The Raptors and Cavaliers faced off against Real Madrid and Siena Montepaschi Siena, respectively, and won both games. They did so, however, without much help from beyond the arc. Andrea Bargnani, for example, played in excess of 30 minutes, but missed four of his five three point attempts. He still managed 14 points, if nothing else (4 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals). Here’s what else happened on Monday night in the realm of basketball:
Klay Thompson - He didn’t play a Spanish team, but he still missed four of his five shots from downtown, although he did put up 11 points.
Al Jefferson – There are big expectations for Al, and it’s only the preseason, but let’s see how he did. 2 blocks? That’s good. 1-8 shooting? That’s bad. 3 rebounds? That’s worse.
David Lee - If I was David’s mother, I would call him my sweet, beautiful boy. I’m not, though, so I’ll just think it. He scored 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists in over 36 minutes. Just what you would expect from Lee. Let’s see it in the regular season.
Brandon Rush - As his dramatic return marches onward, he put up 14 points, including 2 of 6 from three point land. He only 2 rebounds, but he also managed 2 blocks.
Festus Ezeli – As the starting Center, 4 blocks, 7 rebounds, 6 points. Mama mia! And he’s not even Italian!
DeMar DeRozan – I want him to play with an eyepatch and cigar. Don’t ask me why; he has the look for it. Anyway, he went 6-13 with 18 points and 6 rebounds.
John Lucas III – Off the bench, he went 7-10, including 2 threes for 16 total points. If he had two threes, wouldn’t he be John Lucas VI?
Ed Davis – 10 rebounds in 18 minutes. Hachi machi.
Kyrie Irving – Hit only 1 of 7, but made 8 of 9 from the free throw line to reach 10 points. Maybe he had kinetosis during the game.
Anderson Varejao - 8 rebounds (3 offensive), 1 block, 6 points. Maybe he can manage more than five shots the next time out.
Was just reading back on the TOP 100, I saw your Anthony Davis stat line, fairly in line with everywhere else. I’m in a deep 18 teamer. What are we thinking for the future for this guy?
I mean can he go 20pts/12rebs/1stl/3+blks?
Or are we looking at a guy who probably won’t develop into much more than a 14-16 point scorer with heavy blocks and 10 boards? Still nice but I play in a fpts league and I’m trying to figure out what we’re thinking with this guy.
@Tony, I feel like if Davis matures and puts on weight, he can be a Dwight Howard with excellent free throw percentages, which is to say, the perfect big man, 20-10, 1.5 steals, 2.5-3 blocks, and does not hurt you anywhere.
@Tony, I think the rebounds will come, if not the offense. He has the potential to be a great big presence as a center for many years to come.
That Utah front court is annoying. I’m convinced that if either Favors or Kanter got starter’s minutes they’d have a big fantasy impact. There are murmerings that Al Jefferson or Milsap will get traded to make room at some point. In that scenario, I think Favors would get first crack, he’s produced like a G when he’s in the lineup, but where does that leave Kanter? Is he rosterableg guys or take a wait and see approach? I think Favors is draftable, particularly in a keeper league. Just not sure he’ll end up on my roster when I can get a guy who will get bigger minutes right away and have an impact on my squad from week one. Thoughts?
@S-Quire, I think Millsap is more tradeable than Al due to his contract. If one of them is getting traded, I think it is Millsap. Where to? Probably the East. Milwaukee?
@S-Quire, depending on how deep the league is, I can see rostering Kanter. Non-starters can obviously help fantasy teams.
I need help with a large auction draft coming up in a little while. Can you do a post on auction drafting strategies (and maybe value deviations in large vs. Smaller leagues).
Much obliged.
Your newest fan,
Pavel
@Pavel, one of our writers is actually working on something as we speak (well, maybe not literally, but he’s working on it).
who is better in the next two years? Deandre Jordan or Biyoooombo? I feel like they have similar stats: limited offense, bad FT%, blocks come in bunches, decent rebounding. I need two blocks from somebody. I will throw Bogut into the mix as well. Where would you draft these guys in a H2H league? My team is going for the bigs categories.
@Zebo, Bogut would be best if he stays healthy. He’ll give you the two blocks you’re looking for a throw in a couple of dimes that you won’t get from the other two.
@Zebo, I’d probably go Bogut, Jordan, Biyombo.
Hey Guys
Im going to trade dirk for harden, am I nuts?
@Moe: No, but you’ll probably need to make up about 10pts per night as a result.
@Mr. Ballistik, Thanks, good news I have LBJ and Westbrook+ milsap.. So i’m thinking Harden/Milsap will help with Westbrooks FG% and lack of 3′s LBJ is just a really nice bonus
4 keeper league, 12 cat.thx again