Stock Up:
Corey Maggette - Los Angeles Clippers: It took coach Mike Dunleavy nearly three months to figure it out, but maybe he is starting to realize that this Corey Maggette guy can actually play! Corey Maggette has started the last four games and the Los Angeles Clippers have now won three in a row. Over that four game stretch, Corey Maggette is averaging 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals. It is the first time all season that Corey Maggette has played at least 33 minutes in four consecutive games. Corey Maggette has always had the skills to get the job done - now he is getting the opportunity. I like Mr. Corey Maggette to have a solid run over the final quarter of the season, and I will be targeting him at the trading deadline.
Andrea Bargnani - Toronto Raptors: The fantasy world was skeptical that Bargnani, the #1 overall pick in the 2006 draft, would be able to enter the NBA as a teenager and have an immediate impact. But AB is proving the doubters wrong. He is improving continuously this season, and has been playing some of his best ball recently. Over his last two games, Andrea has pumped in 37 points and 7 three-pointers. In addition, today it was announced Bargnani was named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February. Bargnani helped the Raptors to a 9-3 record, posting averages of 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 28.7 minutes in 12 games. He shot .508 (62-of-122) from the field, .483 (29-of-60) from three-point range and .826 (19-of-23) from the line during the month and led the team's bench in scoring seven times. The native of Rome, Italy registered 22 points February 13 at Chicago, one point shy of his career-high of 23. He posted double-digit scoring totals in 10 of his 12 games and reached career highs with 11 rebounds and 10 defensive rebounds February 24 at Charlotte. Bargnani closed out the month with a team-high 20 points on eight-of-12 field goal attempts, including four-of-five from three-point range, February 28 at Houston. For the season, he is averaging 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 24.4 minutes in 56 games this season. He currently ranks third among rookies in points (11.1), free throw percentage (.835), fifth in minutes (24.4) and blocks (0.79).
Tyson Chandler - New Orleans/Okalahoma City Hornets: Although he hasn't received much hype this season, Chandler is quietly having an absolute monster season. He had another big game on Wednesday night versus the Hawks when he scored 18 points (on 5-of-6 from the floor and even managed to make 8-of-10 from the line!), grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked 4 shots. It was the 17th straight game in which he collected double-digit boards. But that only tells part of the story - When Tyson snatched 19 boards in the Hornets victory over the Sonics last Friday, it marked the 15th straight game in which pulled down at least 12 rebounds (the streak was snapped the following game versus the Cavs). Over the past 10 seasons, the only other NBA players with at least 12 boards in each 15 consecutive games are Dennis Rodman (15 games in a row in 1997-98) and Ben Wallace (17 straight games in 2002-03).
Maurice Evans - Los Angeles Lakers: Evans has been playing his best ball in a Laker uniform recently. Over the Los Angeles Lakers last for contests, Evans is averaging 17.5 points (while making 20-of-21 free-throws), 4 rebounds, and a steal. However, Luke Walton appears to be on the verge of returning, which may eat into Evan's minutes. Nonetheless, with Radmanovic out for 2 months, Evans should still be able to see close to 30 minutes a night and may be able to continue to put up some decent numbers.
Stock Down (The Injury Bug Keeps Biting):
Caron Butler - Washington Wizards: Even before his back starting acting up, Butler's level of production had started to dip slightly in February. After playing so incredibly well for the first three months of the season, Caron start coming back down to earth. During February, his averages in many key categories, including scoring, rebounding, FG%, and FT% all dipped to their lowest totals in comparison to the other months. Then back spasms forced him to miss three consecutive games. However, it appears that Butler (and his teammate Antawn Jamison) will be back soon. According to the Washington Times, Butler will likely return to action Sunday, and may even play Friday.
Jamal Crawford - New York Knicks: Crawford wasn't a fantasy stud by any means, but he could score the rock and his 17.9 points per game will be sorely missed by his owners. J-Craw was also averaging 4.5 assists and 1.8 three-pointers a night. In his absence, look for Quentin Richardson to benefit the most. On Wednesday night, in the Knicks first game without Jamal, Q Rich (playing 42 minutes) went off for 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 three-balls. Q is a very underrated fantasy guy when he is healthy. He started off the season scoring in double figures in nine consecutive games. He was averaging 18.3 PPG over the season's first three weeks. I think he makes a great "buy-low" candidate right now.
Shaun Livingston - Los Angeles Clippers: The video is brutal and the injury may very well be career-threatening (Keep head up Shaun - We hope you make it back soon.) Obviously Shaun Livingston should be cut in fantasy leagues, as he may not make it back onto a basketball court until October of 2008. In the short term, the values of Sam Cassell, Cuttino Mobley and Corey Maggette receive an immediate boost. As I detailed above, I think Corey Maggette will turn his season around post big numbers. I like Sam Cassell as well, as long as he can stay healthy himself. Heading into Wednesday night's game, Sam-I-Am was dealing with an abdominal strain, and he compounded that by finishing the game with a groin strain. If the Los Angeles Clippers remain in the playoff hunt, expect Sam Cassell to push himself and fight hard to stay out there. If Sam Cassell misses time, Mobley's values increase that much more.
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