By Zack Cimini

　notjustagame23@gmail.com

Teams that are transitioning are going to shuffle their lineups frequently. Toronto’s been in that scenario for many years. In the past though, they had the reliability of Chris Bosh. The over haul of the franchise features new guards in Jerryd Bayless, Leandro Barbosa, Sonny Weems, and DeMar Derozan. A backcourt nucleus they’re trying to figure out along with veteran Jose Calderon.

It’s definitely a team that is going to be in the cellar of the eastern conference and NBA for many years. Give credit to Raptors fans though. They show tremendous support unlike what they do for the Blue Jays. If this team is going to make any kind of shift it’ll start in the interior. We profiled Ed Davis a few weeks ago, but there are a couple of other guys to follow.

Amir Johnson, owned by just 57% of Yahoo fantasy rotisserie owners needs to be picked up immediately. Toronto seems to be leaning more in more in Johnson’s direction. He gives the team energy inside and brings it on both ends. Earlier on in the year he was foul prone, but lately he has been able to stay in games. In the month of January he is averaging near twelve points and eight rebounds a game. Remember, Johnson came straight out of high school in 2005 and went late in the second round. So he is starting to blossom just at the right point you see most young athletes do in the NBA.

If Johnson or Davis goes down, the Raptors have another big man that is still a project in Alexis Ajinca. A first round pick out of France a few years ago, he just hasn’t panned out to the NBA style. Against Milwaukee, January 28^th, he did give the Raptors a solid twelve minutes. He is used sparingly though as he is too much of a liability currently on the court. A development player that is probably a year or two away from getting regular bench minutes.

By Vidur Malik

Much has changed in the NBA’s Eastern conference in the past decade. Many of today’s contenders were at the bottom of the East just a few years ago, and the elite teams of the decade’s earlier years are now in rebuilding mode.

The Detroit Pistons are perhaps the best example of this power shift in the East. From 2002 to 2007, the Pistons made it to five straight Eastern conference finals series, and made it to two NBA Finals in that span, including a dominating four-game series win over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and the selfless Piston lineup are either out of Detroit or becoming irrelevant. They’ve taken chances on aging players like Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady without great results, and they’re currently 12-26 and at the bottom of the conference.

Despite its struggles, there is enough young talent on the team to instill hope for the future. Guard Rodney Stuckey and forward Tayshaun Prince have been reliable players for a while now, and there are younger players who are showing signs of solid play. Rookie center Greg Monroe has seen a huge improvement in his numbers recently. He is averaging 5.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game this year, but he’s had a double-double in his past four games. That kind of consistency is something that can benefit your fantasy team. If four-straight games of double-digit points and rebounds aren’t enough to convince you to pick him up, keep an eye on him to see if he keeps it up. If Monroe continues to develop, he could be the East’s next great big man and have some epic battles with Dwight Howard.

Though his numbers might not be as impressive as Monroe’s, Pistons forward Austin Daye has also been playing well recently. Daye has improved his numbers in important categories in his second year in the league. His scoring average has gone from 5.1 in his rookie year to 6.6, he’s getting more minutes and his three-point percentage has risen significantly. Day hit 29 3-pointers in 2009, and has already made 27 this year. If you’re looking for a forward who you don’t need to depend on for big numbers every night, consider Daye. He might not be a consistent scorer, but if you want to take a chance on someone, he would be a good pick.

The championship-caliber teams of the early-to-mid 2000’s are gone, but there is a new group that could make the Pistons a playoff team again. You’ll benefit from picking up those players and seeing how they can add to your team’s production.

By Zack Cimini

Sinking to the bottom of the barrel as a team was expected by outsiders of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though there owner promised revenge and that they’d win a title before Lebron. If they even make the playoffs while Lebron is still a member of the Heat, that’d be astonishing.

Through the first portion of the year some of the Cavaliers expected to fill the voids of Lebron James have been a dissapointment. Starting with JJ Hickson. The versatile big man that left NC State has shown signs that he could take on a more featured role while playing with Lebron. Without him though he has looked lost on the court. Clearly he is going to need more time to mature and can’t be expected to create for himself. He is a put back scorer without a low post game or jump shot.

The veterans of the Cavaliers have taken poor shots and seem content at letting the season run its course with lackluster effort. A veteran coach like Byron Scott sees this and in order to be competitive starts to give minutes to players with hunger. Undrafted talents that can provide a spark and play tough to try and stick and land a long term deal.

This trend has been happening more and more as teams let ex-D-League players and undrafted athletes garner minutes. Over the last week two key players for the Cavs have been stepping up. One is ex-Michigan Wolverine Manny Harris. Harris started his career with the Wolverines as an expected NBA talent then fizzled as a junior and senior.

It looks like his skill set is perfect for the NBA. He has shot the ball well and with his long frame is showing value on the boards as well. The past two games he has kept himself on the court with his play and earned starts. Last night against the Suns he kept the Cavs in the game with the rest of the team bricking shots. He finished with a career high 27 points and 8 rebounds. Getting to the free throw line eleven times and draining four out of seven from three point range.

With Anderson Varejeo out, another no name guy to take a look at is Christian Eyenga. The Cavaliers drafted him in the 2009 draft, but spent that year playing basketball for a Spanish team. He is undersized at 6’5, but gets off the floor quickly. He is a competitor that will hustle for boards and give it his all. His done a solid job in limited minutes this past week. Expect his minutes to increase and for him to start sneaking up on fantasy basketball waiver wires as well.

By Zack Cimini

New opportunities have surfaced for our red hot fantasy scoops this week. Don’t let the long NBA season catch you slipping on prime time guys. Chances are these players are sitting on your waiver wire. Pounce on them with a disappointing unproductive player and catch up in some key categories. In a rotisserie league you would be surprised on how much ground you can gain by utilizing the waiver wire like a hot stock. Once you’ve mustered the peak out of the athlete there will be some new key bait on the wire to bring in.

Kyle Lowry- Fantasy owners that have utilized Lowry throughout Aaron Brooks ankle injury are likely on the fence what to do with him in a week. After all, Brooks will be back and is one of the top conditioned athletes in the NBA. Calculating near max minutes per game. Lowry has shown that he can run the Rockets offense and be a key contributor for this team. It is up in the air on how many minutes he’ll get, but we believe he’ll be a key role player. It should be noted that against the Bulls the other night, Adelman went with a different lineup that featured Lowry and had Kevin Martin on the bench.

Jodie Meeks- He came out a year early from Kentucky for one reason. In an era where it is hard to find pure shooters, Meeks is a deadly assasin. Philadelphia had him buried for quite awhile but he showed enough spurts last year to start off this season a little higher on the depth charts. Like many NBA coaches, the 76ers have tweaked their starting lineup for hopes of a jump start. Meeks has done more than anticipated by tallying some big marks. If you’re in need of three pointers made/percentage, Meeks is your guy.

Jerryd Bayless- The story of what went wrong in New Orleans likely won’t surface. In Toronto, Bayless is finally getting a chance to show off his talents not just in practice. Jose Calderon is a decent point guard but doesn’t possess the athletic tangibles to compete against most point guards. Bayless does. He has an improved jump shot and if he cuts down on his erratic drives, should take over the starting job sooner than later.

Earl Barron- The Suns lack a true center with Robin Lopez out with injury woes yet again. Phoenix has utilized freak athlete, Hakim Warrick, to spell the void there. Against teams with true talented big men though, the Suns know they will need Barron’s big body. In a handful of games, Barron has came in and pulled down some hard fought boards. Barron’s not yet a waiver wire pickup but a guy to keep your eye on. In Phoenix’s frenetic style, stats are going to be skewed. Especially playing for a all world wonder as Steve Nash.

Ed Davis- In college he played on one of the more disappointing North Carolina teams to date. He left early and went to the infamous city many talents have demanded not to be sent. Davis then suffered an training camp injury that forced him to miss over a month of NBA action. He stepped onto the court December 1^st, and in three games has done fairly well. Obviously he is not in game shape yet. By putting up 8 points and 6 boards for an average is a solid barometer thus far. As most rookies though he’ll suffer against the better tier teams. Starting off against the Knicks, Wizards, and OKC is a good week for most fantasy matchups.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

First year head coach, Avery Johnson stepped in knowing he has a young and talented team. With an early pick they went ahead and drafted Derrick Favors. Most picks drafted that high step in right away and garner bulk minutes. Johnson hasn’t granted Favors high minutes and has put who he feels is deserved on any given night. Particularly he has sent do it all shooting guard Terrence Williams to the developmental league, after repeated tardy violations.

Probably his strangest move though is the way he has handled Troy Murphy. Murphy has said to be healthy for quite a while after starting the year banged up. Johnson has felt that Murphy isn’t ready and hasn’t provided much of an explanation other than that. With minutes to be offered up, the Nets have received more than what they’ve bargained for with power forward Kris Humphries. Humphries has been a monster for production grabbing a heavy amount of rebounds in short stints on the floor.

Thus far this season he is averaging around eight points and eight boards a game. Lately his rebounds have been rising to the double digit mark. New Jersey really doesn’t have too many big men that like to rebound. Center, Brook Lopez is comparable to Amare Stoudemire in the fact that he doesn’t grab as many rebounds as you would like. Dirty work is not something they teach at Stanford.

Troy Murphy has been getting a few minutes here and there this past week. Murphy has been a David Lee sorts in years past. Able to get double doubles on any given night and mix in the three ball as well. Big men that stay around the basket figures to be limited for New Jersey.

Scoop up Humphries as he’ll figure to still get around twenty to twenty five minutes a game this year. His versatility for a team lacking depth is too much for him to get buried on the bench.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

How many waiver wire moves have you made in your fantasy basketball leagues? With injuries, players getting benched, and poor production overall, it’s a must to keep tabs daily on available players. We have a roster full of talent mentioned in this weeks pickups. More than likely they are probably available in your leagues.

Donte Greene- Part of the change over in Paul Westphal’s starting lineup has Greene back in it. The former Cuse player was buried on the Kings bench, not mustering a minute for a handful of games. Westphal disliked his uninspired play and work ethic. That seemed to have triggered Greene to regain his focus. At 6’9, Greene can be a fantasy rotisserie league gem. He shoots the three, can block shots, steals, and go off on any given night. He just needs to stay on the floor.

Luther Head- The Kings have reshuffled the lineup in hopes of finding a spark. One move has put Beno Udrih on the bench and Head in the starting lineup. This may not last but Head is getting over thirty minutes a game. He has struggled from three so far, but has proven in the past to be solid from there. If you’re struggling for three pointers made you may want to snag Head.

Kris Humphries- Apparently Avery Johnson has Troy Murphy in his dog house. Murphy has battled a plethora of injuries and barely made it on the court this season. After searching for a player to fill that spot, Johnson seems to have found it in Humphries. Humphries does the dirty work that Brook Lopez tends to refrain from. By that we mean rebounding. Humphries seems to be a waiver wire gem, tracking double doubles consistently lately.

Eric Dampier- How much Dampier can provide is up in the air. What is a fact is that the Heat have no true big man that can play 25 minutes a game. Ilgauskus is good for around the fifteen to seventeen minute mark. With Haslem out, Dampier can come in and try to fill those double double stats of Haslems.

Jeff Teague- His preseason injury derailed him from challenging Mike Bibby as starter. Many analysts had Teague on their watchful player tracker. He hasn’t done anything dazzling yet, but it’s only a matter of time. We believe the Hawks will lean more on Teague in the latter parts of December and flirt with the switch before All-Star break.

CJ Miles- Miles has found a perfect sixth man role for himself. He is igniting the Jazz offensively and putting up starters numbers off the bench. Will see how long this lasts. Miles has had peaks in stretches before. Problem in the past was his minutes, which were shared at times with Ronnie Brewer and others. Now that the bench is full of youth, Miles is the primary weapon.

Jose Calderon- With Jarret Jack being traded, Calderon’s minutes will increase back to the past few years. In prior seasons he was notching near eight to nine assists a game. A crucial category for rotisserie league owners. Worried about Jerryd Bayless grabbing minutes, don’t be. Bayless is young and has had a hard time adjusting to the rigorous grind of the NBA. He’ll need more time to mature.