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Greetings fellow Pounders and Guests!
It's Week 8 of the fantasy basketball season and the NBA schedule is absolutely crazy, with twelve NBA basketball teams each playing four games this week.
Spurs Picks for the Week
There are four games on tap this week for the Silver and Black (Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder), and while you all know I don't usually like to own a Spurs player outside of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker this week just might be the exception.
Manu Ginobili SG: I can't believe Ginobili is still available at all, but he's owned in just 67% of ESPN leagues and in 76% of Yahoo leagues. He's been a bit inconsistent this season, he'll lay the occasional fantasy-hoops stinker, but with four games this week to me Ginobili is a no-brainer. (Stats)
Boris Diaw PF: With Tiago Splitter's health status up in the air, Diaw has been getting more minutes and should play a factor in all four games this week, especially in back-to-back games with Phoenix and Golden State. Diaw is currently owned in only 2.9% of ESPN leagues and in 9% of Yahoo leagues so give him a look this week if you own a deep-league team. (Stats)
Danny Green SG: Last season's success hasn't translated fantasy-wise for the man they call "Icy Hot", and fantasy owners are starting to realize this; Green is only owned in 49% of ESPN leagues and in 67% of Yahoo leagues. During his last five games he's only averaging 16.8 minutes per game but this guy could explode at any time, so keep your eye on him and watch that waiver wire. (Stats)
Marco Belinelli SG: Like most Spurs, Belinelli doesn't see a lot of action (21 minutes per), but the guy can get hot and we all know how much Coach Gregg Popovich likes to ride the hot hand. With back-to-back games against Phoenix and Golden State, keep an eye on him because you just never know. Belinelli is currently owned in just 1.7% of ESPN leagues and only 9% of Yahoo leagues and is a decent filler for deep-league teams. (Stats)
Phil's Sleepers for the Week
Jodie Meeks SG: This may seem an odd pickup what with Kobe Bryant being back, but with the Lakers playing four games this week Meeks might just be a good option for fantasy owners. He'll score (13.3 ppg), make threes (2.2 PG), and his shooting percentages of 44% from the floor and 81% from the line are added bonuses. While the Lakers are playing Atlanta, Memphis, Minnesota and Golden State, Meeks will get plenty of opportunities to shine. He's currently owned in 19.7% of ESPN leagues and 27% of Yahoo leagues(Stats)
Nick Young SF: Yes, I know -- another Laker. But their four games this week (Atlanta, Minnesota, Memphis, Golden State) is something I like as Young will have more opportunities than most to contribute. I also like the fact that he's 50% owned in ESPN leagues and 28% of Yahoo leagues. He scores (14.5 ppg), knocks down a three or two a game (1.4 3PM per) and his percentages from the floor aren't too bad, either (43% from the floor, 76% from the line). If you're looking for a SF this week, give him a look. (Stats)
Martell Webster SF,SG: If three-pointers (2.4 pg) are what you need then look no further than Martell Webster of the Washington Wizards. He also scores (12.4 ppg) rebounds (4.8 rpg) and will drop a couple of dimes a game, as well. His percentages of 44% from the floor and 87% from the line won't hurt you either. Washington plays three games this week (New York, Brooklyn, Boston) and Webster is only owned in 35% of ESPN leagues and in 50% of Yahoo leagues. If threes are what you need, plus a few added bonuses, then give Webster a look. (Stats)
On today's Phil Naessens Show Rotowire's NBA Editor Kyle McKeown and I discuss injuries to James Harden and Jeremy Lin, Ersan Ilyasova, Danny Granger, Otto Porter and more fantasy basketball; Indy Cornrows' Managing Editor Tom Lewis and I discuss all things Indiana Pacers, and SLC DunkManaging Editor Amar joins us to give us the scoop on the Utah Jazz. You can listen to it below or download it here.
PtR Fantasy League
Week 7 of the Pounding the Rock Fantasy Basketball League saw Duncan's Donuts and Pop's Beard still undefeated. We need to find a way to stop those guys. You can check out all the results at the link below.
http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba/35869
Thanks fellow Pounders and guests for taking time to read and, as always, I look forward to your input!