Fantasy Forecast: Week 3

When you talk about fantasy basketball you often hear names like Chris Paul, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, or Chris Bosh. But, this season we have names like Chris Kaman, Marc Gasol, Rojan Rondo, and Danilo Gallinari also on that list as we head into Week 3 of the NBA season. Before we get to the Start Em’ and Sit Em’ selections, let’s review to make sure you are all up on the latest NBA news.
Kevin Martin is out at least eight weeks after a break in the wrist that will require surgery on Monday. Beno Udrih will replace Martin at PG with Tyreke Evans sliding over to SG. Udrih is now an excellent waiver wire addition.

Allen Iverson has left the Grizzlies for “personal reasons”. His fantasy owners don’t care why he left, just that he left. AI isn’t worth dropping just yet, but if he misses this week with no update as to what personal means exactly, I’d cut him loose next weekend.

Devin Harris is injured, which means his owners should already have Rafer Alston on their roster. Harris could miss as little as a few more games or as much as a few more weeks… just keep him on your bench for the time being.

Taj Gibson has taken over for Tyrus Thomas now that he is out with a broken arm. If you are in a 14-team or deeper league Gibson is worth a look, just make sure you are ready to drop him if he isn’t getting the job done in Chicago.

Start Em’


Louis Williams: The 76ers play four games this week and Williams is averaging roughly 17 points, 5 assists, and one steal-per-game so far this season. I picked up Williams on my waiver wire in a couple of leagues, but I doubt he is still there in yours… but you can give it a shot.

Stephen Jackson: Over the four games the Warriors have played this season, Jackson is averaging over 16 points with a few assists and rebounds mixed in. The Warriors play four games this week and Jackson should qualify at both SG and SF, making him a good play at either position.

Danilo Gallinari: Gallinari and the Knicks play three games this week, but he has found a way to average 17 points with a few 3’s, rebounds, and assists thrown in. I like him as a solid source of well rounded stats at the SF spot.

Channing Frye: Frye was someone I had on my pre-season sleeper list and he is showing fantasy players why. So far this season he has found a way to average double digit points and 5 or so rebounds. His stats will be erratic since he isn’t a top option in the offense, but he is certainly worth a play with four games this week.

Chuck Hayes: So far this season Hayes has been one of the bright spots on the Rockets injury riddled team as he is averaging 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks-per-game. Normally I wouldn’t get excited over those type of numbers, but the fact that Hayes is still on many waiver wires leads me to give him a Start Em’ listing in hopes others will take notice.

Chris Kaman: Kaman is averaging 23 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks a night, making him the #1 ranked fantasy center after two weeks. With games against the Hornets, Thunder (two games), and Raptors this week, Kaman is an excellent play in Week 3.

Sit Em’

T.J. Ford: Many people drafted Ford hoping for a solid PG once the bigger names were gone, but so far they have been disappointed. Ford is averaging just over 11 PPG, but just 2.2 APG and two games this week make him a player worth sitting this week.

Brandon Jennings:Jennings is already gathering some Rookie of the Year talk, but the Bucks play just two games this week. Jennings will put up enough stats to make him worth playing if you have daily transactions, but the weekly and cap leaguers need to sit him.

Tyreke Evans: Evans busted out with 32 points and 7 assists against the Jazz and he added another 23 points and 8 rebounds against the Warriors. Evans is worth owning and daily transaction leagues should play him in his games, but those in weekly transaction or salary cap leagues will want to sit him due to his two games this week.

Caron Butler: Butler is dealing with some knee issues, but it is his two games this week that worry me. With Antawn Jamison out with an injury, the Wizards are counting on Butler to come through for them. But, two games are two games and I will be sitting him in my cap and weekly leagues.

Pau Gasol: Gasol still hasn’t played a game this season and who knows when he will be back. This is more of a sit in those cap and weekly leagues because even when he does return, he will have some rust to shake off before we see the real Pau Gasol. Daily transaction players will want to give him one game on the bench to see how he looks before giving him the start.

Roy Hibbert: I am loving me some Roy Hibbert after the first two weeks of the season. But, the Pacers play just two games this week and there is only so much damage he can do sitting at home while other centers are playing. He is an awesome source of rebounds and blocks just as I told you he would be, but again, two games are two games.

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