Well, the rich get richer and the poor certainly got poorer last week, except for the case of my team as I faced an absolutely buzzsaw in Breaking Batum. Curry burns my ass!! is still burning through the league with another 6-3 win, as 8 of the top 9 teams won by at least 6-3 except my 2-7 loss. Sucks to play a hot team at the wrong time! Also sucks to see most of the other top teams all play bottom-of-the-standings teams… It was another week with a heavy dose of FAAB bidding, so here’s how everything went down in week 4 of the REL:
1. Curry burns my ass!! (27-8-1)
FAAB Remaining: $87 FAAB Moves this week: Adreian Payne ($5)
Well… The early season surge continues. My team of 20 minute guys managed another weekly win. I needed a big assist game from Curry to the category, but he fell short. Biyombo was a good pick-up, aided mostly by a six block game. Unfortunately, the injury bug bit, losing Kevin Martin, Norris Cole, Chris Anderson and Tobias Harris. Fortunately for the Bassethounds, I was unable to peel Teague away for Martin, with him wisely declining my offer the day before Martin was injured. Cole I will sit on and, hopefully, Tobias is short-term, but Anderson became expendable when Biyombo joined the team and when I realized Anderson had neck tattoos that were older than Adreian Payne. I essentially traded dropped rookies with Slim, preparing to rebuild. I realize depth wins a league this deep, but still feel I am getting by with smoke and mirrors, managing to win against injured or absent teams. I was offered some very intriguing trades for some of my young, relatively cheap talent, but I still remain in a wait and see pattern.
2. Martyball – IFBL (25-9-2)
FAAB Remaining: $80 FAAB Moves this week: Darrell Arthur ($4)
3. Barking BassetHounds (25-10-1)
FAAB Remaining: $74 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
What can one expect when his opponent goes MIA and leaves his star player on the bench? Well the expected result is wins in the six positive counting stats and a loss in the negative counting stat. The victory will range between 6-3 and 8-1 depending on the results of the ratios. Last week the ratios were split and Barking BassettHounds won 7-2. Looking at overall ratios I observe we are 6th in FG% and 4th in FT%. That is a definite improvement from last year where I had ratio killer Josh Smith until I got rid of him in a trade. I will hate Josh Smith with an eternal hatred for this.
On the plus side, it was quite a week for my one FAAB acquisition Dr. Pap as his line in the six counting stats was 6-35-17-9-3-2. Unlike my $60 Xavier Henry of last year, his $26 purchase price was worth it. One of my yearly goals is to end up with at least one good $1 keeper (last year Henry Sims) and it appears that goal has been met this year.
On the other side of the ledger John Henson received his first DNP – CD and CJ Miles remains injured and has yet to contribute in a meaningful way this year. In this league both are holds for now.
In unrelated news it appears like my Red Sox are going nuts in the “It is not my money” department wth Panda, Hanley and hopefully Lester. Oops forgot this was a basketball column..my bad.
4. Breaking Batum (25-10-1)
FAAB Remaining: $67 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
We were worried heading into this week knowing we would be missing games from Batum and Rose against a top 5 opponent. Luckily for us we were able to get big contributions from unexpected guys early in the week, and a full week of Super Mario Chalmers. Having to cut bait with Tony Snell was difficult last week, but with the Aaron Gordon injury and the potential to lose Rose any given night we could not afford to watch him ride the pine all season. Our schedule takes a favorable turn this week matching us against bottom half teams 2 consecutive week. After last nights game we have hope that Hickson will break back into the rotation and give us reasonable production in boards and points. We are still looking to trade Gordon as we had a similar start to the season last year, but missed out on the playoffs down the stretch. We will need production from every guy on our roster to get over that hurdle this year. Good luck this week Mr. Green.
5. Scurry to the Left (23-12-1)
FAAB Remaining: $98 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
6. The Nature Boy (21-15-0)
FAAB Remaining: $100 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
7. SethDaSportsMan (20-16-0)
FAAB Remaining: $48 FAAB Moves this week: Omri Casspi ($13)
8. JB Gilpin – Razzball (20-16-0)
FAAB Remaining: $42 FAAB Moves this week: Tony Snell ($37), Kevin Seraphin ($7)
So, last week was a travesty. I knew I was going to get crushed last Monday morning, seeing Breaking Batum with a full line-up Monday to my half-squad. I think all but one day he had more players going as I got bludgeoned in games played and in minutes. Even though he is without Derrick Rose and Aaron Gordon, my Ricky Rubio and MKG I think brings more to the table (plus a lot of my role guys missed games here and there with minor injuries/illness) and he got career-best weeks from Nikola Mirotic (out of nowhere) and Mario Chalmers. Plus possibly a career-week from Wilson Chandler. Then, on a [shocker!] bigger slate on Sunday, Batum was afforded the luxury of sitting his final two Nuggets late to be sure and win TO by 3 (although even if he let them roll he would’ve won by 1, but how does Evan Turner, Nick Collison, Big Al, Batum and Chalmers combine for 4 total TO on the all-important final day?! Ugh!!!!). Bring me the rocky road ice cream, it never frustrates me like this… I’m going to shame eat the whole gallon.
Well while injuries taketh away, they also giveth with Ian Mahinmi looking at a big week for me and Austin Rivers should get some heavy minutes while Eric Gordon is out. I’ll need my boys to bounce back against Hoopus Alleyoopus so I don’t look like a doofus.
Speaking of looking like a doofus, I went all-in to get Tony Snell, one of my favorite NBA players without a consistent role. Sure it probably was an overbid, but Slim and I both wanted him and I endeavored to secure the add to own him for a $1 for the remainder of his career. I don’t think his future is in Chicago and he can get a starting job somewhere else once he becomes a free agent. Plus I’ve been able to keep my roster fluid without spending big in the market, so I didn’t mind making a big splash with a guy I’m almost certainly holding into next year. I really wanted Chase Budinger as well (bid $10 to the losing $16 bid from High as Greg Kite), who is getting a lot of run with Kevin Martin out. Luckily I got my third target, as I could see Seraphin getting more and more work as Nene is recently dealing with plantar fascitis/being old. I almost dropped Beno Udrih as well, but I think he might’ve won the backup PG role with his strong play over the returning-from-suspension Nick Calathes. Giving Beno another week as I really need all hands on deck to rebound from the last week.
9. Kap’s Team (19-16-1)
FAAB Remaining: $99 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
I beat Like a Josh 7-2 this week to move into 9th place. I started last season in a similar manner; losing the first two weeks before starting a winning streak. Still undecided on how good my team truly is, but didn’t think there was anyone on waivers that I really wanted. Ersan Ilyasova had a nice week, despite limited minutes. Anytime you get some OT games, it is a big help. Carmelo is rounding into form, but still waiting on Kevin Love to pick it up and George Hill to return.
10. Hoopus Alleyoopus (19-17-0)
FAAB Remaining: $82 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
11. Slim – Razzball (18-17-1)
FAAB Remaining: $88 FAAB Moves this week: Jordan Clarkson ($4)
It sure is nice to finally be up over .500. I could dwell on losing points by 7 but since I won assists by only 1 it hurts a little less, thank you Reggie Jackson. Just to show how bad my bigs are Reggie also paced my team in boards this week, and points too but that isn’t surprising. Even with the win though I’m still thinking about playing for next year. I got nothing again from Nurkic, Hood, and Early, the latter I was going to drop to re-add Adreian Payne but I was beaten to the punch. I was also willing to lose Early for Tony Snell but JB made sure that wasn’t going to happen with his $37 bid, mine was $17. The only move I made this week was for Jordan Clarkson. As the year goes on and the Lakers continue to lose games I imagine Clarkson’s playing time will rise. He’s a good player as evidence by his 2 DLeague games where he started at the point and put up 23.5/4/7.5. The key stat there being assists which in a league this deep is simply impossible to find on waivers.
Now I’m back to making offers for my future. I’ve made several offers to what I believe are active teams but I’ve yet to receive a counter or for that matter even a rejection. If you’re interested in moving some youth I am very much willing to part with Beverley, Augustin, Brewer, Tucker, Amir, Sanders. I imagine there isn’t a team out there that couldn’t use one or more of these guys if they plan on making a playoff run so if that’s you then lets make a deal. If you want my kids that aren’t getting minutes, Nurkic, Hood, Early, Clarkson, then shoot me an offer and maybe I can be convinced to play for this year.
12. Ben – RotoGold (17-18-1)
FAAB Remaining: $50 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
13. ChazTop–KevinBottom (16-20-0)
FAAB Remaining: $100 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
14. Team Tough Guy Town (15-20-1)
FAAB Remaining: $100 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
15. High as Greg Kite (14-21-1)
FAAB Remaining: $38 FAAB Moves this week: Chase Budinger ($16)
16. Pete Nice – Razzball (12-24-0)
FAAB Remaining: $95 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
17. Like A Josh – IFBL (11-25-0)
FAAB Remaining: $85 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
18. Cigar Smoking Monkey (9-26-1)
FAAB Remaining: $100 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
19. Mr. Green – Nowhere (8-26-2)
FAAB Remaining: $63 FAAB Moves this week: Aron Baynes ($5)
Another week, another loss. This past week I was actually in the lead about half way through the week, but my GP disadvantage caught up to me I think. So I went down 2-7, which when compared to the injury plagued 0-8 the week before, looks pretty decent I guess.
Getting rid of Josh Smith should move me in the direction of competing in FG% and FT%, which for me will be crucial. I think I can compete in BLK and REB. Then depending on the opponent I should have a shot of competing in AST/STL/TO. So obviously if I can’t compete in either percentage that would make it tough to win on any given week. This week I dropped my other Smith, Jason Smith, since he’s slowly losing relevant playing time and when he’s out there all he does is score. The points are nice, but I’d like some rebounding or shot blocking to go with it. I add Aron Baynes in his place, who should at least give me points, percentages and rebounds. I just missed Seraphin due to my crappy waiver priority, I would have loved to get him since Nene got hurt *shock*. Oh well, Humph will probably be the biggest beneficiary anyway.
This week I get a playoff caliber team that just finished crushing another playoff caliber team last week. ***Yeah I did say you got crushed JB, but, in my defense, I also said you were a playoff caliber team. Glass half full buddy!*** This matchup is the start of a tough 6 week stretch for me. Thankfully I may, MAY, be healthy. Of my previous injuries (excluding George/Embid) only KOQ is still hurt, and from what I hear he will suit up for the Magic’s second game this week. Now, Otto Porter got hurt last week, but it may not be serious and he may play all his games this week. Let’s hope so anyway.
Assuming that Derrick Rose rests this week, which for the Bulls sake he should (the fact it helps my team is entirely coincidental) my opponent looks like he’ll have 48 GP for the upcoming week. Now, another assumption, assuming Otto Porter doesn’t miss any games and KOQ comes back when he’s supposed to on Wednesday that would give me……drumroll please…..50 GP this week. It’d probably be the first time all year that I’d have more GP than my opponent. So…….you’re saying there’s a chance?????
Yes, yes I am!
20. The Struggle is Real (8-19-0)
FAAB Remaining: $100 FAAB Moves this week: n/a
