RADIO
If I'd know last week that Andre Drummond was going to get all All-Star snub and then respond by going off for 30 points and 24 rebounds and SIX blocks against the Jazz, he would have headlined the risers list. But predicting who has one of those "I'm mad about something so watch out" games is hard because you never know what will make players angry. Maybe after the entire Cavaliers team turned on him, Kevin Love will respond with some crazy triple-double? Maybe whoever was picked last in the All-Star draft will? I don't know! But here's a good rule for fantasy basketball that I just came up with and did no real research into: if there is some revenge narrative in play, play that player.
Let's take a look at some potential risers and fallers heading into Week 16 of the NBA season. What players are improving? Which aren't? Do we know these things? Let's find out!
Note: All statistics are from games played before Friday, January 26.
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Week 16 Fantasy Basketball Risers
RISER - Buddy Hield (G, SAC)
Remember when Hield was the centerpiece of the DeMarcus Cousins trade because the Kings thought he had a little bit of Steph Curry in him? Well, Hield has come to life lately, but it isn't necessarily in a Curry way. Four straight games with double-figure scoring number, including 24 points on Thursday against the Heat, is impressive, but Hield also has at least five rebounds in all four of those games as well. The assist numbers aren't there, but six steals over that time frame is a nice added bonus. There are things (again, assists) that Hield doesn't give you, and some fantasy owners might not be in a position to grab him because of what he takes away. But as of now, he looks to be a solid source of points and a good rebounder for his position.
RISER - Steven Adams (C, OKC)
Adams averages nine rebounds per game on the season, but he's now pulled down double-figure boards in six straight games, and he's been (mostly) getting the ball in the basket (though he'll still put up the occasional six point performance like he did against the Nets). Adams isn't playing more minutes or anything--he's just playing better basketball right now. The fact that he has six steals over the past two games isn't a bad thing either, though I'm still skeptical of his current trend in that category, as he seems to either get multiple steals or go a few games without getting any steals.
RISER - Jeff Teague (G, MIN)
Teague missed some time with a knee injury, but he's played well since returning aside from a few poor shooting nights. Those will happen for the veteran guard, but what will also happen--and will help to even things out in season-long formats--are the nights where Teague's shot is falling, and the nights where he's able to work his way to the free throw line, a spot where he's incredibly dangerous. Over the past three games, Teague has hit 25 of his 26 foul shots, and he's only missed more than one in a game once since his return, when he went 1-for-4 in his first game back. I'm willing to overlook almost everything that happens statistically in a player's return from injury and chalk it up to rust. Get Teague back in your lineups if you haven't already--he's showing why the Timberwolves grabbed him in the off-season.
RISER - Dillon Brooks (F, MEM)
SUPER DEEP LEAGUE ALERT. You probably have no need to add Brooks right now in shallower formats, but if he's on the wire in a deeper league right now or if you've got him sitting on your bench in one of those, it's worth noting that he's started to play some really good basketball lately. He's been a solid contributor of points, rebounds, and steals, and he's also shooting the ball efficiently from inside and outside, so he won't kill your percentages. Brooks could be a good play for anyone struggling to find a consistent producer at the bottom of their lineup.
Week 16 Fantasy Basketball Fallers
FALLER - Jae Crowder (F, CLE)
Crowder's numbers haven't been great all season, but he's had a role on fantasy rosters because he can score some, rebound some, and defend some. But Crowder has been moved to a bench role for the Cavaliers. It's possible he just ends up playing more efficiently in that role, but it's also possible that Crowder just isn't very good and what limited value he had is now out the window.
FALLER - Marcin Gortat (C, WAS)
I think it's time we say goodbye to Marcin Gortat, whose value as a guy who could get you a low-end double-double is pretty much gone. Highest point total in the last five games? 10. Number of times in that span in which he's had two or fewer rebounds? Twice. Two blocks in his last nine games. Gortat just isn't getting anything done right now from a real life or a fantasy perspective.
FALLER - Jarrett Jack (G, NYK)
Jack has really surprised me with the way he's played this year, but the long time veteran has hit a bit of a downswing lately. He's been fine if you've decided to punt every category except for assists, but his shot just isn't there right now and he's been--*gulp*--outplayed by the recently-signed Trey Burke. Yes, we live in a world where it is 2018 and the Knicks might have to decide in the near future between playing Jarrett Jack or Trey Burke at point guard. I can't believe this team is only seven games under .500.
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