Perhaps you can relate to this. I’m in first place in a league for Bulls writers/podcasters/etc. First place. Undefeated. Until Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and Paolo Banchero (whew, what a rough group of names to spell!), my first three picks, went out.
I’ve been doing fantasy hoops for 30 years, and it’s never been like this. Everyone is missing games. It’s a daily check and adapt league right now. If you aren’t using your IL lists and cutting and picking up guys quickly, you’re counting on health to win.
And this is not the year to count on health.
SPURS
- Victor Wembanyana is out with the ubiquitous calf injury. Usually, it’s 4-6 weeks, but you never really know. Stephen Castle is also out at least a week, probably more because they said re-evaluated in 1-2 weeks, with a hip injury. So who benefits?
- Luke Kornet: likely owned, you shoulda sprinted to the wire to pick him up. I did, and only found him in one league.
- Devin Vassell: Now going to start again unless he loses his healthy status. Good add if you need basic, not elite SG type stats.
- Jeremy Sochan: Hit 22 minutes last night, deep league radar. Not worth it in a 12. Some points and boards, but you’re really hoping to strike gold on stocks.
- Keldon Johnson: Back in our lives, played 30 minutes with good wing production. 17-8, if my eyes are correct looking at a box score. Probably the main add if Kornet is gone.
- I’m still ignoring Julian Champagnie in favor of Keldon here. More category juice with Johnson
GRIZZLIES
- I’m regretting any Memphis player I invested in. This team’s a mess. Ja Morant is out again as we should have expected, and so are his main three backups.
- Vincent Jackson is the add for now and don’t worry if he’s bad, someone else will pop up to add later. Go for it, he did go 14-9-9 with only 1 turnover in his first game as a starter. Those numbers do dictate a priority add, huh.
LAKERS
- LeBron is leBack, and any Jake LaRavia or Marcus Smart shares can be safely dropped.
MAGIC
- Paolo Banchero remains out but in real basketball the Magic are winning, so this is one to monitor. There were some rumors about Banchero and the coaching staff not quite seeing eye to eye. Obviously, Banchero is a hold, but chemistry can affect everyone when he gets back.
- Wendell Carter had a double double against Golden State and should be rostered.
- Jalen Suggs seems to be off his minutes limit, and can be owned for some steals and threes.
- Anyone, like me, still clinging to hope that Tyus Jones will be relevant can safely put that one to bed. Goodnight, my sweet Duke championship clinching prince.
PISTONS
- Did you guys notice those two wins they had last week with none of their starting lineup in it? Crazy, crazy times in Motown. That means they all are cool stashes. Here’s the list in priority:
- Daniss Jenkins: Still playing around 30 minutes, probably loses some but seems to have earned a rotation spot. Hold until you hear about Ivey, but seems important.
- Ron Holland: Streamer when someone sits
- Paul Reed: streamer, but keep an eye out if he’s traded somewhere where he gets minutes.
BLAZERS
- Shockingly, a veteran in Jrue Holiday has a calf issue. Caleb Love is the stream, but as a Duke fan I’ll never recommend that guy, but you do you!
CAVALIERS
- Darius Garland freaked his owners out with a toe injury on the same foot as last year, the one where he had to miss playoff games. They’re saying it’s day to day, and he should be back soon.
KNICKS
- OG Anunoby is out with a hamstring thing, and Jalen Brunson are missing time with a hamstring and ankle, respectively.
- Josh Hart seems back to normal and is picking up 34 minutes or so. Miles McBride is the other add until Brunson comes back, which should be any day now. That’s how it goes though this year.
BULLS
- Coby White came back from his own calf injury, and this week will miss some games since the Bulls have a 3 game in 5 nights set upcoming.
- Ayo Dosunmu is safe to own still; he’s been quite useful and will keep 28 minutes or so.
- Tre Jones may be able to be let go, but he’s got his own ankle thing so hold him until White is off minute restrictions and we see how the rotation shakes out.
- Jalen Smith is on a minor heater, but Zach Collins might steal that thunder. Hold it all and see.
That’s about enough, I’m sure your attention span has been exhausted. Mine is, anyway, so I shall stop the typing………..now.
