That song always gets me amped for some reason. I went to school out in New York and lived/worked out there for many years, so I used to hear that song all the time. Didn’t matter what borough I’d walk through. There would always be a Puerto Rican blasting that while cruising in his ride. Ok, maybe not in Manhattan but everywhere else! As that song brought back nostalgic vibes, so did the return of one Victor Oladipo. Oladipo Ho! Oladipo Ho! Oladipo Ho! He last played in April of 2021 and finally made his season debut on Monday.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2/3 | 4/7 | 1/2 |
Only played 15 minutes as that was the cap mentioned before the game. He wasn’t as explosive as before, but the shot looked smooth, he was navigating pick and roll action, and he was able to get by defenders and finish at the rim. Back in 2017, he finished as the 11th overall player on a per-game basis! He averaged 34 minutes, 23.1 points, 2.1 tres, 5.2 boards, 4.3 dimes, 2.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 47% from the field and 79% from the line. Dayam! He’s obviously not going to replicate that this season but he could eventually play around 20 minutes and be a contributor. Man, this Heat team could be scary. I actually put them at #1 in a power rankings I did a few weeks ago. The team is already top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. If Oladipo can get healthy and be a significant contributor, the Heat get that much scarier because he’s another plus defender who can get his own shot on the offensive end.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
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Tyler Herro
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 31 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6/9 | 12/18 | 1/1 |
In 31 minutes off the bench.
Sing it, Mariah!
Over the last four games, Herro has been a top 20 player! He still doesn’t contribute the D but he’s scoring a shit ton while providing tres, boards, and dimes. The usage rate has been 31% and he’s converting 54% of his attempts. He’s a 44% shooter on the season so this Herro won’t die but will be marginalized.
PJ Tucker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/4 | 5/12 | 0 |
I forgot PJ was on this team. If a pit bull morphed into a human, the result would be Tucker. Once in a while, Tucker will pop off but don’t bother…unless you are a Whack-a-Mole expert.
Jimmy Butler
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 21 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7/11 | 7/9 |
Good help is hard to find so this Butler usually just takes care of things himself.
Alperen Sengun
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0/1 | 5/11 | 3/6 |
Got the start and played 31 minutes because Christian Wood came down with a non-COVID illness. I’m really impressed with Sengun. He has range from downtown and has some moves down on the blocks. He can face up defenders and drive but what most makes my pants form a tent is the passing ability. He’s a really, really good passer. He also doesn’t rush things and is very composed when double-teamed. He’s going to be a good one.
Rudy Gobert
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3/5 | 6/6 |
What I most respect about Gobert is that he stays in his lane. Have you seen the French drive? That’s what makes it more impressive! Gobert boards and blocks but he’s shooting a laughable 71% from the field. Mitchell Robinson holds the record for highest field goal percentage in a season at 74%. Let’s go!!! Gobert is second all-time in field goal percentage at 65%. DeAndre Jordan is the leader at 67%. I would’ve thought Wilt or Shaq but Wilt was at 54% while Shaq was at 58%.
Luka Doncic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 35 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5/11 | 12/23 | 6/7 |
I’m in a music kind of mood and sometimes words just mess up the vibe.
Spencer Dinwiddie
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5/9 | 4/15 | 4/4 |
Jalen Brunson was out so Dinwiddie got the start and balled out. A really nice acquisition by Dallas as they have a solid triumvirate of guards to wreak havoc on offense. We live in a world where HD is the norm but Mark Cuban knows a little something about technology and he obviously saw something in SD.
Brandon Williams
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2/7 | 7/18 | 11/16 |
Anfernee Simons was out so Williams got the start and played 34 minutes. The usage rate was 35.5% and he’s now scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games. He’s averaging 0.98 FP/Min on the season. A viable option if he starts.
The Trail Blazers put out a lineup of Drew Eubanks, Trendon Watford, Josh Hart, CJ Elleby, and Brandon Williams. That’s criminal. Portland should’ve refunded all paying fans and given them a stipend for enduring the terribleness. Portland scored 81 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1/1 | 8/14 | 10/15 |
In only 24 minutes because the Trail Blazers suck. Meow.
Malik Beasley
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5/14 | 6/16 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 28 minutes. Beasley has now put up four good games in a row, shooting 63%, 45%, 50%, and 37%. He’s been a top 50 player! What a time to be alive. Now, Beasley is a 38% shooter on the season and he’s been getting extra run and usage with Anthony Edwards out.
Naz Reid
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2/3 | 5/8 | 6/7 |
In 21 minutes because the Trail Blazers suck. Naz is Illmatic. While this Naz is no lyrical genius, he is good at this basketball thing.
DeMar DeRozan
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0/2 | 6/17 | 11/12 |
I really hate writing about how dope DeRozan is playing because he wanted to be a Laker in the offseason but the team decided to go the Westbrook route.
A;IGBJ;IASDG;AKSFBVGspvb7phwG8HO24’GH[W9E8GHB’SEJKFW!!!!
Tristan Thompson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6/8 | 1/2 |
Got the start and played 29 minutes because Nikola Vucevic was out with a hamstring issue. The Bulls did start the two bigs together two games ago but Thompson only played 20 minutes in that one. When the Bulls get healthy, not sure how much they run the twin towers.
The Bulls are 4th in offensive efficiency but they are 21st in defensive efficiency.
Their record against:
| MIA | 0-3 |
| PHI | 0-4 |
| MIL | 0-2 |
| BOS | 1-1 |
| CLE | 1-1 |
| PHX | 0-1 |
| GS | 0-2 |
| MEM | 0-2 |
| DAL | 1-1 |
| DEN | 2-0 |
Joel Embiid
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 43 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1/3 | 15/27 | 12/16 |
Geez. I’m freaking speechless. Embiid is the #2 player on a per-game basis. Send him to Ukraine because he would send those Ruskies back to their Motherland.
James Harden
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1/5 | 5/15 | 5/6 |
Sharing is caring. So, when Harden shoots 3-for-18 in a playoff loss, does Embiid punch him in the face or smile because at least he’s shooting the rock?
The Warriors were without Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and Klay Thompson. Despite that, they only lost 124-131 to the Nuggets in Denver. A true bunch of Warriors.
Kevon Looney
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5/8 | 3/6 |
In 29 minutes. The playing time has been all over the map. He will play 12 minutes one game then receive 27 minutes the next. When he’s on the court, he’s a good source of boards and dishes out his fair share of dimes. He also gets his D on.
Jordan Poole
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8/12 | 11/19 | 2/2 |
With no Curry, Klay, or Wiggins, Poole had a usage rate of 31.2% and chucked up 19 shots. He’s scored 32, 23, and 23 games over the last three, and been a top 50 player. When the Warriors get healthy, the minutes and usage will decrease but he will be a microwave off the bench.
Moses Moody
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5/12 | 10/23 | 5/6 |
Got the start and balled the F out. The usage rate was 33.6% and he shot 10-for-23 from the field with 5-of-12 from downtown. He doesn’t contribute much in the periphery cats so if he’s not shooting well then the floor is low. That said, Moses almost led the Warriors to the Promised Land.
Nikola Jokic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 15 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12/17 | 8/15 |
Seriously, this Jokic ain’t funny anymore. It’s the 18th time this Jokic has messed around this season.
Austin Rivers
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2/6 | 6/12 | 1/1 |
Got the start and played 35 minutes because Will Barton was out due to suffering a sprained ankle on Sunday. No need to jump into the Rivers. All that would happen is you crying a Rivers.
DeMarcus Cousins
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1/2 | 4/10 | 4/6 |
In 13 minutes. The per-minute beast has resurrected! The minutes are an issue because the Nuggets have that Jokic guy. That said, when he’s on the court, he’s getting the ball. The usage rate is often above 30%. He can stuff the stat sheet and there’s upside in the event of injury or blowout but the minutes will likely be low otherwise and then you’d have to pray and offer sacrifices to the efficiency gods.
The Pistons win! The Pistons win! It’s the first three-game winning streak on the season for Detroit as they dispatch of the Hawks, 113-110 in overtime.
Clint Capela
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4/6 | 1/2 |
Played 33 minutes. There was a time when Capela was playing around 24 minutes but things have picked up recently as he’s received at least 30 minutes in six of the last nine games. It may be time to cue up the C&C Music Factory.
Bogdan Bogdanovic
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 22 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2/11 | 8/19 | 4/4 |
Entered the starting lineup and played 39 minutes as Kevin Huerter is dealing with a shoulder injury. In 27 games as a starter, BogBog is outside the top 200. In 19 games off the bench, he’s a top 10 player.
Jerami Grant
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3/7 | 8/15 | 4/6 |
It’s taken some time for Grant to get back into the groove after missing many games due to injury, but it looks like he’s back. He’s scored at least 20 points in four of the last five games and been a top 60 player. The 50% shooting is going to regress, as he’s at 42% on the season. That said, from 2017 to 2019, he did shoot 53%, 49%, and 47%. He could be a 1/1/1 player with good free-throw percentage and low turnovers. He just doesn’t dish out many dimes. Sharing is caring, Jerami!
Cade Cunningham
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2/7 | 10/25 | 6/7 |
The shooting efficiency is the big bugaboo for Cade but everything else is….chef’s kiss. He gonna be a good one. Slaps face. He already a good one.
Marvin Bagley III
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1/3 | 9/16 | 0 |
In 36 minutes off the bench. That’s my dog!!! When I saw him play in the Drew League before he entered the NBA, I was so impressed. He was dominating grown men and I thought he was going to be a star. Alas, that didn’t happen. Maybe the offensive repertoire wasn’t as refined and the physicality may have been too much. Not sure but he’s balling now in Detroit. How hilarious would it be if he becomes the player the Kings thought he was.
Another day, another Lakers loss. This time, 110-117 to the Spurs. Sadness. LeBron James didn’t play due to knee swelling. As the Lakers slip out of playoff contention, there’s a real chance that they shut him down.
Russell Westbrook
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0/2 | 5/14 | 7/13 |
Uggghhh, so much sadness. The Lakers could’ve had DeMar DeRozan instead of the corpse that is Westbrook. Can we send Westbrook to Westworld and get an upgraded version?
Talen Horton-Tucker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/5 | 7/14 | 3/4 |
Got the start in place of LeBron. I’m so confused with THT. I see the potential but sometimes he just looks like butt. That said, he’s still so young and I like the development I saw over the summer. I’m hoping that this THT goes KABOOM!
Carmelo Anthony
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1/4 | 6/12 | 4/4 |
The Lakers most consistent offensive and defensive threat is Melo? As crazy as it sounds, that may be the case. Crazy. Fine, outside of LeBron I mean. Melo has been a top 50 player over the last few month, shooting close to 50% from the field and providing 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. L. O. L.
Dejounte Murray
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1/5 | 12/20 | 1/2 |
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the number seven player for fantasy! I be sliding into this DM on a nightly basis. He’s doing this despite 0.3 blocks and 77% from the line. The 2.6 turnovers help. Oh, so do the 20.5 points, 8.4 boards, and 9.4 dimes.
Josh Richardson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4/5 | 6/12 | 2/2 |
Got the start and played 30 minutes as Devin Vassell was out due to a throat issue. Since arriving in San Antonio, Richardson has played 30, 6, 7, 27, and 14 minutes while being a DNP in two games.
The Knicks were down by 16 points after one period. They were on the second leg of a back-to-back and playing their fourth straight game on the road. They ended up winning 131-115 in Sacramento.
Julius Randle
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 46 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8/16 | 18/31 | 2/2 |
It’s been a season of From the Outhouse to the Penthouse and back to the Outhouse for Randle. This is the ceiling but there have been multiple games scoring in the low teens. What’s most eye-opening is the transformation into Steph Curry, going 8-of-16 from downtown. Unless Randle posts performances like this on the regular, he will finish around the top 100 level.
Mitchell Robinson only played two minutes after discovering that he was sick. The runs must’ve been serious!
RJ Barrett
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3/6 | 11/21 | 4/4 |
Over the last six games, Barrett has scored 29, 24, 20, 30, 24, and 46 points. He’s been outside the top 150 for fantasy, though, because there’s been no D and the field goal percentage has been 43% while the free-throw shooting has been 73%.
Immanuel Quickley
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 10/11 |
Over the last four games, Quickley has been a top 25 player, averaging 26.5 minutes, 18 points, 2.5 tres, 6.3 boards, 3.5 dimes, and 1 steals while shooting 57% from the field and 94% from the line. The turnovers have been non-existent at 0.8 per game. Dayam. Now, he’s shooting 38% from the field so this heater is unlikely to continue. In addition, the ghost of Dennis Rodman will venture to different pastures soon.
De’Aaron Fox
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1/4 | 10/18 | 3/8 |
In 41 minutes. Top 60 player over the last 12 games. He’s playing close to 39 minutes per game and providing a ton of points, boards, and dimes. He’s converting over 50% of his field goal attempts. There’s even been a little something something in the defensive departments. The free-throw shooting continues to be a bugaboo. Is Fox capped out in the top 50 range or can he burst through? He’s probably have to contribute more tres and increase the free throw percentage to make that happen.
