I could tell what JB was thinking just from the look in his eyes, or what I could see of them, but he had to verbalize it, “Come on I really don’t want to do this.” I’m sure he didn’t but a lost bet has consequences. It was time to go play some 2-on-2 tournament basketball and he looked ready. He was carrying his basketball in one hand, his sandals in the other, and sporting a bright orange and pink spandex leotard, which can you believe has to be special ordered. I thought the big and tall store would have a couple to choose from but they don’t. Anyway where was I, oh yeah, and a matching blindfold with a couple tiny holes poked out. For safety. At this point there was no escaping our fate, JB knew that what he wanted was no longer relevant. When we finally arrived we were ready to ball. I knew we needed to make an impression so in a show of intimidation I threw my shirt off revealing my shiny black Tom Selleck-esque body fur, pulled my socks up high and tight, and mean mugged those fools as hard as I could.
We couldn’t win any of our 2-on-2 match-ups that day but it wasn’t for a lack of skill, those 12 and 13 year olds are intense. We just couldn’t match it. To be fair I couldn’t stop laughing hysterically at JBs awesomeness and it’s not like his jump shot had any chance of falling, which I’m proud to say never stopped him from trying. Luckily though I made it out with everything intact, except my pride of course. JB on the other hand took a beating. Now that I think about it that was probably my fault, I couldn’t stop laughing long enough to let him know when a pick was coming. My bad… So JB is going to be out a while. He should have enough time to recover before the next tournament but if someone else can fit into his spandex then I have to keep my options open. You on the other hand might not be willing or able to wait through some of these player’s injuries. Still though there are some I like, some I don’t, and some who might fit into JBs spandex and help me take home the title!
Here Are Some I Like
Chris Paul – PG – LAC – A couple of 2 weeks still without him. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about moving forward. If you can steal him from an injury riddled owner now’s the time to try. If he’s already mine, I’m not selling for anything less than full price.
Kemba Walker – PG – Cha – Kemba was never expected to be out long and I would try to get him from an injury plagued owner. Just like Paul, I’m not selling for less than full price.
Russell Westbrook – PG – OKC – He should be back soon. If you can get him for a discount now may be your last chance.
Jeff Teague – PG – Atl – Probably a week. I would definitely go after him as a buy low guy. If I have him already then I’m going to have to wait it out.
Avery Bradley – PG/SG – Bos – At least 2-3 weeks. He was probably dropped in your league already. He’s not worth holding onto. When he gets back he will have his uses though.
Kawhi Leonard – SG/SF – SAS – We’re a week into 3-4 weeks. There’s alot of categories Kawhi helps but ultimately in a 12-teamer and less his stats are nearly replaceable. I would go after him in a trade but only if I felt good about getting into the playoffs. I would try to hold on to him if he were already on my team but if I’m on the outside the playoffs looking in then he can be dropped.
Rudy Gay – SF/PF – Sac – Shouldn’t be out much longer. Should be fine. If you can get him at a good price then I think you’ll have done well.
DeMarcus Cousins – PF/C – Sac – No timetable or anything but I imagine no less than a week and it could be a couple of weeks until he’s really back. It’s going to take some cajones to go after him in a trade but you’ll probably be rewarded. If he’s mine then I’m holding on tight.
Nikola Pekovic – C – Min – They say a week but it could be longer, apparently he’s been playing through it. I’m no doctor but I hear that’s not how things heal. I would take him in a trade but remember he doesn’t do much for steals or blocks. If I already have him then I would wait it out.
Here Are Some I Don’t
Jrue Holiday – PG – NOP – I know, we all love Ja-Rue but lets face facts, it’s going to be a while. If I’m guaranteed into the playoffs I might go after him but I would want a significant discount. If I’ve got him and I’m not guaranteed into the playoffs then he needs to go. I would rather have the worst playoff team than the best non-playoff team.
Eric Bledsoe – PG/SG – Pho – All we know is ‘multi-week’ and ‘hopeful to return’. Those are bad signs. I’m not trading for him in any 12-teamer scenerio. If I have him and I know I’m in to the playoffs then I might hold. If I think I can take a 1st round bye then Bledsoe can probably go.
Kobe Bryant – SG/SF – LAL – Do you think he’s playing again this year? The question alone makes him worth very little at this point. He can safely be dropped and forgotten.
Danny Green – SG/SF – SAS – How good was he before he got hurt? Are you really still holding on? He’s owned in 45% of leagues on Yahoo. That’s too much when he was playing.
Nikola Vucevic – PF/C – Orl – No one knows when Vucevic will be ready to go and I would be very concerned at this point. If I were guaranteed into the playoffs I would go after him but I would not be willing to lose much. If I already had Vucevic I would be trying to sell him for as close to full price as I can and probably take 3/4 or less. If I’m in any way unsure of the playoffs then I’d let him walk.
Here Are Some That Can Try On JBs Spandex
Derrick Rose – PG – Chi – Done.
Steve Nash – PG – LAL – What can we really hope for? 20 minutes.
Al Horford – PF/C – Atl – Done.
Amar’e Stoudemire – PF/C – NYK – He has proven to us that he can’t play any more than 20 minutes and stay healthy. I’m done.
Andrea Bargnani – PF/C – NYK – Done.
Andrew Bynum – C – ? – Does he even want to play basketball?
Brook Lopez – C – Brk – Done.
Ryan Anderson – PF/C – NOP – Done. Really he is.
