Mike Dunleavy – Fantasy Basketball Analysis

January 14, 2009 By: Ongai Category: Uncategorized

Mike Dunleavy is back

Mike Dunleavy should see a similar year this year compared with last year’s fantastic season where he averaged 19 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2 threes. He may not top all of these stats but he should improve on his assists. Why? Because Mr. Danny Granger is playing like an all star and has been such a reliable scorer. Mike Dunleavy should be handling the ball more in their half court sets especially with TJ Ford always injured.

I just don’t think he could still get 5.2 rebounds this year since having a knee injury doesn’t just affect you physically but also psychologically or mentally. Getting rebounds means that you have to position yourself and go up as fast and as high as you can. Can Dunleavy do that? That is something we have to see but I sure hope he could. The same goes with gambling on the defensive end. If he can’t have to strength or the speed to cope up with the other players because of the injury then his steals might dip below one per game.

When it comes to scoring, Mike Dunleavy will have no problems in this area. Last year he took 13.5 shots a game in 36 minutes. This year, in the four games since he’s come back, he has also took the same amount of shots but in only 22 minutes of play. He should see an increase in shots taken but his fg% might dip a bit.

Players affected by Mike Dunleavy’s return:

Marquis Daniels

Marquis Daniels has played really well in the absence of Mike Dunleavy but now that Dunleavy is back, Daniels will most likely go back to his role coming off the bench. But there’s good news for Daniels’ owners and that is Indiana coach Jim O’Brien is considering playing a lineup that consists of Granger, Dunleavy and Daniels all at the same time. Troy Murphy could move to the center spot when this lineup happens. As for the PG, Jack would probably still be the man if TJ Ford is down with injuries.

Brandon Rush

Looks like Rush would even have a hard time getting minutes. There was a seven game stretch where the guards of Indiana were injured and he was able to step up. Right now it would take and injury to both Dunleavy and Daniels for him to get minutes worthy of having him in your roster.

I like what I’m seeing in Mike Dunleavy so far in the four games he has played and can’t wait for him to get his starter’s minutes back. I’m sure every Dunleavy owner right now is feeling the same way. So hope his knee doesn’t act up and he finish strong this season.

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