Fantasy Corner – Basketball
January 22, 2015
Who’s Hot:
Stephen Curry, PG/SG (GS): Curry’s ability to score in excess and with efficiency has helped him earn some MVP consideration, and he shows no signs of slowing down. This season Curry has averaged 23 points, eight assists, and three 3PM per game, all while shooting from the field at a 52.8 percent rate.
Rudy Gobert, C (UTA): Who has recorded the most blocks over the past month? If you assumed it was either Anthony Davis or DeAndre Jordan, you’d be wrong. Gobert’s 3.4 blocks per game over that span are the most in the NBA, and he hasn’t had less than three blocks in a game in January. Add this big man to your roster while you still can.
Kyle Korver, SG/SF (ATL): Once again leading the league from long range is Korver with 3.1 three pointers made per game. More so, he has stepped it up recently, nailing 37 shots from long range in January, all while maintaining an impressive 51.5 percent field goal percentage on the year.
Kevin Durant, SF (OKC): Last season’s MVP has performed strongly in multiple categories since returning from an ankle injury. Making 57.2 percent of his shots has helped him average 28.6 points per game, more than any player in the past month. Since his return, Durant has also added nine rebounds, 3.9 assists, and two 3PM per game.
Who’s Not:
Terrance Ross, SG/SF (TOR): Ross was delegated to the bench after only knocking down one-third of his shots the past two weeks. He really has not contributed greatly in any category since returning from injury, and now he does not even average more than two rebounds, assists, or steals per game.
Rajon Rondo, PG (DAL): The trade from Boston sent Rondo from a basement-dweller to a contender; in the process, it hurt Rondo’s value, as he fights for a fantasy presence with other superstars. In Dallas, Rondo averages 10.8 points, 7.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 3.4 turnovers, all worse than his career averages.
Chandler Parsons, SF (DAL): Parsons has been consistent this entire year, but he hasn’t quite excelled as much as fantasy owners were hoping for. Despite earning 33 minutes of playing time, Parsons hasn’t scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds, or dished five assists in any game since December.
Ryan Anderson, PF (NOR): Known for his three-point success, this big man hasn’t scored more than 20 points since his first game in January. When he is shooting well from down town, he has little more to offer statistically, as he ranks tenth on the team in field goal percentage (41.2 percent) and seventh in assists (1.0).