NBA All-Sleepers Lineup
-Hoover26 October 30
In a league filled with electric All-Stars and household names, you may be tempted to try and fill your roster with established guys you know. However, these guys are usually the first to go. In order to really succeed in fantasy basketball, you need the guys that ARE NOT household names to have big games for you. You need the sleepers.
PG- Emmanuel Mudiay
Mudiay put up an impressive stat line in his first NBA game, with 17 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds. The only real issue was the fact that he had 11 turnovers. He was three turnovers away from tying a single game NBA record. This is not Guangdong anymore, Emmanuel. In order for Mudiay to be a really strong point guard, he needs to learn which passes he can make and which ones he can not. Obviously, he has the court vision to find his teammates (nine assists), but there will be an adjustment period to the stronger and more experienced defense. So, don’t let those turnovers scare you away from the talented young man, instead focus on all the things he was able to do well in his debut. His shooting was on point, his driving and finishing looked extremely sharp, and he was able to take advantage of the talent around him. Mudiay is a tremendous value at the point guard position, and his price tag will only get higher as he matures.
SG- C.J. McCollum
With LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews departing Portland for the Spurs and Mavericks, respectively, huge holes opened up in the Blazers’ lineup. Of course, Damian Lillard is a fantasy mainstay, but his new backcourt mate, C.J. McCollum, could be as well. He lit up the Pelicans for 37 points in Portland’s opener, and added six boards and an assist. A bit strange for a combo guard like McCollum to have only one assist, but keep in mind that the scoring is coming almost exclusively from the backcourt. Besides McCollum and Lillard, only two other Blazers managed to score a dozen points in the game. After his huge scoring night, McCollum might be in line for more opportunity to have even more huge scoring nights. If you have him, you are in luck. If you don’t, I would try to get him. His average draft position (on espn.com leagues) is about 80th overall, so you might be able to snag him off some sceptic’s bench.
SF- Danilo Gallinari
Gallinari played only fifty-nine games last year for the Nuggets (starting twenty-seven), and had the fewest points per game since his rookie year with the Knicks. He has been banged up all through his career, and never really able to put together the kind of lasting numbers that we know he could. This season, with Wilson Chandler starting the season injured, Danilo was tasked with playing big minutes. He certainly made the most of it, as he dropped 23 points against Houston (he also added eight rebounds and three blocked shots). Gallinari’s Offensive Rating in the game was 146 (basketball-reference.com), which was higher than LeBron James or Kevin Durant. However, Gallinari could always shoot and score. The really promising sign is the fact that he had eight rebounds (he has never averaged more than five) and three blocks (never more than 0.7). Danilo Gallinari is becoming a more well rounded player, and is worth a very hard look in any fantasy league.
PF- Julius Randle
While at Kentucky, the 6’9” forward was a force to be reckoned with. His double-double average and decent face-up jumper made him one of the top prospects in last year’s draft. However, injury caused him to miss all of last season (save one game). Now, Randle is back, and looking to live up to the enormous expectations that come with being a Kentucky one-and-done. Randle managed to score fifteen points and snatch eleven boards in the Lakers’ season opener. He finished the game with more minutes played than the Lakers’ new center Roy Hibbert, and managed to hit five out of his six free throws. If Randle’s game can continually progress, and he can continue his trend of double-doubles, then he could be a very good fantasy player this season.
C- Zaza Pachulia
Zaza hasn’t averaged double digit points per game since 2007, and hasn’t averaged eight rebounds per game since 2011. However, Zaza had a double-double in his first game as a Maverick. Zaza started at the center position, played 25 minutes, and made his mark on the game. And, with Dirk’s low post game not what it used to be, Zaza will have free roam of the Dallas paint. Plus, Zaza has plenty of range on his jumper. I was watching the game, and I had to do a double take when I saw Zaza knocking down midrange jumpers with ease. Keep an eye on him, he might just be a sneaky value pick.
Now that the starting lineup is complete, here are a few “utility” guys that can contribute to your roster right away.
UTIL- Marcus Morris
After being traded away from the Suns, and his twin brother Markieff (much to the dismay of both), Marcus Morris ended up in Detroit. So far, he is averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds in the first two games of the year. Morris appears to be playing a larger role in the offense than previously expected, and should be a very strong fantasy play going forward.
UTIL- Nikola Mirotic
If you ask me, I think the Chicago Bulls hit the jackpot when they drafted Mirotic. So far in his two-year NBA career, Mirotic has been an offensive powerhouse. His True Shooting Percentage (basketball-reference.com) has been very good, and he actually cracked the starting lineup this season. Of course, Joakim Noah will still be a factor coming off the bench, but not so much offensively. With Pau Gasol getting up there in age, Mirotic might be slated for a few of his minutes as well. Mirotic’s average draft position (espn.com) was 82nd overall, which isn’t giving him enough credit. Mirotic is a very good player with a very high upside, and is someone who you should go after in your fantasy league.
UTIL- Ricky Rubio
I guess Ricky Rubio did some work in the offseason, as he finally was able to take and make a few open threes. He poured 24 points and 14 assists on the shaky Lakers, and appeared to make some real improvements in his game. While Rubio won’t maintain those numbers, his always strong passing coupled with the ability to make open shots when they are there will help his fantasy performance. I think his stock is due for an upswing.
PG- Emmanuel Mudiay
Mudiay put up an impressive stat line in his first NBA game, with 17 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds. The only real issue was the fact that he had 11 turnovers. He was three turnovers away from tying a single game NBA record. This is not Guangdong anymore, Emmanuel. In order for Mudiay to be a really strong point guard, he needs to learn which passes he can make and which ones he can not. Obviously, he has the court vision to find his teammates (nine assists), but there will be an adjustment period to the stronger and more experienced defense. So, don’t let those turnovers scare you away from the talented young man, instead focus on all the things he was able to do well in his debut. His shooting was on point, his driving and finishing looked extremely sharp, and he was able to take advantage of the talent around him. Mudiay is a tremendous value at the point guard position, and his price tag will only get higher as he matures.
SG- C.J. McCollum
With LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews departing Portland for the Spurs and Mavericks, respectively, huge holes opened up in the Blazers’ lineup. Of course, Damian Lillard is a fantasy mainstay, but his new backcourt mate, C.J. McCollum, could be as well. He lit up the Pelicans for 37 points in Portland’s opener, and added six boards and an assist. A bit strange for a combo guard like McCollum to have only one assist, but keep in mind that the scoring is coming almost exclusively from the backcourt. Besides McCollum and Lillard, only two other Blazers managed to score a dozen points in the game. After his huge scoring night, McCollum might be in line for more opportunity to have even more huge scoring nights. If you have him, you are in luck. If you don’t, I would try to get him. His average draft position (on espn.com leagues) is about 80th overall, so you might be able to snag him off some sceptic’s bench.
SF- Danilo Gallinari
Gallinari played only fifty-nine games last year for the Nuggets (starting twenty-seven), and had the fewest points per game since his rookie year with the Knicks. He has been banged up all through his career, and never really able to put together the kind of lasting numbers that we know he could. This season, with Wilson Chandler starting the season injured, Danilo was tasked with playing big minutes. He certainly made the most of it, as he dropped 23 points against Houston (he also added eight rebounds and three blocked shots). Gallinari’s Offensive Rating in the game was 146 (basketball-reference.com), which was higher than LeBron James or Kevin Durant. However, Gallinari could always shoot and score. The really promising sign is the fact that he had eight rebounds (he has never averaged more than five) and three blocks (never more than 0.7). Danilo Gallinari is becoming a more well rounded player, and is worth a very hard look in any fantasy league.
PF- Julius Randle
While at Kentucky, the 6’9” forward was a force to be reckoned with. His double-double average and decent face-up jumper made him one of the top prospects in last year’s draft. However, injury caused him to miss all of last season (save one game). Now, Randle is back, and looking to live up to the enormous expectations that come with being a Kentucky one-and-done. Randle managed to score fifteen points and snatch eleven boards in the Lakers’ season opener. He finished the game with more minutes played than the Lakers’ new center Roy Hibbert, and managed to hit five out of his six free throws. If Randle’s game can continually progress, and he can continue his trend of double-doubles, then he could be a very good fantasy player this season.
C- Zaza Pachulia
Zaza hasn’t averaged double digit points per game since 2007, and hasn’t averaged eight rebounds per game since 2011. However, Zaza had a double-double in his first game as a Maverick. Zaza started at the center position, played 25 minutes, and made his mark on the game. And, with Dirk’s low post game not what it used to be, Zaza will have free roam of the Dallas paint. Plus, Zaza has plenty of range on his jumper. I was watching the game, and I had to do a double take when I saw Zaza knocking down midrange jumpers with ease. Keep an eye on him, he might just be a sneaky value pick.
Now that the starting lineup is complete, here are a few “utility” guys that can contribute to your roster right away.
UTIL- Marcus Morris
After being traded away from the Suns, and his twin brother Markieff (much to the dismay of both), Marcus Morris ended up in Detroit. So far, he is averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds in the first two games of the year. Morris appears to be playing a larger role in the offense than previously expected, and should be a very strong fantasy play going forward.
UTIL- Nikola Mirotic
If you ask me, I think the Chicago Bulls hit the jackpot when they drafted Mirotic. So far in his two-year NBA career, Mirotic has been an offensive powerhouse. His True Shooting Percentage (basketball-reference.com) has been very good, and he actually cracked the starting lineup this season. Of course, Joakim Noah will still be a factor coming off the bench, but not so much offensively. With Pau Gasol getting up there in age, Mirotic might be slated for a few of his minutes as well. Mirotic’s average draft position (espn.com) was 82nd overall, which isn’t giving him enough credit. Mirotic is a very good player with a very high upside, and is someone who you should go after in your fantasy league.
UTIL- Ricky Rubio
I guess Ricky Rubio did some work in the offseason, as he finally was able to take and make a few open threes. He poured 24 points and 14 assists on the shaky Lakers, and appeared to make some real improvements in his game. While Rubio won’t maintain those numbers, his always strong passing coupled with the ability to make open shots when they are there will help his fantasy performance. I think his stock is due for an upswing.