Fantasy Forecast: Week 2
Here we go, week 2 of the NBA season and for some they are up 1-0 and others are down 0-1. The good news is that no matter what happens, you will have the fantasy insider here to help you during all 25 weeks of the NBA season. First we will take a look at some week 1 winners and losers then head right into the Start Em’ and Sit Em’ section.

Winners

Gilbert Arenas: We’ve all been burned by Arenas the past few seasons, but he looks to be back healthy and for real this year. In the first week he averaged 28 points and 6.7 assists while shooting .500 from the field. The only issue is the 4.33 turnover-per-game average, but you knew that was going to happen when you drafted him.

Al Harrington: Those of you that took Harrington in round six were happy to see him put up 42 points and 6 rebounds against the Sixers this week. Because of that game he was able to finish the week with an average of 24.7 points and 4 rebounds, but if I were to do anything with Harrington it would be sell high.

Carmelo Anthony: Melo was taken on average with the 27th pick (mid 2nd round), but he leads the league in Pts/Reb/Ast average at 46.5 per-game. How do I get that number you ask? Well, 71 points + 14 Rebounds + 8 assists = 93. Now, 93/2 = 46.5 and that is a league best in week 1. I’ve told you before, I REALLY get into stats.

Losers

Pau Gasol: Gasol hasn’t managed to get on the floor yet, meaning his owners are watching their 1st round pick do nothing. With the Lakers playing Tuesday and Wednesday, it is still unknown if Gasol will see any action in the first two weeks of the season.

Antawn Jamison: Jamison is expected to miss the next two weeks with a shoulder injury and this type of injury could linger. Without a single game this season, his owners are going to have to watch their 2nd round pick ride the pine for the better part of the first month it looks like.

Amare Stoudemire: In his first two games of the season Amare managed just 36 total points and 10 rebounds. While I don’t expect to see that total on a nightly basis, I certainly didn’t expect to see five rebounds a night. In one league I was already able to flip Amare for Danny Granger and I am going to laugh all the way to the bank on that deal.

Start Em’

PG: Jonny Flynn: Rubio who? Flynn has led the team in scoring in both of his first two games and is averaging 17.5 points, 3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and is shooting 0.478 from the field. He is a legit option at the guard flex spot if you need points and I wouldn’t have any problems starting him this week as the Wolves play four games.

SG: Kevin Martin: Martin isn’t much more than a scoring guard, but his 25 points and 3 rebounds are a nice addition to his 3-pointers. He is only shooting .355 from the field, so the good comes with some bad.

SF: Danilo Gallinari: Gallinari had games where he posted 22/6, 16/5 and 30/3 (points/rebounds) this week, which prompted the Knicks to move him into the starting lineup on Saturday. He thanked them by exploding for 30 points on 8-16 from down town. Given his 3-point prowess, I would see if he is available on your waiver wire right now. Seriously, go… don’t even finish reading!

PF: Andray Blatche: I’m a little skeptical of Blatche because he has been hot and cold in fantasy leagues historically. But, while both Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison are out Blatche will have starter value. He should qualify at center in most leagues and that helps his value. I would ride him while he is hot and be ready to sell high if you get the right offer.

C: Brook Lopez: In week 1 Lopez found his groove and averaged 17 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and shot .571 from the field. This week Lopez and the Nets have four games and look for Lopez to continue his dominating ways.

Sit Em’

PG: Tony Parker: Parker was able to average 16 points and 5 assists during the first week, but the Spurs have just two games in week 2. The lack of games and match-ups of Utah and Portland makes anyone outside of maybe Tim Duncan and must sit this week.

SG: Leandro Barbosa: Jason Richardson was suspended for the first two games of the season and now that his suspension is up, Barbosa will be headed back to the bench. It was a nice run while it lasted, but the damage he can do coming off the bench isn’t nearly the same as he did while starting. Take him out of the starting line-up.

SF: Rashard Lewis: Lewis is out for the first 10 games of the season, yet he is still in far too many line-ups for me to ignore. You will want to get him out of your line-up until his suspension is up.

PF: Charlie Villanueva: Villanueva dealt with a bad hamstring in the pre-season, and now he is apparently sick to start the season. Even with the Pistons having four games this week, I just can’t trust him to be healthy and ready to play at PF for my fantasy team just yet. I’m keeping him on my bench until I see some life from him.

C: Andrew Bogut: Bogut just isn’t producing enough to be considered a starter in fantasy leagues yet. Looking at centers, Bogut enters week 2 ranked at roughly #28 at center and the Bucks only playing three games this week won’t help. I’d check to make sure you don’t have him in either your C1 or C2 spot just because of his name.

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