No Mercy for Percy..What's Wrong With Percy Harvin?

Trade For Harvin: Those With  No Kid Gloves Need Not Apply

It appears Percy Harvin may have worn out his welcome in Viking-land.  There were whispers that his ankle wasn’t the only reason that sidelined Harvin in December when Minnesota was pushing hard, ultimately successfully, for a playoff spot.  While not officially being benched for “contract detrimental” it seems that Harvin has repeatedly had heated exchanges withcoach Leslie Frazier over various topics.  Harvin is as a dynamic of an offensive talent as there could possibly be in a 5’10” 190 pound receiver.  He is blessed with exceptional agility, speed and toughness that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.  The Vikings have lined him up at both wideout positions, in the slot, in the backfield and has made gamebreaking plays at special teams.  Opposing defenses first focus on Adrian and then spend any additional energy and time making sure they account for number 12. 

Could Be a Boon For the Right Team

Unfortunately, Harvin is basically a pain the-you-know-what to deal with combined with a pretty lengthy injury history.  He legitimately suffers from debilitating migraines and has recurring ankle and knee issues that accompany a guy of his stature that goes ham every play and doesn’t run out of bounds ala Ted Ginn, Jr.  No one questions whether Harvin gives 100%.  The problem is he has a Steve Smith-type mean streak that he actually acts upon, reportedly hurling weights at ex-coach Brad Childress at one point in 2010.  Harvin had a history of problems in high school, allegedly inciting a riot at one point.  In college, a lot has been made of the type of program ex-Gator coach Urban Meyer ran, and Harvin being in the “Circle of Trust” thought the rules applied differently to him even allegedly throwing wide receiver coach Billy Gonzales to the ground by his neck.   These are all alleged incidents; Percy Harvin, as far as we know has never gotten into serious or documented trouble.  He even won the Korey Stringer Good Guy award in 2010, given to a Vikings player who exemplifies professionalism when dealing with the media.

But consider the Minnesota organization once-bitten and twice-shy.  Diva players who think the rules don’t apply was the rule in previous regimes and the front office has made complete progress in drafting guys who won’t end up on the police blotter.  Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is as even-keeled as they come but make no mistake; he has full confidence of the front office and won’t stand for insubordination, manipulation or faking injuries.   Frzaier went 3-13 in 2011 and may be talking contract after going a sparkling 10-6 in 2012.  They’ve drafted solidly and he doesn’t owe particular allegiance to Harvin as he was a leftover from a previous era. 

Maybe Harvin, temperamental as he is talented, doesn’t want to play for the Vikings.  He was thought to have a trade request in June 2012 before Minnesota went 10-6.   If the Vikings want to trade him, there are numerous franchises who would entertain offers.  The Vikings should play coy and send mixed messages to opposing franchises so they don’t get low-balled on a problem child, like when they traded Randy Moss to Oakland for a fourth-round pick.  

Fantasy Hockey Week 4: The Fasth and the Furious

I hope each of you fantasy hockey owners know that there is still draft-worthy talent and guys that are ready to help right now on the waiver wires.   This week we have a really hotly added goalie, one that's not so hot, and some worthy defensemen from some of hockey's smaller markets.

Pick Him Up Fasth

Another goalie has heat up the waiver wire uncontrollably in NHL Fantasy Week 4 and his name is Viktor Fasth (G, Ducks)   a 30-year old rookie from the Swedish Elite League.  He’s been on fire in his last four games, including his last outing, a 3-0 win over the Avalanche, in which he stopped all 31 shots in his first career shutout.  He has now a .962 save percentage and an unbelievable 0.98 GAA, which are sensational numbers.  He poses a threat to incumbent Jonas Hiller and is now owned in 50% of ESPN leagues and 32% of Yahoo leagues.  Given that his play is top five so far in fantasy goaltending, you should grab him immediately if he’s still available or suffer the consequences.  He has made a seamless transition to the NHL and should be transitioned over to your fantasy squad with all deliberate speed.

Fedor Tyutin (D, Blue Jackets) is only owned in 1/3 of most standard leagues and the reliable Russian has played well on the Blue Jackets blue line.  He’s already got eight points in a season where most fantasy pundits thought his scoring would be down.  He’s getting plenty of minutes and has shaved his plus/minus down to minus-4.   He’s probably not going to score 38 points as is his current pace but scoop him up and benefit from the hot streak.

The Man is an Island(er)

A return to the states is in store for Lubomir Visnovsky (D, Islanders) who after a contentious dispute, will not be able to play for HC Slovan Bratislava, the KHL team he opted to play with rather than New York.  The Isles dug in on this one because their struggling line play, and they could use Visnovsky's services on either power-play unit.  Lubomir is only two years removed from being the top offensive-defenseman in all of hockey so their is fantasy value here.  Just monitor the situation to see if is willing to play at all.  He'll get some playing time but how motivated will he be to produce?

Leland: Wheelin and Dealin?

Also keep in mind that Miikka Kiprusoff is out with an injury which means Leland Irving (G, Flames) is the main guy in the crease for Calgary.  Danny Taylor was called up from AHL Abbotsford to back Irving up.  This is a deep waiver wire acquisition until Irving shows us a little more minding the net but is worth a flyer in any case.  Since Kiprusoff is out indefinitely and may be playing down the injury, Irving will have a chance to show he is the Flames ‘tender of the future.

Ales Hemsky (RW, Oilers) has also gone under the radar in fantasy (in the 10% ownership range) but just had his first multi-point game of the season (a goal and an assist) in a 3-2 loss to Dallas Wednesday night.  Hemsky was fantasy-relevant three years ago and was thought to be a fading star in the Edmonton offensive galaxy.  He’s at a 19-goal pace and if he can continue to work on his plus/minus (-4 on the year) or your league’s settings don’t factor that then he’s a good value because he’s done it before and has talent around him.

Some other news on the wire:

• Veteran Bruin goalie Tim Thomas, expected to be out for the year, was traded to the Islanders for a draft pick in a cap-related move'; probably something that keeper owners should pay attention to.

Fantasy NBA Week 15: Quick Adds With Long Term Potential

Last week’s hot adds included Nate Robinson and Eric Bledsoe, point guards who have been lighting it up in the last few games.  There are so recent injuries that have given some young blood more grind and may make a fantasy impact on your team.  Bledsoe and Robinson are both now owned in more than 2/3 of ESPN fantasy leagues so they still may be on the wire, but if they aren’t take a look at…

Time to Check Out "Taj" 2.0?

Not a point guard, but big man Taj Gibson (PF/C, Bulls) has logged significant minutes with both Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah not quite ready to return.  He has responded by posting nearly four straight double-doubles (just missing with nine rebounds on back to back nights of the first two).  In his last five, Gibson has averaged 13.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3 blocks while shooting a tidy .564 from the field.  He’s averaged 39.0 minutes in that stretch so monitor Boozer and Noah’s returns when deploying him. He put up 19 and 19 at the Hawks on February 2^nd; he will continue to provide double-doubles when given playing time.

Successful Free-Lance "ing"

Lance Stephenson  (SG, Pacers) has started a lot of games at the two for the Pacers but hadn’t really done anything fantasy-relevant until his last five games.  The Pacers have been insisting Stephenson get more aggressive and something clicked with him.  And clicked it has; in the last five games he’s been a consistent offensive threat for Indiana—15.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and a healthy 4.2 dimes.  This is a guy with some fantasy upside that is available on the wire now.  He’s up to 37% from downtown and shoots a high percentage from the field for a two (.487).  Only downside is that he doesn’t have multi-position eligibility like so many other swingmen and Danny Granger will eventually return.  It’s quite possible that he remains fantasy-relevant as the first guy off the bench when a deep Indiana team is all 100%.   Stephenson has interesting fantasy potential because of his ability like Eric Bledsoe, the week before him, to help you in mutliple categories.

Another “two” guard in the East is making all sorts of fantasy waves (on waivers); Nick Young (SG, Sixers) has put together some nice games in the absence of Jason Richardson.  In the last seven games, the big shooting guard has averaged 16.9 points, 3.7 boards, and nearly two threes per contest.  He’s gotten a major increase in playing time and Richardson could be out much longer than originally expected (knee).  The offensively-challenged Sixers will miss Richardson, but Young and possibly Damien Wilkens will be major benefactors of run.

Up All Night Playing Speights

Cleveland has been missing a big man presence to compliment their franchise point guard Kyrie Irving ever since Anderson Varejao went down over a month ago.  Enter in newly acquired Marreese Speights (PF/C, Cavaliers)  who has shown to be a pretty consistent source of scoring.  He doesn’t have Varejao’s rebounding prowess but with increased playing time his offensive skill set may be more diverse than the big Brazilian. In his last five, Speight has averaged 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds a game while shooting 87% from the line and 53% from the field.

Fantasy Hockey Week 3/4 NHL: Saves on The Waiver

It feels good to see Vladimir Tarasenko and Cory Conacher, two young awesome rookies, continue their torrid play so far in Week 3.  While this week's waiver saviors aren't quite at that talent level we do offer some goalie help, including a growing 'tender controversy in Pittsburgh. One of the most exciting things in fantasy is to grab those super rooks before everyone  else, and then watch dude ball, grind,puck, and dominate and become a major source of fantasy points be it NBA, NFL, MLB or the National Hockey League.  Some players just have the skills that you don't need to see the whole resume to snag and start.  Here's to Tarasenko and Concacher being top options yearlong this year in fantasy hockey.  Both are part of feared offenses; it might be time to trade now.  Let's look at the waiver saviors in Week 3.

Vokoun: Growing Goalie Contronversy?

Tomas Vokoun (G, Penguins)  may create a goalie controversy in Pittsburgh, posting a shut-out Thursday night, stopping 28 shots in a 3-0 blanking of a good New York Rangers team.   The veteran Vokoun has a 1.81 goals against average and a .940 save rate (3^rd in the NHL so far) to being this young season and presumed starter Marc-Andre Fleury has posted a 2.94 and a .890 comparatively.  Fleury allowed four goals against the Islanders and five against the Maple Leafs so he has been vulnerable to the meltdowns that plagued him last year in the playoffs against the Flyers.  Vokoun was added to push the young Fleury and netminder for the Pens is such a fantasy-friendly proposition that Vokoun is getting scooped up at an alarming rate.  It may be time to follow suit; he’s owned 36% in ESPN leagues and less than 50% in Yahoo..

Reimer Reasons..Is Toronto Going to Score Enough?

Provided the Maple Leafs don’t trade for Roberto Luongo, there is growing fantasy value with goalie James Reimer (G, Maple Leafs).  Reimer didn’t get much fantasy love in 2011-12, in which he oscillated between injury (19 games with a concussion?) and ineffectiveness (3.10 GAA) but he’s been decent this year with a .910 save percentage (15^th in the league).  He’s worth a pickup for matchups at this point with a bit of upside; an improving Toronto defense could make him much more fantasy useful.

It is may be useful to you to inquire on the waiver wire status of Evgeni Nabokov (G, Islanders).   He’s no spring chicken, but he’s quietly 4-1-1 this season although his 3.14 GAA and .906 aren’t exactly record-setting.  What is encouraging is that the Islanders offense is improving and playoffs look very doable at this point.  He’ll give you wins at this point.  He’s owned in about half of standard fantasy hockey leagues.

Jiri Hudler (LW, Flames) the diminutive Czech has shown flashes of offensive mastery (57 points in 2009 with Detroit) and already has four points in two games.  He’s missed the beginning of the season dealing with the death of his father.  He may benefit from the move to Calgary as most folks who know the game still believe in Hudler’s potential.   Calgary doesn’t have anywhere near the goal-scoring arsenal as Detroit did so Hudler will be counted upon to score and facilitate.  Word out of Calgary is that the second line is all his and that he could even jump to the first line if oft-injured Mike Cammalleri gets hurt.  Hudler can play either wing so that screams fantasy potential as well.  I just don’t think we’ve seen all that Hudler can do on the ice yet.

Tom Gilbert (D, Wild) Already has six points in seven games for Minnesota and is gaining adds as we speak.  He is still on the second-team power play but if he were to bump Jared Spurgeon from the top-pair position and ends up playing alongside big-free agent acquisition Ryan Suter? His fantasy upside would rise significantly.  He’s added much more in Yahoo (only owned in about 15% of leagues) than ESPN where he was drafted in most leagues.

Fantasy Basketball Week 15: Assist Man Assistance?

We've got some ground to make up with some major trades (Rudy Gay to Toronto) and are a couple all-NBA point guards with injuries recently. One, Chris Paul, who is second in the league in assists per game (9.7) has been battling injury and is seemingly permanently on day-to-day status.  The other, Rajon Rondo, just got injured Sunday and is out for the season; Rondo was leading the league in assists per game by a wide margin (11.1).  Rondo’s injury is devastating to the Celtics and puts a crimp in fantasy owners assist-category totals; but there is a surplus of decent “1s” in the league (but probably not on the waiver wire).  It may be time to bake up a trade for second-tier assist leaders Greivis Vazquez or Jose Calderon (who himself was traded to Detroit as part of the Gay trade); or you can take advantage of Rondo’s absence by picking up some these point guards.

Jerryd Is Keeping Competition At Bay(less)

Mike Conley, the point guard for the Grizzlies, has also been sidelined with an injury and Jerryd Bayless (PG/SG, Grizzlies)  has seen some fantasy-relevant stats in his absence. He's getting major looks from fantasy owners not only because Conley missing time, but Rudy Gay was recently shipped to Toronto, meaning more minutes at the "two" as well.  Bayless is a more of a two guard anyway, but slid over while Conley was out.  Now with Gay gone, Bayless is the hottest fantasy basketball add this week because of his last five contests, as he’s averaged 15.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.4 boards in 32.4 minutes.

Bledsoe: A 15-5-5 Guy?

Eric Bledsoe (PG, Clippers)  is continuing to get scooped up at a decent rate as Chris Paul’s injury continue to linger.  Even though Paul is technically day-to-day (knee) there’s no telling when Chris Paul will return; Bledsoe is seeing a lot of adds because of his last five game averages: 11.6 points, 5.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds.  The Clippers have an assist-friendly lineup to boot and Bledsoe continues to be a very strong rebounder for a 6’1” point guard. We may just be scratching the surface of Bledsoe’s talents: in a game against the T-Wolves he scored 10 on 3 for 14; which is his one drawback (FG%) but still added ten assists and six steals. All of the wire! Get him.

My favorite NBA 50-Cent lookalike Nate Robinson (PG,SG, Bulls) has filled in nicely as a scorer/facilitator with the no-Rose Bulls for the last few games.  Wednesday night he went ham on Milwaukee, going 9 for 11 for 24 points, 4 assists and 3 steals in 26 minutes, being efficient and brilliant at the same damn time.  Robinson has shown opponents no mercy in his last five, averaging 18.2 points a game, 4.6 assists, and 3.2 boards, shooting nearly 40% from downtown and 55% from the field.  He’s known for these hot streaks so ride this wave while you can.  He can get you assists pretty consistently these days although he isn’t the passer that Bledsoe or even Bayless is.

Avery Bradley (PG/SG, Celtics) Rondo’s backup and while he’s a lock to get minutes and points for the remainder of the year barring his own injury, the jury is out on whether or not his assists will increase as the director of an aging, yet capable Boston team.  His career high in assists in the NBA is seven, set last season and he had a career high of six in college.  That’s not going to get it done in the NBA level; although with Rondo in Boston what opportunity was Bradley going to get to get dimes, running with the second team? I’ll say he averages five a game for the duration of this year.  He won’t cost you at the charity stripe and can actually shoot from downtown unlike Rajon, so there’s upside there.