I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I neeeed… Ok, my Mariah impression doesn’t exactly translate well into print, but let me assure you, I murder at Christmas karaoke. I guess I should throw a bunch of things on the fantasy wish list, but for this abbreviated Christmas edition of the buy/sell, all I want for Christmas is blocks. The rejection is one of the more commanding categories in fantasy basketball, and simply put, the swat is a thing of beauty. A rim protector can almost single-handedly win you the weekly category. Therefore, there is particular value in the few who excel at the Mutumbo finger-wag, waiting to be snapped up, or parlayed into other assets. It’s a pretty exclusive list, but it’s better than a lump of coal, amirite? Let’s take a look at the long limbed defenders, hmm?
BUY:
Lucas Nogueira C
This Brazilian Dino is the fantasy definition of a specialist. A smattering of points, boards and dimes. But he ranks 11th in the league in swats, at 1.7 per game. That is desagradavel, which is Brazilian for nasty, google translate tells me. To put that in context, Andre Drummond, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Kenneth Faried are all averaging a block a game and are ranked 34th to 36th in the league in blocks. Over a 4 game week, that is almost 3 blocks more from Nogueira. And he’s 8% owned. Just sayin.
For the few of you with questionable taste that have read multiple articles of mine, you will know that I have an aversion to BroLo, as I worry about his durability, as well as coaches wanting to manage his minutes in a rebuild year (he sat yesterday against the Raptors so that he can be ready for a back-to-back versus Golden State and the Cavs). All that said, the big dude has been swatting at a ridiculous 1.8 per game, putting him 7th overall in blocks in the Association this year. Respect, big man, for the big bro who is known for his offence, not defense.
Robin Lopez C
The other brother will far more affordable, as he is ranked 95th on yahoo, where as BroLo is ranked 36th. That said, Robin will get you more boards, and is ranked 6th in the league in blocks, at 1.8 per game, and has far more fabulous hair.
SELL:
This cat is so frustrating, just ask Mark Cuban. He has incredible gifts, and has multiple elite fantasy aspects to his game, but he makes you punt FT%, and his blocks, while still an very impressive 1.8 per game, are the worst they’ve been in 4 years (2.5, 2.3, 2.2 ). I am not hating, I’m just saying that you will get a huge pay-out for him, so no hate mail about how dumb it is to sell homeboy.
Bismack Biyombo C
I still remember how impactful Bis was during the Raptors playoff run last year, but since he moved to Orlando, while his paycheque has gone way up, his production has gone down. For continuity of this article, he is ranked a respectable 17th in the league in blocks at 1.5 per, but he gets you 6.1/8.3/1.3/.3/1.5. I would kick some tires and see what you can get for the big Congolese.
That’s all for now kids, I hope your holidays are full of happiness and health. Until next time, may all your shots be nothing but net!
