Posts Tagged ‘Carmelo Anthony’

Fantasy Basketball: Best Pick Ups Mid-way through the season

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

 

With the truncated NBA season at its half-way mark, we break down a short list of players that have been the top free-agent pick ups of the year thus far. These players are now owned in the majority of fantasy leagues and are putting up stellar numbers for the wise owners that picked them up weeks back.

Jeremy Lin (PG, NYK)- Lin really came out of nowhere. One day he was a bench warmer, the next day he was dropping at least 20 points for six straight games. The point-guard has averaged 22.5 PPG along with 8.6 APG during his 12 starts.

Although Carmelo Anthony has returned to the court and is inevitably cutting into Lin’s overall fantasy production, the Harvard graduate will still provide fantasy owners with anywhere from 12-15 points per game, as well as 5-8 assists per game and 1-2 steals. Not too bad for a waiver-wire pick up.

If your fantasy league’s owners have been living under a rock for the last few weeks and Lin is somehow still available, he should be picked up and added to your team immediately.

Ryan Anderson (PF, ORL)- Anderson has impressed us all during the first half of the NBA season, averaging a career-high 16.1 PPG, along with 7.3 RPG. The power-forward currently leads the league in total 3-pointers made, with 99, and is shooting the trey ball at an impressive 43.4 percent.

Before all of the Linsanity, Anderson was considered as one of the biggest pick-ups of the first half of the season, due to his vastly improved production from just one season ago. If you were fortunate enough to either draft Anderson or pick him up early on during the first few weeks of the season, give yourself a pat on the back.

Nikola Pekovic (C, MIN)- Similar to Lin, Pekovic came out of nowhere and quickly has become a hot commodity in the fantasy basketball world. The big man has been a double-double machine and a model of consistency during the month of February, averaging just over 17 PPG, along with just over 10.3 RPG.

Pekovic is turning out to be the real deal and provides the Timberwolves with a deadly front-court duo. The Serbian has definitely surprised many, and owners that were lucky enough to pick him up are reaping the benefits now, and hopefully for the remainder of the NBA season.

Consistent big men are hard to come by in the league, and Pekovic is definitely one that can continue to provide your fantasy team with just around a double-double on a nightly basis.

Drew Gooden (PF, MIL)- Once news hit that Andrew Bogut was injured for the remainder of the NBA season, wise owners flocked to pick up Drew Gooden off of the waiver wire.

In 17 games starting for the Bucks, the power-forward has posted averages of 17.1 PPG and 7.7 RPG.

With the starting gig all but his to lose, Gooden should continue his hot streak into the second half of the NBA season. Although he has been dealing with some minor wrist and knee injuries, it seems like he’s going to return to the floor this week. Gooden should be picked up and started in all fantasy leagues if he is still somehow roaming the waiver-wire.

Isaiah Thomas (PG, SAC)- It may be too early to consider Thomas as one of the best pick-ups of the first half of the NBA season, but man can this kid play basketball. The point-guard was recently inserted into the starting line-up for the young Sacramento Kings, and he really hasn’t looked back. In three starts, Thomas has averaged a ridiculous 21.6 PPG, 7.3 APG, and 4.3 RPG, including eight made three-pointers.

Thomas seems to have solidified himself to head-coach Keith Smart and will continue to start for the Kings until further notice. If you were lucky enough to scoop Thomas off of the waiver-wire during the last few weeks, your in for a roller-coaster ride with the young gun. His numbers will ultimately fall off slightly, but he should continue to be a very solid guard in all fantasy basketball formats.

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Fantasy Basketball: Can the Knicks Be Saved?

Friday, January 20th, 2012

 

With the 91-88 loss to the Suns in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, the Knicks fell to a concerning 6-8 on the season. It was their fourth home loss in seven attempts and the aging Suns had lost five-straight prior to the matchup against their old coach. Yet, despite their lackluster performance this season, the Knicks currently have the eighth best record in the East, just a half-game behind the Cavaliers (!) and a half-game ahead of the Celtics (!).

New York is 20-25 (including the playoff sweep) since acquiring “superstar” Carmelo Anthony (the Nuggets are 29-16 since dealing Anthony). In 9-cat leagues, Melo is currently the 21st ranked player (three spots ahead of where he fell in my preseason ranks, but the recent drop-off is alarming). A lot of his recent struggles might be due to a sprained ankle and wrist, but the fact of the matter is he was and always will be a ball-stopper. In other words, he’s a Mike D’Antoni team’s worst nightmare. But it’s D’Antoni’s attempt to make Melo a point forward that’s killing this team. Amar’e Stoudemire has taken just nine shots all season out of the pick-and-roll and Anthony still relies on isolation plays more than any player in the league…which would be fine if he wasn’t shooting 27 percent on those plays. Over his last five games, Melo has hit only 35-of-102 shots. The rest of the roster isn’t much better.

The Knicks have no flow, but it’s not all Melo’s fault. In familiar Knicks fashion they made one of the worst offseason moves when they amnestied Chauncey Billups to save just one year and roughly $15 million in cap space, to sign a limited Tyson Chandler to a horrid four-year, $55 million contract. Needless to say, Chandler’s never been a player that contributes to a positive offensive flow (he does shoot very well when he gets the ball and is strong on the offensive glass, but the Compton Kid simply has no rhythm). If these big-money mistakes surprise you, then you haven’t been following the Knicks very long.

Iman Shumpert and Toney Douglas have both failed in quarterbacking what should be a potent offense. Both players are sound defenders, but lack the vision required to run a competitive NBA offense. The numbers are kind of staggering: despite playing at the third fastest pace in the NBA, the Knicks are 16th in points per game and their offensive rating is 24th out of 30 teams. It’s a mess.

Although I never thought I’d say this, what this team needs desperately is Baron Davis. Not only does Davis provide a legitimate third-scoring option (when Chandler’s third on your team in total points, you are in big trouble), but he understands how to operate a dynamic offense. He has been an engaged participant this season in analyzing his new teammates, coaching staff, and perhaps his own perceived role in what could be his final NBA stop. D’Antoni is itching to get him back on the court, and we could see Baron by next week.

While I don’t expect any miracles, there’s enough opportunity on this team for Baron to average 18 points, 8.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.5 three-pointers per game. That’s serious value. In his 15 games last season with Cleveland, he delivered 19.7 points, 8.7 assists, 3.4 three-pointers, and 1.5 steals, despite coming off the bench in six of those games.

Should he remain healthy, Davis will fix a lot of the Knicks problems and many fantasy teams, as well. It’s likely he can still be acquired at a discount in your league. Make the move.

Around The League

Speaking of the Suns, Steve Nash may be embracing what I wrote about earlier in the season: scoring. Put simply, he’s the best shooter by far on the Suns and for the team to succeed, he’s going to have to put up 20 points per game. That’s not his style, but if his basketball IQ is as high as we believe, he’ll adjust appropriately.

Hopefully you sold high on Derrick Rose when advised. The turf toe injury combined with the success of the Bulls and his backups could lead to more random off-nights throughout the course of the season.

Same for Dwyane Wade and his plantar fasciitis.

As Spencer Hawes continues to walk a fine day-to-day line with Achilles and back injuries, keep an eye on rookie Nikola Vucevic out of USC. The 16th overall pick has played well this season and could be in line for a spike in minutes. Per 36 minutes, he’s averaging 11.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.2 steals on 55% shooting.

Eddie Curry could be back on the floor very soon. Various reports indicate he’s lost nearly 100 pounds. Will he bring such dedication to the Heat? The depth chart at center continues to be very vulnerable.

There’s speculation that Heat swingman Mike Miller’s minutes will hover around 20 per game this season, but I don’t see it. He’s the fourth best player on this team, and it’s not even close.

The Grizzlies are 6-3 without Zach Randolph. They were 1-4 with him. It’s not a coincidence. Give Marc Gasol the ball and he’s a top-3 fantasy center.

If you haven’t already, go get Jarrett Jack. His strong season could keep on getting better as the Hornets have next to no options behind him at point guard.

Tayshaun Prince has been red-hot, but I still highly recommend avoiding all Pistons. Bucks, too, for that matter.

Ricky Rubio made on field goal on Wednesday in Minnesota’s win over the Pistons. But he finished with 9 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and six steals. He’s a very, very good player already and the NBA is much better off with him. Houston’s rookie, Chandler Parsons, also continues to play a very good brand of basketball.

Call it a gut feeling, but I expect Carlos Boozer and Joe Johnson to both put up very good runs between now and the All-Star break.

For more on moves you should consider, re-visit my recent Buy-Low

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Carmelo Anthony surging even as future remains uncertain

Sunday, February 13th, 2011


Despite constant trade rumors, Carmelo Anthony is in the midst of an extraordinary scoring spree.

And the Denver Nuggets All-Star forward attributes a lot of it to a 21-day meatless fast last month.

“It was mental. It was spiritual. It was emotional,” Anthony said following a two-hour practice Saturday before the Nuggets headed out for a three-game road trip starting Sunday at Memphis.

From Jan. 9-30, Anthony followed what’s known as the “Daniel fast,” abstaining from all meats, fish, breads, sweets and soda. His diet was limited to protein shakes, raw juices, fruits and vegetables. He said he still abstains from soda and most meats.

“During that whole time, it was a lot of prayer, just taking some time out for myself and getting some clarity on things with myself, with my career, with my life, and it really helped me,” Anthony said. “I started seeing things a lot more clearly from every aspect of my life.”

Even as rumors swirl around Anthony leading up the Feb. 24 trade deadline, the Nuggets star has gained traction with his game. In five games since Feb. 4, Anthony has averaged 35.4 points. His performances in that span included tying a career high with a 50-point effort against Houston on Feb. 7 and a 42-point outburst Thursday night against Dallas.

He’s converting shots at a 57 percent clip in that span and has been even better from beyond the arc, making 61 percent of those shots.

Anthony said he’s never been in a groove like this.

“I just feel healthy,” he said. “I think that’s the No. 1 thing. My legs feel good. My body feels good and I’m starting to make shots. I’ve always taken the same shots. Some nights I miss ‘em and sometimes I make ‘em. Right now, they’re going in.”

Anthony’s sensational run hasn’t deflated the so-called “Melodrama” that has gone on virtually nonstop since he passed on the chance before the season to sign a three-year, $65 million extension from the Nuggets that remains on the table.

Wary of losing him to free agency after this season without any compensation, the Nuggets brass has entertained trade offers from around the league for the last several months. The latest rumor last week had the Nuggets discussing a possible deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony has also been linked to deals involving the New Jersey Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks.

A number of his Nuggets’ teammates, including hometown star Chauncey Billups, also have heard their names tossed in the potential dealmaking mix.

For the most part, Anthony has tried to stay above the fray by rigorously avoiding reading news reports discussing potential trade scenarios. But, he caused a stir last week when he said publicly for the first time he would consider signing the extension with the Nuggets if the trade deadline came and went and he was still in Denver.

Some speculated that was Anthony’s way of putting pressure on the Knicks to sweeten the pot and not wait to sign him as a free agent. Any new collective bargaining agreement will have cost constraints that could cost Anthony millions of dollars if he refused to sign the $65 million extension.

On Saturday, he said his remark was consistent with what he has said all season – that he just wants to keep all of his options open. When asked in a follow-up what was the most ridiculous rumor he had heard throughout this drawn-out process, he smiled: “That I hate Denver. I laughed at that one.”

While conceding there have been difficult moments amid all the trade talk, Anthony said he has maintained his focus on what he can do for the Nuggets on the court, a resolve he said was strengthened by the philosophical outlook he gained through his fast.

“I think it takes a strong-willed person, a strong-minded person to deal with the stuff that I deal with and still go out there and go to work every day and perform,” Anthony said. “I take my hat off to myself for dealing with all this stuff that’s going on out there, and still be able to go out there and play at the highest level.

“I don’t really think the average person can walk in my shoes.”

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