What’s up Razzballers?!? I’m back and will be handling the daily recaps from Tuesday night this season. We had a total of 9 games so let’s get to it!
Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James – Whenever the Rockets are in town, you know that fantasy stat lines are going to be great for both teams, with the increased pace of play. The Cavaliers were the beneficiaries of the Rockets’ matchup and all the main guys delivered. Kevin Love posted 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block; Irving scored 32 points with 4 threes; and James nearly messed around and got another triple double, finishing with 19/13/8. They played almost as well as their costumes from James’ yearly Halloween party. Don’t forget the shoutouts to the Warriors!
J.R. Smith – Smith knocked down 5-11 from downtown to finish with 15/3/2. Iman Shumpert (8 points, 2 steals, and 2 threes) seems to after suffering a concussion from opening night, but the steals just aren’t enough to help fantasy owners, except for the deepest of leagues.
James Harden –He probably won’t be able to double his assist average from last year like coach Mike D’Antoni wants, but Harden has dished out 15+ assists in 2 of his first 4 games. He finished Tuesday’s loss with 41 points, 15 assists, 7 rebounds, and 5 threes. More importantly he did all that passing, while only giving up 1 turnover. Enjoy your top pick all season.
Eric Gordon – Gordon has been a big recipient of the Harden passing and up-tempo style of play so far this season. He finished Tuesday with 16 points (6-13 FG and 4-9 3PT), 3 assists, and 2 steals. Enjoy the ride.
Nene Hilario – The only other Rocket to stand out was Nene, who finished with 13 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1 block off the bench. Clint Capela (8 points, 4 rebounds) continued his underwhelming play to start the season, but is locked in as the starter and is way younger and better than Nene. Try buying low on Capela and leaving Nene on the waiver wire, except for the deepest of leagues.
Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic– Ibaka scored 21 points and blocked 2 shots, now having gone 2 games shooting over 50% for his new team. Vucci Mane also hit the 20-point mark, finishing with 24/14 and 4 assists. Vucevic is going to steal some rebounds from Ibaka, but both should be solid fantasy assets for teams.
Elfrid Payton – Payton is enjoying not having Victor Oladipo around anymore and is off to a strong start to the season. He dished out 10 assists (2 turnovers) and scored 18 points in 38 minutes.
Evan Fournier – Fournier is showing that last season wasn’t a fluke, with a 17/5/5 line and 3 threes on Tuesday.
Dario Saric – Saric exploded for 21 points, 3 threes, and 3 rebounds. There will be lots of ups and downs for the youngster, but he still remains a high-upside prospect for nights like this.
Joel Embiid – EMBIIIIIIID, as JB likes to spell it, posted his first double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jahlil Okafor, who was rested on Tuesday, will return to the lineup Wednesday, while Embiid takes a night off. Trust the process and beware of the resting big men on nights where they have back-to-backs.
Sergio Rodriguez – Raise your hand if you thought Rodriguez would be this good to start the season? I’m waiting. Exactly what I thought. 12 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds for a starting point guard that is owned in only 44% of leagues. Play him while he’s this hot.
Gerald Henderson – Speaking of hot, Henderson caught fire on Tuesday, scoring 18 points (7-13 FG) and grabbing 4 rebounds. Sure, he’s starting, but I don’t expect this to continue and he won’t contribute much beyond points anyways.
Hollis Thompson – Thompson exploded for 22 points and 7 rebounds off the bench for the 76ers, covering for an ineffective Robert Covington (0 points, 0-6 FG, and 5 rebounds). Covington has now put up back-to-back scoreless games. He should regain his stroke soon and remains more worthy of a stash than Thompson.
Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge – The Gordon Hayward-less Jazz handed the Spurs their first loss of the season. I wouldn’t want to be in the locker room with Coach Popovich after that loss. Leonard (30 points, 7 rebounds, 2 threes, 2 steals, and 5-7 3PT) and Aldridge (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) brought their A-game, but received little help from Pau Gasol (8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) or Tony Parker (6 points and 6 assists). I’d still remain patient with Gasol, but it looks like Parker’s days as a fantasy asset are over.
George Hill – Remember the guy in the Kawhi Leonard to Spurs trade? Well, he’s on the Jazz now and looks to be adjusting well to his new team. 22 points, 7 assists, and 3 threes. Good move for the Jazz so far this season.
Rudy Gobert – On the heels of signing a a four-year-extension with the Jazz, Gobert posted 6 points (1-4 FG) and 12 rebounds. The rebounds and blocks should be there most nights, but the offensive game is still a work in progress. Be patient.
Rodney Hood – DJ Khaled should change his hit song from a couple years ago to “I’m so Rodney Hood,” because he’s shooting lights out for the Jazz to start the season. He kept it going on Tuesday with 19 points (6-13 FG, 4-8 3PT), 5 rebounds, and 1 steal.
Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson – KD posted 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, but failed to hit a three. You won’t see too many nights where KD and Thompson (14/5/4 on 6-17 shooting) shoot a combined 0-10 from downtown.
Stephen Curry – The assists are down slightly to start the year, but the efficient scoring is not: 28 points, 3 assists, and 5-10 from long range. He even dropped 23 in the 3rd quarter!
There will be some growing pains, just look at the Heat’s first season with the Big Three, but don’t panic with Curry, KD, Thompson or Draymond Green (6 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks).
Damian Lillard – Dame Lillard continues to play like he wants the MVP award: 31 points (8-19 FG, 4-10 3PT, and 11-13 FT). He just needs a little more help from his teammates for these games to turn into wins. C.J. McCollum chipped in 16/4/2, but received little other help from his fellow starters.
Monta Ellis – Ellis bounced back from a 2 point, 1-6 FG shooting night to post 17 points, 3 assists, and 2 threes.
Paul George – Another all-around fantasy game from PG-13: 30 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 threes, and an perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.
Thaddeus Young – Young looks just as valuable on his new team so far this season: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 threes, and 1 block.
Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams – Clarkson remains the 6th man for Luke Walton, posting 15 points off the bench, but should still see plenty of minutes. He also won’t shoot 2-13 from long range all season. Williams, on the other hand, may see his minutes vary a little more, but when he’s on (19 points, 7-14 FG, 3-8 3PT, and 5 assists in 27 minutes), he should have no trouble contributing.
Hassan Whiteside – Whiteside continues to post a double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Goran Dragic – What a line for Dragic: 25/8/8 with 5 threes, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. It’s always an added bonus getting 2 blocks from your point guard.
Dion Waiters – It’s been a little up and down for Waiters so far, but he looked great Tuesday with 20 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds in 42 minutes. Just don’t expect it to be this good every night.
Tyler Johnson – TJ chipped in 22 points (7-11 FG, 2-2 3PT, and 6-6 FT) and 4 rebounds off the bench, who has now scored double digits in all 4 games this season.
Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins – The Gay Cousins? Yeah, that doesn’t sound like a great nickname. Either way, they both posted 30 points. Gay went 30 and 12, while Cousins posted a 30/7/4 line. Arron Afflalo (18 points, 3 rebounds) was the only other King in double figures.
Kristaps Porzingis – KP is off to a good start to the season with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 threes, and 1 block on Tuesday.
Joakim Noah – The scoring may not ever be there, but he’s capable of helping in other categories each night: 2 points, 8 assists, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks. I mean, when you shoot like this, what do you expect?
Derrick Rose – 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. The assists are low to start the year, but the growing pains are expected. Carmelo Anthony is in a similar boat with little production elsewhere (24 points, 4 steals, and 2 threes). Both guys should be fine going forward as they adjust to the new offense, but just be happy Rose isn’t injured yet.
Marcus Morris – Morris has been chucking up the three ball to start the year (7-24 in 4 games), but was efficient on Tuesday with 22 points (9-14 FG, 2-3 3PT) and 4 rebounds.
Tobias Harris – The Magic’s trade for Harris last year continues to pay dividends: 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Andre Drummond – Drummond struggled offensively (9 points, 4-13 FG), but made up for it with 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Ish Smith – The injury replacement for Reggie Jackson, continues to rack up the assists with 10 points and 8 assists. Enjoy it while you can.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – After failing to score double figures in the first 2 games of the season, KCP has rebounded to score 21 and now 19. He added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 threes on Tuesday as well.
Jabari Parker – Sure, the scoring is nice (21 points, 7-14 FG, and 7-7 FT), but I feel like he’s a little overrated in fantasy because he doesn’t do much in the other categories?
Giannis Antetokounmpo – He’s looking like a top fantasy performer so far: 24 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. See, this is what statistical variety looks like, Jabari.
Matthew Dellavedova – I still can’t believe he’s a starting point guard, but with lines like 11 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals, I shouldn’t complain. He’s readily available on the waiver wire (51% ownership).
Anthony Davis – 35 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals. He’s a fantasy beast, what more can be said? Oh, and he knocked down 17-18 free throws.
Tim Frazier – Frazier has been an assist machine for the injury-depleted Pelicans. He dished out 9, along with 20 points and 4 steals on Tuesday.
Zach LaVine – In the battle of wild animals, the Timberwolves decimated the Grizzlies. LaVine led the way with 31 points (11-18 FG, 5-9 3PT, and 4-4 FT), while Andrew Wiggins chipped in 17 points, 4 assists, and 2-2 3PT FGs.
Gorgui Dieng – A very efficient line from Dieng: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, while nearly be perfect from the field (8-9 FG, 1-2 FT).
Kris Dunn – Receiving a start with Ricky Rubio out indefinitely, Dunn responded with a very Rubio-esque line: 10 points (3-7 shooting), 6 assists, and 5 steals. He has a lot of upside as the starting point guard.
