Out of all the sports, basketball is the most projectable, as there are more possessions to provide a larger sample size. But that doesn’t mean variance doesn’t exist. Blake Griffin can miraculously block a shot one game or DeAndre Jordan can shoot 8-for-9 from the free throw line on any given night. The LA nightlife can affect a team’s performance or the hotel wifi could cause players to go on tilt which affects their performance on the court. Whatever the reason, shit happens sometimes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8/12 | 11/16 | 3/4 |
C. J. Miles did that. C. J. Miles never does that. He hasn’t scored more than 15 points in any game this season. To be fair, C. J. Miles used to do that. His career high is 40 points, back in 2010. In his prime, he’d only average around 12-13 points, but he’d go off for 30+ points every once in a while. Anyways, he will likely score 5 points in the next game, so in no way am I advocating walking 500 Miles with him. With that said, it’s always nice to acknowledge greatness, even if it probably won’t be replicated.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Aaron Gordon
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3/6 | 4/13 | 2/2 |
At some point, potential ceases to be a thing, right? Maybe this is who he is, a top 100-ish player. With that said, he’s still only 23 years old, so I’m not giving up hope yet. I’ll give him three more years.
Jonathan Isaac
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3/4 | 5/12 | 0 |
I was told that there would be D stats. For the season, Isaac has contributed 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks. Not bad, but like with Gordon, huge expectations. Maybe it’s me, not them. Anyways, the offensive development has been pleasant to watch and I have faith that Isaac will be a beast on D.
Nikola Vucevic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9/17 | 2/2 |
Vucevic has maintained the lofty top 15 production for most of the season. It looks like he will become the newest member of the 1/1/1 club. Very impressive. What’s not impressive, though, is losing 90-100 against the Wizards. If you want to get into the playoffs, you have to beat the crummy teams.
Terrence Ross
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0/6 | 3/13 | 1/1 |
Welcome to the Grand Canyon of fantasy hoops. Hello hello hellloo hellllooo hellllllooooooo….
D. J. Augustin
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4/9 | 6/15 | 0 |
There’s value in getting what you expect. When you return to Netflix, you expect the show to resume where you ended the previous night. When the light turns red, you expect cars to stop. When the light turns green, you expect cars to go. If someone puts on the right blinker, you expect him/her to turn right, not left. Augustin will give you double digit points, a trey, a couple of boards, some steals, and a handful of dimes. You will rarely get more, but will usually not get less.
Thomas Bryant
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1/2 | 9/12 | 2/2 |
Played 25 minutes off the bench. Prior to last night, Bryant had averaged 16.2 minutes (six games) and been a non-factor. Bobby Portis was terrible, shot 3-for-11, and was matched up against Vucevic, so it was likely a one-game outlier. Something to monitor, though.
Jabari Parker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1/2 | 9/12 | 0/2 |
Played 28 minutes off the bench. If Ross is the Grand Canyon, Parker is the Mariana Trench. He’s just as likely to score 0 points as he is to put up 20 with across-the-board production. With that said, there are valleys, peaks, and plateaus within the Mariana Trench. Currently, we are traversing a pleateau, as Parker has scored double figures in seven straight games and been a top 100 player. He’s been shooting 65% from the field. Enjoy the ride because the production can fall off a cliff at any moment.
Outside of Bradley Beal (23/6/7/2), the rest of the starters for the Wizards were putrid. Jeff Green scored 8 points on 1-for-5 shooting and Tomas Satoransky scored 2 points on 1-for-8 shooting. At least Sato contributed 6 boards and 7 dimes.
Spencer Dinwiddie
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2/6 | 8/17 | 7/10 |
Played 27 minutes, but led the Nets in scoring. Since returning from injury, Dinwiddie has averaged 25.5 minutes, 18.5 points, 4.5 dimes, and 13.2 shots with 5.7 from downtown in seven games. He’s garnered a usage rate over 31!
No other Nets player did much. D’Angelo Russell scored 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting with 4 boards, 7 dimes, and 3 steals, while Joe Harris was average with 13 points, 6 boards, 2 dimes, and 1 block. Everyone else was held under 10 points. Caris LeVert provided 8 points, 6 boards, and 4 dimes, but he only played 19 minutes.
Paul George
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3/6 | 9/18 | 4/4 |
Played a team-high 37 minutes. Over the past six games, George has been shooting 34% from the field (probably due to the injury he suffered), but he still will provide production in the rest of the cats and should start balling at an elite level once he gets healthy.
Russell Westbrook
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4/8 | 12/23 | 3/5 |
Yawn. Just another trip-dub, his 24th of the season. I forgot he posted 11 straight back in February until I checked last night. Anyways, we know what Westbrook brings. I just wanted to use this space to fully support his actions the other night in Utah. Too many fans cross the line and think they are entitled to s@#t on players because they paid for a ticket. To make matters worse, they think that ticket provides them with an impenetrable bubble. They would never say or do the things they do in a normal setting because they would get pummeled. Anyways, don’t be a f’ing asshole. Act as if someone would punch you in the face if you do wrong.
Ivan Rabb
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0/2 | 0/5 | 4/4 |
Got the start and played 25 minutes with Bruno Caboclo moving to the bench. With all the injuries and no chance for the playoffs, Rabb could remain in the starting lineup for the rest of the season and get plenty of run. He’s strictly a points and boards guy.
Jonas Valanciunas
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3/8 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 20 minutes. Ouch. Maybe the pace was too fast for JV.
Avery Bradley
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0/4 | 2/8 | 1/1 |
Got the start and played 19 minutes. Hmmm, maybe it wasn’t the pace. Hotlanta nightlife is undefeated?
Delon Wright
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0/3 | 4/12 | 2/4 |
Played 30 minutes off the bench. Over the past six games, Wright has been a top 90 player. He’s been averaging 28.9 minutes, 12.8 points, 5.3 boards, 4 dimes, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks. The shooting efficiency hasn’t been good (42%), but he’s taking care of the ball. Many were expecting Mike Conley to get shut down, which is still a possibility, but even without that happening, he’s been getting enough run to be a fantasy asset.
Joakim Noah
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5/7 | 2/3 |
Played 24 minutes. Still balling out, playing with passion, and having fun out there. As ugly as his shot is, it’s fun to watch him play. From a fantasy perspective, the minutes are a concern, but he’s been providing boards, dimes, and D stats.
John Collins
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1/2 | 11/17 | 4/5 |
That’s what I’m talking about! We know he can score and grab boards, but it’s all about the contributions on D! Over the past four games, Collins has been the #3 player, as he’s averaging 27.6 points, 13 boards, 0.8 treys, 1.8 blocks, and shooting 61% from the field and 80% from the line on 6.3 attempts.
Kevin Huerter
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4/6 | 6/10 | 0 |
Huerter had been hurting fantasy teams for a stretch, but he’s back and providing top 60 value over the past three games. The D stats are lacking, but points, treys, boards, and some dimes are what he provides.
Trae Young
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/5 | 8/12 | 3/3 |
Top 50-60 player over the past few weeks. The dimes are borderline elite, but it’s the boards that have been a pleasant surprise. The field goal percentage is always a drag, but that’s what happens when you shoot from 28 feet out.
Alex Len
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2/5 | 8/13 | 2/4 |
Played 23 minutes off the bench. Ha! Welcome to the Len Experience, with more ups and downs than a ride at Six Flags.
The Hawks defeated the Grizzlies, 132-111, so only one starter played more than 25 minutes.
Blake Griffin
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2/6 | 4/9 | 3/4 |
O. M. G. He got a block. I swear I wrote the lede before looking at the Pistons box score.
Andre Drummond
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1/3 | 3/4 |
Whoa….definitely not a Dre Day.
The Pistons got destroyed, 74-108 in Miami. Y’all know what that means. NO BLURBS FOR YOU!!! South Beach nightlife is undefeated. Only Wayne Ellington (11 points) and Luke Kennard (10 points) scored in double figures.
Due to the blowout, no Heat player scored over 16 points.
Josh Richardson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2/3 | 5/10 | 1/2 |
Played a team-high 31 minutes. My RichardSON! The D stats have not been as plentiful this season, which makes me sad. Boo hoo. With that said, he’s still a top 60 player and will always have special place in my heart.
Bam Adebayo continues to start at center and played 17 minutes. He provided 10 points, 5 boards, and 1 dime. Hassan Whiteside played 20 minutes off the bench and contributed 13 points, 11 boards, 1 dimes, and 1 block.
DeMarcus Cousins
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1/2 | 11/16 | 4/4 |
Played 32 minutes. Cousins has been a top 10 player over the past three games, averaging 17.7 points, 0.7 treys, 6.3 boards, 5 dimes, 1.7 steals, and 2.7 blocks. Damn. Now, I can see him getting played off the court in the playoffs, especially if teams just put him in pick-and-roll all day, but good thing fantasy players don’t have to worry about that.
Steph Curry
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3/9 | 8/20 | 5/5 |
Top 40 player over the past six games, primarily due to the 39% shooting from the field. Don’t be a worry wart.
Klay Thompson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5/10 | 12/23 | 1/1 |
Top 20 player on the season and top 5 over the past four games. He must’ve read my, “I’m not sure Klay can be an alpha” quotes. You are all welcome.
No Kevin Durant in this one. And the Warriors defeated the Rockets 106-104 in Houston. Hmmmmmmm. Naw, I ain’t going there.
Clint Capela
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6/9 | 1/2 |
Delivers night in and night out. Played a team-high 40 minutes. The only negative regarding Capela’s game is the awful free throw shooting (55% on 4.1 attempts over the past seven games).
Chris Paul
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/6 | 7/12 | 8/8 |
Played 33 minutes. The dimes have been light lately, but the biggest drain on his value has been the poor efficiency (32% from the field over the past seven games). Hopefully State Farm insures against raining bricks.
James Harden
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2/12 | 10/23 | 7/9 |
Harden is still sporting a usage rate over 41! The contributions in boards and dimes have been fabulous, but the 4.8 treys is ridiculous. But, but, but….the most impressive number is the 2.2 steals.
Kenneth Faried
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/1 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Played 13 minutes. With Capela healthy and playing close to 40 minutes and P. J. Tucker playing mid-30s and being an integral piece for their defense, there are just no minutes for Faried now.
Rudy Gobert
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6/9 | 6/11 |
Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Viva la France!
Ricky Rubio
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/2 | 1/7 | 4/5 |
Returned from injury and played 22 minutes. It was mentioned that he’d be on minutes limit, but will that be lifted when the Jazz play the Timberwolves? Revenge!!!
Donovan Mitchell
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/6 | 10/18 | 2/2 |
Remember when Mitchell was struggling? Man, that seems like a lifetime ago. He’s been a top 15 player over the past three games, draining 4 treys a game! Who’s he think he is? Harden? Do you think this is Mitchell’s ceiling? If not, how high can he go?
Devin Booker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2/4 | 9/20 | 7/9 |
Has been a top 20 player over the past seven games. 28.7 points, 2 treys, 4.9 boards, 6.3 dimes, and 1.3 steals. He’s been shooting 47% from the field and 95% from the line on 8.6 attempts! So, since Booker has been in the league, the assists have gone from 2.6 to 3.4 to 4.7 to 6.7. I love that! Where does it stop?
