By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The fantasy challenge is not a game about the popularity or recognition of a player’s value. It’s only a game of timing. For example, Spanoulis has won the last two Euroleague MVP awards, but when he visits OAKA, his old gym when he was playing for Panathinaikos, he’s just an average player. Panathinaikos adjusts perfectly its defense to the Red’s captain and he produce really poor numbers. This game might be the exception, but why should you go against the odds? It’s matter of your points and credits…
“Kill-Bill” has 8/31 shots and only 9 assists in his three last visits in his old home. So keep away to be safe. We have the same thoughts also for Bryant Dunston who is lately on the rise, but at OAKA the situation is always tough for Olympiacos. It’s wise to get back to him next week. The third one who must leave our team is Alex Tyus who is questionable for the game vs CSKA and in any case he didn’t take advantage of the chance after James’ injury.
We have 165,7 credits available and first of all we need a “cheap” player who will replace Tyus. This will be Viktor Khryapa who had a bad start in the season and costs only 42,3 credits. In the Top16 he’s completely different (he has a 14,7 ranking per game average, more than the double of the 6 rpg he had in the regular season) and he can be a smart choice next to Krstic who reached a limit up also in the Top 16.
Our second choice is an old friend who was away the last weeks but it’s time for his comeback. Bojan Bogdanovic is a scoring machine, he bounced back and he can make it in the Turkish battle against Efes. Our third choice is Ante Tomic who isn’t really effective until now in the Top 16, but he had his first good game last week and he can keep rising. Barcelona faces Laboral and has a great advantage in the front line. The Catalans will feed him and he is expected to give you points.
UPDATE: Zoran Erceg will not play in Belgrade vs Partizan due to injury, so he leaves the team and Bryant Dunston stays. Instead of Ante Tomic, we choose Stephane Lasme who is among the best centers in the Top 16.
Enjoy fantasy!
Points Guards
Sergio Rodriguez 76 credits (+2,6)
He’s the player who must be the cornerstone in very fantasy team. He’s aiming to the MVP award and he is always a keeper.
Dimitris Diamantidis 64,8 credits (-1,6)
Panathinaikos needs him desperately in the Greek battle and the captain knows how to hurt Olympiacos by passing and scoring.
Shooting Guards/Small Forwards
Rudy Fernandez 76,5 credits (-1,5)
In half of his Top 16 games he didn’t score in double digits but vs Zalgiris he will probably have the chance to shine.
Malcolm Delaney 73,9 credits (+0,4)
Bayern hosts Lokomotiv and the leader of the team is expected to produce a big score cause he’s in good shape. Until now he had only one bad game in the Top 16.
Bojan Bogdanovic 63,4 credits
He has a period in which he wasn’t so effective, but lately he is going much better. Efes is still a work in progress, so he can score in double digits again.
Bogdan Bogdanovic 60,3 credits (+1,3)
He has 18,2 ranking per game in the last five games and against Galatasaray he’s expected to be the only leader of Partizan.
Power Forwards/Centers
Bryant Dunston 64,2 credits (+2,4)
In the last three games in the Top 16 he has 19 ranking per game, which is huge in comparison with his numbers in the first three games (4 per game). At OAKA it will be tough but he can have double digits
Nenad Krstic 56 credits (+5)
He has the biggest ranking per game in the Top 16 (22,3) and plays excellent also as a power forward. Maccabi doesn’t have plenty of big guys available and he’ll get advantage of it.
Stephane Lasme 50 credits
Panathinaikos will rely on its front line once again. The Gabonese center is in good shape and can have a nice game also vs Olympiacos. Anyway, he has the third best ranking per game in the Top 16 among the big guys.
Viktor Khryapa 42,3 credits
He’s impressive during the last month and he’s still cheap to be member of your team. His game doesn’t rely on the points only, so it’s easy for him to have big scores.