Βy Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Fantasy is like real life! You love some players and don’t want to split up with them until the end of the season. But you have to. For example, you have bought Ajinca, Hackett, Delaney or Lauvergne, they have offered you points and credits and after one “bad” game you don’t want even to think to sell them. However always there is a moment during the season that you have to sell one of your favourite players.
Ajinca didn’t play well last week and this one, Strasbourg faces Real in Madrid. The circumstances are not perfect to keep him. Moreover, we want to get rid of an expensive player because we want to change also Micov and Calloway who cost only 45,4 and 40,3 credits.
After all, two games before the end of the regular season it’s wise to buy players who at least will keep their value because you have to take care of your credits in front of the “new” team that you will build in the Top 16.
So, we bet first of all on Bogdan Bogdanovic who is shining with Partizan in the last games and proves that it’s absolutely right that he’s the next big thing in Serbian basketball. Also, among the big guys there are many interesting options but James Gist is in great shape and Panathinaikos depends on him lately. So, he’s one of the best picks following their shape.
Among the point guards there aren’t many steady players but Bo McCalebb will play against Partizan, his old team and it’s a good chance for him to have one more good game. At the end, if you still search for credits, Schortsanitis and D’or Fischer are excellent picks.
Point Guards
Dimitris Diamantidis 62,3 credits (-4,4)
Panathinaikos needs the win to avoid the fourth place and for sure its captain can’t play like last week again. DD should play better and he can do it in Krasnodar.
Bo McCalebb 60,4 credits
He has found his new role in the team and Obradovic for sure can help him show his talent in offence without having the ball in his hands all the time. The game against Partixan will not be easy but he can do damage with his penetrations.
Shooting Guards/Small Forwards
Daniel Hackett 86 credits (-3,5)
He’s the hottest name in the market early December. He wants to keep his numbers high and for sure in SEF it will be tough. But there is none else to lead Siena.
Vassilis Spanoulis 68 credits (+9)
He was last week’s MVP, is going better and better and Olympiacos plays an easy game against Siena. So what’s the reason to sell him?
Bogdan Bogdanovic 50,7 credits
He’s pure talent shines in the last four games. He has 16 points per game and 17 ranking. The game vs Fenerbahce is tough but he has the ability to overtake it.
Blake Schilb 49,3 credits (-4,75)
Red Star and its go-to-guy failed in OAKA. But the Serbians want to be successful in the last game in Euroleague in front of their fans. The American can bounce back thanks to his all around game.
Power Forwards/Centers
Vladimir Dragicevic 84,5 credits (+5,8)
He faces Galatasaray’s front line which is weaker lately. He seems unstoppable and offers 18+ ranking in the last seven straight games.
Richard Hendrix 76,2 credits (-0,6)
Brown is still questionable and Hendrix will be again the cornerstone of Lokomotiv in the paint. He has in almost every game great numbers and he can make it again.
Bryant Dunston 74,8 credits (-0,6)
Siena has the weakest front line in the competition and Dunston is so hot that it’s… prohibited to sell him. Without Begic and Printezis he will have again a bigger role.
James Gist 52,2 credits
Without him Panathinaikos wouldn’t probably have already won the ticket to the Top 16. He’s in great shape and against Lokomotiv’s big guys he will be valuable for Pedoulakis again.