Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs - 22.46 PER
Quietly, Manu Ginobili is one of the best players in the NBA once again. In a recent game against the Phoenix Suns, Ginobili scored 30 points and hit 18-of-18 from the free throw line. If his minutes start rising, he could become a fantasy basketball power.

Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks - 19.98 PER
With Michael Redd out for the season, the door has opened for Charlie Villanueva. He’s starting now and should get plenty of minutes and plenty of shot attempts. He’s shown All-Star type ability at times in his career and he’ll get a chance to become a fantasy basketball star.

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves - 17.59 PER
Early on in the season, Kevin Love looked like a draft bust. But as of late, he has really turned it around and now should be rostered in every fantasy basketball league on the planet. In January, he’s averaging 12.6 points and 10 rebounds in only 24 minutes per game. That is simply disgusting. If he plays starters minutes, he could become a star overnight.

Mickael Pietrus, Orlando Magic - 15.86 PER
In his first game back from injury, Mickael Pietrus put up 27 points, ten rebounds and four assists. And while he won’t do that every game, his impressive PER tells us that he’s a capable starter in the NBA. Pick him up on your fantasy team if you want to take a flyer on a player who could blossom as the season progresses.

RB JJ Arrington, Arizona Cardinals
In the fantasy football world, JJ Arrington is best known for being a bust of a fantasy draft pick. Coming into the league as a rookie, fantasy owners were under the impression that he would have a big rookie season. While that was off base, Arrington gets some time at running back for the Cardinals and is a threat in the open field.

RB Carey Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers
Most fullbacks aren’t startable in the fantasy football world but with Carey Davis of the Steelers, you can be confident that he’ll at least get a couple touches. In the two games Pittsburgh has played in the playoffs, Davis has five touches. In their last three games, he has seven touches. If you need an emergency starter and all the other RBs are taken, look at Davis.

WR Jerheme Urban, Arizona Cardinals
There’s no doubt that the Cardinals will try a couple trick plays against the Steelers to try to catch Pittsburgh off guard. One target for the trick play could be Urban, who is the fourth wide receiver for the Cardinals. During the regular season, he threw a pass that was complete and he also had two touchdowns in the final three games.

WR Limas Sweed, Pittsburgh Steelers
Against the Ravens, Limas Sweed’s stat line would have looked a lot better if he would have hauled in the long bomb that fell right through his finger tips. If Hines Ward is banged up and Santonio Holmes is double-covered, Sweed could be the difference maker as a long ball threat.

Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
In the much anticipated Monta Ellis return, Ellis looked very good. He had 20 points and showed that his athleticism remains intact following his moped accident. Just as important for fantasy basketball owners, Ellis started at point guard — which makes him even more valuable. Get him on your fantasy team if the price is right.

Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
There is a lot of turmoil surrounding Richard Hamilton. He’s now coming off the bench to help balance out the Pistons’ starting lineup. While that may have soured a few Hamilton owners, he’s still a player that can help your fantasy team. Get him now before he fully adjusts to his role and his value increases.

Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
If there’s a time to get Amare Stoudemire for a reduced rate, now would be that time. He’s laid a few eggs recently and hasn’t looked nearly as good as usual. That said, the Suns will figure out a way to get him more involved and his fantasy value will again rise. Trade for him now if at all possible.

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose has hit the rookie wall — much like almost all rookies do. The good news is that many rookies are able to regroup and get over the wall. Rose should be one of those rookies so if you have a panicking Rose owner in your league, now is the time to pounce.

Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls
If you want to buy low on a potential star, take a look at Luol Deng. He’s back in the lineup and he’s putting up good numbers. If you buy him now, there’s a chance that his fantasy basketball value could rise back to what it was a few years ago.

Nick Collison, Oklahoma City Thunder
Although Nick Collison isn’t an exciting fantasy player, he should be solid for the rest of the season. He’s playing consistent and with the Thunder playing better basketball, Collison could average close to a double-double for the rest of the year.

Von Wafer, Houston Rockets
Having scored in double figures in seven straight games, it’s starting to look like Von Wafer is for real. And with Tracy McGrady chronically injured, Wafer could find minutes as the offensive spark the Rockets desperately need. Pick him up if you have room to find out if this hot stretch can last.

Jerryd Bayless, Portland Trail Blazers
With Steve Blake sidelined, Jerryd Bayless is finally getting consistent minutes in his rookie campaign. While his overall numbers are ugly, he had a big game on Thursday night in which he finished with 23 points off the bench. Most impressive? His 11-for-11 shooting from the line in the game.

PER has proven to be a pretty good measurement of a basketball player’s ability. It’s especially useful to help find players who could breakout once given more playing time. Here are some players that have high PER’s but low minutes per game average.

Marreese Speights, Philadelphia 76ers, 20.68 PER
Throughout the season, Speights has had a high PER. The fact that he’s consistently led all rookies means that he’s probably the real thing. For every 40 minutes he plays, he’s putting up 40 points and 10 rebounds. Keep an eye on any spike in minutes played because he has shown star potential.

Brandan Wright, Golden State Warriors, 19.14 PER
Wright had a high PER last year as a rookie and now as a sophomore has an even higher PER. He’s recently been starting for the Warriors, which is very good for his fantasy basketball potential this season. If he can consistently get 30 minutes per game he could become a very solid fantasy option.

Carl Landry, Houston Rockets, 18.34 PER
A lot like Wright, Landry is a sophomore who is once again putting up a high PER. Showing that his rookie year was no fluke, Landry has been doing a lot on a per minute basis. If the Carl Landry trade rumors have any legs, he could bust out onto the scene once given ample playing time.

Leon Powe, Boston Celtics, 17.17 PER
With the Celtics stumbling down the Eastern Conference standings, they might have to re-work their rotations. One option is to give Leon Powe more playing time. Powe has done well but he’s only playing 15.2 minutes per game. If he can up that to 25 minutes, Powe could become fantasy viable.

Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
Starting now for the Nets at center, Brook Lopez is starting to establish himself. While he’s still very much inconsistent, he’s scoring skills as both a scorer and a rebounder that should keep him in the starting lineup. It’s not out of the question that he could become a double-double machine sooner rather than later.

Courtney Lee, Orlando Magic
With news that Mickael Pietrus broke his rest and is out for an indefinite amount of time, Courtney Lee should see an upshoot in playing time as a result. The rookie shooting guard can shoot, score and provide decent complementary stats. If he can move into the starting lineup, that’d be a big boost for his fantasy worth.

Amir Johnson, Detroit Pistons
Amir Johnson is back into the starting lineup. He began the year as a starter before falling out of favor and falling out of the rotation. However, it should be noted that he’s starting mostly due to an injury to Richard Hamilton. Only start Johnson as long as Hamilton is sidelined.

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors
The Great Tease is at it again. Filling in for an injured and sick Jermaine O’Neal, Andrea Bargnani had a big game. This followed a series of uninspired performances off the bench. When he’s going right, Bargnani is a center who can score, hit three pointers, block shots and chip in with a few rebounds.

Dominic McGuire, Washington Wizards
Now in the starting lineup, Dominic McGuire is putting up impressive all-around numbers. While he’s not much of a scorer, he can help you in a lot of other areas. In his last five games, he’s averaging 4.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 30 minutes per game. If you need a little bit of help in a lot of areas, give McGuire a look.

Brandan Wright, Golden State Warriors
Currently, Brandan Wright is in the starting lineup for the Warriors. Though that can change at any moment, Wright has shown a high amount of talent. That talent in a run and gun offense could spell big fantasy value if he becomes a long term answer in Don Nelson’s starting lineup.

Kevin Ollie, Minnesota Timberwolves
Although Kevin Ollie isn’t exactly a name that enters many fantasy basketball owners minds, he’s starting now for the T’Wolves and he’s putting up pretty good numbers. If you need another point guard, going with Ollie is better than banking on a backup point guard.

Aaron Gray, Chicago Bulls
Starting three straight games at center, Aaron Gray has been impressive at times for the Bulls. He has the size and strength that the Bulls are lacking. Gray’s strong suit is rebounding and he’s not a bad scorer if he gets the touches.

QB Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
Not only is Shaun Hill playing good football at the moment, his Week 16 matchup against the St. Louis Rams is golden. If you need a fantasy football quarterback for this week and Hill is available on the waiver wire, pick him up and start him without hesitation.

RB Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
Last week, Benson had 152 total yards against the Washington Redskins. In Week 16, he gets to play the porous defense of the Cleveland Browns. Benson is starting to reach his potential and is a relatively safe fantasy football start this week.

WR Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
In the last four weeks, Devin Hester is starting to look like a legit fantasy football wide receiver. He has at least three catches and at least 45 receiving yards in each contest. This week against the Green Bay Packers, he should continue his production.

TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
Although Jeremy Shockey is coming off of a quiet week, he’s a good start in Week 16 of the fantasy football season. The main reason why he’s a sleeper is that he’s going against the Detroit Lions. There’s a definite chance that Drew Brees will find Shockey in the end zone for his first touchdown of the season.

QB Seneca Wallace, Seattle Seahawks
Coming off of a very good game against the New England, Seneca Wallace will face the pitiful St. Louis Rams defense this week. Last Week, Wallace finished with three touchdowns, 212 passing yards and 47 rushing yards. This week he has a chance to put up similar stats against the Rams. If you need an emergency fantasy football quarterback starter, look for Wallace.

RB Tatum Bell, Denver Broncos
With Peyton Hillis now out for the season with a hamstring injury, Tatum Bell is the starting running back in Denver. He’s had some success in the past in this system and should be extra motivated knowing that this could very well be his last chance to earn a spot in the NFL. Start him if your other options are shaky.

WR Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams
Torry Holt has quietly gotten better over the last few weeks. He’s running better routes and is getting open more often. In the last four weeks, he has 17 receptions and has had at least 60 yards in all but one of those games. He’ll likely have a breakout game at some point before the end of the season and Week 15 against the Seahawks is a possibility.

TE Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers
In each of the last two games, Donald Lee has a touchdown. In the last four games, he has three touchdowns. While he’s not getting a whole lot of passes thrown his way, he’s a definite threat near the end zone. Going against a mediocre Jacksonville Jaguars defense in Week 15 makes Lee a good play.

Photo credit: Newscom

QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
In Week 14 of the 2008 fantasy football season, Gus Frerotte is going up against the Detroit Lions. That alone is enough to make him a sleeper. However, Frerotte is actually playing better than most realize. Last week he had two touchdowns and in the last six weeks, he has a total of ten touchdowns. Start him in Week 14 with confidence.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
With Deuce McAllister suspended and Reggie Bush still slowed by injury, Pierre Thomas is a very important member of the Saints backfield right now. He’s the goal line back and should see around 15 touches in Week 14. If you need to pick up an emergency starter at running back, check to see if Thomas is available in your fantasy league.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
If Mark Bradley plays this week, consider him a definite sleeper for Week 14. Although he’s banged up and might miss the game against the Denver Broncos, he’ll be a weapon if he actually plays. The Chiefs have been able to move the ball and the Broncos have not been able to stop the ball. That’d be a good combination for Bradley.

TE Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Todd Heap had a horribly slow start to the 2008 fantasy football season but as of late he’s really started to pick it up. He has three touchdowns in his four games and while the Washington Redskins are a tough matchup, the Ravens will likely have to throw the ball more and that is good news for Heap.