RADIO
We back, baby! The long-awaited wait for the return of hoops...Oh, nevermind. Thanks, Rona for all that you've done in 2020. The quick turnaround is a pleasant surprise for us fantasy hoops degenerates, but it has the potential to wreak havoc on NBA lineups this season. So those who remain diligent mining the waiver wire could ascertain a huge advantage in the quest for fantasy glory.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 1 streamers earlier this week and will continue to do so all season long. I will be chiming in mid-week to add some sprinkles and frosting onto the beautifully baked Zvekic cake.
For Week 1, there are 12 teams with a back-to-back, but since no team plays more than three games this week, I don't foresee many of the regulars sitting. Therefore, I will try and isolate players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues and could contribute.
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ATLANTA HAWK
The Hawks only have one game remaining this week, but it's against the Grizzlies, who were sixth in offensive pace last season. Fantasy goodies should rain down from the heavens like manna. De'Andre Hunter is currently rostered in only 30% of Yahoo leagues. I get it, as Cam Reddish is competing for small forward minutes and Hunter likely won't get many minutes at power forward this season. With that said, he's slated to start and played 26, 30, 29, and 26 minutes during the preseason. There's potential for some points, three-pointers, and rebounds. We can only pray and dream about steals and blocks since they have been lacking in his young career.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics host the Nets on Friday and travel to the Pacers on Sunday. Last season, the Nets were eighth in offensive pace and will likely climb into the top three this season. The Pacers were 19th in pace, so that matchup isn't as alluring, but two games are two games. The player who stands out is Jeff Teague. He's rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues, so I'm cheating a little bit, but the rule is plus or minus five percent, right? Kemba Walker isn't ready to start the season and Teague could soak up significant minutes, whether it be starting or leading the second unit. Teague could provide those precious assists, three-pointers, steals, and excellent free throw percentage, albeit on low volume.
BROOKLYN NETS
Both Joe Harris and Spencer Dinwiddie are rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues. Plus or minus six percent!!! The Nets play the Celtics on Friday and Hornets on Sunday. That matchup with the Hornets is particularly interesting since the pace should be fast (CHA was dead-last in pace last season, but should see a marked improvement this year). Dinwiddie and Harris are both slated to start and, while the usage will never be high playing alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, minutes are gold! Neither will contribute much in the defensive categories, but points, three-pointers, some rebounds, and assists from Dinwiddie should be on the menu.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets play the Thunder on Saturday then the Nets on Sunday. The Thunder were 22nd in pace last season while the Nets were eighth. Miles Bridges (50% rostered), Cody Zeller (6% rostered), and Bismack Biyombo (1% rostered) are the viable options. Bridges isn't going to get the 30 minutes per game he received last year with Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington ahead of him. He could still get some nice run on the second unit with LaMelo Ball throwing him lobs. He won't wow you in any category, but could provide boards, three-pointers, and a smattering of defensive stats. Zeller will start at center and will provide rebounds and some points. He likely won't play more than 24 minutes, though. Biyombo should soak up most of the remaining center minutes and will provide rebounds and blocks. Biyombo Boards and Blocks. Big Baller Brand is in full effect with Ball and Biyombo!
NOTE: Zeller suffered a fractured hand on Wednesday night and will likely miss a couple of weeks.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls play the Pistons on Saturday then the Warriors on Sunday. Detroit was 28th in pace last season while Golden State was 14th. That should increase with the return of Curry, though. The player who stands out for the Bulls is Patrick Williams, rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues. There's still uncertainty as to how Billy Donovan will construct his rotations, but he seems to like Otto Porter Jr. with the second unit, which means Williams could start at power forward. In the final two preseason games, Williams did start and showed a diverse offensive package, scoring from all three levels, with the ability to defend.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers play the Pistons on Saturday then the 76ers on Sunday. Detroit was 28th in pace last season while the 76ers were 19th. All indications are that Doc Rivers wants to increase that number this season. The player who stands out for the Cavaliers is Darius Garland, who is only rostered in 38% of Yahoo leagues. That's a little surprising since Garland is slated to start and soak up most of the point guard minutes. Sure, the field goal percentage could be rough, but he was a rookie last season and was coming off a knee injury in college. Garland could be a source of points, three-pointers, and assists.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks play the Lakers on Friday then the Clippers on Sunday. The Lakers were 11th in pace last season while the Clippers were eighth. The player who stands out for the Mavericks is Dorian Finney-Smith, who is rostered in only five percent of Yahoo leagues. Fine, he's not sexy and won't ooh and ahh you with points, but he will grab rebounds, drain the open three-pointer, and get some defensive stats. The most important thing, though, is that he's slated to start at power forward and get minutes, which are half the battle. Yo, Joe! Dwight Powell (10% rostered) and Maximilian Kleber (28% rostered) are also viable candidates, due to the Kristaps Porzingis injury. Both should play plenty of minutes. Powell will provide excellent field goal percentage and rebounds, while Kleber will contribute three-pointers, rebounds, and blocks.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors play the Bucks on Friday and the Bulls on Sunday. MIL was first in pace last season while CHI was 16th. The Bulls have a new coach in Billy Donovan, who had the Thunder playing at the 22nd fastest pace last season. With Draymond Green expected to miss a few games to start the season, Eric Paschall (8% rostered) should start and soak up most of those minutes. Paschall provides excellent field goal percentage, can score, rebound, dish out some dimes, and knock down the occasional three-pointer. Don't expect much in the defensive categories though.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers play the Nuggets on Friday then the Mavericks on Sunday. DEN was 29th in pace last season while DAL was 18th. Luke Kennard (23% rostered) and Ivica Zubac (29% rostered) stand out to me for the Clippers. The Clippers just extended Kennard for four years and $64 million. That's a good indication that they feel he is healthy and will be a significant contributor. Kennard shoots 40% from beyond the arc and is adept in the pick and roll. With the Clippers lacking a true point guard, he could possibly fill some of that role. Zubac will never get unleashed, which makes me sad, because he could ball the F out if given the chance. Unfortunately, Serge Ibaka is in town now, so the minutes will be limited. With that said, he will still get over 20 minutes and contribute excellent percentages, rebounds, and blocks.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers play the Mavericks on Friday and Timberwolves on Sunday. DAL was 18th in pace last season while MIN was fourth. The Lakers are so deep that there could be a bunch of guys getting minutes, which nukes the value of all. I want to see how the rotations pan out before advocating anyone.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies play the Hawks on Saturday. Usually, a one-game schedule would be a no-go for me, but the matchup against the Hawks is just too juicy. ATL was fifth in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency last season. Dillon Brooks (41% rostered) and Kyle Anderson (5% rostered) stand out. Both are slated to start so....Class? Minutes are gold, Professor Son. Correct! The efficiency can be brutal from Brooks, but he shoots well from the free-throw line and contributes points, three-pointers, and a handful of assists and rebounds. Mr. Anderson isn't much of an offensive threat but provides a little something something in every category.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves play the Jazz on Saturday then the Lakers on Sunday. UTA was 26th in pace last season while the Lakers were 11th. Both are excellent defensive teams as well, as LAL were third in defensive efficiency while UTA was 12th. Malik Beasley (42% rostered) is starting for the Timberwolves and will provide points, three-pointers, and some steals. Juancho Hernangomez (4% rostered) is slated to start at power forward and will contribute points, rebounds, and three-pointers. The efficiency is a problem for Hernangomez though.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans play the Heat on Friday then the Spurs on Sunday. NO was third in pace last season while MIA was 27th. J.J. Redick (26% rostered) is the only player who stands out for me. He's strictly a 3-and-D specialist, but without the D.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks play the 76ers on Saturday then the Bucks on Sunday. PHI was seventh in pace last season while the Bucks were first. Alec Burks (14% rostered) and Elfrid Payton (52% rostered) are the two who stand out to me. It's weird that a starting player is rostered in fewer than 20% of leagues. Crazy. Anyways, Burks should get plenty of run and provide points, three-pointers, rebounds, assists, and steals. The one bugaboo is the poor field goal percentage. Payton is likely the starting point guard and could triple-double on any given night. The percentages are poor and he doesn't provide three-pointers, but he does contribute in steals.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic get to play the Wizards on Saturday and Sunday. Party time!! The Wizards were 29th in defensive efficiency and seventh in pace. With James Ennis still dealing with an injury, Dwayne Bacon (1% rostered) could continue to start. The offensive efficiency is always an issue for Bacon, but he's shown out well during the preseason. He could be a nice source of steals. Terrence Ross (39% rostered) is the microwave off the bench and contributes points, three-pointers, and steals. A true 3-and-D player. Hallelujah! The efficiency can be rough at times, but he also has 30-point upside on any given night.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns play the Kings on Saturday and Sunday. SAC was 21st in pace last season. Jae Crowder (37% rostered) and Cameron Johson (7% rostered) stand out to me for the Suns. Crowder is the starter and will provide points, rebounds, three-pointers, and steals. The field goal percentage is rough though. Johnson has a similar fantasy repertoire with slightly better efficiency.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
If the Suns play the Kings twice then that means the Kings play the Suns twice. Duh. PHX was 10th in pace last season. The only Kings player of interest rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues is Harrison Barnes. Uh, I mean Mehrrison Barnes. He's strictly a points, three-pointers, and rebounds player, but he starts, plays a ton of minutes, and can get hit with the ball for a steal from time to time.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs play Raptors on Saturday then the Pelicans on Sunday. TOR was 11th in pace last season while NOP was third. Lonnie Walker IV (7% rostered) and Jakob Poeltl (26% rostered) stand out to me. With Derrick White still out due to injury, Walker will likely start at shooting guard. While he can wow us with his physical gifts, the opposite is true from a fantasy perspective. That's not to say he can't be useful, though, as he will contribute in every category, without killing you in any. Poeltl won't get huge minutes, but he's super-efficient when he is on the court. He provides excellent field goal percentage, rebounds, and blocks.
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