starting role over the newly drafted Victor Oladipo. It would be hard for any head coach to sit a guy who is averaging 20.8 ppg, 4.5 apg and 5.5 rpg over 36 minutes of action a night. Throw in the fact that the Magic get to play the depleted Boston Celtics twice this week and all of a sudden Afflalo looks like a good fantasy risk.
Moving now over to the Western Conference we spot Anthony Davis who is off to a hot start in New Orleans. Over his last four games, Davis is averaging 23.7 ppg, 12.3 rpg and an astounding 4.0 blocks per game. Moving forward this week the Pelicans benefit from playing a home-and-home series against the Los Angeles Lakers who will surely have some matchup difficulties in guarding Davis. Davis is a solid start almost every week but particularly while he is healthy and not yet worn down from the season grind.
A bit more of a darkhorse for the week is Minnesota’s Kevin Martin who thus far is enjoying starter minutes once again. Over the first four games Martin reverted to his Houston Rocket days as he averaged 21.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 2.8 apg. While these lofty averages aren’t likely to continue throughout the season; I’d run Martin out there this week and hope that the hot shooting continues.