Fantasy Basketball Stars and Sleepers-Starting 5-November 2
Tony Parker was the hero fo the only game in the NBA last night. He wasn’t alone though in contributing to his fantasy basketball team. Check out who can help you in the post below. Photo by Soobum Im-US PRESSWIRE
With the recovery from Superstorm Sandy still underway in New York City, the NBA only had one game last night. If you can only have one game though, last night’s was a great one. The Spurs had a big lead that they lost before Tony Parker scored the final five points of the game including a game-winning two pointer after Russell Westbrook inexplicably lost him on defense.
Here’s five quick observations on stars and sleepers from last nights game:
Starting 5 Fantasy Basketball Stars
1. Kevin Durant-Oklahoma City: Durant led all scorers with 23 and added 14 boards, five assists, and a pair of steals. It was a solid game for the reigning scoring champ although you can be sure that he’ll have much bigger games in the future.
2. Tim Duncan-San Antonio: Duncan has had two solid performances scoring 20 points last night with eight boards and three blocks after opening the season with a double-double of 24 points and 11 boards. Drafting Duncan never seems like a sly move but it usually turns out to be.
3. Tony Parker-San Antonio: Parker didn’t score much until it counted and finished with just 14 points. His main contribution fantasy-wise was his 11 assists.
4. Kevin Martin-Oklahoma City: Martin came off the bench and played 33 minutes scoring 15 points with five assists, three three-pointers, and two rebounds. He’s no James Harden but should score 15-20 points a game and hit some threes.
5. Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City: It was an ugly night for Westbrook who took 21 shots to score 18 points and missed all three of his treys. He did have eight boards and five assists which he will contribute regularly. Hopefully he doesn’t kill your percentages like this all year though.
Starting 5 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers
Nov 1, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) falls while diving for the loose ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at the AT
1. Kawhi Leonard-San Antonio: Leonard is going in the 10th round in fantasy drafts right now but can contribute and help your team especially if you need peripheral stats. His scoring will be up-and-down as his 19 opening night and six last night indicate. However the boards (seven and four) and shooting percentage will usually be a help and his main contribution may be his steals. In each of his first two games he’s had five thefts which is obviously tops in the league so far this season. Joakim Noah and Kyle Lowry also had five steals in their openers but haven’t played a second game yet.
2. Boris Diaw-San Antonio: Diaw started and contributed 10 points, seven boards, four assists, a steal, and a block for the Spurs last night. He’ll get court time and contribute a little in pretty much every stat without hurting your numbers. He’s only owned in 0.7% of leagues but can help if the Spurs have a fantasy-friendly scheduled week or you need a fill-in big man. His fantasy value even in the deepest of leagues is only transient.
3. Daniel Green-San Antonio: Green hit three three’s last night on his way to 13 points. He can be streaky shooter that can help your percentages and can help if your seeking for players to shoot the long-ball.
4. Stephen Jackson-San Antonio: Jackson played 27 minutes off the bench (team-high for non-starters) hitting a three while grabbing six boards, snagging a steal, and adding three assists. He’s not much of a fantasy factor outside of deep leagues but will see playing time as part of the Spurs rotation.
5. Thabo Sefolosha-Oklahoma City: Sefolosha’s main contribution is defensively although he did hit a pair of threes last night finishing with eight points, three rebounds, and a steal. Unless something drastic changes, he’s not worth a roster spot in most standard formats.