Hello everyone and welcome to the first ever Three in the Key Fantasy Basketball Pickups! The article will consist of a total of 5 recommended players, one for each starting NBA position. The rules of the article are that each player I recommend must have less than 50% ownership in Yahoo fantasy leagues.
Now that we have covered the ground rules, lets take a look at who has caught my eye this week.
Point Guard
Jarret Jack (PG,SG) Yahoo Ownership 36%
Owners looking for a point guard with a steady floor and high upside have no further to look than Jarret Jack. After being traded from the New Orleans Hornets to the Golden State Warriors many owners believed that Jack's value was strictly tied to the health of guard Stephan Curry, who looked to be starting the season with already reoccurring ankle issues. Although Jack's value may be hindered by the presence of Curry, the loss of Brandon Rush with a torn ACL, and Mark Jackson's deployment of a three guard offense has helped Jack already put up top 70 fantasy lines. Through the first three games of the season Jack has averaged 6.7 dimes and 29 mpg (a number that should grow with the loss of Rush) and with Mark Jackson trusting him to run the point more often, there is no reason to think Jack's assist totals won't hold up for the remainder of the season. Savvy owners will be wise to snatch up Jack now and reep the already lucrative benifits, with the potential of that stock to skyrocket even greater.
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| A torn Brandon Rush ACL, has opened the fantasy door for Jack |
Strong Buy (10 teams plus)
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| Does the masked veteran still have fantasy value? |
Shooting Guard
Richard Hamilton (SG) Yahoo Ownership 18%
Sometimes the right fantasy play isn't always the sexy one, and many times owners choose to overlook veterans who are passed their primes for younger big boom fantasy players. Although Rip Hamilton isn't the 20 point scorer he once was, the 34 year old veteran has found himself again in a productive scoring role. With the absence of the Bulls franchise point guard Derrick Rose, and the departure of defensive specialist Ronnie Brewer, Chicago is now relying on their veteran shooting guard for some scoring to help ease the load off of stars Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. Hamilton has responded very well and in the first two games of the young season, has put up back to back 19 point performances. Baring injury (which is a big 'if") Hamilton could easily find himself averaging around 14 ppg by the end of the season, a very useful number, especially for deep league owners. Expectations should wary due to Hamiltons lack of supporting numbers in the assists and rebound department, but owners should not feel hesitation to pick up the shooting guard in favour of younger over hyped fantasy commodities such as Gerald Henderson or Bradley Beal. Think of Rip as a poor man Jamal Crawford this season, and enjoy the respectable point output and high free throw percentage.
Moderate Buy (14 teams plus)
Small Forward
Al-Farouq Aminu (SF) Yahoo Ownership 39%
One of the best fantasy strategies is targeting the post hype sleepers, and Aminu is the absolout definition of that. After being selected to the all-freshman team in the ACC, Aminu was the 8th overall draft pick in the 2010 for the LA Clippers, but things didn't go according to plan. Aminu struggled to find his game the next season and was eventually traded to the New Orleans in the Chris Paul deal, but the change of scenery didn't help out Aminus numbers. Now back again in New Orleans for his third season Aminu has finally begun to tap into the potential that made him a top draft pick. Due to injuries to Eric Gordon and the departure of Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry, Aminu finds himself as the only capable small forward on the Hornets roster. This has finally given Aminu playing time, something he has lacked in his entire NBA career. Averaging 32 minutes the past three games Aminu has provided top 60 fantasy value with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Due to Aminu physical gifts and his ability to fill up the stat sheet, owners would be wise to pick up the post hype player in favour off names such as Trevor Ariza and Harrison Barnes. As long as Aminu is seeing over 30 mpg the sky is the limit for the young talented forward.
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| The once dubbed bust may be turning around his fortunes |
Strong Buy (12 team plus)
Power Forward
Tobias Harris (SF,PF) Yahoo Ownership 9%
Size, speed, skill, versatility, youth, potential, the list is endless to describe Tobbias Harris game. The 20 year old Tennessee product has awed scouts and coaches throughout his high school and college career and now has finally earned the opportunity to show his skills in the NBA. Although the sophomore is coached by one of the anti-christs for fantasy players in Scott Skiles, Harris has finally earned his way into a starting job with the Bucks. In his first career start this season, Harris rewarded his coach in 33 minutes of action, dropping 18 points (2 threes), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. Due to the departure of Carlos Delfino and the injury concerns of veteran Mike Dunleavy, Harris's minutes are should be safe and with opposing teams focusing on super stars Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, Harris will find himself with many open shots and lanes to use this season. Although Dunleavy exhibited the potential to affect Harris's stats in a negative fashion, owners would be wise to grab the young man now and realize that the long term youthful potential will surely overcome the veterans sporadic hot shooting nights.
Solid Buy (12-14 team plus)
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| Tobias Harris is on his way to a break out sophomore season |
Centre
Robin Lopez (C) Yahoo Ownership 31%
Yes, I can't even believe I am recommending two Hornets players in the same article, but numbers are numbers and they certainly do not lie. Lopez has found a way into the New Orleans starting lineup and has made the most of his opportunity putting up top 90 fantasy numbers the past three games. Averaging over 14 points and 2 blocks, Lopez has showed off some great hustle and smooth touch around the basket and is beginning to change his label as a career reserve centre. Although even with the great start owners should be careful of the obvious yet surprising roadblock that may end up hindering Lopez's solid potential, which is the amount of depth New Orleans has in the big men positions. Even though Lopez has averaged over 30 minutes to start the season, with the ongoing presence of super rookie Anthony Davis, 3 point ace Ryan Anderson, and pesky grinder Jason Smith, Robin may struggle to continue to find enough minutes that will allow him to put up serviceable fantasy numbers. Aside from the obvious minute concerns, owners would be wise to pick up Lopez now in favour veteran centres such as Elton Brand and Samuel Dalembert, due to the top fantasy centre numbers he can provide.
Solid Buy (12 team plus)
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| You may hate the hair, but don't hate his game |
That's it for this weeks fantasy advice. I hope to see you all next week for another edition of Three in the Key Fantasy Basketball Pickups.
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