Yet another start for the Gorgui Apparatus, with Gorgui Dieng going all out with a Goromotaro! I have to say, definitely the most unexpected Goromotaro since the term was coined. 22/21/4/1/0 and double-doubles in his last three games. Except this was a double double-double. There’s so many Ds in that sentence you’d think I was daydreaming about Tyra Banks! And while Gorgui is out proving that he’s America’s Next Top C, what are doing right now in crunch time of fantasy? He’s a tough guy to leave on the wire, but the Wolves only have Sunday left this week, and Nikola Pekovic is traveling with the team. Pek is questionable, but Dieng has given the team every excuse to keep the youngun out there with pretty much no realistic expectations to make the playoffs. So unless you’ve got a bye with a real scrub and you can stash Gorgui and hope for another big upside game, or your line-up is virtually full Friday and Saturday, you’re probably letting him ride in 10 or 12ers H2H. Roto he’s worth a spin and if you’re crushing it in week 1 of the playoffs, maybe worth a stache as well. Oh no, Grey has me daydreaming about baseball! Mmmmm, Tyra Banks and baseball. Get out of my head Grey! What will be really interesting next year is what the Wolves do up front with Kevin Love having an uncertain future and Pek a FA. Dieng would probably be a really flashy flyer if he projects to start. Here’s what else I saw last night in NBA action:
Steve Nash – Yup. You read that right. Steve Nash. Probable tonight. Cue the Jewish mom from South Park: “What what what?!” Kendall Marshall is like, “camon, what do I have to do to get my big PG minutes back!?” Obviously not touching Nash anytime soon, but makes one of the most annoying fantasy-providing teams even more annoying.
Dion Waiters – No one on the Cavs can score, what’d you expect? Put up 30 on 25 shots and an abysmal 6-12 FT. Luol Deng really couldn’t have gotten hurt at a worse time.
Matthew Dellavedova – Threw out a dimebag! Got 33 minutes in Cleveland’s depleted backcourt, and while no one is buying much, did have 6 the game before and could be a very deep league dime option.
Anderson Varejao – Even with the state of things with injuries, 19 minutes. Not a shallow leaguer.
Reggie Jackson – With Russell Westbrook sitting as a knee precaution, RJ still wasn’t huge. 13/4/5/1/0 is fine, but yeah, if that’s his starting minutes upside, probably can stream that spot in 10 or 12.
Ricky Rubio – After Wednesday’s humungo, this was a dungo. 5/2/8/0/0 with 2 TOs. The Wolves just got pummeled by the Rockets, and no surviving the PBev experience!
Patrick Beverley – Well, while we’re talking about him! 14/2/3/2/0 with four treys. Spoiler alert! Is about to win a Razzball award Saturday morning. Plus it doesn’t help Jeremy Lin went 11/3/10, a game after racking up 9 dimes. The Rox PG duties will never be solved!
Donatas Motiejunas – Scored 20 points, but I could care less…
Omer Asik – Another start for Dwight Howard, who sounds a little more banged up than was first let on. 12/5/3/0/4 for Asik, who shockingly went 4-5 FT. A decent spot start option Saturday if no Dwight again. Same goes for…
Terrence Jones – …Who while didn’t go as bonkers as earlier in the week, put up a very solid 10/7/4/0/3 line. I’m not worried about the 23 minutes whilst no Dwight – last night was a beatdown by halftime – but if Dwight is back I’d be very uninterested for Saturday.
Drew Gooden – Welllllll, the fantasy community apparently can time travel! 26 minutes off the bench for 18/9/1/1/0. I actually picked Gooden for Joe yesterday and painfully admit I picked him up myself. Has two more games this week – tonight and Sunday – both in big offensive matchups against the Rockets and Knicks.
Damian Lillard – After seeing Isaiah Thomas get a trip-dub, was like, “I’m short and can do it too!” Well, came a tad, well short, of the trip-dub but got 23/6/10.
Robin Lopez – 8/3/0/0/1 in 30 minutes. What a terrible player! Regarding my hate of RoLo, 30% of the time I’m right every time!
Nate Wolters – Broke his hand last night. Probably in frustration that North Dakota St. pulled an upset (which I picked in all my brackets!), while his rivaling neighbor – and his alma mater – South Dakota St. had to watch.
Ramon Sessions – Was getting the run anyway, but figures to start alongside Brandon Knight with Wolters out. 34 minutes last night for 18/4/2/1/0, and what he does best that no one talks about – high volume FT%. 7-8 last night. Won’t help you much beyond that and raw Pts, but that’s something!
Draymond Green – Still not spectacular, but multi-cat! So I’m still #OccupyDraymondGreen! 5/5/3/1/1 and played more minutes than starter Harrison Barnes, who did virtually nothing. No Andre Iguodala for at least a few more, Draymond is gonna go super rainbow in one of these.
I hope everyone is killing their matchups so far, and gets a big weekend! And I hope everyone’s brackets remain unbusted, as Teddy is leading our pool with 14! My “Larry Drew picked my bracket” is just one behind with all Sweet 16 intact! Have a great weekend with all the basketball that is in store…
