For the first two seasons of Morant’s career, he finished as the 133rd and 201st player on a per-game basis for fantasy. The athleticism shined early and his ability to score was evident. He could board and dish out dimes with the best of them but, but, but….Did I stuffer mother f-er? The defensive stats weren’t bountiful, the tres didn’t rain down from the heavens, and the free-throw shooting was meh at 75-ish percent. At only 22 years old, I thought there would be improvement in Year Three but, as Caine from Menace II Society said, “I never thought he’d come back like this.” I’m such a stupid, stupid man as he would fall, then fall, then fall some more in drafts, but I’d pass, even though dimes are a precious resource and he was going to improve. Well, he’s not only improved, he’s broken out! And last night was just another leg on the victory tour.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 52 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4/4 | 22/30 | 4/7 |
The 50-burger was a career-high and the 30 shots were one shy of a career-best. The 52 points were a franchise record for Memphis. He also did this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKIkfTRkwiw
What??!!!
Morant has been a top 40 player for fantasy. The usage rate is 33%, he’s draining 1.6 tres, pilfering 1.2 per game, and the percentages are solid: 49% from the field and 75% from the line. Imagine if he gets that up to 80%? I don’t think my heart would be able to handle that.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
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| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/4 | 10/14 | 3/3 |
Received the start and played 31 minutes! Since being acquired by Sacramento, Lyles had played 3, 5, 6, and 16 minutes before last night’s explosion. He averages 1.01 FP/Min so it’s usually a matter of playing time for him. Or is it? He’s cracked the top 200 only once in his career and has often been outside the top 300. That said, in four starts this season, he’s been a top 30 player! #FreeLyles
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1/5 | 10/20 | 8/14 |
Played a whopping 41 minutes! Over the last six games, which is when Tyrese Haliburton was shipped off, Fox has been a top 50-ish player, averaging 37.4 minutes, 26.3 points, 4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 50% from the field and 86% from the line. He’s only converted 30% of his tres attempts, though, and getting his 211 only 0.3 times per game. The usage rate has been near 30%. He’s never finished higher (or is it lower? confusion!!!) than a top 70 player. Vivica and Megan are cheering him on. “Do it for the family name!!!”
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 37 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3/3 | 12/16 | 10/14 |
Oh, Shai. You are so Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s been in the top 50 range for the last three seasons. There’s a chance he gets into the top 20 range sooner than later. What’s not to like? He’s 0.2 blocks of being a 1/1/1 player. The usage rate is high and the free-throw shooting is good. He’s only shooting 43% from the field this season but he converted 50%, 47%, and 47% the last three seasons.
Aleksej Pokusevski
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1/5 | 4/12 | 0/1 |
In 26 minutes off the bench. I am so intrigued with Poku. He’s skilled and can stuff the stat sheet. The efficiency is piss poor, though. He’s converting 39% from the field and a laughable 57% from the line. Someone please reprogram the guidance software in Poku. Or get him some contacts. Don’t just sit there. Go! Go! Go!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0/2 | 6/10 | 14/14 |
O. M. G. Annis. If he’s going to start hitting his free-throws, it’s GAME OVER.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8/11 | 0/2 |
Poeltl missed Saturday’s game but came back with a vengeance on Monday. Over the last three games, he’s averaging 35.1 minute, 21.3 points, 12.7 boards, 5.7 dimes, 0.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 75% from the field! Laughably, the free-throw shooting has been 36%. How is that possible? I could shoot a better percentage with my eyes closed. Despite that, he’s been a top 40 player.
Lonnie Walker IV
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/7 | 9/18 | 2/2 |
In 25 minutes off the bench. Walker has scored at least 20 points in each of the last three games and four out of five. Physically, Walker is a freak and the shot looks nice, despite the 40% field goal percentage on the season. In the most recent heater, he’s shot over 50% in four of five games. Unfortunately, he does nothing else but score.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2/3 | 0 |
Over the last three games, Adams has averaged 31.1 minutes, 15.7 boards, 5 dimes, 0.7 steals, and 2 blocks. Like Poeltl, the free-throw shooting is terrible but he’s jealous of the 50% conversion rate from Adams. The passing prowess has been a boon, and is a nice bonus to the boards and defensive stats.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2/5 | 8/14 | 0 |
Played a team-high 36 minutes. Do I believe in Dosunmu? Ayo!!! He can shoot, create his own shot, set up his teammates, and get his D on. In 23 games as a starter, he’s averaging 37.1 minutes, 11.3 points, 1.3 tres, 4.1 boards, 6.3 dimes, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 53% from the field and 82% from the line. He’s only turned the ball over 1.9 times per game. What happens when Caruso and Ball return, though? That is the question. I’m Team Ayo but acknowledge that it’s well within the range of outcomes that he gets relegated to a lesser role. Get yo popcorn ready.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4/8 | 7/13 | 2/3 |
Got the start and played 33 minutes because Kyle Lowry was out due to a personal reason. Vincent is a bomber from downtown and has been inserted into the starting lineup each time Lowry has been out of the lineup.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6/8 | 3/4 |
It was love at first sight and my heart melts at the continued development that Bam has shown. The final frontier to conquer is the land from downtown, but I think he has it in the bag. Despite the lack of tres, Bam is a top 40 player. Last season, he was a top 20 player, as the free-throw shooting was 80% an the dimes were at 5.4 per game. He will get back there my little grasshoppers. Maybe not this year but soon. Very soon.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1/3 | 7/13 | 5/5 |
In 30 minutes off the bench.
Herro is the microwave off the bench for the Heat. He brings the heat off the bench for the Heat. He doesn’t contribute the D but that’s not his role. It’s not called the Deat! He’s averaging 20.2 minutes, 2.6 tres, 4.9 boards, and 3.9 dimes. The usage rate is 28.8% on the season.
The Raptors decimated the Durant and Kyrie-less Nets, 133-97. No blurbs for them!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 16 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1/1 | 12/14 | 3/4 |
Wowzers. In Masai I Trust. Is his eye and touch on the Jerry West level? I’m beginning to think so. Barnes is a top 75 player on the season and, over the last four games, he’s been top 15!!! They said he couldn’t shoot. Well, he’s at 48% on the season and has converted 69% of his attempts over the last four games. He missed two freaking shots last night!! He was always known as a defensive maven and that’s translated for fantasy. In Masai I Trust.
Malachi Flynn
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3/5 | 7/11 | 1/2 |
Fred VanVleet did not play so Flynn was dusted off. And produce he did. He was very impressive and it was a welcome sight since talk of him hadn’t been so positive over the last few months. In Masai I Trust.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3/6 | 4/7 | 3/4 |
Got the start and played 25 minutes. It would’ve been more but he got ejected for two techs! Boooo! Smith is an intriguing player because he shoots well for a big man and has range from downtown. He boards and gets his block on as well.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3/7 | 7/13 | 6/6 |
Shareholders of HAL were kind of pissed about the ESG movement at first. But then an intern discovered the power of Tyrese, and it’s been smiles and cognac all day and night. Haliburton is a top 20 player on the season. Since being acquired by the Pacers, he’s averaged 38.7 minuets, 19.8 points, 4.3 boards, 10.7 dimes, and 2 steals.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1/1 | 8/10 | 4/6 |
This Carter administration is an interesting one, as the offensive capabilities are robust but the defensive capabilities are lacking. WCJ is a top 80 player as he’s shooting 52% from the field, draining 1.2 tres, averaging 14.3 points, and 10.3 boards. Only 0.6 steals and 0.7 blocks, though. The free-throw shooting is decent at 70%. If he can get the defensive production up, then the approval ratings will be what Biden’s are….if you turn the chart upside down.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | 5/9 | 2/4 |
Seriously Brandon Roy vibes for me. I just hope that he can stay healthy because Suggs could be a really good one. For fantasy, he will contribute across the board. It’s the efficiency that’s a huge concern right now, as he’s converting 36% of his field goal attempts. That should improve as his career progresses.
Markelle Fultz
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5/7 | 0 |
Played 16 minutes off the bench. The first time he’s played since January of last year! And he looked good. The mid-range J looked smooth with no hitch, with the release point high above his forehead. He was agile, the handles looked smooth, and was setting up his teammates. For fantasy, he likely won’t get the requisite minutes to be viable but if you need dimes, perhaps?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4/8 | 8/17 | 5/6 |
Russell has been on an absolute tear recently. Over the last three games, he’s shot 47%, 58%, and 61% from the field, which translated to 25, 21, and 37 points. On the season, he’s at 41% so this is not the New World Order. Russell provides plenty of points, tres, and dimes but that’s about it. If snitching was a category, he’d be the number one pick, though.
Brandon Goodwin
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2/4 | 7/13 | 1/1 |
Got the start and played 35 minutes because both Darius Garland and Rajon Rondo were out. Goodwin averages 0.9 FP/Min so he’s a viable option whenever injury strikes the backcourt for the Cavs.
Cedi Osman
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5/9 | 5/9 | 6/8 |
Over the last two games, Cedi has certainly been Osman, playing over 28 minutes in each contest while scoring 21 and 19 points, The usage rate has been 23.9% and 28%. Should we fall for the banana in the tailpipe? Probably not, as he scored in single digits the prior two games and the minutes could disappear at any moment. That said, someone to monitor. Wouldn’t it be Osman if he did lead you to fantasy glory?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5/10 | 7/14 | 7/7 |
In 26 minutes off the bench. Love sucks you in to get all smitten. Then Love eventually breaks your heart. In the two games prior to last night, Love played 14 and 17 minutes and scored four points in each game. Then in the game before that, he played 26 minutes and scored 21 points.
