Fantasy Basketball: Pick Up Myles Turner If You Need Blocks
By Mike Marteny
Who can help you on the waiver wire if you need blocks?
Here we are, almost at another NBA All Star break. We here at Fantasy CPR mostly cater to you daily players, but we also realize that many of you still play season-long leagues. And yes, some of you even play – gasp! – category leagues. Yes! I know you are out there!
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Whether you play in a head-to-head weekly category league or a traditional roto league, there is at least one category that you are always losing, or one that you can gain a few points in between now and the end of the season.
You weekly people need to shore up those sore spots to make sure you don’t get bounced in the playoffs. Who are the one-category wonders that are lurking on waiver wires? I can help you find them.
Picking up a guard who gets a few blocks can be the difference between you going home in March and you making your league finals! We will take a look at who can help at all positions.
Whether you play in a big or a small league, here are the players that can help in rebounds.
Next: Who Can At Point Guard?
Point Guards:
Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):
Lou Williams, Lakers: LouWill is averaging a half a block per game over the last month. He is mostly a scorer, and his percentages aren’t going to hurt you. Those 15 blocks per month could go a long ways though.
Emmanuel Mudiay, Nuggets: Unlike Williams, Mudiay’s shooting could hurt you. He will help you in assists though where Williams will not.
Medium Leagues (51-84% available):
Archie Goodwin, Suns: Goodwin will still see plenty of run with Eric Bledsoe out. He is also a solid shooter. If Williams is gone, Goodwin is a scorer who would get you double digit blocks per month.
Jerryd Bayless, Bucks: Bayless has still been picking up about 25 minutes per game in the last month. He doesn’t excel in any one category, but his percentages wont hurt you and he is above average in blocks among guards.
Deep Leagues (85% available or more):
Patrick Beverley, Rockets: Beverley is averaging right at a half a block per game over the last month. He is in no danger of losing his starting job, and is available in 86% of ESPN.com leagues. He is also a good shooter, hitting nearly 40% of his threes in the last month. About the only thing he wont do for you is score a bunch or rack up assists. He is probably the most underrated PG in category leagues.
Shane Larkin, Nets: Larkin’s athleticism helps him pick up more blocks than your average guard. Then again, he doesn’t see enough court time to really help you anywhere else except in free throw shooting.
Next: Who Can Block At SG?
Shooting Guards:
Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):
Danny Green, Spurs: Green’s numbers are down this year, but he is still putting up good numbers in steals and blocks, averaging over a steal per game and nearly a block a game. His percentages are on the way up as well, so he likely wont hurt you anywhere.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Pistons: KCP has evolved into a scorer this year as well, but his reputation as a good perimeter defender is still intact, helped along by his 0.7 blocks per game.
Medium Leagues (51-84% available):
Wesley Johnson, Clippers: Johnson is still getting good run with Blake Griffin out. He is mostly a defensive guy, but he shoots very well when he does take a shot. He averages more than a block per game, and more than 1.5 steals per game. He is a great pickup if you are lacking in either category.
E’Twaun Moore, Bulls: Moore has managed to carve out a nice role off the bench for the Bulls. He is mostly a shooter, but his percentages are good, and he averages more than half a block per game. He can help you out.
Deep Leagues (85% available or more):
Rasual Butler, Spurs: Butler is seeing some minutes with Manu Ginobili sidelined, and has managed .5 blocks per game in just an average on 10 minutes per game. If you’re desperate, Butler could help.
James Anderson, Kings: Anderson sees only about 12 minutes a game, but he averages .6 blocks per game. If you are chasing, Anderson could help.
Next: Who Can Help At SF?
Small Forwards:
Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):
Marvin Williams, Hornets: Williams has been enough of an asset with Al Jefferson out to hold down a big part in the Hornets’ rotation. He still played nearly 30 minutes on Friday with Jefferson back in the lineup, so the prospects for his playing time going forward seem good. He is also averaging nearly a block per game over the last month to go with good percentages. He even gives you about three assists per game!
Markieff Morris, Wizards: With the way Morris was playing in Phoenix after the dismissal of Jeff Hornacek, this trade might actually hurt his value. It remains to be seen just how the Wizards will use him (he came off the bench for 22 minutes in his Washington debut on Friday), but he is still worth a speculative add. He is averaging a block per game over the last month.
Medium Leagues (51-84% available):
Jerami Grant, 76ers: Grant usually gets enough playing time to warrant looks. He also still snags a few spot starts. Enough to keep him averaging two blocks per game over the last month, which is best among SF eligible players. He is also a good shooter from the floor and from distance, and will get enough rebounds to make a difference.
Aaron Gordon, Magic: The Magic are finally giving Gordon an extended run. He has responded with four consecutive games with double digit rebounds, and has done so in six of his last eight. What about blocks, you ask? He also has 8 blocks in the last four games. He is a good add in all formats right now.
Deep Leagues (85% available or more):
Matt Barnes, Grizzlies: Barnes is more than just a long range shooter. He also averages a block per game, and will help in rebounds and steals as well. He is far more valuable in category leagues than point leagues.
James Johnson, Raptors: Johnson doesn’t pick up a ton of minutes, but he still is averaging 1.3 blocks per game over the last month. His free throw shooting could hurt, but he is only averaging one free throw attempt per game. The reward far outweighs the risk.
Next: Who Can Help At PF?
Power Forwards:
Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):
Myles Turner, Pacers: The team is gravitating towards the youngster in hopes of him proving what he can do. There are some growing pains present, but his 2 blocks per game and solid numbers everywhere else but free throw percentage make him a must-add if you need any counting stats.
Mason Plumlee, Trailblazers: Plumlee still hasn’t taken as much playing time as owners would like – only 22 minutes per game – but his defense is sound. H is averaging 1.4 blocks per game over the last month along with 7 rebounds and good percentages. He won’t hurt you.
Medium Leagues (51-84% available):
Taj Gibson, Bulls: Injuries to the Bulls up front have created room for Gibson to log more playing time, and he has done well with his court time. He is averaging 1.4 blocks per game over the last month, but is also a good shooter and averages more than a eight rebounds per game.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kings: The Kings have played Cauley-Stein more over the last month, and he has responded by picked up 1.2 blocks per game to go with healthy rebounding totals. His offense needs polishing, but he is still shooting well enough to not hurt you.
Deep Leagues (85% available or more):
John Henson, Bucks: It is still crowded up front for the Bucks, but Henson’s swatting ability will still keep him part of the rotation when he returns. Henson is averaging 2 blocks per game despite only playing 16.7 minutes per contest.
Richaun Holmes, 76ers: Playing time has been hard to come by at times for Holmes, but when he is in there, he has been a beast in the interior. He is averaging 1.5 blocks per game over the last month despite only playing 14.5 minutes per game. He is worth a flier if you need blocks.
Next: Who Are The Best Centers?
Center:
Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):
Robin Lopez, Knicks: Lopez plays second filled to twin brother Brook in the Big Apple, but RoLo is no slouch either. He averages double digit points, shoots well, and swats 1.5 shots per game. Not to mention his nearly nine rebounds per game. Lopez is a solid add in all standard leagues.
Medium Leagues (51-84% available):
Andrew Bogut, Warriors: Bogut is still barely averaging over 20 minutes per game, but he is still averaging 2 blocks per game over the last month. He is also a sneaky source of assists, averaging nearly two per game. Oh, and he is still a good rebounder, bringing in more than eight per game. He still holds value in leagues larger than standard size.
Deep Leagues (85% or more available):
Bismack Biyombo, Raptors: Biyombo is still awkward offensively, but his percentages wont hurt you. His 1.7 blocks per game and nearly 7 rebounds per game make him a great add if you need help in those places.
Next: Who Can Help You In Steals?
Stay tuned for other roto stats breakdowns over the NBA All Star Break!