A breakdown of NBA players on the fantasy waiver wire who can help you fill statistical voids.
With the first couple weeks of the NBA season underway, fantasy basketball managers are starting to see what areas they could use help in. While the stars are probably all taken, there should be several options on the waiver wire to fill those voids. "Specialists" refer to players who contribute in one or two statistical categories, but may not spread stats out across the board. While these players might not help carry a fantasy team outright, they can make the difference in one or two categories. Here are NBA fantasy specialists to keep an eye on.
Points
Points can be difficult to find off waivers, especially since its a stat that everyone seems to pay attention to. Still, here are a few players who might be available.
- Chris Douglas-Roberts, New Jersey Nets - CDR has shown that he can score. The only concern with him right now is that he's come down with the swine flu, and teammate Devin Harris will be returning from injury in a week.
- Richard Jefferson, San Antonio Spurs - Jefferson is capable of scoring, but so are several others on the San Antonio Spurs. Try to nab him during a hot streak.
- Blake Griffin, LA Clippers - Griffin may still be out for another 2-4 weeks depending on how his recovery goes. He might be a player to consider holding onto, though. He has the skill set to do great things.
Rebounds
- Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat - Haslem will board, but may not do a whole lot else. Still, he doesn't hurt a team in turnovers either. He might be worth a look.
- Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers - Varejao has been overlooked in many leagues. His 9-plus boards per game has accompanied 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
- Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons - Big Ben might be getting older, but he's grabbed 9-10 boards per game so far.
- Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns - Don't expect it to last, but Hill's actually been a pretty great rebounder early in the season.
- Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves - Currently injured, but should be back in December.
- Blake Griffin, LA Clippers - See Kevin Love.
Assists
- Chris Duhon, New York Knicks - Duhon's not good for much but assists, but if that's what a team needs, he's a good fit.
- Rafer Alston, New Jersey Nets - Alston may only be good for another week or so until Devin Harris returns.
- Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats - Known for his low FG% and high turnovers. If you can stomach those, his assists might be helpful.
- Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies - With Allen Iverson taking a leave of absence, Conley should have no problems finding minutes.
Threes
- Daniel Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers - There's plenty of threes to go around in Cleveland with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal drawing down defenses.
- Anthony Parker, Cleveland Cavaliers - See Daniel Gibson.
- Anthony Morrow, Golden State Warriors - Plenty of talent, but can he get consistent minutes in Golden State?
- Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans Hornets - Health is an issue at his age.
Blocks
Blocks are a tough thing to get this season, since so few stars do it.
- Kendrick Perkins, Boston Celtics - You might be lucky to get some boards with the blocks, but look to draft him for the blocks.
- D.J. Mbenga, LA Lakers - So long as Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are out, Mbenga will get minutes.
- Tyrus Thomas, Chicago Bulls - He's hurt right now, but when he returns, his blocks will be coveted.
- Ronny Turiaf, Golden State - Averaging 2.0 blocks per game.
Steals
- Chuck Hayes, Houston Rockets - Good FG%, decent boards, 2.3 spg and starter's minutes.
- Courtney Lee, New Jersey Nets - Not living up to the hype so far, but averaging 2.2 spg so far this season.
- Corey Brewer, Minnesota Timberwolves - The numbers aren't there, except for steals. Averaging 2.0 spg and was moved to the starting lineup.
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