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P. S. stands for postscript, which comes from the Latin word postscriptum and literally means “written after.” It’s used for an afterthought, not cool enough to be a part of the main piece. Like, oh by the way, I forgot to mention this but blah blah blah. It gets a bad rap, but as Shaun Usher of the Wall Street Journal wrote, “The P. S. is the most charming part of a letter. It’s the wink you give as you walk away.” It’s the cherry on top, the bam for the wham, and the mic drop. Like, P. S. – You the shiznitz. What? What?! Which segues perfectly to Pascal Siakam.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
44 10 2 0 3 4 4/5 15/25 10/12

A career-high in points scored. On the season, Siakam has been a top 40 player, but over the past four games, he’s been top 25. The usage rate has spiked to 28 and he’s averaged 35.3 minutes, 26 points, 1.5 tres, 9 boards, 3 dimes, 1.3 steals, and 1 block while shooting 50% from the field and 81% from the line on 8 attempts! He literally does it all. Like literally, as he can play center or be a point forward. The improvement in his game has been nothing short of amazing. P. S. is no longer an afterthought and has to be a no-brainer for Most Improved Player.

Here’s what else I saw last night:

 

Kelly Oubre Jr.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
28 5 2 0 0 2 3/7 10/16 5/6

Played 32 minutes off the bench. Is he the best player on the Suns now? I’m kidding or am I kidding that I’m not kidding. Wait, that doesn’t make sense. It’d be I’m kidding that I’m kidding, right? Now I got myself all in a mental pretzel. It’s late and I have an 11-game slate to get through, so eat a you know what if you can’t give me some slack here. Oubre has been a top 50 player over the past six games.

The Suns got eclipsed in Los Angeles, 107-134. Only two other players reached double figures (Deandre Ayton with 20/8/2 and Jamal Crawford with 17/3/6/2/1).

Danilo Gallinari

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 6 3 0 2 1 4/5 6/8 4/6

Only played 20 minutes because the Suns suck. Since returning from injury four games ago, Gallinari has played 20, 26, 29, and 20 minutes. The usage rate has been 23 and he’s been a top 60 player. What’s the date for his next injury and how many games will he miss?

Lou Williams

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
30 1 10 0 0 1 2/3 12/16 4/4

In 22 minutes! Let’s see, there’s Lou Gehrig, Lou Ferrigno, Lou Diamond Phillips, and….I’m putting Lou Williams at #4 in the pantheon of Lou’s. Any other suggestions? Since Gallinari returned, the minutes have dropped from 28 to 25, but the usage rate has increased from 36 to 38.5!!! Sweet!!!!

The center situation for the Clippers went down like this: Ivica Zubac got the start and played 22 minutes. He contributed 16 points, 7 boards, 1 dime, and 1 block. Montrezl Harrell played 22 minutes and produced 19 points, 5 boards, 4 dimes, 1 steal, and 1 block. Zubac will likely continue starting, while Harrell will get most of the minutes.

The Warriors got blazed in Portland, 107-129.

Kevin Durant scored 32 points, while Stephen Curry scored 32 points. Awww, so cute. No other player scored in double figures. Klay Thompson shot 2-of-16 from the field.

Maurice Harkless

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
10 5 0 0 1 0 1/3 4/9 1/2

He scored in double figures!

Always gets me so hyped! Harkless has scored at least 10 points in seven games all season. Seven. So you see, the celebration is warranted.

Jake Layman

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
17 2 1 2 0 0 3/5 7/9 0

Played 26 minutes, and led the bench…again. He ain’t going anywhere folks. Top 35 player over the past five games. Points, tres, boards, and D stats are what Layman provides. He’s shooting 64%, which isn’t sustainable, but most are dunks and alley oops, so maybe it is. I kid. Regression will come in the department, but his season number is at a lofty 54%.

Damian Lillard

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
29 3 8 0 0 0 6/8 9/15 5/6

Y’all know what time it is.

Harrison Barnes

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
19 11 4 2 0 1 3/9 7/19 2/2

Played a team-high 41 minutes. It’s been three games since being acquired by Sacramento. The first two games, Barnes chilled and attempted nine shots in each game. Looks like he’s comfortable now. The contributions in boards and steals is a lovely thing to see. If he can contribute like that (which I have serious doubts), he can be a top 100 player.

De’Aaron Fox

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
15 4 10 0 0 4 1/2 6/11 2/4

Solid, yet unspectacular top 115 production over the past couple weeks. The usage rate is down to 21 and the shot attempts are down by one a game. With that said, the dimes and steals have been there. The Kings play 12 games during the fantasy playoffs so listen to the wise words of William Wallace.

HOOOOOOOOOOOOLD………….

Buddy Hield

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
25 5 3 1 0 3 2/7 9/23 5/5

Hoisting up 17 shots per game and draining 3.7 tres. 23 points and 7 boards over the past six games makes him a swell fantasy Buddy to have.

Paul Millsap

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
25 13 2 2 1 0 1/2 10/16 4/5

That’s what I’m talking about! Injuries have messed with his season, but hopefully he’s healthy now because this is what he can do on a nightly basis. This Nuggets team is going to be a scary one when everyone gets healthy and has time to gel.

Nikola Jokic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 18 11 1 0 4 0/2 7/17 6/6

Ha! A Jokic! He messes around off the glass, with the pass, and in the stat sheet. I heart you Nikola. He was my first love, but then Luka Doncic came along. I’m very confused now. I’d like to move to Utah and clear my conscience.

Malik Beasley

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
21 4 0 1 0 0 2/7 8/18 3/3

Top 35 player over the past seven games. And he’s going to be coming off the bench when Gary Harris returns. So sick.

Isaiah Thomas

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
8 0 2 0 0 2 2/5 3/6 0

Played 13 minutes in his debut. IT can still get buckets and could be useful in the microwave role down the stretch. It looks like Juan Hernangomez will be the one getting fazed out for now. It will be interesting to see how the minutes are distributed when Harris returns to the mix. Something to monitor for sure.

Justise Winslow

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
11 11 6 2 0 3 1/3 5/12 0

If you can deal with the horrendous shooting percentages, Justise will serve up those counting stats. There’s always a price for Justise.

Dion Waiters

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 4 3 1 0 1 3/8 7/13 3/3

The plane boss, the plane! Waiters Island is open for business. The last four games, he’s played 31, 20, 41, and 32 minutes. The efficiency will be gut-wretching at times and the lack of D will put a frown on the face, but points, tres, boards, and dimes should turn that frown upside down at times. There’s also the occasional volcanic eruption which spews lava and increases the square footage of the Island.

Dwyane Wade

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
22 2 1 0 1 3 1/3 9/14 3/4

In 22 minutes. Ha! Just saving himself for April 9, 2019. Man, I’ve been ready since 2018.

The center shituation went down like this for Miami: Hassan Whiteside played 22 minutes and produced 6 points, 8 boards, and 1 steal. Bam Adebayo contributed 10 points, 6 boards, 3 dimes, and 1 steal in 26 minutes. No clue emoji.

Luka Doncic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
18 12 9 0 0 6 3/9 5/17 5/7

From a fantasy perspective, Doncic is Russell Westbrook-light. He’s not yet averaging a trip-dub, but he’s close. Other than that, the turnovers and usage rate are high, while the shooting percentages are low.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 2 2 1 0 1 4/11 7/15 2/3

Hardaway is only shootint 25% from downtown since arriving in Dallas, but he’s a career 34% shooter from beyond the arc. That number will drastically improve, especially since he will have Doncic setting him up.

Kenneth Faried

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
12 11 1 0 0 0 0 5/12 2/2

Faried has dub-dubbed in eight of the past 10 games. The Manimal has been a beast, both literally and figuratively, but he may get put back into the cage, as Clint Capela is set to return after the All-Star break.

James Harden

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
42 5 6 0 0 6 8/22 15/34 4/4

That’s all?

The power forward situation in Minnesota went down like this: Dario Saric got the start and played 24 minutes. He produced 15 points, 8 boards, 1 dimes, and 1 steal. Taj Gibson contributed 10 points and 8 boards in 22 minutes. The roles have flip flopped, and I expect the minutes to slant more and more in Mario with a D’s favor as the season progresses. Can’t shock the system, ya know?

Jeff Teague

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
27 3 12 1 0 1 1/1 11/16 4/4

Played 38 minutes. Since returning from injury three games ago, Teague has been a top 50 player. He’s averaged 30 minutes, 19.3 points, 0.7 tres, 3.7 boards, 9 dimes, and 0.7 steals while shooting 60% from the field. For the season, he was shooting at a 42% clip. You do the math.

Josh Okogie

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
16 3 4 2 1 1 2/6 7/15 0/2

Okogie isn’t fantasy relevant, and neither was the above clip, but IDC, IDC, IDC.

Ivan Rabb

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
4 1 0 2 0 0 0 2/3 0

Got the start and played nine minutes. Hasta la vista baby.

Jonas Valanciunas

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
12 7 5 0 1 3 0/1 6/14 0

Played 23 minutes. There were rumblings that JV wouldn’t play in back-to-backs, yet here he was playing in a back-to-back. He should start starting soon and getting mid-to-upper 20s in minutes.

Lauri Markkanen

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
21 10 6 1 0 3 3/6 6/14 6/6

Woof. Woof. Bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay. Top 10 player over the past six games. That’s without contributing much in the D cats.

Otto Porter Jr.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
37 10 2 0 1 2 3/5 16/20 2/2

A career high in points!!! Looks like everything gonna be aiight. Top 30 player since arriving in Chicago.

Robin Lopez

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
25 5 1 0 2 2 0/1 10/15 5/6

Has started 11 of the past 12 games and averaged 9.7 points, 4.3 boards, and 1.3 blocks. Hilariously, over the past four games, Lopez has garnered a usage rate of 23.8 and been a top 80 player.

Ryan Arcidiacono

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
2 6 11 1 0 1 0 1/2 0

Got the start because Kris Dunn (tailbone) was out and played 34 minutes. Career-high in assists! Woo hoo!

Jeff Green

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
23 7 2 1 0 2 4/7 8/14 3/3

Played 40 minutes. There are games when Green does think he’s LeBron James, like last night. Unfortunately, he either has a memory problem or is too woke because he realizes way too often that he is in fact Jeff Green.

Bradley Beal

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
28 3 11 1 1 6 2/7 6/15 14/15

I love Beal so much that I’d eat veal….and like it.

Jabari Parker

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
22 9 4 1 0 4 1/3 8/15 5/7

Played 34 minutes off the bench. Since arriving in Washington, Parker has played 23, 35, 20, and 34 minutes. If the SATs taught me anything, it’s that he will play 17 and 33 minutes the next two games. That’s how it works, right?

Bobby Portis

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
12 6 1 1 1 1 2/4 5/10 0

Played 28 minutes. His minutes have been more consistent: 27, 29, 32, and 28 minutes. Top 40 player since arriving in Washington.

Norman Powell

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
11 4 4 1 0 0 0/5 3/10 5/6

Got the start and played 31 minutes because Kawhi Leonard (knee) was out. The Raptors have a 13-3 record when Kawhi sits.

Kyle Lowry

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
14 4 13 3 0 4 4/10 4/12 2/2

The shooting efficiency still stinks (41%), but the tres, boards, dimes, and steals have been plentiful. Top 25 player over the past four games.

O. G. Anunoby

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
22 5 0 1 0 0 4/8 9/14 0

The Force was with him last night.

Tobias Harris

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
25 6 3 0 1 1 3/7 9/14 4/5

Harris has been in Philly for four games. He’s averaging 2 fewer minutes, 3 fewer points, 1 board, 0.4 steals per game, and 2 fewer shot attempts. The dimes are up by 1 and the efficiency has increased from 49% to 51%. The usage rate? 21.7 to 20.2. Not too bad, but decreases nonetheless.

Joel Embiid

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
26 14 3 0 1 4 0 7/13 12/14

Yawn. Wake me up when he does something special.

Boban Marjanovic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
10 8 3 0 1 2 0 5/7 0

Played 14 minutes. Since arriving in Philly, Boban has averaged 13.1 minutes. 3 on 3 basketball will be an Olympic sport in 2020. Wouldn’t Boban absolutely crush in that format?

Noah Vonleh

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
3 4 0 1 0 0 0/2 1/5 1/1

Got the start but only played 18 minutes. Did he sleep with Fizdale’s wife or something? She is very good looking so, I’d understand. Anyways, after producing at a relatively high level and averaging close to 28 minutes a game, Vonleh is now lucky to get 15 minutes of run. That makes me sad.

Fizdale obviously was not happy with the starters, as only two players (Dennis Smith Jr. and DeAndre Jordan) received at least 20 minutes of run. Mario Hezonja played 6 minutes, while Kevin Knox played 19 minutes. As a result, Damyean Dotson played 31 minutes and scored 16 points, Allonzo Trier played 27 minutes and scored 19 minutes, and Kadeem Allen played 23 minutes and scored 13 points.

Mitchell Robinson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
14 13 1 2 4 0 0 5/8 4/7

Played 28 minutes. This is his ceiling. Or is it? This could just be the third floor. Regardless, we just have no idea how the minutes will shake out with Fizdale, but even with that uncertainty, MRob has been a top 30 player over the past six games, despite averaging only 22 minutes per game.

Blake Griffin

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
32 8 5 0 0 2 4/8 10/19 8/12

In 6-cat leagues, _lake is a top 10 player. Damn it, he’s #14. I was close, though. Unfortunately, most play in 9-cat leagues, and he’s been a top 100 player over the past seven games, despite averaging 26.1 points, 2.7 tres, 8.1 boards, and 6 dimes.

Andre Drummond

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
21 17 0 4 0 2 0 8/14 5/8

On the flip side, Dre has been the #4 player over the past seven games.

Wayne Ellington

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
13 1 1 2 0 0 3/10 5/12 0

Played 33 minutes off the bench. Threeeeeeeeeeeecolas. It’s been a long time for that. Did anyone notice that I changed it to tres? If so, has change been good?

Gordon Hayward

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
18 5 8 1 0 2 1/3 5/8 7/8

Got the start and played 34 minutes because both Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier were out. Top 60 player over the past seven games. The shooting touch looks to be back, but he’s still far away from where he was two years ago. That’s going to take time. The usage rate hasn’t ticked above 20 yet, so that’s something to monitor.

Al Horford

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
17 14 8 1 0 0 3/5 6/12 2/2

Top 20 player over the past seven games and top 25 on the season. Horford is the Rodney Dangerfield of both real-life and fantasy hoops. No respect.

Marcus Smart

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
16 3 5 2 1 6 4/9 6/11 0

The efficiency stinks but he contributes across the board. I guess one can be Smart owning and not owning him.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
33 19 11 2 1 2 0/2 12/22 9/10

Just G messing around….again. Ho hum. I’m more impressed that I can now type his name without messing around.

Eric Bledsoe

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
4 2 1 0 0 2 0/2 1/4 2/4

Only played 21 minutes. Didn’t see any news of injury. Just one of dem days? If so, I won’t take it personal.

Malcolm Brogdon

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
17 5 3 1 0 0 1/4 6/11 4/5

This porridge isn’t too hot. This porridge isn’t too cold. This porridge is juuuuuust right. In the middle for Malcolm.

Bojan Bogdanovic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 6 3 1 0 0 1/4 7/14 5/6

Predictably led the Pacers in scoring, as the Bucks defense is designed to limit incursions into the paint and allow shots from downtown. The Bucks are ranked 30th in the number of opponent three-pointers attempted (35.5 per game).

The Nets prevailed over the Cavs, 148-139 in triple OT.

Joe Harris

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
25 4 2 0 0 1 4/5 9/12 3/3

Not your average game from not your average Joe, as he played 48 minutes. Over the past three games, he’s been top 20, averaging 4.7 tres per game.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
17 5 0 1 0 2 0/2 7/10 3/3

Got the start but only played 29 minutes. Just another Rondae.

Jarrett Allen

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
10 12 3 1 6 1 0/1 4/11 2/4

Atkinson went to Jarrett!!!

D’Angelo Russell

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
36 7 8 0 0 7 5/15 13/30 5/6

The efficiency isn’t great and the turnovers are high, but the usage rate has been in the mid-to-high 30s and he’s attempting over 24 shots per game. He contributes in all but blocks, yet the poor efficiency and turnovers keep him at a top 75 value. With that said….

Caris LeVert

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
12 7 9 0 1 3 2/5 5/14 0

Got the start and played 31 minutes. Since returning from injury three games ago, LeVert has played 15, 23, and 31 minutes. That makes me so happy. Can’t wait to see what LeVert can do after the break.

Allen Crabbe

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
14 7 0 0 1 1 2/6 3/7 6/9

Played 33 minutes. How many more times will we throw Crabbe back into the ocean?

DeMarre Carroll

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
18 7 1 0 1 1 3/5 5/13 5/5

Played 46 minutes. Tres and boards, if you can stomach the poor efficiency. How poor? Sub-40% poor. I thought Carroll’s were supposed to make people happy?

Collin Sexton

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
24 6 5 0 0 2 2/5 10/22 2/4

Sexton has improved as the season has progressed. Yet, the efficiency is still piss poor. I can only recommend him if he chops off the “ton” from his last name.

Marquese Chriss

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
23 7 1 2 0 1 3/6 9/16 2/3

Played 28 minutes and did this….

Well, ok then.

Over the past four games, he’s been a top 80 player. Points, tres, boards, and steals with good percentages. Say it ain’t so. I have to recommend him? Fine, I’ll take the walk of shame.

Jordan Clarkson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
42 8 5 1 1 5 7/17 16/34 3/3

Played a whopping 48 minutes. There was a narrative I heard yesterday saying that Clarkson and Russell take their head-to-head matchups personally. I didn’t have time to dig into the numbers, but if last night was any indication, then I’m all about Narrative Street. Maybe Russell snitched on Clarkson as well.