Welcome back Razzballers. After a brief hiatus due to the All-Star break, we are “back in effect, snapping’ necks and cashing large cheques”.
I hope you were able to remain active in your league and possibly catch a GM or two sleeping while you executed a trade to improve your situation as we move forward and onward (or is it upward and onward?) into the second half of the season.
This is a critical stage where time is of the essence. We are coming to a place whereby the games remaining plays a significant factor and therefore you want to ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck in any transaction, as you do not have the luxury of time on your side. We want players who can start producing immediately and I think this week we have identified not only one, but two true ballers that fit the bill.
Let us begin with….
Jamal Murray
The Kitchener native has not experienced a glorious return from a week’s rest with forgettable averages of:
27.5% FG, 9.7 points, and 3.7 rebounds.
The upside exists in the glorious 6.0 assists per contest coupled with the fact Murray had been on a tear over the past month prior to the break. The blue arrow posted averages of 24.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists with 3.5 treys while shooting 52% from the field and 94% from the line. That was good enough for top 10 overall value during that span.
The kid has an undeniable work ethic and does not take any nights off. Jamal Murray is a beast and I would bet that his second half of the season is going to eclipse his first half.
Do not sleep on the kid and get your offers out there in hopes his GM has quickly forgotten about the upside and is willing to let him slide for a top 50-player return.
The second player in our double feature is:
Paul George
15/46
I cannot think of too many scenarios where you see 15 out of 46 and think to yourself, that’s not bad at all. Maybe in baseball but damn it, we do not talk baseball in this column and since we are discussing basketball let me state the obvious, it is horrendous.
32.6% from the field is what that equates too and if you have been playing fantasy hoops for more than three minutes then you know, a shooting percentage in the low 30’s will not cut it.
PG13 is putting up some R-rated shooting numbers since returning from the break and all that spells is O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y.
On the year, Regular Season P is ranked #18 overall behind a phenomenal 23points, 6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and .5 blocks with 48.3% from the field and 88.3 from the stripe. All while plunging 3.4 from beyond the arc. The man has been the type of player who can alter your team in the form of a champion before the season ends.
There is no need to spend a lot of time on why or how Paul George benefits your squad, “if you don’t know now you know”.
He will cost you, there is no doubt about that, but if you can flip a top 30 player for him you will be laughing all the way to the bank, playa.
Buckle up for what is certain to be an exciting second half and good luck out there.
Hit me up in the comment section and we can break bread.
Peace.
