Fantasy NBA Basketball Advice Week 14: Alan Anderson, Earl Clark and Shannon Brown

As we reported a few months ago, Hornets are officially going the way of the dodo bird, or pelican as the New Orleans franchise will be known as from this point on.  The logo is an angry bird; but personally, I think they could’ve done much worse--at least the pelican is interwoven in the history of the region and is a resilient bird.

Alan Anderson: The Allen Iverson School of Point Accumulation in a 6"6' Package

Our recommendation for the fantasy basketball owners looking for small forwards is to peruse the recent offerings by Raptors swingman Alan Anderson (SF, Raptors).  Who would’ve thought that so many recent fantasy waiver wire additions (Ed Davis, Terence Ross, Amir Johnson) would come from this 16-27, albeit improving, squad? Anderson’s main value is scoring and threes, his excellent FT% is marred by his Brandon Jennings-esque FG% in 12-13 but is improving (.427 in his last five).  He’s had some uptick in his other stats in his last five as well, averaging 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists.  Right now,  he’ll get you buckets.

Spencer Hawes: Anybody Remember Mike Gminski?

Spencer Hawes (C/PF, Sixers)  Hawes bears a strong resemblance to this guy, A Sixers legend. The big man is on a tear lately averaging 16.3 points, 7.7 boards and 3.0 dishes over his last three as he continues to get minutes off the bench in place of Andrew Bynum, who should return sometime after the All-Star break).   He will likely stay on the bench but is only owned in 44% of ESPN leagues and 48% of Yahoo leagues.  He’s a big that doesn’t get rebounds commensurate with his height but can shoot the occasional three and passes better than many big men.

One guy who does rebound is the rookie from Ohio State, Jared Sullinger (PF, Celtics) who has added a toughness on the glass not seen since Kendrick Perkins.  Even though the short C’s are in freefall, Sully was back at it again against the Cavaliers grabbing 10 and adding a dozen points.  He is more of a one-category helper at this point, but potential is there.  He’s owned in 12% in ESPN leagues and rising.

Shannon Brown (SG, Suns)  has been heating up for an otherwise cold Phoenix Suns squad averaging 14.7 points and 2.7 steals in his last six games.  While he’s getting 25-30 minutes of grind like this, Brown can knock down threes and sprinkle in some rebounds and dishes.  His only limiting factor is that he only has shooting guard eligibility but if you have had enough of Ben Gordon’s lack of fantasy multi-category usefulness, and depending on your league values steals, Brown may be able to do something for you right now.

The New Lakers: 8th Seed or Bust, But Clark Will Get Some Grind

Another historically great team in a bit of a slump are the crappy Los Angeles Lakers, who have lost 9 of their last 11.  They’re old, slow and grumpy (Dwight Howard) and they aren’t helped by a coach (Mike D’Antoni) whose philosophies are a poor fit for the current roster.  There is fantasy help on this roster for our concerns, however, in the form of Earl Clark (PF/SF Lakers) the Lakers new starting power forward.  In his last seven games, five of them starts, Clark has averaged 11.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists.  In case you were wondering, Pau Gasol now comes off the bench to back up the grumpy Howard.  It’s going to continue to be a long season in Lakerland, but Clark should continue to gets lots of run for your fantasy squad.

Fantasy Basketball Week 6 Gainers / The Pelican Brief

Week 6 in the NBA and there is a lot of talent still out there on the waiver wires.  I mean there are so many quality options out there in leagues; Greivis Vazquez (PG, Hornets) is still unowned in a couple leagues, for crying out loud.  I mean, he averages nearly 14 points and over 8 assists!  We also know that swingmen are high in demand; with rebounds in "stock price" for tired ex-2's like Vince Carter and Jason Richardson.  Here's what to be cognizant of for Week 6.  We also know the aforementioned Hornets are considering a name change.

Antawn Jamison (PF, Lakers)  has started two games with Pau Gasol out with tendinits in both knees.  In his last seven games he’s averaged a respectable 15.9 points to go with eight boards and he chips in threes pretty accurately.  Coach Mike D’Antoni will probably give Jamison a lot of minutes to try to balance the Gasol-Dwight Howard lineup when the Spaniard gets back.  He’s getting added quickly in most standard leagues.

Nikola Vucevic (PF/C, Magic)  Not many usable Magic players so far this year in fantasy, but the 7-footer has quietly put together 9.0 point, 9.9 rebound campaign and will block shots.  His ability to provide double-doubles outweigh his not-so-great 46% field goal percentage.  He’s averaging nearly 32 minutes so he’s probably going to be filling the stat sheets all season.  He’s owned in a majority of leagues but saw a spike recently.

Atta Foye!

Randy Foye, (SG/PG, Jazz)  Mr. Up-and-Down is on an “up” as Utah is tinkering with their lineup, giving Foye starts at shooting guard and in the last three games he has responded averaging 13.5 a game with a majority of those point coming from downtown.  He’s tearing it up from 3-point land, but doesn’t offer much in the way of assists this year (1.8 apg).  He shoots a high percentage for a backcourt player and may run away with his current role. He’s owned in about 25% of standard leagues.

Shved Light On The Subject

Coach Rick Adelman has dubbed Alexey Shved (SG/PG, Timberwolves) Minnesota’s shooting guard of the future.  He still comes off the bench but still averages around 30 minutes of run a game since mid-November.  He’s a steady contributor in threes and has scored 10 or more in the last four games.  He is 6’6”and recently became the 20^th rookie in history to make four or more three’s and shoot 50% or better in two consecutive games.  His stock is definitely on the rise; he’s crafty and the logical increase in minutes will probably up his rebound and assist totals.

Tayshaun Prince (SF, Pistons)   The wily veteran has been averaging nearly 16 points in his last five games and shooting 54% from downtown in 34.2 minutes a game all well above his career averages, but his season average is right in line with his career.  In a fantasy hoops world short on serviceable swingmen, Prince is an undervalued commodity.

Jordan Crawford (SG, Wizards)  Owned in approximately 20% of standard leagues and rising, the guard is making some heads turn; in the last nine games he’s averaging 16.3 points, 4.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds per contest.  As long as John Wall is still sidelined with the knee injury so Crawford could see more starts.

Notes:

The Lakers Jodie Meeks is a cheap source of threes.

Shannon Brown's play in the Valley of the Sun will soon border on fantasy relevance.

Chauncey Billups, all of a sudden, can't stay healthy.