RADIO
Power-Patch Kidz’: It’s time to patch-up those weaknesses
Heading towards the end of fantasy’s Week 17, owners need not simply rely on their best waiver-wire options. Not making sense right? Well, anyone can strengthen their roster, but looking deeply into your team’s top “categories of need” is simply the best way to go. Obviously, this strategy doesn’t necessarily pertain to only seek category specialists—especially in Roto-League formats, where most roster players should be desired to supply “multi-cat goodness.”
In every league, there’s always that one unstoppable, fierce-looking team that every owner envies. But remember that even within the great ones lies weaknesses. Take this group of players for example: LeMarcus Aldridge, Anthony Davis, and John Wall. What’s not to like? In fact, these three players would make a tremendous core for even the shallowest of leagues. However, if we look deeply into their respective skill sets, there is one extreme statistical deficiency: three-point shooting. Building a team around this foundation isn’t difficult as long as you understand your waiver-wire strategy. Target players to fill voids rather than savvy looking stat-makers, just because.
As portrayed above, every team (even the great ones) has its very own “achilles heel”, or set of weaknesses. Fantasy owners rejoice and hail in waiver-wire fodder! This is the act or process by which owners have the right and freedom to fill their voids, seal their gaps, and patch up those weaknesses. As fantasy players, we are all power-patch kidz’ by nature, but we need to maximize our abilities, making the best, and yet most efficient, waiver-wire decisions. Below you will find a select group of waiver-wire pickups, pertaining to standard-league statistical categories for 12 and 16-team formats.
Three-Point Specialists: (add in 12-Team Leagues)
Player/Team: Marvin Williams, Small Forward, Power Forward, Utah Jazz
Yahoo Ownership rate: 27 %
The Jazz’ veteran forward has been “Marv”elous in recent weeks. Since the 7th of January, in a combined 15 games played, Williams has recorded a grand total of 24 treys!—this equates to 1.6 three-pointers made per game. He isn’t overly impressive in the points and rebound departments, but does enough stat-making in each to be owned in standard leagues.
Player/Team: Patrick Mills, Point Guard, San Antonio Spurs
Yahoo Ownership rate: 20%
The Aussie 6th man is quickly becoming a revelation off the Spurs’ bench. Mills can be a silky-smooth scorer when he’s in the midst of a scorching streak, which he’s in now—he’s scored at least 16 points in 5 out of his previous 6 games, in which he’s also contributed with 15 three-pointers, a.k.a. arch-bombs. For as long as fellow counterpart, Tony Parker is sidelined (injury); Mills’ fantasy stock will have extra-appeal. But in the meantime, with TP or not, it’s Milly time!
Three-Point Specialists: (add in 16-Team Leagues)
Player/Team: Tim Hardaway Jr., Shooting Guard, New York Knicks
Yahoo Ownership rate: 12%
The Knicks’ are stuck in the gutter and are having a “Hard”away out of it. But really, despite having other lethal scoring options, they will need every bit of their rookie’s three-point shooting prowess. As long as the depleted backcourt doesn’t become cluttered, Timmy Tim should still maintain his way into reputable minutes-played lines.
Player/Team: Evan Fournier, Shooting Guard, Denver Nuggets
Yahoo Ownership rate: 3%
The kettle’s temperatures have fluctuated more frequently than Durant’s 20-point nights. The Nuggets’ Frenchman has had trouble earning consistent playing time—it’s mainly been the reoccurrence of Ty Lawson’s injury stints. The PG position is as thin as the Denver air-- whenever Lawson decides to sit, Fournier will provide a flame, which should ignite your team. In games with at least 15-minutes played (20 games combined), Fournier has recorded a three-pointer in all but three of them.
“Eye-Peelers”: Three-point Specialists
Name, Team, Position Eligibility, Yahoo Ownership rate; ( ) = 3-pointers made average (last 5 games)
12-Team Leagues: Players to scout in the coming days (add to watchlist)
Caron Butler, Milwaukee Bucks, SF, 9%; 2.8 3PM
Kyle Singler, Detroit Pistons, SG/SF, 8%; 1.8 3PM
16-Team Leagues: Players to scout in the coming days
Luke Babbit, New Orleans Pelicans, SF, 1%; 2.0 3PM (4 games)
Shawne Williams, Los Angeles Lakers, SF/PF, 2%; 1.4 3PM
