Flip The Switch

Pickups of the week:

Flip Murray: has recently gone on a torrid stretch, scoring over double digits points in the last 8 games. In January, Flip is averaging 14.4 points, 2.6 boards, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 3's on 50% shooting, and 78% FT. Not bad for a guy who's nearly unowned in 98% of basketball leagues. Flip is averaging a season high 26 min per game. Although Horford is out, his inevitable return will not effect Flip's rise in minutes. Coach Mike Woodson has been extremely impressed with Flip's ability to score at will and be Atlanta's 6th man. Mo Evans has done a less than impressive job in the role, and Atlanta clearly lacks the available depth to compete at a high level. Expect Flip's ascension to the 6th man throne to continue, and pick him up in deep leagues (and possibly 14 man under leagues as well).

Mike Conley:
Coach Lionel Hollins has done owners who took a chance and drafted Mike Conley a favor. Hollins has stated he'd like Conley to push the ball on every opportunity, Memphis has a guard heavy style which features a back court of Conley, and Mayo along with athletic small forward Rudy Gay. The opportunity to succeed has always been there for Conley, but Iavaroni was forcing his own play calling upon Conley.

A player such as conley is dependent upon his own play calling ability, and that's what provides him with confidence. Commercial Appeal reported coach Lionel Hollins is fully supporting Mike Conley. "He told me how much freedom I'll have and what he's expecting," Conley said, smiling. "He wants me to put the jets on and push the ball." Hollins has said that the team's style change may not be totally evident Tuesday night when the Nuggets come to Memphis. But Hollins made clear his short-term plans involve the Grizzlies' second-year point guard. Hollins, a former All-Star guard, intends to push Conley and see if the 21-year-old can produce. That means Conley will direct the show with the responsibility of calling sets and making plays without looking over his shoulder.

So let's get down to the stats shall we?

In the 3 games since Hollins has taken over as head coach, Conley is averaging 11.3 points, 3 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1 stl, 1.3 treys with mediocore shooting %'s. Take into account, his 1st game under Hollins, Conley was facing the best point guard defender in the NBA, Billups. In his last 2 games, he's been torrid vs both LA, and OKC. Expect Conley's hot production to continue for the rest of the season, and pat yourself on the back if you held onto him, or snagged him off your fantasy basketball waiver wire quickly enough. It's rare to find point guards who can contribute in every single category, his stats as of late would put him amongst the elite fantasy basketball company of PGs such as Billups, Baron Davis, Calderon, Kidd, and Paul.

Anytime you have a player sitting on the waiver wire with a ceiling as high as Chris Paul, don't waste a second

Spencer Hawes:
Now you may ask yourself, what has Hawes done to be deserving of this accolade?
It's simple, Brad Miller is once again injured, and Kenny Nat isn't far from realizing this is a lost season, and Brad Miller is in no way, shape, or form, able to contribute to a rebuilding team.

Although Reggie Theus's ridiculous firing by the Maloof brothers due to underachievement effected Hawes play, Brad Miller was easily the sole reason for Hawes decline, along with his short stint on the DL with a rib injury.

In the 1st game since Brad Miller's injury, hawes put together a nice line of 13/7/3 and 3 blocks. Hawes has the unique ability to put up Rasheed's 1+ stl, 1+ blocks, 1+ 3 out of the center position when he's getting minutes. Don't let a rebuilding situation and oozing potential sit on your waiver wire, grab him now.

Deep Leagues:

Joey Graham:
Don't look now, but Joey's starting to get minutes. Joey possesses freakish athleticism, and still at the tender age of 26, Toronto needs to develop him at the small forward position. Moon's lack of offensive firepower has opened the door for Graham.

Sam Mitchell barely used Joey Graham regardless of whether he was "Good Joey/Bad Joey" as Raptors fans refer to him. Graham has recently been utilized more in the post, and has been putting the ball on the deck. Although he's still wildly inconsistent, Graham is worth a look in deeper leagues. He has the potential to break out for a stretch of games and help you out in rebounds, FG, FT%, and a few steals to boot.

In garbage time today, Joey posted a line of: 14/12 2 stls, and 1 blk on 50% FG. Keep your eye on him for now, but don't cut any studs for inconsistency. Look for Triano to continue the rebuilding process in Toronto in what is now looking like a lost season for our beloved Raptors.