I was chilling out with pops the other night. Yes, your Son is actually a son. I know, mind-blowing. Anyways, we were chatting about who the superstars in the league are. Giannis, LeBron, KD, blah blah blah. Then Jayson Tatum came up. My pops shook his head…..which way though? Up and down or side to side? It was side to side with a crooked frown. For full transparency, he is a Lakers fan but he does know his hoops. He has skills, he said. He can score, he said but he’s missing that extra element that vaults him into the upper echelon. My response?
I’ve seen him do fantastic things that make me go, daaayyam. I also remember that he and Kobe would train and converse so Mamba passed down secrets, no? Then I remember those games where I’m left completely underwhelmed. Well, last night, Tatum knocked on our craniums with….
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 42 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7/13 | 16/25 | 3/5 |
It was the eighth time Tatum has gone for at least 40 points in his career! Now, Tatum is shooting 42% from the field on the season. He has never finished with a mark below 45%. The early-season struggles may be dissipating as he’s been shooting over 50% from the field over the last seven games. Tatum was being drafted at the back end of the first round in most drafts. While he scores a ton of points, the efficiency has improved, and he chips in tres, boards, and some dimes, the defensive stats are lacking at 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks. Fine, they aren’t exactly lacking but in order to be a first-rounder, he will likely need to be in the 1/1/1 club. Get your act together, Tatum!
Here’s what else I saw last night:
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| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1/5 | 11/20 | 6/7 |
Scoring hasn’t been a problem for Fox as he’s averaging over 20 points per game on the season. It’s primarily been the efficiency, as he’s shooting 44% from the field and 74% from the line. Over the last six games, though, he’s at 51% and 80% respectively. He’s also averaging 2.2 steals per game. That crazy Fox! Will he ever be a top 50 player? He is in spurts, but over a full season, he’s more like a top 75 player.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1/5 | 5/12 | 1/2 |
In 26 minutes off the bench. He’s finally starting to justify being selected No. 2 overall.
Oh, poor Kings fans. At least you have cowbells to make noise with, which brings cows over, which you can milk, which means that the cereal will never be dry. So, not all is bad in the world.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/11 | 5/13 | 0 |
Buddy is averaging 10 tres per game, which is second in the league behind Curry’s 13.4. Unfortunately, he’s only converting 34.9% of those attempts which is contributing to the 38% field goal percentage on the season. Yuck. Over the last four years, Buddy finished as the 79th, 70th, 39th, and 94th player for fantasy on a per-game basis. He’s outside the top 100 now and is playing 28 minutes per game. Our buddy he is not anymore. That makes me sad.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2/4 | 7/10 | 1/1 |
Boucher made his third consecutive start and did what he do. Which is score some points, grab some rebounds, block shots, make it rain from downtown, and be skinny. Unfortunately, he only played 22 minutes and he’s only been getting run due to all the injuries. Once the team gets healthy, Boucher will Be Banished Back to the Bench.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1/2 | 6/14 | 3/4 |
I fronted on Barnes coming into the season. I’m a stupid, stupid man. He’s a top 60 player and is averaging 35.8 minutes, 15.1 points, 0.7 tres, 8.2 boards, 3.2 dimes, 1.1 steals, and one block while shooting 48% from the field and 72% from the line. The usage rate is a healthy 19.1% and…..Sucks in a ton of air…….He’s a f#@#!ing bad ass!
Yuta Watanabe
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2/4 | 5/8 | 0 |
In 26 minutes off the bench. When I was younger, my moms used to ask me what do Yuta Watanabe? I’m not sure, moms. What do Yuta Watanabe to be? Before the #YutaWatanabe Movement blasts off, the Raptors blew out the Kings by 23 points so this shouldn’t be expected on the regular.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/3 | 1/6 | 0 |
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3/7 | 6/13 | 4/4 |
Brown returned from a five-game absence and played 30 minutes. He did have a little scare during the game as he landed gingerly after a layup, but he remained in the game and balled out. Hopefully, his hamstring issue is fully behind him and he can deliver the goods.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5/7 | 5/7 | 2/2 |
Played 29 minutes and was in the closing lineup. He’s shooting 51% from the field on 4.9 field goal attempts! In the prior two seasons, he shot 43% and 41% so not sure if outlier or the N.W.O.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0/3 | 7/14 | 6/8 |
The Celtics always give Giannis difficulty, Al Horford especially. Regardless, these off games happen from time to time. I chuckle because an off game for Giannis is one that most would sell their souls to the devil for. G is a 1/1/1 player on the season who averages 27 points, 11.6 boards, and 5.8 dimes while shooting 53% from the field. The 68% free-throw shooting is the final frontier to conquer.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0/1 | 2/8 | 0 |
Only played 24 minutes because he left early due to an injury. He went up for a rebound and landed awkwardly. The Bucks designated it as a left knee hyperextension. Kate will likely have more fantasy value than Khris this week.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2/7 | 5/11 | 3/3 |
In 30 minutes off the bench. Connaughton will likely enter the starting lineup if Middleton misses time. He has started 10 games this season and averaged 30.3 minutes, 11 points, 2.5 tres, four boards, 1.3 dimes, and 0.8 steals. The usage rate was 12.1% while he shot 46% from the field. As a reserve, he’s averaged 28.1 minutes, 12.9 points, shot 51% from the field, and garnered a 20.6% usage rate.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3/7 | 0 |
Got the start because Joel Embiid was a late scratch with a sore rib. The McRib is back? Dre only played 21 minutes, though, because the 76ers got smoked, 91-126 in Memphis. He’s started 11 games this season and been a top 120 player in those contests, averaging 28.1 minutes, 8.4 points, 13.5 boards, 2.6 dimes, 0.9 steals, and 1.6 blocks. The field goal percentage is only 43% though.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2/5 | 9/17 | 3/3 |
In 30 minutes. That was the ninth time Maxey has gone for at least 20 points. He has two games with 30! Ben Simmons who? Maxey is a top 60 player for fantasy who provides points and dimes with a little something something in tres, boards, and defense. The usage rate is 21.4% and he’s shooting 46% from the field and 87% from the line.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1/6 | 8/17 | 5/6 |
In 26 minutes. Stupid Sixers….
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2/5 | 9/15 | 3/4 |
In 27 minutes. Stupid, Stupid Sixers….
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/6 | 8/14 | 2/4 |
Terry wasn’t so scary on Monday night, shooting 8-of-14 from the field. What was scary was the 96-120 final score as the Hornets got spiggidy spanked in Dallas, who were without Luka Doncic.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4/9 | 7/15 | 2/5 |
With all the injuries, Oubre has been thriving. Over the last eight games, he’s produced at least 30 DraftKings points in all with a high of 58.25. He’s played over 40 minutes in the last three contests! When the Hornets get healthy, the production and playing time will likely go back to being inconsistent so enjoy this heater while it lasts. The sinister side of me thinks that Kelly (O)ubre felt the energy being sucked away by Kelly (O)lynyk so he did what any sensible American would do: the Tonya Harding.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3/8 | 7/16 | 7/9 |
Sharing is caring, KP! I’d love Porzingis to be in my computer. He’d block all the unwanted viruses and wouldn’t share my sensitive information.
Trey Burke
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/7 | 9/14 | 0 |
In 23 minutes as the Mavericks blew out the Hornets. Nothing to see here as Jalen Brunson got the start with Luka Doncic out and only played 25 minutes.
Davis Bertans
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5/9 | 8/13 | 0 |
He lives! Bertans has played over 20 minutes in six games. The 31 from last night was a season-high by a wide margin. It was the first time scoring over 20 points and the first time draining at least five tres. Do I trust it? Hells to the no but it definitely something to monitor.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2/5 | 8/19 | 1/3 |
Over the last three seasons, Beal has finished as a top 15 player for fantasy. This season? He’s barely a top 100 player. I can’t tell if this Beal is undercooked or burnt.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 19 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1/2 | 9/14 | 9/11 |
Jokic was on his way to a 30/20/10 game but then Tony Brothers ejected him…again….after Jokic was animated for a no-call for a Spencer Dinwiddie elbow to his nose. Jokic has been ejected seven times in his career. Three of those have been from Brothers. Good times. C’mon, Brothers! Oh, Brothers! What’s a Brothers gotta do to keep Jokic in the game?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/7 | 8/14 | 3/4 |
Only the second time this season that M&M has scored 20 points. He’s a top 130 player on the season who provides some dimes and low turnovers. That’s about it.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5/8 | 10/16 | 7/9 |
Like Punxsutawney Phil who emerges once a year to prognosticate the weather, Eric Gordon popped his head out and provided us with the outlier offensive explosion.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3/4 | 6/11 | 0 |
Tate was playing over 30 minutes per game. Over the last two contests, though, he’s received 24 and 25 minutes of run. It’s too bad because he’s been providing a little something something in every category. He’s outside the top 100 on a per-game basis.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0/2 | 4/10 | 3/4 |
He’s played 25 and 23 minutes in the last two games after languishing in the teens for the prior eight contests. Sengun can do it all but he may need a Crusade to be unleashed.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5/8 | 2/4 |
Seventh in dub-dubs on the season. Top 50 player but he’s finished in the top 30 in each of the last three seasons. The points, boards, and blocks are down. Interestingly, he had a 19.5% usage rate last season. This season? 15.5%.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 41 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5/9 | 14/22 | 8/9 |
Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday. Saturday. Sunday. Traeday! The 18th time he’s gone for at least 40 points. Is that good? I’d say that’s good enough to extend the week.
I always appreciate patterns and symmetry in life, even if they don’t mean anything. Danilo Gallinari, Cam Reddish, and Lou Williams all scored 12 points off the bench. 12 is my favorite number so the trifecta is my favorite group for the night. Until the next batch comes. I’m such a slut.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7/10 | 0 |
In 27 minutes. He played 25 minutes two games ago. Is this the N. W. O.? Prior to that, he had six games in the teens. I guess if you need boards, you’d be Looney not to consider Kevon if he’s getting consistent run like this. I’m not sure if this is real or not, though. I wouldn’t go all Looney over it.
Steph Curry
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5/15 | 8/20 | 5/5 |
Before Monday’s game, Curry was approached in the hallway by two gentlemen. “Uh, hey Steph. How’s it going?” bellowed the taller one. Steph just lo0ked at them and saw the face of his youngest daughter when she wanted something. “I’m good. How can I help you fellas?” “Well, you know how you’re really close to breaking the three-point record? And you’re playing in NYC on Tuesday? The boss man was wondering if, well, you could make sure the festivities happen in New York.” Steph looked at the tall one, then gazed at the fat one. The tall one was wearing glasses so it looked as if stars were hovering around his pupils. The fat one was sweating profusely due to either being fat or nervous. Anyways, Steph replied, “So, you want me to miss on purpose, but not too many so that I can break the record in NYC, right?” The two men nodded sheepishly. “Sure! No problem, guys! It’ll be a fun challenge!”
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 | 12/17 | 6/10 |
Second in dub-dubs on the season. Sabonis is the 26th player for fantasy. I’m surprised the usage rate is only 21.8%. The 4.1 dimes are lovely from the position as well as the 1.1 steals. The 0.4 blocks are yuck but at least he’s contributing 0.8 tres. 59% from the field and 75% from the line are pretty, pretty good. Arvydas must be proud.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0/6 | 1/10 | 4/4 |
Leading the lead in blocks per game by a wide margin. On the season, he’s shooting 51% from the field so Monday’s performance was a Myles away from the norm. Turner is a top 25 player on the season, primarily due to the 2.8 blocks.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1/3 | 7/14 | 8/10 |
Top 30 player on the season. So solid across the board as he contributes everywhere without hurting anywhere. That’s marriage material.
PJ Tucker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5/8 | 9/15 | 0 |
Tucker has played 734 games in his career. Last night was only the 15th time he scored at least 20 points in a game.
No Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo equals a 94-105 loss to the Cavs. Break up the Cavs! They are 17-12 on the season and have covered the spread in the last 12 games. On the season, they are 23-6. Good teams win. Great teams cover.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4/8 | 7/12 | 0 |
Over the last four games, Okoro has been on quite the heater. Literally. He’s shot 65% from the field. He’s at 42% on the season so one thing is not the same as the other. He will grab some boards but that’s about it. That said, he’s is still only 20 years old so he’s far from a finished product.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5/8 | 6/10 | 6/6 |
In 24 minutes off the bench. I’m no Love doctor. All I know is that Love hurts, both literally and figuratively. Yet, I’m always looking for Love. Unfortunately, it’s in all the wrong places.
JaVale McGee
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0/2 | 5/13 | 3/4 |
Deandre Ayton missed his second game so McGee got another start. He played 26 and 25 minutes, contributing 13 points and 13 rebounds in one game and 21 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks in the other. He even drained a tres in that one. Hilariously, the usage rate has been 28% and 27.7%. When Ayton is healthy, McGee usually plays around 14 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0/2 | 4/14 | 1/2 |
My momma said there would be days like this. The Suns lost 95-111 in Los Angeles. Be a good neighbor and eradicate this game from the consciousness.
Cam Johnson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3/7 | 5/11 | 4/4 |
In 34 minutes off the bench. Johnson usually plays 24 minutes per game but, over the last five games, since Devin Booker has been out, this Johnson has risen and received 34, 31, 29, 33, and 27 minutes of run. Johnson is primarily a tres specialist, but if he’s getting more than five minutes more than usual, he’s bound to have a rebound fall on his head from time to time.
Marcus Morris
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2/4 | 10/16 | 2/3 |
With no Paul George, Morris took it upon himself and led the Clippers to victory. What a guy. Morris has scored at least 20 points four times this season and last night was the first time grabbing double-digit boards.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1/3 | 7/10 | 2/2 |
In 38 minutes. Mann has started the last three games and played 32, 36, and 39 minutes. He’s been a top 45 player! That’s been with no Paul George or Nicolas Batum, though. When the team is healthy, he will go back to playing 27 minutes off the bench, where he hasn’t been bad, averaging 9.5 points and five boards with an 18.2% usage rate.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3/5 | 5/9 | 3/3 |
Played 35 minutes and made his third start in four games. No PG or Batum. Kennard has scored double figures in seven straight games and been a top 40 player over that span. He’s drained four tres per game! Outside of points, tres, and boards, Kennard doesn’t do much.
