Fantasy Basketball: Which Brooklyn Nets Players Are Being Overlooked?
Nov 4, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Trevor Booker (35) reacts with Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) after making a shot in the second quarter against Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy sports are becoming more popular than ever. Here’s a look at which Brooklyn Nets players are unfairly underrated in the fantasy basketball world.
In the modern day sports world, many people are fans of two teams – their favorite team, and their fantasy team.
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While fantasy basketball isn’t as popular as fantasy football, it’s surely something that is growing.
For those who don’t know, the biggest stars in real-life basketball also happen to be the biggest stars in fantasy – Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Stephen Curry, LeBron James – the list goes on.
But with that being said, many players that aren’t on the winning teams fall under the radar… like the players on the Brooklyn Nets squad.
Contrary to popular belief, there are actually a handful of Nets players that belong on fantasy teams, but currently are owned way less than they should be. So I’m here to change your tune on that.
Here’s a list of some Nets players that are more valuable than you think, and players who I believe should be owned in more leagues.
Dec 5, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) dribbles the ball while being defended by Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the second half at Barclays Center. The Wizards won 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Kilpatrick (SG)
Current Fantasy Positional Rank: 16th
Current ESPN Ownership: 61.2 percent
What I think that should be: 75 percent
It’s safe to say that Sean Kilpatrick has broken out in real-life basketball and fantasy basketball.
Before this season, Kilpatrick was ranked 66th by ESPN in the SG category, in between Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kobe Bryant (!!!!!!), who obviously retired last season. If that’s not disrespectful, I don’t know what is.
Today, not only is Kilpatrick the 16th ranked shooting guard in terms of fantasy points, but he’s ahead of guys like Jordan Clarkson, Devin Booker, and J.J. Redick – who were all previously ranked inside the top 20.
Kilpatrick has been getting plenty of minutes this season (27.8 per game), which in turn has enabled him to break out in the fantasy realm.
He’s posting 16.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. While the numbers aren’t anything special, they’ve been good enough to turn into an average of a more-than-respectable 14.0 fantasy points per game.
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Yet, not everyone is on the Kilpatrick bandwagon in terms of fantasy. He’s owned in only 61.2 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Based on his role on the Nets thus far, Kilpatrick is definitely someone who should AT LEAST be worth a spot on your fantasy team’s bench, if not the starting lineup. Even with Lin returning, Kilpatrick figures to see plenty of time on the court, and he will always have an opportunity to score in numbers.
Don’t let the fact that Kilpatrick is on the Nets turn you off from him in fantasy. Pick him up.
Dec 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Bojan Bogdanovic (SG)
Current Fantasy Positional Rank: 20th
Current ESPN Ownership: 30.5 percent
What I think that should be: 75 percent
The case for Bojan Bogdanovic is very similar to that of Kilpatrick, but there’s one striking difference: Bogdanovic is only owned in 30.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
Out of all the guys I’m writing about, I’m the most shocked about Bogdanovic’s low-level of ownership. He is a prime example of someone who is not fairly owned based on the fact that he’s not a big name and he plays on a losing team.
A perfect example of this: Bogdanvoic has outscored Devin Booker by 10 fantasy points so far this season. The difference between the two is that Booker is owned in 91.2 percent of leagues. That means that Booker is owned in three-times as many leagues as Bogdanovic, yet has scored less fantasy points than Bogdanovic has.
Further, here’s a list of some other players who are owned more than Bogdanovic, but have less fantasy points: Tyreke Evans (who has yet to play a game this season and won’t until January), J.R. Smith (current SG rank: 70th), Will Barton (current SG rank: 58th), and Kent Bazemore (current SG rank: 44th) – and that’s to only name a few.
Black and white, Bogdanovic is an important piece of the Nets’ offense. He plays 27.8 minutes per game and averages 15.2 points per game as well as 3.3 rebounds per game, good for a solid 12.3 fantasy points per game. However, his three-point shot makes him a high upside player who can erupt on any given night.
At the worst, Bogdanovic makes for a fantasy bench player who could be a solid fill-in for players with injury.
If you’re smart, stash Bogdanovic on your fantasy bench. Having him can’t possibly hurt you.
Dec 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Lin (PG)
Current ESPN Ownership: 61.9 percent
What I think it should be: 95 percent
It seems that fantasy players have forgotten about this guy.
In the six games Jeremy Lin has played this season, he has averaged 16.7 fantasy points per contest, which ranks him 11th out of all the fantasy PG’s.
That’s also more fantasy points per game than Lou Williams, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, and Dennis Schroeder, who are all owned in more than 80 percent of leagues.
Yet, Lin is only owned in 61.9 percent of leagues, behind guys like Elfrid Payton, Darren Collison, and Tim Frazier.
Obviously, this low-percentage ownership is because of Lin’s early season hamstring injury. Now that he’s pretty much healthy, though, I can’t put it any other way: GO PICK UP JEREMY LIN.
As the focal point of the Nets’ offense, Lin is a must-own in almost every fantasy league.
In his six appearances this season, Lin is averaging 14.2 points (which figures to rise), 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Going forward, Lin will be shooting a lot, passing a lot, and stealing a lot – all things that a fantasy owner needs.
Lin could potentially be one of the biggest steals off the waiver wire this week. So do yourself a favor and see if you can pick up Lin. I promise you won’t regret it.
Dec 14, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Brook Lopez (C)
Current Fantasy Positional Rank: 12th
Current ESPN Ownership: 96.2 percent
What I think it should be: 100 percent
Even though Brook Lopez is rightfully owned, I had to include him. Just as Lopez has been a rock for the Nets the past nine years, he’s subsequently been a rock for fantasy teams.
In his nine-season career (excluding the seasons he played less than 20 games due to injury), Lopez has only averaged less than 18.8 points per game ONCE, and that was his rookie year.
Further, in the same span, Lopez has NEVER averaged less than six rebounds per game, and has NEVER averaged less than 1.5 blocks per game.
With those three stats being some of the most important in fantasy basketball, it’s evident that Lopez is as consistent as it gets.
So far, this season is no different. Lopez is currently averaging a team-high 20.1 points, 5.2 rebounds (which has been a struggle point for him), 1.6 blocks per game, and is shooting 45.5 percent from the field.
Lopez is by no means underrated in the fantasy world, as he is owned in 96.2 percent of ESPN Fantasy Basketball Leagues. But this is just reassurance that while Lopez will never be the flashiest pick nor a top-five fantasy center, he will forever be one of the most consistent fantasy players you can get. And for that reason, he should be owned in all leagues.
