Empty the Bench

Every year there are some players out there who go from decent pickups to prominent fantasy contributors down the stretch. Usually, they are young players, often rookies. It takes them a few months to learn the system, to get their coach’s confidence and to adjust to the speed of the NBA game. There are also injury fill-ins who just needed more playing time to achieve fantasy relevance. I don’t see anybody on the Heat who will explode now, but Dorell Wright and James Posey should see a nice influx in playing time and offensive opportunities. Jason Williams and Gary Payton started last night, so keep them in mind, too. I don’t like Posey, but Wright has a chance to be a fantasy contributor with his size and athleticism on the perimeter. Between Payton and Williams, Williams obviously has the higher upside, but I don’t see either holding up if they’re asked to carry too much of the load.

We’ve already mentioned some of our favorites in this space, so here are a few guys we haven’t talked about, but have our eyes on:

Marcus Williams: I’ll let you in on a secret. I almost bought those Jason Kidd rumors, and in a couple leagues where I have flexible roster spots I picked up Marcus Williams a while ago, just waiting for the deadline to see if I had a winning lottery ticket. Well, the trade deadline came and went, but I’m not so sure I’ll be dropping him just yet. He has displayed an ability to contribute in a variety of ways, he just hasn’t put it all together yet. I have a feeling a breakout game could be on the way. On top of that, Jason Kidd isn’t getting any younger and the Nets could be planning for their future as the season wears down, and giving Marcus minutes would be one of the best ways to do that.

Statistically Speaking: Williams is averaging 10.9 points, 4.3 assists and 81% FTs in February, and hasn’t been below 81% from the line in any month this season. With no Richard Jefferson, he is also averaging nearly 23 minutes per game after only 15 per in December and January.

Nene: In the up-and-down style they like to run in Denver, there will always be a lot of rebounds to be had. And the sloppy defense they play on the perimeter provides ample opportunity for blocked shots in addition to defensive rebounds. We all know that Marcus Camby is incapable of staying healthy, and when he was injured recently Nene showed a ton of promise. Over a four-game stretch earlier this month, Nene went off for nearly 2 blocks, 8 boards and 20 points. He has all the talent, and as we said, a running system like Denver’s can make a fantasy stud in a hurry (See Phoenix, Don Nelson Mavericks and Warriors).

Statistically Speaking: For the month Nene is putting up 18.2 points, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 steals, 6.8 rebounds and shooting an excellent 60.4% from the field. If Camby gets hurt again (He will, we just don’t know for how long) Nene is a starting fantasy center, period.

Adam Morrison: This one is a very specific suggestion. I don’t like his game, and you shouldn’t expect to get an all-around fantasy line out of the kid. He doesn’t rebound well, he doesn’t pass and he doesn’t put up percentages like a guy known for his shooting should. But he does a few things well, and he’s shown flashes recently. He can create his own shot, he can hit them from anywhere and he can get in an offensive groove for stretches. Teams with a specific need to improve in points and 3-pointers should consider Dirty Sanchez, er, Morrison. As a rookie, you have to take all his trends at this point in the season seriously. The Bobcats are heavily invested in the former Gonzaga star, and they have every reason to give him minutes and shots as the season progresses.

Statistically Speaking: Over the last two games Morrison has 4 3-pointers in each, is averaging 22 points and has shot 45.7% from the field. The Bobcats are going nowhere, and we’re at the point of the season where non-playoff teams need to give their lottery picks lots of playing time.

Marvin Williams: It’s only a matter of time before the ultra-talented Williams becomes fantasy worthy. The question is: is that time going to come this season? I think it will, and it may have already. The one thing I’ve noticed with Starvin’ Marvin recently is his improved shooting from mid-range. That’s extremely important, because it keys the rest of his game. When defenders have to be honest, it frees Williams up to use his athleticism to go around them and do what he likes- take it to the basket. I’m also noticing that he is actually a nice guy to have around for the hustle stats of late. He has 16 steals and 10 blocks over the last month, and while that’s not going to be a massive boon, it’s better than average and worth noting. Just by being as lanky and agile as he is, he should luck into a block a game if he’s on the floor.

Statistically Speaking: Over the last month, Marvin Williams is averaging 43% FGs, 86% Fts, 11.7 Points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and nearly a block with only 1.5 TOs. None of those stats blow you away, but the sum of that contribution is a guy who will help out a little everywhere and hurt you nowhere. That’s a very nice thing to find in the free agent pool.