FIVE GUYS (B-Ball Style)

I will try to update these weekly with fresh ideas. Fantasy basketball is the toughest game because a player?s value coincides with his role on the team. Roles rarely change based on they player?s ability, but more due to injuries and relying on other players to perform terribly. If you don?t believe me, ask Anthony Randolph owners. So, here are five guys to watch this week that are owned in less than half of all Yahoo leagues and you can thank me later when you?re hoisting your fantasy trophy at the end of the season. If you?re into that sort of thing.

1) Ersan Ilyasova (PF - Mil - 49%) - Ilyasova's 49% ownership level is a shock. If Andrea Bargnani is Dirk-Lite, then Ilyasova is Dirk Zero. He's not as good as Bargnani, but for a guy who you can pick up for absolutely free in half of the leagues, that is not a bad prospect (remember, Bargnani was going in the 5-6 round range this year). You can expect about 28-32 minutes, 14-16 points, 8 rebounds and a three or two while not hurting you in any category. If you don't have a player you can drop for him, then kudos on your stacked team.

2) CJ Watson (G - GS - 14%) - Watson is receiving plenty of playing time, though that might be tamed down as Golden State returns to full health. In the meantime, he has averaged 30+ minutes per game for the last six games. He has averaged 14.8 pts., 4 reb., 2.8 ast., 9/22 3-FG and 2.33 steals in that time.

3) Dahntay Jones (SG,SF - Ind - 42%) - He showed a lot during last year's playoffs as a defensive force, but on an explosive offensive team like Denver, his role was limited. In Indiana, they need all the help they can get. He has, basically, double all of his previous career highs and is averaging 15.5 ppg, a steal, a block and has very good percentages. With the status of Granger unknown yet, his role will be increased.

4) Will Bynum (G - Det - 33%) - Before rolling his ankle, Bynum was on a roll. Maybe that's why he got hurt? Anyway, if you take out the game he got hurt in, he was averaging 12 pts. and 5.2 ast. He is a very up and down player, so keep an eye on him when he goes on a hot streak.

5) Omri Casspi (F - Sac - 5%) - Casspi has averaged double figures in 8 out of his last 9 games as he?s receiving around 28-30 minutes per game. He hits threes, rebounds pretty well, but doesn't help much in other categories at the moment. He?s not a starter on fantasy teams yet, but if you wanted to wait on him, I couldn't blame you.

FIVE GUYS

With the fantasy playoffs looming or starting in most leagues, now would be a good time to make-over your team. If you have still have Sammy Morris or Larry Johnson in your line-up, then you really need to read this and thank me later. Below are players who are owned in 50% of Yahoo leagues and could start or provide insurance for your team. Oh, how impolite of me, you are VERY welcome.

1) Alex Smith (QB - owned in 37% of Yahoo leagues) - There comes a time in life when you need to forgive and forget. If you own Matt Schaub, Carson Palmer or Donovan McNabb, then Smith would be a great insurance policy to have. In the case of owners of Joe Flacco, Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez, now would be a good time to take the Vanessa Bryant approach. He hasn't treated me well, but damn that ring is huge. Smith, in his last three games, has thrown for 769 yards, 7 TDs and only one pick. That 19.25 points per game average is fantasy's equivalent of that huge rock.

2) Kenny Britt (WR - 29%) - I was going to make a corny joke about Rock Cartwright, but I just found out he wasn't starting. Sometimes life just hands you lemons. Anyway, with 25 targets, 14 catches, 216 yards and 3 TDs in his last three games, Britt has become a favorite target for Vince Young. With receivers, you want targets and if you are getting more than 8 a game, you have a good chance to score a lot of points. 12.53 points per game in his last three is nothing to laugh about.

3) Jason Campbell (QB - 26%) - OK, last QB, I promise. I?ll wait for you to stop laughing on this one. Thank you. Football Outsiders wrote an article about Campbell a month ago stating that Campbell is very underrated and has played better than his numbers would indicate (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/extra-points/2009/jason-campbells-sack-rate). Since that article was written, he has averaged 17.37 points per game in those four contests and has 21.44 and 25.58 points in his last two games. Look for Campbell to play well as the Redskins play the role of spoiler with home games against the Giants and the Cowboys.

4) Quinton Ganther (RB - 4%) - Ganther will not stay at 4% for long as he was just named the starter at Oakland this week. Rock Cartwright was playing pretty well, so I don?t see why Ganther would get the nod, so look for some sort of 60/40 split with this situation, much like the Browns situation is.

5) Fred Davis (TE - 19%) - Now you might think I?m mistaking the Redskins for the 2007 Patriots and I wouldn?t blame you. But, because Washington sucks in real life, people perceive that these players have little value in the fantasy world. Since Chris Cooley went down, Davis has averaged 6.83 targets per game, which is gold for a TE. It?s on par with guys like Brent Celek and Heath Miller.

I neglected to mention Davone Bess (WR - 12%) as he is getting a ton of coverage as a huge sleeper, which doesn't really make you a sleeper anymore. Donald Brown (RB - 34%) is intriguing because he could receive a lot of touches the last few weeks as the Colts do their usual starter-benching towards the end of the season. I admit I don't make it a point to watch Oakland Raiders games, but Bruce Gradkowski (QB ? 3%) has averaged 17.48 points since receiving the starting gig over JaRussell Marcus, or whatever his name is.