Orange (and Blue) Julius

After Julius Randle hit one of the more ridiculous game-winning threes last night to push the Knickerbockers past the Heat, I came up with the above headline. The only problem: I’ve never actually had an Orange Julius – which may be a sin in some cultural circles. Without a frame of reference to consider how Randle may compare the American quencher, I turned to my wife for help:

“It’s like better than an icy.” “I thought it was a smoothy. So it’s like an icy?” “No it’s not an icy.” “So what is it?” “It’s hard to describe. It’s indescribable. It’s like magic.” “So it’s like a mix between an icy and a smoothy?” “No. You’re obviously not getting it. Who are you trying to compare it to?” “It doesn’t matter, I just haven’t had one so just want a description to see if there’s any comparison.” “The most delicious thing I’ve put in my mouth.”

And that was the end of that conversation.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

RazzJam Redux: The Guilt of Tilt

December 20, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball | 2 Comments

by: Mr. Hooper

In this life, do-overs are rare. The opportunity to go back and change the mistakes of the past is reserved for science fiction plots or melancholy discussions over a pint in dimly-lit watering holes. But over this last week, I was presented with an opportunity to do just that – to go back with the knowledge of hindsight and fix where I failed, to atone, to set things right. I had screwed up once and now I was gifted a second chance. Please, I told myself, don’t blow it again.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Midweek Guidance – Mann Up

October 27, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball | 7 Comments

by: PB

Welcome to your midweek guidance for Week Two! In this post, I identify widely-available players who can help you win your head-to-head matchup. If this is your first brush with midweek guidance, check out the intro to last week’s post to get some insight on my groundbreaking methodology (it’s not groundbreaking). The dust is settling on the initial rush to grab surprise successes like Santi Aldama, but there is still a lot of rotation churn in the NBA as teams try to find the best way to win (or lose). Unsurprisingly, we’ve already seen multi-game injuries and/or load management issues with big names on the Pelicans, Cavaliers, Clippers, Thunder, and Hornets, so there are potential opportunities on those teams as we look for streaming candidates to cycle through with that final roster spot.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

P.S. – He’s Tony the Tiger Grrrreeeeeaaattt!!!

March 29, 2022 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes | 2 Comments

by: Son

Change. Is good, although it takes time for it to manifest. There are trials and tribulations. There are new things to learn and old things to forget. There will be haters. There will always be haters. But change is vital to reach one’s potential. A caterpiller walks and eats before wrapping itself in a cocoon, then morphs into a butterfly and eventually flies into the sky. Pascal Siakam entered the league in 2016 and embarked upon the journey that all rookies undertake. He flashed his two-way potential early on and continued to climb the ladder. In 2019, after Kawhi Leonard left, he was thrust into a more prominent role and became an All-Star. While the numbers were there, there was some hesitancy. Fred VanVleet put it best: “I think what happened was Kyle [Lowry] was such an immovable object, such a force of who he was in his status as a Hall of Famer, it was like a little tit-for-tat there, even if it was subconscioius….It’s not something where’ I don’t like this guy’ or ‘I’m not passing to him’, it’s a little nuance that you would never understand unless you played at the highest level.” Lowry was traded before the beginning of the 2021-22 season and things became more clear and comfortable for Siakam. He missed the first 10 games of the season but it’s been alllll good this season and last night was the culmination of the season.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Midweek Guidance – What Can Brown Do for You?

March 10, 2022 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball | 2 Comments

by: PB

Welcome to your midweek guidance for Week 20! In this post, I identify widely available players who can help you win your head-to-head matchup. Ideally, you’re either in the midst of a playoff matchup, or resting easy in a bye week. Regardless of your status, there are always moves to make to outmaneuver your current or future opponent(s). As the season stretches into its fifth month, you might find yourself unable to devote the same amount of attention to fantasy hoops as you did in the early going. Never fear, because I never stop watching! There is still plenty of player value to mine in these proverbial waiver wire hills.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Waiver Wire Wednesday

March 10, 2022 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: Paul Cawston

With fantasy playoffs right around the corner, I thought it would be a fun exercise to go team by team and point out one player that should be available on waiver wire in most fantasy leagues. With most fantasy trade deadlines passing, I thought it would be informative that you know who’s available on waivers. A quick note before we get into the article, the percentages are based off of ESPN leagues, the numbers may vary on other platforms, however they shouldn’t change to a significant degree.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Friday Night Recap- FVV Destroys Depleted Jazz Squad

January 8, 2022 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: Jackson

The Toronto Raptors faced what was essentially a G-league team on Friday night and played down to their opponent for the first half. They turned it around in the second half with a comeback behind our fantasy star of the night, Fred VanVleet. He finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists with four three-pointers. FVV has been excellent this year and is on fire of late. He ranks in the top-15 fantasy players and could make a push with his recent hot streak.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Sunday Recap- Mobley Has Been Mobilized

January 3, 2022 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes | 3 Comments

by: Jalen Eutsey

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers 108-104, behind strong performances from Evan Mobley, Kevin Love, and Jarrett Allen. After finding themselves down 84-73 in the third quarter, the Cavaliers went on a 17-0 run to take the lead and never gave it up. Mobley led the Cavaliers in scoring with 24 points (11-16 FG, 0-2 3PT) and added nine rebounds and four assists. Love tallied 20 points (6-13 FG, 3-6 3PT), eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Love has scored 20 points or more in five straight games. He’s played well with increased minutes as the Cavaliers have seen a number of players go down with injury or Covid absences. Allen notched 18 points (6-12 FG, 0-1 3PT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three blocks. Lamar Steven added 15 points (6-13 FG, 0-4 3PT), three assists, two assists, and one steal. Lauri Markkanen finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one block. Isaac Okoro played just 12 minutes and had to leave the game due to an elbow injury. He finished the game with 2 points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block. He was one made three, one free-throw, one turnover, and one personal foul away from a really exciting stat line. The Cavaliers were without Darius Garland and Cedi Osman as both entered the league’s health and safety protocols) while Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio are out due to season-ending knee injuries.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Friday Night Recap- New Year, Same LeBron James

January 1, 2022 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: Jackson

It is only fitting that we end 2021 with LeBron James as the fantasy star of the night. The ageless superstar scored 43 points while adding 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks en route a 139-106 win. He has been amazing over the past seven games but it has only translated to two wins during that stretch. James sits inside the top-three fantasy players this year and could pass Nikola Jokic for the top spot if he continues this high level of play. Russell Westbrook posted his fourth straight triple-double in the win, finishing with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. Although Russ has his ups and downs on the court, he remains an elite fantasy option with nightly triple-double upside. He has struggled with turnovers and poor shooting numbers this year which has resulted in poor category play. He sits just inside the top-100 and should not move much from this spot.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Dispatch from a Basketball Blackout

December 29, 2021 | Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: Mr. Hooper

On Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Hooper packed up the car, coaxed our puppy Buckets into the backseat, and left the Mecca of American basketball (Milwaukee) in our rearview mirror to pay a post-holiday visit to Mama and Papa Hooper in Ohio. Though it runs counter to who I eventually ended up becoming, there actually isn’t any basketball in this particular household, so this Tuesday night recap is coming to you more or less blind. I’ve scoured Twitter and box scores as best I can, and we’re on track to be back home for next Tuesday’s action, but because I didn’t watch any hoops last night, I’m foregoing nominating a lede player here and just getting straight into it.

It was a busy night Tuesday night across the league. Here’s what jumped out to me here in the hinterlands of hoops…

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Sunday Recap – Butler returns to clean up the mess

December 27, 2021 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: Jalen Eutsey

After defeating the Orlando Magic 93-83 Sunday afternoon, the Miami Heat are now 11-5 without their starting center, Bam Adebayo. Many of those victories also came without Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. Assuming Butler can stay healthy going forward and Kyle Lowry can make a swift return from the NBA’s health and safety protocol, the Heat can begin their quest to move up the Eastern Conference standings. They’re no doubt eying the Chicago Bulls who currently are second in the conference with a 19-10 record, due to some postponed games. However, even if the Heat is unable to move up from their current position in fourth place in the conference, their focus will be on health and continuity heading into the playoffs. They’ve gotten needed contributions from fringe players on the roster like Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Max Strus, and Omer Yurtseven. The in-game reps these players have received over the past few weeks should only help them later in the season.

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Just Another Trae Day

December 2, 2021 | 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes | 12 Comments

by: Son

Everyone has their favorite day. The psychopaths enjoy Monday. Those who straddle the fence find equilibrium on Wednesday. The party-goers cannot wait for Friday, although, the true-to-the-cause live everyday as if it’s the same. The spiritual find solace and peace on Sunday. Me? It’s always a good day when a player messes around but I especially appreciate Trae Day. Trae Young is not the stereotypical NBA player who is built like a football player, jumps like a flea, or has limbs that would make Mr. and Mrs. Plastic ask for a DNA test. Young is 6-foot-1, 164 pounds, and looks as if he just stuck his finger into the electric socket. That said, he’s got thhhhrrrreeeeeecccooooooollllaaaaa range on the J, handles that causes love to weep, and a Chinese water torture floater. Last night, he went off….

Please, blog, may I have some more?