Above the Rim: Waiver Act

The first week of the season is in the books and the Clippers have already packed it in. I still think it is too early to panic over your roster, but there are a few early surprises that deserve a look. I have included a percentage with each player that represents the percentage of owners that have that player currently on their roster on ESPN.com. I have also tried to recommend players that offer a strong fantasy value yet are still available to most of the owners out there.

Travis Outlaw (SF, PF 21.1% owned 13.3 pts, 4 reb, 2.3 ast, 1 stl) is in his 6th NBA season and is only 24 years old. He has increased his PPG each year since being in the league and this year should be no different. His production has been helped by the stress fracture in Martel Webster’s left foot. His multiple positions are also a fantasy plus.

Rudy Fernandez (SG 37.1% owned 14 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.3 ast) is the truth. I have been lucky enough to catch two Portland games this year and Rudy is a younger, more energetic Manu Ginobili. As you can see, Rudy is still available in over 60% of the ESPN leagues, and a smart owner would get on the Rudy wagon before it’s too late. Like Travis Outlaw, Fernandez will benefit in increased minutes as long as Martel Webster remains sidelined.

Raymond Felton (PG 93.4% owned 5.5 pts, 6.5 ast, 0.5 stl) is locked up in most 12 team leagues but Mario Chalmers (PG 42.6% owned 8.7 pts, 6 ast, 2 stl) is still available to over half of the owners out there. It doesn’t look as though Felton is feeling completely comfortable in Larry Brown’s system and we know Larry’s past with other PG’s (ie: Billups, Iverson, Marbury). With that said, Chalmers has looked smooth in Miami and assists should come in bunches as he dishes to Wade and Beasley.

Keleena Azubuike (SG, SF 7.4% owned 13.7 pts, 2.3 ast, 1.0 stl) is a third year pro from Kentucky who has secured his role as the sixth man in Don Nelson’s up-tempo offense. Keleena offers enough ppg to make him viable and his assist and steal numbers are always a bonus. He is owned by barely anyone in ESPN and he provides fantasy owners some flexibility with his multiple positions.

Anthony Carter (PG 6.5% owned 15.0 pts, 4.7 ast, 5 reb, 1.3 stl) won the starting job over J.R. Smith and has produced nicely thus far this season. Carter actually has better numbers than Devin Harris, who is owned in almost 100% of the leagues. I would expect J.R. Smith to work his way back into the starting line-up sometime this season, but Carter is available in almost every league and he would be a nice addition to most rosters.

Two weeks ago, I sang the praises of James Posey (SG, SF 26.8% owned 13 pts, 1.3 ast, 3.7 reb, 1.3 stl) and I am once again going to recommend him to you. He is available in almost 75% of the leagues in ESPN and he is stat filler. Not only is he good for a steal a game, but he averaging over three 3-pointers a game this season and he should see more minutes now that Peja has a bum ankle.

Wilson Chandler (SF 9.9% 14 pts, 6.5 reb) has emerged as an early fantasy sleeper. He showed he could play towards the end of last year and has picked up where he left off. A second year player from Depaul, Wilson should continue to see around 25 minutes a game and is a solid addition to your roster. In the season opener, Wilson had 17 points and 9 rebounds in only 23 minutes of action. I don’t expect that kind of production each night, but it shows the potential he has.

My closing note has to do with Ron Artest. I am already filling out my MVP ballot and Artest is at the top of that list. In the game against Dallas, with the likes of Dirk, Kidd, T-Mac, and Yao on the floor, Ron Artest was clearly the best player in the gym. If he can keep his head in the game, the Rockets have a serious chance of challenging for the West title.

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