Diamonds in the Rough: Second-Half Fantasy Hoop Gems

I have been a member of a hoops keeper league for some 12 years now, pretty much with the same owners who started.

The league is unique in that we keep all our players from year to year, not unlike the NBA, and probably the closest thing to the “real thing” in fantasy terms.

This time of year, most owners know if they are or are not playoff material.

Some teams are willing to give up young talent for an over-priced veteran to help them down the stretch. Teams are looking for those rare gems to sign for the league minimum that may help them the next season. In the past names such as Gilbert Arenas and Josh Smith could be picked up for nothing in keeper leagues and those savvy owners have a grin from ear to ear today.

The key isn’t just combing the box scores to find the player that is playing well, the key is knowing every organization, where they are in the standings, etc… Basically reading every newspaper column that involves any player you have on your radar.

Hence, here is who I will be watching the second half of the season. My team is a perennial contender that never rests on their laurels, and I’m always looking for that next Arenas or J Smoove.

Eastern Players, in no particular order:

·         Leon Powe: already can ball when given the minutes

·         Glenn Davis: I like Powe more… Davis is more of a risk

·         Carlos Delfino: could develop into a poor man’s  Ginobili

·         Seam Williams: Great Upside, be ready to be patient

·         Marcus Williams: Has been written off with the acquisition of Harris, but if Harris gets hurt, maybe, possibly?

·         Thaddeus Young: should be owned and stashed in all keeper leagues

·         Mardy Collins: He was impressive during the last few weeks last year. If the Knicks are eliminated mathematically don’t be shocked by a repeat performance.

·         Rodney Stuckey: Looks like a winner when his opportunity comes. Powerful, quick and skilled.

·         Amir Johnson: Kind of like Sean Williams, raw with oodles of talent. Remember Jermaine O’Neil?

·         Thabo Sefolosha: Locked into a starting role and has the Bulls thinking they can part with Ben Gordon. Risky pick but potentially satisfying.

·         Charlie Villanueva: Could very well start the remainder of the year. He should already be owned.

·         Acie Law: Mike Bibby is not the player he once was

·         Dorell Wright: Grab him yesterday; I grabbed him near the beginning of last year. Don’t be worried about the return of Haslem… Dwayne Wade is slated for a lot of PG play when healthy, and Wade will be shut down at some point.

Western Players, in no particular order:

·         Anthony Carter: Good short term player for your playoff run this year… unless the Nuggets upgrade in the next 24 hours.

·         Robert Swift: has had his moments before injury problems

·         Mouhamed Sene: In D-League now, but could be the best of the 2

·         Earl Watson: good possible pick for a team making a playoff run. Seattle will be giving everyone a look, but Watson continues to demand minutes with his play.

·         Craig Smith: Flashes of brilliance, doesn’t do much besides rebound and score

·         Gerald Green: Could be one of those “potential guys” forever

·         Jordan Farmar: The kid has got game, he just needs the opportunity. Opportunity always comes.

·         Spencer Hawes: Skilled big man on a rebuilding team

·         Hilton Armstrong: If Chandler goes down, this does happen from time to time.

·         Aaron Brooks: good player to stash for next year… maybe

·         Carl Landry: good player if Scola goes down