NBA Fantasy Update
Weekly NBA Fantasy column written by Steven Spector.
NBA Fantasy Update - 3-1-10

Players on the rise

Marcus Thornton, New Orleans Hornets

       Marcus Thornton, the Hornets' Shooting Guard has been lighting up the score board as of late. Over his last 6 games he has averaged about 20 points per contest. While scoring 20 points a night, he is making about two, 3-pointers per game. Thornton has been good for about 4 boards per night to go along with an assist and a steal. If he is still available in your league scoop him up quickly!

Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons

        The Piston's Forward Tayshaun Prince has only played in 27 games this year. He really struggled when he returned from injury in late December through early January. Prince then missed another 6 games before returning. This month Prince is averaging 14.4 points per game, about 6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per night. Prince has been good for a steal a night this February. It is safe to say that Prince should be in your lineup every night.


Players on the decline

Al Jefferson , Minnesota Timberwolves

        The Timberwolves star center will miss the next two games after being arrested for DWI. Jefferson was suspended without pay for the next two games. The T-Wolves only have two games this week so that won't hurt his team too badly. Make sure you sit Jefferson for the entire week in all fantasy leagues.

Shaquille O'Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers

        The Cavalier's big man Shaquille O' Neal could miss the rest of the regular season with a thumb injury. O' Neal will have surgery on his right injured thumb. This type of injury usually takes about 6-8 weeks to heal. Send Shaq to the bench in your fantasy league until further notice.
NBA Fantasy Update - 3-10-10

Players on the rise

George Hill, San Antonio Spurs

       George Hill has been thrust into the starting lineup since January 18th with the injury to Tony Parker. Hill is a second year Guard drafted #26 in the first round from IUPUI. On the season Hill is averaging about 12 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game while chipping in with a three-pointer made and a steal per game. But since being inserted into the starting lineup Hill is averaging 18 points per game, around 3.5 assists and about 3.2 rebounds per game. He makes about 1.4 three-pointers per contest. All of these numbers have increased since Hill has been starting for the Spurs. If Hill is available grab him, if you own him, start him every game!

Rodrigue Beaubois, Dallas Mavericks

        Rodrigue Beaubois was drafted in the first round of this year's draft, #25 ahead of George Hill by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was then traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Beaubois season averages are nothing impressive at all but recently he has exploded onto the scene. In his last four games Beaubois has averaged 18.5 points per game, a dramatic increase over his 6.3 points per game average on the season. In his last 4 he is also averaging 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, which is more than double in both of those category averages on the season. Beaubois has started his last two games and should continue to start for the Mavericks. Pick him up if he is still available in your league.


Players on the decline

Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets

        Kenyon Martin has been injury prone during his whole NBA career, and it even extends back into his college days at Cincinnati when he broke his leg in his final season. Martin has only missed 8 games on the season, but two of those have come in the Nugget's last two. Martin has left knee tendinitis. Martin is listed as day to day but you never know with Martin how much time he will actually miss. Keep Martin on your bench as long as he is hampered by his knee tendinitis.  Do not be surprised if he misses extended periods of time.

Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

        Bulls' big man Joakim Noah has only played in six games since the start of February. Noah has missed his team's last 5 games while battling plantar fasciitis in his left foot. According to sources, Noah is making progress but there is no timetable for his return. Keep an eye on Noah and keep him on your bench until he is healthy. As a precaution, the Bulls may elect to shut down his season early if they fall even further out of the Eastern Conference Playoff picture.
NBA Fantasy Update - 3-22-10

Players on the rise

Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers

       2009 1st round draft pick of the 76ers, Jrue Holiday has owned the month of March. Holiday's season's averages are not impressive at all consisting of 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. During March, Holiday is averaging 14.1 points, 4.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Holiday is shooting 51.2 % from the field and 52.4% from behind the arc. If Jrue Holiday is still up for grabs in your league, pick him up in preparation for the fantasy playoffs.

Toney Douglas, New York Knicks

        The rookie, Toney Douglas is finally playing and producing for Head Coach Mike D'Antoni. Douglas has even started the last five games. In Douglas' last 6 games, he has averaged nearly 20 points per game, 2 steals, 4.3 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. Douglas hits about two 3-pointers per game and shoots high percentages across the board. Pick up Douglas in your league and give your team an instant boost.


Players on the decline

Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks

        Knicks Guard-Forward Wilson Chandler has missed the last 3 games with a groin injury. Chandler will miss at least the next week, but the rest of his season may be in jeopardy. With Chandler out of the Knicks' lineup, keep an eye on Bill Walker to see some increased minutes.

Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers

        One of the Lakers' Big men, Andrew Bynum has been diagnosed with a strained left Achilles' tendon. The good news for the Lakers and Bynum owners is that his tendon is not ruptured. Bynum is not expected back until at least April. Keep Bynum  on your bench until he is cleared to play.
NBA Fantasy Update - 4-7-10

Players on the rise

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

       If the Bulls are going to make the playoffs, Taj Gibson is going to have to play extremely well for the rest of the short season. Gibson can score, rebound and block shots on the defensive end. Gibson has scored in double digits in 9 of his last 11 games, grabbed double digit rebounds in 8 of his last 11 games, and has had at least 1 blocked shot in his last 10 games. Gibson must produce or the Bulls have not shot at making the playoffs.

Anthony Morrow, Golden State Warriors

        Anthony Morrow has been electrifying over his last 4 games. He is averaging 24.5 points and 7 rebounds per game during his last 4 games. Morrow has hit at least 1 three-pointer in his last 20 games while averaging 2 made three-pointers a game over his last 8 games. Monta Ellis has not played since March 27th, while battling the flu. Without Ellis in the lineup Morrow should continue to impress with his numbers. Play Morrow especially without Ellis in the Warrior's lineup.


Players on the decline

Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks

        Andrew Bogut, the Bucks' big man underwent surgery on his elbow, hand and wrist. Bogut suffered this horrible injury after going up for a dunk and being pushed from behind by the Suns Amare Stoudemire. Bogut is most likely lost for the season, even know his team will have clinched a playoff berth. Bogut was averaging a double-double, 15.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while blocking 2.6 shots a contest and shooting an impressive 51.7% from the floor. Drop Bogut unless it is a keeper league.

Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

        The Grizzlies Center Marc Gasol is sidelined for the remainder of the season. Gasol suffers from a partially torn neck muscle. You could tell Gasol was playing with pain as his numbers were down in all categories while playing with this injury. With Gasol shut down for the rest of the season, look for rookie Hahseem Thabeet to get some increased playing time. Gasol should be let go in all leagues but keeper leagues.