Wire to Wire aims to be your waiver wire resource for all of your fantasy basketball needs.  It will dive into playing time trends, injury replacements, and even an occasional category specialist – all of which can be found on a typical waiver wire within your fantasy league at any given time.

A Happy Thanksgiving edition of Wire to Wire.  I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday!  We’ve had yet another NBA week in the books.  Let’s see how I did last time around…

Shallow Leagues:

Tyronn Lue: No repeats of the 29 point explosion, and the free throw shooing has been a bit weak, but other than that, he’s been Monta Ellis with cornrows.  Hit.
Matt Harpring: Despite the valiant efforts of Ronnie Brewer and Paul Millsap (more on him later), Harpring’s still getting it done – despite the one rough game.  15 points a game on solid shooting since November 11th.  Until Kirilenko’s back for good, this one’s a hit. 
Monta Ellis: I’m pretty much done talking about this guy for good on this column.  Stud off the bench, even better when starting.  24 points and 8 dimes over the last three games.  Huge hit.
Mickael Pietrus: My main knock on Mickael was his terrible free throw shooting.  However, any player that can consistently hover around 20 points a game cannot stay on the wire.  Still averaging at least one block, steal and three a game.  Hit.

Standard Leagues:

Fred Jones: If you added him last week, not only did he boost your points and threes, but likely iced your free throw percentage as well.  The three steal, two block game was just a bonus.  Thank me later.  Hit. (Man, I’m like David Wright up here today)
Randy Foye: (Spoke too soon) While I did mention that this pick is more long-term based, but man.  Foye’s lucky to get double-digit minutes at this point.  The steals are nice, but not worth owning at this point unless you have the room.  Miss.
Jerry Stackhouse: Ouch.  Not only was that me replying to my recommendation, but Jerry Stackhouse replying to his injured groin.  That didn’t work out as planned.  Miss.
Nate Robinson:  Not too often you get to see a 5’9” guy block the shot of a 7’6” guy.  While Nate hasn’t done much in terms of fantasy lately, that block was just sick.  Stay out of foul trouble, little man.  Miss.

Deep Leagues:

Sasha Pavlovic: Assuming he would get the starts with Larry Hughes out, I assumed wrong.  David Wesley is.  Pavlovic is a guy that needs at least 20 minutes to produce, and he’s jut not getting it at the moment.  Miss.
LaMarcus Aldridge: I fear that his move to the center slot will hurt his hustle stats (as in only two blocks in his last four games), but it’s hard to pass up the 10 and 8 that he can give you on a nightly basis.  Will be a stud for years to come.  Hit.
Paul Millsap: Aside from the recent foul trouble against Sacramento, Millsap’s been huge.  No chance I’m not taking the hit after an 18/10 game followed up quickly by 20 points, seven boards and two blocks.  It may be short term, but that’s a nice week.  Hit.
Quinton Ross:  See below.  Hit.
Earl Watson: One huge game to get me all excited, and then he just breaks my heart again.  Will I continue to come back like a puppy?  You bet.  But for now?  Miss.

(Overall: 8-5)

Not too shabby.  The shallow-league additions were spot on.  Those are just a matter of counting the costs between what you have to dump for them and what you’ll get out of each player going forward.  Some owners like to hang on to the Bobby Simmons’ of the world, but I don’t think you can afford to in shallow leagues with all the talent out there.  Standard leagues hit me hard, but I look at them more from a long-term view; so I’m still pulling for Randy Foye (and Dwane Casey) to bail me out of this one.  On to this week’s edition…

Just Getting In…

Jamal Tinsley, PG, Indiana Pacers
12 G; 29.3 MPG; 10.4 PPG; 4.0 RPG; 6.3 APG; 0.8 3PM; 40.5 FG%; 74.3 FT%; 1.1 SPG; 0.4 BPG; 2.8 TO

I’ve been hesitant to discuss Tinsley at any lengths due to the voodoo doll that as plagued me for years.  Tinsley has all the tools he needs to be a stellar fantasy point guard in the fantasy rings, but just can’t stay healthy for a full season.  If you can handle the turnovers, the six plus assists are nice on any roster.  Snag him now and max out your pre-injury production. 

Fred Jones, SG, Toronto Raptors
11 G; 32.5 MPG; 12.1 PPG; 3.4 RPG; 2.8 APG; 1. 3PM; 41.1 FG%; 93.6 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 0.6 BPG; 1.7 TO

It pains me to talk about Fred Jones for two weeks in a row, as I was a large investor in the Morris Peterson fund going into drafts this season.  With Charlie Villanueva out of Toronto, it’s Jones who’s getting the burn – and burning me every day I see the box scores.  Do yourself a favor and add this gunner to your team.  Your small-ball categories will thank you.  Yes, that’s a near 94% from the charity stripe.  (Still shaking head…)

Tim Thomas, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers
10 G; 27.3 MPG; 10.1 PPG; 6.3 RPG; 2.7 APG; 1.6 3PM; 40.2 FG%; 63.6 FT%; 0.3 SPG; 0.6 BPG; 1.2 TO

While I’m not a huge fan of Tim Thomas’ all-around game (as can be seen by the lack of hustle statistics and percentages), it’s hard to ignore the scoring, rebounds and threes that Thomas can provide.  He’s as inconsistent as they come, but if you can endure the troughs, the peaks will be a very nice reward.  You could do a lot worse for your bench.

Marvin Williams, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks
No Games Played

I know, I know.  While I talked about Bobby Simmons a little bit ago, I think that Marvin Williams is a different story.  If you read my piece on HoopsHype.com, you’re aware that I think Williams’ value is about to skyrocket.  The cast is off, he’s back in the gym, and he’ll be on the court in a couple weeks.  The fact that Shelden Williams is putting up 20 and 10 makes me just imagine what Marvin will do when he comes back.  Huge long-term pick up.  If you have someone like Luke Walton that you can drop, go for it.

Getting Deeper…

Quinton Ross, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
10 G; 30.2 MPG; 9.6 PPG; 3.1 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.1 3PM; 56.1 FG%; 80.8 FT%; 1.2 SPG; 0.7 BPG; 0.5 TO

OK, I’ll admit it.  I think I’m in fantasy love with Quinton Ross.  After mentioning him last week, he’s done nothing but turn out more solid games.  Heck, he’s even important enough to get mentioned in this week’s edition of Stats All Folks!  I’ve picked him up in a bunch of leagues, including the DroppingDimes.com Experts league, and I have a feeling he’ll be leading me to the promise land in percentages and steals.  Oh, and while I don’t want to verify this, five total turnovers in over 300 minutes played has to be some sort of record.  Elias, help please.

Reuben Patterson, SF, Milwaukee Bucks
12 G; 30.4 MPG; 10.8 PPG; 3.8 RPG; 2.2 APG; 0 3PM; 55.8 FG%; 80.0 FT%; 1.2 SPG; 0.4 BPG; 2.7 TO

When Charlie Villanueva went down, I made it a point to pick up Patterson in any standard sized league that I could.  I’ve since dumped him in a few for the aforementioned Ross, but the ones that I do still hold him in, I can endure his turnovers.  The scoring should increase with Charlie V out, and the steals are very nice.  Just be mindful that his career free throw percentage is around 65%, and the turnovers will only increase with his minutes.  If you can handle that, then Reuben’s your man.

Brent Barry, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs
11 G; 20.3 MPG; 9.3 PPG; 2.5 RPG; 1.7 APG; 2.2 3PM; 53.9 FG%; 91.7 FT%; 0.2 SPG; 0 BPG; 0.6 TO

My neglect to mention Barry to this point has been more out of stubbornness than anything else.  He’s making the most of his limited minutes, but it just doesn’t make sense to me that someone can shoot over 50% from the field, and still chip in as many bombs as he does.  Though his days of 15/5/5 are over, his career field goal percentage is in the mid-40s.  While I expect a fall-off from this point, it’s hard to ignore the 24 threes that he’s made to this point. 

Desmond Mason, SG/SF, New Orleans/Okalahoma City Hornets
12 G; 32 MPG; 11.6 PPG; 4.2 RPG; 1.2 APG; 0 3PM; 40.6 FG%; 70.5 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 2.2 TO

More of an injury filler here than anything else.  With David West still feeling a bit tingly in the fingers, Mason has stepped up a ton with improved scoring and few turnovers.  He’s taken 15 shots per game over his last two, and with any high flyer, that means more points.  He’s a highlight reel when he’s on, and won’t provide much more than scoring, but how can you let 32 minutes a game sit on a standard sized waiver wire? 

Hold Your Breath…

Kwame Brown, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers
4 G; 21.5 MPG; 6.8 PPG; 8.0 RPG; 0.5 APG; 0 3PM; 45.5 FG%; 36.8 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.5 BPG; 1.3 TO

Back from his shoulder and neck injuries, Brown’s playing time has increased game over game to his recent burn of 30.4 minutes.  In that game, he managed a double-double (ten points, 14 boards) with a block.  While Andrew Buynum has started off strong, I can see a slight rotation of Brown to the power forward, Odom to the small forward, and Luke Walton to the bench.  Far from a lock, but I can’t imagine that Brown’s potential will be kept on the bench.  And anyone that can put up 30 and 19 in an NBA game has potential…

Damon Jones, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
12 G; 27.0 MPG; 9.8 PPG; 1.5 RPG; 2.1 APG; 1.9 3PM; 45.2 FG%; 90.9 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.8 TO

I tried very, very hard to not mention Damon Jones on here, as around Cleveland, he’s been known more as “Amon Ones,” since he has no “D” or “J.”  Either way, he’s been one of the biggest sources of three point field goals this season, and may deserve a spot on a deep-league roster in need of some long-range love.  His minutes have crept into the 30’s with Larry Hughes out, and he’s averaged four bombs a game over his last three contests.  He doesn’t get to the line enough for his free throw shooting to help you, but he gets to the arc.  If that’s what you need, pull the trigger.

Charlie Bell, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks
12 G; 29 MPG; 8.9 PPG; 2.3 RPG; 3.0 APG; 1.0 3PM; 38.2 FG%; 73.9 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0 BPG; 0.8 TO

Tom Izzo’s boy from the Michigan State heyday is now firmly entrenched as the number two guy behind Mo Williams in Milwaukee.  While he’s not lighting up the box scores by any means, his 3:1 assist to turnover ratio along with his occasional three pointers make Bell a pretty efficient option in deep leagues.  And if you know anything about Michigan State boys, they can shoot from the line.  If he can somehow pass up Williams on the depth chart, Bell will be huge.
 
Reggie Evans, PF, Denver Nuggets
7 G; 19.2 MPG; 8.7 PPG; 8.9 RPG; 0.7 APG; 0 3PM; 63.9 FG%; 55.6 FT%; 1.3 SPG; 0 BPG; 1.7 TO

Am I the only one who thinks it’s ironic that Reggie Evans plays for a team called the Nuggets?  At least I know Dennis is with me on this one.  How can you pass up a near double-double average with only 19 minutes a game?  Evans is a rebounding machine and may just be lucky enough to score a few put-backs from time to time.  Kenyon Martin’s out, and Nené is hurting.  That leaves Evans a ton of opportunity to help your team in the rebounding department.  Give him a shot, but just watch your nuggets.