The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2019 season with rebuilding expectations, as the team traded away Paul George and Russell Westbrook in the offseason. Two full months into the season, the Thunder are one game above .500 and are currently the seventh-best team in the stacked Western Conference. A big reason why has been the play of Chris Paul who, like a good neighbor, has provided stability to the team. Last night, Paul aaaaaaalllllmmmmmooooooooosssssttttt messed around.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3/6 | 9/18 | 4/4 |
On the season, Paul is a top 25 player for fantasy. Over the past 15 games, he’s been a top 15 player and averaged 33.1 minutes, 17 points, 1.5 tres, 5.5 boards, 7.5 dimes, and 1.4 steals. He’s been shooting 48% from the field and 94% from the line. The usage rate has been 21.6 and the turnovers have been a miniscule 1.7 per game. Now, Paul is 34 years old and since the 2015 season, he has missed 8, 21, 24, and 24 games. It may be time to explore getting some insurance, as there’s a good probability that Paul will miss more than a few games. Beep. Boop. Bop. You know what never misses a game? The Stocktonator.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3/5 | 12/21 | 5/6 |
Oh baby! I wanna get with ya and take your picture. My homeboys tried to warn me but that stat line you got. Oh, it make me so horny. Over the past seven games, Shai has been a top 30 player, averaging 36.5 minutes, 24.4 points, 1.3 tres, 4.7 boards, 2.1 dimes, and 2 steals. The field goal percentage has been 52%, free throw percentage has been 83%, and the turnovers have been low at 1.9. The usage rate has been 26 and he’s been jacking up 17 shots per game. The efficiency will likely come down to the 45% range, but he should continue providing counting stats. Too bad he doesn’t dish out more dimes. That would likely change if CP3 gets traded, but that doesn’t look to be in the cards right now.
Nerlens Noel
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5/5 | 3/3 |
In 19 minutes off the bench. Noel only averages 18 minutes per game, but he’s an excellent source of steals and blocks.
Serge Ibaka
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | 5/11 | 0 |
Continues to start for Marc Gasol and played 34 minutes. There has been no timeframe for Gasol’s return, so Ibaka should continue to get plenty of run in the meantime. Over the past four games, he’s averaged 32.2 minutes and been a points, tres, boards, and field goal percentage player. He’s been shooting 56% on 13.8 attempts! Just know that he doesn’t provide much in the way of dimes or defensive stats, which is a shame because he used to be IBLOCKA!!! RAWR!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2/6 | 6/13 | 6/6 |
Played 39 minutes. At this rate, it will be tough for Lowry to hold up all season, but ironically, Nurse has no regard for health! Anyways, if he can stay healthy, you’re looking at top 30-ish production for fantasy.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4/8 | 7/18 | 2/2 |
Played 38 minutes. Over the past four games, VanELITE has been a top 20 player. Now, he’s been averaging a block per game, so that won’t continue and his overall value will decline, but he provides plenty of points, tres, dimes, and steals. The one bugaboo for FVV is the shooting efficiency. On the season, he’s converting 39% of this attempts.
Patrick McCaw
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3/5 | 5/9 | 0 |
McCaw has started the last six games. He’s averaging over 33 minutes per game. The usage is low, so don’t expect many points, but McCaw can provide some tres and steals.
Clint Capela, Russell Westbrook and James Harden did not play for the Rockets so…..
Danuel House Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/5 | 10/18 | 0 |
House starts, plays a ton of minutes, and provides tres, boards, and steals. House will never be on the cover of Architectural Digest, but the foundation is solid. Top 100-ish player for fantasy.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9/11 | 1/2 |
Played 34 minutes. Hartenstein is a skilled big man, but unless Capela is out for an extended time, he won’t be fantasy viable.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4/7 | 6/12 | 4/8 |
Got the start and played 22 minutes in his return from injury. He will likely be on a minutes limit for the short term. Once he gets ramped up, Gordon will be an excellent tres specialist.
Chris Clemons
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/11 | 6/15 | 0 |
Played 34 minutes off the bench. Coming into yesterday’s game, Clemons had dished out a total of 6 dimes in 164 minutes. He’s strictly a tres specialist, like most of the Rockets. Only viable when injuries force him into playing time.
Derrick Favors
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6/9 | 0 |
Played 35 minutes. No more minutes limit for Favors! Woo hoo! Favors is an excellent source of boards, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage. It also helps that New Orleans is a favorable environment for fantasy. If he can stay healthy, top 50 production isn’t out of the question.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7/12 | 10/20 | 0 |
Continues to start and played 40 minutes.
This is what Lonzo can do, which is why we keep forgiving him and have make-up sex. Now, the percentages are not going to be pretty on the regular, but he can mess around and get his 211 on any given night.
J. J. Redick
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/2 | 0/3 | 0 |
Got the start but only played 19 minutes, as both the defense and shooting were poor. As a result….
E’Twaun Moore
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5/9 | 10/20 | 0/1 |
Played 25 minutes off the bench. In three games as a starter this season, Moore has averaged 31.2 minutes, 14.3 points, 2.3 tres, 4 boards, 2.7 dimes, and 1 steal. The efficiency has been poor but he’s historically been a good shooter. He’s viable if he starts or starts getting consistent run, so keep an eye on this Redick/Moore situation.
Nemanja Bjelica
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5/7 | 10/13 | 2/3 |
Got the start and played 33 minutes, as Marvin Bagley was out due to a foot sprain. We know that the Nemanja is potent when he gets run, so with Bagley expected to miss a few games, he’s a viable option. Points, tres, and boards are his primary contributions, but he will provide some dimes and defensive stats from time to time.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0/3 | 7/12 | 4/4 |
Played 33 minutes. Fox is a good source of dimes, but the poor free throw shooting and lack of tres hurt his overall value. The defensive stats haven’t been what we expected as well. As a result, he’s outside the top 100 for fantasy.
Harry Giles
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4/7 | 3/4 |
Played 17 minutes off the bench, a season-high. Man, Giles has so much potential. It’s a shame that injuries have derailed his career. He may get some run while Bagley is out, but will likely get buried on the depth chart when Bagley returns. With that said, if he does get some run and performs well, there is a chance that he carves out a role. Something to monitor.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3/9 | 8/18 | 1/2 |
Hield has been brutal recently. Over the past seven games, he’s been shooting 31% from the field. Yuck. The last two seasons, the field goal percentage has been 45% and 44%, so some positive regression could be in the works. For fantasy, don’t expect defensive stats, but he will contribute some boards and dimes. His primary value comes from points and tres, though.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2/4 | 5/9 | 6/6 |
Got the start and played 33 minutes because Paul Millsap did not play due to a quad injury. Grant provides points, tres, and defensive stats. He’s viable when Millsap is out, which could be an issue going forward. Even when both are healthy, Grant averages around 23 minutes per game.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1/3 | 8/10 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 26 minutes because both Millsap and Gary Harris did not play. MPJ is a professional getter of buckets, but his defensive liabilities will likely prohibit him from making a significant impact.
Will Barton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/4 | 8/14 | 2/2 |
Top 60 player for fantasy. The past five years, Barton has finished as the 211th, 52nd, 117th, 83rd, and 252nd player. See the pattern? SAT prep has taught me that we can’t draft Barton next year. That’s how the universe works, right?
P. J. Washington
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4/6 | 5/9 | 2/5 |
In 28 minutes. P. J. has been wearing us to sleep with his fantasy production, but he’s playing a ton of minutes and contributes across-the-board production. The one big bugaboo is the free throw shooting.
Devonte’ Graham
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3/12 | 5/18 | 3/3 |
Graham has been so delicious this season, and is a candidate for fantasy MVP. With that said, the shooting efficiency is downright awful. On the season, it’s 37%. Over the past six games, he’s shooting 28%. LOL! He and Terry Rozier must have one helluva bet going on for master of futility. I suck more. No! I suck more. Bet!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/4 | 8/18 | 1/2 |
In 26 minutes off the bench. Monk is a scorer who doesn’t providce much outside of points and tres. He’s only averaging around 20 minutes per game, so isn’t viable unless he carves out a significant role or if injury strikes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2/5 | 6/12 | 0 |
In 25 minutes! I’ve been bagging on JJJ because he wasn’t grabbing boards. Good to know that he reads my work. Thanks, JJJ. Appreciate you!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0/3 | 3/10 | 0 |
Got the start and played 22 minutes because Jae Crowder did not play due to an ankle injury. I’ve never been a Slow Mo guy. My wife definitely agrees.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1/3 | 7/12 | 3/3 |
In 25 minutes off the bench. Top 70 player on the season despite averaging 21.5 minutes per game. It’s crazy. Clarke is so damn good and contributes in every category. The Grizzlies need to figure out a way to get him more run.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/2 | 2/6 | 3/4 |
Continues to start and played 32 minutes last night. Luka’s numbers are much better with Powell on the floor, so the playing time should be secure. Boards and defensive stats are what he provide.
Tim Hardaway Jr. only played seven minutes due to a hamstring injury. 7 out!!! Seth Curry is likely the primary beneficiary.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0/6 | 5/14 | 9/9 |
Missed some time in the first half, as he fell and bonked his head. Luka did start the second half, so all looks to be good. Whhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww…………………………………..Halle-f’ing-Luka!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0/1 | 8/12 | 7/9 |
The #2 player for fantasy. Whoever is making those virgin sacrifices to the injury gods, thank you.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 6 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | 3/10 | 5/6 |
Over the past four games, LeBron has been shooting 41% from the field. I’m thinking those groin and elbow injuries are still affecting him. With that said, he’s still playing around 37 minutes per game, so thankfully they are not too bad.
Danny Green
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2/4 | 4/7 | 0 |
In 22 minutes. 2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222. Green is a 3-and-D player. Just not a very good one.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4/5 | 5/9 | 5/6 |
In 25 minutes off the bench. I thought that when Avery Bradley returned to the lineup that KCP would be standing at the turn lane of an intersection with a cardboard sign reading: Will Work for Playing Time. Instead, the minutes have actually increased, as he’s averaging over 29 minutes since the return of Bradley. Now, shooting over 50% has helped, but what happens when he cools off? Regardless, he’s an important part of the Lakers and will get run no matter what. For fantasy, he will be a 3-and-D player.
