FanDuel NBA Daily Picks: Fantasy Basketball Lineup For January 2
Dec 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) spins towards the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng (5) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The exceptional passing of Nikola Jokic has made him an ideal option at the power forward position for any FanDuel NBA roster.
Not many 6-foot-10 players are capable of facilitating an offense like Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
In his second season, Jokic has emerged as one of the most skilled frontcourt passers, dishing out 3.6 assists a game, with a career-high 11 coming Wednesday night during a victory over the Timberwolves.
The 21-year-old out of Serbia is one of just seven players 6-foot-10 or taller averaging more than 3.0 assists per game.
Jokic employs a multitude of ways to create easy looks for teammates, with his exceptional lob passes, ability to generate transition points with his long passes off rebounds, exceptional bounce passes and no-look dishes becoming routine for the Nuggets.
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From anywhere on the court, Jokic is a viable playmaker, as he is adept at passing from the post as he is from the elbows, enabling him to manipulate the defense however he pleases.
Over the past six games, Jokic is averaging 5.8 assists to go along with 18.2 points on 66.7 percent shooting from the field and 8.8 rebounds per game.
The totals resulted in 37.9 FanDuel NBA tournament points a game, 10 more than his average for the year, largely behind his increased production in passing. Jokic is generating 8.5 points per game off his passing, just 0.1 behind starting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay.
Jokic is able to setup a variety of teammates consistently, as five different players are responsible for 0.4 assists per game from the power forward.
Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Wilson Chandler are all shooting 50 percent or better from 3-point range off passes from Jokic.
Nikola Jokic's passing skill for a big man is insane. This man makes passes some guards can't do. ????
— NBA SKITS (@NBA_Skits) January 1, 2017
The month of December was the best of Jokic’s NBA career, as he averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game during the 12 game stretch.
By adding a reliable number of assists to his season averages, Jokic has increased his value in FanDuel NBA leagues by $2,900 in a span of 44 days.
In his latest outing, Jokic scored 14 points in the first quarter, part of a 25-point, seven-rebound, four-assist effort against Philadelphia.
With Denver exploring additional ways to allow Jokic to control its offense, his potential to produce in fantasy basketball is enormous.
Jokic’s stock has nearly doubled for FanDuel NBA rosters in the past 20 games and his ability to create open looks for teammates is rarely seen in a player at his size.
Dec 30, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dunks the ball over Brooklyn Nets center Justin Hamilton (41) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-95. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Point Guards
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Next: Top Four Shooting Guards For Monday
Dec 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Shooting Guards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Small Forwards For Monday
Dec 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Small Forwards
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Next: Top Four Power Forwards For Monday
Dec 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 104-92. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Power Forwards
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Next: Top Four Centers And Final Lineup For Monday
Dec 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Centers
Rationale:
Next: 50 Most Underrated Players In NBA History
Final Lineup
PG John Wall ($9,700)
PG Michael Carter-Williams ($4,100)
SG Rodney Hood ($4,700)
SG Victor Oladipo ($6,000)
SF LeBron James ($9,900)
SF Otto Porter ($5,800)
PF Ryan Andreson ($5,400)
PF Nikola Jokic ($7,200)
C Brook Lopez ($7,000)
