Derrick Rose early on Wednesday morning in a jovial mood. How could he not? It was Halloween, a day to have fun, dress up, scare little kids, and eat lots and lots of candy. But as he drove up to the practice lot of the Timberwolves practice facility a little after lunch, things just didn’t feel right. The cloud that’s been hovering over the building for the last month or so looked a little darker. When he stepped out of the car, the wind was brisk and sent shivers throughout his whole body. As he approached Coach Thibodeau’s office, there was an eery light emanating from the crack between the bottom of the door and floor. Then a BAM! And a BOOM! KA BOOOOOOOOOOOOYACKA SHAKALA! WTF??!! Lying on the floor, Derrick Rose and entered Coach Thib’s office. “What’s wrong coach?” Coach Thibs responded with, “We are 3-4. 25th in defensive rating! Andrew Wiggins has four years and $147 million left on his contract! Jeff Teague can’t play tonight and Jimmy Butler is playing hard ball and won’t play until we trade him!!!…..And your hair looks f**king ridiculous!!!!” Derrick was not fazed. “Coach, I got this.”
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 50 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4/7 | 19/31 | 8/11 |
I’d say he did. Derrick Rose to the occasion with Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, and Tyus Jones all not playing by logging 41 minutes and bringing the Five-Oh. The fifty-burger was a career-high, which bested his prior mark of 42 points back in 2010. Now, Derrick is 30 years old and we all know about the injury history. He hasn’t played more than 66 games in a season since….2010. He’s obviously not going to bring the cops every night or shoot 31 times, but prior to last night, Derrick was a viable fantasy asset: 14.3 points, 4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 0.7 steals. No threeecolas and the field goal percentage was/is/won’t be pretty, but he was providing some decent counting stats. More importantly, he was getting over 28 minutes of run a game with the upside of moving into the starting lineup and getting more when someone sat. Scoop him up if he’s still available. If you own him, no one is going to buy high, so just let it ride. Happy Halloween!
Here’s what else I saw last night:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4/9 | 9/17 | 6/8 |
Meow. That buy-low window has run out of lives.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0/1 | 4/5 | 2/3 |
The rookie got the start and played 37 minutes. Not an offensive force or high usage player, Okogie will contribute across the board. Won’t wow you for fantasy, but will be useful if he gets the minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9/12 | 4/9 |
Leading the league in field goal percentage with a ridiculous 75% mark, 5th in rebounding, 3rd in blocks, and tied for 2nd in double-dubs with six. Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0/1 | 2/6 | 1/2 |
I’ve figured out what setting the Rubio metronome is on: 1-2-1-2. Good game, 2 shitty games, good game, 2 shitty games. As long as no alters the device, Rubio should go HAM Friday against the Grizzlies. This is hard, quantitative analysis that you won’t find anywhere else in the universe. You’re welcome.
Dante Exum
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1/3 | 4/9 | 5/6 |
Someone to keep an eye on. Just in case the Rubio metronome goes haywire. Exum played 25 minutes last night, but he had been getting around 16 minutes per.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1/2 | 8/13 | 2/3 |
Slowly but surely, Millsap is rounding into form.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3/6 | 9/20 | 1/1 |
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. I blame Torrey Craig for not getting Jokic the triple-dub. I kid, but Nikola’s season numbers are no freaking Jokic. 21.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1 block, 1.2 steals, 1.3 threeecolas, 56% field goal percentage, and 86% from the line. WTF?! Who does that?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1/3 | 4/9 | 0/1 |
It’s too bad Lyles seems to be locked into the 20 minute per game range. He can score, grab some boards, shoot from downtown, and get his 211 on.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/4 | 3/10 | 0/1 |
Got the start at power forward and played 36 minutes. Donned the scariest outfit of the night.
Wendell Carter Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2/3 | 9/21 | 5/6 |
The Wendell Carter Jr. administration has officially begun. 4 more years!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5/9 | 5/10 | 0 |
Played 39 minutes. I always worry about his efficiency, but he’s getting a shit ton of minutes and the boards and dimes are nice to see. Holiday be working.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2/6 | 11/24 | 4/4 |
I told Brent that I’d do something special if LaVine is an All-Star this year. I’m getting worried.
Chandler Hutchison and Ryan Arcidiacono both played 30 minutes. That’s nice. I’m not going to give either a stat box. I’m trying to help you, but I feel like the instructor that says, “Don’t look down.”
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1/3 | 5/10 | 2/4 |
If you want to remain Young, don’t watch him play or follow his box scores. Just know that you’ll get the steals, rebounds, and shitty free throw percentage, but end up with a top 70 player.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4/10 | 0 |
Turner is making this whole “walk 500 Myles” thing a little difficult.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 12/12 | 6/7 |
Did this in 21 minutes!!! Arydas lives!!! I will walk 500 Sabonis!!!
Noah Vonleh
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1/2 | 4/6 | 5/6 |
Vonleh has started the last three games and received 22. 29, and 33 minutes respectively. Not a high usage player, as he hasn’t attempted more than six shots in any game, Vonleh has grabbed 10 rebounds in back-to-back games and not left a bagel in any of the categories.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0/3 | 0 |
Started at center but only received 18 minutes. Too early.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7/11 | 10/19 | 10/10 |
We got ourselves a shooter!!! C & E dealer!! Let me get a snake eyes. Hard 10. Winner winner chicken dinner!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3/11 | 1/2 |
Played 21 minutes. And the season started off so promising.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4/8 | 8/18 | 5/7 |
Another block! Now I truly know that we are living in a parallel universe. Blake is the 27th player according to Basketball Monster. Well, just another player I was horribly wrong about coming into the season.
Stanley Johnson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1/3 | 1/4 | 3/4 |
Just another tool in the box. Does the dirty work but will never get the credit.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0/1 | 8/14 | 8/10 |
Granted, the game went to OT and Dre played 38 minutes but man….Who does that?
That’s Dre’s third 20/20 game of the season. Maybe we should call him LensCrafters.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/7 | 8/23 | 3/3 |
Played 35 minutes and led the team in shot attempts. No wonder Dre was able to pull down 23 boards.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 1/4 | 1/2 |
Played 31 minutes. My name is Ish. I wish I could swish. But no one wants to dish.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4/7 | 8/14 | 3/3 |
Played 41 minutes. Not your Average Joe.
Jared Dudley
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1/6 | 2/9 | 6/6 |
Played 38 minutes! What?! Ok, Atkinson. We get it. You went with Jared. Enough. Do you think he’s getting Jared mixed up with Jarrett, and then when seeing the both of them out there at the same time, he just says F it?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0/6 | 3/15 | 0/1 |
Still Loading…..
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/5 | 7/16 | 4/6 |
LeGood.
Ed Davis
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4/6 | 2/3 |
Only played 18 minutes. Is averaging 17 minutes per game on the season, but if you need boards, then Mr. Ed is your horse.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5/9 | 8/15 | 4/4 |
Played 32 minutes. High-def SD.
Allen Crabbe
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1/4 | 1/6 | 0 |
Scuttle back into the ocean from whereith you came from.
The Spurs beat down the Suns by 30. All you need to know is that Jakob Poeltl played 8 minutes.
Suns. SMH. I’m just glad that u is not an o, or there’d be a serious problem. When you get beat down by 30 at home….NO BLURBS FOR YOU!!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3/6 | 5/11 | 1/2 |
Only 19 years old people! Only going to get better as the season progresses. Brandon Ingram’s length was giving him trouble early on, but Luka perservered and fought through it. I forsee many triple-dubs in the immediate future.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 4/4 | 2/2 |
The DJ didn’t bring the entire record collection, but he was able to scrape together a performance.
Dennis Smith Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1/1 | 2/9 | 0 |
As high as DSJ can jump, is how low his fantasy floor is.
Wesley Matthews
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4/10 | 8/15 | 1/1 |
Played 32 minutes and continues to ball out. Just don’t expect much outside of points and threeecolas.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0/3 | 7/15 | 1/2 |
26th in assists despite playing only 17.7 minutes per game.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8/15 | 0 |
Played 35 minutes. Currently the 22nd player according to Basketball Monster. JaVale for President!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 1/3 | 0 |
I don’t have the Hart to do it, so I’ll leave it up to my Boyz II Men….
Nikola Mirotic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2/7 | 10/15 | 4/5 |
The shooting efficiency is going to come down. He’s currently shooting at a 51% clip. With that said, he’s averaging almost 17 shots per game, after never hoisting up more than 12 in any other season. The rebounds are also at a career-high 9.5. The Pelicans are 2nd in offensive pace, so the volume and opportunites should continue being there.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1/4 | 6/16 | 4/5 |
Played 41 minutes and returned to the lineup after missing two games with an elbow injury. I know it’s early, but AD is AVERAGING 3.8 blocks and 2.5 steals!
E’Twaun Moore
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3/4 | 9/16 | 0 |
The environment doesn’t get much better for a shooter like E’Twaun. Moore please!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2/8 | 9/19 | 8/11 |
No time for a Holiday in their family, as both brothers were working.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3/6 | 5/6 |
Only played 23 minutes, which happens to be his season average.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2/5 | 6/10 | 2/3 |
Whoooosh. There goes the buy-low window. Squints at the rear-view mirror and only see the sticker, “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.”
Jonas Jerebko
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2/5 | 3/6 | 2/2 |
Played 17 minutes. Has scored 10 points in back-to-back games and looks to have carved out a little niche for himself. Rebounds and a threeecola are what you can expect.
Son, would u drop Ingles for Carter Jr? In need of rebounds
What’s rest of squad?
@Son:
Paul
Oladipo
Draymon
Durant
J.Allen
Goebert
Hield
Bledsoe
Teague
Ingles
Porter
Ibaka
J. Murray
I think I’d drop Murray instead
@Son: wow ok thank you
I’d take back that thank you, as there’s a good chance you may be cussing me out in the future. 🙂
@Son: lol i think im going to stick with Murray but thanks for all the help
Anytime. I don’t hate that
@Son: sorry 9 team roto 8 cat
Sup Son? Is Ariza worth kind of a buy low you think? Would you give Al Horford and George Hill to get Brook Lopez and Trevor Ariza?
I’m not a big Ariza guy. Would rather have the Horford aide
SON! you made me hold D rose, and he had a few fantasy owners D rising last night!! is it 2010 again??? Thibs sure thinks so with those minutes..
Guess you’re right, with 16 mins from Hart it’s time to say goodbye… streaming Moore tonight in his place, and looking for blocks so I think I’ll have a look at either Len or Zeller – suggestions?
Keep up the great work buddy!
Wutang!! Wutang!!! Wutang!!! For the people!
Zeller
Hey Son! I asked this question of Kostas yesterday and received good advice regarding immediate output for the following players: Dotson, RHJ, OKogie, JALylen brown, jos Jax, Knox.
How would you rank ROS for them? Thanks!
@miles proudfoot: RHJ, Brown, Okogie, Knox, JJ, Dotson
Hey Son! I’m thinking of trading away Danilo Gallinari before he gets injured, maybe for another player that gets 3s and steals. Who do you think a good trade target would be considering his value?
Thanks Son!
Really depends on League context. Send out the scouts to perform some price discovery
Son, would u trade Dario Saric for Taurean Prince? I’m in a 11-cat 14 team league
I haven’t been that impressed with Dario and would prefer someone would higher upside and who likely won’t get benched towards the tail end of the season when fantasy playoffs start.
What are the other 2 cats?
Why would Saric get benched?
@Son:
Sorry, it’s a H2H weekly and other 2 cats are TO and PF (I think these are the ones differing from a standard 9 -cat (sorry, this is just my 2nd year of Fantasy BBall so I’m still kinda a newb))
I was thinking he might be rested (not benched) the last few games of the seasons once the 76ers lock a playoff spot and perhaps sit him for rest.
@Guillermo: Usually TO are in 9-cat. No biggie, though. I’m good with getting Prince for Saric. I wouldn’t be too concerned about the whole sitting thing, though.
@Son:
Awesome!
I pulled the trigger on the deal. Based on both player’s performances last night I think I am ever so slightly ahead in terms of return but not by much.
Enjoy reading your blog and thanks for all the valuable advice on the season so far, it’s much appreciated
@Guillermo: No prob. Anytime.
Hey Son, great reading this write ups always.
quick question:
which side would you take : zach lavine and danilo for tobias??
it is a 14 team league, punt ast build ( i own lavine and gallo)
thanks!
I’m good with that
Hi Son,
9 cat league.. Really disappointed with Kanter’s receding minutes. Should’ve sold high on 1st week. anyway, end of bench is WCJ and Siakam. Might drop Kanter as well if his minutes keeps going now.
Notable FA availables are Danny Green, Isaac and Oubre.
Would you switch anybody?
I’d hold for now, considering the other options. Things can change in a heartbeat
what you think about this trade in 9 cat h2h. donny mitch and PG for kwahi and lou will.
@Justin: is it an unfair trade?
@Justin: No
@Justin: I like the DMitch/PG side more
@Son: I’d be shocked if you found anyone that wanted the Kawhi/Sweet Lou side.
@We The North: I could see it, as Kawhi is the best player in the deal.
for tonight, Alex Len (SAC) or Tristan Thompson (DEN)?
@waffles: No.
I choose Alex Thompson.
Or Tristan Len.
I’d probably go with TT
SON!!! late question here. Would you call Okogie a hold? seems like it’s a streaming spot to me… but of course, can’t make fantasy decisions without you!
@Wutang: Ha!
https://youtu.be/N1NupxasQWs
https://youtu.be/cPRKsKwEdUQ
Hey all!
I was offered Oladipo for my Ayton. I feel I need to accept but I already have 5 pg’s and only 4 C’s.
Should I do?
Thanks!
@Bucky: In a vacuum, you make that trade, but it depends who the rest of your centers are
@Son: My other centers are Enes, WCS, Draymond.
Thanks!
@Son: @Bucky: @Son: @Son: Oh and btw, it is 3 keepers league and I had Kemba, Jamal Murray, and Draymond as keepers. I was gonna keep Ayton for Murray.
@Bucky: Got it. I’d deep Ayton
Trade question, which side
Lilliard, Adams and Matthews
or
Embiid and Ingles
@S-Wilk: Depends on context, but in a vacuum, I prefer the Embiid/Ingles side
Whattup SON.
Am i keeping the faith with Miles Bridges and Josh Hart? The up and down with each is killing me but i know if i drop either they will get pounced on and ill have to watch someone else enjoy that sweet upside for the rest of the year. Could really use a streamer spot though to try and salvage a tough H2H matchup this week…Watcha think?
DeAaron Fox
P. George
G. Harris
Aldridge
Embiid
Brolo
Lavert
D. Green
Siakam
Barton
Teague
Bogdan
Miles Bridges
Hart
IL: Boogie
Thanks as always homie.
@Court Vision: Your league was unlimited daily moves?
@Son: Nah 4 moves per week and have to make the add before midnight for the following day.
@Court Vision: I’d hold then. The pickings get slim in those type of leagues because there’s less churning and burning
@Son: Hadnt really thought of it that way. Thanks Son! You give me the strength to carry on (holding).
@Court Vision: https://youtu.be/0IA3ZvCkRkQ?t=50