Jim O
The Brooklyn Nets are heating up and coach Jason Kidd seems to have found the right mix in his lineups. Having Shaun Livingston in the starting lineup could be a boom for fantasy owners.
In today’s edition of “All Wired Up”, I’ll delve into the fantasy strengths of potential waiver wire gold like Livingston and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton.
» Shaun Livingston, PG, Brooklyn Nets (0.8 percent owned on ESPN.com)
13 points (4-9 FG, 5-6 FT), 0 three-pointers, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 7 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers vs. 76ers
Everyone knows the story of Shaun Livingston and his horrific leg injury — one that was so severe, doctors warned him he may need to have the leg amputated. What we are seeing now is one of the least talked about redemption stories in the NBA is recent times.
Livingston is not only back playing, but playing well, even starting the last 15 games for the Nets. A lot of those starts were for an injured Deron Williams, but even with Williams re-entering the starting lineup, Livingston has remained a starter.
He put up his best line of the year against the Sixers (hasn’t everybody?), but it’s not just Monday’s performance that has me recommending him as a waiver-wire savior.
In the last month, Livingston is the 49th-ranked player on Basketball Monster.com’s rankings, averaging 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Those numbers increase dramatically when we look at his last three games. In those contests, Livingston is averaging a ridiculous 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.7 steals. Two of those games are even with Williams back in the starting lineup.
As long as Livingston keeps getting close to 30 minutes a game, the steals, points and assists will come, as will the great rebounding he’s providing from the point guard position. Don’t be thrown off by the unfashionable name, Livingston has a lot of value for all fantasy teams and is a great addition to your squad.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
» Khris Middleton, SF, Milwaukee Bucks (4.9 percent owned):
19 points (6-9 FG, 2-2 FT), 5 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover vs. Knicks
Given the nature of Larry Drew‘s maddening rotations, it’s with great trepidation that I recommend Bucks’ players, but the second year forward acquired from the Detroit Pistons has been consistently producing when given the minutes.
Middleton has moved back into the starting lineup for the past five contests, but even before he regained the job, he was putting up very fantasy-relevant numbers.
In the past two weeks, Middleton is averaging 13.3 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals, while shooting over 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the line.
Injuries to John Henson and Caron Butler have all but cemented Middleton into a large role moving forward, further solidifying his value to fantasy teams.
If you’re in a deep league, Middleton is an absolute must-own player, and if I’m being perfectly honest, he’s probably a must-grab in all 12-team leagues as well.