Greg Monroe had an outstanding rebounding performance, snagging 18 (5 offensive) boards to accompany his 19 points, 6 assists and 1 block. You can forgive the 6 turnovers, because he’s had double digit rebounds in five of his past six games. The Pistons are just happy to win a game. With Andre Drummond seeing floor time and Monroe being a beast, there were concerns that Jason Maxiell was about to find his way to the curb, eventually dying in a gutter like Edgar Allan Poe (allegedly) did. Well, Maxiell did not take many shots (3) but finished with 8 points and, more importantly, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. It was his season high in boards and assists and ties his season high for blocks. Can he repeat this performance? Well, the Pistons really beat up on the confusing Sixers team. Just to show how locked in Detroit was and how disorganized Philly was, the Pistons outscored them 47.9% to 28.8%. So, we take a wait and see approach. He is currently averaging 9.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 1.3 BPG, which is certainly worth more than his 4% ownership warrants.
Jrue Holiday – He was the Typhoid Mary of turnovers. For the month of November, he had 6, 4, 7, 7, 7 and 8 turnovers per game. The past two games, he had more turnovers than assists. He made so many turnovers he was like a bloody bakery. The good news is, last night he only had 1, even though he led his team in minutes. He also finished with 12 points (on 4-13 shooting), 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. He has been an outstanding Point Guard, and if he can control his turnovers like he did last night, he will be a top 5 PG.
Derrick Favors – He finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds, an assist and a steal. He had no blocks on the night, although he had at least 3 in the prior three games. He’s only 69% owned but producing 10.8 pts/7.3 rbs/3.5 blk prior to the game against the Celtics.
Jason Terry – Despite nearly 22 minutes of court time, he took one shot, a three point attempt, which resulted in three free throws made. He had 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. He’s usually not that poor with points, but he is averaging less than 1 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game and 1 steal per game. The peripherals are dry, like an old man’s scrotum.
George Hill – All season long he has been a solid source for points and assists. Last night, he still had 4 assists, but he was brutal with shots taken, missing 9 of 10 including 3 from downtown. Maybe he needs a refresher on where the ball goes: Not on the swing, not on the slide, not while we’re spinning on a carnival ride, not on the window, not on the wall, no more surprises on the light switch down the hall. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAGdShHiNv8
Beno Udrih – He Had a solid night with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. This year he is only averaging 2.6 APG. Last season, he averaged 3.8 assists per game, and the year before, he averaged 4.9. I’d like to hope that a game like tonight would be the spark he needs to ignite, but that smell is not burning flesh, just his other stats: 0.4 3PM, 2.6 RPG, 7.4 PPG, 0.8 SPG.That’s not what you want from your PG. I talk about him more than I should. Unless he gets another 10 assists, this will be my last time in a long time.
Marcus Morris – He was the Rockets’ defensive champion, blocking 3 shots. He also finished with 13 points, 9 of which came from 3 three pointers. He’s a Power Forward only seeing 19 MPG but still producing 9.1 PPG, 0.9 3PM, and 5.1 RPG. There’s only 0.1 BPG, but he’s still an interesting option in deep leagues (and only 2% owned).
Al-Farouq Aminu – He started and played half an hour, tallying 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. He plays the shallowest of positions, Small Forward, and is averaging 12.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.0 SPG, and 1.2 BPG.
Nate Robinson – He is averaging about 24 MG with 11.4 PPG, 0.9 3PG and 4.6 APG. Last night, he had 2 threes, 4 assists and 11 points. He has dual eligibility in PG and SG. I’m not saying you should own him, but last year’s resurgence seems to be for real. Give him minutes, he gives you stats. “Damn, who knew?!” – Boston
Sebastian Telfair – He shot 4 for 8 from behind the arc and finished with 17 points, 4 assists, and a block. He has otherwise been an abysmal source for threes, points, etc., but this marks his fourth game in a row with 4 assists. He also has had at least 9 points in the past four games. I think he’s just entered the radar in deep leagues. Like, deep-deep leagues.
Jordan Crawford – He was the belle of the ball, shooting for 21 points (3-5 from downtown), 4 boards, 7 assists, and a steal. The last time he scored 21 points (on November 3rd), he had 3 assists and 2 threes. The four games in between were basically forgetable, but he also saw less than 15 minutes in 3 of those. So, if he gets more court time does he score? Yeah, as evidenced last year. I’m not sure he gets the time this season, especially with John Wall due back.
Jae Crowder – Cries from the Crowd for Crowder! He had 12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Unfortunately, as mentioned last time, his stats per game are declining. A Forward averaging 2 rebounds per night? Less than half a block per game?
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – After praising the holy one, he fell from grace with 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and no blocks. It’s just a blip, as he has otherwise been averaging 12.7 pts/7.7 reb/2.0 blk. I think he gave his blessing to Byron Mullens, who had a double double with 12 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks (as compared to his season average of 11.2/8.0/0.7).
Luke Ridnour – The alternative double double of 16 points and 10 assists was reached by Luke, bundling that with 5 rebounds and 2 steals. He is having his lowest assists output since ’03-’04, so hopefully this is a sign that he’s turning things around.
Tony Allen – Despite starting, he only saw 18 1/2 minutes on the floor for 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 dime and 2 steals. He has dual eligibility at SG and SF, which is just a warning that he is neither good as a Guard or a Forward (2.5 RPG, 0.0 3PG, 0.7 APG).
Kendrick Perkins – He saw about 30 minutes at Center and finished with 3 assists, 2 rebounds, no blocks. How does that work? He only had 8 points, too, so it’s not like he contributed offensively. He was sort of like a ghost, a presence felt but not really seen. I hear a funny noise under the hoop, like the wind, or breathing. And does it feel sweatier closer to the basket? Perkins is averaging 4.4 PPG and 5.1 RPG and is still 9% owned. That’s 8% more than Morris, who is doing better. Name recognition is worth 8%, apparently.
Louis Williams – Sweet Lou had 3 threes and 18 points to lead his team from off the bench. He also garnered 6 assists to double his season average.
Mario Chalmers – On the night, 5 points and 3 assists. His APG have decreased by 1.5 over the past 7 days. Not too much cause for concern. Some days he’ll give you 11 assists, some days 3. He’s a herpes flare up on your fantasy team.
DeAndre Jordan – He had been averaging over 2 blocks per night but did not get any last night. He otherwise did what you might expect from him. The Clippers have been the better team in L.A. Put that in your movie script and try to sell it.
Harrison Barnes – He led his team in playing time and returned the favor with a double double of 19 points and 13 boards. He has been light on rebounds all season but has started to pick up the pace recently. He’s owned in deep leagues and on the waiver wire in 12 team leagues. If he can boost his RPG to 5 or 6, it helps his value tremendously at a, as I’ve said before, positively piss poor position, people.
