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TrillCauleyStein
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TrillCauleyStein
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Recruiting Q&A with Villanova coach Jay Wright
You were an assistant at Villanova under Rollie Massimino in the late 80's and early 90's. How much has changed in recruiting since that time?
It's changed incredibly, because back then there were no limits on how much you could go out and recruit. We were literally recruiting every day, and with Coach Massimino he wanted you out somewhere all the time. When [the NCAA] put limitations on the number of days you could go out, it definitely saved some of our marriages (laughs). But back then it was more the high school coaches, kids coming to your school camp, and there were only a few exposure camps. You could find guys back then the other coaches didn’t know about. Today that’s very difficult to do.
How has the type of player Villanova recruits changed, if at all?
We have come full circle. When I was here with Coach Mass we always looked for and tried to land high-skilled but also high-basketball IQ guys, because we had so many plays, had different defense, and we changed defenses during the game and during the possession. You almost had to be a Rhodes' scholar to play for him. Back then guys were picking the school for basketball and academics, because everyone was in school for four years.
When I went on to Hofstra, we had a lot of New York City kids, and we became successful with those guys and they won a ton of games for us, so I became very comfortable with that when I came back to Villanova.
We then went on to recruit Allan Ray, Curtis Sumpter, Randy Foye and Jason Fraser because toughness and competitiveness was so important when you were going up against the likes of UConn, St. John’s, Georgetown and Syracuse. Especially back in the 2000s, if you weren’t physical, you couldn’t survive. Freedom of movement rules have changed the game.
Though your program has been a fixture in the national conversation for years, some people might forget that it took until your fourth season at Villanova (2004-05) to reach the NCAA tournament. Looking back, was there one recruit or one class who you think represented the turning point for your program?
Definitely. We got the job late in the spring of 2001 and we made the decision that we weren’t just going to go pout, and take anyone to fill a roster. I had confidence that we had a patient administration, and we were fortunate that Steve Lappas left us a pretty good team to coach. Steve did sign some [incoming freshmen] but they did not fit our program, and we told them they could still come on scholarship and earn playing time, but I did not see that happening.
So our philosophy was to spend all of our time on the next class -- Randy Foye, Allan Ray, Curtis Sumpter, Jason Fraser and Baker Dunleavy. And we told those five guys we were going to build this program with them -- we knew about all of those guys from our days at Hofstra. They took a leap of faith. They turned it into a winning program -- we just honored those guys as 2006 Big East champions, and an Elite 8 team. We struggled with those guys early but they finished strong, and that was the plan. The recruiting class was ranked as high as No. 2, and Jason Fraser was the highest-rated recruit but he had seven surgeries and he never had a chance to fully develop. Sumpter was tabbed player of the year from New York City coming out of high school, and Allan Ray was highly rated. Both had great careers, but Randy Foye had the longest NBA career. Foye didn’t attend the big camps or travel much outside of Northeast [as a recruit].
When the Big East split, there may have been some who questioned whether Villanova or the 'new Big East' schools could continue to recruit the type of players needed to compete for national titles. Did you ever question the implications of conference realignment for your program?
I probably was in the biggest panic, along with John Thompson III, because we had come up through the glory days of the Big East. John watched his dad all through the years, and me with Rollie Massimino, I watched the league's growth to 16 teams in 2005, and that was scary but we made it through. In 2011, with 11 teams in the NCAA tournament we were rolling and then, bam! It all changed, and I was in a panic. Now, I was wrong. I am amazed at who we are able to get involved with and actually get. The FOX [television] deal allows every recruit to see us, which is huge. They know who we are.
Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu are two former ESPN 100 players who have been at Villanova all four years and have a chance to do something historic. What do you remember about those two players as recruits, and what have you learned about them over their four years on the Main Line?
What’s interesting is those two were high-level recruits that [still] did not get the hype I thought they deserved. Ochefu went to a small private school [Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania] and did not get media attention, but college coaches knew about him and most big-time programs wanted him. Now Westtown has a bunch of talent and is a well-known school. Ryan was in line to be a McDonald’s all-American -- I remember how Florida and Billy Donovan wanted him bad -- but he hurt his back the summer before his senior year so that took him out of the spotlight. We lucked out, because we landed two high-level kids who started from Day 1. Others were surprised [at their talent], but we weren’t.
After four years with them, I've learned they are two of the greatest competitors that I have ever been around -- not just coached. Ochefu is the greatest competitor from the forward spot that I've ever coached, and Arch is on a level of competitiveness with [NBA all-star guard and former Wildcat] Kyle Lowry. When Lowry comes back in the summer and plays against Arch, it is a legitimate bloodbath of great respect. It’s no love, no fun and games. Both are outrageous competitors.
Another thing I learned about Arch that I have known, but saw again the other day on senior night, I never had a player so proud to wear a Villanova uniform from Day 1. His parents went to Villanova. He grew up watching Villanova, watching Randy Foye and Allan Ray, It’s like a kid growing up and in North Carolina and watching Michael Jordan. He puts on that Villanova uniform with such great respect, and it taught me to value that in my evaluation of players. I noticed that pride over the years, and it help shape our recruiting efforts. In fact, there are guys in our program now because of what I learned and witnessed firsthand from Ryan. I want to have guys that feel fortunate to be here, as opposed to the guy who feels that you are fortunate that he is there.
What two traits do you value most in the evaluation process?
Competitiveness, because we have to know if a kid loves to compete. Regardless of the score of the game, we want to see if a prospect is going to compete the whole game. The other is respect.
We look at how a kid respects his coaches, teachers, teammates and all people. What do they say about their coaches? Is it positive or negative? Do they get fired up when their teammates do something well?
What rule in recruiting would you change today, if any?
I think we are going in a good direction with our rule changes, because there is so much information on the recruiting process it’s getting to be like free agency in a positive way. Recruits can find out who is in your program, who the NBA likes, who we are recruiting, almost everyone is on some kind of TV -- they don’t have to rely on the schools and coaches for the information. Players and families are much more informed. There are less surprises.
I have also had an issue with summer recruiting, because the kids are so tired by the end of July. I like the idea of making August a complete dead period, for the good of the game and recruiting.
When you recruit prospects who are one-and-done types and are also considering the blue bloods of college basketball, what is your message?
That they are great programs and coaches. Right now, you should know if you are a true one-and-done before you commit to go there, because you have the proper information and those guys [head coaches of traditional blue-blood programs] know if you are a one-and-done because they deal with this on a regular basis. If you are not sure that you are a lock one-and-done, and you want to develop into a pro -- because we both know you have the potential and really care about your education -- then we are the spot.
Again, if you are a lock for the draft you should go to one of those schools because they are great at putting you on that track. I would never turn away a one-and-done but the truth is when you come here, it’s a complete buy-in. When you go against those schools you know what the kid's plans are, and I respect that plan -- for the right prospects .
When a recruit and his family take the time to learn about our program, someone who has aspirations to be a long-time professional player and finish their education as well as be a part of our program off the court [is a fit here]. I want them to be pros, but if they think there is another avenue to get them where they want to be, they should take it.
Darrun Hilliard (currently with the Pistons), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), Randy Foye (Thunder) all believed, and it worked.
TrillCauleyStein
Banned
Trend Watch: Kyle Korver's renewed shooting success
Fantasy: Joe Johnson's value on seven potential suitors
Fantasy cheat sheet: Joe Johnson's impact
hook it up breh..Im a fantasy player
@Skooby
Fantasy: Joe Johnson's value on seven potential suitors
Fantasy cheat sheet: Joe Johnson's impact
hook it up breh..Im a fantasy player
@Skooby
Fantasy basketball cheat sheet: Joe Johnson's impact
Welcome back to another edition of the Insider cheat sheet, our weekly roundup of valuable fantasy basketball information taken from ESPN's group of NBA Insiders.
Every Friday throughout the season we'll provide a rundown of the most crucial bits of intel. You'll gain guidance from some of the biggest names in the game -- Amin Elhassan, Tom Haberstroh, Kevin Pelton, David Thorpe, Bradford Doolittle and others -- to take your fantasy teams to the next level.
Here's what our experts are saying about the week ahead.
Joe Johnson's impact
The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and the same can be said for the ability to trade for players in ESPN Fantasy leagues. But that doesn't mean you still can't find valuable pieces for the stretch run on the waiver wire. One major example is veteran wing Joe Johnson (available in 52 percent of leagues), who had his contract bought out by the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. He'll be able to sign with another team -- like a contender -- after he clears waivers Saturday afternoon.
According to ESPN NBA reporter Marc Stein, the contenders for his services are Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, Oklahoma City and Toronto. Both ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton and ESPN Fantasy writer Joe Kaiser looked at Johnson's top suitors, and both see the Cavaliers as a strong fit. Here's what both had to say about his potential impact with LeBron James & Co.
Editor's note: Sources tell ESPN's Zach Lowe that Johnson is expected to sign with the Heat this weekend.
The Heat expect to sign Joe Johnson today or this weekend, sources say.
- Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 26, 2016
Kaiser: "Even though they already have an assortment of 3-point threats, from LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith, they realize they need all the firepower possible to keep up with the best teams out West like Golden State, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers. Adding Johnson would help in that respect, even if it means taking away minutes from the likes of Smith, Iman Shumpert and Richard Jefferson. Johnson's arrival would also take away some points and assists from not just James, but also Love and Irving."
Pelton: "Miami can certainly use Johnson's shooting. The Heat rank 28th in 3-pointers this season, ahead of only the lottery-bound Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves, and their 32.1 percent accuracy is the league's worst.
"More specifically, Johnson will probably assume the role played by Gerald Green. A 36.2 percent career 3-point shooter, Green has made just 31.6 percent of his attempts this season and is an unreliable defender, yet he still has averaged 25.9 minutes per game (up to 27.2 since the All-Star break) because coach Erik Spoelstra had no reasonable alternative to provide spacing."
I'm always a fan of taking a chance on a player after changing teams, especially if said player has the ability to pick his destination. This is particularly true if Johnson goes to Cleveland. Fantasy owners in more than half of leagues can snag him now if they act fast. Though he doesn't score a ton, and will be on a more talented team, I could see his long-range shooting revert closer to what it once was in his prime due to James, Irving, etc. opening up the court. He didn't have that luxury in Brooklyn, where opponents focused on him. I would either pounce on Johnson now or give it a few games to see what type of minutes coach Tyronn Lue is thinking for him.
Korver's regained shooting touch
To some degree, this has been a disappointing season for Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver. After three straight seasons of averaging double-digit scoring, he's currently at just 9.4 PPG and posting some of the lowest shooting numbers of his career: 43 percent from the field and only 38.8 percent from 3-point range. For someone of his caliber, this is unacceptable.
However, times may be changing.
Korver has shot 21-of-44 from the perimeter (47.7 percent) and posted a true shooting percentage of .649 in the month of February. Are these numbers sustainable or will it revert back to what he was doing from earlier in the season? ESPN Fantasy writer Bradford Doolittle says you shouldn't count on it.
"Clearly, Korver is a player at his best in a high-functioning offense," Doolittle says. "It was no coincidence that his best season (2014-15) happened when the Hawks became the Eastern Conference version of the Spurs. That Hawks attack has crash-landed. While it's heartening to see Korver making more of the looks he gets lately, overall things seem to be getting worse for Atlanta, not better. As the team goes, so shall it go for Korver."
As much as I'd like to advise adding Korver for fantasy purposes, I have to agree with Bradford. The Hawks' offense is not clicking in the way it what was a season ago, and their 3-point specialist's numbers have paid a price. I trust the full season statistics over what has happened in the past month. Add him only if truly desperate for 3-point shooting.
Long-term thinking
Let's face it. Some of our fantasy teams aren't going to make the playoffs. Supposed stars didn't live up to expectations for whatever reason and high-risk, high-reward players, well, didn't provide rewards. As a result, it's time to look forward to future seasons.
Two articles on ESPN.com can help you in this regard. First, let's analyze two free agents who could either blow up or see numbers decline if they leave their current teams during the offseason: Hassan Whiteside and Harrison Barnes. Both are players that ESPN NBA writer Tom Haberstroh and Pelton want us to monitor this offseason.
Haberstroh: "Is he Hassan Wilt-side, as some Heat fans call him? Or is he the next JaVale McGee, whose big-time stats turned out to be empty calories? I'm still not sure where he falls on that spectrum, but putting up 25 points and 23 rebounds off the bench in his first game back from suspension crystallizes the wide range of possibilities."
Pelton: "Harrison Barnes' future with the Golden State Warriors. Are the Warriors willing to match a max offer to Barnes? Would they risk breaking up a team threatening to post the greatest season of all time? Could he be expendable in the pursuit of Durant? There's a lot going on here, with historic stakes."
Barnes definitely intrigues me if he goes to a different team (perhaps if Durant joins Golden State?) considering his workload is bound to increase. He won't have to take a backseat in usage rate to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, etc. In dynasty formats, he could be a strong stash-and-see candidate.
Also worth watching are the top two draft prospects heading into the NBA draft. Obviously you can't pick these players now, but keep an eye on their development.
Ben Simmons
LSU
Freshman
Forward
"To me, the biggest opportunity for offenses in the game today is when a guard gets trapped on the pick-and-roll and throws to the screener, who then has to make a play with a man advantage (there are four offensive players involved and just three defenders). When executed properly, this tends to lead to dunks and wide-open corner 3s," says Pelton.
Nobody is better at this than Green. Well, guess who Simmons' best comparison is via SCHOENE? Draymond Green, and nobody else is particularly close."
Brandon Ingram
Duke
Freshman
Forward
"Intriguingly, SCHOENE now favors another Milwaukee wing: Khris Middleton. Ingram is much bigger than Middleton, but I remember how much Middleton reminded me of Durant when I first saw him play in college. And a 'rich man's Middleton' is probably fairer to Ingram as a comparison than players as good as Durant and George."
Trend Watch: Kyle Korver's renewed shooting success
As usual, let's look at three players that look a little different than what we thought they'd be and ask: Is this sustainable? Or, if the pattern is bad: Is this reversible?
Atlanta Hawks
What's up?
As the once high-powered Atlanta offense has continued to sputter, Korver keeps popping up on most-dropped lists even though he's having his best shooting month.
Why is this happening?
After two uncharacteristic months, it seemed only a matter of time before Korver's shooting would regress to career levels. Indeed, it has. Korver has hit 21-of-44 from deep in February (47.7 percent) and posted a true shooting percentage of .649. That's more in line with his late-career-breakout numbers of the past two seasons. Nevertheless, Korver's scoring average this month (10.6) is still below his averages of the three previous seasons and his 2015-16 PPG remains in single digits.
Is this a thing?
Korver continues to play big minutes but the looks just haven't been there. Teams have really focused on running him off the 3-point line. As a result, he's done more damage inside the arc on jumpers. This is a crucial hit to the efficiency of a low-volume player like Korver. He's also not getting to the line as much. Part of that might be due to physical issues earlier this season, but more and more it's because of Atlanta's struggles at the team level. Korver has long been one of the best free throw shooters in the league and an ace when it comes to closing out wins with game-icing foul shots. But Atlanta hasn't been ahead late in games much during the past few weeks. As a result, Korver has taken just five free throws during the entire month of February.
Verdict?
Clearly, Korver is a player at his best in a high-functioning offense. It was no coincidence that his best season (2014-15) happened when the Hawks became the Eastern Conference version of the Spurs. That Hawks attack has crash landed. While it's heartening to see Korver making more of the looks he gets lately, overall things seem to be getting worse for Atlanta, not better. As the team goes, so shall it go for Korver.
Milwaukee Bucks
What's up?
We might not yet want to declare that the Greek Freak has made the Greek Leap, but let's just say that Olympus is rumbling. Antetokounmpo is averaging 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in February, while getting to the line six times per game and shooting 49.1 percent from the floor. According to basketball-reference.com, his average game score (15.2) places him 35th of the 410 players to see action this month.
Why is this happening?
Antekounmpo's minutes have increased each month this season, but that only partially explains his increased production. And on a per-minute basis, he's not really getting more touches. It's the nature of those touches that has evolved. According to SportVu data from NBA.com, Antetokounmpo's average time of possession per touch during the 2015 portion of this season was 2.38 seconds. Since the calendar flipped, that figure has gone to 2.68.
That's significant, because it reflects new responsibilities for Antetokounmpo within Milwaukee's offense. He hasn't become a ball-stopper by any means, but he has been asked to become more of a playmaker with point guard New York Knicks
What's up?
Lopez's missing numbers have been found. After averaging 8.8 points and 6.0 rebounds through January, Lopez has put up 14.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in February.
Why is this happening?
With a season-high 31.1 minutes per game this month, Lopez is playing more. That always helps. During those minutes, his usage rate (18.6 percent) is only marginally higher than the 17.5 percent figure he has for the season. But his efficiency has gone off the charts: His true shooting percentage through Jan. 31 was .556. In February, it's at .666. All this has pushed his averages from all-but-unplayable in fantasyland, to solid for his position.
Is this a thing?
One vote for sustainability lies in the fact that in five games under interim Knicks coach Kurt Rambis, Lopez has averaged 15 points and 10 boards in 29 minutes per night, all while shooting 67.3 percent from the field. A vote against it is that during Lopez's nine-game "breakout," the Knicks have won just once.
That said, let's focus on the rebounding part of this equation. Through January, he was averaging an even six rebounds -- 2.6 on offense, and 3.4 on defense. During February, he's up to the aforementioned 10.6 rebounds, with a split of 5.1 on offense and 5.4 on defense. (Blame rounding for the fact that doesn't add up to 10.6.) The improvement on the defensive end is important because that's been a sore point for Lopez, who has always been better at blocking out for others than clearing the glass himself. Great for his teams, but not so much for gamers. Kristaps Porzingis has seen a dip in defensive rebounding, and it appears Lopez has been there to soak up the difference.
The difference in offensive rebounding is stark. Lopez has all but set aside his high-post game and stayed around the hoop as a post presence and to attack the glass. The Knicks' shooting has been at season levels, so that doesn't explain. The extra offensive rebounds give Lopez extra looks at the hoop, and he's converted them at a very high (and possibly unsustainable) level of efficiency.
Verdict?
Color me skeptical. The fly in this particular ointment is that during Lopez's rise, the Knicks have the 27th-ranked net efficiency in the league. While Lopez can't be blamed for this stumble, precipitated mainly by disappearing defensive effort at the team level, he's been a part of it. Rambis is coaching for his job and so everyone's role, save for Carmelo Anthony, is subject to change. Indeed, in New York's loss to Indiana on Wednesday, Lopez took just three shots in 25 minutes.
As usual, let's look at three players that look a little different than what we thought they'd be and ask: Is this sustainable? Or, if the pattern is bad: Is this reversible?
Atlanta Hawks
What's up?
As the once high-powered Atlanta offense has continued to sputter, Korver keeps popping up on most-dropped lists even though he's having his best shooting month.
Why is this happening?
After two uncharacteristic months, it seemed only a matter of time before Korver's shooting would regress to career levels. Indeed, it has. Korver has hit 21-of-44 from deep in February (47.7 percent) and posted a true shooting percentage of .649. That's more in line with his late-career-breakout numbers of the past two seasons. Nevertheless, Korver's scoring average this month (10.6) is still below his averages of the three previous seasons and his 2015-16 PPG remains in single digits.
Is this a thing?
Korver continues to play big minutes but the looks just haven't been there. Teams have really focused on running him off the 3-point line. As a result, he's done more damage inside the arc on jumpers. This is a crucial hit to the efficiency of a low-volume player like Korver. He's also not getting to the line as much. Part of that might be due to physical issues earlier this season, but more and more it's because of Atlanta's struggles at the team level. Korver has long been one of the best free throw shooters in the league and an ace when it comes to closing out wins with game-icing foul shots. But Atlanta hasn't been ahead late in games much during the past few weeks. As a result, Korver has taken just five free throws during the entire month of February.
Verdict?
Clearly, Korver is a player at his best in a high-functioning offense. It was no coincidence that his best season (2014-15) happened when the Hawks became the Eastern Conference version of the Spurs. That Hawks attack has crash landed. While it's heartening to see Korver making more of the looks he gets lately, overall things seem to be getting worse for Atlanta, not better. As the team goes, so shall it go for Korver.
Milwaukee Bucks
What's up?
We might not yet want to declare that the Greek Freak has made the Greek Leap, but let's just say that Olympus is rumbling. Antetokounmpo is averaging 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in February, while getting to the line six times per game and shooting 49.1 percent from the floor. According to basketball-reference.com, his average game score (15.2) places him 35th of the 410 players to see action this month.
Why is this happening?
Antekounmpo's minutes have increased each month this season, but that only partially explains his increased production. And on a per-minute basis, he's not really getting more touches. It's the nature of those touches that has evolved. According to SportVu data from NBA.com, Antetokounmpo's average time of possession per touch during the 2015 portion of this season was 2.38 seconds. Since the calendar flipped, that figure has gone to 2.68.
That's significant, because it reflects new responsibilities for Antetokounmpo within Milwaukee's offense. He hasn't become a ball-stopper by any means, but he has been asked to become more of a playmaker with point guard New York Knicks
What's up?
Lopez's missing numbers have been found. After averaging 8.8 points and 6.0 rebounds through January, Lopez has put up 14.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in February.
Why is this happening?
With a season-high 31.1 minutes per game this month, Lopez is playing more. That always helps. During those minutes, his usage rate (18.6 percent) is only marginally higher than the 17.5 percent figure he has for the season. But his efficiency has gone off the charts: His true shooting percentage through Jan. 31 was .556. In February, it's at .666. All this has pushed his averages from all-but-unplayable in fantasyland, to solid for his position.
Is this a thing?
One vote for sustainability lies in the fact that in five games under interim Knicks coach Kurt Rambis, Lopez has averaged 15 points and 10 boards in 29 minutes per night, all while shooting 67.3 percent from the field. A vote against it is that during Lopez's nine-game "breakout," the Knicks have won just once.
That said, let's focus on the rebounding part of this equation. Through January, he was averaging an even six rebounds -- 2.6 on offense, and 3.4 on defense. During February, he's up to the aforementioned 10.6 rebounds, with a split of 5.1 on offense and 5.4 on defense. (Blame rounding for the fact that doesn't add up to 10.6.) The improvement on the defensive end is important because that's been a sore point for Lopez, who has always been better at blocking out for others than clearing the glass himself. Great for his teams, but not so much for gamers. Kristaps Porzingis has seen a dip in defensive rebounding, and it appears Lopez has been there to soak up the difference.
The difference in offensive rebounding is stark. Lopez has all but set aside his high-post game and stayed around the hoop as a post presence and to attack the glass. The Knicks' shooting has been at season levels, so that doesn't explain. The extra offensive rebounds give Lopez extra looks at the hoop, and he's converted them at a very high (and possibly unsustainable) level of efficiency.
Verdict?
Color me skeptical. The fly in this particular ointment is that during Lopez's rise, the Knicks have the 27th-ranked net efficiency in the league. While Lopez can't be blamed for this stumble, precipitated mainly by disappearing defensive effort at the team level, he's been a part of it. Rambis is coaching for his job and so everyone's role, save for Carmelo Anthony, is subject to change. Indeed, in New York's loss to Indiana on Wednesday, Lopez took just three shots in 25 minutes.
TrillCauleyStein
Banned
Can you hook it up with some college one's also please?
How Shaka Smart found instant success at Texas
Lange: Weekend's best college hoops bets
Gasaway: Is this crazy season an outlier?
@Skooby
How Shaka Smart found instant success at Texas
Lange: Weekend's best college hoops bets
Gasaway: Is this crazy season an outlier?
@Skooby
Jonathan Lewis
Lewis played sparingly as a backup during his true freshman season in 2002. As a sophomore in 2003, he had 69 tackles, including seven tackles for losses. As a junior in 2004, he was an honorable mention all-ACC honoree that finished with 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. Lewis earned second-team all-ACC honors as a senior in 2005, when he finished with 38 tackles, 7.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks to go along with his 19 QB hurries. Lewis is on the shorter side and he lacks adequate lower body strength. He is not capable of consistently holding his ground as a head-up defensive tackle and he will not be a good fit in a two-gap scheme in the NFL. However, Lewis does have great value for those teams in search of a one-gap penetrating defensive tackle. Lewis is a quick, active and athletic defensive tackle prospect with good penetrating skills and overall range as a run defender. He can also occasionally be disruptive as an interior pass rusher. Lewis is coming off his best season as a senior, which gives him good momentum heading into the draft. Still, we would not recommend drafting him any higher than the fourth round.
Antonio Cromartie
Cromartie played in all 13 games as a sub-package cornerback and on special teams as a true freshman in 2003. He played in all 12 games as a sophomore in 2004, finishing with 22 tackles and four interceptions. He also played some wide receiver and averaged 22.9 yards on 19 kickoff returns that season. Cromartie tore ligaments in his left knee during offseason workouts and was forced to sit out the entire 2005 season. Instead of returning to Florida State for his final season of eligibility, Cromartie elected to make the NFL leap after missing the entire 2005 season with a knee injury. While he is still one of the true enigmas in the 2006 class, Cromartie's showing at the combine at least helped to verify his health and impressive combination of size, speed and athletic ability. Not only did he pass his physicals and look smooth during coverage drills, Cromartie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and also led all defensive backs with an 11-foot broad jump. We would still be reluctant to spend first round money on him, Cromartie will be worth the risk in Round 2.
TrillCauleyStein
Banned
Daily fantasy basketball: Spend on PGs
Each day, we'll provide you with the players to target in your daily leagues, from the high-priced studs to the solid midrange values to the cheaper, riskier players with upside.
In general, you want to use safer options in your cash games and rely on some riskier, high-upside options in your bigger tournaments. If you can average at least five points per $1,000 of salary, you'll typically end up with at least some cash in your pocket.
Sunday's unique schedule has both FanDuel and DraftKings offering split slates, with some smaller tournaments and cash competitions beginning at 1 p.m. Given the fractured nature of the slate and the fact the major tournaments and bigger 50-50 pools on both platforms are set to begin at 6 p.m. today, we're focusing exclusively on that main, evening slate.
Just as a fun note about last night's epic in Oklahoma City: Stephen Curry trails the Minnesota Timberwolves by just nine made 3-pointers on the season and has played four fewer games.
Note: We're sending out these Insider tips early in the day, and a lot can change after these are posted. Be sure to follow this Twitter list of NBA reporters, bloggers and announcers for late-breaking injury updates and lineup changes.
Point guard
High-priced studs
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (DraftKings: $9,600, FanDuel: $9,400) @ IND: The Pacers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points on DraftKings' scoring key to opposing point guards. Lillard, meanwhile, has averaged 33.8 points, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals over his past five outings, which hovers around 50 fantasy points per game on both scoring models. With this game in Indy claiming the second-highest implied total of the night and the best combined pace on the bill, I'm building around and paying up for Lillard in both cash and tournaments. For those sweating the back-to-back angle, it's nice to know Lillard averages more points and shots attempted on zero days rest than one, two or three days off.
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors (DraftKings: $8,600, FanDuel: $9,000) @ DET: This might have been Lowry's weekend if not for that Curry character, as his epic showing versus the Cavs put the conference on notice that there are two legit contenders in the East. We don't expect Lowry to go 15-for-20 from the field again, or possibly ever, but we do like him as a staple in cash games -- as he hits value at a nearly incomparable rate among the high-dollar players. Despite a sizable gap in pricing -- particularly on DraftKings -- it's noteworthy that just a few points in median and ceiling projections separate Lowry and Lillard.
Solid values
Goran Dragic, Miami Heat (DraftKings: $6,400, FanDuel: $6,300) @ NY:Dwyane Wade essentially disappears on zero days rest, shooting just 37 percent from the field with ugly ancillary numbers. Dragic, however, enjoys his highest scoring average and most efficient 3-point production in such scenarios this season. The Knicks patchwork depth chart at point guard and Dragic's strong play since the All-Star break – he's averaging 39.1 fantasy points on DraftKings over the past five games – position him as one of the strongest mid-tier point guards today. As Martenzie Johnson pointed out in today's tipoff, Minnesota's Ricky Rubio also struggles on zero days rest, so Dragic really stands out in this pricing tier.
Cheap with upside
Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic (DraftKings: $4,800, FanDuel: $5,200) vs. PHI: Recency bias might be on our side here, as Payton played poorly in Philly earlier this week but has posted his second- and 10th-highest fantasy scores on DraftKings this season in two meetings with the Sixers earlier this season, averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 assists in those two strong showings. The price is reasonable, while the ownership should be low. If Toronto's DeMar DeRozan were to sit tonight, combo guard Cory Joseph also becomes a really strong value play.
Shooting guard
Solid values
C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers (DraftKings: $7,500, FanDuel: $7,500) @ IND: Back in early December, McCollum produced a 20-point, five-assist, five-rebound outing versus the Pacers, a group that ranks 20th on the season in fantasy points allowed to shooting guards on DraftKings. Given these inviting metrics, I'm building around McCollum when paying up at shooting guard. DeRozan (DraftKings: $7,300, FanDuel: $7,700) also profiles as a stable cash option, given a strong recent history versus the Pistons (37.9 fantasy PPG in two meetings this season with Detroit), but keep an eye on his status as we approach tip, as he's listed as questionable after missing much of Friday's tilt with Cleveland due to a lingering illness.
Victor Oladipo (DraftKings: $7,100, FanDuel: $6,800) and Evan Fournier (DraftKings: $6,000, FanDuel: $5,400), Orlando Magic vs. PHI: Oladipo has averaged 33.9 fantasy points on DraftKings versus the Sixers this season, while Fournier is playing heavy minutes with reasonable pricing in the wake of Tobias Harris getting traded. Stacking versus this feeble Philly defense could be a wise contrarian play today.
Cheap with upside
Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves (DraftKings: $5,300, FanDuel: $4,900) @ DAL: The Timberwolves are on the second leg of a back-to-back, which means we will want to fade Rubio and instead load up on Lavine, as the second-year combo guard averages more minutes, shots, points and fantasy points on zero days rest than in in any other scenario save for six days off. Which is to say, there is a real need for Lavine to step up his usage and production with Rubio conversely struggling in such situations. Only six teams cede more fantasy PPG to shooting guards than the Mavs, with Lavine poised to hit five-times his value today. On the other side of the ball we also like Raymond Felton at a discount from Lavine. While Lavine's floor for minutes and shots are likely higher, Felton can produce busier box scores and isn't as reliant on his shot falling.
Small forward
High-priced studs
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks (DraftKings: $8,400, FanDuel: $9,000) vs. MIA: The Pacers' Paul George (DraftKings: $8,700, FanDuel: $9,000) has a higher ceiling than Melo, but given the Blazers' success in guarding opposing wings -- they allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points to small forwards and held George to 23.5 percent from the field in early December -- I'm siding with Anthony in cash games. Both are viable tournament options, but the Heat have struggled versus wings all season and are on the second leg of a back-to-back, setting up a rested Melo for a strong showing.
Solid values
Luol Deng, Miami Heat (DraftKings: $6,400, FanDuel: $6,000) @ NY: Since the break, Deng has averaged 16.2 points, 12 boards, 1.4 steals and 41.8 fantasy points (DraftKings). Even as his price has risen, his rich board rates with Chris Bosh sidelined andHassan Whiteside struggling on back-to-backs drives value today. For nearly identical pricing across both formats, the Pistons' Tobias Harris claims a higher offensive ceiling than Deng, thus some tournament exposure makes sense compared to Deng's cash-friendly profile.
There really aren’t any viable punt plays to consider at the wing, so paying for this mid-level tier appears appropriate for those pivoting from George and Anthony.
Power forward
Solid values
Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves (DraftKings: $6,800, $6,500) @ DAL: With Zaza Pachulia slowing down after months of overexposure, the Mavericks' are now one of the softest teams on the glass in the league. Dallas ranks 29th in rebounding percentage in February, setting up Dieng with the highest floor and ceiling projections at the position tonight.
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic (DraftKings: $6,700, FanDuel: $6,300): Speaking of weak rebounding teams, the Sixers are last in the league in rebounding percentage this month, meaning Gordon, who has averaged 12.8 points and 9.8 rebounds over the past five games, is another power forward with a bankable floor. Gordon's price is ideal for meeting value in cash games, as he's regularly delivering in the 35-point range on both platforms. For some tournament upside, Philly's Nerlens Noel should be a low-owned commodity with one of the stronger ceiling projections at the position.
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (DraftKings: $6,500, FanDuel: $7,000) vs. MIN: The Wolves struggle to contain stretch forwards, something we saw unfold last night with the Pelicans' Ryan Anderson going off. Nowitzki posted his sixth-highest fantasy outing this season versus the Wolves back in early January. With guys like Gordon and even Myles Turner of the Pacers offering lower offensive ceilings, building around Dirk is a nice contrarian angle to pursue.
Cheap with upside
David Lee, Dallas Mavericks (DraftKings: $3,500, FanDuel: $4,300) vs. MIN: Lee benefited from the team going small this past Friday, something that simply might not occur with Minnesota's strong front line in town. That said, Pachulia is really hitting a wall and this price point is so low that meeting cost for Lee only requires maybe 20 minutes of exposure. As you can see, usage on DraftKings is more palatable, given the pricing gap.
Center
High-priced studs
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves (DraftKings: $8,500, FanDuel: $8,900) @ DAL: The Mavericks simply don't have anyone capable of slowing down this superb rookie. As noted in today's tipoff, KAT is averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks over his past 10 games. Meeting value would mean Towns needs to deliver 42.5 fantasy points on DraftKings, while my projection sits right around 45 points on both scoring keys, with a ceiling outcome about 20 points higher. Tournament shares of Hassan Whiteside and Andre Drummond almost always make sense given their respective 20-20 potential, but I'm building around Towns in cash without question.
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic (DraftKings: $7,900, FanDuel: $8,200) vs. PHI: We only have to reference this former Sixers' 35-point, nine board and four-assists performance against Philly earlier this week as evidence for Vucevic's awesome setup today. If you are seeking savings and differentiation from Towns, this is your guy.
Cheap with upside
Mason Plumlee, Portland Trail Blazers (DraftKings: $5,000, FanDuel: $5,300) @ IND: I like both Plumlee and Ian Mahinmi to meet cost today in a direct matchup. While the Pacers have proven somewhat stingy to opposing bigs, Plumlee's price point and steady minutes (26.2 per over the past five games) drive value. Conversely, the Blazers rank 21st in DraftKings against opposing centers, with Mahinmi well positioned to hit five times his value tonight.
TrillCauleyStein
Banned
TrillCauleyStein
Banned
