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.
Well the week leading into the NBA’s marquee Christmas Day games starts now and it is a busy one for many teams as there are 21 teams with four games. Only one team, the Los Angeles Lakers have a light week heading into the holidays as they are slated for only two games. With so many teams having four game weeks the fantasy options are boundless.
Given that the fantasy playing field is fairly level for the week; I’m looking for some fresh legs to propel me through the busy week. There are players returning from injuries that aren’t bogged down from the rigors of NBA travel. One player in particular in Cleveland is serving notice that he wants to make up for lost time and I’m more than happy to give the chance on my fantasy team.
Week 8 in the NBA starts December 17 and goes through to the evening games on December 24.
WEEK 8 – START EM’
Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers
What a week back it has been for Kyrie. He threw up 41 points against the Knicks, 26 points against Milwaukee and 28 points, 11 assists against the Lakers last week. This week the Cavaliers have a four game work week; hosting Toronto and Indiana, travelling out to Milwaukee and a marquee matchup of point guards as they play the Celtics at the Garden. I’m looking for Irving to shred the Raptors defense and have a huge game. I’m also hoping that a Brandon Jennings - Monta Ellis tilt as well as going head to head with Rajon Rondo will propel Kyrie to play at his best; which all equates to a monster fantasy week for you.
Brandon Knight – Detroit Pistons
What a stud this kid is turning out to be. Heading into Saturday’s game against Indiana he had reeled off five straight 20 point performances. With four games this week and three against some of the leagues weaker teams he should have a very productive fantasy week. First up for the Pistons is a road game to play the Clippers, hopefully this game doesn’t turn into a blowout and that Knight gets his usual 38 minutes of action here to put up numbers, after this game the Pistons get to play the Raptors followed by a home and home against the Washington Wizards. I really like the fantasy point potential against the defensively absent-minded Rap’s squad followed by a John Wall-less Wizards team.
WEEK 8 – SIT EM’
Kobe Bryant & Dwight Howard – LA Lakers
The NBA schedule makes are doing the Lakers a real favor here. The light work week couldn’t have come at a better time for the purple and gold as they are struggling to put a cohesive and consistent product on the court. The Lakers are only 4-6 in their last 10 games and are in desperate need of some down time in hopes of snapping out of this funk. Dwight Howard hasn’t had anything spectacular this past week, he’s been steady with a 15.8 ppg and 13.6 rpg, but frankly we all expect more. On the other hand Kobe’s last five games have been uber-productive from a fantasy perspective as he has averaged 34.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 4.8 apg; sadly with only two games this week, Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard are definite sit em’s.
Anderson Varejao – Cleveland Cavaliers
It was just last week that I recommended Varejao as a must start player. He was tearing it up, scoring points, grabbing rebounds and running the floor like a gazelle, now he just seems tired and worn down. The pace at which Varejao plays is bound to set oneself up for a letdown. Hopefully that is what this week is, just a little bit of a down turn. With Kyrie Irving back in the lineup, Varejao’s shots have gone down and as have his scoring opportunities. Let’s give it a couple weeks to see how they can gel together and what Varejao’s production will look like after the dust settles; that’s assuming of course he is still a Cavalier come the New Year.