This is the second installment of NBA Sleepers to target in your upcoming Fantasy NBA Drafts. This time I’m focusing on Shooting Guards…
1. Tony Allen, Boston Celtics
The only thing holding back Tony Allen from fantasy stardom is another Allen, in the form of Ray Allen. However, Ray’s minutes decreased from 40.3 to 35.9 last season, and age age 33 it is likely to remain at 35 minutes or lower. Since returning from tearing his ACL and MCL (ouch!) , Allen has been less than 100%, but should be closer to full speed this season since it’s been a year and a half now. In the 29 Games Allen has started over the past two season, he has average 13.8 points and 2.0 Steals. Averaging 2.0 Steals/Game would put Allen in the elite company of 8 other players who average 2+ steals last season. With aging Ray Allen in front of him, and sixth man James Posey out of the picture, Tony Allen is certainly worth watching.
Currently owned in 2% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 134+
2008-09 Prediction:
27.3 Mins, 11.9 Pts, 0.5 Treys, 2.3 Asts, 3.8 Rebs, 1.6 Stls, 1.9 TOs
2. JR Smith, Denver Nuggets
With the departure of Najera, the Nuggets have 1664 minutes to dish out at the SG/SF position… JR Smith should be given a good chunk of these. What will he do with the extra minutes? Shoot Trifectas, and shoot them often. Last season, JR chucked up a 3-Pointer every 3.64 Minutes that he was on the floor (J-Rich, last seasons 3pt leader, attempted a 3pter every 5.26 Mins). This is JR’s 5th season in the NBA, but he’s still only 23 years old, look for JR Smith to mature as a player this year and put up some solid stats as a result.
Currently owned in 84% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 121
2008-09 Prediction:
24.0 Mins, 16.0 Pts, 2.7 Treys, 2.3 Asts, 2.9 Rebs, 1.2 Stls, 1.7 TOs
3. Mickael Pietrus, Orlando Magic
“I Like PIETRUSt Me” or “Air France” was deemed the next big thing out of France when he was drafted in 2003, 11th overall. He looked ready to turn the corned after a solid 2006-07 season, but then got his minutes decreased from 27 to 19.9 last season. This summer, Pietrus got signed with the Orlando Magic, where defense is necessary, unlike Golden State. Stan Van Gundy has produced top ten defensive squads in all four seasons of his coaching career, Pietrus has tremendous lankiness and defensive prowess, this will lead to the most playing time Pietrus has ever seen in his short career. I expect Mickael Pietrus to deliver…
Currently owned in 72% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 134
2008-09 Prediction:
31.0 Mins, 12.6 Pts, 1.5 Treys, 1.7 Asts, 5.8 Rebs, 1.3 Stls, 1.1 Blks, 1.6 TOs
4. Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls
Ben Gordon certianly has a lot to prove this year. Was Gordon’s 2006-07 career high 45.5 FG% an anomaly? It’s liekly that he overachieved slightly that year, but Gordon has a chip on his shoulder in 2008-09 after not getting the contract offer he thought he was worth. Gordon will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, which means Gordon will be out to prove he’s worth every penny of the 6 year, $72 million dollar contract that he was asking for. Don’t miss out on the Ben Gordon revival by letting him slip in your draft.
Currently owned in 93% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 93
2008-09 Prediction:
32.8 Mins, 23.2 Pts, 2.3 Treys, 3.3 Asts, 3.3 Rebs, 1.0 Stls, 2.4 TOs
Check out our related Sleeper Posts:
Point Guard Sleepers
Small Forward Sleepers
Power Forward Sleepers
Center Sleepers
photo courtesy of planetexpress’ Flickr stream, courtesy of CCS
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