Author Archives: Jeff Andriesse

It’s hard to believe we’re over a week into April. Wasn’t it just a few days ago that the lockout was lifted? It’s been a whirlwind.

Chances are, if you are reading this you are in the playoffs of your head-to-head league. While the format I’m using stays the same (ranking players I feel are quality starts in 9-cat weekly leagues), you should be encouraged to make decisive and even risky moves if your season is on the line. Err on the side of “this guy is going to rest instead of play” if someone is day-to-day. Make a play for a Lester Hudson if you must, as well.

The injury front remains frustrating. Derrick Rose returned, and Danilo Gallinari, Dwyane Wade and Ryan Anderson may do the same this week. Things are a little cloudier for Marcus Thornton, Nene and Kyle Lowry.

As usual, players ranked are strong plays in weekly 9-cat leagues of 12 teams or less. Unranked players are for deeper leagues or just have too many injury concerns.

Bolded opponents represent the second of back-to-back games, while bold and italics means the third of three in a row.

Good luck! Read more »

Get your Grizzlies and Kings in your lineups, as both teams play five times this week. Fringe weekly starters such as O.J. Mayo, Tony Allen, Isaiah Thomas and Jason Thompson make strong plays. If you are in a playoffs week in your league, rejoice if you own DeMarcus Cousins or Marc Gasol.

Unfortunately there are too many teams that play only three times this week (Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, and Orlando). Boston has been rolling but plays two sets of back-to-backs. Kevin Garnett owners should beware. In San Antonio, Manu Ginobili looks like he’s back and ready to contribute this month. As he gets his legs, he should provide outstanding value.

Of course, injuries rear their ugly heads once again. Dwight Howard missed Sunday’s game vs. Denver with a back injury, and with the Magic playing just three times this week he’s a risky start. Derrick Rose owners who have somehow made it this far in their leagues are hoping he returns soon, but we aren’t optimistic.

Best of luck to everyone this week. Remember, these rankings are based on a standard nine-category league. Players ranked are for leagues of 12 teams of less, while unranked players are too risky due to injury, or are best left for deeper leagues.

Bolded opponents represent the second of a back-to-back, while bolded and italicized opponents are for the third of a back-t0-back-to-back. Read more »

We’re hitting April this week, meaning it’s officially the home stretch. There are a lot of crazy things happening in the league right now from a fantasy perspective, particularly on the injury front. This week’s lineup rankings were difficult to do as several players are day-to-day going into the new week.

Nene and Amar’e Stoudemire have back problems. Derrick Rose continues to sit out. The red-hot Nate Robinson tweaked his hamstring. Ray Allen’s got an ankle. Andre Iguodala a knee. Rodney Stuckey toe. I’m trying to see how few words I can use to describe an injury. “Nene back”. There.

I’ve left most of the questionable injury risks “unranked” this week, meaning I feel they are shaky standard-league starts this period. Meanwhile, you should know that Indiana and New Orleans have five games each, and neither have a back-to-back-to-back. Your Pacers and Hornets are solid plays.

I’d tread very carefully with any Spurs this week. They only have three, including a back-to-back. One DNP-rest and that’s a flimsy week indeed.

Bolded opponents represent the second of a back-to-back. Players ranked are solid plays in weekly leagues of 12 teams or less using the standard nine categories. Players unranked are for deeper leagues or have injury concerns. Read more »