In the 2015 Fantasy Alarm Baseball Draft Guide I was compared to Josh Harrison for my versatility. I’m not actually a big believer in Josh Harrison this year, but there are definitely worse MLB players to be compared to. After all versatility is an important trait in all walks of life, especially fantasy basketball.
Oftentimes in my NBA schedule breakdown I will focus on players who have a good matchup for one or two specific categories. For instance I might highlight a player who contributes in steals and is facing teams who turn the ball over a lot. Today I tried to live up to the Josh Harrison moniker by identifying versatile players at different positions who can contribute in multiple categories. No matter what category you need, I can fill it. I’m like the Draymond Green of fantasy analysts.
Willie Green, Orlando Magic (Home vs. Suns, Home vs. Kings, Home vs. Celtics) The Magic have three games at home against teams that play really fast and are in the bottom half of the league in defensive rating. The schedule doesn’t get much better than that. Green is one of the only Magic players who is actually playing well right now, averaging 12.5 points and 1.8 3PM in 27.3 minutes over his last four games. I expect Green to do even better this week with Orlando’s soft schedule. Evan Fournier and Channing Frye could be nice fantasy plays as well in deeper leagues.
Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors (Road vs. Nets, Home vs. Bucks, Home vs. Mavericks, Home vs. Clippers, Road vs. Suns) The Bucks are a pretty lousy matchup, both in terms of defensive rating and pace, but the other four games more than make up for it. Only the Warriors play faster than the Suns, and Golden State’s other three opponents are in the top half of the league in pace as well. The Nets, Suns and Clippers are in the bottom half of the league in defensive rating as well. Iguodala has come on of late, averaging 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 3PM and 1.6 steals over his last five games.
Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat (Home vs. Suns, Home vs. Lakers, Road vs. Wizards, Home vs. Kings, Home vs. Celtics) Like the Warriors, the Heat have one tough game—at Washington—sandwiched between four really nice matchups. Chalmers has averaged 13.1 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 3PM over his last eight games, which is why I gave him the nod over other decent fantasy plays like Chris Anderson, Udonis Haslem and Henry Walker.
Matt Barnes, Los Angeles Clippers (Road vs. Timberwolves, Home vs. Trail Blazers, Road vs. Warriors, Home vs. Timberwolves) As I have noted all year in this column, the Timberwolves are always a good matchups. Portland and Golden state are not nearly as inviting, though they are tied for allowing the fourth-most opponent’s rebounds and are in the top 10 in opponent’s steals. Barnes has quietly played very well with Blake Griffin out, averaging 9.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.6 3PM. That across the board production should play well against the Clippers’s upcoming schedule.
Luis Scola, Indiana Pacers (Home vs. Knicks, Home vs. Bulls, Road vs. Knicks) Two games against the Knicks speak for themselves, and for all the attention Pau Gasol has garnered for his 38 double-doubles, the Bulls have been manhandled on the glass at times this season. Scola is averaging 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two meetings with the Bulls this season, and I expect another good game against them this week.
Scola is most helpful in points and rebounds, but he is averaging 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals over his last six games as well. It would be nice to be able to pick up players to contribute in just one or two specific categories, but many fantasy players do not have that luxury. That is why versatility is so important in fantasy basketball.