New York Knicks 2012-13 Fantasy Outlook- Bench Players
By Seth Klein
The New York Knicks are coming off a second consecutive decent season, making the playoffs for a second consecutive season, but still falling short of expectations.
Injuries and coaching changes have made it difficult for some players to adjust to new lineups, but there’s a great chance the Knicks will make huge strides this year with the addition of many key players and coach Mike Woodson in the fold from the get-go.
However the main question that many want to know is…..“How are these players going to do for my fantasy basketball team??” This is a look at the outlook for Knicks players for the 2012-2013 season, from a Fantasy perspective.
Today is the final part of a my six part fantasy series, as today I take a look a useful bench players on the Knicks roster.
Draftable Bench Players:
Iman Shumpert (SG/PG/SF):
The Knicks finally broke out of a long draft slump and took the Georgia Tech product Shumpert in the first round a season ago.
Many people questioned this, but Shumpert had a very productive rookie season. His shooting percentages were low, but his all-around input into every game’s box score was remarkable. He seemed to really hit his stride and had his confidence peak once he was given a starting role. A terrible knee injury in the post-season will cost him the first few months of this upcoming season (expected to return in January), but he is still a great player to stash, especially if your league has an IR spot. Look for about 10-11 PPG with Top 10 steals per game if/when he reclaims the starting spot back from J.R. Smith.
Expected Draft Position: 9th-10th Round, later if there is no IR spot
Jason Kidd (PG):
Kidd will turn 40-years-old before the season is over, but don’t let that stop you from picking him up with a later round pick. While his numbers have tapered off a ton since his earlier years, he is still a great source of all-around stats to contribute to your team. In an offense with many scoring options his assist numbers should improve from last year’s career low 5.5. He has the capability of averaging close to two steals and two 3-pointers made per game and can explode for a big rebounding night as well.
Expected Draft Position: 12th Round
Steve Novak (SF):
Novak is an anomaly, he’s 6’11” but can’t rebound for a lick and often shoots a better percentage from downtown than from inside the arc. While he provides nothing in terms of rebounding, assists, steals or blocks, he did lead the league in 3-point percentage and was tied for third in the NBA in 3-pointers made. He is not a bad guy to have on your fantasy team’s bench if you are in need for an offensive injection now and again.
Expected Draft Position: 12th-14th round depending on 3-pointer needs
Marcus Camby (C):
It’s been 10-plus years in the making for the Cambyman’s return to the Big Apple. His signing by the Knicks is a great addition to a team that was desperate for help in the front court. Like Kidd, Camby will soon be entering his 40’s, but this is someone, who even in limited time, can help produce on the defensive end.
He won’t get you much in terms of scoring, but for a big man can chip in a couple assists a game. If you decide to gamble on him in your fantasy draft it will be for his sometimes gaudy rebounding and shot blocking stats. Last season with Portland and Houston he averaged around 9.0 boards and 1.5 blocks per game (he exploded for three 20+ rebounding games and five games with at least four blocks in 2012). Look for similar numbers this year while where he should see decent minutes spelling both Stoudemire and Chandler down on the blocks.
Expected Draft Position: 11th-12th Round depending on Center needs
Ronnie Brewer (SG/SF):
At six-foot-seven, Ronnie Brewer fills the Knicks’ need of a hybrid/hustle type. He won’t always get the minutes you’ll want for fantasy production, but when given the opportunity, he has shown he can put up decent numbers across the board. When in Utah playing 30+ minutes/game he was averaging double-digit points. This is a player you should look for on the waiver wire if anyone from the Knicks’ backcourt should go down. In limited time last season, he still managed to eke out 1.1 SPG to go along with seven points and almost four rebounds.
Expected Draft Position: Undrafted
Other Knicks players who should go undrafted in your fantasy leagues:
Kurt Thomas, Pablo Prigioni, Chris Copeland, Chris Smith, anonymous PF whom Knicks have not signed yet but won’t have fantasy relevance
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