NBA Fantasy Basketball Stock Watch: Derrick Favors Is Rock Steady In New Jersey
Stephen Jackson has picked an inopportune time to play poorly. Jackson’s Bobcats have slipped to the basement of the Southeast Conference and as teams like Orlando and Miami learn to gel it seems less likely the this young Charlotte team can compete in the uber-contested east.
Rather than creating a galvanizing affect on his youthful Bobcat team as he did last season following his departure from Golden State, Jackson has instead struggled in every aspect of his game. Considering the 32 year old forward’s history we shouldn’t be surprised that Jackson’s decline in minutes and shot attempts has caused a bit of irritability—both in the clubhouse and though his performance on the court.
Majority owner Michael Jordan is adamant in his D.J. Augustine experiment at point guard which has had a reverberating affect on his team, specifically Stephen Jackson. Jackson has been forced to burden more of a distributor’s role (4.3 ASG) as Augustine feels out his role captaining the Bobcat offense.
One has to wonder if Jackson will fall even further from his perch among the league’s premier wingmen considering that his team will likely not contend. It’s evident that Jackson doesn’t feel entirely comfortable in his newfound role as both passer and scorer (3.3 TOs/GM, 2nd highest of his career) but the February trade deadline gives hope to his fans who hope for a return to his status as an elite level performer with a change of scenery.
Prior to June’s draft we heard all the lofty comparisons: Derrick Favors, a young big man with Dwight Howard-esc-athleticism combined with the offensive capacity of an Amar’e Stoudemire. The 19 year old Favors has crawled out from the shadows of those towering expectations and done nothing but produce, occasionally.
Consistency has been the knock of the ultra-raw Georgia Tech product who was chosen 3rd overall in last summer’s draft. We’ve seen flashes, glimpses, and sneak peeks at what Favors’ 6’10’’ frame is capable of. A December 14th contest against the frontline of the 76ers was the scene of Favors’ 13 rebound display which was accompanied by 10 points on 3-6 shooting.
The crude athleticism demonstrated against teams like Philadelphia only hint to the unpolished, yet developing, abilities of Favors. Some stability in the statistical columns wouldn’t hurt Favors in the eyes of head coach Avery Johnson although when compared to his presage Dwight Howard, Favors is right on track developmentally.
At the age of 19, Dwight Howard posted nightly averages of 12 point and 10 rebounds per 32 minutes of play. Favors, has averaged nearly seven points per contest combined with 5.6 rebounds per game while playing an average of only 19 minutes a night. Per 32 minutes Favors’ rookie season compares favorable to that of his idol Dwight Howard. What’s next for the teenage big man? A word that Avery Johnson knows too well: Consistency.
Rudy Gay’s meteoric rise to basketball relevance has been mostly uncelebrated. The Connecticut product has been labeled as “A poor man’s version of Kevin Durant,” a mantra that seems tad inaccurate considering Gay’s status as a top 10 talent.
His Grizzlies might be struggling to remain afloat in the west but Rudy Gay has quietly compiled a season that makes him an unquestioned stud. His ’10-’11 season is quickly becoming his best performance yet as he’s posted career highs in point per game, assists per game, and continues to rebound at a high level. The former 1st team All-Rookie performer has also been instrumental in the Grizzlies 12 wins since his player efficiency rating of 18.6 is well beyond any previous career marks.
Should the Grizzlies some day inspire to play winning basketball we can be sure that Gay will be the focal point. His recent $80 million max contract will ensure that the Baltimore native will call Memphis home for at least another five seasons and at only 24, Rudy Gay’s stock will only continue to climb.
Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Leave a comment and let us know, or hit us up on Twitter@TheFantasyFix
Don't forget to use our Quick Fix for any questions about your fantasy lineups or trades.
The Author
