History is written by the victors. Alexander III was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon in 336 BC. Due to his undefeated record in battle and conquest of Persia, the III was replaced with The Great. Beep. Boop. Bop. You know what’s always great? The Stocktonator. Now, over 2000 years later, Alexander the Great has been etched into the history books and permeated our minds. Last night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a performance that imprinted him into the NBA archives.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2/3 | 8/12 | 2/2 |
That was the 90th time since 1946 that a player has scored 20 points with at least 20 boards and 10 dimes. The last player to perform the feat was Russell Westbrook last season, when he went 20/20/21! Since 2000, it’s happened only six times before Shai’s performance. Now, for fantasy, Shai got off to a blazing start this season then cooled off. Over the past 16 games, though, he’s been a top 20 player for fantasy, averaging 36 minutes, 21.9 points, 0.9 tres, 6.6 boards, 2.7 dimes, and 1.4 steals. The field goal percentage has been a whopping 52% while the free throw shooting has been 85%. He’s garnered a usage rate of 23.9, yet Shai has only turned the ball over 1.6 times per game! Will this continue? Probably not. He’s not going to continue shooting 52% from the field. He shot 47% over the course of his rookie season, so that’s a reasonable expectation. The Logo, Jerry West, loved Shai and was instrumental in the Clippers drafting him. They had to trade him in order to get Paul George, so it’s understandable why they made the move, but West is one of the best talent evaluators in the league. If he’s high on someone, then so am I.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Al Horford
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0/3 | 5/11 | 0 |
Got the start and played 35 minutes because Joel Embiid will be out a few weeks after undergoing hand surgery. Horford isn’t sexy like say Yang’s $1000 per month Freedom Dividend. He is more like, find two quarters in front of your house every night. It doesn’t seem like much, but at the end of the season, you’d have received top 50 production. Without Embiid on the court, Horford sees a 4.2% increase in usage.
Ben Simmons
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10/17 | 4/4 |
With Embiid off the court, I would have assumed that Simmons would see the greatest increase in usage. Nope. That honor actually goes to Trey Burke, with Horford right behind. Simmons actually sees a decrease of 0.5%. Very interesting. Now, usage schumage, as there’s no BS’ing the production. Imagine if Simmons could shoot and actually was aggressive? He’s a top 35 player on the season regardless, with the lack of tres, poor free throw shooting, and elevated turnovers crimping his overall value.
Josh Richardson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/8 | 8/19 | 6/7 |
My RichardSON!!! The defensive stats have been lacking recently, but the scoring and efficiency have been very good, mitigating the impact on overall value. He’s a top 100-ish player, which is a far cry from the top 50-60 production he was providing in Miami, but keep in mind that he’s playing fewer minutes and there are more options in Philadelphia.
Matisse Thybulle
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/5 | 2/8 | 1/2 |
Played 28 minutes. Since returning from injury, Thybulle has received 19, 20, and 28 minutes. The trend is your friend. The style from Thybulle isn’t pretty, or maybe it’s underappreciated, as he’s primarily a defensive specialist. It wouldn’t be the first time that happened to an artist. Maybe after he’s out of the league, Thybulle’s stat lines will sell for millions.
T. J. Warren
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0/2 | 8/13 | 5/7 |
2. 2..2…2….2…..2……222222222222222222222222222222222222222222. The attack of the 2s. The blocks were surprising and Warren does get his 211 on, but defensive stats aren’t the crux of his game. Warren is a straight G on offense, providing plenty of points and tres. The efficiency is the most impressive aspect, as he’s shooting 50% from the field. The prior five seasons, he shot 48%, 49%, 49%, 50%, and 52%, so Warren does this on the Regular.
Myles Turner
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1/3 | 4/10 | 5/6 |
Recently, Myles dominated when Domantas Sabonis was unable to play. Both the points and boards increased dramatically. When Sabonis is in the lineup, Myles has been meh. The one constant, though, are the blocks. He’s going to provide around 2 blocks per game regardless of who is on the court.
Malcolm Brogdon
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3/6 | 5/15 | 8/9 |
Returned from injury and played 34 minutes. When healthy, this Malcolm strays far from the middle and produces top 30 production. The percentages are excellent, but the defensive stats are lacking. He’s very consistent as well. Brogdon will likely cede some usage when Victor Oladipo returns, but top 50-ish production should be the end result.
Danilo Gallinari
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3/4 | 8/12 | 11/12 |
The points were a season high! Gallinari is an excellent source of points and tres, as he’s scored in single digits just once this season and averages over 13 shots per game. The sauce that brings the whole dish together is the free throw percentage, as he converts 90% of his 4.7 attempts.
Steven Adams
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5/7 | 3/4 |
The dimes keep clinking out from his tool box. Clink. Clink. Clink. After never averaging more than 1.6 per game, Adams is dishing out 2.7 per game!!! That is in addition to the points, boards, and blocks he’s providing. Top 50 player over the past eight games. Now, the free throw shooting has been 70% on five attempts. I just did a double take as if a hot girl just walked by. Adams is a 50% shooter from the line, so that number will regress, which will bring his overall value down.
Naz Reid
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4/8 | 7/13 | 2/2 |
In 18 minutes off the bench. Reid was projected to be a lottery pick before the NBA draft, but then he was unable to dominate in college, tested poorly at the combine, and scouts questioned his work ethic. As a result, he went undrafted but the skills are there. It ain’t hard to tell that Naz is athletic and has range from downtown. The question is can he be fantasy viable? I doubt it, as playing time will be sparse when the Timberwolves get healthy and he’s a hucker and chucker right now with poor efficiency. With that said, he’s definitely someone to monitor in case he is able to carve out a role.
Zach Lavine
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3/6 | 9/18 | 9/9 |
LaVine has been on an absolute tear lately. Over the past 14 games, he’s been a top 15 player. Over the past seven games, he’s been the #5 player in all of fantasy. The usage rate has been over 33 and he’s averaging over 21 shot attempts per game. He’s shooting 47% from the field over the past seven games, which has translated to 30.1 points with 3.3 tres. The standard 4.4 boards and 4.3 dimes have been contributed, but it’s been the defensive stats that have elevated him to superstar status: 1.9 steals and 0.7 blocks. It’s a good thing I laminated all my LaVine posters. Anyways, the shooting efficiency is going to regress. Probably back to the 44% range. I doubt he maintains the defensive prowess as well, so top 30-40ish production is what we can expect.
Jayson Tatum
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2/7 | 7/17 | 5/7 |
Top 15 player over the past 14 games. Tatum is becoming the complete player that Boston fans mental masturbated over when the Anthony Davis trade discussions were ongoing. He has a chance to join the 1/1/1 club and, with how much he handles the ball, the 2.2 turnovers per game are impressive. The only question regarding his game is the shooting efficiency, as it fluctuates from 42% to 47%.
Marcus Smart
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2/5 | 4/8 | 2/2 |
In 33 minutes off the bench. Smart is going to provide boards, dimes, and steals on the regular. The roulette wheel is spun when it comes to field goal percentage. Winner winner chicken dinner when he shoots over 45%. Unfortunately, he’s usually in the 35% to 37% range.
Nicolo Melli
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2/4 | 7/11 | 4/4 |
Got the start and played 37 minutes because Brandon Ingram did not play due to a knee issue. Melli can shoot and make his free throws. It’s gotta be an Italian thing. Anyways, he won’t be viable when everyone is healthy.
Jahlil Okafor
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11/21 | 3/3 |
Got the start and played 34 minutes because Derrick Favors did not play due to a hamstring injury. Jaxson Hayes had been the preferred option, but the matchup with Andre Drummond likely dictated that Okafor get the start. Okafor provides points, boards, and blocks when he plays. He just doesn’t play much.
Lonzo Ball
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3/9 | 7/23 | 0/2 |
Played 46 minutes, as the game went to OT! And he aaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllmmmmmmmoooooosst messed around. The field goal and free throw percentages are the only bugaboos to his game. If he and Ben Simmons could only travel down the yellow brick road and get a shot. Anyways, the Pelicans play at an uptempo pace, which is the perfect environment for Ball’s game. Just wait until Zion returns. Oh, baby.
Sekou Doumbouya
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/4 | 6/9 | 2/2 |
Continues to start and played 35 minutes. He’s averaging close to 30 minutes per game and providing points, tres, boards, and steals. The percentages have been fantastic as well. I’d expect regression on that front.
Andre Drummond
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5/14 | 1/4 |
Only played 22 minutes because he got benched because…..please scroll up to the Jahlil Okafor blurb.
Christian Wood
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2/3 | 5/11 | 6/6 |
Another elevating performance for Christian. In 26 minutes off the bench. In the last two games, Wood has played 26 minutes in each and scored 18 and 17 points respectively. He’s grabbed 9 and 14 boards and…..catching my breath. Let’s make this easier. He’s contributed in every category. Now, he didn’t play much in this game until Drummond got benched, so don’t get too excited yet. Coach Casey still seems content in bringing Wood along slowly. For Wood to fully be erect, Drummond likely has to be traded.
Derrick Rose
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0/3 | 10/23 | 3/4 |
In 37 minutes off the bench. For most of the season, Rose was clocking in, then clocking out 26 minutes later each night. But then the Blake Griffin injury happened. Now, he’s averaging over 33 minutes. IF he can hold up, Rose is going to bloom and provide beautiful points, tres, and dimes petals. The usage rate is around 33! The only question is if he can hold up.
P. J. Washington
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3/6 | 6/15 | 5/5 |
Played 33 minutes. No sleeping on P. J. In PJs is preferred but not in P. J. I don’t think he would like that too much. The fantasy production hasn’t elicited wet dreams, but he’s been solid, contributing across the board and has a chance to join the 1/1/1 club. Now, the shot attempts haven’t been voluminuous, which has kept the points down, but that will likely change as the losses mount and it’s what-do-the-young-kids-have season starts. Hopefully, the pace increases then because right now, the Hornets are playing at the slowest pace in the league.
Miles Bridges
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/2 | 0/7 | 2/2 |
Got the start but only played 18 minutes due to suckitude. Coach Borrego benched him. The binary code translates to: does not compute.
Terry Rozier
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4/8 | 8/18 | 5/6 |
I like it when Terry isn’t so scary and murders my percentages.
Devonte’ Graham
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8/13 | 9/17 | 1/1 |
The points, tres, dimes, and steals are so lovely. Unfortunately, the shooting efficiency is Scary Terry-esque. Over the past three games, he had been shooting 28% from the field. On the season, Graham is at 37%….on 15.6 attempts. As a result, the overall value is low and the tax to soak in those counting stats is high.
Willy Hernangomez
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7/8 | 0/2 |
In 16 minutes off the bench. Man, Borrego wasn’t joking when he said he wanted to shake up things. He had played a total of 69 minutes on the season prior to last night. I remember not so long ago, when I was a young pup, naive to the atrocities of the world, championing the Free Willy movement. Oh, those were good times. Willy can score. He’s like Kanter 2.0. Like Kanter, though, the defense is nonexistent. As a result, I find it difficult that Willy will ever be freed.
Nicolas Batum
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1/2 | 4/5 | 0 |
In 31 minutes off the bench. LOL! What the hell is Borrego doing? Talk about YOLO. Anyways, Batum has received 31 and 32 minutes the past two games. He’s done absolutely nothing with the opportunity. Good thing for the Hornets he has one more year on his contract at $27 million. LOL!
Damian Lillard
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5/10 | 10/16 | 5/7 |
Y’all know what time it is.
Never gets old for me. Top 10 player for fantasy.
Anthony Tolliver
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/3 | 7/8 | 0/1 |
In 21 minutes off the bench. I own Tolliver in a 12-team, 25 roster league. I’d cut him except it’s a Draft Champions league, so no transactions. I’m still looking for ways to cut him regardless.
Nikola Vucevic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2/6 | 9/23 | 6/6 |
In 37 minutes. Vuc is so damn good. He literally does everything and doesn’t hurt you in anything. Over the past three games, the usage rate has also ticked up to 32. That number had been in the 26-27 range. The Magic play at a slow pace, but the offense flows through Vuc.
Evan Fournier
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/6 | 6/16 | 12/12 |
Fournier is a top 70 player for fantasy. He provides points, tres, dimes, and steals. The turnovers are low while the percentages are good. A solid player.
Nemanja Bjelica
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 34 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8/10 | 13/16 | 0 |
Got the start because Marvin Bagley was on a minutes limit and played 33 minutes. In addition, Richaun Holmes did not play due to a shoulder injury, so more run for Bjelica. The Nemanja was smoking hot and potent last night. I’m still smelling it right now. As long as there are injuries and he continues getting run, the Nemanja will continue providing points, tres, boards, and good percentages.
De’Aaron Fox
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2/3 | 12/18 | 5/5 |
This is the upside that drives us crazy for Fox. Over the past three games, he’s been the #4 player for fantasy, averaging 37.2 minutes, 25.7 points, 1.3 tres, 7 boards, 8.7 dimes, 2 steals, and 1.3 blocks! The usage rate has been 30.9 and he’s shot 50% from the field and 100% from the line. The turnovers have been the only bugaboo at 4.7. Now, he’s a 46% shooter from the field and 72% from the line. In addition, the points, boards, and block numbers are unsustainable. With that said, this is the ceiling which will be accessed from time to time. Until more consistency is injected into his game, expect points, tres, dimes, and steals for top 70ish production.
Kevin Love
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1/4 | 7/17 | 6/6 |
It was all Love in a 29-point blowout loss to the Lakers. Love still has it. He needs to get traded. Portland! Make it happen!
Tristan Thompson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 8/11 | 1/2 |
It’s all lovey dovey in the Thompson/Kardashian household. If you own Tristan, then you better be logging onto TMZ every night.
Collin Sexton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0/2 | 6/16 | 4/4 |
Darius Garland
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2/6 | 7/13 | 0 |
Awww, so cute….matching stat lines. I much prefer Garland over Sexton, especially since the Cavs deemed Garland as untouchable in trade talks. Plus, he actually dishes out dimes. Don’t get gassed by the 4 Sexton dished out last night.
Kyle Kuzma
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0/3 | 5/13 | 1/2 |
Got the start and played 26 minutes because Anthony Davis did not play due to a bruised butt. Kuzma will grab some boards, but he’s a fantasy hucker and chucker. Don’t expect much outside of points and tres. As a result, his overall value is low for fantasy. He’s outside the top 200 on the season and will likely finish in the top 175 area.
Dwight Howard
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/1 | 9/11 | 2/3 |
In 25 minutes off the bench. Got extra run because Anthony Davis was out. Points, blocks, and boards are what he delivers. When AD returns, though, he will receive fewer than 20 minutes of run per game.
LeBron James
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1/3 | 12/16 | 6/7 |
With Anthony Davis off the court, LeBron has a 37.5 usage rate, an increase of 5.5%.
