Fantasy Basketball: Waiver-Wire Walking for Thursday, February 27th
By Alpine
Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
As the fantasy basketball season heads into its final stages, owners but be especially keen when scouring their league’s waiver wire. Finding that one gem that another owner may have inexplicably dropped could be the key to winning your league’s title.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kent Bazemore and the Phoenix Suns’ Markieff Morris are two players that are playing fantastic basketball right now and should be added in all leagues.
Ignore Their Last Game
Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic: Excluding last night, Harris’ line for the past five games was 19.6 points (54.4 percent from the field and 84.4 percent from the line), 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 threes, and 0.8 blocks. Do you remember when you could have owned Harris for absolutely nothing when his high ankle sprain lingered like this cold winter? I hope you were the owner with the long-term vision because it’s paying dividends now.
Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets: Beverley has been a true roller coaster ride all season long. He has the uncanny ability of producing a total dud or multiple duds games in the middle of a seemingly hot streak. He did just that last night vs. the Kings, but keep in mind that the Rockets had a 25-point lead in the first quarter. In his last five games, excluding last night, Beverley averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.0 threes, 2.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks. If he can continue this balanced assault, Beverley should definitely be owned in all formats. You might have to endure the occasional goose egg, so buyer beware.
Check Your Wire
Vince Carter, Dallas Mavericks: If J.R. Smith didn’t rattle Carter too much with his headband antics, Carter should be owned while he is playing well. Carter’s recent production, primarily making three 3-pointers per game, has reduced Shawn Marion’s scoring role considerably. Although he seems like an ancient veteran at this point, it seems that year after year in the twilight of his career, Carter puts together an impressive number of dynamic games. It is safe to say that Carter’s twilight is lasting much longer than most NBA players.
Markieff Morris. Phoenix Suns: Finally. This was the Morris twin that I drafted! I even highlighted Markieff Morris as one of my True Sleepers in my popular article, “Sleeper Sophistication”. Jeff Hornacek has done a tremendous job in Phoenix and he finally arrived at the conclusion that fantasy owners have been screaming for by giving Markieff more minutes. Miles Plumlee has fallen out of favor and Markieff has been the primary benefactor.
Kyle Singler, Detroit Pistons: New Pistons’ coach John Loyer obviously has plenty of faith in Singler. He is receiving over 36 minutes a game under his leadership, and Singler’s unique ability to contribute across the board warrants ownership. In that span, Singler is averaging over two threes and nearly two steals per game. If he is available in your league, you should strongly consider adding the “new” Kyle Singler that is benefiting from such a heavy workload.
Bazmanian Devil
Kent Bazemore, Los Angeles Lakers: Baz-Sanity has officially struck Los Angeles. Leave it to Mike D’Antoni to reignite Kent Bazemore’s Summer League hot streak. I doubt he’s available in your league at this point, so I hope you are an owner that is riding the Baz-Train until the wheels fall off. I don’t think he is a must-start player quite yet, unless you start over seven players per night, but he is approaching that status. Last night, Bazemore scored 23 points on the tough Pacer defense. Nick Young and Xavier Henry will return soon, so monitor their impact on Bazemore. Until then, plug him in, and watch him light up.
Let me hear from you at alpinefantasy@yahoo.com.