RADIO
Hello and welcome to another week of the NBA season and another full week of the 2016 calendar. This week I once again bring you three forwards available in 72-98% of Yahoo leagues that Fantasy Basketball Managers should think about adding to their rosters based on their fantastic play of late. These three can be the X-factors in their categories of specialty in upcoming weekly match-ups.
Be sure to check out RotoBaller's other Week 12 NBA coverage, including our Week 12 Waiver Wire Guards and Centers.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Forwards: Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups & Sleepers
Wesley Johnson (SG/SF, LAC) - 2% Owned
Although Wesley Johnson has averaged just 17.4 minutes per game this season and started just four of his team's 38 games, things have been looking up for him in the last two weeks. In seven games Johnson has averaged 26.25 minutes per game. This has boded well for his statistical output. In those seven games Johnson has averaged 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 three pointers, and a fantastic 1.9 steals per game. His 1.9 steals per game in the last seven games ties him with LeBron James for 8th in the NBA among forwards in that time span. Johnson is a career 34.6% three point shooter, has reached figures as high as 36.9% (2014), and his effective FG% of .540 is a career high. For his defensive and minutes explosion in the last two weeks combined with his sustained offensive competence; this former Orangeman deserves to be owned in more than 2% of leagues.
Marco Belinelli (SG/SF, SAC) - 25% Owned
Marco Belinelli has averaged 30.5 minutes per game in his last seven games due to Sacramento injury woes. This has given him more than enough time to reward those who had him in their lineups. In the last two weeks of game play Belinelli has averaged 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 15.6 points, and 2.1 three pointers per game. To put in perspective how valuable Belinelli's 15.6 points per game are: All other forwards who have scored more than that in the last two weeks are owned in 54% of leagues or more (mostly way more). Belinelli is the only scoring and deep shooting threat who is available this widely for Fantasy Basketball Managers. His 1.1 steals per game certainly doesn't detract from his appeal either. Being a career 38.6% three point shooter has given the Kings great reason to trust this Italian product when his floor presence is needed.
Manu Ginobili (SG/SF, SA) - 28% Owned
Manu Ginobili could probably play for another ten seasons and I could still write about his upside value for Fantasy Basketball Managers. Manu Ginobili averages just about 20 minutes per game and has started zero out of 32 games for the Spurs. However, out of his patented sixth man slot, Ginobili has packed in a lot of volume. In the last two weeks alone, he has averaged 10.7 points, 1.5 three pointers, 1.2 steals, and 4.5 assists per game. That figure of assists ranks him at seventh in the NBA among forwards behind the likes of Draymond Green, LeBron James, and James Harden. The fact is, Ginobili probably isn't going to get much more playing time than he is currently receiving and he probably won't enter the San Antonio starting lineup. What he will do is stay solid as a rock in consistency. Excluding his rookie season in 2002; Ginobili has ranged between 3.5-4.9 assists, 0.7-1.8 steals, 1.1-2.1 3PFG, 10.3-19.5 points, and 33-41.3% for 3PT%. Ginobili is the picture of all around consistency and is one of the best at his position at defense and passing. Feel snug and safe in adding him to your roster.
