Fantasy Basketball Week 1 (12/25 - 12/31)

12/29

• Mike Conley will miss at least the next two games.  Jeremy Pargo(0% owned Yahoo) did a fine job replacing him in last nights contest, but I would look elsewhere for fantasy help.  Norris Cole(16%) is still a solid option, but Ramon Sessions(56%) might have the more immediate impact.  Ankles are tricky and could linger all season.  The Grizzlies play 5 times between now and next Friday so it will be interesting to see how he plays when/if he returns this week.

12/27 

• Steph Curry will sit out Wednesday's night game against the Knicks after tweaking his ankle, again.  Add Brandon Rush(10% owned Yahoo) or Norris Cole(6%), if you need depth and fear Curry misses more than just this one game.  Cole dominated tonight's 4th quarter against the Celtics and single handedly help avoid a Celtic comeback.  Cole will be the starting PG very soon.
• Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward will be starting for the Utah Jazz tonight.

 

The NBA really decided to stick it to the Los Angeles Lakers this year.  First, they pull out of a CP3 trade, and next they give the Lakers the ONLY 6 game week of the entire year, and a 3 in 3 to start the season.  On top of that, Andrew Bynum is suspended for the first 4, so if you own him, be sure to pick up Josh McRoberts and add him to your lineup.

 

Team Playing 5 Games:

• Boston Celtics
• Start the season with a 3 game road trip @NYK, day off, @MIA and @NOR back to back.  Will not have a healthy Paul Pierce if they have Paul Pierce at all.
• Chicago Bulls
• Start the season with a 4 game road trip @LAL and @GSW back to back, two days off, @Sac and @LAC back to back.

 

Get to Know Him - Norris Cole

In 2008, a school by the name of Cleveland State upset #11 Syracuse on a 3pt buzzer beater.  That team was lead by future 1st round pick Norris Cole.  He dropped 16 points that game while dishing out 6 assists and pulling down 5 rebounds.  He did that against, at that time, top notch PG Jonny Flynn.

From Yahoo

Norris Cole stepped to the foul line with 9.3 seconds left, set to clinch the game as cries of “M-V-P” rained down upon him from the sold-out stands.

No, this wasn’t a scene from his days at Cleveland State.

Taking over in just his second NBA game—and with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and and Chris Bosh all on the floor, no less—Cole scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including three huge jumpers down the stretch to save the Heat in a 115-107 win over the all on the floor, no less—Cole scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including three huge jumpers down the stretch to save the Heat in a 115-107 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.

Last night against Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics, on national TV, Miami Heat rookie Norris Cole impressed.  Late in the 4th quarter, during a Celtics comeback, the kid out of Cleveland State scored 14 points and drew a charge, stepping in front of Brandon Bass.  Cole finished with 20 points on 8-16 shooting and added 4 boards and 4 assists off the bench.

Fantasy Football Targets Leaders

Players with 64+ Targets
Stats from ESPN

Fantasy Basketball 2012 - Rookie Rankings

Rookie Rank	Name	Position	Team
1	Derrick Williams	SF	MIN	Still believe he was a better option for Cleveland in the Draft, but he ended up in Minny. Even though they have a ton on guys that play out of position, adding Rubio will instantly create scoring opportunites for everybody. Plus if they really want to get better, Michael Beasley will be traded at some point this season.
2	Ricky Rubio	PG	MIN	I am very surprised he came to play for the T'Wolves but the NBA and its fans are glad he did. He wont help much in the scoring department compared to other rookie PGs, but he has a ton of players to dish the ball to and put up nice assist numbers.
3	Kyrie Irving	PG	CLE	A super talent, but way to much pressure to put the team on his back this season.
4	Jimmer Fredette	SG	SAC	He may not get all the minutes we hope for, with Tyreke and Marcus Thorton in the mix, but Fredette will dish the ball as well as create his own scoring opportunites.
5	Enes Kanter	C	UTAH	Another rookie in a log jam at his position, Kanter has to split time with Al Jefferson, Paul Milsap and Derrick Favors. You can expect one of them to be traded at some point this season.
6	Brandon Knight	PG	DET	Much like Irving, a lot of pressure to succeed right away. I see Knight scoring some points, but not much in the assist department, unless Ben Gordon finds his stroke again.
7	Alec Burks	SG	UTAH	A sweet stroke will lead to plenty of points, but not much else.
8	Klay Thompson	SG	GS	Lots of offensive possesions will lead to a lot of shot opportunities. It looks like Curry or Ellis will be traded at some point, which would create more playing time. Coach Jackson says Thompson will play right away!
9	Kemba Walker	PG	CHA	Might not be the starter on opening day but will take over those duties eventually. I just see him having trouble scoring in the NBA, but a huge upside.
10	Jan Vesely	SF	WAS	Any one playing next to John Wall will find easy baskets. Plus his leaping ability should create some highlight reel plays.

Fantasy Football Pickups for Week 15

Thursday Night Football December 15
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Atlanta Falcons

Saturday Night Football December 17

Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Congratulations to those who made it to the Playoffs!

Must Haves

Felix Jones RB - Back to back weeks fantasy owners lose two stud running backs just in time for the playoffs!  DeMarco Murray fractured his ankle in Sunday nights loss to the New York Football Giants, and Felix Jones is now the only RB on the roster.  He was a must have to start the season, and now he is a must have to finish the season.

Chris Paul Traded to the Clippers...Finally!

Last night a deal sending Chris Paul and 2 second round draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers was finalized.  In return, the NBA owned New Orleans Hornets received SG Eric Gordon, SF Al-Farouq Aminu, C Chris Kaman and an unprotected 2012 first round draft pick from the Timberwolves.  We all knew Chris Paul would be traded, but we did not know who else was going to change teams with him.  Now that we know, lets take a look at which players Fantasy Stock increased, and which plummeted.

Fantasy Football Pickups for Week 14

Thursday Night Football December 8
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

• Chicago lost another starter in RB Matt Forte with an MCL sprain and he is slated to miss 2-4 weeks
• Andre Johnson who just returned from an injury two weeks ago, left last weeks game and his status for Week 14 is uncertain
• Redskins TE Fred Davis has been suspended for the remainder of the season after failing a drug test
• Kyle Orton attempted one pass in Week 13 before injuring his finger. It will be interesting to see if he comes back this season or not.

Must Haves

Marion Barber RB – And just like that a Star player was injured and this category has a name in it.  Barber has been stealing TDs from Forte for weeks now, so it is likely that he is already on someone else’s roster.  However, if you own Forte and need help this late in the season, make sure you look for Barber before going a different route.

• Still a must have, but rumor is that he will split time with Kahlil Bell

Fantasy Football Pickups for Week 13

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL DECEMBER 1

Philadelphia Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks

UPDATE -

• Kevin Smith and James Starks have returned to practice, and likely to play on Sunday.
• Sidney Rice is done for the season.

Once again, another week of NFL football went by, and more season ending injuries occurred.  The Texans lost another QB in Matt Leinart to a broken collarbone, and are now forced to play rookie QB TJ Yates.  They did however sign veteran QB Jake Delhomme to back him up.  The NFC North took a beating as well as WR Michael Jenkins of the Minnesota Vikings is done for the season with a knee injury.  That division also lost two RBs in James Starks(Packers)and Kevin Smith(Lions), who both suffered ankle injuries.  It is unclear if either back will play in week 13.  Out west, Sindey Rice is not playing after suffering a concussion and Seattle having the short week.  This is the end of most fantasy regular seasons so let us know how we can help you make the playoffs!