After a small hubbub over Kevin Love‘s return date, the smoke has cleared a bit and tells us that he’s still targeting Sunday as his return date. I’m not sure how smoke clearing can tell anyone anything, or whether I should have gone with kerfuffle instead of hubbub, but the point is, your Anthony Randolph pickup has a shelf-life. Randolph dropped 31/11, with a little of this and a whole lotta that in 36 minutes against the Mavericks last night. The good news here is that a) it proves that Randolph is still capable of the big things fantasy owners have known he was capable of for three seasons. It suggests too that Randolph might see some playing time alongside Love both this season and most importantly next season. If Beasley can have the type of year he’s had, why not Randolph? I’d run Randolph out there for the one remaining Love-less game, then stash him as either a keeper for next season or in case Love gets shut down at any other point this season.
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy basketball last night.
Baron Davis – Should return to the starting lineup tonight, but isn’t sure he’ll play many minutes. While we’re applying the word ‘should’ to things, let’s add that Dizzle probably should not return to the starting lineup this season, and definitely should not return to your fantasy roster until he shows he can play at least 25 effective minutes.
Derrick Favors – Returned to the lineup after missing a game with a bum ankle. I missed the game where Favors missed the game, which should tell you all you need to know about his fantasy value right now.
Gordon Hayward – Showed enough last night to make me think he’s ready to contribute on a more consistent basis than C.J. Miles has. Like alligators and crocodiles, the similarities between these two fill-in forwards ultimately keep me from loving either one.
David West – Left the game in a wheelchair due to a trauma in his knee. Better than drama with his knees. His two knees are such jealous bitches.
Carl Landry – 3/1 in 13 minutes last night. If West’s MRI results land him on the shelf, Landry should see about 26-36 minutes a night. That equals about a 9/3 average – hooray! Actually, he’s averaged 14/6 in 32 minutes this season as a starter, which is right about where I’d expect him to land if he makes the starting five later in the week.
