Michael Jordan recently chastised his teammates for not playing with enough desire. Fantasy leaguers might feel the same way about some of their players in the remaining weeks, but for different reasons. Players whose teams are out of playoff contention will find it difficult to play hard the rest of the way. This week we take a look at those teams that are playing out the string and perhaps positioning themselves for a good lottery pick.
Erratic Eight
Cleveland Cavaliers, 11-53 record, 21 GB: About a month ago forward Darius Miles told the Akron Beacon Journal that the Cavaliers "don't feel like playing' when they get behind by 20 points. This is certainly not something a Fantasy owner wants to hear. Miles hasn't been too productive this season, so don't expect him to turn it up now, especially after making such a statement. The Cavs' will probably face a lot of large deficits in the remaining games. Of their remaining 18 games, 14 will be against teams in playoff contention. Consider dropping Miles if you haven't done so already.
The production of Ricky Davis has steadily decreased. His scoring average has dropped from a high of 23.5 to his current 20.7. Davis is looking to pass more now that teams are starting to double-team him and are giving him different looks. As a result, he is only averaging 16.2 points in his past 16 games. Don't rely on him to be anything more than a third Fantasy option at guard. Coach Keith Smart also has plans to reduce Davis' and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas' minutes to give the younger players a chance to play. Monitor Ilgauskas' minutes and production closely. The 7-footer should remain a productive Fantasy center if he continues to play more than 25 minutes per game. However, Smart's constant starting lineup changes will make his young players inconsistent and unreliable.
Denver Nuggets, 14-51, 20 GB: Predrag Savovic is the only player on the active roster that hasn't started a game. Coach Jeff Bzdelik will continue to alternate his players in and out of the starting lineup and spread minutes around so the team can evaluate its talent. However, Nene Hilario is the only young player worth using in a Fantasy lineup. He has had a productive rookie season averaging 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds and should be a useful No. 2 center.
Juwan Howard is one of the few veterans on this team, but don't expect him to get discouraged by the Nuggets' youth movement and decrease his production. He will be a free agent so every game has meaning for him. Howard has remained productive, averaging 20.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in his past 19 games. Look for him to remain a reliable second or third option at forward. Fellow veterans Marcus Camby and Shammond Williams will be productive at times, but will be best used as reserves in larger leagues.
L.A. Clippers, 20-43, 13 GB: The Clippers are arguably the most disappointing team, but that doesn’t mean their players won't be useful. Elton Brand and Michael Olowokandi won't be of much help in the remaining games as they recover from injuries, but the perimeter players should be productive. Lamar Odom might actually be the most reliable Clipper. He won't score much but his rebounds, assists and steals will make him a reliable third or fourth Fantasy option at forward.
Swingmen Corey Maggette and Quentin Richardson will also be useful third or fourth options, but they must remain healthy. Both have missed games due to injuries in recent weeks. Maggette has been active, but Richardson is battling a sprained knee and is questionable for Friday's game. Andre Miller's production has decreased, but he should still be a reliable third guard. Also keep and eye on rookie Melvin Ely. His minutes have increased since Dennis Johnson took over as coach. Ely responded to his increased playing time with 13 points and nine rebounds in Monday's game and might emerge as a useful center or forward in larger leagues.
Miami Heat, 21-43, 11 GB: There is no quit in this team, despite their horrid spot in the standings. Coach Pat Riley is too demanding for that to happen. In fact, he might have motivated guard Travis Best when he suggested Monday that the veteran's starting job is in jeopardy. Best responded with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds Tuesday. Best remains a risky Fantasy player, despite his spirited performance. Don't rely on him to be anything more than a reserve in larger leagues. Guards Anthony Carter and Mike James might replace Best if he is removed from the starting lineup, but are not recommended Fantasy players.
Brian Grant is the only reliable player on this squad. Rookie Caron Butler has played well, but might slow down in the final month since this is his first time playing this many games. Don't rely on Butler to be anything more than a fourth option at forward. Eddie Jones is currently recovering from a sprained ankle and might miss a few more weeks. Miami is even considering sitting him for the rest of the season. Don't expect Jones to be productive if he does return.
Toronto Raptors, 20-41, 10 1/2 GB: Since his return, Vince Carter hasn't been as productive as in past seasons. He is only averaging 19.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, but remains a must-start. Carter's health doesn't seem to be an issue anymore. Look for him to continue play hard as he looks to regain his former status as an elite player. Antonio Davis (sore ankle) and Alvin Williams (sore knee) are starting to wear down but should still be useful in Fantasy leagues. Look for Davis to remain a good third or fourth option. Alvin Williams should remain a good fourth Fantasy guard. Jerome Williams has played well this season, but a sore back kept him out of Wednesday's game and might bother him for the rest of the season. Jerome Williams is an adequate reserve for smaller leagues but will have the most impact in larger leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies, 22-41, 11 GB: The Grizzlies' spirited victory against the Knicks on Tuesday is a sign that they have plenty of fight left in them. The production of Pau Gasol and Stromile Swift has actually increased in recent weeks. Gasol has been a good first Fantasy option at forward or center. However, Swift's emergence is a bit of a shock after his unimpressive performance before the All-Star break. Now, Swift might be a useful No.1 Fantasy center if he continues at his current pace. He is averaging 19.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in his past five games. Mike Miller continues to struggle with a back injury and will be a risky pick for the next few weeks. Reserve Miller for now. He might be a useful third of fourth option at forward if his back improves within the next few weeks. Shane Battier will be a good option in larger leagues while Miller is struggling. Jason Williams has been reliable all season and should also be a good third or fourth Fantasy option.
Chicago Bulls, 23-42, 9 1/2 GB: The Bulls are no longer jockeying for a playoff spot, but their players are fighting for minutes. Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry and Donyell Marshall have emerged from this scrum to become useful starting options while Jay Williams has become bench fodder. Williams should still be a useful reserve in larger leagues, but consider dropping Trenton Hassell and Eddie Robinson. Curry and Marshall have played well lately and should be good starting options in small leagues. Crawford has been erratic this season, but his 24 points and 10 assists on Tuesday makes him worth using in larger leagues. Tyson Chandler has also been erratic, but his recent play and value as a forward and center should allow him to make an impact in smaller leagues. The most valuable Bull of all might be Jalen Rose. He is averaging a career-high 23.2 points and should remain a reliable first or second option.
Atlanta Hawks, 25-39, 7 GB: Playing on the road has been unkind to this squad. While Shareef Abdur-Rahim has been consistent and should remain a reliable first option at forward, Glen Robinson and Jason Terry are significantly better at home. Robinson is averaging 22.5 points at home and 19.2 on the road. Terry averages 17.8 points and 7.6 assists at the Phillips Arena but only 16.1 points and 6.9 assists on the road. Keep this in mind and adjust your lineups accordingly. Another player that hasn't been affected by the splits is center Theo Ratliff. He seems to be just finding his legs after missing most of the past two seasons. Look for him to get better in the remaining weeks. Ratliff averaged 7.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.67 blocks before the All-Star break. He has been more dominant since then averaging 10.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.13 blocks and leads the NBA in rejections.
