Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is our weekly look at the best and worst matchups from around the NBA and how they might affect lineup decisions for your Fantasy Basketball team. We are not in the business of stating the obvious, so you won't be reading here why you need to start LeBron James or why you need to sit Brian Scalabrine. We want to give you some help with some of the tough lineup decisions.
There is a player who is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds this season who is only currently active in 67 percent of CBSSports.com leagues. On top of that, he is coming off a week in which he averaged 24.7 points and 9.3 rebounds, including a 36-point, 12-rebound game. He also has made eight threes in those games.
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Al Harrington should become a significant Fantasy contributor in New York.
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Did we mention he is center eligible in leagues that allow multiple eligibility?
That player is Al Harrington, and he should be active in most leagues for the upcoming scoring period and likely well beyond that. Aside from salary-cap relief, the only real player the Knicks got back when they traded away their two most productive players last week was Harrington, who has almost instantly become the go-to-guy in Mike D'Antoni's high-powered offense. He was an easy choice this week as our Start of the Week.
Harrington has attempted nearly 50 shots in his last two games, making 21 of them. He has attempted no fewer than 16 shots in his first three games with his new team and D'Antoni has had nothing but praise for his newest offense weapon. That is a vast change from how Harrington has been used to the last couple of years in Golden State, where he spent mich of his time going in and out of head coach Don Nelson's doghouse. Harrington is a key player once again, like he was in Atlanta back in 2005-06 when he averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds.
D'Antoni loves Harrington's game because it fits his free-flowing offense so well. Harrington can play the five as well as the four and the three. He can play inside and also offers a solid perimeter game. Most important, he can run the floor. That's what D'Antoni's system is based off of.
Fantasy owners will benefit greatly from the D'Antoni-Harrington relationship. For one thing, Harrington's playing time and role in the offense will not fluctuate like it did under Nelson. Expect him to see around 40 minutes on most nights, with his shot attempts going anywhere from 15-25 per game. He will offer owners in category-based leagues about 3-5 three-point attempts per game and a steal per night. Do not expect his assists to go up significantly. He will be finishing more shots than he will be setting them up. However, his turnovers could go up a bit with more time handling the ball. That's a cheap price Fantasy owners will have to pay for his huge increase in Fantasy value.
Guards
Start 'Em
D.J. Augustin, Bobcats (Dec. 1 vs. MIN; Dec. 3 vs. OKC; Dec. 5 @MIL; Dec. 6 vs. CLE): Even with Jason Richardson back in the mix, Augustin has remained productive. He has scored at least 12 points in seven straight games with four or more assists in his last four. He is not starting for the Bobcats, but should be starting for most Fantasy owners this week. The Bobcats have four games, making him that much more appealing for owners in cumulative scoring leagues. His matchups against Minnesota and Oklahoma City, teams that give up 100-plus points per game, bode well for good scoring and assist numbers.
Ownership: 78 percent Starting: 48 percent
Chris Duhon, Knicks (Dec. 2 vs. POR; Dec. 3 @CLE; Dec. 5 @ATL; Dec. 7 vs. DET): The trade that sent Jamal Crawford to Golden State seems to have benefited him greatly. He had a record 22 assists Saturday night, but it has been his scoring that has seen the biggest increase. He has scored in double figures in seven straight games after failing to score 10 or more points in back-to-back games at all in his first nine games. He offers some three-point shooting, some steals and low turnover numbers for a guard. In a four-game week, there is no reason not to start him right now in cumulative or average leagues.
Ownership: 87 percent Starting: 59 percent
Sleeper Alert: Rudy Fernandez, Trail Blazers (Dec. 2 @NY; Dec. 3@WAS; Dec. 5 @BOS; Dec. 7 @TOR): Fernandez has not been producing big numbers lately, but that could change this week with the matchups he faces. The Blazers start the week against a Knicks team that gives up 108.8 points per game and just allowed 125 points to the Warriors in a win on Saturday. The Blazers also face a Washington team that allows 103.2 points. There should be plenty of scoring to go around in those two games and Fernandez should benefit. His shot attempts should increase and he's a player that can get hot from the field fairly quickly. Think of using him as a stopgap this week in leagues of 12-plus teams.
Ownership: 87 percent Starting: 59 percent
Sit 'Em
John Salmons, Kings (Dec. 2 vs. UTA; Dec. 6 vs. DEN): The Kings play just two games this week, which just about rules Salmons out in cumulative scoring leagues. The Jazz rank 12th in the NBA in team defense and Denver is climbing up that list ever since acquiring Chauncey Billups. Stay away from most of your Kings players this week, if possible.
Ownership: 99 percent Starting: 61 percent
Tracy McGrady, Rockets (Dec. 3 vs. LAC; Dec. 5 vs. GS): This suggestion to sit McGrady is for owners in cumulative scoring leagues, which is most of you out there. Not only is he banged up with a knee injury, but he has not been as productive as usual this season even when he has been able to play. All signs point to a letdown this week and Fantasy owners should steer clear of T-Mac for now.
Ownership: 95 percent Starting: 45 percent
Bust Alert: Chris Paul, Hornets (Dec. 3 vs. PHO; Dec. 6 vs. MEM): This one is also for owners in cumulative leagues. There are not many weeks that one of the premiere players in all Fantasy will be reserved, but this may be one of them. Just make sure that whomever you start in his place can guarantee the equivalent of 40 points, 20 assists, 10 rebounds and about four or five steals. A 10-5-3 guy or better with four games can get you that with a chance for more this week. Just make sure to weigh your options carefully.
Ownership: 100 percent Starting: 83 percent
Forwards
Start 'Em
David Lee, Knicks (Dec. 2 vs. POR; Dec. 3 @ CLE; Dec. 5 @ATL; Dec. 7 vs. DET): So he probably will not have another 37-point, 21-rebound performance maybe ever. His production since the team's roster shakeup has been outstanding and he has even managed to pick up center eligibility in CBSSports.com leagues that allow multiple eligibility. He has posted double doubles in five straight games while averaging over 20 points. A four-game week for a possible 20-and-10 guy (15-and-10 more realistically)? Oh yeah, sign us up.
Ownership: 93 percent Starting: 67 percent
Mike Miller, Timberwolves (Dec. 1 @CHA; Dec. 3 @ORL; Dec. @NJ; Dec. 6 vs.LAC): Miller has not been producing much so far this season for the T'Wolves, but his matchups this week indicate a spike in production may be ahead. The Nets allow 104.0 points per game and the Clippers give up 100.6. He has been seeing around 10 shots per game, but should get more chances than normal in those two contests. It's a good week to take a chance on him.
Ownership: 94 percent Starting: 65 percent
Sleeper Alert: Trevor Ariza, Lakers (Dec. 2 @IND; Dec. 3 @PHI; Dec. 5 @WAS; Dec. 7 vs. MIL): Ariza is playing a significant role off the Lakers bench and has managed to scoring in double figures in four of his last five games with around six rebounds and three assists. The Lakers play a full, four-game slate and a 10-6-3 line pans out to about 40 points, 24 rebounds and 12 assists.
Ownership: 39 percent Starting: 23 percent
Sit 'Em
Thaddeus Young, 76ers (Dec. 2 @ CHI; Dec. 3 vs. LAL; Dec. 5 @ DET; Dec. 6 vs. NJ): Young is going through a bit of an erratic period of late, alternating double-digit performances with single-digit games in his last five games. The Sixers have some tough defensive matchups against the Lakers and Pistons this week, with both teams allowing under 97 points per game. Give him a week to see if he can turn his luck around.
Ownership: 83 percent Starting: 55 percent
Marvin Williams, Hawks (Dec. 3 vs. MEM; Dec. 5 vs. NY; Dec. 6 @DAL): With Josh Smith likely coming back from his injury this week and the Hawks playing just three games, Williams stands to take a hit. Consider him a risky play this week in cumulative-scoring leagues and it's not a bad idea to let this three-game week show where he'll fit in with a full roster the Hawks have not had since Nov. 7.
Ownership: 91 percent Starting: 55 percent
Bust Alert: David West, Hornets (Nov. 3 vs. Dec. 3 vs. PHO; Dec. 6 vs. MEM): Much llike Paul, West has to be considered a risky play this week in cumulative scoring leagues. Make sure whomever you replace West with this week can guarantee more than the equivalent of 40 points and 15 rebounds. That should be easy to find on your bench from a four-starter.
Ownership: 100 percent Starting: 62 percent
Centers
Start 'Em
Greg Oden, Trail Blazers (Dec. 2 @NY; Dec. 3 @WAS; Dec. 5 @BOS; Dec. 7 @TOR): As mentioned above with Fernandez, the Blazers face a very favorable four-game slate this week. Oden has not been producing particularly well of late, but he is coming off a double-double in his last game, giving him two in his last three games. This week could provide him with a 10-and-10 average for the week.
Ownership: 98 percent Starting: 73 percent
Marcus Camby, Clippers (Dec. 2 @DAL; Dec. 3 @HOU; Dec. 5 @MEM; Dec. 6 @MIN): Chris Kaman may miss the entire week, meaning that Camby will start and have little competition for minutes at center. That is something he has not had since last season in Denver. Camby can be a Rotisserie hound when getting that kind of playing time and his rebounds, blocks and steals should be as high as they have been all season. Expect the Clippers to make him look as good as possible in a possible attempt to trade him now that the team has such a crowded front court with Zach Randolph in the mix.
Ownership: 98 percent Starting: 75 percent
Sleeper Alert: Kendrick Perkins, Celtics (Dec. 1 vs. ORL; Dec. 3 vs. IND; Dec. 5 vs. POR; Dec. 7 @IND): Perkins is coming off a 15-point, 12-rebound game against Charlotte and has had at least seven boards in his last four games. The Celtics have two favorable matchups against the Pacers in the upcoming scoring period and a full, four-game week. He may be useful as a stopgap center.
Ownership: 51 percent Starting: 28 percent
Sit 'Em
Brad Miller, Kings (Dec. 2 vs. UTA; Dec. 6 vs. DEN): As mentioned above, the Kings have just two games this week and your Kings players should be reerved in most cumulative-scoring leagues. Miller, though, is struggling offensively and likely would have been recommended to sit out anyway. He has managed less than 10 points in three of his last five games and has totaled just 14 shot attempts in his last two games.
Ownership: 51 percent Starting: 28 percent
Marc Gasol, Grizzlies (Dec. 3 @ATL; Dec. 5 vs. LAC; Dec. 6 @NO): The Grizzlies have just three games and two are tough matchups on the road against tough defensive teams. The Hornets allow just 93.0 points per game. Gasol will likely not stray far from 10 points this week and six boards. If you can find better production on a one-week basis on your bench or off the wire, go that route.
Ownership: 85 percent Starting: 40 percent
Bust Alert: Yao Ming, Rockets (Dec. 3 vs. LAC; Dec. 5 vs. GS): This warning is once again for Fantasy leagues that use cumulative scoring, although he has managed just 18 points combined over his last two games. Consider that on a good week, Yao will manage around 20 points and 10 rebounds, so Fantasy owners will want to reserve him if they can get 40 points and 20 rebounds elsewhere. As always, weigh your options.
Ownership: 100 percent Starting: 83 percent
Do you have a lineup question for our staff? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyHoops@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Start /Sit in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state.
