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Waiver review: Claim Murray
Kelenna Azubuike and Nate Robinson were two of those guys after Week 1. I don't think either of them are on many waiver wires any longer, though. Here are a handful more players you may wanna look out for going into Week 4.
NBA Waiver Wire
1. Ronald "Flip" Murray, G, Atlanta
The Hawks fan who sits next to me here at the office didn't know who Flip was, until he continued to put up numbers for his team the last week and a half. Murray's been impressive, scoring in double figures in several games this season, including a 21-pt, four-assist night on Friday and a 14-pt effort the game before. He's hit 11 threes in his last six outings and rarely misses from the free throw line, either. He's become a fixture in that lineup all of a sudden, and he plays a position that won't be affected by the return of Josh Smith.
2. Roger Mason, SG, San Antonio
If you haven't grabbed up Mason by this point, he may very well be gone – especially after his 26 and 18-pt back-to-back efforts last week. However, he stumbled with a six-point game recently, so cowardly owners may let him loose. If that's the case, snag him quick, since he still gives you a numbers of steals and threes each night, along with solid free throw shooting and a decent amount of rebounds for a guard as well.
3. Wilson Chandler, G, New York
He's in a very similar situation as Mason, in that he's had some huge games, but also a couple stinkers thrown in. Wednesday's 27-pt, 4-for-4 from three-land performance may have solidified him on most rosters, though. However, I know of people who were able to pick him Thursday and Friday, so who knows? He hits you a bunch of different categories as well, including the all-important steals and blocks.
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| Javale McGee's been a steadying force in the Washington lineup of late. (Glenn James / Getty Images) |
4. Javale McGee, F, Washington
One of the men helping to fill all the gaps in Washington's offense has been getting things done of late for the Wiz. He's coming off a 13-pt, 11-board, three-block game on Wednesday and had another double-digit effort Friday. He's now had nine blocks in the last six games, as well as shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor. I'm liking this guy the more I watch him.
5. Erick Dampier, C, Dallas
The big man doesn't wow you with points most nights, but he just put up a monster 16-pt, 18-rebound, three-block game earlier this week, putting himself back on the fantasy map. I don't care how inconsistent you are. If you have the potential to put up games like that once a week, I want you on my side.
6. Jason Thompson, PF, Sacramento
Many owners may have scared off by that little two-game funk he was mired in when Brad Miller re-entered the Kings' lineup this week. However, he sucked it up and parlayed it into a 15 and nine game, then an even more impressive 16 and 11 outing. He's not getting any blocks, which is too bad, but he is shooting 59 percent from the field, and those boards can't be overlooked.
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| Aaron Brooks has been doing a little bit of everything for the Rockets since entering the stating lineup. (Tim Heitman / Getty Images) |
7. Aaron Brooks, PG, Houston
My proudest pickup last week was this pint-sized point guard out of Oregon, who's taken all the minutes Rafer Alston's given up lately. He went for 20 points and four assists a few games ago, then notched 19 more with four boards the game after that, while shooting 57 percent from the floor and hitting four threes in the pair. He's been impressing me more each time he takes the floor.
8. Travis Outlaw, G/F, Portland
This guy just shoots the ball. That's his deal. He can also score a little bit because of it. He's been in double figures each of his team's eight games this season, and he's hit 14 threes in that time. At 13.1 points and 5.6 rebounds a night, I was shocked to see him on waiver wires everywhere I looked this week.
9. Tyrus Thomas, PF, Chicago
The points will almost never be there, so that's why people often look past him when picking players up each week. However, the boards are increasing every week and the guy's had a block in every game the Bulls have played this year. He hits other categories as well, averaging more than a steal a game and shooting well from the floor, too. He's the perfect fill-in player.
10. Marquis Daniels, SG, Indiana
Indiana's shooting guard has been doing a huge job in place of Mike Dunleavy, scoring 15 points a night, grabbing 6.3 rebounds and notching 1.4 steals as well. He doesn't shoot the three-ball like Dunleavy does, but he does plenty of good things you'll be glad to see on your stat sheet.
Others
Kenyon Maartin, PF, Denver: I know, he scares all of us with his injury issues. However, when he's not sidelined in pain, he's a rebound machine who can fill the net and grab some steals and blocks in the meantime. He's a borderliner right now, but one who intrigues me a lot if he can stay on the court.
J.R. Smith, SG, Denver: With no more Allen Iverson around to take his shots, Smith is getting back in the lineup and firing up the threes. He went 7-of-11 for 18 points the other night, hitting two threes and grabbing some cheap boards in the process.
Trevor Ariza, F, Los Angeles Lakers: With 14 steals and six threes through seven games, there's definitely something to like about him. He's under 10 points a night right now, but those other stats are crucial.
Chris Duhon, PG, New York: You think Jamal Crawford's the point guard in New York? Perhaps Nate Robinson? Nope. It's Duhon, and he's giving savvy owners 6.8 assists a night this season, including six straight games with six or more. He also has 10 steals in that same period. This team is scoring a bunch of points, and he's the main distributor at the moment.
Russell Westbrook, G, Oklahoma City: He's just beginning to show glimpses of the potential this franchise knew he had when they drafted him. Westbrook threw down 19 points in the loss to the Knicks on Friday, while grabbing 10 boards (he's a point guard, folks) and notching a steal, a block and a three. Grab him now before it's too late. He can do it all.
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