If I lived in the country, I’d like to be within walking distance of a brook. Hearing and watching water flow is so relaxing to me. Plus, it could help irrigate my farmland and hopefully fish would swim rampant in it. I like watching fish. I’m a terrible fisherman, though, which bodes well for the fish. Funny story. My buddy took me fishing off the pier once and I caught this fish that was maybe six inches long. Kid next to me, maybe eight years old, looks at my fish, then looks me dead in the eye and says, “That ain’t no fish!” F U kid. Anyways, I mention a brook because I know what to expect from it. It’s going to bring water, fish, and it damn well ain’t going anywhere. Unless the neighbor upstream builds a dam. Damn! Russell Westbrook brings that same consistency.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 44 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4/12 | 18/30 | 4/4 |
11 straight trip-dubs! He now has 128 for his career, 10 behind Magic Johnson and 53 behind Oscar Robertson. He should knock that out in two seasons tops. From a fantasy perspective, the high turnovers and low shooting efficiency keep him down (top 35 over the past seven games), but the counting stats. Oh, those counting stats. He’s AVERAGING a trip-dub. They flow like water down the Westbrook.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Cody Zeller
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0/1 | 4/10 | 5/6 |
Old Zeller got the start and played 30 minutes. Since returning from injury, he’s played 23, 25, 26, 35, and 30 minutes, while starting the last three games. Not a sexy fantasy player, there’s no need to put down Old Zeller, as he is reliable and will provide points, boards, blocks, with a sprinkle of dimes.
Kemba Walker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0/7 | 4/20 | 2/3 |
Got the watered down version of the Kemba Label. As a result, the Magic made the Hornets disappear, 127-89.
Jeremy Lamb got the start but only played 18 minutes, while Malik Monk played 25 minutes. Lamb scored 14 points while Monk produced 15 points. It was a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad night for the Hornets, so Monk received the blowout run.
Aaron Gordon
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1/6 | 4/17 | 1/1 |
It’s going to happen one day, right? Bueller? Barely a top 100 player on the season.
Nikola Vucevic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1/2 | 7/13 | 2/3 |
Who would’ve thunk it? Vucevic’s fantasy day was neutered because the Magic were too good! A magical world indeed.
Terrence Ross
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/8 | 8/15 | 2/3 |
Bounced back from his 1-for-7 shooting performance the prior game. Ross is good. Just remember that it’s of the discount variety.
Isaiah Briscoe
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2/2 | 2/5 | 0 |
Played 26 minutes off the bench. Roscoe Briscoe has averaged 25.4 minutes over the past four games. A super-low usage player, he will provide some tres, dimes, and rebounds well for a guard.
Luke Kornet
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3/10 | 3/16 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 31 minutes because…..shrug emoji. Fine, it was because Super Mario Hezonja was out, but still. What did Noah Vonleh do to Coach Fizdale?
DeAndre Jordan
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4/4 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 29 minutes. Since arriving in New York, Jordan has been a top 80 player, averaging 25.9 minutes, 11.1 points, 11 boards, 2.3 dimes, and 1.1 blocks. He’s been shooting 72% from the line on 3.6 attempts!
Mitchell Robinson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3/5 | 0 |
Played 19 minutes. Robinson is capped by the presence of Jordan, but he’s still super productive in the limited run he receives. Top 30 player over the past seven games despite averaging only 21.5 minutes per game. He’s fifth in the league with 2.07 blocks per game and 11th in total blocks despite playing 41 games.
The Knicks won by 15 points in Atlanta. Can’t lose ’em all, right? Anyways, 10 players received at last 17 minutes of run. Dennis Smith Jr. played a team-high 32 minutes and went 19/2/7/1, Damyean Dotson played 21 minutes and scored 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting, Kadeem Allen played 24 minutes and scored 14 points while dishing out 9 dimes, and John Jenkins played 26 minutes and scored 14 points. Jenkins is on a 10-day contract. Allen is on a two-way contract, which I mistakenly labeled as a 10-day contract the other night. A thousand apologies. When the Knicks get healthy, it’s going to be a cluster <bleep>. The only Knick you can trust is DSJ.
Trae Young
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1/6 | 6/19 | 3/4 |
Is averaging 9.1 dimes in the month of February (eight games).
Dewayne Dedmon
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4/7 | 6/10 | 5/5 |
Led the Hawks in scoring. Never a good thing. It’s a shame Dedmon only averages around 25 minutes per game because he’s very productive. Top 60 player on the season and top 80 over the past eight games.
Kent Bazemore
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/3 | 7/14 | 2/3 |
Played 27 minutes, the first time eclipsing the 20 minute mark in the nine games since returning from injury. Can’t trust him until he starts getting over 24 minutes of run on the regular.
Paul George
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3/17 | 11/29 | 3/3 |
He’s human after all. What a relief.
Nerlens Noel
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10/16 | 2/2 |
Played 22 minutes. Deuces were wild! With Jerami Grant out and Patrick Patterson sucking, Noel started the second half alongside Steven Adams. Wow! That combo probably won’t be one we see often, but let’s enjoy it for one night at least.
Anthony Davis
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1/2 | 5/10 | 3/4 |
Only played 16 minutes because….he injured his shoulder. Shocker. It doesn’t sound serious but if this doesn’t give the Pelicans a reason to shut him down for a bit, then I don’t know what to say.
Jahlil Okafor
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5/6 | 2/3 |
With the AD news…..
Julius Randle
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2/3 | 11/21 | 9/12 |
It’s been so weird how the Pelicans have been utilizing Randle lately. Over the past five games, he’s played 31, 24, 31, 22, and 39 minutes. So, I won’t be surprised if he plays 20 minutes the next game. I lied. I would be surprised if he does due to the AD injury. Actually, now that I think about it some more, it’s the Pelicans, so I wouldn’t be surprised. The mental gymnastics I play with myself is world class.
Jrue Holiday
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3/8 | 12/27 | 5/5 |
Over the past four games, Jrue has been a top 15 player with a usage rate over 30. He literally does it all and is 0.1 blocks shy of becoming a new member of the 1/1/1 club.
Hi Son!
Going into the ASB I have to figure out who to cut from my team since Capela will be coming back from INJ and no 2for1 trades have materialized. Who’d you ax?
G: Harden, Luka, Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray, LeVert
F: Otto, Thad Young, KLove, Siakam
C: Capela, Nurk, Draymond, JAllen, Valanciunas
League is 8team 9cat, and I’m basically punting TO and FT%. Really don’t know who I should let go..
@Coach Scal: Extra unsolicited opinion: Love for sure. I don’t think he’ll get consistent run the rest of the year with the Cavs tanking. Carrying 5 centers can be tough though…have you looked ahead to make sure you can start everybody in your playoff matchups? That could make your decision easier if you’re trying to get as many games played as possible. Can you package JV and Love for a forward like Isaac or, if he’s too expensive now, Jerami Grant? Could help your overall team constitution.
Love for me, but I know I’m on an island here.
@Coach Scal: Appreciate both of your opinions and will probably go down that road, even though I carried him on the IL for the better part of the season. Will try a couple of trades before though.
@Coach Scal: Good luck
Suh son. Love the write up. Can you give me your first 3 drops in order? 8 cat 12 team.
Harden, cp3, bledsoe, horford, Lopez, Portis, T young, j Rich, teague, jingles, Ingram, Clarkson, D White, dinwiddie.
For those last 2 guys assume they are healthy and playing. We have an IR spot (dinwiddie) and white should be back after AS break so first 3 drops in order? Thanks much!
Thanks Crime Dog!
Jingles, Ingram, Lopez
@Son: thanks son! I keep coming to you because you keep surprising me with your answers which is good. Means I got a lot to learn. just to clarify that’s Brook Lopez on my roster…I forgot Robin is still out there. Still Brook as the last drop?
Ha! My bad. That definitely changes things. I just wrote up Robin so he was on my brain. Replace Lopez with Clarkson
Hey, mi simmons for his derozan? H2h 9cat. Derozan has one more game in first playoffs week and same games count after first week.
I’m good with that
Hey Son!
Love seeing the dimes Young is providing. Does he ever get his efficiency to the point where he’s a top 10-15 player? The turnovers have remained consistent month to month, and the shooting is pretty painful for a guy billed as a marksman. Is he worth pursuing next year where he’s likely to go in drafts, or will he be overvalued by people expecting a big step forward next season?
I was offered a trade in my 12 team keeper league (5 keepers, 15 player rosters, 11-cat [DD and FGMI extra cats], $200 budget), and was wondering your opinion. My keepers are pretty set, so that isn’t much of a consideration.
I get: Hayward ($18), Teague ($6), Prince ($10)
I give: Mikal Bridges ($1 for 2 years), Smart ($1 for 2 years)
I’d have to drop Satoransky or Kenrich if I do the deal as constituted. I’m honestly more interested in doing it w/o Prince, whose talent I recognize but for whom I don’t see a huge role given Atlanta’s depth. Can Hayward keep the turnaround going? Can Teague stay healthy? I could see this deal helping or hurting.
Steals are pretty scarce on the wire, which is another consideration.
What do you think?
Sup Kurt!
I don’t know man. He’d probably have to shoot over 48% from the field and 90% from the line for that to happen. That’s a crazy leap, considering he’s shooting 40% on the season. For perspective, Curry shot 46% from the field his rookie year. It’s not impossible, but unlikely. I’m very curious to see how he finishes the year and what his draft cost will be over the summer. As of right now, I think he gets overdrafted, but we’ll see.
As for the trade, I do think Hayward bounces back next year, but I usually like to get rid of my guys going into their 30s. I guess I’m an ageist like that. Plus, I like Bridges a lot. Don’t care so much for Smart, so I’d be inclined to decline that trade. That’s just me though. I’m with you on Prince. Not really feeling him.
Son,
Which guy for the rest of the season
Dragic
Gary Harris
Terrence Ross
Man, that’s tougher than it appeared at first. I’ll take a chance on Dragic because there’s unknown upside as of now.
Should we be taking a chance on Dragic and Miami’s 4 games in the 2nd round? Thinking of dropping Joe Harris. I already got Isaac and LeVert, both of which are only playing 2 games in R2. I really need to let go of Joe despite him shooting the lights out recently (and the entire season actually). I’ll be in such tremendous disadvantage if I had 3 guys all playing just 2 games each in the semis. TyJo could be an option but he’s been really horrible. Shamet is a possible replacement for Joe too. What do you say buddy?
@I just wanna Kawhi: I’d take a chance on Dragic and hope he spews fire
@Son: aright buddy, it’s sad tho that I have to drop Joe, dang. At least he’s helped me make the playoffs. Thanks Lumber Joe
@I just wanna Kawhi: https://youtu.be/62bYUbiPpc4
@Son: lmao, if Joe Harris became a pro wrestler hahahha
@I just wanna Kawhi: He’s not your average Joe
@Son: he’s our above average Joe! Hahahaha I tried offering him for Malik and Kenrich, both got rejected. Hah
@I just wanna Kawhi: Ha! Yeah, not sure how much trade value he’d have
Grabbed Okafor during the last Pels game when AD was injured. Now his playing situation seems murkier to me. For context, my team is listed below in our 12 team, H2H league. Currently in 2nd place four games out of first and ten games ahead of third place team. 9 cats.
Best on wire: Dinwiddie, Smart, Mikal, Zubac, Bradley, Plumlee. Keep Okafor or make a swap. G Harris has been no bargain either but has a dream playoff schedule. Have to decide by midnight today. Thank you.
Ibaka, Draymond, Okafor
OPJ, Tobias, Siakam, Fournier, Barton, Mirotic
Harden, Kemba, Bledsoe, Rondo, G Harris
IR: White
@JC: Okafor
@Son:
Thanks. I will stand pat.
@JC:
This will be interesting. The most successful team in our league plays this small ball lineup winning 5-4 so often. Finishes in 4th or 5th during the regular season then winning about half our titles over the past decade. He picked up Dinwiddie. I feel a little bit sick as I had priority over him. Fingers crossed on Okafor!
@JC: Good luck!
@Son:
Thank you! Let’s track Okafor v Dinwiddie. Be fun to see how this turns out. Have a good one!
@JC: For sure. My money’s on Okafor
@Son:
In SON I trust!
@JC: Ha! Me too!
Hi Son. How are you?
Just want to hear your opinion on my current roster as the playoff draws near.
9-cat, 10-man H2H league
1. Lillard
2. Butler
3. Horford
4. Bledsoe
5. Richardson
6. Warren
7. Murray
8. Barton
9. Cauley-Stein
10. Harrell
11. Love
12. Collison
13. Siakam
Thanks a lot bro!
@Jm: @Jm: Looks solid. I’m not a Love believer, though. Regardless, good luck. What position are you in right now?
@Son: Thanks Son. I’m 7th though. Tough previous matchups ‘coz of injuries to Harris, Murray, Capela, Porter, Butler, Prince, Barton etc. Anyways, I hope to make a good playoff run. Wish me luck bro!
@Jm: you right there. Good luck! Now go sacrifice two virgins and save three orphan basketballs
It’s not looking like Dinwiddie will be ready anytime soon. Would you wait it out with him for the fantasy playoffs, or pick up Dragic instead?
I’d take a shot on Dragic
@Son:
AYO!
Is it Thursday yet ?!?!?!
I’m on board with Dragic, but have been waiting for a more solid update.
So far, Nada.
@Mr. Blast: AYO!
HA! The break was nice, but I’m with you, we need some hoops again.
As for Dragic, yeah, there’s a lot of uncertainty regarding role and even health. That’s probably the prudent path to take
Son,
Gary Harris or Terrence Ross?
Harris
Hey Son!!
keeping you updated.. I made the trade kawahi for rubio & middleton!
Been looking at my team over the allstar break and think I need to make one last trade for a PF,C just not sure who to move and who to target.
currently im thinking about maybe LA or Myles turner… what you think?
My team:
goran dragic
josh richardSON
damian lillard
Caris levert
siakam
middleton
D. jordan
Capela
j. tatum
tobias harris
rubio
J. issac
wiggins
t.j waren (IR)
I’m good with both but prefer Myles.
You know what I think about Wiggins. He’s holding you down!!!
@Son:
haha i know! Ive been trying to trade him no one wants him!
So this guy really wants lillard from me… he offered me Lauri & butler for lillard & issac
his team:
kris dunn
j. redick
c. paul
k. durant
lauri
ariza
al horford
dramond green
jimmy butler
mcgee
t. ross
G. harris
M. robinson
R. covington
im not really sure if i should make that trade since i already have harris.. any possible counter offers you think work in my favor?
@Kawhi: I wouldn’t want those two. I’d want CP3 and Ariza. Maybe try to squeeze McGee as well?
For %s, blocks, 3s, points, how much more valuable is Klay than Marc Gasol? I have the option to make the swap for Klay, but it’ll cost me a high draft pick. Thanks.
@Ben: Much more valuable. How high of a draft pick would it cost?
@Son: thanks, the exact pick is up in the air, it’d be a first round pick (top 10) of any NCAA players next year.
@Ben: to be clear, not this year (not Zion).
@Ben: Got it. Yeah, make the move
@Ben: Hmmm, do you have a chance to win it all?
The top of this year’s draft is very juicy.