2011 Fantasy NBA Basketball Sit Em Start Em: Playoffs Edition
The biggest concern when taking on the task of forming a playoff roster is trying to figure out how some player’s statuses will change from game to game. This isn’t a long haul with different matchups. Your stud players are seeing the same guys for a minimum of four games, so you have to make sure they are benefiting from their matchup. If they’re not, even the biggest of names might not be a stellar play.
There are the obvious guys that you basically have to start. Going into any matchup, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and guys like Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul are easy calls. But we’re digging a little bit deeper than that.
Here are five players that make quality plays for the week, and five players who you may want to avoid:
Start
Mike Conley Jr., PG, Memphis Grizzlies
As quick as Tony Parker is, it’s safe to say Conley has him beat in speed. He’s looking pretty sharp so far, and while it’s just one game, it’s not unrealistic to say Conley could have a considerable edge based off of athleticism alone. He’s not going to put up stud numbers like Chris Paul, but he’s very capable of being a consistent, solid performer.
Jrue Holiday, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Holiday has shown no fear in the playoffs, as he opened up the series against the Heat with a very solid line of 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. In fantasy language, the kid killed it. This is a safe bet to keep happening with Holiday having scrubs like Mario Chalmers and Mike Bibby guarding him.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Indiana Pacers
I can’t vouch for 22 points on a good Bulls defense every single night, but it was pretty obvious that Chicago wasn’t doing a good job and getting out to contest Hansbrough’s 15-18 foot jumpers. If he keeps getting open looks like that, he’ll have no problem contributing in these playoffs.
Elton Brand, PF, Philadelphia 76ers
There isn’t really much that needs to be said here. Elton Brand has more skills and experience inside than any of the Heat’s bigs do (excluding Chris Bosh), so look for him to continue posting 17 and 7 lines. He’s a solid play throughout the first round.
Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers
It was discussed before the playoffs began, but can we all openly admit now that Hibbert has an amazing matchup advantage against Chicago? As good as Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer are, they aren’t good enough defensively to shut down a guy who has 3-6 inches on them. Hibbert is too long and too strong to be held quiet in these playoffs, and he’ll be depended on to keep Indiana close.
Sit
Chauncey Billups, PG, New York Knicks
Billups hit a pretty big shot at one point in the 4th quarter, but was otherwise fairly invisible in this matchup. With just 10 points, four assists, and no steals, Billups (plus a knee injury) isn’t starting off the playoffs in usual fashion. Stay away until the knee is okay and he’s playing like himself again.
Landry Fields, G/F, New York Knicks
New York players in general will be difficult to judge, as they’re going up against a defensive-minded Celtics team that likes to keep games in the 80’s. The less points, the less likely guys like Fields are going to contribute. Stop thinking about how this guy’s game looked at the beginning of the year. He hasn’t been truly fantasy worthy ever since the Carmelo Anthony trade, and with just 19 minutes on the floor in his first playoff game, he’s an ever more unstable fantasy option.
James Harden, G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder
Harden is simply suffering from playoff-itis. He’s on a team with two very gifted scorers in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and it’s playoff time. Sure, his role during the season was solid, but now that these games really matter, his offensive role will naturally be lessened. He was 1-for-5 for just five points in his first game, and while he won’t be that lousy every night, he may be hard to rely on going forward.
DeJuan Blair, C, San Antonio Spurs
Still waiting for Blair to get crazy minutes so he can put up those double-double performances he’s capable of? Yeah, it’s not going to happen. Greg Popovich likes to keep his bigs fresh, and if you haven’t noticed based off of all season, he still doesn’t completely trust Blair. Blair has difficulty staying out of foul trouble and is an inconsistent offensive option, so look elsewhere for your sleeper center in the first round of the playoffs.
Kendrick Perkins, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Perkins is just not a fantasy asset right now. He doesn’t get over 10 points per game, rarely does the same for rebounds, and isn’t a consistent fantasy factor. His minutes aren’t even reliable, making his role as a fantasy option fairly unpredictable. There’s a good chance the Thunder will increase his time on the floor once/if they land a more difficult series in the next round, but for now, Perkins shouldn’t be relied on to bring in any major production.
Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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(April 15, 2011 – Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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