DFS: Stock(s) Market - 5 Players Who Rack Up Steals and Blocks
Casual fans and DFS players alike often fail to understand the importance of steals and blocks in a sport that puts such a high premium on scoring and rebounding.
These stats aren't a perfect measurement of defensive ability but most DFS sites score a steal or block two fantasy points - the same as one made bucket.
With that in mind, let's look at the combined totals of steals and blocks - also known as stocks. Here are the stock leaders from the 2014-2015 season:
| RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | STEALS | BLOCKS | STOCKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | A. Davis | NO | 1.5 | 2.9 | 4.4 |
| 2. | N. Noel | PHI | 1.8 | 1.9 | 3.7 |
| T3. | H. Whiteside | MIA | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.2 |
| T3. | D. Jordan | LAC | 1.0 | 2.2 | 3.2 |
| T3. | D. Cousins | SAC | 1.5 | 1.7 | 3.2 |
| T6. | K. Leonard | SA | 2.3 | 0.8 | 3.1 |
| T6. | R. Gobert | UTA | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.1 |
| T8. | S. Ibaka | OKC | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 |
| T8. | D. Green | GS | 1.6 | 1.3 | 2.9 |
| T10. | T. Duncan | SA | 0.8 | 2.0 | 2.8 |
| T10. | A. Drummond | DET | 0.9 | 1.9 | 2.8 |
DFS players won't find hidden value in this collection of All-Stars, All-NBA Defensive Team selectees and rising talents. Some of these players are arguably among the best in the sport. Fourth-year PF Anthony Davis might be the best player in the league by the season's end. All of the top stock leaders will come with big salaries based on recent performances in all facets.
So instead of looking at the reigning stock leaders, let's examine five players whose ability to add value by collecting stocks. They may not be the flashiest players in the league, but that's precisely the point; none of them will break the bank with their salary.
PG Jrue Holiday, Pelicans
Holiday has found plenty of opportunity to shine despite Davis' gargantuan shadow. At 24 years old, Holiday is young enough to still take another step forward and prove his early career successes weren't a fluke. With 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks per game last season, Holiday logged better rates than in his lone All-Star season in Philadelphia.
New Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has been lauded as an offensive guru and might actually unlock even more of his team's high ceiling. By racking up stocks, Holiday has shown an ability to excel on defense; expect that Gentry has some plans to put his young PG in a position to succeed on offense too.
SG Tony Allen, Grizzlies
There's little more that can be said about The Grindfather. Though he hasn't scored more than 10 points per game in a season since 2007, Memphis' Allen has created countless scoring opportunities by consistently ranking among the NBA's steals leaders. Last season, Allen had two steals and 0.5 blocks per game for a robust 2.5 stocks.
At a cheap price, Allen will provide a steady, if slight, statistical output that can work in cash games. Unfortunately, his inability to create his own shots means that he has a very low ceiling; he's not a consideration for tournament lineups.
SF Trevor Ariza, Rockets
Ariza has made his name as a solid 3-and-D guy, able to hit open shots from long-range while locking down opposing perimeter players. While age has started to erode his hops, his experience has led to more steals and fewer personal fouls with the Rockets.
His versatility makes him a cheap DFS play more suitable for cash games. Through seven stops with six different NBA teams, Ariza has shone as one of the league's premier jack-of-all-trades. He has been a consistent contributor in every DFS-relevant category without being a master of any one skill.
PF Josh Smith,Clippers
Smith's reputation in the league went from budding star in Atlanta, to abject disappointment in Detroit, to surprisingly capable rotation player in Houston. Now on a veteran-laden squad with established roles, Smith has a niche with the Clippers.
Most importantly, Smith can provide a steady stream of stocks, totalling a steal and 1.4 blocks per game over 83 appearances with the Pistons and Rockets last season. His ability on defense mixed with his positional versatility makes Smith a high-upside, low-cost FLEX play - great for GPPs.
C John Henson, Bucks
Henson's minutes dropped from 26.5 to 18.3 per game under coach Jason Kidd. But while the third-year player's steals per 36 minutes stayed at 0.8 per game, his blocks per game numbers actually rose.
With 2.4 stocks per game last season, Henson did enough to warrant his selection on some nights, despite averaging only 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Crucial Henson's value will be how Kidd assigns minutes this season, especially with new PF Greg Monroe in the fold.