RADIO
Hello and welcome to another week of questions. Today I bring you answers to the most important question of them all: "Who is playing well NOW?" These three forwards of varying sizes bring heavy momentum to the forward slot and can be the spark that any stumped Fantasy Basketball Manager could greatly use.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Forwards: Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups & Sleepers
Nene Hilario (PF/C, WAS) - 7% Owned
Nene has made a living in the NBA for a long time with aggressive play, but in his last six games for the Wizards, he has turned up the tempo. In just 20 minutes per game, Nene has been averaging 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. Nene has career averages of 12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 1.2 steals. However, he did this in an average of 28.7 minutes per game.
This season in just 20 games played for the Wizards, Nene is averaging only 17.7 minutes. But his playing time has been steadily increasing, and Nene has been able to return to his steady brand of four category production. His all around defense makes him valuable, as there aren't too many 6-11 PF/C combos who can grab an average of two steals per game. Throw in the fact that he is available in 94% of Yahoo leagues, and Nene is a solid under-the-radar add for anyone searching the depths of the waiver wire for a PF.
Jerami Grant (SF/PF, PHI) - 9% Owned
Any player suiting up in Philadelphia has the potential to put up big numbers, even if he would barely crack the rotation of a true contender. Since December 30th, Jerami Grant has played more than 20 minutes in 9 out of the Sixers' 13 games. In those games he averaged 26 minutes, 4.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 8.3 points, and 1.7 blocks per game. Grant had two games of five blocks, three games of three assists, two games of two steals, and a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in that span of time.
When Grant gets playing time, he puts up good numbers. On a nightly basis, he seems to pick a random two stats to contribute. On some nights, they line up for an absolutely spectacular performance. Whether you are in a categories league or a points league, Jerami Grant should be owned in more than 9% of leagues.
Terrence Ross (SG/SF, TOR) - 19% Owned
In the last 14 days (five games), Terrence Ross is sixth in the NBA among forwards with 2.6 three pointers per game. Out of the top six, Ross averages about six minutes less floor time than the closest player (Ryan Anderson, 30 minutes) and is owned in about 50% less leagues than the closest player (Rodney Hood, 67%).
For his career, Ross makes 1.6 three pointers a game at 37.6% efficiency. This season in 31 games and just 23.1 minutes per game for Toronto Ross has upped his production to an impressive 1.7 three pointers per game and is shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc. Ross is averaging 8.6 points and 0.8 steals in his meager 23.1 minutes. If you will recall, his playing time has risen slightly of late, as he continues to take over some of the minutes left open by the injury to DeMarre Carroll. Per 36 minutes of play, Ross is averaging 13.4 points, 1.3 steals, and 2.6 three pointers per game. Ross has proven in his four NBA seasons that he can light up the arc and grab steals, and if he can continue to grow his role, he'll become a steady fantasy producer.
