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.
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