Not only was James Harden the only player to stay healthy for the entirety of the fantasy basketball playoffs, but he has also been putting up insane lines. Last night he went 7-50-11-10-0-0-3 on 13-of-31 shooting and 17-of-18 FTs. You must feel like a fool if you didn’t draft this man number one overall. He’s the clear cut top fantasy player, and he didn’t take any rest days in the crucial games of the fantasy season, unlike pretty much every other relevant player in the league. For most of us, today is the last day of the fantasy basketball season, and we are sad. Many of us have mentally moved on to fantasy baseball, but for one last day let’s reflect on the fantasy season that was, and enjoy one last day of fantasy basketball before the inevitability of the Warriors championship run commences. Here’s what went down last night in the NBA:
Cedi Osman– 2-19-5-3-4-0-0 on 5-of-13 FGs and 7-of-9 FTs. Will next year be the Return of the Cedi to fantasy lineups? Depending on how the Cavs’ offseason goes, I could see him being relevant once again. He made a decent improvement over the course of the season and got his owners four steals last night. For a guy that doesn’t do much in the defensive categories, that’s a nice surprise.
Larry Nance Jr.- 5-10-2-1-0-3 on 2-of-9 shooting and 1-of-2 FTs. Nance in Your Pants is the odd mix of rebounds, FG%, and steals. I always wanted this guy to get a full time job, and this year he finally did and turned out top 100 value.
JaMychal Green– 2-18-10-0-1-1-0 on 8-of-9 shooting. Usually the fourth best Green, but for one night only, JaMychal was the MVG. Clippers go again tonight and have the final game of the fantasy season in the rare 10:30 EST start on a Sunday. I love a nice 12 hours of basketball, especially to close out the fantasy B-Ball year. It reminds me of Christmas or MLK Day, the two best basketball days of the year IMO.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander– 3-22-2-8-1-0-1 on 9-of-12 shooting and 1-for-2 from the line. Shai Guy is another guy who’s finishing strong for his owners and I will be targeting him next year.
Daniel Theis– 16-4-2-1-2-0 on 7-of-9 shooting and 2-of-2 FTs. When Al Horford sits, the Theis is Right!
Gordon Hayward– 1-19-6-3-1-0-2 on 7-of-9 shooting and 4-of-6 FTs. If you drafted him this year, the gamble probably didn’t pay off, but I could see doubling down on him next year if he comes at a good enough discount. My guess is he’ll be somewhere in the 6th-8th round area.
D’Angelo Russell– 4-29-3-10-2-0-4 on 12-of-24 shooting and 1-of-2 FTs. His FTs have been really bad over the last six games, which is really disappointing because he had been better this year at making his freebies and he let his owners down in that area in the playoffs. He still had a strong week overall and was one of the best values for fantasy owners on the season.
Caris LeVert– 1-15-2-1-4-0-1 on 5-of-13 shooting and 4-of-6 FTs. If the Nets collectively improved on their foul shooting, they could be the 5th seed at least. I have no idea where Caris will be drafted next year, as he looked primed for a huge breakout season before suffering a gruesome leg injury. He has strung together a few decent games off the bench, but has been inconsistent since coming back. I like the idea of taking the flier on him next year for the potential he has shown, but Nets could also be players in the free agent market.
Marvin Bagley III– 20-12-0-0-1-2 on 10-of-20 shooting. He’s making Marvin I and II very proud. If he works on his 3-point shot in the offseason, look out.
Bogdan Bogdanovic– 5-24-9-8-0-0-1 on 8-of-14 shooting and 3-of-4 FTs. ‘Dan ‘Danovic had been in a pretty big lull, but most owners probably held on due to the Kings amazing fantasy playoff schedule. The Kings are flush with young talent, so playing time could be an issue for him next year.
Enes Kanter– 20-15-0-2-0-3 on 9-of-17 shooting and 2-for-2 FTs. The big “winner” in the Jusuf Nurkic injury. Prayers up for Jusuf. That sucks for the Blazers who were primed to at least make a run in the Western Conference playoffs. He was having a huge breakout year too…
Moe Harkless– 10-10-2-1-3-2 on 5-of-11 shooting. He struggled to stay healthy all season, but has finally strung some games together near the end. He’s always one of my go-to streamers because he can do a bit of everything when given the PT.
Andre Drummond– 22-19-4-4-3-3 on 9-of-13 shooting and 4-of-6 FTs. Okay, a few other guys didn’t miss games during the fantasy playoffs, but honestly, this year has been ridiculous with rest days and freak injuries. My teams right now contain guys like Pat Connaughton, Monte Morris, Shaquille Harrison, and Willy Hernangomez… This is not what fantasy basketball should be. #ShortenTheSeason
Reggie Jackson– 3-28-5-5-0-1-2 on 10-of-22 shooting and 5-of-6 from the line. Mr. March had been quiet this week, but finished out the season strong. I wouldn’t touch him in drafts next year or ever, but do you.
DJ Augustin– 1-11-4-10-0-0-0 on 5-of-10 shooting. He’s a guy that’s been added and dropped a ton in most leagues, but probably should have just been owned all year. He’s currently 28th in the league in total assists.
Aaron Gordon– 4-23-10-7-2-0-1 on 9-of-15 shooting and 1-for-1 from the line. I never know what to make of this guy. He’s like Tobias Harris, but not as good in any way. Okay, he has slightly more blocks than Tobias, but that’s it.
Darren Collison– 2-24-3-9-1-0-1 on 10-of-15 shooting and 2-of-4 FTs. Speaking of assists, Collie’s 13th in the league in total assists. Slow and steady wins the race. Woof!
Goran Dragic– 2-10-2-10-0-0-5 on 4-of-14 shooting. He battled injuries all season, and never really put it together, but for one glorious night, he got you assists.
Dion Waiters– 6-28-3-6-2-1-2 on 11-of-23 shooting. If you went up against Waiters last night, you guessed it: You just got served! He’s actually been playing well and had a pretty huge week for you if you streamed him for the Heat’s three games.
Dwyane Wade– 16-7-3-1-1-4 on 6-of-16 shooting and 4-for-4 from the line. He’s been not-bad down the stretch and is not resting because he’s gonna have the rest of his life to do that if he so chooses. Congrats on a HOF career.
Luke Kornet– 5-17-8-3-3-3-1 on 5-of-14 shooting and 2-for-2 FTs. The 1.5 Rainbow out of no where! Speaking of out of nowhere, I will be at Wrestlemania confirmed. Randy Orton will be hitting that RKO. Still waiting on fantasy WWE, but I’m not sure what the categories would be. I know one would be betrayals.
Mitchell Robinson– 9-14-0-3-4-1 on 4-for-4 shooting and 1-for-2 from the line. I’m taking him next year round 3. Book it. He’s a blocks machine and he don’t work for nobody but me.
Emmanuel Mudiay– 2-24-5-4-0-0-4 on 6-fo-12 shooting and 10-for-12 from the line. Mudi-Ayyy! What a stream if you had the cajones/foresight.
Marc Gasol– 3-17-8-6-0-1-1 on 6-of-11 shooting and 2-for-4 FTs. The Biggest Loser at the trade deadline finally helped his owners out. He had four points total in his previous two games. Who knows where he’ll end up next year.
Serge Ibaka– 2-23-12-2-0-1-2 on 10-of-16 shooting and made his lone FT. He probably lost some value at the deadline as well, but Serge has had a decent season. His upside is kind of limited on the Raps.
Kyle Lowry– 1-10-7-8-4-0-3 on 2-of-10 shooting and 5-of-6 from the line. Sadly, this was his best game of the week and he’s been missing games all over the place. Get off my fantasy team!
Shaquille Harrison– 15-8-2-1-1-1 on 6-of-15 shooting and 3-for-5 from the line. Yes, Shaquille Harrison was the answer to most valuable pickup down the stretch. For three brilliant games, you were perfect my friend.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot– 4-18-10-1-0-2-2 on 6-of-13 shooting an made both his FTs. You win the award for name that I just like saying out loud. I doubt any of us streamed him, but the thought of it is nice. If you’re going another week, meh. I still wouldn’t add him probably.
James Bolden– 5-19-8-3-1-3-1 on 7-of-10 shooting. Played seven minutes total in the previous four games, so this was as out of no where and pretty much useless to everyone.
Ben Simmons– 20-11-9-2-1-5 on 8-of-11 shooting and 4-of-6 from the line. After he selfishly got sick to start the week, he at least slightly redeemed himself with this near trip-dub.
Josh Okogie– 5-4-0-0-0-0 on 1-of-5 shooting and 3-of-4 from the line. Well, he had been having a decent week… This was your audition buddy! You’re blowing it!
Justin Holiday– 2-14-2-0-2-1-2 on 5-of-9 shooting and 2-for-2 from the stripe. He started off the season looking like one of the best pickups, then he got traded to Memphis and it all fell apart. What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of the time when you were on my team.
Bruno Caboclo– 2-12-6-2-1-1-2 on 3-of-7 shooting and 4-of-6 from the line. Speaking of auditions, this guy’s getting a nice little star next to his name for next year. Bruno Caboclo, least likely player to be 46% owned by the end of the year, but somehow this is what it’s come to.
Jonas Valanciunas– 34-20-5-2-2-3 on 16-of-28 shooting and made both his FTs. JV has been a monster over the last few weeks. It just goes to show, everyone’s value is capped on the Raptors. The NBA is about getting numbers not winning games. Everyone knows that! Stay off the Raptors guys!
Mike Conley– 2-33-4-5-2-0-1 on 10-of-19 shooting and 11-of-14 FTs. The off days have sucked, but he has had a career-year. I’m sure his jersey will be in the rafters in Memphis when all is said and done.
Delon Wright– 1-11-3-2-5-2-1 on 3-of-8 shooting and 4-of-6 FTs. Another guy spreading his wings as soon as he gets off the Raptors. Win fantasy leagues not playoff games!
Devon Booker– 3-48-3-11-0-0-6 on 19-of-29 shooting and 7-of-8 FTs. This guy gets what fantasy basketball is all about.
It’s been a fun season. I may, or may not be doing another post next week. If your playoffs go that deep, I think it’s time you change the rules in your league. As always, thanks for reading.
