I’ve watched the West Wing, House of Cards, and Designated Survivor, so I consider myself one of the preeminent experts on how things operate in our nation’s capital. It’s bipartisan wrangling to further agendas. It’s projecting power and showing force. Ultimately, it’s sound bites and photo/video ops, because image is everything. Two of the more contentious issues floating through the streets of DC have been the wall being built on the border of Mexico and John Wall on the court for the Washington Wizards. A few months ago, whispers echoed throughout the city: We don’t need no stinking Wall. Each passing day turned the volume up a notch to when it crescendoed to: WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING WALL!!! Entering last night’s game, the Wizards were 5-11, 15th in offensive efficiency, and 27th in defensive efficiency. Wall will be paid $169 million over the next four years. Why is every damn Wall so expensive?! Yet, Wall put all the questions to bed. At least for one night.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5/12 | 9/24 | 7/10 |
The Wizards were down 21-40 after the first period, but Wall was a catalyst in bringing the Wizards back for a 125-118 victory over the Clippers. After the game, smiles and handshakes abounded with cameras flashing pictures of joyful jubilee. A senator, who was sitting courtside, texted the Press Secretary a selfie with he and Wall. Under the picture were the words: Washington Wizards Wall. Four more years!
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Montrezl Harrell
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9/13 | 2/2 |
Played 31 minutes off the bench. Play the man, then pay the man! Harrell has to be the front runner for Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player. Kevin McHale and Bill Walton won the award in back-to-back seasons (1984 & 1985) for the Celtics. Could the same feat happen again, as Lou Williams won the award last season? Speaking of Sweet Lou….
Lou Williams
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1/4 | 7/15 | 2/2 |
A professional getter of buckets, but the minutes are way down from last season (32.8 vs 26.5). The usage rate is higher, though (31.6 vs 29.6).
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4/6 | 12/21 | 1/2 |
In the offseason, Harris turned down an $80 million contract extension. He’s eligible for a five-year/$188 million max contract from the Clippers in the offseason. Always bet on yourself….when you have the skills of Tobias Harris. Not when you have the skills of Nerlens Noel.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1/4 | 6/11 | 4/5 |
Got the start at point guard and played 29 minutes. There’s a reason the Logo is The Logo. Not only could he ball on the court, but his eye for talent is unparalleled.
Otto Porter Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1/4 | 4/9 | 2/2 |
That’s the OPJ we all know and love. Unfortunately, with his early season struggles, he may be OPJ (Other People’s Jewel).
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0/3 | 8/17 | 11/14 |
The calibration on the BB gun was on point last night. Spotter needs to account for wind from distance, though.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3/6 | 8/11 | 1/1 |
Played 26 minutes. Green has all the talent and skills in the world, as evidenced by last night’s game. There’s a reason he’s a 32-year-old journeyman, though. If he goes 20/10 in the next game, I won’t be surprised. If he shits the bed, I won’t be surprised.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0/1 | 6/14 | 1/4 |
That’s now five straight double-dubs for Nurkic (15.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game). Over that span, he’s also averaged 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1 steal. He’s been a top 40 player for fantasy. The last four years, though, Nurkic ended as the 107th, 193rd, 244th, and 202nd player. I’m just the messenger. Whichever side you’re on, please don’t shoot me.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3/9 | 9/22 | 8/10 |
Y’all know my love for Lillard and that usually means it’s Dame Dolla time, but….
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5/9 | 13/23 | 0 |
….had himself a night. Let’s go straight to the highlights.
Meyers Leonard
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/4 | 5/9 | 2/2 |
Played 17 minutes. Leonard is a big man that can stretch the floor, but he doesn’t get enough minutes to make a consistent impact. Plus, Zach Collins only played 13 minutes due to foul trouble.
Evan Turner
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5/9 | 0 |
Played 34 minutes. ET doesn’t phone home with spectacular stats, but he’s the main guy on the second unit and contributes across the board. If you’re into plus/minus, ET was a team-leading +16 last night.
Noah Vonleh
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2/5 | 4/8 | 4/8 |
Fizdale shuffled the lineup once again and re-inserted Vonleh into the starting five. He played 37 minutes and….message to Coach Fizdale…..he’s really, really good.
Mario Hezonja
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1/5 | 0 |
Got the start at small forward, but only played 17 minutes. Not so super. He better find that magic mushroom soon.
Enes Kanter
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1/1 | 3/7 | 0 |
Got the start ahead of Mitchell Robinson, but only played 27 minutes and did not double-dub for only the fifth time all season. This is going to be one helluva ride for you Kanter owners. Enjoy!
Emmanuel Mudiay
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | 6/9 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 24 minutes. I think he sucks, but he’s starting.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3/6 | 10/21 | 9/9 |
Hardaway is 16th in field goal attempts with 18.5 per game. Shooters shoot. You press the bets when he’s hot, but know that the….7 out!!!….is right around the corner.
Kevin Knox
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/2 | 1/3 | 0 |
Played 13 minutes. I don’t think he’s fantasy relevant this season.
Trey Burke
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3/5 | 8/15 | 0 |
Uno. Dos. Trey!!! Tres Treys with tres boards and tres dimes. I love the universe!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5/8 | 3/4 |
I hope you went to Jarrett!!!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2/8 | 9/22 | 0 |
I always clown on Russell, but he’s been balling lately. I guess the buffering is done. Over the past seven games, he’s been a top 30 player: 20.6 points, 3 threeecolas, 3.9 boards, 6.1 dimes, 2.1 steals, and only 2.3 turnovers.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/5 | 5/12 | 4/4 |
Played 30 minutes and is averaging around 28 minutes per game. Threeecolas, assists, steals, and a smattering of boards are what you get.
Rodney McGruder
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1/4 | 7/14 | 0 |
Played 36 minutes. Like I said the other day, this Mcy G’s ain’t going anywhere.
Hassan Whiteside
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0/1 | 9/21 | 3/6 |
Another Mt. Whiteside explosion.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0/5 | 6/20 | 4/7 |
My RichardSON, ay caramba! It’s all good homie. Shooter shoot. I got your back.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/2 | 1/7 | 2/2 |
Played 23 minutes after getting 15 the game before, which was his first game back from injury. It’s going to be a process, but at least he didn’t forget how to foul, as he’s been called for five in each of the two games.
Serge Ibaka
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0/3 | 7/15 | 0 |
Got the start and played 30 minutes. Nick Nurse has provided a Serge for Ibaka, as the points, assists, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage are all up from last season. Can Nurse heal all players?
The Raptors had all nine players get at least 10 minutes of run. The starters all received at least 30 minutes, while three of the four bench players got a minimum of 20 minutes. No one scored 20 points, yet the Raptors were victorious, 93-91. Nurse for President!
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0/3 | 6/12 | 2/2 |
Top 10 player for fantasy. That is all. Carry on.
Evan Fournier
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/9 | 11/20 | 1/2 |
Evan. Natural Splasher of Buckets from the streets of Saint-Maurice, France. So pure. So clean. Aaaaah.
Terrence Ross
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/4 | 2/10 | 0 |
Played 20 minutes. He had a nice seven game stretch in early November, but the last three games have been of discount quality. 20, 23, and 16 minutes played. If you’ve ever shopped at Ross, you know this feeling all too well. You will go on a heater and find the perfect items for a stretch of visits then…..Nothing. Nada. Zilch. It’s cheap. What do you expect?
