Point Guard
Donald Sloan ($3700, 15.8 USG) – Let me just go on record and say this is likely the worst and toughest slate of the year to figure out. There’s only one attractive game to target and that would be the Bulls/Wizards game (206.5 over under, 8 points spread). Anyways, let’s start with Sloan. The Nets have hit rock bottom. First, they lose Jarrett Jack for the year and then over the weekend, GM Billy King gets demoted and head coach Lionel Hollins‘ firing comes after. What to expect next is anyone’s guess but for now there are still games to play. Enter the leagues best defensive team, San Antonio. Straight up, this game is going to get ugly. I don’t feel comfortable rostering anyone in this game but Sloan provides decent value on a slate that has very little. The Shane Larkin experiment may have run it’s course, as he was benched to start the second half against Detroit on Sunday. Sloan played well in his spot scoring 33.5 DKPTS (15 points, 10 assists in 24 minutes). The weakest part of the Spurs defense (and it’s not even that bad) is Tony Parker. They’re either 1st or 2nd in DvP at every other position. It’s not optimal but for only $3700, he’s ok in my book.
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Shooting Guard
Manu Ginobili ($4200, 24.4 USG) – At this point, you’re hoping the Nets can somehow keep this close. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get word before tipoff that Pop decides to rest some of his guys, as he tends to do in easier matchups. They’re currently 15 point favorites so it makes sense. But for the sake of this slate and column, let’s look at Manu. He’s averaged 27.4 DKPTS over his last 3 games playing only 22 minutes. The Nets are pretty awful defending the wing (24th in DvP) so if he can get at least 20 minutes, I like him to reach value. At 38, Manu hasn’t really shown any signs of age. His PER is still in the 20’s, win shares per 48 is at .210 and owns a respectable TS% of .581. Just keep an eye out for news in the event that some Spurs sit out. I’ll personally be rostering Jimmy Butler across the board though.
Small Forward
Jared Dudley ($4400, 12.1 USG) – So Humphries and Gortat are now doubtful and Nene is on a strict minutes limit. Who else do the Wizards have? There should be plenty of run for guys like Dudley and Porter tonight because Washington can’t rely on Drew Gooden to play a full workload coming off an injury of his own (calf). I never like rostering Dudley but if you’re telling me he’s going to play nearly 40 minutes in the highest expected scoring game of the night and costs only $4400, then I’d have to consider it. This guy is playing power forward and owns a 7.5 total rebounding percentage. It’s freaking hilarious. For giggles and comparisons, Drew Gooden (see below) owns a 17.1 TRB%.
Power Forward
Drew Gooden ($3000, 16.2 USG) – It’s come to this. Happy Drew Gooden night everybody! If Gortat sits out, it leaves WAS with only Gooden to play center and at only 6’8. Nene can spell him for maybe 15 minutes but continues to be on a minutes limit. Hey, it’s not pretty but a starting center at the bare min. What can go wrong? The Bulls allow the 5th most fantasy points to opposing centers, whether your 34 years old or not. I don’t know if I can stomach rostering all these older veterans but that’s the kind of night it is. His per 36 numbers are encouraging (29.92 DKPTS) so if he does get the start and plays close to 30 min, he probably becomes the best value play of the day.
Center
Boban Marjanovic ($3300, 27.6 USG) – You roster Boban on 2 occasions. Either when Pop chooses to rest one of his bigs or when you’re absolutely certain the Spurs win in a blowout. Going with the latter here, Boban is the ultimate garbage time god. He’s much like Bobby Portis when dreaming of what could be when given a full workload. Averaging 24.3 points, 15 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per 36 (53 DKPTS!!!), he needs very little time to do what you need him to do. The Nets also give up the most fantasy points to opposing centers so if and when this gets ugly, Boban will eat and will then eat some more and more and more and more and more . . .
Featured Image Credit: By Chris Green (Chrisg21090 at en.wikipedia) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
