In my younger days, I used to run with a pretty deep crew. Most of them were older and more experienced than me. Most were better looking and had more charisma then me. Emphasis on most. Not being the man was just fine. You’d be surprised at how many layups you’d get by just being. All of this happened on the basketball court as well. Anyways, with so much attention on the alphas, dudes like me would be afforded all sorts of opportunities to score. At some point, the stars would align and everything would come to a climax. Whether it be on the court or at the club, there’s always that moment. Last night, Clint Capela had his moment.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10/12 | 4/5 |
It was his first 20/20 game of the season and he actually hit his free throws. Chris Paul, James Harden, and Eric Gordon all had great games, but it was all about Capela last night. Now, most of his opportunities came because of all the attention given to the superstars on the team. No matter. Production is production. And that’s how it’s going to be all season. Capela is a top 30 fantasy player right now. Imagine if he shot better than 58% from the charity stripe.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
Want the best tools and projections to help dominate your league? Check out the Stocktonator, the byproduct of Rudy and machine making love. Click HERE for a FREE 3-day trial.
With Kristaps Porzingis sitting for the second straight game, Michael Beasley got the start and played 31 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2/4 | 9/20 | 3/4 |
The Michael Bay of the NBA, Beasley provides fireworks for teams in need of scoring. Would you pay money to watch him play? Sure. Do you want him on your squad? Probably not.
Jarrett Jack:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0/2 | 5/10 | 2/2 |
Has Nino Brown risen from the dead? Because New Jack City is back! Since the start of December, Jack is playing 26.3 minutes, scoring 8.6 points, grabbing 4.3 boards, and dishing out 6.3 dimes a game. I obviously don’t know Jack because I thought he was toast. I still believe that Frank Ntilikina (23 minutes) will eventually take over, but if Jack continues to play well, then the minutes may continue to be split down the middle.
The Knicks got smoked in Charlotte, 109-91. It got so bad that Willy Hernangomez played five minutes.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6/14 | 3/3 |
MKG is the handy man that does it all on the court. For some reason, it’s the plumber, mail man, and pizza guy that get all the action. If any of you are in the “movie” business, let’s try and give the handy man some more love.
Frank Kamisky:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4/6 | 10/13 | 0 |
I often wonder if Michael Jordan selected Kaminsky because he was the opposite to Kwame Brown in every way.
Wilson Chandler:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1/4 | 4/10 | 0/1 |
Started at power forward and played a team-high 36 minutes. With Paul Millsap out for a while, Chandler should soak up most of the minutes and contribute across the board on a nightly basis.
Trey Lyles:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/6 | 6/10 | 0 |
A big man that shoots uno, dos, trey! He played 25 minutes while Kenneth Faried was a DNP. For now, it looks like Trey has locked up the backup forward minutes.
Nikola Jokic:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0/2 | 5/9 | 3/4 |
Played 25 minutes, so he’s slowly getting back into the swing of things. Is the name Nikola the John of Serbia? Don’t be a Joker and give up on Nikola. He will again be orchestrating fantasy goodness very soon.
Emmanuel Mudiay did not play, yet Jamal Murray could only score 10 points in 25 minutes. I’ve never owned a dog, but I imagine Murray to be a young pup. Bringing much joy and happiness but unable to control his shits. It’s that inconsistency that drives an owner mad, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing but love.
Torrey Craig:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3/3 | 5/5 | 1/2 |
Got the start at small forward and played 30 minutes. Coach Malone has loved him since the preseason, so he’s someone to pick up in deeper leagues. He can shoot, fill up the stat sheet, and most importantly could get minutes in a high-flying offense.
Russell Westbrook:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 38 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1/3 | 16/28 | 5/7 |
Where was the WESTCOM at the last time we mentioned it? I think it was at WESTCOM 3, but on the fringe of WESTCOM 2. We are at full WESTCOM 2 and preparations need to be made for WESTCOM 1. I do think there’s a chance that Paul George can inhibit that from happening, but Carmelo Anthony is to Russ as Smush Parker was to Kobe.
Steven Adams did not play, so Dakari Johnson got the start and played 18 minutes.
For the Clippers, no Blake Griffin, Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, or Wes Johnson. The starting lineup was Milos Teodosic, Austin Rivers, CJ Williams, Jamil Wilson, and DeAndre Jordan.
Teodosic played 28 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1/3 | 3/7 | 1/2 |
I was told that there would be assists. Maybe he should’ve came over 10 years earlier. Or maybe he should’ve joined a team that wasn’t starting Rivers, Williams, and Wilson.
DJ played 28 minutes and got his double-dub. Ho-hum.
Wilson played 27 minutes and led the Clips in shot attempts.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3/10 | 5/12 | 0 |
He will probably cede time when Gallinari returns, but who knows when that will be. Until then, Wilson is getting minutes and hoisting up shots. That’s usually a good combo for fantasy.
Jawun Evans played 29 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0/2 | 3/11 | 0 |
Flashed his upside two games ago. Like Wilson, injuries are affording him minutes and he’s taking advantage of them. He chucks up shots but is also in the liberation business. Jawun a man.
Kawhi Leonard:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1/3 | 3/7 | 0 |
Only played 16 minutes. Some of that was due to the blowout, but I’m beginning to think that Kawhi may not get much more than 20 minutes a game until the final month or two of the season. Start ramping him up for the playoffs. Until then, there really is no need to push him.
LaMarcus Aldridge:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7/13 | 5/6 |
Since I don’t think Kawhi gets ramped up until later in the season, then LMA would stand to benefit. The expected siphoning of usage may not in fact occur.
Tony Parker got the start at point guard and played 23 minutes. Dejounte Murray played 20 minutes and Patty Mills played 23 minutes. They all nuke any upside that may have existed, except for Spurs Siestas.
Bryn Forbes got the start at shooting guard with Danny Green sitting and played 26 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/1 | 1/4 | 0 |
I thought Forbes was money?
Rudy Gay:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2/3 | 3/6 | 4/4 |
Owners not so Gay about the turnovers, but very Gay about the 26 minutes. Rudy’s versatility should allow him to consistently get around 25 minutes per game.
Marquese Chriss:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/2 | 1/5 | 0 |
Jesus F’ing Chriss!
Tyson Chandler got the start at center and played 20 minutes. Greg Monroe DNP. Alex Len played 28 minutes and went HAM.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5/8 | 4/4 |
So, the center situation is like this in Phoenix. Len is the reserve, while Chandler and Monroe switch off starting. Chandler doesn’t play back-to-back. EZ PZ. I think.
Isaiah Canaan:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2/3 | 6/10 | 3/4 |
Since being acquired, Canaan has played 27 minutes in back-to-back games. He’s also filled up the stat sheet in both games. Remember Mike James? He played nine minutes and should probably change his name to Casper.
Maximillian Kleber:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0/3 | 3/10 | 0 |
Ok, my new theory regarding Kleber. You know how marketing and advertising utilize the strategy of bombardment? As in, they will just keep pounding us with the same ad over and over and over again until we finally submit? That’s gotta be Rick Carlisle’s strategy here. Just keep feeding him minutes and forcing him onto us until we start looking at the box score and see a productive player. I can’t wait until he’s an All-Star, so I can tell you all that I was all over him from the get go.
Harrison Barnes:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3/6 | 11/21 | 1/1 |
It was against the Suns, but I’ll still give Barnes his props. He’s a good player. With that said, I can never stop thinking about the “what if.” What if Barnes played well in that Finals against the Cavs? The Warriors probably re-sign him and Kevin Durant is off the radar. Gotta love whoever is controlling the simulation.
Damian Lillard almost messed around.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2/7 | 7/18 | 1/1 |
You know what time it is.
Zach Collins:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1/3 | 3/7 | 0 |
I’d keep an eye on Collins, like “got meat on the grill” eye on him. The rookie has been getting around 20 minutes of run a game the last week or so.
Andrew Wiggins:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0/3 | 4/14 | 1/3 |
You all know I’ve been down on Wiggins since the preseason. I’m not here to gloat. I just wanted to reminisce to when Wiggins was supposed to be the Scottie Pippen for LeBron. The King knew. All hail the King!
Jimmy Butler:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 37 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2/3 | 12/21 | 11/12 |
Butler has been serving it up.
With Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors both out, Ekpe Udoh got the start at center and played 27 minutes before fouling out.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1/4 | 1/1 |
I get the full gamut of emotions when I read Udoh’s name. Ekpe!!! Like I’m yelling at someone. Udoh…..a chant while meditating. Anyways, Udoh won’t score much but will get his block on. When Favors returns, though, he will probably go back to the bench and yell, “Ekpe!!!”
Joe Johnson:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/5 | 5/12 | 2/2 |
Played 29 minutes after getting 30 minutes of run the prior game. I feel like the Jazz know something that we don’t. He’s almost done. Let’s just squeeze every ounce out of him before he breaks. Or from my not-so-cynical, lovey-dovey side, maybe Joe had a goal on the number of minutes he wanted to play before he retired. He mentioned that to the organization and they in turn are granting his wish.
Alec Burks:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/8 | 2/2 |
Played 16 minutes. He has very little value when the Jazz are healthy, especially Rodney Hood.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5/10 | 10/18 | 1/1 |
What’s a more scary proposition? Owning Hood in fantasy or owning a liquor store in the Hood? Both can be very profitable.
Chris Paul almost messed around.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3/9 | 6/13 | 3/4 |
I’m still bitter that Paul is not a Laker.
Eric Gordon:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7/12 | 12/18 | 2/3 |
The 33 points were a season-high. Gordon had been somewhat quiet as of late, but these type of shooting performances should be more frequent as the season progresses. A career 37% shooter from downtown, Gordon is currently shooting 32%.
So, the Heat were without James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Hassan Whiteside, and Goran Dragic.
Tyler Johnson filled in at point guard and played 40 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0/5 | 7/14 | 5/5 |
Johnson has stand alone value, as he frequently gets plenty of minutes as a reserve. Hard not to get excited about Johnson when Dragic is out. Oh me oh my.
Bam Adebayo filled in at center and played 30 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3/6 | 5/7 |
Whiteside could return on Friday, but in the meantime, Bam should continue to do his thing.
Jordan Mickey:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1/1 | 4/7 | 0 |
M. I. C……….K. E. Y. No mouse here, though. Just a tough baller that battles down low for boards and plays good defense. As the Heat get healthier, his minutes will diminish, but enjoy the production while it lasts.
Josh Richardson:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2/5 | 10/19 | 4/5 |
My son!!! That’s back-to-back games with 20+ points while stuffing the whole stat sheet.
Dion Waiters:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2/5 | 9/17 | 3/4 |
I guess his elbow is fine. He had shot below 37% in the three prior games. The plane boss! The plane!
Taurean Prince:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1/4 | 7/12 | 6/6 |
Played a team-high 37 minutes and led the Hawks in scoring. A king for a night.
Kent Bazemore:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0/4 | 7/15 | 2/5 |
Clark Kent he is not. Bazemore is a fringe top 50 fantasy player. Always known as a streaky shooter, Bazemore is chipping in 4.6 boards, 3.7 dimes, 0.6 blocks, and 1.8 liberations!
Al Horford almost messed around.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/4 | 6/13 | 0 |
Love and marriage….Love and marriage…..So underrated. Top 20 player for fantasy.
Marcus Smart:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4/4 | 5/6 | 1/2 |
Played 28 minutes and actually shot well from the field. Seven turnovers though! The dwarves were probably ecstatic but not fantasy owners.
Myles Turner:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0/1 | 0/3 | 2/6 |
Tapping the odometer. Something must be wrong here because I was Myles off on my outlook for Turner.
Domantas Sabonis:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0/1 | 7/14 | 4/4 |
Played 29 minutes. If Myles is injured or continues to play poorly, then Arvydas…..I mean Domantas could be in line for some more minutes.
Victor Oladipo:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 38 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2/7 | 13/23 | 10/13 |
Oladipo Ho! Oladipo Ho! Zero turnovers. Bad for restaurants but good for fantasy.
With no Zaza Pachulia, Jordan Bell got the start at center and played 23 minutes. Javale McGee played 12 minutes.
Bell:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2/5 | 2/2 |
McGee:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4/4 | 0 |
Are they ever going to unleash Bell? Me thinks why would they? The Warriors know what they have and will ring the Bell at the appropriate time. Kind of like their Lineup of Death.
Kevin Durant almost messed around.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 36 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4/11 | 10/29 | 12/13 |
All I can think about right now is Harrison Barnes. What if he didn’t turn into the Wicked Witch of the East during that Finals?
Omri Casspi got the start at power forward for Draymond Green.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5/9 | 4/4 |
Scores and grabs boards. Unfortunately, only relevant when he starts due to an injury.
Patrick McCaw got the start at point guard and played 23 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0/2 | 1/5 | 0 |
A disappointing outing, considering both Steph Curry and Shaun Livingston were out. With that said, it’s KDs world.
Brandon Ingram:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6/12 | 7/12 |
It was a good couple of days for players named Ingram. Anyways, he’s going to be a good one. It may not fully come to fruition this season, but the future looks bright. I’m excited to see how he continues to develop and mature.
Lonzo Ball:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 16 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3/6 | 6/12 | 1/2 |
Lavar is a freaking genius. Sends the younger kids to Lithuania then….POOF. What do you know? Lonzo starts balling.
Kyle Kuzma:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4/6 | 10/16 | 1/1 |
Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuz!!!!
