Fantasy basketball is as much about opportunity as anything else so it’s no surprise that some of the biggest surprises early on have come from players that have been given a bigger chance to contribute around the association. Whether they had to prove themselves to get the opportunity, were called upon to replace injured starters and ran with it or have been given their shot right away as young players coming in to the NBA with big expectations moving forward these four surprise starts have all caught on this season.
Kent Bazemore, Atlanta Hawks
Small Forward
Bazemore has done everything possible to push Thabo Sefolosha for the starting job on the wing in Atlanta and he has put up some solid numbers early on with 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game so far this season. Bazemore continues to share the load with Sefolosha and that has limited his overall production but he is still off to a better start than most NBA experts would have predicted and as long as he continues to stuff the stat sheet across the board he is a strong pickup worth having on a fantasy basketball roster.
Raymond Felton, Dallas Mavericks
Point Guard
It might come as a surprise to basketball fans that haven’t played close enough attention that Felton has earned a spot in the Mavericks’ starting lineup but they gave him the opportunity in an effort to shake things up and he has rewarded their faith in him with some strong play of late. Felton has averaged 11.5 points, 5.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 three-point shots and 1.3 steals per game over the past two weeks of action and as long as he continues to play at a high level there is absolutely no reason to think that Dallas will take Felton out of its starting lineup.
Jon Leuer, Phoenix Suns
Forward
Markieff Morris has been a volatile fantasy asset and a volatile player overall in Phoenix where he has said he no longer wants to be after the team traded his brother to the Detroit Pistons. His attitude has opened up the door for Leuer to seize a bigger role and that role could be permanent after Morris threw a towel at head coach Jeff Hornacek after the coach pulled Morris late in a game. Morris has since been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team for two games.
Leuer is off to a solid start as his overall numbers this season might not look outstanding on paper, but he has averaged 11.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game over the last two weeks of action. He should continue to put up solid statistics as long as the Suns continue to give him the opportunities behind Morris.
Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
Power Forward
There isn’t much that has gone right for Houston early on this season but Capela’s strong play has been a positive. His numbers have picked up of late in particularly as he has averaged 7.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal per game over the last two weeks of action. The Rockets entered this year with a number of stretch forwards including Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas and rookie Montrezl Harrell, so it’s somewhat surprising that Capela has emerged with a bigger role in their big man rotation. Capela was virtually unused in the 2014-15 playoffs when the Rockets were making a run as Jones was the lead power forward. However, the team has shifted its course as Capela has been effective.
Capela has all of the raw tools to succeed at the NBA level and as long as he continues to prove he belongs he will continue to play significant minutes for Houston.
