Burning bridges. No good, as you never know what the universe has in store for the future. Having water under the bridge? A good sign because that means climate change hasn’t evaporated a big percentage of the water on Earth. Mikal Bridges? Well, he was always a solid fantasy asset because he chipped in everywhere without hurting anywhere. Now, Mikal is making it rain so many fantasy goodies that the water flowing under this Bridges is causing the fantasy landscape to transform before our eyes. On Sunday, there was a flash flood warning due to:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2/4 | 12/21 | 7/8 |
In the last few games when he was in Phoenix, Bridges was garnering a higher usage rate and flourishing. Since arriving in Brooklyn, the usage rate has been above 25% in five of eight games with a high of 41.4%. He’s scored over 20 points in all but two games with four games over 30 and a high of 45. Bridges is now a first or second-round player for fantasy. We need the government to embark upon infrastructure projects so that more Bridges can be constructed!
Here’s what else I saw yesterday:
The Knicks win 131-129 over the Celtics. In double overtime. In Boston.
Immanuel Quickley
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 38 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5/12 | 15/28 | 3/4 |
Got the start and played 55 minutes as Jalen Brunson was out due to injury. 55?
Quickley has been the microwave off the bench for the Knicks this season, but he displayed the entire repertoire on Sunday. Let us all rejoice and praise his name.
Jayson Tatum
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 40 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6/17 | 12/30 | 10/12 |
Played 49 minutes. He’s no Quickley but few are. Tatum has now scored at least 40 points 21 times in his career.
Al Horford
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6/10 | 7/15 | 0 |
Played 46 minutes!!! Robert Williams is out due to injury so Horford had his joints oiled, pipes cleaned, software upgraded and was thrown out there with no regard for life and limb.
Jaylen Brown
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2/8 | 12/25 | 3/3 |
In 47 minutes as Mazzula went with an 8-man rotation. Playoff basketball is almost upon us. Brown is a top 50-ish player for fantasy. The final frontiers for him are to get the free-throw shooting up above 80% and the dimes closer to 4 per game. Everything else is *chef’s kiss*
Jordan Nwora
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 3/7 | 3/5 |
Got the start but only played 22 minutes. Since being acquired by Indiana, Nwora played fewer than 20 minutes in the first three contests but received 22, 29 and 27 in the three prior to Sunday. He put up 18, 16 and 10 points in those games while dishing out a total of 11 dimes. Aaron Nesmith has missed time, though, so the wells in this Jordan will not be overflowing with fantasy goodies.
Tyrese Haliburton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6/9 | 11/17 | 1/1 |
Speaking of mining fantasy fields, the shareholders of Haliburton must be giddy with excitement and profits. Much was expected from him coming into the season, and much has been given. What a guy! Both the Kings and Pacers came out well in the trade. A mutually beneficial trade. Take note, you scumbag owners who try to rip off others in every transaction!
Zach LaVine
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 42 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5/8 | 13/23 | 11/13 |
The points have been flowing effortlessly down by the LaVine this season. Zach has scored at least 30 points 15 times this season, with five of those over 40. LaVine is so solid for fantasy because he provides elite scoring, treys, boards and dimes. The percentages are good for a guard as well (47% from the field and 84% from the line). It’s the lack of defensive production that keeps him from entering that elite tier.
Kevin Durant
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 37 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3/5 | 12/17 | 10/11 |
Since returning from injury, Durant had only played 27 and 31 minutes. Yesterday, he received a whopping 40 and did this:
KEVIN DURANT CLUTCH. 🔥🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 5, 2023
HE’S BACK, BABY!!! One of the best fantasy players in the game, and could be a boost of NOS for those teams who were able to sneak into the playoffs.
Deandre Ayton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4/6 | 1/2 |
In the 13 games prior to Durant’s arrival, Ayton was beasting with 15.8 shots and 22.5 points per game. In the last three contests with Durant, Ayton has attempted 10, 4 and 6 shots. My initial thought about the Durant trade was that Ayton would be the one to suffer the most offensively, and it is manifesting that way.
Devin Booker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 36 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 15/25 | 5/6 |
Dynamic Duo of Devin and Durant Demolishing Defenses.
Kyrie Irving
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3/8 | 10/19 | 7/7 |
Luka Doncic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 34 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1/9 | 8/23 | 17/19 |
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Tim Hardaway Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6/8 | 6/10 | 3/3 |
In 30 minutes off the bench. Let’s check out highlights of THJ’s day:
Stephen Curry
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5/13 | 8/20 | 6/6 |
Returned from an 11-game absence and played 32 minutes. The efficiency was not-surprisingly off, but the Curry will return to spicy levels very soon. Curry’s return sent Jordan Poole back to the deep end. Poole still received 28 minutes but shot 3-of-11 from the field. Once everyone gets comfortable in their roles, things should start humming again.
Jarred Vanderbilt
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0/2 | 5/11 | 0 |
Jarred is the perfect player for the Lakers. He’s long, athletic, does the dirty work and can guard multiple positions. Since arriving in LA, JV has played eight games and started in the last six. He’s averaging 7.6 boards and 1.5 steals in 24.3 minutes per game. Over the last four games, he’s averaging a tick under 28 minutes and he played 24 yesterday.
Troy Brown Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4/7 | 5/10 | 0 |
Brown has been the one to replace LeBron in the starting lineup. He’s played 27, 34, 26 and 41 minutes yesterday. The fantasy production has been all over the map, as he’s scored double-figures in only two of the four games he’s filled in for LeBron. That said, he’s playing a ton of minutes and can contribute some counting stats.
Austin Reaves
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3/5 | 5/9 | 3/4 |
In 28 minutes. I love Hillbilly Kobe. The IQ is high and he’s able to get buckets. The production is inconsistent, though. The main issue is that he will rarely get over 28 minutes of run. That makes me sad. I need Keanu to enter the Matrix and hook up his brother from another mother.
Anthony Davis
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 39 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1/3 | 14/25 | 10/13 |
AD has such a wide range of expectations. No one thinks he will be healthy while every expects him to be THE man. That would make any man go mad. Well, on Sunday, AD seemed like he was angry at the world:
He took it out on the Warriors and led the Lakers to the 113-105 victory. With LeBron out, Davis is going to have to produce these kinds of lines on the regular. For you AD owners out there, start a vigil, offer all the virgin sacrifices you can to the gods (make sure they are virgins!) and pray.
Dennis Smith Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1/6 | 6/14 | 2/3 |
He hasn’t been starting in place of LaMelo Ball, but he did play 27 minutes yesterday. He had played 21 and 26 minutes in the prior two contests. Bummer. And the shooting efficiency has been awful. Efficiency has never been his strong suit but it should improve as he gets more comfortable in this new role.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0/4 | 5/15 | 7/8 |
A poor game yesterday, but Oubre feasted in the prior two games without Ball. He played 40 and 38 minutes, scored 29 and 26 points while grabbing 10 and nine rebounds. The usage rate was 25.8% and 30.1%. He’s been putting the O in ubre, and that should continue for the remainder of the season.
Nic Claxton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3/5 | 2/4 |
I used to focus on drafting centers who were well-rounded and shot free-throws well. I no longer think that’s necessary, especially if you build a nice free-throw foundation in the early rounds. While Claxton converts 51% of his freebies, he’s only averaging 3.3 per game, so the impact is negated. The 9 boards, 2.5 blocks and 70% field goal percentage more than make up for the free-throw deficiency, especially since the draft cost was low. Claxton is a top 30 player on a per-game basis this season.
Cam Thomas
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/4 | 0 |
Played 7 minutes.
Cam Reddish
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | 7/13 | 0 |
I had doubts and fronted on Reddish when he was traded to Portland. There’s a reason he’s been passed around more than a blunt in a cipher. In addition, he’s normally been a one-dimensional fantasy asset, contributing in points, and inefficiently I might add. With Anfernee Simons down and Josh Hart gone, it looks like Reddish is going to get as much run as he can handle. I still think there’s a risk that Billups just gets fed up with him. That said, Reddish is still young and there’s also a chance that he figures things out and/or Billups remains patient with him.
Damian Lillard
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 41 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4/16 | 10/25 | 17/20 |
Yawn.
With Simons off the court this season, Lillard has seen a 5.2% usage rate increase to a whopping 39.1%.
Franz Wagner
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4/7 | 7/12 | 6/7 |
Only the third time in the last 19 games that Wagner has scored at least 20 points. That makes me sad. On the season, it’s now happened 29 times. I’m still sad because he’s played 64 games.
Markelle Fultz
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0/1 | 5/9 | 5/5 |
Over the past 13 games, Fultz has been a top 60 player. You know that you’re not getting any treys, but 15 points, 5 boards, 5 dimes, and 1.7 steals while shooting 52% from the field and 91% from the line ain’t bad, yo! He’s also turning the ball only 2.4 times while garnering a usage rate of 20.8%. Don’t forget that he’s still only 24 years old and was the overall number one pick back in 2017 for a reason.
Jalen Suggs
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1/3 | 6/12 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 35 minutes. Before you take off your panties, roll them into a bunch, and start running around the neighborhood naked, know that Gary Harris was out due to left adductor soreness.
Rockets win the battle, but it could cost them the war. The race for Victor Wembanyama is heating up. Houston entered Sunday’s game in the drivers seat with only 14 wins, lowest in the league. The Pistons have 15 while the Spurs sit at 16. Well, on Sunday, the Rockets spanked the Spurs by the count of 142-110, but San Antonio is the team that is likely feeling the best right now.
Charles Bassey
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7/10 | 0/1 |
Got the start and played 25 minutes. Zach Collins was shut down as the Wembanyama shadow has engulfed Spurs HQ. Bassey averages 1.17 DKFP per minute, so he could be a fantasy star towards the end of the season.
Devin Vassell
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/8 | 5/15 | 1/2 |
Played 29 minutes. I have no idea why the Spurs are playing Vassell. If you’re relying on him in the fantasy playoffs, make sure to strengthen your relationship with whatever god you speak to.
Alperen Sengun
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6/9 | 3/4 |
In his second season, Sengun is averaging:
14.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks while shooting 55% from the field, 31% from downtown, and 73% from the line.
In his second season, Nikola Jokic averaged:
16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 57% from the field, 32% from downtown, and 82% from the line.
Just saying.
Kevin Porter Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3/5 | 7/11 | 2/2 |
After missing 20 games, KPJ received 26 and 30 minutes. He contributed 11 points in each contest and dished out 2 and 5 dimes. He played 32 minutes on Sunday. We back, baby! Wait, it was the San Antonio Spurs. Let’s hold off on that. We might be back, baby…..
Jalen Green
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4/8 | 11/19 | 5/6 |
JG can sure jump and score. There’s no denying that. I continue to sour on him, though. He doesn’t provide much in the other categories and the intangibles worry me, from lack of effort, IQ and does he have the desire to improve? He’s still young, so not completely writing him off, but I really need to hear good things from the coaching staff or other players before I start buying in.
Tari Eason
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 7/13 | 2/4 |
In 30 minutes off the bench. Start him, cowards!!!
Kelly Olynyk
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1/3 | 4/8 | 6/7 |
In 31 minutes as a starter. His ability to shoot has allowed Olynyk to play alongside Kessler. That’s a very pale and tall frontcourt they have in Utah with Kessler, Olynyk, and Markkanen.
Walker Kessler
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0/1 | 8/11 | 1/2 |
Just continues to develop and grow each and every game. I have tears of joy flowing down my cheek.
Jordan ClarkSON
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0/5 | 6/15 | 6/5 |
ClarkSON used to be just a microwave scorer. This season, he’s pulled the playmaking out of the hat and thrived. He’s averaging 4.3 dimes per game, a career-high by a wide margin. In his nine-year career, he’s averaged at least 3 dimes per game only twice.
Jalen Williams
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4/5 | 12/15 | 4/6 |
Over the last 26 games, Jalen has been a top 30 player. Over the last 13 games, he’s been a top 20 player. Over the last four games, he’s been a top 5 player.
Josh Giddey
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4/6 | 10/16 | 0 |
Giddey has messed around six times in his career. Once the floodgates open, he’s going to be racking them up on the regular.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 38 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1/2 | 10/17 | 17/19 |
Over the last 21 games, Shai is the number 2 player for fantasy. On the season, he’s the number three player.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6/12 | 11/15 |
34th time G has messed around in his career. If you look at G’s per-game ranking, it stinks this season, but it’s the free-throw shooting and turnovers that put a tremendous dent in that number. He’s a big positive in points, rebounds and field goal percentage, a good positive in assists and just above 0 for steals and decent in blocks. He’s tough to roster in roto but, in head-to-head, he’s still a tremendous asset.
Jevon Carter
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6/10 | 7/13 | 0 |
In 22 minutes off the bench. Broken clock is yadda yadda yadda.
Kristaps Porzingis
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1/8 | 11/29 | 1/1 |
I just typed Drago into Basketball Monster. LOL. Anyways, there’s a reason they nicknamed Porzingis The Unicorn. His length, athleticism and skill set is unrivaled. He’s a top 15-ish player for fantasy and the only thing keeping away from greatness is the injury concern and history.
Daniel Gafford
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4/7 | 0 |
This is me continuing to roster Gafford:
Bradley Beal
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0/5 | 15/32 | 3/3 |
The Beal has been cooked too well or not enough for most of the season. On Sunday, it was just right with the juices flowing like the Nile.
Delon Wright
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 4/8 | 1/1 |
Delon has started the last four games and things have never felt more Wright for fantasy. He’s played 31, 34, 40, and 29 minutes. While he’s a low-usage player who won’t score many points, he does provide plenty of defensive stats to go along with boards and dimes.
Deni Avdija
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | 5/10 | 5/5 |
In 31 minutes off the bench. Kyle Kuzma didn’t play and Anthony Gill got the start, but Avdija soaked up most of those forward minutes. Avdija has really grown on me as the season has progressed. He was mainly a defensive guy but then showed that he could get busy on the boards. Despite being a low-usage player, Avdija has shown development in his offensive game.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2/5 | 8/18 | 6/7 |
So many 2s. So many Js. So many future MVPs? We may soon be witnesses. With Ja Morant off the floor this season, JJJ is the one who has seen the biggest usage rate increase of 6.1% to a team-leading 29.4%.
Xavier Tillman
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0/2 | 6/14 | 1/3 |
Continues to start for Steven Adams at center and played 34 minutes last night. He’s been a top 100-ish player over the last six games or so and has provided a smattering of everything but treys. The free throw shooting hasn’t been good, but it’s been on low volume. Adams was initally slated to return back in early March, so the time may soon be nigh, for both Tillman and Adams.
David Roddy got the start for Dillon Brooks and played 25 minutes, contributing 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. The answer is no.
Tyus Jones
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5/7 | 9/14 | 2/2 |
Got the start for Ja Morant and played 36 minutes. He has feasted in the starting role this season and this could be the NWO as there’s been no timetable for Ja’s return.
Desmond Bane
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4/9 | 12/22 | 2/2 |
With Ja off the floor, Bane has a 28.4% usage rate. The football player masquerading as a baller has a silky smooth J and can tickle the twine with the best of them.
Paul George
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 42 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4/9 | 12/23 | 14/15 |
Kawhi Leonard
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 34 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3/7 | 9/20 | 13/13 |
The Dynamic Duo in Clipper Land led LA to the 135-129 victory. They are going to have to put up numbers like this on the regular down the stretch because the defense has fallen off a cliff. On the season, the Clippers are 14th in defensive rating. Over the last 10 games, though, that number is at 25.
Ivica Zubac
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3/5 | 0 |
Returned from a two-game absence and played 18 minutes in a starting role. Mason Plumlee played 21 minutes off the bench. The center minutes will likely be split down the middle for the remainder of the season. Yuck.
Eric Gordon
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3/4 | 6/7 | 2/2 |
In 33 minutes off the bench. Gordon will be the microwave off the bench for as long as Norman Powell is out. Gordon is dry from a fantasy perspective, but he will likely get a ton of minutes and huck, and chuck, and hoist up plenty of shots to provide points and treys.
