Kevin Garnett sat out Friday night (DNP – old and tired) and Jeff Green finally got his chance to start. Doing the best KG impression he could muster, he tore up Los Suns with a season-high 31 points and added 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks. Oh, hello there! What did you say your name was? I don’t believe we’ve met. They traded you for who–Kendrick Perkins!? Pffft! If we step into the Razzball DeLorean back to several weeks ago, let’s see what I said about Jeff: “I don’t think we’ll see the real Jeff Green until he gets his chance to start…If he can ever put it all together he’s got all the tools to be a fantasy stud.” And that’s me quoting me! Green shot a fantastical 11-of-14 from the field, scored 15 in the first half alone and even hit 3 shots from downtown. If you haven’t picked him up yet you should go pick him up now, he’s still available in about a third of yahoo leagues but that number will shoot up over the weekend, especially with the Celtics fans clamoring for Doc Rivers to start Green on a day-to-day basis. Jeff is averaging 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 3pm and 1.5 blk in the past 7 days, and after last night’s performance, is worth adding in all standard leagues if you’re feeling lucky.
Here’s what else happened Friday night in fantasy basketball:
Jordan Crawford – 10 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 2 3pm in 15 minutes. Pretty sweet debut in green for Jordan too, but note that Garnett sat this game out and the Celtics blew out the Suns by 25. Probably won’t see enough minutes to be a consistent option but worth a look in deeper leagues for those in need of threes.
Isaiah Thomas – 30 pts, 6 reb, 9 ast in 37 minutes. Coach Smart commented post game that IT2 played “OK.” Sheesh, with a coach that tough to please no wonder this team has no motivation. Lil’ Zeke is averaging 18.5 pts, 3.8 asts in the past two weeks, unfortunately the rest of the Kings are already packed and moved to Seattle, except for DeMarcus Cousins (26 pts, 13 reb) who already lives on another planet.
Deshawn Stevenson – 17 pts, 5 3pm, 2 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl. Stole Kyle Korver’s secret vintage game-worn Jordan’s from his locker and shot the lights out. (Spoiler: they are magic sneakers.)
Josh Smith – 18 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk. Do you see what you’re missing Milwaukee!? Your loss!
Carlos Delfino – 22 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl. Carlos of the Fino got the start last night at PF and put up this killer line. Don’t run to the WW yet though. Unfortunately, The Rox still anxiously await their newly acquired toy Thomas Robinson. JB told you to BUY Robinson so T-Rob could take most of the minutes as soon as he arrives, but Delfino should still be able to see 25-30 minutes a night even if he doesn’t continue to start. I think Carlos is worth a flier either way.
Brook Lopez – 27 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk. Yaaawn. Come on, Bropez. Call me when you get 5 more rebounds and a couple more blocks. #centerswhodontrebound
James Harden – 22 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 4 3pm. Another player the Thunder traded for Kendrick Perkins (sort of). Kevin Martin is nice and all, but this guy? C’mon. Harden is one of the most exciting players in the league. And I would have said that even before he scored 46 points on Wednesday. Also, I am kind of in love with him.
Viacheslav Kravtsov – 14 pts, 10 reb. Type that 3 times fast. Or just once even. Yikes. VK played 29 minutes, more than anyone else on the team. How wild is that! No, I wouldn’t pick him up, and no I can’t pronounce his name, but I did get a post game quote, “I vill crush you.” Thanks Viacheslav, you sound just like Ivan Drago in my head.
Kemba Walker – 27 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 4 3pm. Kemba finally puts it all together–and the Bobcats lose by 30!
Bismack Biyombo – 7 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk. The other bright spot on the B-Cats last night, the best name in basketball is averaging 9 rebs and 2 blks a game in the past two weeks. The Bissy-Biy is doing work!
Bradley Beal – 17 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk, 2 3pm. JB told you to BUY him and B-Rad is averaging 25 pts, 4 reb, and 3 3pm a game over the past week. *Pro tip* that will help your fantasy team!
Martell Webster – 15 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 3 3pm. The healthy return of Beal has hurt his value a bit but he’s still producing some decent stats and seeing plenty of minutes to be worth a look.
Emeka Okafor– 17 pts, 13 reb. Emeking me crazy! Okafor is averaging 15.4 pts, 10.3 rebs over the past 4 games. Okie for me, if its Okie for you.
Ty Lawson – 27 pts, 12 ast, 4 reb. It was the night for the point guard for Denver last night as Andre Miller also had 19 pts, 7 ast, 4 reb, 3 stl. Unfortunately, no one else on Denver decided to show up and they got beat by the lowly Wizards. Do you believe in magic?
Rudy Gay – 32 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl. I think someone really likes the Great White North, aye! Must be the french fries and gravy!
Kyle Lowry – 15 pts, 7 ast, 2 reb, 1 stl, 4 3pm. I think someone really likes his new teammate!
Jonas Valaciunas – 3 pts, 10 reb, 2 blk in 21 minutes. His name is Jonaaaaas. And like any rookie, there are gonna be some woes. However, if you can take the bad with the good, the rebounds and blocks will be there.
Moe Harkless – 19 pts, 9 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 1 3pm in 32 minutes. Harkless the Orlando Magic Stink! Moe is the prime beneficiary of the JJ Redick trade and should see plenty of minutes now that the Magic have no players left. Moe is just 13% owned right now and averaging 17.5 pts, 7 reb, and 1 ast/stl/blk over the past week and should be picked up everywhere as he has the skills to fill up the stat sheet. With 46 minutes last night, expect the rookie to log major minutes going forward. He’s your Pickup of the Week! So go pick him up!
Andrew Nicholson – 14 pts, 2 blk. Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2012-13 Orlando Magic! Sigh. Nicholson is worth a look as long as he’s playing, and he will play.
E’Twaun Moore – 12 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl. Not quite done yet, still mining fantasy gold from the ruins of the Magic. With Jameer Nelson sidelined more often than not, Moore should see the majority of time at point (sharing time with Beno Udrih). Those in need of assists and points would be wise to keep an E’ye on E’Twaun.
Ricky Rubio – 13 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 5 stl. Did I tell you to buy him yet? Because you should probably own him by now.
Russell Westbrook – 37 pts, 7 reb, 9 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 2 3pm. It’s not all about Los Kevins, you know. This one is pretty good, too.
Dirk Nowitzki – 25 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 2 3pm. Dirkish! Always good to see you’re doing well.
Jarrett Jack – 30 pts, 10 ast, 3 reb. First player to put up that kind of line from the bench since Magic Johnson in 1996. MAGIC JOHNSON, FOLKS! That’s pretty good company. Is he the sixth man of the year or do I not know Jack?
Tim Duncan – 19 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast, 4 blk. Old reliable.
David Lee – 25 pts, 22 reb. New reliable? For real, why do I not own you anywhere.
Jason Smith – 22 pts, 5 reb, 2 blk in 10 minutes. I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know a Jason Smith from a Jason Collins, but this dude took 15 shots Friday night and put up a monster line in just 10 minutes! To put that in perspective, Anthony Davis had 10 pts and 11 reb in 23 minutes. Maybe if Davis took 15 shots every 10 minutes his fantasy owners wouldn’t hate themselves so much (update: Davis left the game with an injury but it is considered minor). Regardless, Jason Smith owners in your 20-team West Only leagues, that was for you.
Antawn Jamison – 16 pts, 6 reb. Major meh right here. He is just 30% owned, and I guess you could do a lot worse.
Kobe Bryant – 40 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl. The Kobester was in full Mamba-mode last night, especially in the final two minutes. Love him or hate him, Kobes sure is a joy to watch.
Dwight Howard – 19 pts, 16 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk. If the Magic knew this was all it took, they would have offered Dwight a statue months ago!
Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap, as fantasy basketball continues next week, all week long!
