Last night, Kobe Bryant scored over half his team’s points (40) and reached a triple double. No, not the good kind of triple double…the kind where you also have 10 turnovers. An absurd line of 40/10/3/3 with 5 3PM, 12-28 FG, 11-13 FT, and the aforementioned 10 turnovers. You’ll live with the high TO’s but the Lakers can’t. In a night of high profile college basketball, the game turned out to be very similar. I didn’t watch, but George Hill (19/5/5/1) hit the game winning shot to win 79-77 over Kobe Bryant. Not to mention that the teams combined for 57 personal fouls (that’s an actual number, not some sarcastic number). Did anybody enjoy watching that? Glad I watched the ACC/Big 10 challenge instead. Anyway, here’s what else happened in the NBA last night:
Darren Collison – Sometimes a coach likes to put a slumping player on the bench and see how he responds. 12/3/6/5… any questions?
Chris Kaman – The man looks like a pauper but performs like a prince. In case you forgot because of the slew of injuries this guy has had, he has performed when given playing time. Last night he was in the starting lineup and scored 20 points (9-13 FG) along with 4 rebounds . If he stays in the starting lineup, then pick him up immediately.
Maalik Wayns – 10 points on 8 shots in only 13 minutes, including 2 three’s. I have no idea who you are or where you came from. The unknown scares me. So should his fantasy value.
Thaddeus Young – Young has been a top 50 player and has flourished with the high burn he’s been receiving this year. Last night he had 20 points, 7 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, and a Dwight Howard-like 6-11 FT. We’ll probably see a slight dip in his numbers once Andrew Bynum comes back. So what I’m saying is he’ll have strong numbers for a while.
Markieff Morris – Locked into the starting lineup for now, but look for some up and down numbers. Last night was a down night… 4/2/0/2/1.
Marcin Gortat – Not a great night either. Only played 24 minutes and scored 6 points. However, when you look at the score, you will realize that the Cavs are awful and he really didn’t have to do much.
Anderson Varejao – Had him on the sell list the other week but it just keeps looking like a career year more and more. Another ridiculous 20/18/3/1/1 line. I can’t wait to see him go for $40 next year and then laugh.
Dion Waiters – 16/3/7/2/1. We should see a bump in all stats for the guards on the Cavs while Kyrie Irving is out, but there’s also an injury possibility here. Waiters went to get an MRI on his hand after the game and the results are pending. Alonzo Gee would be the biggest beneficiary if Waiters missed time.
Terrence Ross – 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and one 3PM in 36 minutes off the bench. I think Ross will be good later in the year when the Raptors have given up. Leave him on the wire until then.
DeMar DeRozan – Oh DeMar. Everybody loves you for your PPG (18.3), but your lack of everything else (especially 3’s for a guard) makes me personally hate you. After scoring 29 points the game before, he followed it up with an unsurprising 12/3/1/2 with 0 threes.
Omer Asik – Do yourself a favor and watch the Rockets next time they’re on TV. Keep an eye on the lanky, awkward white dude anchoring the paint. That’s Asik. He has some of the most awkward offense I’ve ever seen. Rebounding machine though… 13/18/2/2.
Patrick Patterson – Another 20 point game, and I’m beginning to think it’s not a fluke. The guy should be owned. 22/5/1/1 with two 3PM.
Kevin Love – A tidy 23/24/2/2/1 with two 3PM. If any of you had a doubt, shame on you. Unless you traded him to me… then thank you!
Luke Ridnour – JUST when you thought J.J. Barea was going to take over the job… Ridnour goes 18/2/5/1/1. I blame David Kahn.
Aaron Brooks – 7/3/4 and a three in 26 minutes as the starter. I seriously hate this Kings team. You can’t really count on anybody except Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. Even then, you’re worried about suspensions and ejections.
Marcus Thornton – His usual couple threes, some points, and terrible FG% (38%). Don’t worry, he’ll make you think he’s a steal again when he blows up for 25 points one game.
Roy Hibbert – Fouled out in only 18 minutes of play because he can’t handle Dwight Howard. He gets lost in those shoulders like a teenage girl. Played like a girl, too… 8 points, 5 boards, 2 steals, 3 blocks.
David West – Hill hit the game winning shot, but West had an awesome game with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks. I can’t get over the fact how unexciting David West is though. Does anybody say, YES! I HAVE DAVID WEST? Didn’t think so.
The Lakers – Everybody on the Lakers last night chipped in on being terrible. Pau Gasol? 10 points on 2 for 9 shooting. Metta World Peace? 4 points on 1 of 8 shooting. Darius Morris? LOL, it almost looks like he didn’t play. Dwight Howard was the best outside Kobe but still shot 3-12 from FT.
