By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The big dilemma before the last week of the regular season is about Daniel Hackett. Siena’s star didn’t play against Olympiacos at SEF because of a hip injury but the battle vs Unicaja is a do or die game for the Italians. The intention of the team is to use Hackett no matter how fit he is. But who can risk to keep an injured player that will make a low score or even a great zero again? Eurohoopsnet team sells also Blake Schilb and James Gist who are not so productive lately.
Anyway, the fantasy challenge players are divided to these who had and those who didn’t have Darjus Lavrinovic in their team. The Lithuanian center is little underpriced but his price (79,1) doesn’t allow a lot of players to buy him. And of course, it’s always safer to buy three good players than two good and one average.
So, we must focus on players who will offer you points and credits for sure. The last week of the regular season with many teams without motivation, is too dangerous. Our three choices for this week (Bjelica, Lojeski and Lauvergne) have one common: they score usually double digit ranking without having great ups and downs.
Enjoy fantasy and prepare yourself for the second phase of the game!
Point Guards
Dimitris Diamantidis 66,1 credits (+3,7)
The most expensive point guard in the fantasy challenge pays back whoever built his team on him. Panathinaikos‘ captain had only two non double digit games and he’s the most solid choice lately.
Bo McCalebb 62,1 credits (+1,7)
Fenerbahce wants to finish successful the regular season. The game vs Nanterre will be without stress and he is expected to produce again a big ranking.
Shooting Guards/Small Forwards
Vassilis Spanoulis 72,4 credits (+4,4)
Olympiacos secured the first spot a long time ago, but the captain keeps on shining. His ranking in the two last games (29 vs Bayern, 24 vs Siena) awarded whoever trusted him.
Matt Lojeski 59,6 credits
It’s hard to find a solid player in the perimeter but the American with Belgian passport is steady and in almost every game has a double digit ranking. Against Zielona Gora it’s quite logical to offer you again points.
Bogdan Bogdanovic 58,3 credits (+7,6)
Partizan has some solid chances to qualify to the Top16 and the rising star of the team doesn’t hesitate to fight against every opponent, no matter how tough is. In the second round he was excellent against Fenerbahce and Barcelona. Why not against CSKA?
Nemanja Bjelica 58,1 credits
He’s one of the most reliable choices in that position. He’s average ranking is 13,4 and usually he’s around there and doesn’t have a lot of ups and downs, something not really bad.
Power Forwards/Centers
Vladimir Dragicevic 79,1 credits (-5,4)
When he’s good, he’s really good. Against Galatasaray last week he scored 9, his second lowest ranking after his 7 in the first week vs Bayern. Olympiacos hasn’t any motivation, besides pride, and it’s easier for Dragicevic to finish in an excellent way the regular season.
Bryant Dunston 73,8 credits (-1)
Simmons will come back. So what? Olympiacos‘ center is in great shape and he will make it also against Zielona Gora on road. His 18,1 ranking in the last eight games is impressive.
Richard Hendrix 72,2 credits (-4)
He was great against the old school big men who faced so far like Marjanovic, Glyniadakis, Pleiss. Scariolo splits the minutes in the center position between Pleiss and Hamilton, so it’s expected that Hendrix will have a big score.
Joffrey Lauvergne 68,3 credits
He has made an impressive season so far, with 16,8 ranking per game. Partizan’s game is around the French center in the paint and it’s expected to have a similar ranking vs CSKA also.