Bench/Start

by Court E. Mann - Associate Editor, Fanball.com
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Are you having trouble deciding which players to start? Every week during the NBA season, Fanball.com helps you set your fantasy hoops lineup by identifying borderline starters or deep sleepers to consider using, as well as reliable players to consider leaving on the bench. The advice below pertains to the period beginning Monday, November 22 and ending Sunday, November 28.

START

Jason Williams, G, Grizzlies - START: Williams has fallen out of favor with a lot of fantasy owners thanks to Hubie Brown's deep rotation and a slow start which saw him score less than 12 points in each of his first four games. However, Williams has ignited the Grizzlies' resurgence (three wins in four games) by collecting 6.4 assists over his past five games, 1.5 steals over his last six, and nailing 1.6 threes per night. There's a place for that in my lineup, especially with four games on tap. Games: 11/22 vs. SA, 11/24 vs. SEA, 11/26 at MIN, 11/27 vs. DAL

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Wally Szczerbiak, F, Timberwolves - START: Fantasy owners have the luxury of a team with five games next period, but they may be wishing for it to be anyone other than the Wolves. MVP and fantasy monster Kevin Garnett does so much for this squad that it's difficult to find a spot starter. I'm going with Wally over Sprewell, not only because Spree has something sordid coming to him from the hoops deities, but also because Wally has been more active on the glass. One 20-point night with a bunch of threes—he has two such efforts in his last four games and faces the porours Kings' defense on Sunday—and you'll be loving this play. Games: 11/22 at DAL, 11/23 vs. SEA, 11/25 at IND, 11/26 vs. MEM

Kyle Korver, F, 76ers - START: What in the name of Jim Jackson has gotten into this guy? Like Jackson, Korver is quietly racking up fantasy points by doing it all in multiple categories. His averages won't jump out at you by any means—12 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, three treys, and 48 percent shooting—but on any given night he could give you 23 points, seven rebounds, two steals, or four threes. I wouldn't use him over another guy with four games, but if you're stuck with a mid-tier player with three starts, I'd ride this hot hand. Games: 11/24 vs. BOS, 11/26 vs. WAS, 11/27 at ORL

Austin Croshere, F, Pacers - START: A subtle development in Indiana has the fantasy value of several Pacers skyrocketing. Injuries down low have forced Rick Carlisle to switch up his starting five, and he's elected to go with Jermaine O'Neal at center with Croshere shifting into the starting lineup at power forward. Not only will O'Neal owners love installing J.O. in the five-spot once he qualifies there, but Croshere immediately becomes a fantasy regular with the increased minutes. In six starts this season, Austin has powered his way to 14.3 points, nearly eight boards, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, two threes, 91 percent shooting from the charity stripe, and 52 percent shooting from the field overall. Groovy baby. Games: 11/23 vs. BOS, 11/25 vs. MIN, 11/26 vs. CHA, 11/28 at SEA

Chris Wilcox, F/C, Clippers - START: Don't tell me you're panicking because you're about to lose your starting center due to the return of Chris Kaman. It's Chris Kaman, people. He averaged six points and 5.6 rebounds last year and is basically still a rookie; on the other hand, Wilcox is posting 17 points and eight boards per night, and the Clippers have a winning record. It's no wonder why coach Mike Dunleavy has already said Wilcox will retain his starting job when Kaman comes off the injured list this weekend. Even with three games this week, keep Wilcox in your lineup, as long as you're using him at center. Games: 11/25 vs. NJ, 11/26 at GSW, 11/28 vs. GSW

BENCH

Joe Johnson, G/F, Suns - BENCH: The early returns on the Suns' rotation are favorable for J.J.—I'm not worried about his long-term value as much as I was when they signed Quentin Richardson to a $50 million deal. However, I'd think long and hard about reserving him this week. In the last week, his scoring average has dropped four points, and he now ranks fifth on the team in shot attempts. He's scored only 16 points in the last two games and his scoring opportunities have fallen in each of the last five tilts. I'd choose a four-game player and let Joe bounce back while on the pine. Games: 11/22 vs. CHI, 11/24 vs. MIL, 11/26 vs. NOR

Jim Jackon, F, Rockets - BENCH: Jimmy J has undoubtedly made a lot of friends this week. Many owners grabbed a hold of him when they saw Houston had five games, and Jackson quietly (as always) responded with two 18-point efforts to start the period, chock full of fantasy goodies: five three-pointers, seven rebounds, nine assists, six steals, and 52 percent shooting. Unfortunately, while Jackson should be owned in every format, he's risky to use in a three-game week, especially since half of the league is busier. If he puts up 11 points or less in one of those contests, which he has done four times this season, you'll regret using him. Games: 11/23 at SAC, 11/26 at UTA, 11/27 vs. DEN

Bobby Simmons, F, Clippers - BENCH: I'm not as optimistic about Simmons' long-term value as I am about Wilcox retaining his worth. The Clippers' first game this period is on Thanksgiving Day, which coincidentally is also the targeted return date for shooting guard Kerry Kittles. I don't expect Kittles to get his starting spot back immediately, but Simmons needs big minutes to keep up what has admittedly been a solid start. With only three contests this week—all against teams giving up less than 93 points per game—I'd reserve Simmons and let this situation play itself out. Games: 11/25 vs. NJ, 11/26 at GSW, 11/28 vs. GSW

Caron Butler, F, Lakers - BENCH: I'll admit that after watching Caron go for 45 points in back-to-back games in early November, I thought the man who two years ago was reminding everyone of Paul Pierce was back. But the reality is that Butler's value is way too dependent on whether Kobe Bryant decides he wants to involve his teammates, and that's one roller coaster I'm not interesting in riding. In his last four games, he's had 14 points, nine points, 15 points, eight points, etc. If he had four games, I'd consider him if only because he could potentially net me seven steals. But with only three games? No chance. Games: 11/23 vs. MIL, 11/26 vs. SAC, 11/28 vs. NOR

Chris Mihm, C, Lakers - BENCH: Not to harsh on the Lake Show, but what was your favorite moment of the Chris Mihm fantasy era? The Lakers activated Slava Medvedenko from the injured list this week, and they're about to do the same with Vlade Divac this weekend. While Vlade needs some time to get back in game shape, the bottom line here is that Mihm goes from getting starter's minutes to being, at best, part of a really ugly three-headed monster down low. It was fun while it lasted, Chris. Games: 11/23 vs. MIL, 11/26 vs. SAC, 11/28 vs. NOR