Timberwolves Report
Well, things have not started off exactly like any of Minnesota’s fans would have liked as the team sits at 1-8 for the season. Al Jefferson and Mike Miller are about the only true constants in the line-up while everyone else tries to find where they fit in. Jefferson is averaging just over 22 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks per game while Miller hustles for 13 points and four boards. Miller is doing a fine job with the long ball so far, fantasy owners in 3-point leagues are happy with him. Rashad McCants has proven he can score in the NBA with his 11 points per game average, but he has done it while shooting just 35.6 percent from the field. Randy Foye has been sent to the bench in favor of Sebastian Telfair, but Foye is still seeing a bulk of the minutes. Telfair has responded by lighting up the box score with three assists, three rebounds, two points and two turnovers in the last two games. My guess is he won’t last long in the starting five and Foye will be back where he belongs for fantasy owners.
I have received emails all but calling for the coach’s head. Let me say this, the coach isn’t on the floor playing the game. With four players of consequence shooting under 40 percent from the field (McCants at 35.6, Foye at 34.7, Corey Brewer at 38.2, and Telfair at 32.4), no team is going to win many games like that. Stick with it Timberwolves fans, it will get better as the team gels.
Start Em’:
Derrick Rose:Over the past week, Rose averaged 21.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.3 steals with just 1.3 turnovers per game. This rookie is looking like a superb No. 1 overall pick and with the Bulls playing four games this week; I’ll put Rose in my line-up.
Beno Udrih:Last week Udrih exploded for 30 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals against the Clippers. That game helped him to a weekly average of 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He plays four games this week.
Rudy Fernandez:This guy was not drafted in many leagues, but he has now become a waiver wire favorite. I didn’t sleep on him! This season he is averaging 13 points with a steal and a couple of 3’s each game, and he should continue to give you some nice points if you need them this week.
Joe Johnson:Not that you would be benching him, but when you average 26.6 points, 5.4 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over the past week, you will make the Start Em’ list a lot. He plays Indiana, Washington and Charlotte this week, so I will give him a starting spot.
Tayshaun Prince:Even though Detroit only plays three games this week, Prince has been simply outstanding since the Pistons added Allen Iverson to the mix. Last week Prince put up 19.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and just one turnover per game on average, so I have no problems starting him this week.
Jeff Green:I told people in the preseason that Green was going to step up his game this season and he hasn't let me down. This year, Green is averaging 15.2 points and 6.3 boards per game, and last week he put up slightly better totals with 16.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Don’t be fooled with him.
Al Jefferson:This is not a homer pick by any means. Last week Jefferson posted 25.5 points, nine rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 65.7 percent from the field. The team only plays three games this week, but they are against Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit, so I expect him to do his best to carry the team this week.
Jermaine O’Neal:I am not a big fan of O’Neal and his gimpy knee. But, last week he managed back-to-back double-doubles en route to averaging 15.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. The Raptors play four games this week and you might as well play O’Neal while he is hot.
Spencer Hawes:Hawes has looked capable of taking over for Brad Miller, if given the chance. He is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds in less than 30 minutes per game. I like him more and more and if he is on your waiver wire, he shouldn’t be!
Sit Em’:
Deron Williams:When Williams is on the court and on his game, there are maybe one or two PG’s that are better. But, D-Willy is hurting and he faces the Suns and Spurs in two of the four games this week. This is more of a play with caution pick.
Mario Chalmers:Chalmers came off waivers in everyone’s league, but over the past week he has managed just seven points and three assists while shooting 31.6 percent from the field. I wouldn’t play him if I could help it this week.
Michael Redd:If you participate in a weekly line-up league, I’d sit Redd. If you have daily transactions, I’d read every single Web site that has updates to see if Redd is going to play or not. I am sitting him down this week.
Jason Terry:Terry may be scoring 17 points per game this season, but his 39.4 percent from the field is killing fantasy owners FG percentage stat. He only plays three games this week and he actually got worse last week by shooting just 35.8 percent from the field with two turnovers and 2.2 fouls per game.
Lamar Odom:What a fall from fantasy glory Odom has had this season! He now comes off the bench and is only averaging nine points and five boards each game. Last week he didn’t even do that and finished with just 8.4 points and 5.8 rebounds while turning the ball over 2.8 times.
Anderson Varejao:A.V. has been a hot waiver wire add, but this isn’t the week I am going to use him. He faces New Jersey, Detroit and Atlanta and I am not betting on him hitting the double-double mark.
Shaquille O’Neal:Now, Shaq-Daddy had a glory day’s game last week as he scored 29 points and snatched 13 rebounds against the Kings. But, he struggles with durability and was only able to play 13 minutes the next night. With only three games this week, I am not going to count on another glory day’s game.
Question of the Week:
Q:What is the deal with Anthony Morrow? Should I grab him off waivers? (Daniel, Duluth, MN)
A:Well, he had a career game against the Clippers, but who doesn’t? If you can snatch him without losing much, I’d take him on a flier. Just don’t expect more games like his 37 points and 11 rebounds and you may get what you expected from him.
