I love watching National Geographic, Animal Planet, etc. Always so fascinating. Sometimes you see why many think God exists. Other times you see where the inspiration for man-made objects came from. All the shows, all the channels….everything, though, comes down to survival. One particular video that’s always etched in my brain is the one where 30 Japanese hornets kill 30,000 honey bees. Crazy. I immediately pictured that video when I saw what Kemba Walker did in Portland.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 40 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6/11 | 13/26 | 8/8 |
Kemba was an All-Star last year, and his numbers are almost identical this year, so it’s only appropriate that he is filling in for Porzingis. Kemba does it all. 2.8 downtowners, 3.4 boards, 5.8 dimes, 1.1 steals, and 22.6 points. The only thing he doesn’t contribute in is blocks. That just makes him the most thick-skinned person on Twitter.
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Rudy has been hard at work in the lab. His latest creation? DAILY LINEUPS PAGE. So good. So smooth. So helpful. He decided to go with the Sonny Bono red tint, while I prefer the blue tint. What say you?
Kyrie Irving:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1/5 | 9/19 | 9/10 |
Has been Jimmy Butler-esque in his consistency this season. One double-dub on the season, while Butler only has three. Kyrie is the 14th player in fantasy, while Butler is the 9th. When you invest for your retirement, that’s the kind of stability and lack of volatility you want to see.
Jaylen Brown:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3/8 | 7/16 | 1/2 |
I’m going to keep calling him Kawhi 2.0 until he isn’t.
Marcus Morris:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 5/14 | 4/4 |
Has played 36 and 30 minutes since returning from injury. Won’t contribute much outside of points and boards, but is a big man that can shoot from downtown. He’s one green M&M that I’m not actively pursuing.
Terry Rozier:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2/2 | 4/6 | 2/4 |
Played 30 minutes. Those minutes will come down when Marcus Smart and Shane Larkin return.
Markieff Morris:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1/2 | 3/6 | 2/2 |
Played 29 minutes. I prefer green M&Ms in real life, but the red M&M for fantasy.
Tomas Satoransky:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2/2 | 6/12 | 0 |
Played a season-high 34 minutes. Has filled in well for John Wall. While the shooting and scoring may not always be there, the assists and steals have been consistent.
Otto Porter Jr.:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3/5 | 9/18 | 6/6 |
Since Wall went down, Otto’s usage rate has been at 22%. With Wall playing, the usage rate was 17.5%.
Marcin Gortat:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4/7 | 2/4 |
Played 31 minutes. He’s alive! He’s really tough to trust for fantasy.
Dirk Nowitzki:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1/4 | 6/10 | 3/3 |
Played 28 minutes and notched his fourth double-dub of the season. Dirk is going to be 40 years old in a few months! Much respect. Was left for dead in fantasy, but is a top 75 player on the year.
Dwight Powell:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7/9 | 4/4 |
Got the start at center and played 31 minutes. Has now played 31, 29, 31, and 28 minutes the past four games. If you need boards, Ka-Powell’s your man.
Dennis Smith Jr.:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4/9 | 8/18 | 2/2 |
My boo. Till death do us part.
Draymond Green:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1/3 | 4/17 | 3/4 |
Does it all and let’s you know he’s doing it all. If you own Draymond in fantasy, you really should be sending random videos of Draymond to all your league mates when he has a good game.
Kevin Durant:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4/6 | 8/13 | 4/4 |
Yawn.
Steph Curry:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4/9 | 7/12 | 2/2 |
Yaaaaaaaawn.
Klay Thompson:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2/6 | 8/15 | 0 |
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/9 | 0 |
He’s going to literally be making bagels if he doesn’t step it up soon.
Dwight Howard:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3/11 | 1/1 |
Back-to-back NON-double-dubs. It’s like the person that walked by a roulette table and saw the screen show 12 reds in a row, then two blacks. Bet it all on red, the person says. Hello? Wesley Snipes.
Frank Kaminsky:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4/8 | 6/14 | 1/1 |
Played 30 minutes. OT game. Minutes will be in the 22-24 range.
Al-Farouq Aminu:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 2/7 | 1/2 |
That’s 15 and 14 rebounds in the past two games. Top 90 player for fantasy, as he contributes across the board. The 2 downtowners a game is nice.
Jusuf Nurkic:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 10/14 | 4/5 |
That’s what I’m talking about. To no one in particular. I expect more of this going forward, but it’s all about the minutes for Nurk.
Damian Lillard:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3/11 | 6/22 | 3/3 |
It’s usually Dame Dolla time, but the stat line doesn’t warrant it. I’m sad. Still, a floor game for Lillard is a ceiling one for most of the league.
CJ McCollum:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2/5 | 7/18 | 6/7 |
I miss Urkel too, but the stat line doesn’t warrant it. I’m sad.
With no more Porzingis, Michael Beasley got the start and played 31 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7/13 | 7/7 |
Could be a league winner.
Tim Hardaway Jr.:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/6 | 4/14 | 0 |
Snake eyes.
Kyle O’Quinn:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0/1 | 4/10 | 1/2 |
Played 26 minutes. With Enes Kanter out, many were probably expecting more from the Per 36 monster. As many in the DFS community say, “What could go wrong with Kyle O’Quinn chalk day?”
Luke Kornet:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3/7 | 4/9 | 0 |
Played 22 minutes and was the primary backup to O’Quinn. A seven-footer that can drain from downtown. When Kanter returns, Kornet may not get run, but he’s 22 years old and the Knicks may want to see what they have. There’s potential here, so keep an eye on the situation.
Frank Ntilikina played 21 minutes and scored five points, while Trey Burke played 13 minutes and scored 12 points. I’m still wondering why the Knicks traded for Emmanuel Mudiay. Regardless, looks to be a shituation going forward. I’m sad.
Jonas Valanciunas:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2/3 | 7/12 | 2/4 |
Played 24 minutes. So tough to trust him due to lack of minutes or foul trouble. Definitely do not play him against teams that like to go small.
Raptors crushed the Knicks, 113-88. Kyle Lowry played 25 minutes and scored seven points. DeMar DeRozan played 29 minutes and scored eight points. Fred VanVleet played 24 minutes and scored 10 points. Delon Wright played 22 minutes and scored 11 points.
Taurean Prince:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4/7 | 7/12 | 1/2 |
Played 31 minutes. So inconsistent, but has upside. Gotta stick with him because he’s going to get a ton of run and put up shots.
John Collins:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1/1 | 4/9 | 0 |
Played 26 minutes. It sucks that the Hawks weren’t active at the trade deadline. It’s hilarious that they offered everyone, but no one was interested in what they were selling.
With Elfrid Payton traded, DJ Augustin got the start at point guard and played 35 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2/6 | 5/14 | 6/6 |
What a time to be alive. 30 year old, DJ Augustin, is a starting point guard for a NBA team. Minutes = money.
With Aaron Gordon still out, Mario Hezonja got the start and played 29 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0/4 | 2/7 | 4/6 |
Mario wasn’t so super, but he was able to contribute in the periphery categories.
Paul George:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5/12 | 11/25 | 2/6 |
No Russ? No Melo? All PG, who did his best, but in the end, it was child’s play for the Lakers.
Raymond Felton got the start for Russ and played 31 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 3/8 | 0 |
Everybody does not love Raymond. He’s probably a nice guy and all, but if Raymond is playing, then that means something has happened to Russ.
With no Andre Roberson, the shooting guard position has been a serious liability for the Thunder. Terrence Ferguson played 13 minutes and contributed only an assist. Josh Huestis got the start and played 17 minutes, but only pulled down four boards. Alex Abrines played 24 minutes, but shot 3-of-10 from the field.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 3/3 |
KCP! KCP! He neutered the Thunder shooting guard position at both ends of the floor. Almost 2 downtowners a game, 1.6 steals, 2 dimes, 4.7 boards, and 12.9 points. KCP! KCP!
Kyle Kuzma:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2/8 | 6/15 | 2/2 |
Should see more minutes with Nance gone. Nice to see a full stat line from Kuz.
Ivica Zubac:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2/6 | 3/3 |
Played 17 minutes, but the game was a blowout. 12 of the minutes came in the fourth quarter.
Josh Hart:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2/5 | 4/9 | 0 |
How can you sit this guy? With Clarkson out of town, at the least he backs up KCP. At the most, backs up both Zo and KCP and fills in when Zo is dinged up. The more I think about it, the more I think Isaiah Thomas would be best in the microwave role off the bench. 20-ish minutes for instant offense. I just don’t like the IT/Zo backcourt. The Zo/KCP backcourt seems more viable to me. In addition, I don’t see IT being in the long-term plans for the Lakers. Like I said earlier, how can you sit Hart at this point?
