The Fig Cap: “That Austin guy is A-OK in my book!”

GUEST BLOGGER: Austin Kent from Hoops Addict

If nothing else, Kirk Hinrich is consistent. He’s reliable. His role as the Chicago Bulls team general is clearly established, coach Skiles likes him, he rarely misses games due to injury, and a quick look at his career profile shows that almost every statistical category in Hinrich’s portfolio is within fractions of a point from the year before.

A closer look at the gritty point guard’s stats, however, show improvement. After a fairly significant jump in points per game from his first to second season (12.0 to 15.7), Hinrich’s scoring average has climbed ever so slowly to the 16.6 it sits at now. His percentages both from the field and from the free throw line have improved, now at .448 and .835 respectively, and there is no reason to believe that any of this will stop any time soon.

Round 5, Pick 2: Kirk Hinrich, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls

To expect Hinrich to break out into a 20+ point scorer is unreasonable, and he won’t be giving Steve Nash or Jason Kidd a run for their money in the assist category either, but it’s safe to assume that dude will produce as efficiently as he has these last few years. Actually, it’s more than safe. It’s smart.
Take a look at Hinrich’s stats over the course of the last three years:

2004-05: 77G; 36.4MPG, .397FG%, .355THREE%, .792FT%, 15.7PPG, 3.9RPG, 6.4APG, 1.6SPG, 2.29TOPG
2005-06: 81G; 36.5MPG,. 418FG%, .370THREE%, .815FT%, 15.9PPG, 3.6RPG, 6.3APG, 1.2SPG, 2.32TOPG
2006-07: 80G; 35.5MPG, .448FG%, .415THREE%, .835FT%, 16.6PPG, 3.4RPG, 6.3APG, 1.2SPG, 2.39TOPG

Can you even tell the difference? Didn’t think so. Kirk Hinrich is the model of consistancy. If the Chicago Bulls had shaken up their roster this summer than I may not be so inclined to bet the farm on Hinrich turning in another successful year, but they didn’t, they stayed pretty much the same aside from reeling in Joe Smith and drafting Joakim Noah. And Chris Duhon is no closer to taking over the starting point guard slot than he was or ever will be.

The fact of the matter is; if Kirk Hinrich is available in the fourth round of any draft, then it would be silly not to make the move, that goes double if you haven’t already got a point guard. On this particular fantasy squad, Hinrich joins Kobe Bryant, Marcus Camby, Ray Allen and Kevin Durant and provides some support to an already offensive squad.  Hinrich’s reliability from the field will come in handy for those nights when Kobe whiffs on 15 jumpers trying to pull his Lakers out of a rut, or when Durant finds himself bombing away to no avail in Seattle. The steals are there, the assists (ranked 13th in the L last year) are there, and the turnovers aren’t going to kill you either.

As a number one or two option, in a league of this few teams, choosing Hinrich would be a mistake, but anytime after that I give fantasy managers the green light, especially when you’re this late in the game.

Other Players on this Fantasy Team:
1.2. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
2.11. Ray Allen, SG, Boston Celtics
3.2. Marcus Camby, C, Denver Nuggets
4.11. Kevin Durant, SF/PF, Seattle SuperSonics

Previous Picks this Round
5.1. Antawn Jamison, SF/PF, Washington Wizards

Previous Round Selections
Round One Recap
Round Two Recap
Round Three Recap
Round Four Recap