New this year to the basketball side of Razzball is updated tier rankings throughout the season. Every Wednesday morning I’ll update my tiers on a rotating basis for guards, forwards, and centers (i.e. Guards this week, Forwards next week, etc.) The first run through of tiered rankings may not differ much from my original rankings because there haven’t been many games played. Don’t like it? Well there will be no vote on this since this is a dictatorship. However, you can destroy me in the comments as much as you please. I’ll also go through a recap of the previous night’s games as well since there are only a couple games on Tuesday nights. Here’s what happened in the NBA last night…
Kyle Lowry – 2/1/4/1/1 going 1 for 4 from the field. I should mention that he only played 17 minutes because he sprained his ankle (day to day). Injuries stink. Like “don’t go in the bathroom after your Dad on after Taco Bell” stink.
Jonas Valanciunas – During the game, Kendrick Perkins kept asking Jonas when he and his brothers are releasing a new album. Val, having been teased frequently about this, decided to torch Perkins for 18 points, 6 boards, 1 assist while going 6-6 from the line. If he can channel this anger every night like Gordon from dodgeball, I might start recommending him.
Hasheem Thabeet – I just threw up a little. He played 23 minutes and somehow scored 10 points while racking up 5 boards and 2 blocks. I can’t believe I’m writing about him. I just threw up again.
Nikola Vucevic – Back to back double doubles while averaging 39.5 minutes in those two games. Love the potential and I hope I don’t confuse him with Nikola Pekovic at some point. Actually, I think Orlando should trade him to Minnesota so they can build the foundation for their all Russian all-white Montenegrin + Russian conglomerate team. Yes, Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved are also on that T-Wolves team.
Kirk Robinson – A studly performance last night with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals, and two 3PM. Oh, you can’t combine point guards? Shit. Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson essentially split the stats (and the minutes) which will lead to erratic results. Hurry back Derrick Rose.
Greg Monroe – 27 points, 10 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks while going 10-20 from the field (7-7 FT). On behalf of all owners that drafted you… thank you for finally showing up for the season.
Rodney Stuckey – After you dropped him, Stuckey went off for 17 points, 4 boards, 4 assists, and 1 block while nailing two 3’s. He can’t wait to see the disappointment on your face when you start him next game.
JaVale McGee – Has come off the bench while averaging 17.3 minutes per game behind Kosta Koufos (14/5/0/0/3). Until Coach Karl shows some more faith in him, it will be hard to count on lines like tonight (16/3/1/0/3). I hear he tells great jokes while on the bench though.
Wilson Chandler – Averaging 19.5 minutes this season, I’m beginning to think that Chandler will brush up on his Chinese again. As for fantasy owners… 5 points, 7 rebounds, and a single 3PM will make you want to deport him yourself.
Now for the tiers (Guards):
Point Guards
Top 3 overall, idiot: Chris Paul
Nom nom nom: Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Ty Lawson, Deron Williams
Nom nom: Goran Dragic, Brandon Jennings, Kyle Lowry, Mike Conley, Stephen Curry
Nom: Rajon Rondo, Tony Parker, Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, Jeremy Lin
Boom or Bust: Raymond Felton, Steve Nash, John Wall
Upside!!!!: Isaiah Thomas, Jeff Teague, Kemba Walker, Darren Collison
Upside: Mo Williams, Greivis Vasquez, George Hill, Mario Chalmers
Upside down: Brandon Knight, Luke Ridnour, Jameer Nelson
Downside: Andre Miller, Steve Blake, Kirk Hinrich, E’Twaun Moore, A.J. Price, J.J. Barea, Nate Robinson, Devin Harris
By the wayside: Ricky Rubio, D.J. Augustin, Jarrett Jack, Ramon Sessions, Jose Calderon, Eric Bledsoe
Shooting Guards
I now feel a lot better about this: James Harden, Dwyane Wade
The Kobe Bryant Tier: Kobe Bryant
Middling: Monta Ellis, Joe Johnson, Marcus Thornton
Oh Hell Yeah: Kevin Martin, Klay Thompson, Wesley Matthews, O.J. Mayo
Biting my toenails: Tyreke Evans, Manu Ginobili, Ray Allen, Lou Williams, Eric Gordon
Potential Teases: Gordon Hayward, Arron Afflalo, Dion Waiters, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry
Will probably get burned: Jason Richardson, Bradley Beal, J.R. Smith, Rodney Stuckey
Your icepack for the previous tier: Jordan Crawford, Daniel Green, Alonzo Gee, Courtney Lee
Frostbitten: DeMar DeRozan, Vince Carter, MarShon Brooks, Tony Allen, Ben Gordon, Gerald Henderson, Chauncey Billups
I should of drafted Affalo but I hate drafting players that our hurt. Denver has missed his defense and outside shooting and Detroit just gave him away for nothing.
@Mike, Yeah he’s more valuable in real life than in fantasy right now because his defensive stats are sub par (0.2 bpg and 0.6 spg last year). Pretty sweet for points, 3′s and solid %’s for a guard.
Hey Hey,
My fantasy team blows and now Granger is done for 3 months. Is there anyone I should pick up, or should I quit this fantasy garbage.
@Tim S., At least he isn’t stringing you along like Eric Gordon last year. You should also trade your commish Al Horford. In all honesty, I would drop Granger and pick up Gerald Green until something else emerges on the wire.
someone beat me to Vasquez. should I drop stuckey for JJ redick? also, which of the three do you like more over all? Kevin seraphin, robin lopez or byron mullens, thanks!
@Jeff, If you need 3′s then pick up Redick. I should have included Redick in the same tier as Stuckey but looks like I overlooked him. Redick looks great so far but that’s because Nelson is dealing with that hamstring injury. Interested to see how he plays with Nelson back.
Overall I like Kevin Seraphin the most out of those three. If you need 3′s then Mullens would be the one to go with.
I just got offered Iguodala and Beaubois for Afflalo and Jae Crowder. What are your thoughts on this trade. It’s a 12 team, 10 cat. roto league. Here is my roster as it stands now.
pg teague
sg afflalo
g monta
sf josh smith
pf horford
f thaddeus young
c demarcus cousins
c bosh
util evan turner
util jose calderon
bn brand, gerald green, danny green, jae, and nate robinson
@Principle Blackman, Actually I just dropped nate rob for steve blake.
Also the guy proposing the trade also has kyrie irving and lillard on his roster. I feel like my team is light on assists.
@Principle Blackman, I like Iggy but he hurts your FT% a bit and that’s not good with Josh Smith and Cousins on your roster. Ignoring categories, I think getting Iggy is better than having Afflalo but for your particular team I don’t think it is a good fit. What is the 10th cat?
@James Redacted, 3pt%
@Principle Blackman, Thanks a lot. I think that makes a lot of sense. Especially since ft% is the only other category that I am lacking in besides assists.
@Principle Blackman, Oooh, 3pt %? That gives some more value to Afflalo since he is a career 40% 3 pt. shooter.
@James Redacted, Thanks. I think that seals it.
“Kirk Robinson” lol…good one!
Not gonna lie you got me. I was like…who’s this Kirk Robinson?! A hidden gem? Then right before I rushed to the player add page, I read further. lol
On to the questions:
What do you think about selling high on Lilliard? Is he gonna hit that rookie wall? trade him for another pg…Jrue? Mo? Dragic?
@Elaw77, Lillard is looking pretty legit but I would not be surprised if he tanks your FG%. I would take Dragic over him out of the guys you listed. You might be able to aim higher though.
Great post. Love the blog. I’m def a fan…however, as a Russian, I do want to point out that Nikola is not a Russian name (nor is pekovic/vucevic), bro…
@Pavel, Awww damn, you called me out. This is what I get for not paying attention in social studies. My mistake. I should’ve went with all-white Montenegrin + Russian conglomerate.
@Pavel, Fixed.
Drop Isaiah Thomas or Nate Robinson for Gerald Green?
@ThE sHiT, Nate Robinson. Too early to give up on Thomas and we already know Robinson will be coming off the bench for the foreseeable future.
Just got offered harden and seraphin for Z-bo and noah
I have a decent amount of reb and blocks to spare
Shud I accept this offer?
@Sagnof specialist, If you are getting Harden, Yes.
Hey dude what’s going on? What the heck is up with Ersan Ilyasova???
@Taki, Larry Sanders is happening