It has been said that success in sports is 90% mental and 10% physical performance, fantasy sports are no different. Make no mistake about it; fantasy basketball is a game of psychological warfare and if you win the mental game success will undoubtedly follow. One of my favorite tactics is to constantly and obnoxiously talk up all of the players on my team. I recently set up a league-wide email chain named “Fantasy Basketball Player of the Day”, which is pretty self-explanatory, except shockingly (sarcasm) every winner so far this season has come from my team. So every time Paul Millsap drops 20 and 10 on a foe I award him player of the day and post his stat line for everyone to see. Naturally, I receive a steady stream of abuse in the form of verbal attacks for doing this, but in the end the rest of the league sees all of Millsap’s best stat lines. Even if they know what I’m trying to do, and I would assume they do, it can’t help but increase Millsap’s perceived trade value. In a couple months when I try to do a two-for-one and trade for a superstar like Dirk or Wade you better believe I’ll be including Millsap in that deal.
Here are a couple guys to grab or keep an eye on if they are available in your league
Dorell Wright- He’s still only owned in 57% of ESPN leagues despite the fact that he is starting and playing huge minutes for the fantasy basketball sleeper factory known as the Golden State Warriors. If he’s available in your league stop reading this blog immediately and go pick him up, after that send an email to your league and tell them how bad they suck at fantasy basketball.
Omri Casspi- In deep leagues (12 teams or more) he is definitely worth a pick-up right now, in smaller leagues make sure you keep him on your radar. Casspi isn’t putting up huge numbers yet, but he played a key role in last night’s come from behind win over Toronto. It looks like the minutes will be there for Casspi, and in fantasy basketball opportunity is everything. He’ll always give you 3’s and points and he’s a high energy guy so an increase in steals and rebounds is definitely not out of the question if he can hold down the starter role in Sacramento, and let’s be honest, any weekend warrior pick-up player that can grab rim has a chance to start for the Kings.
Other guys to watch that I don’t feel like writing about
Francisco Garcia- If Casspi can’t hold it down he’s next in line to get minutes
Anthony Tolliver- Darko is doing his Darko thing, he should be headed to the bench any day now, Tolliver will benefit in a big way.
Serge Ibaka- If he isn’t already owned in your league then I’m not really sure why you are reading this, unless of course you are grading it!
Luke Ridnour- The minutes and stats will be there at least until Johnny Flynn returns.
JaVale McGee- 4 blocks a game is pretty nice, even if he isn’t contributing in other areas just yet. JaVale is a flower, give him a little time to blossom.
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