RADIO
And just like that, the first week of the 2020-2021 NBA season comes to an end.
With the first week in the books, there will always be some overreactions to surprising performances like Terry Rozier's 42 points in the opener or the nine-point effort Damian Lillard had in their opener. Despite all that, in category leagues, you will need to focus on the big picture, don't panic and try to fill out your roster to give yourself the best opportunity to win your week. With that said, let's get to the featured players in this week's category streamers column.
Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns on how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now, let's get prepared for Week 2. All players in this article are rostered at 50 percent or less.
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Week 2 Standard 9-Cat Leagues - Category Streamers
Columns are written based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Isaac Bonga - SF/PF - Washington Wizards (1% rostered)
Most other additions for this category are centers, so you may be surprised to see a forward here. With Rui Hachimura (eye) out for the foreseeable future, Bonga was filled in at the starting four and performed admirably. Bonga is not the type of player to blow you away on the box score, but his ability to consistently hit shots is valuable in this category. In a reserve role last year, Bonga finished the season with 50.4 percent shooting from the field on 3.5 attempts per game. This year, he is off to a hot start, hitting 75.0 percent of his shots so far (albeit a small sample size) while not hurting you in any other category.
Other streamers:
Mason Plumlee - C - Detroit Pistons (35% rostered)
Ivica Zubac - C - Los Angeles Clippers (32% rostered)
JaVale McGee - C - Cleveland Cavaliers (9% rostered)
Dwight Powell - PF/C - Dallas Mavericks (8% rostered)
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE
Alec Burks - SG/SF - New York Knicks (34% rostered)
Burks should be one of the most popular waiver wire additions in fantasy this week and could very well see his roster percentage over the 50% threshold for this piece. Nevertheless, Burks is a huge asset in free throw percentage. So far, Burks has made 14 of 15 free throw attempts over his first two games. Burks is a career 79.3 percent free throw shooter but has hit at least 82.0 percent from the stripe in each of his past three seasons. The increased role off the bench with his new team also adds to his counting stat totals, making Burks a very worthwhile add in most formats.
Other streamers:
Terrence Ross - SG/SF - Orlando Magic (48% rostered)
Keldon Johnson - SF - San Antonio Spurs (42% rostered)
Shake Milton - PG/SG - Philadelphia 76ers (29% rostered)
Patrick Williams - SF - Chicago Bulls (28% rostered)
POINTS
Dillon Brooks - SG/SF - Memphis Grizzlies (48% rostered)
Brooks has been one of this year’s popular sleepers, yet still lies under 50% rostered. Brooks is averaging 17.5 points per game on 40.5 percent shooting over two games on the season but is also taking 18.5 shot attempts per game. Brooks has the benefit of playing alongside Ja Morant, getting open shots early and often. The field goal percentage is going to hurt, but Brooks can anchor your points category while contributing in other counting stats. It also helps Brooks and the Grizzlies play four times in Week 2, including a matchup against the fast-paced Charlotte Hornets.
Other streamers:
Terrence Ross - SG/SF - Orlando Magic (48% rostered)
Jordan Clarkson - PG/SG - Utah Jazz (36% rostered)
Cedi Osman - SF/PF - Cleveland Cavaliers (8% rostered)
Patty Mills - PG - San Antonio Spurs (4% rostered)
THREE-POINTERS
George Hill - PG/SG - Oklahoma City Thunder (10% rostered)
Hill is a veteran on a rebuilding team in OKC and the coaching staff has made it clear they are showcasing Hill early and often this season. It is possible they flip Hill to a contender for picks later on this season, but for now, it makes Hill a great three-point streamer. Hill went 8-for-9 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from three in his season debut on Saturday. He may not average four threes a game, but the Thunder have four games on deck for Week 2 and Hill can certainly help you win this category.
Other streamers:
Terrence Ross - SG/SF - Orlando Magic (48% rostered)
Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (47% rostered)
Jordan Clarkson - PG/SG - Utah Jazz (36% rostered)
Patty Mills - PG - San Antonio Spurs (4% rostered)
REBOUNDS
Kyle Anderson - SF/PF - Memphis Grizzlies (23% rostered)
Anderson should be another popular add this week after a strong start to the season. Anderson is coming off a 20-point, 14-rebound effort on Saturday and is averaging 12.0 rebounds per game to start the season. With Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out indefinitely, Anderson should have all the opportunity he needs in the near future to produce across the board. As previously mentioned, the Grizzlies play four times this week, making Anderson a priority add.
Other streamers:
Jae Crowder - SF/PF - Phoenix Suns (36% rostered)
Aron Baynes - C - Toronto Raptors (33% rostered)
Enes Kanter - C - Portland Trail Blazers (12% rostered)
Royce O’Neale - SF/PF - Utah Jazz (2% rostered)
ASSISTS
Nicolas Batum - SF/PF - Los Angeles Clippers (26% rostered)
Batum has been a key piece to LA’s early success on offense while starting for injured forward Marcus Morris (knee). In the two games Batum has played over 28 minutes, he has dished out six and four assists, respectively (let’s forget the absolute thrashing they received Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Mavericks). Morris is not close to a return and the Clippers have four games on slate this week. Kawhi Leonard (face) should be back to help take some pressure off the offense while also giving Batum another weapon to pass to.
Other streamers:
Tyrese Haliburton - PG/SG - Sacramento Kings (39% rostered)
Mason Plumlee - C - Detroit Pistons (35% rostered)
Tomas Satoransky - PG/SG - Chicago Bulls (8% rostered)
T.J. McConnell - PG/SG - Indiana Pacers (2% rostered)
STEALS
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - PG/SG - Los Angeles Lakers (12% rostered)
Caldwell-Pope has been a solid wing defender throughout his career and continued to show his defensive prowess early this season. Caldwell-Pope is averaging 1.5 steals per game through the first two this season and averages 1.1 steals per game throughout his career. The Lakers also have a four-game week, including the second half of a back-to-back on Monday. The Lakers could be resting their stars, leaving more minutes for Caldwell-Pope.
Other streamers:
Dillon Brooks - SG/SF - Memphis Grizzlies (48% rostered)
Keldon Johnson - SF - San Antonio Spurs (42% rostered)
Dwight Powell - PF/C - Dallas Mavericks (8% rostered)
Avery Bradley - SG/SF - Miami Heat (2% rostered)
BLOCKS
Naz Reid - C - Minnesota Timberwolves (6% rostered)
Reid has been a solid backup center for the Timberwolves this year and has registered three blocks through two games to start the season. In his rookie season, Reid averaged 0.7 blocks across 16.5 minutes per game. Per-36 minutes, Reid’s would have averaged 1.6 blocks to go along with 19.6 points and 9.0 rebounds. With Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) now week-to-week with a dislocated wrist, Reid is a great streamer to anchor your defense.
Other streamers:
Ivica Zubac - C - Los Angeles Clippers (32% rostered)
Patrick Williams - SF - Chicago Bulls (28% rostered)
Kyle Anderson - SF/PF - Memphis Grizzlies (23% rostered)
Bismack Biyombo - C - Charlotte Hornets (11% rostered)
TURNOVERS
David Nwaba - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (0% rostered)
The ultimate under-the-radar streamer, Nwaba came up big in a spot start on Saturday, playing 27 minutes and posting 10 points, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Nwaba did not commit a turnover and will likely have a similar role the next couple of games as multiple starters have been ruled out due to health and safety protocols. Playing with James Harden allows players like Nwaba to get quality looks and there is less opportunity to turn the ball over. Nwaba’s defensive presence is also an added quality in a streamer.
Other streamers:
Luguentz Dort - SG/SF - Oklahoma City Thunder (15% rostered)
Dorian Finney-Smith - SF/PF - Dallas Mavericks (13% rostered)
Jarrett Culver - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (10% rostered)
Cameron Johnson - SF/PF - Phoenix Suns (8% rostered)
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