Did everyone survive their holiday, hmm? I know not everyone who reads the Razzball basketball articles are from the US, but seeing as the NBA is based in the continental United States (save the Raptors, from my hometown of Toronto, Canada!), we will default to the US holiday schedule. Sorry Buddists, you get screwed. Again. But until Krishna can dunk a basketball, we’re going with Thanksgiving and Christmas, as it affects the game schedule, as well as our hearts. The reason I like Thanksgiving from a fantasy perspective, is that it indicates the first quarter of the fantasy season is done – we’ve just rounded the first post. Which is relevant, why? You should know where your squad’s deficiencies are by now, and, theoretically, the guys to target to address said needs. It’s a process, fella, so don’t freak out if you’re not on top, nor feel too smug if you sit upon the throne thus far. I have been waiting in the weeds with Kevin Durant, for example, so I hope to be rising in the ranks in my Razzball league (League Awesome, for those who are uninformed). Perhaps some of these following cats can help you in your climb:
BUY:
DeMar DeRozan SG, SF
This may be considered dicey, no question, as DeMar is out for 4 weeks, possibly more, so this only helps you if you can afford to sit him on your bench. But we aim to buy low here, right, cadet? So then hike up y0ur big boy pants and go for the gusto! DeRozan isn’t going to change your fortunes single handedly, but he’s a nice addition to FT%, averages high trips to the stipe, in addition to averaging 19/4/3/1/0. You could get him for a lower middle round piece, like Draymond Green, for example. He’s not worth paying more than that, as the risk that he’s out for longer is there.
Greivis Vasquez PG, SG
Vasquez is an add, due to DeRozan’s injury. He has gotten the start, and has averaged 18/1.6/4.6/.6/0 with 2.6 treys over his last 3 games. he’s only owned 26% owned, and worth a look in competitive 12 teamers, or 14+ leagues. Another benefactor of the DeRozan injury worth taking a look at would be James Johnson, his per 36 stats were tasty, particularly blocks, let’s just hope he get those minutes.
K.J. McDaniels SG, SF
But Dan, you’ve already written about McDaniels, you may say. To which I will respond: What? And you go: You know, this isn’t a new tidbit… And I mumble: yeah, well, that’s just your opinion, man. Because: A) He’s still only 36% owned, so a bunch of you aren’t taking advantage. B) McDaniels has gotten an increased amount of minutes due to Tony Wroten being out – and with Alexey Shved is also banged up – he has averaged 32 minutes over the last 3 games. C) with said minutes, he has averaged 16.3/9.3/1.3/1.3/1.6 with 1.6 treys over the last three. (glorious rainbow line last game) If you don’t have him, I’d get him. And I won’t have to mention him again for a few weeks.
Bradley Beal SG
Beal is still shaking off the rust, that is obvious. But I think, and I believe you do too, gentle reader, that Beal will improve to somewhere where he was before. But proof is in the pudding, and so far, that pudding is pretty damn bland. So make a bargain bin offer, you might get lucky.
SELL:
Kyle Korver SG, SF
This is a hard one for me to recommend, as anyone who reads my stuff (to the few of you, I humbly salute you!), I’m a big fan of long balls. And Kyle is shooting a scorching 57% from beyond the arc, on 5 attempts per game. In addition, his FT and FG% are murderous, and he’ll toss in 4 boards and 3 dimes. Which is insane crazy, crazy insane! And while this output makes him more than a ThrAGNOF, in my estimation, I submit he can’t keep it up all season, a la Dirk Diggler, right? This is why he’s a sell high. Every team knows Kyle can shoot. He’s going to run into more team defenses as the season progresses, so he will be hard pressed to continue at this pace.
Tyson Chandler C
He is playing at an elite level, Yahoo has him ranked 16th overall. You know that he can’t possibly be any better, so if you have a glut of bigs, turn that middle round pick into a top 15 player. He went in the 9th round in my Razzball 12 team league draft. Crazy. Sell high on the big fella.
Jabari Parker SF, PF
Parker had a great game against Houston, going 19/9/5/2/0 , with 14 FT attempts, making 13 of them. It’s a sell high point for me. I have great expectations for Parker, just likely not this year. Maybe you have faith in him, many do, but I worry about the inconsistency there in the Milwaukee rotation, his minutes could be cut at any point, and there’s always the rookie wall looming. If you’re in a keeper league, I would consider holding on to him, but if it’s a redraft, I would prefer the consistency another player is more apt to give you.
That’s all I got this week, I know it’s a short one, but I’m still digesting, and a little backed up. May all your shots be nothing but net!
