Monthly Archives: February 2018

Week 19 Fantasy Basketball Circle Of Trust

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Best collection of names so far this season on The Circle Of Trust.

Lakers C Ivica Zubac

Scored in double figures in back-to-back games. Brook Lopez should start to see fewer minutes as Zubac’s playing time goes up.  Zubac has a 3-game slate this week on the road vs. the Hawks, Heat, and Spurs.  Daily play right now that could develop dynasty league appeal in short order.  I recommend picking up Zubac and seeing what happens. Owned in just 1.7% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

 

Pelicans C Emeka Okafor

Great story coming back after years out of the NBA.  Deserves a lot of credit.  Owned in 0.6% of ESPN fantasy leagues.  Has 12 blocks combined in his last 4 games.  Seeing over 14 MPG in that span.  The Pelicans are starting Okafor as a defender next to Anthony Davis. Daily players looking for blocks and boards may want to use Okafor. 3 games this matchup home with the Suns, on the road vs. the Spurs and Mavericks.  

 

Wolves SF Nemanja Bjelica

Playing time should go up with Jimmy Butler’s knee injury. Short term scorer for fantasy owners while Butler is out. Shooting 85% from the free throw line and 44% from downtown.  On the road for 3 games this week with the Kings, Blazers, and Jazz.  

Week 18 Fantasy Basketball Circle Of Trust

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Magic PG Shelvin Mack

4-games during slate this matchup on the road vs. the Bulls, home with the Hornets and Knicks, then back to the road against the 76ers. Mack is coming off a 19 point 10 assist performance vs. the Bucks.  DJ Augustin is currently the starter, but Mack has 5 or more assists in 3 of his last 5 games. This situation could be fluid as the Magic seem to be giving both players good minutes. I picked up Mack and will stash him on my bench as a wait-and-see. Daily owners looking for assists can stream Mack.  Owned in 2.3% of ESPN leagues.

 

Pistons SG Reggie Bullock

Owned in 13% of ESPN leagues. Has hit 2 or more from downtown in 8 of his last 9 games.  Has also seen 30 or more minutes in each game during that stretch.  4-games this matchup home vs. the Pelicans, Hawks, and Celtics, while on the road with the Pelicans. Streamer with upside that can help owners with 3-point shooting.  

 

Heat PF Bam Adebayo

Streamer while Kelly Olynyk out with a shoulder injury. 10 or more rebounds in 3 of his last 5 games. 2 blocks in 3 straight contests. Is a solid dynasty league stash. Has cut into Hassan Whiteside’s PT in the 4th quarter.  Owned in just 7 % of ESPN leagues. 4-games this matchup on the road vs. the Raptors, 76ers, and Pelicans, with a home matchup with the Grizzlies.  

Week 17 Fantasy Basketball Circle Of Trust

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Clippers SF/PF Danilo Gallinari

Owned in 41.6% of ESPN fantasy leagues. Has scored 15, then 24 in his 2 games back. The Clippers are a team in transition as more trades are expected to take place. Gallinari could thrive as the best of the remaining players.  The Clippers have a 3-game week at home with the Mavericks followed by road matchups with the Pistons and 76ers.  Gallinari will help owners looking for scoring and 3-point shooting. I’d be leery of using Gallinari in weekly lineup lock formats, but certainly usable in Daily play.

 

Grizzlies SF/SG Dillon Brooks

Scored in double figures in 9 of his last 10 games. Brooks could be in line for more playing time if Tyreke Evans gets traded. Owners looking for scoring and multiple position eligibility may want to stream Brooks for this week. 3-games on the docket on the road with the Hawks, home vs. the Jazz, followed by a road tilt against the Thunder.  Owned in 7.1% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

 

Wizards SF/PG Tomas Satoransky

4-games this week on the road with the Pacers then 76ers, home against the Celtics, followed by a road matchup with the Bulls. Satoransky has 2 steals in each of his last 3 games. Owned in just 6.6% of ESPN leagues.  Has started over Tim Frazier with John Wall on the shelf due to a knee injury.  Is a short-term add while Wall is out. Multiple position eligibility an added bonus.

Targeting Pitchers To Fill Out Rotations

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Toronto Blue Jays SP Aaron Sanchez

I love him; hope to have him in every league.  Blister problems derailed his 2017.  Led American League with a 3.00 ERA in 2016. I’ll go up and spend a mid-round pick on Sanchez this year.

 

Milwaukee Brewers SP Chase Anderson

12-4 2.74 ERA 1.090 WHIP in 25 starts. Anderson missed time with a side injury.  Living in Milwaukee I’ve watched him warm up before games and long toss in the outfield. Has a very strong arm.  Ratio’s may serve as a career year, but worth a rotation spot in fantasy lineups. Club gave him a 2-yr $11.75 extension early this offseason.

 

Oakland Athletics SP Sean Manaea

12-10 with a 4.37 ERA 1.399 WHIP in 29 starts. A 9.17 ERA in 5 August starts brought down his numbers.  He won 3 games in May, June, and September.  Manaea is a mid-round flier with upside.

 

St. Louis Cardinals SP Miles Mikolas

Couldn’t break thru in 6 minor league seaons/3 Major League seasons in the Padres and Rangers organizations. Went to Japan and found himself.  31-13 with a 2.18 ERA 0.994 WHIP and 8.0 SO/9 in 3 seasons in Japan.  Cardinals gave him a 2-yr deal worth $15.5 million dollars. If the Cardinals are willing to spend money to bring him back to the Majors, He’s worth a late round flier for my fantasy teams.

 

Texas Rangers SP Mike Minor

Jon Daniels was willing to give out a 3-yr deal worth $28 million dollars to a pitcher that was dynamite in relief for the Royals last season.  The plan is for Minor to work as a starter. He did pitch well for the Braves as a starter back in 2013 until shoulder injuries derailed his career.  I’m willing to spend a late round flier on Minor.

 

San Diego Padres SP Bryan Mitchell

Gets a chance to win a rotation spot in San Diego.  Couldn’t break thru in rotation in the Bronx. 9.3 SO/9 in AAA last season. Worth an end of the rotation roll of the dice.

 

Oakland Athletics SP Daniel Mengden

Worth drafting for the Moustache alone. Was acquired by the A’s from the Astros as part of the Scott Kazmir trade in 2015.  Had a 1.54 ERA in 5 late season starts. Pitching in that ballpark is at least a streamer for home matchups.

 

Mets SP Matt Harvey

6.70 ERA and 1.69 WHIP along with a myriad of injuries sum up Harvey’s 2017.  Cubs were reportedly trying to buy low on Harvey in December. Worth a last round lottery ticket in case The Dark Knight returns.  I’ll keep tabs on his velocity in Spring Training.