Hi there! I’m Glen but I go by Blande and you can find me on twitter as @DfsBlande . I’m a contributor and coach over here at the DFS Army. If you are not yet a member, use the link here and promo code “BLANDE” to get 10% off your subscription. This article is likely to get “locked up” for our VIPs at some point.
This NBA season I’ll be putting out a unique article, focusing on bench players. Blande’s 6th Man is dedicated to those role players who come off the bench and do damage. The goal is to identify the value plays off the bench, leading to unique lineup builds. By design, the article is more suited towards a hybrid and GPP style of play and the new Fanduel format where the lowest scoring player is dropped. This article will highlight the top bench players for each position for a given slate, with an emphasis on value.
Before we get started, the DFS Army has gotten off to a great start so far as can be seen below. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be a part of it. Sign up now!
Point Guards
Derrick Rose (4000/3900): Derrick Rose is too cheap for the minutes he will get. With the high potential of getting 30mins and his playing against a former team, Rose makes for an excellent GPP value play. This is even better on Fanduel where his price point is low enough allowing you to take the risk in hybrid lineups as well. The matchup is also a favorable one for him, as he will spend time being defended by the likes of Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton.
Shelvin Mack (3800/3400): Every time the Hawks are on the slate, there’ll be potential to exploit the benches. In this case, Shelvin Mack makes for an interesting option. The matchup is favorable, and it is not far-fetched to see Mack getting 25-30 minutes here tonight, especially if the game gets out of hand early. In such a scenario, Mack is more than capable of exceeding value. Sprinkle Mack into your GPP lineups, and don’t be scared to use him as a value punt on Fanduel.
Honorable Mentions: Spencer Dinwiddie, Terry Rozier, Tony Parker
Shooting Guards
Lou Williams (6400/5800): Lou Williams is still the best scoring threat off the bench in the league. Sweet Lou will be a fixture in this article as long as Doc Rivers continues to bring him off the bench. The matchup against OKC is a good one. For those worried about Lou’s minutes, fear not. In the first game, the rookie Gilgeous-Alexander had a hot hand, which impacted Lou’s minutes, but that’s not something that will happen often. Play Lou in all formats.
Malik Monk (5500/4700): Malik Monk is in a battle for the starting spot with Jeremy Lamb, and while Lamb is likely to remain the starter, for now, Monk will get starter minutes off the bench. With that in mind, and given the good matchup, Monk makes for an excellent play in all formats today.
Honorable Mentions: Allonzo Trier, Terrence Ross, Jordan Clarkson
Small Forwards
Tyreke Evans (6900/6100): Evans was an excellent fantasy play last season, and the same trend should continue this season with his new team. Even coming off the bench, Evans is just too good a player and will be able to exploit other second units. He is priced right on both sites and is a good low-owned play. He is more a GPP play than cash at the moment due to his pricing.
Jonathon Simmons (4800/4400): Simmons is coming off the bench for the Magic but is playing starter minutes. Towards the end of last season, Simmons was one of the best fantasy options for the Magic. He’ll look to continue this trend into the new season, and as long as he is getting starter minutes, we can expect good things from him. He is priced too low on both sites for the minutes he is getting. Making him an excellent value play, allowing us to get more studs into our lineups.
Kyle Anderson (5400/4300): Giving how much Memphis paid for Anderson, it is a surprise he’s coming off the bench. In the first game of the season, Anderson had a poor game and didn’t even crack the 20 minutes barrier. This game against the Hawks is just what he needs to get himself going. He’s a much better play on DK where he is much cheaper.
DeAndre’ Bembry (3600/3900): GPP Only Special. DeAndre’ Bembry has the potential to play a big role this season for a Hawks team that’ll need all the help it can get. Bembry makes for an excellent value play at min price in a game which can quickly go out of hand. He is blowout proof, projected at around 20 if the game stays competitive, and closer to 30 if it gets out of hand quickly. This is exactly the kind of potential we are looking for on Fanduel when looking for that min-priced punt play. Bembry is an excellent choice on Fanduel!
Honorable Mentions: Mario Hezonja, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Justin Jackson, Miles Bridges
Let’s take a break and look at more wins by DFS Army members this season!
Power Forwards
Ersan Ilyasova (4500/4400): Ilyasova has been a great role player throughout his career, with good fantasy upside. He has the forward/center bench role covered for the Bucks here, setting him up for around 26 minutes a night. He is too cheap on both sites for the kind of production he brings to the table with those minutes. Add to that a favorable matchup here, Ilyasova pops up as a good value play on both sites.
Marcus Morris (4500/4400): As long as Gordon Heyward has a minute restriction, Morris remains a great option off the bench for the Celtics. The only issue with Morris today is the matchup is not the best one it can be, but that said, Morris has performed well here in the past. He is really cheap on both sites, and as long as he gets around 20-25 minutes, Morris should make value.
Ante Zizic (3500/3500): This is a straight up GPP punt play. Zizic is firmly behind Tristan Thompson on the Cavaliers rotation. The opening for Zizic here arises only in the case where this game becomes a blowout really quickly, or Thompson gets into early foul trouble. It’s not too difficult to see one of these happening and Zizic managing to get 20-25 minutes in a good spot. This play is relegated strictly to GPP and is better suited for Fanduel GPPs when puntin with a min-priced player.
Honorable Mentions: Jaren Jackson Jr., Kevin Knox, Noah Vonleh, Damontas Sabonis
Centers
Boban Marjanovic (4000/3900): Boban Marjanovic is taking the NBA world by storm, as all we can do is watch and enjoy. His size makes it tough to defend him, and in this matchup with the Thunder and Steve Adams, Marjanovc should easily get more minutes than Gortat. Adams is good at defending centers, but the size of Marjanovic gives him a leg up here, making him a good play in GPPs
Mohamed Bamba (4800/4700): Bamba has the backup center and also backup power forward roles locked on this Magic team. He’s a fantastic player with immense potential, locked into 20-25 minutes a game. This is enough for him to meet his asking price on both sites. He makes for a good GPP play on both sites.
Honorable Mentions: Willy Hernangomez, Gorgui Dieng
That’s it for the first Blande’s 6th Man article of the season. I’ll be available on the DFS Army Forums to answer any questions and point to my favorite 6th men of the day! Remember, our VIPs get all the content, tools, and coaching they can handle in an attempt to take their games to the next level. Our community prides itself in it’s dedication to teaching. Remember, code BLANDE triggers a 10% off coupon, and to join the winning team…… BECOME A VIP TODAY!!
