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.
Opening week in the NBA is coming to a close so we are shifting our fantasy focus to week two. In week one there was only one team playing four games; the Los Angeles Lakers had the busiest schedule and they certainly did not fare well in those games. From a fantasy perspective though, if you had Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard on your team you had a nice week.
This week in the NBA is considerably busier as most teams are playing four games. There are two teams who are only playing two games this week. The New Orleans Hornets and New York Knicks are having a break in the schedule, which is too bad because Carmelo Anthony would have been a great pickup.
We have all seen the amazing start to the season; however, avoid the temptation to run James Harden this week. The Houston Rockets are only playing three games; wait till next week where they have four to play.
WEEK 2 – START EM’
With so many options to choose from this week; 18 teams are playing four game weeks and it being so early in the season, unfortunately the following start em’ picks are a little uncreative. Once the season progresses players will show themselves as being must starts, that and we will be able to use a larger sampling to grade opposing defenses. Once things pick up, the player picks will be more entertaining.
Chris Paul – Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have three games in the books and four more slated for the coming week. Chris Paul is again proving his worth as the league’s best point guard. Through three contests CP3 is averaging 19 ppg, 12.3 apg, 4 rpg and 2.66 steals. I’ll take Paul’s production over the next four games as the Clippers play three home games against Cleveland, San Antonio and Atlanta, while travelling once to play Portland.
Lebron James – Miami Heat
Yes, I know what you are saying. Shouldn’t we be starting Lebron every week? That answer is a yes; however, in a four game week you definitely need to be starting him. It might seem like a small thing, but if you can put a whole game of Lebron fantasy points between yourself and a fellow GM, you would be remiss not to take advantage. LBJ’s last game against Denver saw him flirt with a triple-double; if your league awards fantasy bonus points for these then LBJ is a must have this week.
WEEK 2 – SIT EM’
Carmelo Anthony – New York Knicks
With only two games scheduled this week, Carmelo would have to put up monster numbers to match a four game output from say a Kevin Durant. Carmelo is off to a great start so far. In the absence of Amare Stoudemire, Anthony is the primary scoring threat for the Knicks. If the Knicks were playing a four game week, I’d be running Carmelo out there for sure.
Anthony Davis – New Orleans Hornets
It looks like Anthony Davis will be sidelined with his concussion for at least a few games, which in NBA terms is a week. Good week to sit your best player when your team only plays twice. I doubt highly that the Hornets will be pushing Davis into action during this light week. I’m making Anthony Davis a two week sit em’ player of two reasons: one being the injury and two the Hornets only play 5 games in 2 weeks. Wait for him to clear medically and for the schedule to become more favorable before picking him back up.