It’s been the Kobe Bryant show over in LA and will remain that way until Steve Nash comes back. This is an extremely small sample size but Pau Gasol arguably had his best game this year when Nash was handling the ball (the first game of the year!). He had 19 shots that first game and has only topped 15 shots twice since then. Is Pau getting old? Obviously, but I don’t think one of the best players in the league is going to fall off a cliff at 32 years old. Shooting a horrendous 42% FG while only dipping below 50% once in his career (2003-04), things are only going to get better for him. I should also mention he is averaging a career worst 13 ppg, but that’s to be expected with the low FG%. The awful start is exacerbated because: 1) See #3, 2) The Lakers are 7-8 , 3) He’s on the Lakers, 4) See #2. When the Lakers go on a run, we’ll start seeing stories about how Pau is back, he fought through trade rumors, and that he and D’Antoni are developing a great relationship…blah blah blah. Go get him on your fantasy team. The guy is a stud.
Editor’s Note: Before we begin, a quick note for you fantasy ball lovers out there (cough) – Rajon Rondo has been suspended two (2) games, but Kris Humphries has not been suspended and will be available tonight. Now back to your regular programming.
BUY
Paul Millsap – Sigh, Millsap. You looked so good when you were drilling threes and scoffing at everyone that said you couldn’t play SF well. I haven’t seen any Jazz games so I’m not sure what the hell happened, but it’s been depressing. Over the last two weeks, Millsap has been averaging a measly 11.7 pts, 6.7 rebs, 2.1 ast, 0.6 stl, and 0.3 blk while shooting 41% from the field. For the season he is 14.2/8.4/2.4/0.9/1.0 and shooting 46% from the field. Everyone has bad stretches, so get the jump on him before he starts blowing up.
Al Horford – Horford has been solid so far in his return to the NBA after a season long injury last year. His current Yahoo! rank is 71, and it would be better if he didn’t stink so much from the line. He is currently shooting 51% from the charity stripe this SEASON. A career 75% FT shooter, he didn’t suddenly turn into Dwight Howard. Get him from someone worried about Horford tanking their FT% category.
Marcin Gortat – Remember how awesome he started the season (over 4 blks per game the first 6 games!)? Maybe not because all we care about what a player is giving us now. Averaging 9.7/5.7/0.9/0.9/0.7 over the past 7 games, he’s turned into a corpse on the court. Is he already upset being stuck on this shitty team? Probably, but he’ll turn it around.
Kawhi Leonard – Ah the good ole buy low on injured players. A couple things: 1) He’s targeted to return on Dec. 1st, 2) He’s ranked 43rd on a per game average by Yahoo! , 3) He’s owned in only 48% of leagues, 4) How the hell is he only owned in 48% of leagues? The guy has averaged 10 points, 1 3PM, 5 boards, and 2 steals per game with AWESOME percentages (49% FG, 94% FT), 5) This is getting to be too many numbers, 6) If he’s on your wire, why are you still reading this?, 7) Now there’s definitely too many numbers, 8) I should have said “several things.”
SELL
Jason Richardson – I thought J-Rich would be solid this year but not this freaking good. He is somehow averaging a career high 1.7 steals while shooting a career high 44% from behind the arc. All at the ripe age of 31! I bet you’re like “Yo Redacted, why is it OK for Pau to be old but not J-Rich. Are you racist?” That’s a clown question, bro, because everyone knows I hate Spaniards. It just goes to show how objective I am when it comes to fantasy basketball. Pau has been an established elite player while J-Rich has not been that for a couple years. Simple as that.
Patrick Patterson – I’m conflicted with Patterson. I see that he’s only 44% owned, so I’m like wtf guys get him on your roster (as I said on Wednesday). Then I look and see that everyone in an RCL does own him, so really good job by us. That’s why he isn’t a buy, because we already own him. However, I cannot see him putting up 20+ point nights every night like he’s been doing recently. So he’s definitely a sell. Although if only RCL people own him, that means no one else probably wants him so we can’t sell. I’m glad I put him on this list.
David West – The Indiana Pacers need their players to step up early in the season and West has been picking up the slack. The past six games he has been averaging 18.8/7.8/4.0/0.5/1.7 while shooting 58% from the field. The assists, blocks, and FG% would easily be the highest averages he’s ever had, so I think it’s safe to assume he’s in for a correction soon.
Chandler Parsons – Ladies and gentlemen… your #2 fantasy player (by average) over the past 2 weeks. My god, has he been ridiculous. 2.7 3PM, 20.2 pts, 7.8 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.2 stl and shooting 58% from the floor. I have no idea what they are giving everybody on the Rockets, but for the love of god can somebody give some to Jeremy Lin?
