If you drafted LeBron James, Kevin Love, Chris Paul or Kevin Durant for your fantasy basketball team before the season started, it’s tough to give you too much credit. Barring injury, those guys come through for owners on a night-to-night basis and they have for quite some time. However, with the season more than halfway through, there’s more than enough evidence to make a judgment about some lesser known players who have brought their “A” games in 2013-14.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some unexpected players who have delivered at or near the level of fantasy All-Stars this season:
Evan Bleier is a freelance writer based out of wherever he can plug in his laptop. You can send him questions, comments and Buffalo wing suggestions @itishowitis or "like" CraveOnline Sports on Facebook
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Fantasy Basketball Unexpected AS
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Channing Frye – Center – Phoenix Suns
After missing all of last year with a heart condition, no one really knew what to expect from Frye this season. The smooth-shooting big man has always been somewhat of an enigma in fantasy as he is excellent at providing threes from the center position but doesn’t really put up the rebounding numbers that one would traditionally expect from a starting center. That said, Frye doesn’t really hurt you in any category because he shoots well from the field and the line in addition to not really turning the ball over. He also averages nearly a block and a steal per game, making him a solid, and steady if somewhat limited, fantasy asset.
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Gordon Hayward – Shooting Guard – Utah Jazz
Hayward averaged a respectable 14 points, three rebounds and three assists for the Jazz last year, but has increased his production in all those categories and is averaging 16 points, five rebounds and five assists thus far in 2013-14. The scoring jump isn’t huge, but those extra rebounds and assists are extremely useful in fantasy and the improved contributions that Hayward is making on defense (1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks) have really help solidify his value.
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John Henson – Power Forward – Milwaukee Bucks
Although it was teammate Larry Sanders who many people thought would be holding block parties on a nightly basis in Milwaukee, it’s turned out to be Henson, who has taken over as the “Sultan of Swat” for the Bucks. Sanders has been a huge bust after signing a large contract to stay in Wisconsin and Henson has capitalized in a big way. The second-year player has excelled in 40 games for the Bucks this season and is averaging about 12 points, eight boards and two blocks. With multiple games of five blocks or more, Henson is the kind of player who can secure that category for owners on a given week and should retain great value now that Sanders is out (again) after having eye surgery.
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Kyle Lowry – Point Guard – Toronto Raptors
After being plagued by injuries and inconsistent play over the past few seasons, Lowry has really put everything together in Toronto this season and is quietly averaging nearly 17 points, five rebounds and eight assists. He’s played at such a high level that the Raptors are reportedly no longer interested in trading him, and as long as he continues to make threes (2.4 per game) and steal the ball (1.6 per game), fantasy owners will want to keep him as well.
The Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 98-83at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
January 29, 2014 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) -
Trevor Ariza – Small Forward – Washington Wizards
Due to his woeful shooting percentages and questions about his role, Ariza probably went undrafted in the majority of leagues this season. However, after double-doubling in his first two games and canning seven three-pointers, owners who were savvy enough to pluck Ariza off the wire have seen a great return on their investment. Although he’s had his ups and downs, Ariza consistently contributes in a multitude of categories and put a stamp on an excellent pre-All-Star break campaign by hitting 10 threes and scoring 32 points against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 12.
