Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we pose a question to a rotating panel of ESPN fantasy basketball experts to gauge their

Posted in IYH Forums by jokergreen0220 at 23:41, Feb 24 2020

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we pose a question to a rotating panel of ESPN fantasy basketball experts to gauge their thoughts on a hot topic. Todays contributors are ESPN NBA Insider Kevin Pelton and ESPN Fantasys Joe Kaiser and Kyle Soppe.Al Horford is just 11 games into his tenure with the Boston Celtics, but he currently ranks 11th on the Player Rater based on averages. While his scoring (15.5 PPG, 50.4 FG%, 12.6 FGA) is nearly identical to what he did his last two seasons with the Hawks, his 3-point shooting (1.5 3-PPG, 39.0 3-FG%), assists (5.0 APG) and blocks (2.6 BPG) have skyrocketed. Is this just a small-sample-size anomaly or a sign of things to come?Kevin Pelton: Ive been doing some research lately into how to best predict performance the rest of the season, which yields opposing conclusions about these stats. Early-season block rates tend to not be as predictive as past performance, while assist rates tend to stabilize pretty quickly. Naturally, 3-point percentage is also fluky, though Horfords track record is strong enough at this point that I dont expect him to drop off that much.Ultimately, the projections that combine performance to date and preseason expectations peg Horford for 4.1 assists but just 1.4 blocks per game the rest of the season, which suggests his value is probably already at a high point.Joe Kaiser: The fact that Horford started taking 3-pointers for the first time in his career last season, shooting 34.4 percent and making 1.1 of 3.1 attempts, is an encouraging sign that his 3-point success this season isnt a fluke. Playing under Brad Stevens in Boston, hes taking and making more threes (1.5 of 3.7 per game) while shooting an improved 39 percent. I dont think this is a fluke, and at this point we have to consider the 3-pointer a key part of Horfords fantasy value. Just dont expect any style points with the form on his 3-point stroke.As far as his assists go, clearly Boston signed him with the intent of utilizing him as a facilitator, and were seeing that with the hike in assists this season. He has dished out at least five assists in six of his first 11 games with the Celtics, including nine in his last game, against the Rockets. Its safe to say hes going to break his previous single-season high of 3.5 APG, and Id expect him to finish somewhere between 4.5-5.5 by seasons end.The blocks are the one stat that I think we can chalk up to small sample size. Horford is 30 years old and in his 10th NBA season -- this isnt typically a stage in a players career when he would suddenly become a bigger shot-blocker. His previous single-season best is 1.5 BPG, set twice in the last three seasons, and Id expect that to be his ceiling in 2016-17.Kyle Soppe: Im buying all the Horford shares I can get. From a basketball standpoint, the rise in Horfords unique skill set is because ... well, its now unique. In Atlanta, he shared the front court with Paul Millsap, a player whose skill was so similar to his that I often confused the two.Horfords skills havent gotten any better this season, he has simply gotten smarter. The percentage of his shots taken from 16 feet or further is actually down a tick from last season (46.8 percent, down from 47.9 percent last season), but he has joined #TeamAnalytics and determined that he might as well step behind that 3-point line if he is going to settle from a jumper.I also believe that the assist spike is real, for many of the same reasons. Due to his unique set of skills, he often puts the opposing center in a difficult position on the perimeter, thus allowing him to showcase his playmaking abilities. Id take the under on five assists per game and 39-percent 3-point shooting when all is said and done, but the Celtics are a top-10 team in offensive efficiency right now, and that is no mistake. Horford is a reliable player who can help fantasy owners across the board and should finish the season as a top-20 player. Custom Randy Johnson Jersey . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Gerrit Cole Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.customyankeesjersey.com/custom-bernie-williams-jersey-large-714i.html . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Kyle Higashioka Jersey . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Roger Maris Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford was understandably thrilled as he netted twice on his Premier League debut against Arsenal. The 18-year-old hit the headlines after scoring twice on his club debut in the 5-1 victory over FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday when he was picked as a late replacement for the injured Anthony Martial.And Rashford again made a big impression with two goals in three minutes to set United up for a 3-2 victory over title-hopefuls Arsenal at Old Trafford, before teeing up Ander Herrera to score the third with a deflection off Laurent Koscielny. Marcus Rashford scores his and Manchester Uniteds second goal against Arsenal Now the teenager hopes to build on his early success and try to cement his place in manager Louis van Gaals team.This is my first game in the Premier League so obviously its been amazing and to score two is a bonus so hopefully I can carry it on and do it again next game, Rashford told Sky Sports 4.It was a shock playing midweek because Martial was supposed to be starting and coming in kind of benefited me because I wasnt thinking about it, thinking about the game too much so its just been good. Marcus Rashfords fairytale continued as he scored twice on his Premier League debut And Rashford also praised United team-mate Michael Carrick, who has guided him through his fledgling career thus far.It was just crazy but having the likes of Michael around helped, Rashford said.He just said keep going because I was backing off and he just said to keep going. Rashford shakes hands with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal Its crazy you cant explain it when youre out there.ddddddddddddUnited manager Van Gaal was impressed by Rashfords contribution, and the manner in which the teenager has taken his opportunities in his stride.Van Gaal said: Its unbelievable when you are 18 years and you come in.I can understand it last Thursday against Midtjylland because you are coming in and you do your thing without any pressure, but the second time is always more difficult and he played a very good match because he did the things that I asked him. Louis van Gaal says what Marcus Rashford has achieved in his first week in the Manchester United first team is unbelievable He scores again. Four goals in two matches is an average that is unusual.You get the chance and you have to perform. Do the things what we are asking and I have always said it is not a matter of age it is a matter of quality and he shows it. Rashfords U21 goals WATCH: A few goals from the strikers spell in the U21s Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also praised Rashford following the game.The player who was surprising for me talent-wise was Rashford because of the timing of his movement and his intelligence, said the Frenchman.His movement in the box was great and he could be a very positive surprise for Manchester United on what Ive seen today. Also See: Rashford downs Arsenal LVG: Rashford unbelievable Man U v Arsenal talking points Old Trafford recap ' ' '