The Fantasy Geek

Here’s a transcript of Monday’s chat session. Be sure to come back every Monday from 6-7 pm ET for more lineup deadline advice from Si. And follow him on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates and analysis: http://www.twitter.com/SiKorot

And for your for your Sunday morning fantasy football questions, stop by the site from 12-1 pm ET.

[14:33] U21: what you think of Pierce?
[14:36] U21: also do you think CP3 will be ok to be put on IR?
[14:39] Si_Korot: Guess we’re starting early… Paul Pierce is definitely injured. To what degree is hard to say. His knee sprain is being called day to day. He sprained it Friday and aggravated it on Sat. Coach Rivers said after the game he should have sat Pierce but got talked out of it by the SF… Pierce is a warrior and will go if he can. He may not play in every game this week, but is a pretty decent shot to play by the weekend.
[14:40] U21: thanks
[14:40] Si_Korot: As for CP3, he will be on crutches for at least two weeks and will miss more time after that, so if your league has an IR, go for it. Darren Collison, the New Orleans backup rookie PG from UCLA is a good pickup, probably out there in many leagues for the taking
[14:40] U21: thanks

[14:47] meeboguest779530: Will Danny Granger stay as good as he was in this third week. He made my fantasy team tick in a big way!!!
[14:49] Si_Korot: Know what ya mean. I own him and I was giddy as could be. The Pacers have had a couple of two game weeks out of the three weeks, so that gave Granger a chance to heal his heel a bit. The numbers look awesome, BUT you have to remember that T-Murph has been out injured and DG has been playing PF. His rebound totals have been up a little. That could decrease a little when Murph returns, as will the points just a bit. But He will play like a solid late first round, early second rd pick as long as he stays healthy.
[14:50] meeboguest779530: What is Troy’s status?
[14:50] Si_Korot: Still day-to-day. If you own him and have a healthier have a healthier option, I’d go that way.

[14:57] meeboguest590595: Will Murphy, Jefferson and D Williams play this week?
[14:57] Si_Korot: A-Jeff and D-Will are both a GO for certain, while T-Murph is a day-to-day proposition at your own risk… I’d sit him
[14:57] meeboguest590595: But you’d definitely start Jeff and Will?
[14:57] meeboguest590595: Jefferson and Williams that is.
[14:58] Si_Korot: their local beat writers are reporting that they are both with their teams and good to go!!!
[14:58] Si_Korot: so yes!
[14:58] meeboguest590595: Why did you leave Toney Douglas out of your rookies’ column?
[14:58] meeboguest590595: I actually own him!
[14:58] Si_Korot: because I think that he is just D’Antoni’s flavor of the week due to injuries. I don’t see him getting much PT with Nate Robinson back on the active roster
[14:58] meeboguest590595: I don’t know…Duhon blows.
[14:58] meeboguest590595: Jeff Green has been sucking, should I start Hibbert over him?
[14:58] Si_Korot: could be that Toney takes Duhon’s spot, but I’m not sold on that yet. Duhon is the kind of player whose minutes you can adjust as needed according to what everyone else is doing
[14:58] Si_Korot: Jeff Green just had a bad week and some mismatches… I think that he is still a good start
[14:59] Si_Korot: Hibbert is very useable, but more so if you have somebody of lesser quality than Green to sit
[14:59] meeboguest590595: Thanks, Si

[14:59} meeboguest213129: Si- what’s goin’ on w/Elton Brand. Should I sit him?
[14:59} Si_Korot: DEFINITELY! The Philly beat reporter said on Twitter today that Brand was practicing with the reserve unit, leading her to believe that he might be relegated to sub status to be the replacement “oomph” off the bench with Marresse Speights out for 8 weeks. Even if that is not the case and he remains a starter, he has been doing very little stat wise. His numbers may improve w/slightly more playing time with Speights out, but he’s been such a letdown, as he is NOT one of Coach Eddie Jordan’s favorites.

[15:00] electric_mayhem_09: Any word on the Deron Williams situation? Hate to sit him if there’s a chance he plays even one game.
[15:00] Si_Korot: No reason to sit him. According to the beat writer in Salt Lake City, D-Will and his family are back in town, he practiced with the team and is expected to play in every game for the Jazz this week!!!
[15:00] electric_mayhem_09: thanks si!
[15:00] Si_Korot: Good luck!

 
[14:59] meeboguest320064: Hey Si, With CP3 out who would you start out of Darren Collison Jonny Flynn or Mike Miller? Fear The Brawlers
[15:02] Si_Korot: Jonny Flynn has been getting 14 pts, 3.5 assts and 3.5 rebounds, which is not bad at all. But in 8 cat leagues, you have to keep in mind that his shooting pct is relatively low. Mike Miller has been playing good ball, but his numbers will drop with the return of Antawn Jamison this week. Antawn won’t quite be himself yet, but he will cut into Miller’s totals more likely than Butler’s or Arenas’s. Collison should be running the show for 30 mpg in Nawleanz and he has had flashes of quality play out there in a few games. I like Collison for 10 pts and 8 assists, maybe a steal or two. He is your best bet.
[15:02] Si_Korot: And I fear NO ONE!

[15:03] meeboguest455938: Do you start Antawn Jamison this week if you own him? How about Rashard Lewis?
[15:04] Si_Korot: We were just talking about Jamison. He is back and while he has some rust to shake off, a returning 20-10 guy has got to offer up some decent numbers upon his return… at least 15 and 8, though his shooting percentage might be a little low his first few games.
[15:05] Si_Korot: As far as Rashard goes, he was not injured, but suspended. He had the luxury of a full preseason and has worked out on his own during the suspension
[15:06] Si_Korot: Rashard’s numbers are projected to go down slightly with the addition of Vince Carter in Orlando, BUT he will still put up quality #2 forward numbers. By all means, he is a better start, most probably, then the sub you’ve been using in his place the first three weeks.
[15:06] meeboguest455938: makes sense. Thanks, man!

 
[15:07] meeboguest320064: Does Sjax see a fantasy boost in Charlotte?
[15:09] Si_Korot: Probably. He will be the #1 scoring option in Charlotte, and should play with the ball in his hands when Raymond Felton sits, which seems to be a bit more than expected under Larry Brown. I think we’re looking at a fantasy stats boost in Charlotte for Jackson
 

[15:10] meeboguest461432: What is the word on Al Jefferson for this week?
[15:12] Si_Korot: He will play for Minny this week, after the passing of his grandfather. But keep in mind if it affects your league format that Minnesota only has two games in week four, so play him at your own discretion. I think the off-court time will help his performance as far as the physical side of things, btw

[15:13] meeboguest773613: Viva Los Doyers!
[15:13] Si_Korot: Ha! Wrong sport!
[15:13] meeboguest773613: The Sparks?!
[15:13] Si_Korot: A couple of months late!
[15:14] meeboguest773613: Do I start Joakim Noah or Zach Randolph this week at C?
[15:20] Si_Korot: both have three games. Zach had a quiet week last week, if you can call two double-doubles in 3 games a quiet week, but he did have one 8 pt, 7 reb game… Joakim, a waiver pickup in a lot of leagues, has been hot since increasing his PT due to the injury of Tyrus Thomas in Chicago. He had 3 double-doubles including a 21-rebound performance in week 3. Noah plays Sacto, the Lakers and Denver this week. Zach goes against the Clips, 76ers and Milw. Zach has three great matchups. Noah has two great ones and one so-so, but has the hotter hand… can you put one at a utility spot?
[15:20] meeboguest773613: nope
[15:21] Si_Korot: ok…then I am going to say Randolph is going to dominate Camby, Brand and Villanueva… three big games–go w/Randolph
[15:21] meeboguest773613: LOL. Or flip a coin?
[15:21] Si_Korot: or flip that coin!

 
[15:25] meeboguest143826: yo, killah!
[15:26] Si_Korot: yep?
[15:26] meeboguest143826: you think Josh Smith can keep up his awesome start to the season?
[15:29] Si_Korot: Oh, yeah. He not only brings 16 pts, 8 reb and 4 assists per game to the table, but 1.7 blocks and 2.5 steals, which is awesome for 5 and 8 category league owners. He is also shooting 58 % from the field, though only 0 for 4 in three point attempts this season and a 60% FT percentage I can live with based on everything else I just spit out here
[15:30] meeboguest143826: yeah, save the saliva for later, mister. So he kind of reminds you of an AK47 in his hey-day?
[15:30] Si_Korot: in his WHAT?
[15:30] meeboguest143826: uhh… long ago
[15:31] Si_Korot: exactly. Even more so in that he is physically delicate (though not as much so as AK47) as well. He has had a couple of seasons missing around 10 games and injury is always a minor concern, but his resurgence makes him very worthwhile.
[15:32] Si_Korot: got him in a late round of my draft… sixth.
[15:33] Si_Korot: Many people slept on Josh, but sixth round would seem about right…
[15:33] meeboguest143826: 8^th round for me.
[15:33] Si_Korot: wow… I want in your league next season

[15:32] U21: how are your teams doing?
[15:35] Si_Korot: I have two leagues where I am 2-1. In the one league, I lost my first game because I sat Danny Granger, when he actually played despite his injuries and did well. In my third league, an “expert” league, I am 3-0, but running on luck as David West’s value goes way down for me with CP3 out and Pau Gasol is missing more time than I’d like. The opponents start to get tougher now.
[15:37] U21: it happens
[15:37] Si_Korot: indeed

[15:41] meeboguest321085: How long is Rip Hamilton out for?
[15:43] Si_Korot: Rip is not expected to go the first part of this week and as of late last week could still not put weight on his ankle. I’d sit him this week and wait for info on next period.

[15:50] LARRYc: do you think AI is coming back this year and if so will he take Mike Conley’s spot…
[15:57] Si_Korot: AI is an enigma. He was signed by Memphis, the only team willing to pay him what he wanted. He pretty much knew going in that his job would be to be the sixth man for the Grizzlies and to be a role model for the youngsters? ROLE MODEL? UGH!
[15:59] Si_Korot: anyway, coach Hollins says it is his team and he will start whom HE chooses, after AI made public complaints to the media after just one game. There was a rumor that the Knicks want him, BUT Eisley, the Memphis owner, claims that there will be no trade and that he is expecting AI back at some point. If he comes back, which most are doubting, he will cut into Conley’s time somewhat, but I can see Conley still getting 30 minutes, while AI could get 25 subbing for Conley and a bit for Mayo. Not much time to gather the fantasy stats you’d want from AI

(Editor’s Note: AI was in the process of being put on waivers as we were discussing him.)

[15:51] meeboguest207494: Can we finally get Gasol back in our lineups???
[15:52] Si_Korot: We talking about Pau I presume?
[15:56] Si_Korot: Pau should miss at least one more week. Perhaps two
[15:56] Si_Korot: Coach Jackson was just being snarky with his Christmas comment
[15:57] Si_Korot: But according to the L.A. Times and KSPN’s John Ireland, he is not a safe bet for this week… more news as it comes in. CHECK THAT. It is now being reported that Gasol could be playing by Thursday, so if you NEED to put him in, go and do it! Slightly risky, but his return is being reported.

[15:51] meeboguest849344: Who is the best sleeper currently?
[15:54] Si_Korot: I think Joakim Noah has come up big this season, averaging a double-double, after going in late rounds in deeper leagues. I think that Tyreke Evans was supposed to learn on the job this season and has had to step up (successfully) due to Kevin Martin’s unfortunate injury
[15:54] Si_Korot: Josh Smith was a bit of a sleeper candidate
[15:55] Si_Korot: Rudy Gay has been on a good comeback trail this season
[15:55] Si_Korot: I would consider Jamal Crawford to be a very successful sleeper as many thought that he, Bibby and Marvin Williams would all suffer stat-wise from lack of PT
[16:01] Si_Korot: Trevor Ariza is also putting up better numbers than I would have hoped for… quite a late mid-round catch I’d say!

[16:02] Si_Korot: Okay, the final buzzer just sounded. Thanks for stopping by and come back for more next week!