Fantasy Forecaster: March 25-31
By Neil Tardy | Special to ESPN.com
So you're wondering about the magic that goes into creating the NBA Fantasy Forecaster? OK, you're probably not, but bear with me for a moment while I explain.
Each Friday, I compile a short list of players I want to discuss in the week's feature. I always start by checking on who you're adding in ESPN.com leagues. In addition, I consult with the Player Rater (using the "Last 15" option) to see if any surprising names come up as recent stat leaders.
Eventually, I have my list. But after going through the process this Friday, there were some surprising names that popped up. Josh McRoberts? Shaun Livingston? Damien Wilkins?
And then it hit me. This really is my favorite time of the fantasy hoops season. We're to the point where anything can happen, and any player -- even one who's been an afterthought for years -- can help you to a fantasy championship.
Of course, it's tough when you get to the stretch run of an NBA season and you have to make do without the likes of Kyrie Irving or Tony Parker. But those who succeed in fantasy basketball are those who adapt. And as much as this fantasy season has been about the brilliance of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the resurgence of Tim Duncan and the emergence of Damian Lillard, chances are that some fantasy owners will be able to look back on this season and rightly conclude that picking up the likes of McRoberts put them over the top.
Not that I'm overrating McRoberts. He's had a nice five-game run (12.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals), but this is a player who's averaged 4.7 points per game for his career. However, as a fantasy free agent, he's a chance worth taking, and that's what I love about fantasy hoops. I never thought I'd write about Josh McRoberts, and I'm sure you never thought you'd read about him here. But that's the game. A six-month season can come down to being the first in your league to spot -- and seriously consider -- that out-of-nowhere opportunity.
[h=3]Week 22 at a Glance[/h]
I'm happy to report that every NBA team plays at least three times in the week ahead. Fourteen teams play four games, while 16 teams play three games. The Week 23 schedule is similar, so we're clear of those two-game weeks for another season.
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</TBODY>"R" matchup ratings are based upon a scale from 1 (poor matchup) to 10 (excellent matchup), and are calculated using a formula that evaluates the team's year-to-date and past 10 games' statistics, their opponents' numbers in those categories, and their performance in home/road games depending on where the game is to be played. The column to the right lists the team's total number of games scheduled ("G") as well as home games ("H"), and lists the overall rating from 1-10 for that team's weekly schedule ("R").
By Neil Tardy | Special to ESPN.com
So you're wondering about the magic that goes into creating the NBA Fantasy Forecaster? OK, you're probably not, but bear with me for a moment while I explain.
Each Friday, I compile a short list of players I want to discuss in the week's feature. I always start by checking on who you're adding in ESPN.com leagues. In addition, I consult with the Player Rater (using the "Last 15" option) to see if any surprising names come up as recent stat leaders.
Eventually, I have my list. But after going through the process this Friday, there were some surprising names that popped up. Josh McRoberts? Shaun Livingston? Damien Wilkins?
And then it hit me. This really is my favorite time of the fantasy hoops season. We're to the point where anything can happen, and any player -- even one who's been an afterthought for years -- can help you to a fantasy championship.
Of course, it's tough when you get to the stretch run of an NBA season and you have to make do without the likes of Kyrie Irving or Tony Parker. But those who succeed in fantasy basketball are those who adapt. And as much as this fantasy season has been about the brilliance of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the resurgence of Tim Duncan and the emergence of Damian Lillard, chances are that some fantasy owners will be able to look back on this season and rightly conclude that picking up the likes of McRoberts put them over the top.
Not that I'm overrating McRoberts. He's had a nice five-game run (12.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals), but this is a player who's averaged 4.7 points per game for his career. However, as a fantasy free agent, he's a chance worth taking, and that's what I love about fantasy hoops. I never thought I'd write about Josh McRoberts, and I'm sure you never thought you'd read about him here. But that's the game. A six-month season can come down to being the first in your league to spot -- and seriously consider -- that out-of-nowhere opportunity.
[h=3]Week 22 at a Glance[/h]
I'm happy to report that every NBA team plays at least three times in the week ahead. Fourteen teams play four games, while 16 teams play three games. The Week 23 schedule is similar, so we're clear of those two-game weeks for another season.
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<CENTER> </CENTER> | Team | <CENTER>Mon 3/25 </CENTER> | <CENTER>Tue 3/26 </CENTER> | <CENTER>Wed 3/27 </CENTER> | <CENTER>Thu 3/28 </CENTER> | <CENTER>Fri 3/29 </CENTER> | <CENTER>Sat 3/30 </CENTER> | <CENTER>Sun 3/31 </CENTER> | <CENTER> </CENTER> |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta HAWKS | @IND R: 1 | OFF | @TOR R: 4 | OFF | @BOS R: 4 | ORL R: 8 | OFF | G: 4 H: 1 R: 6 |
| Boston CELTICS | OFF | NY R: 4 | @CLE R: 6 | OFF | ATL R: 6 | OFF | @NY R: 2 | G: 4 H: 2 R: 7 |
| Brooklyn NETS | OFF | OFF | @POR R: 6 | OFF | @DEN R: 6 | @UTA R: 5 | OFF | G: 3 H: 0 R: 3 |
| Charlotte BOBCATS | OFF | OFF | ORL R: 4 | OFF | @NY R: 1 | @PHI R: 1 | OFF | G: 3 H: 1 R: 1 |
| Chicago BULLS | OFF | OFF | MIA R: 2 | OFF | OFF | @DAL R: 6 | DET R: 6 | G: 3 H: 2 R: 3 |
| Cleveland CAVALIERS | OFF | OFF | BOS R: 4 | OFF | PHI R: 5 | OFF | @NO R: 4 | G: 3 H: 2 R: 2 |
| Dallas MAVERICKS | OFF | LAC R: 5 | OFF | IND R: 3 | OFF | CHI R: 6 | OFF | G: 3 H: 3 R: 3 |
| Denver NUGGETS | @NO R: 10 | OFF | @SA R: 10 | OFF | BKN R: 10 | OFF | OFF | G: 3 H: 1 R: 8 |
| Detroit PISTONS | OFF | MIN R: 5 | OFF | OFF | TOR R: 4 | OFF | @CHI R: 1 | G: 3 H: 2 R: 1 |
| Golden State WARRIORS | LAL R: 7 | OFF | SAC R: 9 | OFF | OFF | POR R: 7 | OFF | G: 3 H: 3 R: 5 |
| Houston ROCKETS | OFF | OFF | IND R: 5 | OFF | @MEM R: 3 | LAC R: 7 | OFF | G: 3 H: 2 R: 3 |
| Indiana PACERS | ATL R: 8 | OFF | @HOU R: 7 | @DAL R: 7 | OFF | @PHX R: 7 | OFF | G: 4 H: 1 R: 10 |
| Los Angeles CLIPPERS | OFF | @DAL R: 10 | @NO R: 8 | OFF | @SA R: 7 | @HOU R: 9 | OFF | G: 4 H: 0 R: 10 |
| Los Angeles LAKERS | @GS R: 5 | OFF | @MIN R: 7 | @MIL R: 7 | OFF | @SAC R: 9 | OFF | G: 4 H: 0 R: 10 |
| Memphis GRIZZLIES | @WSH R: 3 | OFF | @NY R: 4 | OFF | HOU R: 8 | @MIN R: 6 | OFF | G: 4 H: 1 R: 8 |
| Miami HEAT | @ORL R: 8 | OFF | @CHI R: 5 | OFF | @NO R: 8 | OFF | @SA R: 7 | G: 4 H: 0 R: 10 |
| Milwaukee BUCKS | OFF | OFF | @PHI R: 6 | LAL R: 8 | OFF | OKC R: 5 | OFF | G: 3 H: 2 R: 4 |
| Minnesota TIMBERWOLVES | OFF | @DET R: 5 | LAL R: 5 | OFF | OKC R: 2 | MEM R: 1 | OFF | G: 4 H: 3 R: 5 |
| New Orleans HORNETS | DEN R: 5 | OFF | LAC R: 2 | OFF | MIA R: 3 | OFF | CLE R: 7 | G: 4 H: 4 R: 6 |
| New York KNICKS | OFF | @BOS R: 2 | MEM R: 1 | OFF | CHA R: 10 | OFF | BOS R: 6 | G: 4 H: 3 R: 7 |
| Oklahoma City THUNDER | OFF | OFF | WSH R: 10 | OFF | @MIN R: 10 | @MIL R: 10 | OFF | G: 3 H: 1 R: 8 |
| Orlando MAGIC | MIA R: 3 | OFF | @CHA R: 6 | OFF | WSH R: 2 | @ATL R: 3 | OFF | G: 4 H: 2 R: 5 |
| Philadelphia 76ERS | @UTA R: 2 | OFF | MIL R: 6 | OFF | @CLE R: 5 | CHA R: 9 | OFF | G: 4 H: 2 R: 8 |
| Phoenix SUNS | OFF | OFF | @UTA R: 4 | SAC R: 7 | OFF | IND R: 1 | OFF | G: 3 H: 2 R: 2 |
| Portland TRAIL BLAZERS | OFF | OFF | BKN R: 4 | OFF | UTA R: 7 | @GS R: 4 | OFF | G: 3 H: 2 R: 3 |
| Sacramento KINGS | OFF | OFF | @GS R: 3 | @PHX R: 6 | OFF | LAL R: 9 | OFF | G: 3 H: 1 R: 4 |
| San Antonio SPURS | OFF | OFF | DEN R: 10 | OFF | LAC R: 7 | OFF | MIA R: 8 | G: 3 H: 3 R: 6 |
| Toronto RAPTORS | OFF | OFF | ATL R: 6 | OFF | @DET R: 7 | OFF | @WSH R: 3 | G: 3 H: 1 R: 3 |
| Utah JAZZ | PHI R: 8 | OFF | PHX R: 9 | OFF | @POR R: 6 | BKN R: 5 | OFF | G: 4 H: 3 R: 10 |
| Washington WIZARDS | MEM R: 1 | OFF | @OKC R: 1 | OFF | @ORL R: 3 | OFF | TOR R: 6 | G: 4 H: 2 R: 4 |
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<CENTER>Ratings color scale </CENTER> |
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