Fantasy Basketball Roundup: Week 18

By Pete Rampino in Fantasy, Featured ⋅ March 1, 2010 at 10:41pm ⋅ Post a comment

Every Monday, I will report on the events of the past week of fantasy basketball. I will go over each position and what particular player that week stood out from all the rest. As always, I will start off with this week’s notable injuries to report on.

Injuries

Shaquille O’Neal (C), Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs’ big man is going to miss up to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his thumb, effectively ending his regular season.

Josh Howard (SG, SF), Washington Wizards

Shortly after being acquired in a trade, Howard tore his ACL last Monday and will be out for the rest of the season.

Monta Ellis (PG, SG), Golden State Warriors

Ellis is battling a back injury, which kept him out of Saturday’s game. Keep an eye on this, as it seems to be a lingering injury.

Best Players of the Week

Chauncey Billups (PG), Denver Nuggets

Billups turned in another great performance by scoring 26.3 points on 54.8% shooting and a great 95.7 FT%. He added 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and a sweet 3.7 3PTM too.

Kevin Durant (SG, SF), Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant is putting up LeBron-esque numbers this season and last week showed more of the same as he scored 27.8 points and threw in 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.8 3PTM.

Gerald Wallace (SF, PF), Charlotte Bobcats

You gotta love a healthy Wallace, who put up 23.0 points on 51.2% shooting with 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.7 3PTM.

Dirk Nowitzki (PF), Dallas Mavericks

Dirk’s 31.8 points put him ahead of the pack this week. His 8.3 rebounds and great shooting (54.8 FG%, 97.1 FT%) also helped his cause.

Zach Randolph (PF, C), Memphis Grizzlies

Randolph makes it to this section by averaging a double-double with 24.3 points and 14.5 rebounds. He added 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks as well.

You Could Have Done Better

Tony Parker (PG), San Antonio Spurs

Parker continues to battle nagging injuries and he tried to test the waters last week and it led to a dismal 10.0 points with 2.0 assists, and 0.0 steals.

Vince Carter (SG, SF), Orlando Magic

Carter’s numbers have taken a hit in Orlando and he couldn’t turn his luck around in Week 18 as he scored only 13.7 points. He didn’t add anything else significant to your stat sheet and he also put up a terrible 55.6 FT%.

Carmelo Anthony (SF), Denver Nuggets

Hey, thanks for the 24.0 points Carmelo! What I won’t give gratitude for are the 4.3 rebounds, 41.5 FG%, 62.1 FT%, and 5.0 turnovers.

Al Jefferson (PF, C), Minnesota Timberwolves

In four games, Big Al scored just 12.8 points with 7.3 rebounds and he shot a pathetic 42.9% from the free throw line. On a personal note, he was also busted for drunk driving and will be suspended for two games. Shame, shame Mr. Jefferson!

Elton Brand (PF, C), Philadelphia 76ers

STOP DRAFTING BRAND IN THE FIRST ROUND!!! Need more convincing than harsh capital letters? Well his week consisted of 8.0 points on 32.3% shooting with 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.7 blocks.

Players to Pick Up

C.J. Watson (PG, SG), Golden State Warriors

With Monta Ellis battling injuries and missing time, Watson should be getting more minutes. He was a great fill-in for Ellis a few weeks ago, so pick him up in case Ellis misses a few games.

Anderson Varejao (PF, C), Cleveland Cavaliers

With no more Shaq, Varejao has the starting job at center. He is a decent threat for 10 points, 10 rebounds and a block every night.

Marcus Thornton (PG, SG), New Orleans Hornets

He has played 30+ minutes in four straight games and it has resulted in 25.3 points and an impressive 4.8 3PTM.

Tayshaun Prince (SF, PF), Detroit Pistons

Prince has gone off lately, contributing to all categories with 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 steals last week.

Dorell Wright (SG, SF), Miami Heat

Wright has been helpful with his three’s lately, sinking 2.3 in three games last week. He threw in 13.7 points, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks as well.

Sports of Boston Basketball League

Despite an 8-1 win, I am still stuck in 10th.
SoB’s Teddy holds onto the top spot with a 5-4 win.
Recent pickups include: Luke Ridnour, Tyrus Thomas, Marcus Thornton, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jared Dudley.

Tags: Al Jefferson, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand, Fantasy, Fantasy Basketball Roundup, Gerald Wallace, Kevin Durant, Tony Parker, Vince Carter, Zach Randolph