Fantasy Basketball Nba Sharpshooters

In the last installment of The Specialists we took a look at a few players to target if you're in need of blocks, steals and three-pointers. I'm sure we'll return to those categories at some point in the near future, but for now this post is going to focus on the free-throw. Not just FT%, but also free-throws made.

There are currently four players in the league who attempt more than 10 free-throws per game -- Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and LeBron James. You can argue that Dwight Howard's 57.6 FT% on 10.3 attempts is his Achilles' heel, while in contrast Carmelo Anthony, the 3rd overall player in standard formats, is elevated by his 86.0 FT% on 10.5 attempts. His ability to hit 10-plus foul shots at such a high rate lightens the burden of having Emeka Okafor and his 49.0 FT% on 3.3 attempts. Combined, Okafor and Anthony post a 76.2 FT%. By contrast, having Steve Nash and his 93.6 FT% on 3.4 attempts coupled with Okafor brings their combined free-throw rate to just 70.8-percent. But you're not going to find many bulk free-throw shooters who hit 85-percent from the line on the wires. So think about mixing quantity with quality at this point.

Every once and a while we all need a little reality check. Sure your team may look complete, but maybe you, like so many of us, drafted Anthony Randolph to cover your hind in the blocks category and his two swats in the first three games just aren't cutting it. No need to panic and drop Randolph, but you need to consider scouring the wires for a blocks specialist who can fill it up while Don Nelson figures whether or not he wants Anthony Randolph to play this season.

Each week The Specialist will give you options, both short- and long-term, to help you weather the storm in specialized categories so you won't fall too far behind in the standings. This week we'll talk blocks, steals and three-point specialists who are still more than likely available in your league. Next week we might switch it up and talk rebounds, free-throw shooting and feelings.

The NBA FanHouse team has been posting previews of all 30 teams prior to the start of the 2009-10 season. Along with each preview they examine a player to watch. In the case of the Golden State Warriors, Matt Moore examined Anthony Randolph. In keeping with the theme I decided to highlight a bench player on the Warriors who might turn into an impact fantasy player this season.

These are the kind of numbers that fantasy ballers just love to see: 108.2 points per game (2nd of 30) and a 98.2 Pace Factor (1st of 30). The Warriors ran wild last season, focusing solely on trying to outscore their opponents. Their defense, on the other hand, was one of the worst in the league. They allowed 112.3 points per game (30th of 30) and had a defensive rating of 113.3 (28th of 30) -- meaning they allowed 113.3 points per 100 possessions. The Warriors not only became a fantasy goldmine on offense, but they were one of a handful of teams that you circled on the schedule hoping to exploit the defensive matchup.