We are recuperating from the Thanksgiving holiday, but no rest for the weary, as preparations are beginning in earnest for Christmas. Then, it’s a quick turnaround for New Year’s followed by Groundhog Day. What? You don’t bow down to Punxsutawney Phil? You heathen. Valentine’s Day is next with Chinese New Year right after that. I married Chinese to hedge against the possibility that they rule the world in my lifetime. You don’t need to take it that far, but you may want to start celebrating that particular holiday. Just in case. St. Patrick’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, Patriot’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day….I think you get the point. The holidays keep coming and going, which is exactly what Jrue Holiday does on the basketball court, as he played 42 minutes last night.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
32 4 14 4 1 1 4/8 12/23 4/6

On the season, Holiday is averaging over 36 minutes per game. Since the holiday seasons are usually about giving, it’s only appropriate that he’s third in the NBA in assists (9 per game). The turnovers are a little high (3.7) and the free throw percentage is a little low (75%), but he’s providing 20.6 points, 1.4 threeecolas, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks, which is good for the #27 player in fantasy. This Holiday always be working and providing.

Beep. Boop. Bop. You know what else doesn’t take holidays off? The Stocktonator, which is probably why it had Holiday so high last night.

Here’s what else I saw last night:

 

The Thunder destroyed the Pistons, 110-83.

Paul George

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
17 10 4 2 0 0 2/8 7/18 1/1

Boy, I’m curious where George ranks in fantasy because he’s been awfully quiet lately. Over the past six games, he’s been a top 25 player. On the season, he’s the #7 player. That may make some PG owners want to do some x-rated things.

Steven Adams

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
21 6 1 0 2 1 0 7/8 7/7

Aussie, Aussie Aus……I know better than that, as my Kiwi bretheren have reminded that Adams in not an Aussie, but a Kiwi himself. In celebration of the 7-for-7 performance from the free throw line….

Russell Westbrook

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
18 6 6 2 0 5 2/7 7/17 2/3

Stupid blowout.

Nerlens Noel

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
12 8 0 2 2 0 0 6/9 0

Beautiful blowout!

Blake Griffin

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 5 4 2 1 1 3/8 7/18 3/4

Yo, B. How about you go down and situate yourself in front of the lake?

Andre Drummond

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
13 6 0 1 0 1 0/1 6/14 1/2

The haka got Drummond shook. Only the second time all year that he failed to grab at least 10 rebounds in a game. Still, he’s third in double-dubs with 17.

Reggie Bullock sprained his ankle after playing only five minutes. If Bullock is out for an extended period of time, that will probably mean more minutes for Langston Galloway, Stanley Johnson, and Luke Kennard.

Luke Kennard

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
0 1 0 1 0 2 0/4 0/5 0

Or maybe not.

Kennard was selected with the 12th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, ahead of: Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, TJ Leaf, John Collins, Harry Giles, Jarrett Allen, OG Anunoby, Kyle Kuzma, Derrick White, and Josh Hart.

Tristan Thompson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
19 14 2 0 2 2 0 8/11 3/4

It took me a long time to accept that the Kardashians are a thing. Same goes for Tristan in fantasy in year 11 of the Kardashian reign. It’s only fitting that Tristan is a part of that clan now.

George Hill

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
6 5 2 1 0 2 0 2/7 2/2

Played 35 minutes after receiving 19 minutes the prior game when he first returned back from injury. Is George over the Hill or should you be over Hill? Perhaps both?

Jordan Clarkson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 11 4 1 0 2 1/4 9/22 1/1

Damn, Jordan trying to get into the SON clan. I don’t sleep on the first date, so it’s going to take more than one game to become my ClarkSON. Plus, he’s a top 150 player. Have his people call my people when he cracks the top 100.

Alec Burks

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
13 7 1 0 0 0 1/4 5/13 2/2

Played 29 minutes. Since being acquired by the Cavaliers, Burks has averaged 26 minutes, 12 shot attempts, 6.6 rebounds, and 13.6 points per game.

D’Angelo Russell

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
30 8 6 2 0 1 4/12 13/31 0/1

Kobe shot an all-time record 50 times in his final game. Kobe, is that you in there?

Spencer Dinwiddie

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
18 3 4 1 0 1 4/11 6/14 2/3

Got the start and played 32 minutes. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Dinwiddie produces threeecolas and dimes to be a fringe top 100 player. Kobe Russell can’t take all the shots, right?

Rodions Kurucs

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
12 4 0 1 0 1 0/2 6/10 0

Has now played 14 minutes in back-to-back games. Kurucs is a 6′ 9″ and 220 pounds forward from Latvia. He has good length and nimble feet, which could foster success on defense and in transition. The shot isn’t great, but it’s useful. From what I’ve seen, he does have a diverse skill set, as he can post up, catch-and-shoot, and has enough handle to get to the rack.

Shabazz Napier

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
10 4 2 0 0 1 0/3 5/10 0

Remember Kazaam that starred Shaq? Exactly, which segues perfectly to Shabazz. I kid. I kid. With Joe Kelly out, Napier has been backing up both guard positions. Napier is the B-movie of fantasy basketball.

Danilo Gallinari

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
24 5 4 0 0 0 2/6 7/13 8/8

Top 25 player. That is the most compelling evidence I can offer that shows that parallel universes exist.

Tobias Harris

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
27 6 1 2 0 3 1/4 10/16 6/6

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
7 2 2 0 0 1 1/2 3/5 0

Stay strong my grasshoppers.

Avery Bradley

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
15 3 2 1 1 3 1/4 7/12 0

Played 29 minutes. Over the past four games, Bradley has been….gulp….fantasy relevent? Top 135 player over that span. Exhibit B that parallel universes exist.

Anthony Davis

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
23 13 5 3 3 2 0/4 10/18 3/4

Disappointing performance. Pelicans should trade him now while they still can.

Julius Randle

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
37 8 4 0 0 0 3/4 15/24 4/7

Got the start and played 39 minutes because Nikola Mirotic (illness) did not suit up. Randle is a bull in real life, but a two-trick pony for fantasy: points and boards. As a result, he’s barely a top 100 player.

Chris Paul

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
5 3 7 3 0 5 1/7 1/8 2/2

Not a very friendly neighbor Chris was last night.

James Harden

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
29 4 8 2 1 5 3/7 8/17 10/13

Nothing to get Harden excited about.

Taj Gibson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
15 11 3 1 0 0 0/1 4/11 7/8

Continues to start and played 27 minutes. Dario Saric played 21 minutes. Should’ve figured that Thibs loves his Taj too much.

Robert Covington

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
13 6 3 2 2 3 2/4 4/7 3/4

Lord Covington always plays well on the day after the Lord’s day. The Timberwolves are 8-3 since acquiring Lord Covington.

Karl-Anthony Towns

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
24 11 3 3 1 3 1/3 10/24 3/4

Will always be a great fantasy player, but I just can’t see him ever leading a team to the Promised Land.

Derrick Rose

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
0 2 4 0 0 1 0/1 0/4 0

Oh boy….

I hope not.

Juan Hernangomez

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
15 5 0 2 0 3 3/7 5/12 2/4

Still starting and played 29 minutes. Juancho has been serviceable, providing threeecolas and rebounds, but should go back to riding the pine when Will Barton returns, which could be in a couple of weeks.

Nikola Jokic

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
23 11 15 2 0 2 0/1 8/13 7/8

Jokic hasn’t been shooting particularly well lately, and the Nuggets have been in a bunch of blowouts, so the fantasy production has been a Jokic. With that said, always remember that he can mess around on any night, against any team, in any arena, in any country.

The Nuggets defeated the Raptors, 106-103 in Toronto.

Jamal Murray

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
21 7 8 0 0 7 2/7 9/21 1/1

It’s been a disappointing season for Murray so far, as he’s playing more minutes than last season, but making fewer threeecolas, getting fewer steals, turning the ball over more, and shooting a lower percentage from both the field and free throw line. With that said, he’s grabbing more rebounds and dishing out more assists. Inconsistency and inefficiency are what rule Murray’s world, but last night was a reminder of what he can do.

Gary Harris

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
3 1 0 0 0 0 0/2 1/3 1/2

Only played nine minutes, as he injured his right groin.

Malik Beasley

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
15 2 1 0 0 0 3/3 6/8 0

Played 27 minutes, as he sucked up most of the Harris minutes. Just last week, he played 36 minutes against the Lakers and scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting. 3 & D player.

Pascal Siakam

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
14 6 7 2 0 3 0/2 7/10 0

#36 player in fantasy.

PS – he’s good.

Kawhi Leonard

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
27 8 2 0 0 3 1/7 10/19 6/6

The only Raptor to score over 20 points last night. Now that I think about it, Kawhi is kind of a lone wolf, yet Raptors are most successful in packs. Things that make you go hmmmm. SLAP! Hey! What was that for? Raptors are 20-5 and have the best record in the NBA.

Kyle Lowry

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
5 3 11 1 3 3 1/6 1/7 2/2

Lowry is leading the NBA in assists with 10.3 per game. The shooting has been putrid lately, though. He usually doesn’t hit the wall until the playoffs!

Otto Porter Jr.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
15 5 0 3 3 0 3/4 6/9 0

Otto and Lord Covington are twins who were separated at birth.

John Wall

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
18 0 15 0 1 5 1/5 7/20 3/4

We want Wall! We want Wall! We want Wall! www.WeWantWall.com.

Bradley Beal

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
27 8 7 2 1 1 2/8 12/25 1/1

The long-range scope on the BB gun still needs to be recalibrated, but everything else is B. U. T. ful.

Markieff Morris

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
18 7 1 1 0 2 1/3 7/13 3/4

Only played 24 minutes, but still produced. Outside of the 1-for-10 clunker in 22 minutes from three games ago, Morris had been getting around 29 minutes per game, with one game at 41 minutes. In addition, he had scored in double figures in seven of eight games and pulled down 7.5 rebounds per game. With Dwight Howard out, Morris is playing a lot of small-ball center, so that should give him a relatively high floor.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
21 5 1 1 3 1 5/6 8/11 0

Not sure if he’s good or if the Knicks are bad. Both? Naw, the Knicks stink but Oubre isn’t that good. A nice bench piece that thrives in transition.

Enes Kanter

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
13 16 2 1 0 2 0 6/10 1/2

Continues to start and played 25 minutes. Ho hum. Another double-dub. Tied for fourth in the NBA with 16.

Emmanuel Mudiay

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
16 5 4 0 1 4 2/5 6/15 2/2

Played 36 minutes. With Trey Burke injured….

Tim Hardaway Jr.

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 0 2 0 0 0 4/9 7/15 2/3

Grab me that cream cheese for all these bagels!

Damyean Dotson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
17 9 1 1 0 1 3/6 6/12 2/2

Played 24 minutes. Had played 33, 24, and 23 the prior three games and scored 21, 16, and 17 points. Dotson is a 3 & D guy who is white hot right now, but it’s hard to trust because 1) He’s not going to shoot 62% from the field forever and 2) Coach Fizdale does not have a set lineup or rotation.

Kevin Durant

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
28 5 8 2 0 5 1/3 10/13 7/8

#2 in fantasy. The gaudy stats are eye-opening, but the consistency may be more impressive. #2 for the season, #2 over the last three games, and #2 over the last seven games. The four prior years, KD finished as the #3, #1, #2, and #5 player.

Kevin Looney

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
14 4 5 2 2 1 0 7/9 0/2

With Damian Jones injured, Looney got the start and played 29 minutes. The answer is yes.

Steph Curry

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
30 3 2 1 1 3 6/10 10/17 4/4

Curry has 65 threeecolas on the season, which is good for 10th in the NBA. He’s played 13 games, while the leader, James Harden, has 80 in 19 games.

Klay Thompson

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
27 8 2 1 0 2 3/5 10/19 4/4

Over the last seven games, Klay has quietly been a top 25 player with a usage rate of 30. That will tick down to the 26 range with the return of Curry, but top 50 player he should remain.

Jonas Jerebko

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
12 5 2 0 1 0 2/2 4/4 2/2

Played 24 minutes and also benefits from the Jones injury. Both Looney and Jerebko will be negatively affected when Draymond Green returns, but more so for Jerebko.

John Collins

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
24 11 2 0 1 2 0/1 11/14 2/3

Dewayne Dedmon

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
6 10 1 4 1 0 0 3/8 0

Got the start and played 31 minutes. Alex Len and Miles Plumlee both played four minutes. Doesn’t look like Dewayne is a Dedmon to me.

Trae Young

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
20 0 3 0 0 7 0/5 8/20 4/6

Played 25 minutes, as the Hawks got toasted 111-128. Trae, Collins, Huerter, and Zion is going to be amazing!

Jeremy Lin

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
14 5 5 2 0 2 0/1 5/9 4/5

Played 24 minutes. Hawks expected to get blown out? Play Lin. EZ PZ. So play Lin every game? EZ PZ.

34 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JakeTPE
JakeTPE
4 years ago

Hey Son,

Awesome recap per usual! Got Holiday, Embiid, and KAT so things are pretty good.

But I still got issues. Fantasy basketball issues I mean. My team was cruising through the first couple months and built up a nice ten game lead, but we’ve gone down hard the past two weeks and are now tied for first. I don’t think my guys are slumping per se, but I’m wondering if my good schedule luck at the start of the season has turned lately. For instance, I’m looking at a 38-36 potential GP deficit this week. Not huge, but symptomatic of recent struggles.

Before, I was consistently winning MIN but have lost that category during this losing streak. So, I’m thinking I need to turn my last roster spot into a streaming slot to take advantage of B2Bs. We get four pickups a week, so that’s potentially a +4-5 GP per week. And as a ten team league, there are always OK FA options. I hope that makes sense.

If I may, who goes out of this bunch?

F – Collins, Markkanen, Aaron Gordon
G – Middleton, Teague, Hardaway, Redick, Murray

These are my bottom guys. I’m pretty strong in most categories except steals. We also count Team Wins and Double Doubles fwiw. Doing pretty good in both.

Thanks, Son. Sorry for the lengthy comment. Hope to get back to winning ways soon!

Cheers,

Jake

JakeTPE
JakeTPE
4 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: Done! Thank you, Son!

Jeffrey Acevedo
Jeffrey Acevedo
4 years ago

HUGE TRADE OFFER

My team is pretty good but the top 2 teams in front of me are getting 15-30 more Reb a week than I am.

I was offered this trade:

12 Team Keeper League — Would you trade:

Curry/ 2 2019 1st Rd picks (top 6 and top 10 pick) FOR Drummond/2019 2nd Rd pick (top 10-12 pick)/2019 3rd Rd pick( top 6 pick)?

My Team:

PG: Curry/Fox/Shai/Rozier/Lin
SG: Harden/McGrueder/Lamb/Wade
SF: Hardaway/Hayward/Mikal Bridges
PF: Giannis/Barnes/JJJ
C:Valenciunas/Sabonis/WCJ/Len

BigD
BigD
4 years ago

@Jeffrey Acevedo: personally I think you’re getting frisked in this deal. Keep one of those firsts! No need to reach just because you’re getting slightly out rebounded. 15-30 rebounds per week is fluke/luck territory

jeff
jeff
4 years ago

@Jeffrey Acevedo:

Would you trade a 2019 3rd rd pick and Alex Len FOR Markieff Morris?

BigD
BigD
4 years ago
Reply to  jeff

@jeff: only if this is a 14+ team league. Otherwise I don’t want either

jeff
jeff
4 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son:

12 team – 10 CAT

Need reb to keep up with the top 2 teams

JC
JC
4 years ago

In a 12 team, H2H league, currently in first place…..would you trade Mirotic and Carter Jr for Myles and Covington? Note: Carter and Mirotic only have three games each of the playoff weeks so I would get an extra game from each of his guys. (Yes, I am confident that I can get to these two weeks!)

Carter, ibaka, Draymond
Tobias, OPJ, Mirotic, Fournier, Siakam
Harden, Kemba, Bledsoe, Barton, G Harris, Barea

Thanks!

Mr. Blast
Mr. Blast
4 years ago

Ayyyyyy-O!

Holiday season is upon us!

Being offered Vanfleet for my Homie Saric.

Thoughts ?

Squad –

Russell/Lonzo/Dunn/Tyreke

P. George/Tobias/Lamb/Saric/Osman

Embiid/Gobert/Bamba/Taj/Robinson/BAM

Are we still holding Robinson & Bam in a deep 12’er ?

FA’s (in no particular order) –

Josh Jackson / Dotson / Holmes / Bradlee / Plumlee / Knox

Thanks dude!

BigD
BigD
4 years ago

Son

What do you think about dropping Nance for Looney?

jeff
jeff
4 years ago

@BigD:

12 Team – 10 CAT

Need reb to keep up wit the top 2 teams

Mcbonton
Mcbonton
4 years ago

Should i buy low on Jarrett Allen? The other manager wants Montrezl Harrell for him. Should i pull the trigger?

Jose Baloncesto
Jose Baloncesto
4 years ago

My team that I almost gave up on suddenly turned into a little engine that could, so I’m looking at trades that would make me better, while leaving me some keeper-wealth.

Roster: CP3, Conley, SGA, Richardson, Lamb, Bojan, Kawhi, Gallo, Randle, Harrell, Horford

In our league, we can keep up to 3, for 3 seasons max, at a “one round higher” per season. SGA, Lamb, Bojan, Gallo, and Harrell would all cost me my 11th round pick (or 11th plus a higher pick if I wanted to keep more than one). J-Rich would cost me a 10th. Randle would cost an 7th. The others are not keepers. I write this for context.

The way I see it, a surplus of cheap keepers means I can trade some of those guys. I can also make some late-round pick swaps so I can keep the price lower on my cheap keepers (like trading a 9th round pick for an 11th round one so I can have 2 11th round picks). I’m also willing to part with CP3 (showing his age), Horford (Boston offense is a mess), and Gallo (because I still don’t trust his health) to target a big baller.

LeBron, KAT, and Capela are all on teams that I don’t think are playoff bound in our league. Who would you target first, if you were me, and what’s a good first offer?

Jose Baloncesto
Jose Baloncesto
4 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son:

The KAT owner has one other center (Rudy), and one PG (who sucks). I’m not really interested in any other players on his team except Klay. So I’m thinking of leading with CP3, Gallo, and Horford for Towns and Klay, and see what he says. Leaves me a little weak in assists. Conversely, I could offer Gallo and Horford for Towns.

Juan
Juan
4 years ago

Trade proposal was sent to me:
I trade Kemba, Kanter, and Heild and get Kawai, Draymon, and Ibaka.

My current roster
Kemba
Luka
g. harris
Heild
Giannis
Kanter
Adams
Matthews
Bell
Stashed: Love, Isiah Thomas

Max
Max
4 years ago

Hi, man! Quick question, starting Thursday night who would you pick up for the remaining of the week (assists doesn’t matter): Dotson (3 games), Marcus Morris (2), Aminu (2), Ross (1 )? I am leaning towards Dotson but man, Fizdale rotation is so unpredictable.

Max
Max
4 years ago
Reply to  Max

@Max: Forgot to mention Juan Hernangomez? He has 2 games but should be balling with Harris and Barton out?

Max
Max
4 years ago
Reply to  Son

@Son: Can Dotson sustain these stats in your opinion?

Max
Max
4 years ago
Reply to  Max

@Max: Hernangomez situation also really tempting.