This Week in Fantasy Basketball: 11/23 – 11/29

By Chi Nwogu

Who’s Hot

Anderson Varejao, C, Cavaliers:  With Kyrie Irving out of the lineup, Varejao has continued to play like the second coming of Dennis Rodman, but with more offensive production.  Over the last 4 games, Varejao is averaging 16 points, 18 rebounds, 3.25 assists, 2 steals and is shooting 54% from the field.

Serge Ibaka, PF, Thunder: Mr. Iblocka has continued to live up to the expected defensive production that made him the runner-up in last season’s Defensive Player of the Year voting.   The bigger story this season is the evolution of Ibaka’s offensive game.  Over the last 4 games, Serge is averaging 16 points on 70% shooting over the past 4 games while continuing to pull down 10 rebounds and block 2 shots.

Tyson Chandler, C, Knicks: Very often, FG % and FT % are forgotten in fantasy basketball.  Tyson Chandler produced one of the more impressive shooting performances in recent history this week by averaging 16 points, 8 rebounds while shooting 88% from the rim and 91% from FT line (4 games).

Chandler Parsons, SF, Rockets:  Who does the following stat line belong to – 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.5 steals and 3 three pointers made while shooting 66% from the field (2 games).  Even the biggest Houston Rockets fan would find it hard pressed to associate Chandler Parsons with this stat line, but believe it folks. Rocket’s GM Daryl Morey has been known for finding players who can stuff the stat sheet and Parson is no exception.

Who’s Cold

Marshon Brooks, SG, Nets: Prior to the start of the season Brooks was anointed the Nets dynamic 6^th man and was a big part of the Nets rebranding efforts. Too bad he can’t get on the court. After missing time with an ankle injury, Brooks is now hemorrhaging playing time to Keith Bogans and the resurgent Jerry “atrics” Stackhouse.  Over the past 4 games Brooks registered a DNP, 2 turnovers, 3 assist, 4 points in 13 minutes of play, DNP and another DNP for good measure.

Darren Collison, PG, Mavericks: After a sizzling start to the season, Collison is averaging 4 turnovers and has failed to hit a three pointer over the last 3 games. The three ball is not a big part of Collision’s game, but lack of scoring, 7 per game, and assists, 4 per game, are both well below his seasons average thus far of 12.4 points and 6.4 assists.

Isaiah Thomas, PG, Kings: Thomas began the season as the Kings starting point guard. Now Thomas is scrapping for playing time and isn’t doing much to earn it by averaging 2 assists and 3 turnovers over the last 3 games. Yikes.

Marcin Gortat, C, Suns: The Sun must be going down in Phenoix as Gortat’s production is down across the board. Over the first 5 games of the season Gortat averaged 15.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.2 blocks.  Over the last 5 games Gortat is averaging 9 points, 4.75 rebound and 0.5 blocks. Jermaine O’Neal is also eating into Gortat minutes with his improved play off the bench.

Who to Keep an Eye on

Kevin Seraphin, PF, Wizards: Serphin, the French international who was selected 17^th in the 2010 draft by the  Chicago Bulls, wasted no time in working his way into the starting lineup for a team that needs anything positive to hang their hat on. Seraphin made a splash during the first two games of the season by averaging 17.5 points and 8 rebounds on  57% shooting from the field. Since entering starting lineup on 11/21, Serpahin is averaging a healthy 30 minutes of playing time as the Wizard primary post offensive player. Even though his shooting has not been great (42%), Seraphin is putting up solid numbers to the tune of 8 rebounds, 14 points and 1.5 blocks per game since 11/21.

Kyle Singler, SF, Pistons: Since entering the starting lineup on November 14^th, Singler is averaging 12 points, 3.75 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.1 3PM and is shooting 53% from the field. What’s most impressive is his 31 minutes per game. Singler spent last season (what would have been his rookie season) in Spain and went under the radar coming into this season. His time in Spain polished what was already a smooth game and now has Singler flourishing as an NBA rookie.

Ed Davis, PF, Raptors: With Andrea Bargnani out due to injury and having a disappointing start to the season, Davis has continued to develop his game and is gaining the trust of head coach Dwane Casey.  Over the last 3 games Davis is shooting 71% from the field and averaging 12.3 points along with 8 rebounds. We will have to monitor his minutes once Bargnani comes back, but Bargnani is not Mr. Durable and could miss enough games this season to make Davis a viable fantasy contributor.

 

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