Mr. Monk goes for 45

Did you know that the title for every episode of the USA series “Monk” started “Mr. Monk …” As in, “Mr. Monk Goes to the Circus”; “Mr. Monk Joins a Cult”; and who could forget, “Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa Claus”?

I feel like the Kings should be working up a cross-promotion deal to revitalize the series (originally set in the Bay Area), but set up the road in Sacramento and with Malik Monk casted as Tony Shalhoub’s sidekick. Or maybe that’s just the cabin fever settling in since I am in Oregon, where anything more than 3 inches of snow causes mass hysteria and shuts everything down.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Devin Booker is not a Wrestler

by: TheEducator

I’ll start with the TNT game, which I almost didn’t watch because Devin Booker and Kevin Durant were out.

Wait, what was that? Is that………

Devin Booker’s music???????

Yes, Booker returned with 19 points and six assists and the Suns are whole again. Torrey Craig has lost what little value he had (3 points in 25 minutes). Chris Paul did have 12 assists with his 9 points, but the guy just looks slow to me. He’s thicker than he used to be and seems like he’s a step slower. Still good, but I’m wondering how long this will last before he craters. I’d get off him and trade him to someone who isn’t watching. And what happened to Deandre Ayton? 35 points and 15 boards, keep that going.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Ant-man: Quantum-3-mania

February 4, 2023 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: PhilOssie

Last night I was able to test out a new Seuss-style story during my kids’ bedtime:

“An Ant-man with cool fluffy hair, who went the nation’s capital and let it rain from behind the arch. He was hitting ‘em on the pull up. He was hitting ‘em on the spot up. He nailed 3s on the swing. He nailed 3s on the run. He hit 3s from the corner, at the top. He created a skookum of 3s like it was a skookum of tallywade ….”

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Tour de Franz

January 21, 2023 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: PhilOssie

The Magic have been everyone’s favorite fantasy outlet this season, from Bol Bol Euro-stepping into monster jams to Paolo Banchero compiling historic rookie numbers. The play of Franz Wagner has by no means been lost in all the excitement, but his games of late have been next level good. Over his last six games, he’s averaging 24 points on 55% shooting, 68.3 TS%, pitching in about 4 boards, 3 assists, a steal and 3 threes per game.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Walker Kessler, Utah Ranger

January 14, 2023 | Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: PhilOssie

The legend grows.

With the Jazz hanging on to a 1-point lead with seconds left on the clock, Collin Sexton stepped to the line and choked away two free throws in a row. But our hero, Walker Kessler, Utah Ranger – who kicks posterior not just for a living, but for America – bullied his way to an offensive rebound and was fouled.

There, he faced his most challenging nemesis of all: the free throw line. What’s he do? But, of course, he steps up and drains back-to-back; turns, and flashes a look to the camera that says, “Even I can’t believe how much of a badass I can be.”

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Would “The Joker” Be Crowned “King”?

December 29, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: John Frascella

I feel like Scottie Pippen under the shadow of Michael Jordan’s greatness. I feel like John Stockton, always having to sacrifice for Karl Malone to finish the play and get the glory. I mean seriously… having the NBA Wednesday recap after Luka Doncic’s historic Tuesday night feels like ordering a bacon cheeseburger and getting lettuce on a piece of bread.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Bulls force Knicks to grin and Barrett

December 24, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: PhilOssie

Christmas Day is among the most hyped lineup of games during the NBA season. But Friday, Dec. 23, was a Festivus celebration for the rest of us. After all, the Association exemplifies feats of strength and airing of grievances this time of year, as the slow-starting teams begin to gripe in the locker room, trade chatter reaches new highs, and the established powers of the season start showing more muscle in impressive wins.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

To King James go the spoils

December 17, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: PhilOssie

I was prepared to lead this Friday Night Recap with a fancy take on Aaron Gordon, but King James had other plans. With Anthony Davis sitting the second half with a bum foot in the Lakers-Nuggets game, Denver had a double-digit third quarter lead and were cruising to a road win. Then LeBron James stepped into the center spot and ran circles around Nikola Jokic and friends, finishing with 30 points (13-20 FG, 1-4 3pt, 3-4 FT), 9 boards, 4 dimes and 2 steals along with a +26 in the 126-108 victory.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Jayson Tatum Spits Fire on the Miami Heat

December 1, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: John Frascella

With one of the deepest and busiest schedules, Wednesdays in the NBA bring action, drama and monster fantasy box scores. Last night was par for the course – or should I say, par for the court? – as superstars Jayson Tatum, Trae Young, Kevin Durant and a number of others went HAM on a jaw-dropping night of basketball that had as many twists and turns as a gymnast driving a racecar in an episode of Black Mirror.

Not to mention – as always in the NBA these days – injuries, illnesses, rest and load management. I can’t wait to crack this slate open. Let’s dive right in.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Zubac was Str8 Ballin’

November 28, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes | 26 Comments

by: Son

I’m pretty sure Ivica Zubac doesn’t have a pocket full of rocks. He’s definitely not skinny and likely has never gotten his ass kicked. He was probably doing the ass kicking. He’s not smoking blunts but has made millions without having to cut a quarter ounce. That said, if Zubac wants to continue making millions, he’s gotta keep dealing and ballin’. And ballin’ he did as no one can take Sunday’s game away from young Z:

PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV 3PT FG FT
31 29 3 0 3 5 0 14/17 3/3

Holy schiztnitz. It was a White Man’s World. The only other player who has put up a 30-point, 29-rebound, 3-assist, and 3-block game was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar back in 1978 when he went for 37 points, 30 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 blocks! As a Lakers fan, it makes me sad that the Lakers traded him away. And to the Clippers no less for Mike Muscala. And by Jerry West, who is the greatest general manager in the history of the game and ended up consulting for the Clippers.

“The Clippers, sources said, never even called the Lakers to inquire about Zubac. The Lakers made the offer and the Clippers gladly accepted. Sources said that those at the dinner table shared a hearty laugh at the Lakers’ expense.”

Excuse me as I go perform seppuku for the eighth time in my life. I guess I’ll find out soon if I’m a cat or not.

Here’s what else I saw yesterday:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Much Ado About Davis

November 26, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Daily Notes |

by: PhilOssie

Buy Low. Sell High.

It’s a simple concept, projected every week of every season in fantasy sports. And for good reason. It’s the foundational strategy to get the most out of in-season trades and improve your roster. The only problem is that it’s all based on general consensus of which players are performing below ADP and should improve, and who’s overplaying their hand and is due for regression. There’s always variable opinions on what the best moves are in the buy low / sell market. But, for the most part, there’s agreement of what players fit in that box on any given week.

So – if for nothing else other than a matter of practice – let’s think outside the box for a moment, using as an example the biggest sell high candidate of the moment.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Buy/Sell: Giannis Dishing And It Ain’t Dimes

November 23, 2022 | 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Buy/Sell |

by: Kostas

Regarding last week’s suggestions, Larry Nance Jr. continued his impressive performances and is now top 65 for the year in per-game value, Jevon Carter was serviceable and Charles Bassey concluded his 5-game week, so you can safely drop him again. On the Sell front, Jerami Grant had some down performances, so the sell high window might be closing and Onyeka Okongwu showed no signs of being a standard league player moving forward.

Please, blog, may I have some more?