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.
Week 7 in the NBA is getting upon us and this week sees two teams with only two games on their schedules. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns have the easier week this go round, thus making some very enticing fantasy options must sits for the week.
Week 7 in the NBA starts December 10 and goes through to the evening games on December 16.
WEEK 7 – START EM’
David Lee – Golden State Warriors
I recommended running David Lee last week as the Warriors played four games over the week. If you took the advice you saw weekly averages of 23.2 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 3.6 apg. Once again I’m recommended David Lee as the coming schedule again has the Warriors playing four games. Downfall here is that all four games are road games for the Warriors. Good news is that they play Charlotte, Orlando and Atlanta during the trip; none of which are known for their physical inside presence. The inside-outside combination of Lee and Stephen Curry is proving to be a lethal combo with Lee getting a lot of nice easy baskets around the hoop.
Anderson Varejao – Cleveland Cavaliers
Similarly to Lee in Golden State, I recommended Anderson Varejao as a must start em’ player. If you capitalized on the advice, you got a weekly average of 14.2 ppg, 16.4 rpg and 3.0 apg. Like last week the Cleveland Cavaliers have another string of four games this week; games which include the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. If Varejao wants to be considered an elite player going up against the likes of Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Tyson Chandler, Greg Munroe and Roy Hibbert are excellent benchmarks. Here’s hoping Varejao is up for the challenge because without his energy and hustle plays this could easily turn into a 0-4 week for the Cavaliers.
Kobe Bryant – LA Lakers
Kobe Bryant is doing everything possible to keep the Lakers afloat. At the age of 34, Kobe shows little sign of slowing down. His last five games saw averages of 30.2 ppg, 5.2 apg and 4.8 rpg; with the coming week of games against Cleveland, NY Knicks, Washington and a home coming to Philadelphia, look for the fantasy production to remain. I’m particularly interested to see Kobe back in Philadelphia, the fans there don’t forget a thing and there is no love lost there towards Bryant. In what will be his 30th career game against the franchise I’m looking for a big night here out of Kobe.
WEEK 7 – SIT EM’
Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder
For the boys in OKC they only get to play two games this week. That makes the number one fantasy forward and the top overall fantasy guard basically mediocre for the week. After this week the Thunder have two consecutive weeks of only three games so even then, there are better options out there to maximize your points. Sit both Durant and Westbrook till the schedule becomes more favorable.
Goran Dragic – Phoenix Suns.
The return to the desert has been good to Goran as he has made the most of a regular starting spot and has nearly doubled his career points per game and assist averages. Surprising to many given the glut of top-notch guards in the Eastern Conference; however, Goran has kept up with a lot of the more recognized guards like Westbrook, Chris Paul and James Harden in terms of fantasy value. Phoenix is back to a work week consisting of four games after this week so re-evaluate running Dragic back after this week off.