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12 articles
NOP • • #
9 days ago
Rostered in 27 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Fears has been close to a top-100 player in eight-cat formats over the past week. Also, for the first time, the rookie guard has scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games. Fears is making strides after a rocky start to his first NBA season, one of the few positives for a team that is now 3-20. And with backup Jose Alvarado (13/3/1/2 with three three-pointers) doing his best to play through a left wrist injury, there could come a point when the Pelicans ask Fears to do even more as the starting point guard.
NOP • • #
11 days ago
Not many rookie point guards are able to have the offensive success that Fears has had. This was his fifth 20-point outing of the season, and his second in a row, which is the first time he’s scored at least 20 points in consecutive games. Fears’ inefficiency has limited his fantasy output this season, but he has shot over 50 percent from the floor in each of the last two games while turning it over a total of four times.
NOP • • #
13 days ago
While it did not result in a victory, Fears had one of his best games of the season on Sunday. Shooting 50 percent from the field, the rookie guard recorded his fourth 20-point game and finished a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Rostered in 24 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Fears’ fantasy value has been low for most of this season. However, his role as the starting point guard makes him worth the risk in deep leagues. The Pelicans play three games in Week 7, starting with the Timberwolves on Tuesday and Thursday.
NOP • • #
14 days ago
Fears’ night in San Francisco ended prematurely, as he picked up his second technical foul and was ejected after exchanging words with Jimmy Butler. The back-and-forth happened during the final minute when the outcome was no longer in doubt, so fantasy managers didn’t miss out on too much. While inefficiency has been an issue for Fears, that’s expected of most rookies. The hope for dynasty managers is that this “on-the-job training” will pay dividends down the line.
NOP • • #
26 days ago
Fears’ 24 points are the most he’s had in a game so far in his rookie season. The 19-year-old point guard has only eclipsed 20 points in a game one other time, against the Nuggets on October ninth. While Fears hasn’t done the best job of converting his minutes into points so far, he’s in line to continue to see big minutes while Jordan Poole is out. Fears has to be rostered in deeper formats based on his role alone, let alone his rookie upside.
NOP • • #
29 days ago
Fears continues to be a solid scorer, which is rare for a rookie point guard this early in his career. However, it was his defense that stood out in this game. This was only the 16th time in NBA history that a rookie had at least eight steals in a game, with the most recent occurrence prior to this one coming from Michael Carter-Williams in 2013. Fears has been fantastic to start his career and is on pace to make an All-Rookie team in a stacked class.
NOP • • #
about 1 month ago
For any rookie, much less one being asked to master the point guard position in the NBA, there are going to be bumps in the road. Fears struggled against the Suns, shooting poorly and committing five turnovers while recording just one assist. The good news is that he did record three steals and three three-pointers, so there was some value. If anything, fantasy managers have to hope that the early struggles give way to improved play as the season wears on, especially if the Pelicans find themselves out of playoff contention in the final months.
NOP • • #
about 1 month ago
Most rookie point guards struggle early on, and while Fears hasn’t been flawless, he’s had success quickly. He is averaging 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 three-pointer with only 2.1 turnovers in 25.9 minutes per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the floor. Those aren’t great numbers, but they’re impressive for a starting point guard on a team that isn’t winning, especially one that’s only 19 years old. Brighter days are ahead for Fears.
NOP • • #
about 1 month ago
Fears had an up-and-down game on Sunday. He shot the ball well, especially from beyond the arc, and scored in double figures for the third straight game and fifth time in his rookie season. Yet, he committed a career-high five turnovers and struggled with ball security against a tough OKC defense. Even with the rookie growing pains, Fears has had an impressive start to his career and consistently functioned as one of New Orleans’ most reliable players on a nightly basis. He’ll likely continue starting for the Pelicans and should only improve with more experience.
NOP • • #
about 2 months ago
Fears bounced back from a mess of a game against the Celtics on Monday to have the best game of his young career against the Nuggets on Wednesday. The 19-year-old point guard had just two points in his first career start against the Celtics earlier this week. While the Pelicans suffered a blowout loss Wednesday, Fears played 30 minutes, had 21 points and six assists, which were all career-highs. There is a lot of potential here, but Fears isn’t consistent enough to trust in fantasy just yet.
NOP • • #
about 2 months ago
The seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Fears made his first career start in this one and it didn’t go swimmingly. The 19-year-old rookie missed all four of his three-point attempts, committed four turnovers and finished a staggering minus 31 on the night. There will be brighter days ahead for Fears and the Pelicans, but he’s not ready to be an impactful fantasy contributor at this stage of his development.
NOP • • #
about 2 months ago
Fears will make the first start of his young NBA career as the Pelicans shuffle their opening unit on Monday. Fears has scored in double digits in each of his first two games and could be in a position to land more production with Zion Williamson sidelined (foot). Both teams are looking to secure their first win of the season.
Source: Rod Walker