When I saw Will Barton‘s line from last night (37/2/3/3/0/3), I immediately knew that he would be the lede for this post. It didn’t take me long to get to Will I Am, then to the song T.H.E, then….I watched the video on YouTube and listened to the lyrics, then thought to myself, “This is terrible. No wonder I never liked Will I am.” But….there’s always a but. Something good. No, something magnificent arose from the endeavor. See, in one of the early lines of the song, Will I Am says, “Imma go hard, hard to the core. Hard like motherf***in liquid swords.” I was immediately tranferred back to my tree smoking days, listening to Wu Tang and the GZA. Liquid Swords. One of the greatest songs of all-time.
So good. Anyways, with the plethora of injuries that the Nuggets are enduring at the moment (Millsap, Jokic, and Chandler), Barton is going to continue hoisting up a ton of shots and get plenty of run each night.
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Here’s what else I saw last night:
With The Process paused, Amir Johnson received the start and played 22 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0/1 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
It was a solid performance by the Amir, but 7, 8, and 9 did not appreciate the discrimination.
Richaun Holmes played 20 minutes and split center duties with the Amir.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/1 | 4/7 | 0 |
Orale Holmes. It’s too bad that Holmes and Johnson split the minutes when The Process sits, but it is what it is.
TJ McConnell did not play, so Jerryd Bayless soaked up his time and played 32 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2/4 | 4/9 | 0 |
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6/14 | 3/4 |
Simmons was like, “Where’d all my homies go?”
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 36 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5/8 | 12/21 | 7/8 |
I’d like to submit a new word to the world: Kyrieving. Verb. Definition: clowning defenders on flat surfaces. Use in sentence: Did you see Matt Kyrieving the F out of that dude? #14 was straight Kyrieving the opposition.
Aron Baynes –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0/1 | 2/2 |
The binary code line.
Marcus Morris –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0/3 | 6/11 | 5/5 |
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/1 | 9/11 | 0/3 |
Warm it up, Kris! Call 911 because someone’s on fire! 9-of-11 and 10-of-16 shooting the past two games. If you think that’s going to continue, though, then I better summon the paramedics.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1/3 | 7/17 | 5/5 |
The Markkman led the Bulls in points and shot attempts. Maybe the Bulls did know what they were doing after all………Naw.
Kenneth Faried got the start again with Paul Millsap out and played 22 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7/10 | 0 |
The resurection of the Manimal. As long as he starts, you play him or he will rumble into your home and electrocute you Blanka-style.
Nikola Jokic left the game due to a sprained ankle. Still waiting on the X-rays, but it didn’t look good. Trey Lyles, Faried, and Mason Plumlee should all see an uptick in minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/3 | 0/3 | 1/2 |
Received the start and played 23 minutes. I really wish I could say, “Thanks for playing, but….” Please scroll up to the above GIF of my panda bear friend.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4/9 | 7/16 | 7/8 |
Love defeats hate.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/5 | 6/10 | 1/2 |
The kids in the neighborhood were getting worried. Mommy, they asked, is he alive?
Dwayne Wade –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3/5 | 6/11 | 4/6 |
Double-digit points in five straight games and 20+ minutes in seven straight games, with one 37 minute performance mixed in. Who’s this Dwade guy think he is? He’s been a vital piece during the Cavs 10-game winning streak. Don’t shoot your load too soon, fellas.
Iman Shumpert underwent knee surgery and will be out 6-8 weeks. He wasn’t playing much anyways, but I always have to pay respects to the Iman.
John Collins left the game early due to a left shoulder injury.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4/6 | 8/11 | 2/2 |
Marco Belinelli –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2/5 | 4/9 | 8/9 |
Played 28 minutes. Outside of brief period when he was injured, Belinelli has been molto bene!
Jonas Jerebko –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2/4 | 6/8 | 0 |
With Rudy Gobert out, Jerebko has been starting at power forward and doing a respectable job. He played 25 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5/8 | 2/3 |
Filling in nicely for Gobert.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4/6 | 11/17 | 2/2 |
With Rodney Hood, Raul Neto, and Joe Johnson out, it was Burks who received a huge uptick in minutes. Every stat category was a season-high. File it away in the memory banks for the next time the situation arises.
With Blake Griffin out, Montrezl Harrell got the start at power forward and played 21 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5/5 | 3/4 |
Sam Dekker played 20 minutes, so it looks like Dekker and Harrell will share in the responsibility of replacing Blake.
The starting backcourt for the Clippers was Austin Rivers and Lou Williams.
Rivers:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3/7 | 9/16 | 4/4 |
Williams:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3/7 | 6/14 | 5/6 |
These two are going to be chucking a ton. DeAndre Jordan could be in-line for 20 rebounds a night.
John Henson –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6/8 | 1/1 |
Henson ain’t no puppet show. He’s the real deal. 30 minutes of run.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/6 | 10/17 | 2/2 |
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1/4 | 10/17 | 4/4 |
Were they playing against each other? Looks like a heated contest to me.
Jason Terry played 18 minutes. Yo, Jason Kidd. You need to learn how to play poker better.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 9/17 | 7/8 |
There’s the Nurk we all know and love. The six turnovers, though. He’s been very inconsistent to start the year, so hopefully he can start getting into a groove now.
Al-Farouq Aminu returned back to action.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 0 |
Aminu is a solid pickup if he’s available, as he will contribute a little something across the board.
Aiiiiight ! What’s up up Son !?
Hold Bam for now or dump for any of Faried, Dieng, Ilyasova, J. Allen, Siakam ?
Thanks bud!
@Mr. Blast: Bam or Ilyasova for me. Depends what you need/want
Morning Son, loved the Kyrie blurb, Kyrieving, I literally laughed out loud.
@IV: Ha! Makes me happy to hear that
Who’s the better pickup Bam, Olynyk or Ilyasova?
@bahraspower: Ilyasova
Sucks that collins went down.. is it a good time to get ersan? Which would be better pickip now? Henson or ersan?
Seriously. Love Collins. Depends what you are looking for. Ersan for scoring. Henson for blocks and boards.
Hey Son!
Great write up! In a 10-Team league, scoring cats FG%, FT%, 3s, Pts, Reb, Ast, Blk, St, A/T. I already have an injured D’Angelo Russell on my team (No IR spot, 5 bench spots, currently in 2nd). Would you drop Jamal Murray for Lavine?
I wouldn’t.
I thought binary code was ones and zeros, but you keep mentioning it for stat lines with two’s in them…
@Purdman: Damn it! You are correct. Stupid me. My computer science professor would be very embarrassed right now. You know what, though? I never took no stinking computer science classes!!! Will be corrected in the future. Thanks for the heads up.
I was just offered Whiteside+Turner+DeRozan for my Davis+Pau. Which side? Is it close?
The rest of my team is Lillard, Ingles, A.Bradley, Kuzma, Batum, M.Gasol, Horford, CP3, Dennis Smith, Isaiah Thomas, and Conley. 10-team, 9cat.
AD/Pau. I don’t think it’s that close.
@Son: Oh geez, really? I guess I’m valuing this wrong, a top-5 is worth more than two 20-25s and a 35-40? What if it was Lowry instead of DeRozan?
@HAL: Id rather have Lowry for sure, but I’m worried about Hassan’s knee.
Besides basketball, love that you bring such a deep knowledge of hip hop here!
Now who’s the man who brought you the legend of the liquid sword?
Rap critics say, “damn! You’re sick with yours!”
4th chamber and shadow boxing too?
That man be the GZA from the Wu!
@miles proudfoot: Thanks Miles!
GZA was the best
What up Son!
Just made a trade sending my love and A. Gordon for KD in a 10team H2H. Worried about IT taking some usage when he returns. Tell me I made u proud!
You are worthy, my son
Take Enes Kanter in exchange for Avery Bradley if I can, right? Thanks!
@Max: in a vacuum, yes
@Son: Wow that was fast, thanks, I need rebounds and FG% more than 3s, so I think that makes it even more of a no brainer.
@Max: That’s what my wife said.
I agree with you.
S. Dinwiddie – any value next year –
@mrbasketball: He should but a lot can happen between now and then
Hey Son,
Would you drop Hield for Isaac?
He should be coming back soon.
Rank Bam, Isaac and Heild rest of season.
Thx .
Sure, but. It necessarily because of Isaac. More an indictment on Hield and the Kings.
How you have them.
give me some guidance between jordan bell, larry nance, and greg monroe right now son. how you been?
@Son
also you think wayne ellington holds his value? i need a ‘drop buddy hield’ candidate. korver maybe?
alec burks?
@Big-D: He’s getting run because Hood and Neto are out.
@Big-D: No. Would rather have Korver
@Big-D: Been good my man. Hope the same for you. Nance for me.
@Son: been good man, getting ready to graduate with my BA actually. good to hear tho keep up the good work
@Big-D: Congrats! I’m glad we got some edumacated folk up in here.
Dedmon a drop or hold in 12 team h2h 9 catg league. I already have griffin in my IR . Bam or ersan for pickup replacement.
@Dave: Yeah. Depends. Want scoring, go Ersan. Want boards and blocks, Bam. I think Bam has more upside, as I’m kind of worried about Hassan’s knee
I think I’m dropping Siakam for either Bell or Isaac.
@I just wanna Kawhi: I’m good with it for Bell
Hi son,
My CJ+vuce for his RobCov+beal, what do u think?
@2rule: If you good at big man, sure.
1. Argh AD!!!! Is my season over? Do I try to trade him for kawhi before ADs actual timetable is released?
2. Drop portis for Crowder, poetl, Cody Zeller or Jonathan Simmons? 16m league. Simmons seems like the obvious choice, but I’m it’ll be by faab bid (out of $100). What’s the max you would bid for him? And if I miss out, who’s the second best bet?
3. Is KD worth trading for in an 18m considering all his ankle issues and DNPs? Suddenly feel like PG+Barton is too much.
4. In a 12m league, is it crazy to offer the following trades for the likes of Giannis, harden, Steph, kawhi, KD? Was thinking of offering the following to get one of the elites:
A) my kyrie + Brolo
B) my Beal + agor
C) Beal + Otto
D) Otto + myles
@Hamtime: 1) I wouldn’t do anything rash right now. Sleep on it for a night and ponder/research whether you think the injury is serious or not. I do my fair share of specualting and YOLOing, but I do try and ascertain as much information as possible before doing anything. That’s usualy the best course of action.
2) Yeah, probably Simmons, but I wouldn’t break the bank for him. 15-20%. I’d go with Crowder next but wouldn’t be excited about it.
3) Yes
4) I don’t think so, except for Kawhi. Too much uncertainty there for me. I usually like acquiring the best player. With that said, I’m not sure the other owners would go for those trades. It’s all league and team specific, though
Thanks son!
What do you think of this trade?
Myles Turner-Reddick-Monroe
for
Booker-Beal-Ibaka? (I recieve)
@Chris: What’s the rest of your roster look like?
After I posted this I was wondering if we already discussed this exact trade, but I think it’s different. I was offered something similar last month.
We start 5 g 5 f 2 c
G-Curry-Reddick-Bradley-Hield-Green-PJ Tucker-Allen Crabbe
F-Turner-Aaron Gordon-Monroe-Booker-Marvin Williams-Josh Richardson-Booker
C-Howard-Jordan-Turner Monroe
Maybe I counter with a forward instead of Monroe since he is C-Eligible?
@Chris: Got it. I think it’s too early to be getting rid of the depth at center, as there is a ton of basketball to be played and a lot can happen. With that said, I get the trade and would try without Monroe if you really want to upgrade at G.
Hey again son,
I’m second to last in pts in that league. It’s head to head win ir lose each week. I’ll fall off a decent amount in blocks which I’m competitive ion right now. I’m 9th out of 12 teams in rebounding. That trade helps me in 3’s-stls-pts-rebounds is pretty even actually ft% similar-fg% those guards have good fg%’s for guards, assists I gain slightly- Tough call I’m 3-3, 1.5 games out of first.
@Chris: Ok. In that context, I’m with you.
I get you’re pt about depth at Center. Tell me what to do! LOL I’m leaning on doing it with a counter of someone other than Monroe. This would be a tough Guard squad! I’ll have
Curry-Booker-Beal-Bradley-Green-In my eyes at least.
Stay put or counter with someone not C eligible?
Jordan-Howard Monroe- and i think Plumlee might be the best waiver wire option at C which isn’t good. Sorry I’m being such a wuss!
@Chris: I’d stay put. It’s harder to find big men. You can find wing guys.
Think I may need to pick up Rondo for next week as a 3rd pg to fill in for days that Rubio and Lilliard have off, who ya dropping between Taurean Prince and Josh Richardson?
@J: Prince
Son, what’s good papasito
I got an offer
My:jrue and tyrek
For: horford
Watchu think?
@Pavel: Ha! Sup Pavel! I’m good with it
1) Would you trade Brook L & James Johnson for Pau Gasol
2) Would you trade Brook L & James Johnson for D’Angelo Russell
3) Would you trade Brook L & James Johnson for Jayson Tatum
My reasons for trying to move them are 1) Kawhi’s awaited return 2) both are trash but still have name value
@I just wanna Kawhi: 1) I’m ok with that
2) No
3) Sure
I still like JJ, but I’m worried about Brook
@Son:
Yup, I like him to. But the thing is I won’t be able to move Brook without pairing him up with a decent player.. Thanks, Son
@I just wanna Kawhi: I get it. Anytime my man
And how about a straight up swap my James Johnson for RHJ? Thanks, Son
@I just wanna Kawhi: I like it
hello Son,
i got offered jrue + argon for my teague + middleton ?? H2H 10cat( 9cat + PF)
thanks son
@Ricky: I’m good with it
Howdy Son,
What’s your take for a FG punt team?
Is Rondo or W. Johnson a good add and drop Ja Johnson, J Murray, Smart, or Burke?
Rondo is fine. I’d rather have any of those guys than W. Johnson, though.