Naz Reid was a highly-touted recruit in high school and was ranked as the third-best power forward/15th-best overall player in the nation. He played his college ball at LSU and declared for the draft after one season. He’s 6′ 10″, 240 pounds, has feathery touch from downtown, has decent handles with a wicked spin move to maneuver in the paint, is agile for a man his size, and can dish out dimes. Then why did he go undrafted? He didn’t dominate his one year in college and tanked the pre-draft combine. But the Minnesota Timberwolves knew because it wasn’t hard to tell that he was Illmatic…….
Ahhhhh, love that song. Anyways, can’t give the Timberwolves that much credit because if they truly knew then they would’ve drafted him. Regardless, they took a shot and their gamble looks to have paid off.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1/4 | 5/12 | 2/2 |
In 27 minutes. Over the past seven games, Naz has averaged 25.4 minutes, 10.9 points, 0.9 tres, 7 boards, 1.6 dimes, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks. A 1/1/1 player!!! The field goal percentage is very poor for a big man, though, as it’s been 40% recently and 41% on the season. He’s a 70% shooter from the free throw line. Now, much depends on whether or not Karl-Anthony Towns returns. If he does, then Naz will have little value, but if KAT does get shut down, then……Naz will be Illmatic. Beep. Boop. Bop. You know what’s always Illmatic? The Stocktonator.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Kawhi Leonard
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2/6 | 9/20 | 5/6 |
Played 33 minutes, but the Clippers were in control from the outset. As a result, there weren’t too many fantasy goodies from the Clippers…..Let me rephrase, there were plenty of fantasy goodies, but they were spread out like the candy vomited onto the floor from a ruptured pinata. Kawhi is the #3 player for the season on a per-game basis.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1/2 | 7/12 | 0 |
Shai is so good, but he hasn’t even begun to tap his fantasy ceiling. 20+ points seems like an inevitability. Entrance into the 1/1/1 club is only a matter of time. He is already one of the better rebounding guards in the game. The turnovers are light and the percentages are good. The only thing missing are the dimes. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s a top 25 player next season.
We had a doozy in New Orleans, as the Timberwolves plucked the Pelicans, 139 – 134. Both teams are top five in offensive pace and both are in the bottom-third for defensive efficiency. A fantasy matchup made in heaven.
Juan Hernangomez
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2/5 | 6/11 | 2/3 |
Continues to start and played 34 minutes. Over the past four games, Juancho has averaged 31 minutes, 15.8 points, 2.8 tres, 9.5 boards, 2.3 dimes, 1.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 54% from the field. The free throw shooting has been poor at 44%, though. Now, he’s a 40% shooter from the field on the season and is converting 62% of his free throw attempts, so regression will hit both cats. If Karl-Anthony Towns returns, then his usage will obviously go down.
D’Angelo Russell
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3/9 | 8/21 | 4/4 |
Since being acquired by Minnesota nine games ago, Russell has been a top 30 player for fantasy. He’s averaged 33.4 minutes, 22.9 points, 3.2 tres, 4.2 boards, 7.2 dimes, and 1.4 steals. He’s shot 42% from the field and 89% from the line. The usage rate is 29%! As long as he doesn’t snitch, Russell should be fine.
Malik Beasley
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4/5 | 11/13 | 2/2 |
Continues to start and played 36 minutes. Seriously, how good are the Denver Nuggets? He’s been in Minnesota for 10 games and is now a top 50 player for fantasy. He’s averaging 34 minutes and jacking up 16 shots per game! Points, tres, boards, and steals are what he delivers.
James Johnson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 8/14 | 2/4 |
In 21 minutes off the bench. JJ is only averaging 24 minutes per game, but he’s turned back the clock and brought out his across-the-board ways. He stuffs the sheet and has been unleashed from the Miami dog house. Who let the dogs out? Woot Woot. Ok, my bad.
Zion Williamson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10/19 | 5/9 |
My WilliamSON!!! I probably don’t deserve to do that because I was low on him coming into the season, but, but, but…..the letters don’t lie. It’s good to see the defensive contributions because those are what will lead him to fantasy glory. We know he’s going to score because no one can stop him. He’s going to jump over tall building to grab boards. The only issues that could put a damper on the party are the lack of tres and poor free throw shooting.
Lonzo Ball
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 7/10 | 9/12 | 1/2 |
Talk about stuffing the stat sheet! I think he and Zion enjoy playing with each other. Ewww, not like that, you pervert. Over the past three games, Lonzo has been a top 10 player. Now, the counting stats will be there, but it all comes down to the shooting efficiency. On the season, he’s at 40% from the field and 57% from the line. During this currnet heater, he’s shooting 51% from the field and 63% from the line.
Jrue Holiday
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/6 | 10/16 | 5/9 |
While Lonzo and Zion were busy playing with each other, Jrue was just messing around for the fourth time in his career. He’s a top 50 player for fantasy. 19.2 points, 2 tres, 4.8 boards, 6.9 dimes, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks with 44% from the field. That ain’t bad, yo! The only bugaboo is the 69% shooting from the line. WTF!!! Why can’t professional ball players make free throws? It’s absolutely mind boggling!!
Pascal Siakam
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5/9 | 12/20 | 4/6 |
Siakam IS a 1/1/1 member, but the club doesn’t issue the cards until all the games have been played. Stressful times indeed. If the NBA wanted to give Siakam the Most Improved Player in back-to-back years, I’d be okay with that. He’s increased the defensive stats and the offensive load increase has been huge. Last year, he had a usage rate of 20 and shot 12 times per game. This season? The usage rate is close to 29 and he’s hoisting 19 shots per game! P. S. – he’s really good.
Kyle Lowry
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4/8 | 8/19 | 8/8 |
Norman Powell
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2/6 | 8/15 | 8/9 |
Awwww, so cute. They wore matching stat lines. Powell got another start and played 38 minutes because Fred VanVleet was out due to a shoulder injury.
O. G. Anunoby
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1/3 | 5/12 | 0 |
The Force comes and goes with Anunoby, but when it comes, it comes hard. Phrasing, Son, phrasing. O. G. is primarily a steals and boards guy with a side of tres. When he scores, though, he can put up top 10 production.
Chris Boucher
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2/5 | 5/12 | 7/8 |
In 29 minutes off the bench. Marc Gasol is still out and Serge Ibaka did not play due to a sore knee, so Boucher picked up most of the slack. Curiously, Patrick McCaw got the start, but Nurse came to his senses and started Boucher in the second half. Boucher is more than just a water boy, and he can access the ceiling like last night, but he’s buried on the depth chart when everyone is healthy.
Deandre Ayton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 5/14 | 3/4 |
He’s been playing great. The points, boards, blocks, and good percentages have been making us like him Ayton. Unfortunately, he injured his ankle last night and was seen with crutches. Ayton missed a bunch of games earlier this season due to ankle issues, so expect him to miss more time again. Aron Baynes was a DNP-CD last night, but he would likely get more run if Ayton is out for any period of time.
Ricky Rubio
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2/4 | 5/11 | 4/4 |
Devin Booker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2/8 | 5/14 | 10/12 |
Awwww, they also wore matching stat lines. Must’ve been one of those nights.
Cameron Johnson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5/13 | 7/16 | 2/2 |
All the Johnsons were elevated last night I see. Cameron has had a few games like this, but they’ve been too few and far between to count on him. He can provide points, tres, boards, and some defensive stats, but the shooting efficiency isn’t great.
Rui Hachimura
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1/2 | 6/9 | 7/8 |
Maybe he isn’t just a points and boards guy after all. The steals have really picked up lately. I’m not sure I believe it for the long term but at least he’s showing the capacity. The percentages are really good for Rui, 49% from the field and 82% from the line.
Thomas Bryant
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2/2 | 4/4 | 2/2 |
The World Numerology Society has been alerted and they are sending their best people to come study this stat line. Since returning from injury, Thomas has played 19, 15, 18, 15, 14, and 16 minutes. This train is having difficulty getting ramped up. Chugga chugga poo poo….
Bradley Beal
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 35 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2/8 | 11/24 | 11/15 |
Why is everyone gawking? It’s just cooked Beal. And it’s not even the hottest we’ve seen him.
Davis Bertans
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6/12 | 6/13 | 0 |
In 29 minutes off the bench. Bertans is the ultimate tres specialist, but he also chips in boards and defensive stats. Hmmmm, then does that disqualify him from being a specialist?
De’Aaron Fox
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2/4 | 12/19 | 5/6 |
Top 25 player over the past three games, primarily on the heels of 53% shooting from the field and 84% from the line. On the season, he’s shooting 68% from the line. The usage rate is over 30% and he even chips in some blocks from time to time. He needs to increase the tres and free throw percentage in order to crack the top 50.
Harry Giles III
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5/7 | 3/3 |
Continues to start and played 27 minutes. Hmmm, maybe the Kings will unleash him? Alex Len only played 14 minutes so…..Much hinges on whether Richaun Holmes returns or not. I think there’s a chance he doesn’t.
The Warriors mined the Nuggets, 116-100 in Denver. Huh.
Marquese Chriss
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 | 7/12 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 25 minutes. Over the past 11 games, Chriss has been a top 50 player, averaging 26 minutes, 14.2 points, 8.3 boards, 1.8 dimes. 0.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 62% from the field and 76% from the line. No more banana in the tailpipe.
Andrew Wiggins
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2/6 | 9/16 | 2/4 |
What’s more believeable? Wiggins with 10 dimes or the Warriors winning by 16 in Denver?
Mychal Mulder
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5/10 | 5/11 | 0 |
Got the start and played 35 minutes, his first career start. No wonder last night was all freaky deaky: Agent Mulder got a start in the NBA.
Eric Paschall
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | 8/13 | 4/8 |
In 35 minutes off the bench. Draymond Green was out with a sore knee, so Paschall got extra run. He’s mainly a points and boards player who will shoot a decent percentage.
Nikola Jokic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0/1 | 7/15 | 2/2 |
He’s a top 10 player right now. And that is without a hefty block number. Imagine if he gets that to over 1 per game? The simulation would crash, right?
Paul Millsap
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6/9 | 6/9 |
Got the start and played 26 minutes. When he plays, Millsap is a fantasy….not stud, but….hmmmm, what’s the word I’m looking for? I don’t know. He’s viable, but he’s more than that. Damn it. This is bugging me now. It’s late so I’m moving on, but if anyone can provide me with the word I’m looking for, I’d greatly appreciate it.
Caris LeVert
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 51 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5/10 | 17/26 | 12/18 |
Holy…………………………………………….!!!!! Where did that come from? It’s fair to assume that he’s over his injury? Man, the Nets could have Dinwiddie, LeVert, Kyrie, and KD on the same court next season. That’s nasty. Anyways, over the past seven games, LeVert has garnered a usage rate of 32.5 and he’s hoisted 21 shots per game. 25 points, 3 tres, 4 boards, 5 dimes, and 2 steals. The shooting efficiency is always a concern, though, as he’s at 41% on the season, but 51 points makes everyone forget about that.
DeAndre Jordan
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3/4 | 2/2 |
In 35 minutes off the bench, while Jarrett Allen only played 18 minutes. The Nets were down, so Atkinson put in the DJ, who kept spinning the good tunes for Atkinson, so he turned up the volume and let him roll.
Gordon Hayward left the game after 17 minutes due to a knee contusion.
Kemba Walker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4/12 | 6/16 | 5/5 |
Returned from injury and played 23 minutes. He should get ramped back up in no time.
Marcus Smart
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4/14 | 5/15 | 0 |
Got the start because Jayson Tatum did not play due to an illness. Over the past 10 games, Smart is a top 25 player. Over the past three games, he’s top 10. All this despite shooting sub-40% from the field. 14.8 points, 2.9 tres, 4.4 boards, 5.7 dimes, 2.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks over the past 10 games.
Dejounte Murray
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3/5 | 9/14 | 0 |
In 28 minutes. I can’t wait until the Spurs unleash Murray, especially after another year with the shooting coaches. It’s not going to be this year, but next year seems logical. The speed and agility that Murray exhibits are breathtaking at times. He and Shai seem similar to me. Am I tripping?
Cody Martin
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1/1 | 6/8 | 0 |
Got the start and played 34 minutes because Devonte’ Graham did not play due to an ankle injury. Martin is a low usage player who will provide boards, dimes, and steals. When Graham returns, he will go back to playing in the mid-20s.
Cody Zeller
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4/6 | 0/3 |
Got the start and played 19 minutes after logging a bunch of DNP-CDs with Bizmack Biyombo getting the start. The roles have now flipped. I have no idea what’s going on in Charlotte.
Willy Hernangomez
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2/4 | 4/4 |
In 18 minutes off the bench. If Biyombo is going to be collecting DNP-CDs, then Willy will get freed to some extent. He can provide points, boards, and some dimes.
Al Horford
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0/2 | 2/8 | 4/5 |
Continues to start for the injured Joel Embiid and played 33 minutes. He is once again a top 40 player, as he stuffs the stat sheet, but will return to the abyss when Embiid starts playing again.
Glenn Robinson III
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/5 | 10/15 | 2/2 |
In 31 minutes off the bench. No Ben Simmons. No Joel Embiid. No Josh Richardson. So, after Tobias Harris it was Robinson who stepped up. He actually shoots well from the field (48% on the season), but doesn’t do much else outside of getting a steal here and there. When everyone is healthy, this dog will have no bite.
Anthony Davis
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 37 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4/5 | 13/19 | 7/8 |
The numero uno player for fantasy on the season. The World Numerology Society should be sending their best men for this stat line. Man, just stay healthy.
LeBron James
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2/5 | 9/16 | 2/3 |
The #10 player for fantasy. There’s nothing to say or write except…..
