Gentle reader, I must confess: I have a sweet tooth. And a meat tooth as well. A touch of the wheat tooth, I suppose. Oh, and I guess you may as well throw in a gravy and mash tooth in there as well. What I’m saying to you is that I’m a glutton at this time of year, even more than most other times of the year. As the title suggests, there is slightly more of me to love at this time. And with Black Friday behind us, I think it safe to look ahead to the Holiday Season, and all the indulging that comes with it. I have to trim up. Which means trimming some fat off this old long-baller. How will I do this, I’m sure you’re asking yourself? By trading away the hard to shed fantasy players, of course! I see no other manner in which to do this than to do an (almost) all SELL article this week! So lets take a look at the following prime cut, as well as all the giblets…
BUY:
Bismack Biyombo C
I mentioned him in the Luis Scola recommend last week, but I thought that Scola would be the primary beneficiary from Jonas Valanciunas’ absence due to injury, but Bis has grabbed the mic and got busayyy! Not gonna get you points reliably, but he has managed to stay out of foul trouble, playing over 30 minutes each of his last four games since JV went down. He has averaged 12.5 boards, as well as 2 + blocks in those 4 games. Great big man booster numbers, and he is only 17% owned at the moment. How do you say “Boooyaaa!!” in Congolese? Boooyaaa, probably.
SELL:
Tony Parker PG
The Frenchman has been wonderful in past years, and has put decent games up this year as well. But Parker’s trajectory is sloping down, not up. Parker has 3 treys (trois trois?) this year, total, in 17 games . I proclaim him un dindon (which is french for Turkey, you dindon!)! His dimes and shooting percentage gives him value, but for a dindon he is a lame duck, non?
This Furious Fashionista is absolutely transcendent at scoring and dishing, and is rightfully ranked as a first round asset. The problem is that he can flirt with a triple double every night with points, dimes, and turnovers, and has notched only 5 treys in his last 6 games. You don’t sell an asset like Russ without getting a blue chip in return. Russ is only on the table for a Kawhi Leonard, James Harden or a Draymond Green, or others in that rarefied air. Just me, probably, but I don’t want my first round guy punting a stat each night.
Nicolas Batum SG, SF
Sacre Bleu! Two fine Frenchmen in one article! This is a testament to the international growth of the game, or something, right, Or my love of unpasteurized cheese? At any rate, Batum was merde last season with the Blazers, but has had a resurgence this year. He is a valuable asset, but you can’t possibly sell higher in his current career year production. His year stats? 16.9/6.3/4.5/1.1/.5 with over 2 3pts per. That is worth a top 25 player, IMO, so put on your beret, spread some brie on a baguette, spark up a cigarette, and disdainfully kick some tires. Be sure to scoff at any offer, and adjust your stupid black and white shirt. Include any other stereotypes you can think of.
Bradley Beal SG
Full disclosure: I really dislike this cat as a Raps fan, so consider the source. That said, he has been injured too much to be as cocky as he is. Nobody can deny his talent, but he has been injured far too much in his young career for my liking. He tweaked his ankle recently (injured again!) on the 28th, but played through it, but that is a big concern. For me, he is too much of an injury risk to have to depend on. Sell this cat before he injures himself seriously, and has to stay out of your lineup.
Ok, cool cats. I’m too bloated to keep typing. For those who celebrated, I hope your Thanksgiving was all you wished it to be, and for the rest of you, may all your shots be nothing but net!
