Author: John Paulsen (Page 377 of 937)

      Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 15

      December 16, 2009 /

      The strategy behind DTBWW is that each week, you pick up a defensethat is playing against a bad offense (preferably at home). And each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. To see how this approach performed last season, click here.

      Last week, I recommended three DTBWW picks. Let’s see how they fared…

      #1 Titans: 7 PA (6) + 1 SK + 5 INT + 1 RET TD = 18 fantasy points
      #2 Bucs: 26 PA (0) + 1 SK + 1 FR = 2 fp
      #3 Chiefs: 16 PA (2) + 2 SK + 1 INT + 2 FR = 7 fp

      The Titans obviously posted a great performance, scoring the second-most points of any defense in Week 14. The Bucs were equally unimpressive, especially considering that they were facing Kellen Clemens at home. The Chiefs performed pretty well against Buffalo, as expected.

      For the season, my #1 pick is averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game, my #2 pick is averaging 10.1 ppg and my #3 pick is averaging 6.7 ppg. On the whole, DTBWW is averaging 8.8 ppg, which equates to DT4 numbers. Not bad.

      Let’s take a look at this week’s picks. Keep in mind that to be eligible for DTBWW, a defense must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

      Note: If the Colts happen to be available, I think I’d take them over my #2 or #3 picks this week.

      Pick #1: Arizona Cardinals (@ DET)
      The Cards were embarrassed in San Francisco on Monday night, so I think they’ll have a bounce-back game against the hapless Lions. Detroit is a little less hapless with Matt Stafford under center, but the Cards defense should be able to post a nice fantasy line.

      Pick #2: Seattle Seahawks (vs. TB)
      The Seahawks defense isn’t great, but they have performed well at home against bad competition and the Bucs certainly qualify. Tampa looked terrible against the Jets last week, so the Seahawks DT should have a good week.

      Pick #3: Houston Texans (@ STL)
      Houston’s defense isn’t explosive, but it’s solid, and with Steven Jackson nursing a bad back, the Rams don’t have a lot of options on offense.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Line of the Night (12/15): Kobe Bryant

      December 16, 2009 /

      The Lakers started their longest road trip of the season in Chicago last night (5 games, which isn’t very long) and Kobe was in shoot-first mode for the entire game. He posted 42 points (on 15-26 shooting), three assists, two rebounds, three steals and EIGHT turnovers.

      Is the Ron Artest move working out? Against the Bulls he went 3-14 from the field for nine points, four assists and five rebounds. He is shooting just under 43% for the season, which is right around his career average. I expected his accuracy to rise this season as he really doesn’t have to be much of a scorer and should be exercising better shot selection. So much for that.

      NBA, Video

      What Tim Donaghy did wrong, in his own words

      December 16, 2009 /

      Ball Don’t Lie published its interview with disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy. Here’s what he admits to doing wrong…

      Well, I don’t want to say there were certain officials I stayed away from — rather, that there were specific officials that I went after. And it was a situation where I looked for the games that they were on, more or less … I looked to see where certain officials refereed, whether it was a home or away game, what happened the last time they worked a particular team, and who else they were with. And I was able to come to a conclusion of what I felt the betting line should be, and I would look at the newspaper and if it was a difference of four or five points, I would tell people to bet the game.

      But did Donaghy manipulate any games to benefit himself or others?

      Continue reading »

      NBA

      Amare Stoudemire staying in Phoenix?

      December 15, 2009 /

      When asked whether or not he’ll make a move prior to the February trade deadline, Suns GM Steve Kerr said the following (via FanHouse)…

      “I don’t think we’re going to do anything,” he said. “I’m pretty happy with this group.”

      Kerr was asked if that means Stoudemire, who can opt out of his contract next summer and become a free agent, is safe from being moved.

      “I’d be pretty surprised if we did anything,” Kerr said. “We’re playing well. You always want to get better and you never say never (regarding a move). But we’re playing well.”

      For his part, Stoudemire says that he’s not sure that he’s going to opt out at the end of the season.

      “I’m right in the middle,’ he said. “There’s no particular way I’m leaning.”

      “It’s up to them to approach me about whatever situation they think, whatever they’re thinking,” Stoudemire said. “Until then, I’m just going to keep playing and keep trying to win. The ball is pretty much in their court. Whenever they’re ready to discuss anything, just let me know. If not, I’m just going to keep playing.”

      What a difference winning makes. The Suns are 16-8, an impressive mark considering Phoenix has only played eight home games thus far. They’re getting good play from Stoudemire (19-8, 56% shooting), Steve Nash (18-3-11, 53%) and Jason Richardson (16-5-2, career-high 48% shooting). Grant Hill (12-6-2) and Channing Frye (12-6) round out a pretty balanced starting five.

      If the Suns can keep winning, Kerr is unlikely to make any moves. I’ve been hard on him over the last couple of seasons (mainly for trading Shawn Marion and letting Mike D’Antoni slip away), but the proof is in the pudding. He realized that the Shaq trade got the Suns away from what they do best — push the ball. The Suns are running again (4th in the NBA in pace) and that style suits their personnel.

      If Amare is still on the roster after the trade deadline, then it’s up to the Suns to decide whether or not they want to commit to him long term. He’s still likely to opt-out, especially if he stays healthy and continues to play well. There are too many teams with salary cap space to let an opportunity for a long-term contract pass him by.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NBA, News, Rumors & Gossip

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