In 2016, Daryl Morey hired Mike D’Antoni as head coach. It was a match made in heaven, as Morey believed that three-pointers, layups, and free throws were the most efficient shots to take. D’Antoni? Did someone say three-pointers? Three-coooooola. The Rockets improved from 41-41 in 2015 to 55-27 with D’Antonio at the helm. They blitzed the league with 115.3 points per game, just 0.6 fewer than the vaunted Golden State Warriors. They hoisted up an absurd 40.3 three-pointers a game and made a league-high 14.4. Then the playoffs happened. After disposing of the Oklahoma City Thunder, D’Antoni and Morey were bested by Greg Popovich. Pop did not figure out the magic formula to shut down the Rockets O. What he did do was disrupt the rhythm and force the Rockets to do what they were most uncomfortable doing: shoot the midrange. Pop would use Kawhi Leonard to chase James Harden all over the court and plant Pau Gasol in the middle of the lane. The other three players would be paparrazi and follow their subjects wherever they went. As a result, three-pointers, layups, and free throws were defended. Everything in the midrange was conceded. Result? Spurs 4. Rockets 2. There was only one option to pursue. Better Call Paul, as in Chris Paul, who just happens to be one of the best mid-range scorers in the game. The league adjusted to the Rockets. In response, Morey and D’Antonio adjusted to the adjustment. Can the league adjust to the adjustment of the adjustment? Last night, Paul played 35 minutes and went:

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 31 7 11 2 0 3 5/9 10/18 6/6

Can’t wait to see what the adjustment to the adjustment  to the adjustment would be, if anything at all. I ranked Paul 6th overall in the offseason. Early on, it looked like that was a huge mistake, as Harden was dominating the usage and Paul got injured. From what we’ve seen lately, though, it could still come to fruition, as he’s currently the 7th player in fantasy right now and is putting up a ridiculous line of:

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 14.8 5.0 9.5 2.1 0.4 1.9 2.1/5.3 5.3/11.5 2.2/2.5

It’s a good thing Morey called Paul.

Here’s what else I saw last night:

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Dwight Howard

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 26 18 1 0 3 4 0 9/20 8/11

I hope one day I can visit the parallel universe where Evil Dwight plays ball. Smiling, caring-what-everyone-thinks-about-me Dwight just didnt do it for me. I want to see F U, who gonna sex me tonight, I’ll-sweep-the-leg-then-dunk-the-ball-into-your-grill-while-you’re-writhing-in pain-on-the-ground Dwight. All pleasantries aside, Dwight is 8th in turnovers per game and just murders your FT%.

Nicolas Batum returned from injury and played 34 minutes.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 9 9 3 1 0 3 1/5 4/10 0

How about we go to that parallel universe where Batum is still injured?

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 18 11 2 1 0 0 0 8/12 2/2

Did you remember that Kidd-Gilchrist was selected 2nd overall in the 2012 NBA Draft? I sure didn’t. Does a percentage of his check get automatically transferred to Anthony Davis’ account?

Russell Westbrook messed around. Stocktonator on the other hand? Always dead serious. Had Russ as the number two play last night.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 10 17 12 2 0 5 1/3 3/17 3/7

Steven Adams

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 23 13 1 0 1 2 0/1 11/16 1/1

A portion of Adams’ check has to get auto deducted into Russ’ for sure, right?

Alex Abrines got the start again and played 32 minutes.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
14 4 1 1 0 1 4/6 5/8 0

Thaddeus Young

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
11 10 1 7 3 1 0/3 5/13 1/2

He’s a smooth criminal! Top 40 player on the year.

Bojan Bogdanovic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
15 4 3 2 0 2 3/7 5/10 2/2

Has scored double figures in all but six games. He’s played 27 on the year. 42% on 5.1 shots from downtown ain’t too shabby.

Wesley Johnson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 2 1 2 1 1 0 0 1/3 0

Played 14 minutes and had a +/- of -12. Ooooh, sooooo close to the pure binary code line. If you haven’t figured it out yet, that’s not a good thing to have unless……a certain player takes it up infinity levels and posts a binary code line that, when inputted into a computer, starts showing highlights of his career. I think my brain just exploded.

DeAndre Jordan

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 16 20 3 2 2 1 0 8/13 0

DJ is glad all the good players are out for the Clippers, as he gets to pad his rebound stats. Cha-ching. Maybe someone needs to investigate this a little further. Sounds a little Tonya Harding-esque.

Milos Teodosic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
8 6 6 1 1 2 2/5 2/9 2/2

Played 25 minutes and finally dished out a dime or two or three or four or five or six. Dime means ten, Milos. You have many things to learn about this country.

Austin Rivers 

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
9 2 0 1 1 1 1/4 4/10 0

Rivers left the game due to a concussion. He’s already been ruled out for Friday. We need helmets in the game!!!

Lou Williams

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 31 3 8 1 0 3 3/6 11/22 6/8

Can’t Lou sue the league for discrimination? How is he not a starter?

Jonathan Simmons

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 20 6 8 1 0 3 2/6 6/17 6/8

Played 39 minutes and soaked up a ton of usage because Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier were out. Kostas told you to buy last week. Did you listen? If not, you have time to repent for your sins.

Mario Hezonja got the start at shooting guard and played 35 minutes.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 17 9 4 1 3 3 2/6 6/11 3/4

JaMychal Green

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 15 15 2 0 0 4 3/4 6/13 0

Where did that come from? The rebounds and shot attempts were season highs. Oh, Mike Scott was opposing him.

Andrew Harrison

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 20 3 7 1 0 2 1/2 6/9 7/8

That’s back-to-back games scoring in double figures. The answer is no.

John Wall

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
13 4 2 1 2 2 1/3 6/15 0/4

Returned from injury and played 28 minutes. A Wall returning is excellent news in this context.

Marcin Gortat

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 12 8 3 0 2 0 0 5/7 2/4

Dead cat bounce?

Jamal Murray

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 28 10 4 3 0 5 4/8 9/17 6/6

Back-to-back games with 28 points. See, loyalty does get rewarded, unless you sign up for one of those cards.

Gary Harris

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 36 3 6 2 0 2 3/8 16/25 1/1

Top 35 player! Must be a ninja because he’s been sneaky good.

With Al Horford sitting, the Celtics rolled out a starting unit of Irving, Smart, Brown, Tatum, and Baynes.

Aron Baynes

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
17 6 2 0 0 2 0 8/11 1/2

Kyrie Irving

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 33 1 7 1 2 3 4/9 12/19 5/6

How would Kyrie answer this question: The world is? Flat or mine?

Jaylen Brown

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 26 5 1 2 1 3 3/4 9/12 5/6

Shane Larkin

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 14 3 2 2 1 0 2/2 6/6 0

Why am I writing up Larkin? When else would I ever write him up? Don’t be a scrooge. Let Larkin get a little love.

Al-Farouq Aminu

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 15 13 0 0 0 2 5/8 5/10 0

Aminu is like that girl in high school who wasn’t the prettiest or the smartest, but she wasn’t ugly or stupid and was super chill to hang out with.

CJ McCollum

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
28 3 3 2 0 1 3/7 9/16 7/7

James Johnson almost messed around.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
10 10 8 0 0 3 0/2 5/11 0

One of the five members of the 1/1/1 club last season. Can he repeat?

Justise Winslow left the game due to a knee strain. The Heat are really banged up right now and could be forced to utilize a super tight rotation.

Wayne Ellington

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 24 4 0 2 1 1 7/10 8/11 1/1

With all the injuries, he could in line for a ton or minutes.

Donovan Mitchell

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 32 3 6 2 1 3 1/7 15/26 1/1

Let’s cut to highlights of Mitchell:

Rodney Hood and Alec Burks both played 25 minutes. Hood went 5-for-12 from the field while Burks went 6-for-13. I’d much prefer if it was Ralec Hoburks that went 11-for-25.

Nikola Mirotic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
29 9 0 2 0 2 3/5 11/18 4/4

All the credit must be given to Bobby Portis for the pep talks he’s been giving Mirotic. “Yo, Nikky. You better ball out tonight or I’m gonna F you up.”

Kris Dunn

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 13 7 8 4 0 2 0/2 6/18 1/2

He Dunn did it again.

Khris Middleton

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 15 5 10 0 0 1 2/9 5/19 3/3

In honor of Kris Khris:

Anthony Davis did not get hurt.

DeMarcus Cousins almost messed around.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 26 13 7 0 1 9 2/4 10/16 4/4

Nine turnovers! Nine! That’s good for a bunch of malnutritioned kids. Not for basketball.

E’Twaun Moore

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 21 5 4 0 0 2 4/6 8/11 1/2

MOORE! Played 35 minutes and will continue to get open looks. It’s nice to see him grabbing boards and dishing out dimes.

Serge Ibaka

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
21 13 1 0 1 0 3/3 8/11 2/2

Another assist! That’s five straight games with one assist in a game. Only two games has he dished out more than one assist in a game. With that said, he’s been balling the F out.

Jonas Valanciunas

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 11 0 1 0 1 1/1 7/12 5/8

Back-to-back 20/10 games. He’s alive! Until he’s dead again.

With Tyson Chandler sitting, Greg Monroe got the start and played 30 minutes.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 17 11 0 1 2 2 0 7/11 3/6

Chandler will rarely play on back-to-backs.

Troy Daniels

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
 32 3 0 0 1 0 7/10 11/16 3/3

Could get more time because Josh Jackson doesn’t know how to shoot.

 

70 Comments
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Tony C
Tony C
5 years ago

Hi Son great write up today as always! I’d really like to fit Al Farouk-Aminu on my team.
My roster:
PG Paul, Teague, Dunn, Dinwiddie
SG Harris, C.Lee, Bradley
SF Richardson, LeVert
PF Giannis, Myles Turner
C Bro-Lo, Cauley-Stein
IL- Millsap

Any drops you see for Aminu, Nance or E’Twaan?

AJ
AJ
5 years ago

What’s going on Son?

Better season long term appeal: Carroll or Jaylen Brown. Points league.

Thanks!

Jason
Jason
5 years ago

Who do you like at my SG position for the rest of the season (and possibly future in a 12-team, H2H keeper); Jamal Murray or Eric Gordon? Thanks!

Big-D
Big-D
5 years ago

OK, son, the time has come for me to drop someone for Kawhi. I’m leaning towards Nance because theoretically Kawhi will do everything he does better

Ricky Rubio Uta – PG
Bradley Beal Was – SG
Tyreke Evans Mem – PG,SG,SF
Thaddeus Young Ind – SF,PF
Ben Simmons Phi – PG,SF,PF
Lauri Markkanen Chi – PF
Karl-Anthony Towns Min – C
Enes Kanter NY – C
Taj Gibson Min – PF,C
Jahlil Okafor Brk – C
Lou Williams LAC – PG,SG
Buddy Hield Sac – SG
Larry Nance Jr. LAL – PF
Kawhi Leonard SA – SG,SF

Big-D
Big-D
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: You’re essentially telling me to punt 3s then. I’ve actually been doing my best to move Hield and Beal in a trade together but nobody is biting

Roger
Roger
5 years ago

Will Dennis Smith Jr. ever pan out? Not seeing much ‘extra’ stats. Milos is sitting on the wire!

Roger
Roger
5 years ago
Reply to  Roger

@Roger: Or I could drop a Net, Crabbe or Levert…

miles proudfoot
miles proudfoot
5 years ago

Which side do you like: Giannis and Kemba for Vuc and Mitchell? Thanks!

howie2978
howie2978
5 years ago

Hey Son, wanted to thank you for telling me to pick up DMitch at the beginning of the season and hold. Paying off big time!

Here’s another one for ya. Drop Henson or Sabonis for Isaac? Looks like Isaac is coming back soon. My other PF/Cs are Towns, Turner, and Collins.

howie2978
howie2978
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: Word. Thanks, man!

2rule
2rule
5 years ago

My Cj+vuce for his beal+robcov?

Schmohawks Bob
Schmohawks Bob
5 years ago

Brandon Ingram or Rudy Gay?

kuz
kuz
5 years ago

Do I drop Trevor Booker, Favors, Josh Richardson, or Nwaba to bring back Collins from my IL?

David
David
5 years ago

would you trade dipo+brolo for cp3 ??

thanks

David
David
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: okay. Which side you choose cp3+ randle or steph curry ??

thanks

Jason
Jason
5 years ago

Hi son,
May i ask if you could rank these players?
Bradley,payton,dsj,murray,moore

Jason
Jason
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: thanks son.
On 9cat 10 team league. Would you drop bradley and payton for murray and moore? U think it’s better long term?

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago

Crabbe is killing me =)) I know you’re not a big fan of Isaac but this is going to be like an audition for a spot on my team between him and Crabbe. Lol Come on Crabbe, you’ve got to make those friggin shots!

Would you trade Brook Lopez for either Gortat or Len? He’s a pain in the ass but he’s worse than being a pain in the ass when he’s not making those treys. And those friggin low rebounds. Hahah It’s crazy. I’m also considering a WCS swap. What do you think??

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son:

I hate crabs! Lmao

Sure, WCS! Thanks bud

J
J
5 years ago

Who ya starting tonight between Tatum, Rubio, and Rondo? Was gonna go with Tatum but Rubios been playing a little better. Rondo still feels like a mystery bag to me right now

Yugo
Yugo
5 years ago

Hey son. Would you like kemba + hood or rubio + beal? Thanks man….

Miel
Miel
5 years ago

Hi son,
Would you trade kemba for mitchell?

Miel
Miel
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: lol. Sorry about that.
Love dmitch as well, i just got lucky picking him up before when he was available coz of ur advice too.
I just don’t want to be prudent and grab opportunity when available 🙂

Dave
Dave
5 years ago

Hi son,
May i ask for bigmen rankings below?
Whiteside,jokic,green,horford,rudy,capela

Dave
Dave
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: thanks son, i’m surprise jokic still have top spot here.. i’m skeptical coz of injuries he’s having.

Willy
Willy
5 years ago

Hii son,

my team: conley,DSJ,oladip,gary harris, warren,marvin,dray,horford,KAT,brolo,WCS,myles turner

h2h 10cat (9cat+PF)

any advice for my team ?? and would you drop any one of those guys for FA ??

FA: saric,galinari,nance jr,crowder,w.chandler,holmes

thanks son

Quintero
Quintero
5 years ago

Hey Son, great work, much appreciated!

Thinking about ditching Crabbe for Frank Ntilikina.

My team (9cat 12er h2h)
Rubio
Booker
Draymond
Love
Towns
Reddick
Aminu
James Johnson
Bench Mirotic
bench J-Rich
bench WSC
bench Crabbe

Not doing very well, missing out on pickups like Evans and Dmitch and had to drop Collins for Johnson to stay afloat. I think I will have enough of 3s as long as Whiteside is out and J-Rich/Johnson playing. And I could use a PG with previous failed experiments with FOX and Fultz…
BUT on the other hand I know Frenchise is getting his because THJ is out since December.

Kinda difficult, hope you can help, thanks!

Arief
Arief
5 years ago

Hello son,

Could you please rank for westbrook,curry, cp3,kyrie & lillard (h2h 9cat)

Thanks

Son
Son
5 years ago
Reply to  Arief

@Arief: Curry, CP3, Lillard, Kyrie, Westbrook

Arief
Arief
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

[email protected]Son: okay thanks son… would you trade:
1. cp3 + dmitch for curry ??
2. cp3 + lee for curry ??

my team : giannis,jokic,cp3,ariza,jrue,pau,marwill,dmitch,lee,randle,moore. if yes who shoud i pick in FA ??

FA : gallo,gortat,barea,lavine,teodosic, bogdanovic(indy)

h2h 9cat 14 teams

thanks

Son
Son
5 years ago
Reply to  Arief

@Arief: 1) No
2) Yes

I’d probably go Teodosic

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago

Son, is Dedmon worth picking up for Crabbe? Thinking of stashing him on my IR! Thanks

Son
Son
5 years ago

@I just wanna Kawhi: I’m good with it. I guess you will not be undertaking the rescue missions at the supermarket

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son:

Hah! Am I gon miss Crabbe, or nah? If I do manage to get Dedmon he’ll then be replacing Seth’s spot on the IR. Funny thing is they both have the same kind of injury, am I right? Haha

Son
Son
5 years ago

@I just wanna Kawhi: I don’t think you will. As for Dedmon, yeah…same injury. Which scares me, especially for a big man. But a big man is a big man

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son:

Alright, bud. Thanks!

Son
Son
5 years ago

@I just wanna Kawhi: Anytime my man. What will it take to stop Kawhi-ing?

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son:

Hahah! If he finally gets his under him! In a few weeks I think! Lmao

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago

Hey buddy, what’s up! So someone finally has an interest in my Brook Lopez, offered his WCS for him (but I initiated the talk, he was just the one who officially sent the offer). The owner is a good friend of mine, told him that the only reason why he should associate himself with Brook is because of the talent he has, and the fact that he MIGHT get traded, but other than that he’s been a hot garbage.

I might counter though, I’ll add Collison and Crabbe for his Fournier in the deal together with Brook and Willie–just looking for a more consistent top 50 guy. What do you think? But I’m good with just the Lopez/WCS swap.

Another deal that I’m contemplating with is Collison & Crabbe for Teague. Would you do this? I’ve been mentioning Collison, yes he’s steady and doesn’t hurt you anywhere but I think he doesn’t help my team in any way either. Lol. Sure he’s providing his owners with 6.2 dimes per outing, but it’s not as consistent as it may seem to be. He would put up 10 dimes one game but then an average of just 3 in the next four. His low turnover rate is nice but if you also have Rubio like I do your squad automatically becomes a punt TO team. Lmao But I’m not against Colly’s game, I just feel like he doesn’t really fit my team and I would prefer a player that could better impact the game! I’m not sure though if that’s Teague or Fournier. Hah

(9c/18m)
PG Mitchell
SG Butler-DTD
SF Leonard-DTD
PF Gordon-DTD
C Capela-DTD
G/F Rubio
U Collison
BE Isaac
BE Lopez
BE Crabbe
IR Johnson(mia)
IR Curry(dal)

My team is a friggin hospital right now. Smh

I just wanna Kawhi
I just wanna Kawhi
5 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son:

Hah. Still moving up a spot in the standings despite of all these injuries!

Is that a good deal for both teams? Cos I don’t wanna look like I’m stealing Teague from his owner.. Cos you know, Collison will always be under appreciated!

Son
Son
5 years ago

@I just wanna Kawhi: It’s fine