(Before we begin today's column, I want you to first check and see whether Marquese Chriss is still available in your league. If he is somehow available? I'll wait while you go pick him up. Did you look? Good. Now we can begin.)
So we're in crunch time. The white-knuckle phase. The portion of the campaign where we fantasy enthusiasts watch NBA games and feel the statistical weight of every single possession.
A missed free throw feels like the difference between winning and losing. A pass not credited as an assist can feel like a major fantasy injustice. A block that comes out of nowhere feels game-changing. Monumental.
One of the most compelling aspects to the design of the fantasy hoops season is its endgame. It's a bit of a paradox. The last month of the NBA regular season gives us the actual numbers that decide who wins and loses our imaginary championships.
At the same time, this phase of the NBA schedule is the NBA's silly season -- when shutdowns and wacky, expanded next-year-facing rotations wreak havoc upon previously reliable production.
At our most crucial juncture in the fantasy season? We become increasingly reliant on once-obscure names. November's fringe rotation player suddenly becomes a key late-season fantasy contributor.
We're down to the wire. Literally and figuratively.
Regardless of format, if you need to make a move, you need to seek out one dynamic: scarcity.
Try to corner available production in the categories that offer the smallest amount of statistical weight. Look at which categories are top-heavy: that is, which categories are driven by smaller pool of players.
The two scarcest categories: blocks and assists. It doesn't matter if you're head-to-head or roto, points or categories. Blocks and assists are the two top-heaviest fantasy categories. It's been that way since the dawn of fantasy hoops.
And because there are fewer blocked shots, period? Blocks becomes the stat where fantasy owners can make up -- or lose -- the most amount of ground in the shortest amount of time. And we happen to be in the portion of the season -- the endgame -- when blocks are at their highest premium.
Best of all, due to late season shifts in rotations, new sources of blocks are readily available in every league. If you're looking for a category to generate some late-season noise, target rejections.
Here are players available in a majority of leagues that can help you protect the rim:
Marquese Chriss, PF, Phoenix Suns
Available in 65.8% of leagues
It's statistically shallow to label Chriss a blocks specialist. On Monday, Chriss posted a career high 21 points against the Heat. Chriss also hits 3s. He generates steals. But most of all, Chriss is demonstrating how NBA players tend to peak in blocked shots early in their careers. Over his past ten games, Chris has three games when he went for at least four blocks. In fantasy, Chriss is top-10 overall in blocks this month.
Given the scarcity of blocks? There simply isn't a player on the wire that can help you more down the stretch.
I'm already salivating over next season. The Suns are developing fantasy multi-categorical fantasy threats across multiple positions.
John Henson, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks
Available in 97.2% of leagues
For the last 15 days, Henson has posted top-10 blocks production. He's blocked 14 shots in 8 games.
Henson's currently day-to-day due to a sprained thumb but should be back as soon as tonight. With Henson, the issue is (always) health. Henson has never played more than 70 games in a single season. Injuries have limited Henson's fantasy reliability. They've held him back from developing other aspects of his all-around game.
Because Henson's production is block-driven, his fantasy relevance ebbs and flows. Given the minutes, he's capable of double-digit scoring and rebounding. He has just enough upside to push him out of "specialist" territory. The multi-positional eligibility also helps when you're pressing for every last block.
Taurean Prince, SF, Atlanta Hawks
Available in 98.3% of leagues
This fantasy season is absolutely starved for quality rookie play. With Kent Bazemore on the shelf, Prince is putting together a nice string of games.
Not only is Prince blocking shots, but also he's doing it at a position (SF) that overall doesn't offer a lot of blocks. Any time you can build stats at a position not normally affiliated with that stat, it's a plus. This means Prince is building out-of-position fantasy value.
His small forward skill set also means Prince's production is diversified. As long as he stays at about 25 minutes a night, he's a multi-categorical threat. Prince's past five game numbers: 25.6 MPG, 9.4 PTS, 4.2 REB, 1.0 3PT, 1.6 BLK.
Alex Len, C, Phoenix Suns
Available in 72.9 percent of leagues
Len has teamed up with Chriss to form a late-blooming frontcourt tandem that's leading the Western Conference in "wait 'till next year" proclamations. Len's numbers are more traditional per his position than Chriss'. But down the stretch, there aren't many guys still on your wire who have a ceiling that reads double-double with 1.5 blocks.
Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Chicago Bulls
Available in 95.4 percent of leagues
If you just go by points per game, Carter-Williams isn't doing much at present. He hasn't cracked double-digits in points for over a month. He's struggling to crack 20 minutes a night.
But take away the points per game, and you'll see Carter-Williams is putting up some sneaky good endgame lines. He's still dealing out numbers in three categories: assists, steals and blocks. If you're in a dogfight for blocks, and you can generate some rejections at your point guard position -- that's a plus.
JaVale McGee, C, Golden State Warriors
Available in 99.2 percent of leagues
If any of the other guys aren't available, and you're desperate for a one-game outburst in blocks? McGee could prove a prescient add. He won't play more than ten minutes. But within those ten minutes ... he will likely generate multiple blocks.
I know there's baggage here. But how ironic would it be if your season was decided by an eight-minute JaVale McGee line of 2 points, 2 rebounds and 4 blocks? Hopefully, you don't have to find out, but trust me ... there's upside here.
But wait!
Because you made it this far, here's a quick-hitting list of some readily available players who can help you in assists.
Tyler Ulis, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns
Available in 49.5 percent of leagues
I talked about Ulis last week. Like with Chriss ... just check and see if he's somehow still available.
T.J. McConnell, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Available in 61.8 percent of leagues
Top-10 in assists overall over the past two weeks. As a matter of fact, McConnell is top-10 for the season.
Jameer Nelson, PG, Denver Nuggets
Available in 82.8 percent of leagues
Good for five assists, a 3-pointer and a steal every night. Anything else is just statistical gravy, but Nelson has posted two recent double-digit point totals.
Ish Smith, PG, Detroit Pistons
Available in 85 percent of leagues
Can also block the occasional shot.
Joe Ingles, SG/SF/PF, Utah Jazz
Available in 92.8 percent of leagues
Heading back to the bench thanks to Rodney Hood's return. Still should log 25 minutes a game. Also listing Ingles here because of his ability to hit 3-pointers. Special bonus: note Ingles' unique multi-positional eligibility