Kevin Durant is a polarizing player, due to his off-the-court decisions and shenanigans. There was the decision back in 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors that put many into a tizzy. I was fine with his decision, but I understand why people had issues with it. After being Mr. Nice Guy in OKC, Durant took on a blase, laissez-faire attitude. Some appreciated the rawness, while others wanted a more calculated, LeBron-esque persona. There was the burner account incident. Lame, but I kind of get it, as it’s tough for any celebrity to truly speak their mind. KD just be messing around. What can’t be questioned, though, is his production on the court. Over the past four years, Durant has finished as the 3rd, 1st, 2nd, and 5th player for fantasy according to Basketball Monster. Currently, he’s 3rd as he’s posting 27.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.5 threeecolas. He’s shooting 54% from the field and 91% from the line. So good. Anyways, last night he truly messed around:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2/4 | 10/24 | 11/13 |
That was his 11th career triple-dub. A surprisingly low number, but he wasn’t always the most willing passer early in his career. With Steph Curry expected to miss a few more games, KD should continue messing around. Shoot, even when Curry returns, KD should continue messing around because that’s what he does.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Caris LeVert suffered a gruesome ankle injury last night and will likely be out for a long time. F injuries!
Markelle Fultz is broken.
And Jimmy Butler hasn’t even arrived yet. There were also reports last night that he and Drew Hanlen have parted ways. Finally, Landry Shamet started the second half in place of him. How can the Sixers play him significant minutes going forward?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1/2 | 11/20 | 2/2 |
Yawn. Wake me up when he drops a 30/30. Gets slapped in the face. Ouch! What’s the big idea? That was AD’s first 20/20 game of the season. Andre Drummond has five! Who’s the better AD now?
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0/1 | 7/12 | 3/5 |
Nikola Mirotic missed another game, so Randle got the start and played 35 minutes. I hope he acquires the old man game that Zach Randolph developed. Randle is currently the 92nd player according to BM, which is higher than I expected, but he is averaging 18 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 55% from the field.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3/7 | 12/19 | 2/4 |
No days off for Holiday. Beep. Boop. Bop. Stocktonator also does not take any days off. No wonder it was high on Jrue last night. The assists are way up from last season (8.8 vs 6), but so are the turnovers (3.7 vs 2.6).
E’Twaun Moore
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3/5 | 13/18 | 1/2 |
Moore and Moore and Moore. Played 36 minutes and the 30 points were a season-high. Moore plays a ton of minutes in one of the most fantasy-friendly environments out there, so he will fall into some periphery cats. Just not many.
Serge Ibaka
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/6 | 8/16 | 1/2 |
Man, Ibaka looks so rejuvenated out there, as he’s hustling for offensive rebounds and taking good shots on the offensive end. He’s scoring five more points and grabbing two more rebounds than last season. The field goal percentage? 57% vs 48%. He’s currently the 41st player according to BM.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2/4 | 8/12 | 4/4 |
Nine straight games scoring in double figures and 20+ in the past three. PS, he’s good.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0/6 | 1/9 | 2/2 |
Lowry leads the league in assists at….squints at stat box….11 per game. He’s that good.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/6 | 7/20 | 5/5 |
He can’t be perfect every night or our suspicions that he’s a robot from the future would be validated.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2/8 | 6/13 | 3/5 |
Played 24 minutes. A true 3 & D player. Some would say an OG.
TJ Warren
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1/2 | 10/14 | 0 |
Got another start and played a team-high 40 minutes. REGULATORS!!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6/10 | 2/2 |
Got neutered by Lord Adams of the House Kiwi. No shame in that.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1/4 | 3/8 | 6/6 |
Played 26 minutes. The minutes are all over the place, but he should start getting more consistent run as the Suns stop trying for Zion.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6/10 | 11/19 | 4/4 |
When playing alongside Russell Westbrook, PG has a usage rate around 22. Without Russ, that number spikes to 28-30.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9/13 | 0 |
Welcome to House Kiwi. Lord Adams is currently unavailable, as he is sparring with some kangaroos down under. (Yes, I’m aware that kangaroos are indigenous to Australia)
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2/2 | 6/19 | 6/6 |
No longer a menace to fantasiety, Dennis is only a menace to opposing teams when Westbrook does not play.
Jared Dudley
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2/5 | 3/9 | 0 |
He went to Jared. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5/10 | 4/6 |
With Jarrett Allen out, it was Hollis-Jefferson who received the start and played 27 minutes. Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday. Saturday. Sunday. Rondae!!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9/15 | 10/22 | 2/5 |
It is games like these that keep us waiting for the DLoading……to end.
Ed Davis
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/4 | 3/4 |
Played 21 minutes and was the main big off the bench. Actually, he’s the only big on the bench. Actually actually, there’s the corpse of Kenneth Faried, but does he count?
DeMarre Carroll
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/6 | 3/8 | 3/4 |
Third game back from injury and played 24 minutes, after receiving 16 and 14 the prior two games. Just in time for the holidays!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5/8 | 7/8 |
Ladies and gentlemen, I have been instructed to inform all of you that the Taj will be undergoing some renovations soon. Please send all inquires to Mario with a D. We are Saric for any inconvenience this may cause.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 2/2 | 9/11 | 5/6 |
KAT’s first 20/20 game of the season. He was so excited about his new found freedom, that he bumbled and stumbled into 10 turnovers. Beep. Boop. Bop. Stocktonator was all about the freedom movement last night, as it had KAT as the #2 player.
Derrick Rose
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3/5 | 8/18 | 4/4 |
What’s the office pool have as the date Rose gets injured? It’s crazy, but if Rose stays healthy, he could be this year’s waiver wire hero. Gets slapped in the face. Ouch! Don’t be stupid. On the season, Rose is the 78th player according to BM, but over the past six games, he is the 25th player.
Jeff Teague
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0/3 | 8/14 | 8/9 |
Sayonara Jimmy Butler-san.
Derrick Favors
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2/2 | 4/5 | 2/2 |
Played 28 minutes last night, but is averaging 22 minutes per game on the season. Do yourself a Favors, though, as he is a top 100 player for fantasy. Not sexy by any means, Favors is averaging 10.5 points, will grab rebounds, and get his block on.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3/6 | 6/12 | 4/6 |
Jingle bells. Batman smells. Robin laid an egg. Something that Ingles rarely does, as he usually contributes across the board. The free throw shooting has been bad and the turnovers have been plentiful, but I’d expect both of those numbers to improve as the season progresses.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5/7 | 5/7 |
Top 20 player for fantasy. Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
Ricky Rubio
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1/5 | 3/11 | 0 |
The pattern so far this month has been: two good games, one bad game, two games, one bad game. The next two games should be good games. We’ve cracked the code!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0/2 | 3/14 | 6/6 |
Many may be disappointed with Mitchell so far, but he is close to where he finished last season. Granted, the ADP was high and a next-level jump was expected, but it is what it is. The methodical nature of the Jazz offense doesn’t help Mitchell, but he’s still going to ball out. Just not to top 20 levels.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1/4 | 3/12 | 3/3 |
Played 23 minutes. In four games this month, Burks is average 21 minutes per contest. Threeecolas and points are what he brings to the table. Not much else.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0/1 | 4/9 | 2/2 |
Played 27 minutes. If he keeps playing like this, a JJJ action movie trilogy is not too far behind.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0/1 | 3/11 | 1/2 |
I’m not a Slow-Mo guy. With that said, he played 38 minutes last night and is averaging over 30 since the start of the month. The points and threeecolas are sparse, yet he will grab some boards and get his 211 on.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3/8 | 7/16 | 7/7 |
That’s back-to-back good games for Conley. I’m not worried about him and think he’s a top 50 player for fantasy. Currently, BM has him as the 59th player.
Shelvin Mack
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/3 | 4/9 | 1/2 |
Played 29 minutes last night and is averaging over 27 since the start of the month. Mack is a cheap source of points, assists, steals, and threeecolas.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1/6 | 7/16 | 8/9 |
With Wesley Matthews out, Barnes picked up the offensive slack. Barnes is so meh, but he does provide points, threeecolas, rebounds, and steals.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1/5 | 2/6 | 3/4 |
Got the start for Matthews and played 33 minutes. Known as a very good defensive player, DFS does have a nice stroke from beyond the arc. He probably won’t displace Matthews from the starting lineup, but he could carve out a nice little role for himself.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/5 | 0/2 |
DJ has been spinning the good stuff, as he’s the 38th player according to BM. The assists are up by one from last season and the free throw percentage is at 81%. Yeah, say hello to my little friend, regression.
JJ Barea
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1/2 | 6/12 | 1/2 |
Played 24 minutes. JJ normally plays around 17 minutes a game, so the Matthews injury gave him some extra run. I wouldn’t expect more than that in any scenario, though. He seems to be capped there. I think he made a deal with Coach Carlisle before the start of the season. Have you seen his wife? Can’t use up all the energy for the day job.
Ryan Arcidiacono
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2/7 | 3/9 | 1/2 |
Got another start and has played 35, 30, and 33 minutes the past three games. The second-year player has been impressive, contributing in points, rebounds, assists, and threeecolas, while limiting the turnovers. He should continue to get run as long as Kris Dunn is out.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0/6 | 8/23 | 10/11 |
Played 41 minutes. Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. Currently, the 32nd player according to BM.
Wilson Chandler
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1/1 | 2/3 | 0 |
Got the start and played 23 minutes, as he’s returning from injury. Chandler could provide threeecolas, assists, and some steals. When he was getting over 31 minutes in Denver, Chandler was a top 90 player. Don’t think he sniffs that in Philly.
JJ Redick
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3/9 | 11/20 | 0 |
Threeecolas!!!
Mike Muscala
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/10 | 3/11 | 4/5 |
Played 27 minutes. I could see Muscala filling the Mario with a D role. There’s also the chance that he and Chandler neuter each other. Keep an eye on how this shakes out, as one could become fantasy relevant.
Furkan Korkmaz
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/6 | 5/9 | 3/3 |
6′ 7″ 185 pound wing from Turkey, Korkmaz can shoot, which could give him some minutes backing up Butler.
Landry Shamet
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/4 | 3/5 | 2/2 |
Played 24 minutes. He can shoot and is not afraid to pull the trigger. The anti-Fultz?
Rodney McGruder
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2/4 | 2/2 |
Played 26 minutes. Season-low in shot attempts and first game in which he did not attempt a threeecola. The next stop is approaching. Could be time to get off.
Hassan Whiteside
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1/2 | 5/8 | 2/4 |
Played 22 minutes. Just another double-dub. Boooring. Those 3.55 blocks per game, though? Leads the NBA.
Goran Dragic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1/4 | 8/15 | 5/7 |
Played 29 minutes and did this….
Not a good night for Fultz. The range of outcomes for Dragic is so wide, as he could be a top 50 player or outside the top 100. Currently, he’s the 133rd player according to BM.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1/3 | 3/5 | 6/6 |
More like Kelly Trollynyk.
Wayne Ellington
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4/10 | 4/11 | 2/2 |
Played 26 minutes. It looks like he’s back, as he’s played 26 and 30 minutes the past two games and jacked up 10 and nine threeecolas.
Tyler Johnson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1/4 | 4/11 | 3/3 |
Played 27 minutes. Has been getting close to 29 minutes a game since the start of the month and jacking up 10 shots per. Points, some boards, dimes, steals, and threeecolas are on the menu.
LaMarcus Aldridge
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6/12 | 2/2 |
The Spurs lost to the Kings, 99-104. LMA-O!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 4/10 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 26 minutes. Not bad, not great. Keep in mind, though, that he’s played a total of 20 games in his entire career. He will be fine and should contribute those dimes and steals.
Bryn Forbes
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2/7 | 4/11 | 0 |
Not making anyone rich, but Forbes is starting and played 29 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0/2 | 8/17 | 7/5 |
The 17th player according to BM. I was horribly wrong on DD coming into this season. Excuse me as I go grab my seppuku knives from the closet. DD is averaging 6.6 assists a game. Last year, that number was at 5.2.
Rudy Gay
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2/5 | 6/12 | 0 |
Played 21 minutes in his return from injury. Points, rebounds, and threeecolas are to be expected. He did have a six-steal game, but that was an outlier.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1/2 |
Played 13 minutes. He must’ve been dressed up as someone else.
Willie Cauley-Stein
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6/14 | 1/2 |
Sixth double-dub of the season and second in a row. The poor free throw shooting and lack of blocks or threeecolas hurt his value, but WCS is providing points, boards, a handful of dimes, and steals. A fringe-top 100 player right now.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3/7 | 9/17 | 1/1 |
Played 25 minutes. Me likey Bog Bog. Why do I have the sudden urge to bark like a dog?
Harry Giles
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6/10 | 0 |
Played 16 minutes. Was sent down to the G-League over the weekend, scored 30 points, then was recalled for last night’s game. Very interesting. I like Giles, but the depth chart looks too crowded to make an impact. I’d keep an eye on him, though.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0/2 | 3/9 | 0 |
Green does it Dray Way.
Quinn Cook
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1/3 | 3/7 | 0 |
Got another start for Steph Curry and played 22 minutes. Clippers have excellent defenders in the backcourt, so not surprising Cook couldn’t heat up.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5/16 | 13/31 | 0 |
Played 45 minutes, as the game went to OT. Let’s see….31 points on 13-for-31 shooting. Are my dyslexic folk doing ok? 1 block and 3 turnovers. 13. 2/2/2 which is a group of 3. There’s a conspiracy in here somewhere.
Andre Iguodala
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2/3 | 5/7 | 2/5 |
Season-high in minutes played (33) and points scored. Outlier game, as he will probably settle in the low-20s for minutes played.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0/3 | 8/11 | 2/2 |
Played 38 minutes. It’s happened already hasn’t it? Never doubt the Logo.
Montrezl Harrell
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10/13 | 3/5 |
Just start the man!!! Per-36, Harrell is averaging 22.1 points, 10 reboudns, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.8 blocks. AND he’s shooting 68% from the field!
Lou Williams
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1/5 | 5/18 | 14/14 |
Sweet!
