This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
Working the Wire
By Charlie Zegers
RotoWire Hoops Editor
Searching for Anthony Morrow
To paraphrase another RotoWire columnist…
"Who the hell is Anthony Morrow?"
Fantasy players know the name by now… Morrow is the almost-totally anonymous guard who emerged from the end of the Golden State Warriors' bench to torch the Clippers for 37 on Saturday night.
The undrafted free agent from Georgia Tech put up similarly impressive numbers on Sunday, with his "percent owned" and "percent started" numbers rising like the federal deficit.
Is Morrow a worthwhile pickup? Possibly. Don Nelson hinted at Morrow's potential during the summer league, telling reporters the undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech was the best shooter on the team. Of course, we've heard similar things in the past about the likes of Marco Bellinelli and Demetris Nichols. That said, until Monta Ellis comes back, there isn't that much competition for backcourt minutes in Oakland… Marcus Williams has been inactive, DeMarcus Nelson is headed to the Bakersfield Jam, and C.J. Watson is nothing special. It wouldn't be completely shocking if Morrow emerges as a dependable double-digit scorer – at least until Warrior regulars like Ellis and Corey Maggette are back at full strength.
In case you missed out on Sunday's Anthony Morrow gold rush… here are a few names that might be available in your league.
J.J. Redick (ORL) – With Mickael Pietrus (bruised ribs) shelved temporarily, Redick and not Keith Bogans has been installed as the starting two in Orlando. If he plays well, he might win a bigger role going forward… and anyone who saw him play in college knows he can shoot. He's not worth a roster spot yet, but that could change in a hurry.
Martell Webster (POR) – File it away… Webster is due back during the first week of December. He might not put up huge numbers on a loaded Portland team, but he's a very useful three-point threat.
Michael Finley (DAL) – Finley has emerged as a key scoring option for the injury-depleted Spurs. The veteran wing has scored 40 points over his last two games.
C.J. Miles (UTA) – With Deron Williams still struggling with that bum ankle, Miles has stepped up his production, scoring in double figures in three of four games, most notably with 21-points in 25-minutes explosion against Phoenix on Monday.
Brook Lopez (NJN) – Josh Boone continues to be sidelined by an ankle injury, which means rookie Brook Lopez will get an extended opportunity to show what he can do.
Beno Udrih (SAC) – On the off chance that someone in your league cut him loose after a slow start… Udrih has scored 16 or more points in four straight games.
Daequan Cook (MIA) – Cook has settled in to the sixth man role in Miami very nicely. He's scored in double figures in three of four games and hit at least three three-pointers in four straight.
D.J. Augustin (CHA) – Jason Richardson's knee injury has meant additional playing time for Augustin of late, as Charlotte coach Larry Brown has been moving starter Raymond Felton to Richardson's usual shooting guard spot and letting Augustin run the point.
Ryan Gomes (MIN) – With Minnesota struggling badly, coach Randy Wittman is shuffling his lineup a bit, with Gomes moving into the starting lineup and rookie Kevin Love heading to the bench. Sebastian Telfair is still starting at the point, but Randy Foye got the majority of the minutes at that spot against Denver on Sunday.
Adam Morrison (CHA) – Morrison is looking pretty good these days, and I don't mean his haircut. Pressed into service due to Jason Richardson's injury, Morrison has averaged 15 points in his last three games, and is shooting over 50 percent from the field with seven three-pointers made during that span. Charlotte needs scoring badly – there should be a role for Morrison even after Richardson returns.
Andrea Bargnani (TOR) – Bargnani has been installed in the starting lineup in place of Jamario Moon. He still isn't generating "first overall pick" value – but he has scored 12 or more points in three of four games – with the exception being a road game at Boston, a tough matchup for just about anyone. He's also shooting a stunning 44.4 percent from three on the season.
Article first appeared on 11/19/08
