By Jeff Andriesse
Rotowhine.com Editor
Feb. 21, 2008
Some people tell me I take this fantasy basketball stuff too seriously. Impossible, you say? You are right. Nobody talks to me anymore because I take this fantasy basketball stuff too seriously.
Have you returned between 10-20 remote controls this season after tossing them in frustration against the nearest wall? Have you short-circuited your keyboard due to spittle sprayed by swearing at a random box score? Does your cell phone have permanent teeth marks? What can I say, pal - you really got a problem with technology. Me, I removed all electronic equipment, gadgets and anything else weighing less than 300 pounds from my apartment.
I think my point is that you and I have to stop taking this fantasy basketball stuff too seriously. But instead of doing just that, I’m obsessing about players who haven’t even pissed me off yet. Yes! As we head into the home stretch of the NBA season, I’m anticipating a lot of guys coming out of nowhere, most of whom I have already owned and dropped, and helping everyone’s fantasy teams except mine. Who are these demons and can I get them out of my head? Probably not, but let’s put them on paper.
RANDOM FANTASY GUYS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Sean Williams, NJ - Williams has teased us all season long. If the Nets go into full-blown rebuilding mode, I could see them letting him loose for mucho March garbage games. He should block shots with abandon.
Larry Hughes, CLE - Hughes has single-handedly kept the over-the-counter pain reliever industry propped up over the past few years. Don’t look now, but he’s playing his best basketball of the year, getting minutes and decent stats across the board.
David Lee, NY - He’s getting 30-plus minutes lately and making the most of them. Most animals equipped with vertebrae have figured out this would happen. Maybe Isiah Thomas has as well. Maybe.
Kenyon Martin, DEN - Martin is averaging 15.8 points, 7.4 boards, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in February. With Marcus Camby due to appear on an episode of House any moment, I am thinking Kenyon is worth taking a chance on for the stretch run. He’s healthy for the first time in a while and getting good opportunities while teams focus on Carmelo and AI.
Corey Brewer, MIN - It’s hard to label Brewer a disappointment as he’s inherited a horrible situation and has had the typical growing pains. For the youngsters like Brewer, however, March is like a new season when you play on a terrible team and your coach gives you free reign to learn on the job. He’s back in the starting lineup. Take note.
Elton Brand, LAC - Hey, remember him? See if you can get someone in your league to toss him in at the end of a blockbuster you pull off soon. It can’t hurt.
Earl Watson, SEA - We’ve been here before, recommending Watson. Yet he continues to tease with a great game here and there. Seattle’s situation dictates that he’ll have a chance to finish the season strong. Unfortunately, Watson tends to dictate that he isn’t to be relied upon.
Hakim Warrick, MEM - Gasol is gone and the Grizz will soon be in full tank mode. Why won’t Warrick shine? There’s no one else with much of a post-up game on the roster.
Erick Dampier, DAL - Remember that one year in Golden State when Dampier was channeling Wilt Chamberlain? Those days won’t return. But with Diop out of town in the Kidd trade, is 9 and 11 with a couple of blocks too much to ask?
Randy Foye, MIN - Foye is just starting to get his legs back and he’s rejoined the starting lineup. He’s too talented not to have a great finish to the season.
Monta Ellis, GSW - I’m not out on a limb here, I know. But Ellis has been an absolute beast recently. If Baron Davis goes down for any period of time, Ellis would be a sublime guy to have. As it is, enjoy the ride.
Willie Green, PHI - Nothing says garbage time like Sixers games in March. Who better personifies this than Willie Green? I’m not saying you should grab him or count on him, but he’s a fair option if you are desperate. Give it a couple of weeks, you’ll see.
Jarrett Jack, POR - It will be interesting to see how youngsters Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and company react to an intense playoff push. They’ll need some people to step up. Jack looks like a candidate as he’s just re-entered the starting lineup. Don’t expect too much, i.e., don’t throw your remote control around the room if he doesn’t blow up. But keep an eye on him.
This Week’s Tip: Always preheat your oven to 450 degrees before sticking your head in it when you realize you started Andrea Bargnani.
Whine of the Week: How is Darko Milicic worse now that Pau Gasol is out of town? It is happening before our eyes. This could be the nail in the coffin for the 2003 No. 2 overall pick. If confidence issues really are to blame this far into his career, he may not be salvagable. I’ll try to do my best to help his career by dropping him to waivers.
Jeff Andriesse is the editor of Rotowhine.com, a web site devoted to taking this fantasy sports stuff too seriously. Features include a message board, guest blogging and a soon-to-be-launched geneology application so we can reacquaint ourselves with our ancestors, such as our parents.
