The City of Detroit has long been the s**thole of America. High crime. Low tax base. Corruption. Racial tension. Having the auto industry shut down plants and move them to other areas certainly didn’t help. One of my favorite movies of all-time, The Kentucky Fried Movie, put it best.
I remember during the housing crash, I’d log onto sites like Trulia, Zillow, and Redfin, to see the true carnage. There were places in Detroit that you could buy for under $1000. Insane. Not all was bad, though. The Pistons teams of the late-80s, early-90s brought bling and optimism. Yes, they were the Bad Boys but bad equaled good in that context. Could history be repeating itself? Since Blake Griffin was acquired by the Pistons, the team has rattled of four straight wins. His presence has been so immense that the team gets a win even when he doesn’t play. Last night, Blake went:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3/7 | 9/20 | 0 |
Since arriving in Detroit, Blake is playing 36 minutes, scoring 20 points, grabbing 9.5 boards, dishing out 6 dimes, blocking 1, and stealing 0.5. It’s only been a three game sample, but things are looking on the up and up. The cheapest house that I can find on Zillow in the Detroit area for a 4bds, 1 ba, 1,777 sqft is $5,900. That’s progress.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Want the best tools and projections to help dominate your league? Check out the Stocktonator, the byproduct of Rudy and machine making love. Click HERE for a FREE 3-day trial.
Rudy has been hard at work in the lab. His latest creation? DAILY LINEUPS PAGE. So good. So smooth. So helpful. He decided to go with the Sonny Bono red tint, while I prefer the blue tint. What say you?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1/5 | 3/11 | 2/2 |
Top 100 player that contributes a little something something across the board. Not sexy, but neither is your front door. Both are functional and do what they are supposed to do.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0/2 | 3/5 | 0 |
Got the start at small forward and played 24 minutes. Scored 19 points and grabbed 8 boards last night. A microcosm of his career.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/6 | 3/12 | 0 |
Played 26 minutes. In a deep league, he’s worth a look. Will get low-20s in minutes and hoist up shots when he’s in the game.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7/12 | 3/4 |
Never forget about Dre. Stocktonator never forgets, as it loved him last night. Has double-dubbed in seven straight games. Over that span, 34.4 minutes, 19.1 points, 17.4 boards, 3.7 dimes, 3 blocks, and 2.2 steals. Top 5 player.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3/5 | 4/8 | 2/3 |
All the writers at Razzball have been telling you to pick him up. Did you listen?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3/6 | 6/9 | 0 |
A big man that can shoot from downtown and grab a few boards. Has played 27 and 28 minutes the past two games.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 5/7 | 1/2 |
Played 24 minutes. Just thought you guys would like to know.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2/3 | 4/6 |
Got the start at power forward and played 29 minutes. Has now played 29, 31, and 28 minutes the past three games. Need boards? KA-POWell’s your man.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2/7 | 5/17 | 0 |
I’m sad. And sick. Let me just get through this. It’s ok, boo. Tomorrow’s a new day.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7/12 | 7/16 | 2/2 |
Matthews is Aminu with a new operating system.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4/5 | 9/13 | 6/6 |
Played 34 minutes. The Rooster is back! Until he’s not.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1/5 | 9/20 | 0/2 |
Played 35 minutes. Doing just fine in his new environment. Remember that video I posted from my favorite movie at top? Well, Harris gets to experience the complete opposite.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3/6 | 0 |
A good possibility that he gets traded. The Cavs reportedley offered JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and their first-round draft pick for Jordan. His contract situation could be a detriment to a trade, though, as DJ is a free agent after the conclusion of the season. Many teams may not want a rental. Anyways, wherever he lands, he should continue to do what DJ do.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1/5 | 5/13 | 0 |
Played 29 minutes. A tough shooting night, but he’s had trouble with Thaddeus Young in the past. With John Wall out, Morris should continue getting usage. The optimistic development has been his use at the 5 when the Wizards go small.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1/4 | 9/16 | 2/2 |
The usage bump is great with Wall out. I’ve mentioned in the past that Beal is probably better with Wall on the court, though, as he can utilize screens and shoot spot ups. With that said, he always has the potential to drop a 50-burger on any given night.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1/4 | 4/9 | 6/8 |
Played 32 minutes. He’s getting the run, but the usage rate is below 20%. I still believe in him going forward. Does a little of everything which is nice.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5/7 | 9/15 | 6/7 |
Played 37 minutes. A 3 & D player without the D. Not the end of the world for fantasy owners, but for women? Would be problematic, unless they are lesbians.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1/7 | 4/14 | 4/6 |
Got the start because Oladipo was out. I love Lance, but won’t be fantasy relevent unless there’s an injury.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0/2 | 7/12 | 1/3 |
Played 27 minutes. Obviously, much better when the Odometer sits, but he still gets upper-20s run. Arvydas nods approvingly, “Dah, dah.”
Joe Young:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5/8 | 6/10 | 0/1 |
With Darren Collison out for a few weeks due to knee surgery, Corey Joseph (7 points, 2 boards, 4 assists) got the start, but Young is the guy you want. He’s the more skilled offensive player and got 28 minutes of run compared to the 36 for CJ.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4/9 | 7/14 | 2/2 |
Got the start with Aaron Gordon out and played 32 minutes.
The point guard shituation for the Magic. Elfrid Payton played 25 minutes, Shelvin Mack played 27 minutes, and DJ Augustine played 23 minutes. Your guess is as good as mine.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0/1 | 8/13 | 4/5 |
My son! Top 60 player for fantasy on the season. Top 50 player for the past month. Top 45 player for the past two weeks. Top 40 player for the past week. Looks like a chart of the stock market. Unfortunately, down is good for fantasy. Not so much for stocks.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8/16 | 3/5 |
Played 23 minutes but did not play in the fourth quarter again! You know why?
That’s why. Bam Adebayo.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0/2 | 6/13 | 6/8 |
The stuff I saw from him during the Summer League had me like, <insert mouth dropping gif>. Euro stepping defenders and clowning guys in the open court. The Heat are trying to trade Hassan and Bam is a big reason why.
Kelly Olynyk left last night’s game after seven minutes due to a shoulder strain. His status going forward has yet to be determined. Bam is going to get more run, but Jordan Mickey could snatch a few more minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2/7 | 5/14 | 0/1 |
Played 32 minutes. Limited upside so long as Dragic and JRich are healthy, but he gets minutes and usage.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/8 | 0/9 | 5/5 |
Played 29 minutes. Still getting minutes and shot attempts, but the dynamics are much different now.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/2 | 7/11 | 3/4 |
Played 28 minutes. Can really help a team that needs a big. Curious to see where he lands. Being an UFA after this season could cause some issues similar to DeAndre Jordan’s situation, but I don’t see it being too big of an impediment.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4/5 | 7/12 | 0 |
Played 30 minutes. Top 100 player for fantasy. Will drain the 3, not turn the ball over, and chip in a little across the board.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0/2 | 1/6 | 0 |
Played only 19 minutes, as he was still ill.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7/8 | 5/5 |
Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Now, pronounce it how his motherland would.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1/3 | 8/19 | 3/4 |
Over the last week, Rubio is the number 4 player in fantasy. We should’ve known when he entered the season looking like a freaking White Walker. Well, winter has come and Rubio is not taking any prisoners.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/1 | 6/7 | 0 |
The team loves Rolls Royce. The last three games? 20, 32, and 27 minutes. Is aggressive attacking the basket, can shoot from downtown, and get his 211 on. Looks to have carved out a nice little niche for himself.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4/4 | 12/14 | 2/2 |
Has such a lovely stroke and, at 6′ 8″, can literally shoot over most defenders. Always a threat to drop 30. As with anything pertaining to the Hood, danger always lurks right around the corner.
Alec Burks was a DNP-CD. Waiting on deck for when Hood gets injured.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0/4 | 2/8 | 1/2 |
Played 33 minutes. Shit happens. He’ll be fine.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4/6 | 7/13 | 0/2 |
Played 30 minutes. Has now played 30, 21, and 34 minutes the past three games. Prior to that, he eclipsed 20 minutes in one of five.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2/5 | 13/21 | 0/1 |
With Cousins out, Holiday should get a ton of usage.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/2 | 7/11 | 0 |
Played 19 minutes. The Pelicans got blown up 109-133, so I wouldn’t look too deep into this performance.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9/11 | 1/5 |
Streak of double-dubs is ended at 12 games.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1/3 | 0 |
A 3 & D player without the 3? A fantasy player without the fantasy? If you need to roster MKG, I shall pray for you.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0/1 | 1/4 | 0 |
Played 21 minutes. Am I writing about MKG here? I guess it really wouldn’t matter because the words of ineptness would be applicable for both.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2/4 | 5/11 | 3/3 |
No freaking Jokic this guy is. Till death do us part. I think the Stocktonator has the same idea because it had loved Jokic last night.
Jamal Murray and Will Barton both scored 18 points. So cute. Barton did dish out 8 dimes, while Murray dished out 7.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5/7 | 9/13 | 4/5 |
Harris is a machine. Borderline top 25 player for fantasy.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2/4 | 4/8 | 1/2 |
Played 24 minutes. It’s a travesty that Lyles doesn’t get more run. Oh well. Let’s try and make the best of the situation. Y’all ready? Uno……Dos…….Trey!!!!!!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2/6 | 7/19 | 2/4 |
Got the start at power forward and played 32 minutes. Markkanen did not play in this game, but is expected back for the next one. The minutes should creep back down to the mid-20s. Portis can still deliver, though, because he packs a big punch.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/8 | 9/18 | 5/5 |
Played 31 minutes, which is back-to-back games at that number. I’m wrong on many things, but I really missed it with LaVine. Didn’t think he’d come close to playing 30 minutes. Dude is a monster if he can stay healthy.
Paul Zipser:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2/6 | 3/10 | 2/2 |
Played 32 minutes. Will be irrelevant when Markkanen returns, but keep him in mind if players go down in the future.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4/7 | 6/10 | 4/5 |
Has the accuracy of a SCUD missle most of the time, but every once in a while will hit his target. If you launch 100 missles, I’d hope that at least one would hit it’s target. A pure minutes/volume play.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/7 | 1/2 |
Only played 17 minutes, as he was hampered by foul trouble all night long. Sing it Lionel.
De’Aaron Fox left the game due to a sprained ankle. X-rays were negative. If Fox were to miss any time, then George Hill gets a boost.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3/7 | 3/9 | 6/6 |
Played 31 minutes. A fine night for the Bogdanovic’s! Did some Eastern European entities deposit some Bitcoin into the Matrix before the games last night?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/7 | 4/10 | 0 |
Played 21 minutes. Vlade is in the lead for his bet with Vivek, right?
Have been offered Myles Turner for Lauri and Otto in a keeper league. 10 teams, 6 keepers, no redraft cost, very simple set up. Keepers currently look like Steph, Zinger, Dray, Mitchell and a couple of Lauri/D Smith/K Love. Thoughts?
@Luc: I’m good with it. I like Myles a lot and I usually put a premium on big men. And….you gotta keep my boo DSJ!!
hi Son,
please rank TyJohnson, Smart, Hozanja, Tolliver
thx
@johnny: TyJo, Hezonja, Smart, Tolliver
Ayyyyo!
Wzup Son !?
Nance or Bam ? Both have decent trade deadline stash appeal in my books.
Although I think the Lakers are more likely to move one of their front court pieces.
Feeling like Bam has the higher upside “if” (big if) Whiteside gets traded with no big in return.
Been holding Nance for over a month waiting for this week. Don’t want to lose him & then Randle or Brook gets moved. Also don’t want someone else nabbing Bam!
Thanks man!
@Mr. Blast: Ayooo!!!!! Bam
Was offered Deandre Jordan, Gallinari, and the Duchess for my Drummond and I turned it down. It’s a 5 keeper league and I’m set on keepers so I’d only get to keep 1 of the 3. I’m just infatuated with Dre!
@James: I’m with you
Would you rather have Schroder or Vucevic for the rest of the year in H2H, standard cats?
@Chris: Really depends on team context. In a vacuum, probably Vuc
Add/drop question because I’ve been too stubborn to go into tank mode, despite being entrenched in 6th place. My weakest cats are FG%, AST, TO, FT, in that order.
Team: Lillard, Teague, Murray*, Beal, Josh Jackson, A.Gordon, Gallo, Randle, Zingis, Gobert, Adebayo* (guys with a * can be kept at a 10th or 11th round price)
I know there’s some murkiness before the deadline, but I’m looking at some add/drops to shake things up. I don’t think I can keep rostering A.Gordon, it may be best to trade guys like Randle and Gallo before they get traded or hurt (respectively), and whether the guys I’ve identified as potential keepers will remain keepers is a question.
1. Should I make any add/drops for BojBog*, Bullock*, Harrell*, or Henson*?
2. Should I be willing to part with high picks or keepers to get someone like Lowry or Batum?
Thanks so much for the advice, and for the time and effort you put into the posts!
1) Henson
2) I like both Lowry and Batum. You have to ask yourself if you have a legitimate chance of winning it. The answer to that question will guide you
Still got no update on Kawhi. Fuck him and the Spurs. Our trade deadline is on the 22nd and that’s about two weeks from now. I’m really leaning towards trading him for Porter!
Let’s just say there is still no update on him days before our deadline, should Lillard’s owner still be open about trading him for Kawhi? NOT ANYMORE. Okay let’s try Drummond–still no. How about the Joker–still a big no-no. See, I don’t think I could get top 20 value in return. However, Porter’s owner is a madman and wants to take a chance on fucking Kawhi. Anyway, I apologize for the rant. It just pisses me off every time I see Leonard, my first fucking round pick laying eggs on my IR slot, and I’m still sitting on the 3rd spot. Imagine that, Son, imagine how indestructible my team could have been if not for the Spurs staying mum about Kawhi’s injury status during the preseason. God, I just fucking hate the Spurs. Haha.
Tell me to do it, I wanna hear it from you. TELL ME TO DO PORTER FOR KAWHI. Lol My goddamn hate for the Spurs is pumping me up right now. Ha Anyway, I got a light schedule with my remaining match-ups so I’m really gunning for that top spot. Wish me luck ma man
@I just wanna Kawhi: Ha! All good my man. I’d make that trade. Good luck!