It’s been a rough stretch for Lakers fans. The team is 8-15 to start this season and had win totals of 26, 17, 21, and 27 from 2013-2016. Prior to that, though, there was a Golden Age of epic proportions. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1960, the team had missed the playoffs only four times and had fewer than 40 wins in a season just six times (one being a strike-shortened season). If any of you play Civilization, then you know that Golden Ages don’t last forever. With that said, how could you blame a Lakers fan for thinking that “this time it was different?” See all the Bitcoin madness lately? Remember the housing craziness? What about the NASDAQ insanity? That’s how it was. For over 50 years! What made it even better was the fact that Chick Hearn was the broadcaster for most of that run.
+
Oh, how I miss thee. Anyways, it’s been a while since we’ve been blessed with the voice and presence of Chick Hearn, but last night’s night game in Philly made me think of the great Chick as Brandon Ingram drilled the game-winning three. Granted, the “door’s closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard and the jello’s jiggling” when the game is well in hand with some time on the clock, but when Ingram drained that three, all I could hear was Chick voicing those beautiful, beautiful words.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2/3 | 7/21 | 5/10 |
Ingram hasn’t been a great fantasy player. The shooting percentages (46/30/68) are pretty terrible. He’s only 20 years old, though. The improvements that he made from his rookie year to now have been undeniable. He’s only going to get better. The J is coming along and he can get to the rim at will. Ok, he does have trouble going to his left, but I have confidence that he’ll figure it out. He’s getting a ton of minutes each night and the organization is behind him 100%. By the end of the year, I think Ingram is a top 100 player.
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 7-day trial.
Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas were traded for Trevor Booker. I like the trade for both teams. Okafor gives the Nets a bonafide scorer in the post, while Booker provides toughness for the Sixers and allows them to matchup well with small ball, lineups of death. From a fantasy perspective, the situation doesn’t get any better for Okafor, as defense is optional in Brooklyn. The offensive is free-flowing with lots of movement and there are a ton of shooters on that team. The only issue is if he will be able to huff and puff his way up and down the court in the uptempo style. He was scooped up immediately in most the leagues that I saw, but if he’s out there, grab him for sure. I think he could be Enes Kanter-esque. As for Stauskas, I don’t see how he gets many minutes. The Nets are stacked with wing players. Booker will get some run, but I doubt he becomes fantasy relevant.
Brook Lopez played 20 minutes. His last six games: 20, 20, 24, 17, 16, and 17.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1/5 | 4/9 | 2/2 |
Lopez is in fantasy purgatory. He’s doing just enough to not go to Hell, but he’s not getting enough minutes to enter Heaven.
Which brings me to Julius Randle.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0/3 | 7/15 | 2/3 |
Played 30 minutes. The lineups with Randle at center have the highest net rating for the Lakers. Things that make you go hmmmmmmm.
Lonzo Ball almost messed around and put up some juicy D stats.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0/3 | 5/11 | 0 |
He was getting booed constantly by the home crowd. I thought Philly was the City of Brotherly Love? Oh, I forget that they pelted Santa Claus with batteries.
With Dario Saric out, Jerryd Bayless got the start at shooting guard, while JJ Redick got the nod at small forward. Bayless played 30 minutes and went:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2/3 | 5/9 | 0 |
I’m just glad his name isn’t Skip.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2/3 | 11/17 | 9/10 |
Who gonna sex Embiid?
Ben Simmons messed around. The Stocktonator, on the other hand, does not, as it loved Simmons last night.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 13 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6/14 | 0/2 |
Richaun Holmes played 22 minutes, while Amir Johnson got 10 minutes of run. He’s the handcuff to Embiid.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2/5 | 8/12 | 3/3 |
Morris is the lure of fantasy basketball. Once in a while, we will see him move and glitter like the real thing, but when we latch on, we get hooked and then die. Probably eaten sashimi style.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 34 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1/5 | 13/22 | 7/9 |
85 points in two games! Kobe says, “Sup.”
Marcin Gortat played 23 minutes while Ian Mahinmi played 25.
Gortat:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2/6 | 0 |
Mahinmi:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4/5 | 2/3 |
If I were a Gortat owner, I’d be scurred.
With Devin Booker out, Josh Jackson got the start at shooting guard and played 24 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 3/8 | 3/6 |
I’m sorry Ms. Jackson, but Josh cannot shoot. Will you get him to practice some more?
Tyson Chandler was slated to start, but was a late scratch for personal reasons. As a result, Greg Monroe played 27 minutes, while Alex Len received 21 minutes of run.
Monroe:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6/7 | 3/5 |
Len:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3/4 | 1/1 |
Prior to the game, the plan was for Chandler to start, but with all three players receiving run at center. It’s NBA three-card monte!!!
Troy Daniels played 28 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2/6 | 2/6 | 4/4 |
Should receive more run while Booker is out.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1/4 | 2/6 | 1/1 |
Played 17 minutes. Why? I’ve been racking my brain for a reason. The only thing I can come up with is that it gives Jay Triano some solace if the team loses. “At least I went to Jared tonight.”
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/6 | 10/27 | 9/12 |
That’s nice and all RW, but you lost to the Nets 95-100. What do you have to say? Click HERE.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/4 | 5/20 | 1/4 |
We want Korver!!! clap clap clap. We want Korver!!! clap clap clap. Yah? Nay? Bueller?
Paul George did not play, so Alex Abrines got the start at shooting guard while Andre Roberson slid to small forward. I heard from the brother of a friend who is the girlfriend of his brother who works with the guy that knows the mom of the Uber driver that George was in LA looking at homes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/4 | 2/6 | 0/1 |
Only played 19 minutes due to early foul trouble. So, calm down. Take a big, long breath. Unless you live in Los Angeles near the fires.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/2 | 7/15 | 2/5 |
Played 35 minutes and put up 15 shots, both team highs. I love RHJ. Can do it all and is so versatile.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4/9 | 5/12 | 1/2 |
Played 32 minutes. This is what I was envisioning in the preseason. Actually, it was way, way more, but I’ll take whatever I can get at this point.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1/4 | 6/10 | 8/9 |
Played 30 minutes. Can’t deny the minutes and usage. The past seven games: 30, 28, 25, 28, 29, 29, and 27 minutes. He’s put up 10 or more shots in four of those games. The efficiency may not continue, but he’s been contributing across the board.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5/6 | 9/11 | 0 |
The coding in the Matrix for Mr. Anderson gives him a ratings boost for away games.
Chris Paul almost messed around.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2/5 | 7/14 | 2/2 |
He’s such a good neighbor that it makes James Harden excited.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/6 | 9/19 | 6/6 |
Led the team in minutes played (35), shot attempts (19), and points (26). Does Ricky Rubio curl up in bed at night and have nightmares about DMitch?
Speaking of Rubio:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 3/7 | 4/4 |
Played 30 minutes but has essentially gotten his nuts cut off.
With Rodney Hood locked away in some Public Storage unit, Alec Burks played 27 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2/5 | 6/12 | 3/4 |
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2/5 | 2/2 |
Played 28 minutes. Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
When you own Rubio, Lopez and James Johnson. Lmao. I honestly do not know what to do with these guys. I mean Crabbe is actually playing better than them. Haha
Watched the Utah game earlier and I just noticed that Rubio just couldn’t find the basket. Sometimes Mitchell would give him the ball and be like “alright man, I’ll let you do your thing”, but nothing great is happening. Lol It is not like Donovan is hogging the ball, it’s just that better things happen when the ball is in his hands.
I should be running out patience with these players but my team is doing good so it’s kind of offsetting their shortcomings, but if I could strike a deal that would send them away, then I’ll do it. Haha Do you think Rubio & James Johnson (or Brook) are enough to land me Teague? Or someone else who has top 50 potential. Anybody you have in mind? Thanks, Son.
@I just wanna Kawhi:
I own Rubio too. And it’s painful to watch him knowing that if only his team mates would just make that shots every time Rubio pass it to them. Things would be better , but i am still bullish with him. I still believe he will eventually turn things around and rack up those assists and steals in no time.
@McBonton:
True, I’m on the same boat, HOWEVER, he’s got to make his damn shots! Haha
@McBonton: He is too good of a player to not be of some value. With that said, expectations need to be reconfigured.
@I just wanna Kawhi: It’s tough to play in the NBA without a nut sack. I’d imagine it would be tough getting Teague or someone comparable for them, but everyone values players differently. Send out your scouts and see what they can find.
Please pick 2 in 9-cat league for overall value ROS; Aminu, Levert or Burks?
Thanks!
@Tony C: Aminu, LeVert
Amazing writeup son! Hope you doin well.
Was able to snag Okafor on both leagues that im in.
$37 and $21.
Hopefully my investment paysoff.
@McBonton:
Ugh, $81 dollars left on my FAAB budget, I’m not sure if I should spend $20 on him…
@I just wanna Kawhi: I think I would
@Son:
Someone else got him for $31. Hahah
@I just wanna Kawhi: Ha! Well, go buy a voodoo doll of him and start poking him!
@McBonton: Thanks! I hope you get a nice ROI as well. Good luck
Ayyyyyo!
We do this!
Love reading your weekday stuff Son for real.
I almost wanted to sign up for writing for Razz in the beginning of this season,
But I just have so much going on, 3 jobs & a 3 year old son. #TeamNoSleep
But I respect what you guys put up for content here a lot, best site for fantasy IMO.
I caught some flack yesterday from another manager in my league for me dropping Faried for Okafor…. Saying I dropped a better player.
The only other player I would of dropped is Ulis for Oak ?
What do you think of the new look squad – ?
12 team – H2H – No I.R
Wall/DSJ/J. Murray/Ulis
G. Harris/Batum/Crabbe
T. Harris/Hardaway/T. Prince
Cousins/Gobert/Love/Blake/Okafor
Still just trying to ride out the injury bug (Wall/Blake/Hardaway)
Thank you !
@Mr. Blast: Ayo! Really appreciate that Mr. Blast. I respect what you do. Working multiple jobs with a child ain’t easy.
I wouldn’t stress about what others think. Everyone values players differently. You do what you think is best for your squad.
I like the squad. Yeah, hopefully it gets healthy. Have a lot of ammo to make moves if you so desire.
Hey Son!
11 team, 8 cat roto team where I am working on a a punt assist build but having trouble finding good trading partners…Would you add Okafor for anyone off of this roster? Biggest needs in order PTS, REB, 3PM, FT%, FG%
PG- Bledsoe, Collison
SG- Harris, Burks
SF- Butler, Porter, Melo, Ariza
PF- Porzingis, Favors, Ryan Anderson
C – Gobert
IR – Kawhi, Conley
I’m considering dropping Burks for Nance. Would you drop Favors for Okafor?
Thanks, Homie!
I’d keep Burks. I’m good with grabbing Okafor for Favors.
@Son: Thanks, Son! I’m trying to move toward a AST punt, but having devil of a time dealing my PGs.
Ok. Good luck!
@OldMilwaukeePounders: Curious why you think you need to (or want to) punt assists. You actually have very nice assists coming from bledsoe & collison (and eventually conley) and butler kawhi gives you strong out of position asts. Nice team!
Are Fox and Rivers holds in 10-team leagues or streamers? Been holding onto Fox all season but it’s a little tough waiting.
@miles proudfoot: Totally understand. I think you have to hold, though.
Hii Son,
need advice my league h2h 9cat would you trade
1. wall for cp3
2. ariza +randle/lee for otto
3. ariza for avery bradley
thanks son
@hery: 1) Yes
2) No
3) No
Good evening Son!
1) Do you think brogdon is a drop candidate or should be considered as a stash since he will be the piece they move if bucks go for DJ? Whats your personal view do you think dj gets traded?
2) when do you think is the right time to pick up and stash jabari? No IR slot
Thanks as always
@Will: I wouldn’t drop brogdon. He’s still playing minutes. Granted, not as much as before, but he’s still been productive. And like you mentioned, he could get moved so there’s upside. As for DJ, I do think he gets moved at some point.
It’s been mentioned February at the earliest, so you have time. If you are really high on him, you pick him up as soon as you start seeing the fluff videos on Twitter and YouTube of him dunking in a gym or what not after the New Year. That’s when most of the outlets will start writing their pieces to go pick him up. You will probably have to stash him for a bit, but that’s the cost if you really want him
@Son: good stuff son! Thanks alot for your insights. How high are you on Jabari. You think he repeats his top 50-60 output that he did last season given beldsoe and middleton?
Loved the little PG side comment, f***in hilarious. Keep it coming!
@Will: Ha! Thanks Will!
I’m always skeptical of guys coming back from injuries, especially to the knee. Plus, I don’t see any reason for the Bulls to give him a ton of minutes. I’m fading top 50-60.
@Son: thank you sir
@Will: anytime
hello son,
would you drop wilson chandler for FA ??
FA list : seth curry, saric,favors,dedmon,hield,MKG
thanks
@Ricky: For Saric
@Son: okay son. could you please rank for FA list +ty john ??
thanks a lot
@Ricky: Saric, Hield, Favors, MKG, Dedmon, Curry
Hi son,
Please rank these players..
Jj, rooster, rhj
RHJ, Gallo, jj
Hi son,
Please rank FA available on our league.
JJ,anderson, hood,collins, aminu,moore
JJ, Aminu, Collins, Moore, Anderson, Hood
@Son: thanks a lot son.. may i also know what’s ur take on jahlil? U think he’d do well on his new team?
Anytime! I’ve never been an Okafar guy, but I’m pretty bullish on him in BK
@Son: i see.. may i ask if you have projections of him when he start playing for brooklyn?
@Miel: Not too sure. My best guess right now would be around 25 mpg. 15 pts/6 boards/1 ast/0.4 steals/1 blk/ 67% FT and 50% from the field.
@Son: thanks son.. hope he does well.
Anytime. Me too
Hey, Son. Dunn, Favors, Faried, or Nance in a head to head points league? Thanks!
@Jerry: DUnn
Standard 10 team h2h dynasty league, which side do you like better for a trade? Jokic and Bledsoe, or Oladipo and Drummond?
Dipo/Drummond
my current team
12 team 9 cat h2h
giannis / cj / myles / jaylen / kris dunn/ taurean / teague / nurkic / dsj / thj / jrich / hield
would it be crazy of me to do a myles + mccollum for embiid + drummond?
then trying to flip teague + for ben simmons. start punting 3s and fts.
what about myles + cj + jaylen for gobert + simmons?
thanks
@Dan: I’m good with either
Hi son,
My batum for his blake?
@2rule: Puff, puff….pass
Should we try and offer Rubio for Dragic? Guess Dragic has better value ROS
@I just wanna Kawhi:
Or maybe, Rubio&James Johnson for Fournier & WCS? Or Conley? Man, I really don’t know. Donovan just happened
@I just wanna Kawhi: Yeah, Donovan is a thing and will continue to get better. You’re probably selling super low on Rubio right now, though. Unless you think he gets completely phased out, you probably should wait for some sort of uptick before selling.
@I just wanna Kawhi:
One last thing, your thoughts on Quese? He’s been decent lately.. Thanks buddy
@I just wanna Kawhi: We all know his potential is sky high. He could get white hot like he did last year. WIll he? No idea, but it’s definitely within the range of outcomes.
@I just wanna Kawhi: Agreed
Sup son!
1. My Kyrie Wiggins for McCollum horford? (16m)
2. Aminu, okafor, saric – pls choose 2 (12m)
3. Portis, bam, mirotic – pls choose 2 (16m)
4. My lonzo, portis for Rubio, Henson? (16m)
5. Jordan Bell a hold in an 18m? Olynyk, Mike James, available
@Hamtime: @Hamtime: 1) Sure
2) Aminu and…..depends what you need/want. Saric 3s and a tick more assists. Okafor, blocks, fg%, pts, and a tick more boards. Bad ft%.
3) Portis and Mirotic
4) Rather have Zo/Portis
5) I think so
@Son: thanks!! last for the day – portis or jamychal? im thinking jamychal bec of mins and im hunting off rebs. hes currently on waivers. how much from a $100FAAB would you burn on him? was thinking between $17-23?
@hamtime: I’m with you on Green. I think you could get him cheaper, but you know your league better than me
hii son,
would you trade :
1. h.barnes for tj warren
2. jrue+pau for m. turner
3. pau for s.adams
thanks son
@hery: 1) Yes
2) Sure
3) Sure
Hey Son,
Need your advice, should I trade Warren for Melo? Am a Melo fan and want to know if this is the right time to buy low. Need some help in 3 from stats wise.
Rob
@Rob: Sure. Do what you think is best for your team, both emotionally and statistically
Hello Son,
I got offered regjack + wesmath for my mccollum should i accept or naw ??
my team KAT,oladipo,mccollum,conley,argon,jrue,horford,brolo,marwill,pau,WCS,t.j warren
h2h 11cat (9cat+TO+PF)
thanks son
@Willy: Naw.
@Son: okay son. would you trade DMC+fox for my dipo + brolo ??
thanks
@Willy: Nope
Hi son,
Need some advice on 9 cat h2h league. Punting points
1. Harris or rhj
2. Jj or roos
3. Otto or beal
1) RHJ
2) JJ
3) Otto
@Son: on this context, where would u side between rhj,beal and harris,otto
@Rob: Otto/Harris