… Well, okay. Maybe don’t start Rodrigue Beaubois tonight. I needed a title to today’s rundown and it seemed to fit. They can’t all be winners. Heck, ¾ of ’em can’t be winners. You try writing about the same 250-ish players every day. It ain’t easy. Although today, it’s a little easier as we now have 251-ish players to talk about, as Dallas’ Rod Goodwood is set to play in the first NBA game of the season, his first since August. That’s exciting news made a little more exciting by the supplemental news that J.J. Barea has the flu (or the flew if you’re a bird. Or bird flu if you’re from Asia. Or Heat of the Moment if you’re into Asia). It’s like the hoop gods closed a door and opened a French-sized window. And although that window would have an odd odor and window treatments that your bros would make fun of you for, that’s no reason not to go through it anyway. Coming into the season, he was one of my five favorite sleepers. I can tell you right now that unless his kneecap falls into his shoe like … anyone on the Trailblazers, he’ll be a sleeper for me next season too. He’s quick and he guns for the basket, a trait sorely needed in Dallas. Even with Barea out and even if Beaubois starts tonight alongside Kidd, the Mavericks don’t really need him and already have a crowded backcourt. They’re a wise old franchise and wise old franchises are never as excited about rushing recovering players into heavy action as fantasy owners are. I wouldn’t expect more than 25 minutes a night from Beaubois, nor would I expect much more than weak FG% and 12 points a game. Not at least until the last few weeks of the season, when guys like Kidd and Terry are getting additional rest. So, no. Maybe wait until next year to start Roddy if you’re in anything shallower than a 14-team league. But everyone should watch this guy. Because if I had to bet on one guy I might be dead wrong about, it’s Beaubois. Then again, if I was dead wrong about Beaubois, you’d have no incentive to heed my warning about watching him.
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy basketball last night:
Luther Head – Started in place of the fasciitis-ed Tyreke Evans but never scored. ‘Reke will likely remain plantared on the bench until after the weekend. Head is averaging 7.3/2.5/2.6 in 11 games as a starter. If that helps your team, get him in your lineup for tonight. Also, if that helps your team, God help your team. Pooh Jeter ended up playing almost 39 minutes and ended with 13/1/7.
Rashard Lewis – Out until after the All-Star Break with a sore knee. If I hadn’t told you, you may never have realized it.
Derrick Rose – 18/13. Didn’t shoot well. Just as it appeared Shaun Livingston‘s terrible knee injury was a thing of the past, he goes and gets his ankles all kinds of broke!
D.J. Augustin – Speaking of Professor Shaun Livingston, he outplayed D.J. 13/4 to 5/5 and played six fewer minutes. Hold steady, Augustin owners, but know the needle moved a little closer to center.
Gerald Henderson – 18/4/4 the previous game, 22/5/2 last night. He won’t keep that up. But, still … Yes, I’ve recommended deep leaguers pick up every member of the Bobcats roster at some point this season.
Manu Ginobili – Well. It’s that time of the year again. Time for Manu to miss 10 games with an injury incurred from running into the lane all zig-zaggy? Not quite. It’s time for Pop to start resting his old most important players. Duncan’s been resting all season and now it’s Ginobili’s turn. This will work out well for George Hill, Tony Parker and me because I don’t own him on any teams and the guys I’m neck-in-neck with in one league does.
Rudy Gay – Left the game with a shoulder injury. Could be nothing, could be something. I added Tony Allen in one of my deeper leagues. Sam Young would also be an insurance add, but don’t drop anyone that you’ll miss late at night when you’re all alone.
Mike Miller – Left the game in the third quarter with an eye contusion and never returned. Still, it’s better than leaving after having eye confusion, which is where you put on a blindfold and stick your hand in a bowl full of peeled grapes and then freak the eff out. It’s embarrassing when you do that.
Jeff Foster – Also left the game. In light of recent blurbs, this probably doesn’t seem so bad now, huh?
Louis Williams – Why aren’t more blogs talking about Williams’ 16+ ppg, 900+ FT% averages this month or the fact that he’s earning almost a three and steal per game? Don’t make me do all the heavy lifting. You know I’ve got weak ankles.
Channing Frye – 31/11 and would not stop draining threes (6). He’s drained 19 bombs in his last five games. Could not stop?
Gordon Hayward – No Andrei. No Mehmet. No Raja. The only times regulars with names like that are absent it’s because the classy strip club down the road is holding its “slightly worn girls” tryout on a Friday night and it grosses them out. Either that or it’s February in Jazz country. Either wayward, Hayward’s 8/9/3 stl night was nice, but not likely to sustain through multiple games.
C.J. Miles – 19/3/2. As was the case one blurb above, ditto. In fact, back-date that ditto to October 27.
