“You might win some but you just lost one.”
This is precisely how I am feeling one week removed from suggesting it would be time to consider benching Lonzo Ball. Thankfully, I was wise enough to not suggest he is a drop candidate as he went on somewhat of a tear last week averaging 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals while bombing away from deep, and connecting on 3.5 threes per game.
What L Boogie (see opening line) did to my projection of him was the equivalent of saying to me, “keep my name out your mouth”. I am man enough to admit when I was wrong so, LB, you have my sincere apology. With that having been said, the Pelicans remain a team on the outside looking in so keep your eye on their win/ loss columns as it could dictate what route they go when it comes to “resting” their key players.
No worries over here though family because with a new week comes a new opportunity to find the late-season micro move that could be just the edge you need for some success in your league. This week is no different. Sure, does it become more like finding a needle in a haystack at this point in the season, compared to early on when the salmon were swimming upstream? No doubt it does. However, some of the best results came to us because the journey was not easy and fantasy basketball is no different.
“Practice? We talking about practice? Not the game, not the game I love but practice?” Shout out to the legend that is AI but unfortunately, we are talking about practice and I hope you have been practicing rummaging through your waiver wire for that missing puzzle piece to help close out the season.
This week it is time to say adios to:
Robert Covington
Caveat: I am aware of what he did last night but I refuse to let that alter my feelings this week. Who knows, I could be setting myself up for another apologetic opening next week. Still, we trudge forward.
I can acknowledge that some of you may have said your final goodbyes to Mr. Covington long ago or perhaps, more recently. However, I know that he remains rostered in many leagues and continues to soak up a starting roster spot in those leagues. I get it; we all are suckers for a little nostalgia. That song that reminds you of your first kiss. The smell that takes you to that time you ate the most delicious meal you can remember.
Snap out of it! This version of Robert Covington is not about to provide you with any of the good feels from the times he would gift you fantasy gold in the form of 1.6 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 2.3 three’s per game like he did in 2019. Instead, he has scored in double digits just once in 10 games (like batteries in toys, last night, not included) with no other goodies to offset the subpar scoring while playing north of 30 minutes per game.
At this point, he is safe to drop or bury on your bench, as his 29.6% from the field will do you harm. There are a plethora of options out there that can give you the jolt you need in a category or two while not hurting you elsewhere. A guy like Reggie Bullock has been playing the best ball of his career and as a result, is likely scooped up everywhere but if there is a chance he is available in your league, you know what to do.
DJ Wilson could be another option as he played 40 minutes in his first start for the depleted Rockets and delivered a gem of a line going 25/8/4 with three steals and three treys. Update: Dj Wilson, no longer a sweet option with Christian Wood returning to play surprisingly. Go ahead and keep your eye on Wood’s status though and if he is going to miss any games you know what to do.
However, Malachi Flynn is playing well and has a path to opportunity moving forward with Gary Trent Jr and Chris Boucher sidelined.
Good luck and hit me in the comments for some basketball politics.
Peace.
