Fantasy Basketball: Star, Starter, Sleeper -- The Three S' for Success

The 3 S' for success are a star, starter, and sleeper who present lots of fantasy upside for the near future.  This group has some great matchups in the month of December, and even after the month is over they should continue to shine. 

Star - Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs

Parker is back from injury and back in the starting lineup.  Coming up in December, Parker plays Golden State, Minnesota (twice), Oklahoma City, Toronto, Sacramento, Phoenix and Milwaukee. All of these games present good matchups for the score first point guard.    

In a Nov. 5 meeting with Minnesota, Parker scored 55 points, and on Oct. 29 he put up 32 against the Suns.  Manu Ginobili's injury was much more serious than Parker’s, so while Ginobili knocks off the rust, take advantage of Parker. 

Parker is good for six assists per night and his field goal percentage will float around 50 percent.  The Spurs are in a situation where they will be fighting to make the playoffs, so you can count on getting the best out of Parker every night.

As Parker is coming off the injury some owners may be weary of his future.  He seems to be strong and the Spurs need his scoring ability.  Find an owner who isn't giving him the respect he deserves and pounce.


Starter - Hedo Turkoglu, G/F, Orlando Magic

Up to this point in the season Turkoglu has been producing slightly under his averages from last year.  The stats that have really slipped are his field goal and three-point percentages as both are below his career averages, let alone last years marks. 

Turkoglu got of to a slow start this year, but two games into December he is shooting 17-for-32 from the field for 53.1 percent and he should continue to heat up.  The Magic play Oklahoma City, Los Angles (Clippers), Phoenix, Golden State (twice), Minnesota and Chicago through the rest of the month.

In those two matchups with the Warriors Turkoglu could knock down over 10 three-pointers.  Another bonus to Turkoglu is that while Jameer Nelson is banged-up, he will have added ball handling responsibilities, thus more potential for assists.

You may be able to trade for him straight up for a worse player who is hot, for a weak pair, or package him in with a star. 


Sleeper - Trevor Ariza, SF. Los Angles Lakers

Although the Lakers are deep, Ariza has shown his value to Phil Jackson, and he has been rewarded with ample playing time.  The wing will add steals, rebounds, accurate shooting, as well as a few points and assists to your lineup. 

There will be plenty of room for Ariza to get out and run in December.  The Lakers face Washington, Milwaukee, Sacramento (twice), Phoenix, New York, Memphis, and Golden State.  Ariza may not shoot a ton of three-pointers against these teams, but he will be able to slash in for offensive rebounds. 

If he is on your waiver wire and your team needs a jolt, especially in steals, pick him up.