Ref Report: Taking another dip in the pool

By Dave Steiner, Special to SI.com

Their college days are behind them, but Nazr Mohammed and Juan Dixon are both stepping up their games in March. AP Games Per Team (3/8-3/14) 2 Games: Pistons 3 Games: Blazers, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Hornets, Knicks, Magic, Nets, Pacers, Raptors, Rockets, Sonics, Suns 4 Games: Bucks, Bulls, Celtics, Clippers, Hawks, Heat, Jazz, Kings, Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, 76ers, Spurs, Timberwolves, Warriors, Wizards

Last week, I took a look at five players wallowing in the free-agent pool, waiting to help your squad. This week, I'll take a look at five more players capable of giving your squad an edge over the competition heading into the playoffs.

Nazr Mohammed, FC, New York Knicks
 (10.8 PTS, 54% FG, 44% FT, 10.8 REB, 1.8 AST, 2 ST, .8 BLK, 1.4 TO in last 5 games)
With Dikembe Mutombo still recovering from abdominal surgery, Mohammed has stepped into the starting lineup for the Knicks and become a consistent double-double threat. He's averaging 1.7 steals as a starter while shooting 55 percent from the floor with only 1.4 turnovers, making him a four- to five-category producer for your center-starved squad. Is a five-category center really still sitting in your free-agent pool? Maybe it's time you threw on your swimsuit and rescued him.

Etan Thomas, FC, Washington Wizards
 (12 PTS, 54% FG, 80% FT, 9 REB, 1.3 AST, .5 ST, 2.3 BLK, 2 TO in last 4 games)
He may not be getting starter minutes, but remember, even mediocre players can have a fantasy impact when playing for a bad team. If your team is in need of boards and blocks, Thomas is a great guy to have sitting on the end of your bench. At least if he's there, you know he can't come back to haunt you when your first-round opponent uses him against you in the playoffs.

Troy Hudson, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves
 (10.8 PTS, 42% FG, 63% FT, 1.8 3PTM, 2 REB, 4.4 AST, .2 ST, 0 BLK, 1.4 TO)Finishing last season as the starting point guard who lit up the Lakers in the playoffs, Hudson has finally returned from an ankle injury that cost him most of the season. He's backing up Sam Cassell, and with the T'wolves pushing for home-court advantage in the playoffs, Hudson will see only a little over 20 minutes a night. Normally, that's not enough time for a player to make a fantasy impact, but Hudson knows how to get his. (His favorite play is to come off a screen and launch his jumper!) Regardless of the amount of PT he gets, he'll find a way to produce; he always does.

Chucky Atkins, PG, Boston Celtics
 (10.8 PTS, 37% FG, 79% FT, 1.4 3PTM, 2.2 REB, 5 AST, .6 ST, 1.8 TO in last games)
If you're looking for a boost in 3s and assists and can afford the hit in field-goal percentage, Atkins might be your guy. While he averaged only 19 minutes per game with the Pistons, he's up to 35 with the Celtics and is one of the reasons the C's enjoyed a six-game winning streak. He'll continue to see big minutes, even with Marcus Banks waiting in the wings, as the Celtics look to improve their standing in the East, so he's a decent play the rest of the way.

Juan Dixon, G, Washington Wizards
 (13.8 PTS, 46% FG, 80% FT, 1.8 3PTM, 1.8 REB, .8 AST, .4 ST, .2 BLK, .8 TO in last 4 games)
Mediocre player, bad team ... you get the idea. In any other situation, Dixon wouldn't warrant any fantasy attention, but with Jerry Stackhouse out, there aren't many other options in the backcourt for the Wiz. He's coming off two big games so another owner might have already snagged him. But if he's still available, he's a source for 3s and steals with some scoring thrown in. We're talking a pretty deep league here though.

Player to Watch

Mickael Pietrus, GF, Golden State Warriors: "The French Jordan," as he's known in Europe, has seen limited playing time in his rookie season, but with the Warriors virtually eliminated from playoff contention and losers of their last five games, expect them to start working him into the rotation. Keep your eye on this guy; he's got the skills to be a special player in this league.

Dave Steiner is an owner of FantasyRef.com, a FREE Fantasy Sports site designed by the guys at FantasyAsylum.com.