Oh man, super emo title for today! But what kind of irony is it that on Valentine’s Day, we might get some terrible news about Kevin Love‘s knee… After playing a few nights ago, nothing big on the news front until he was ruled out for tonight last Sunday afternoon, then yesterday news broke he’s “seeking a second opinion on his knee”. This coming after an MRI, with results that have not been revealed yet. Ugh! I traded for him a week ago in the REL as all my good injury karma is drastically flipping the past week! And tonight the Cavs go to Minny, in what could’ve been a great “revenge” game. Although, I bet he’s kinda happy he’s on the Cavs instead, hah! Andrew Wiggins is actually playing a little better lately as well, and it would’ve been nice to see them face off again… Alas, be prepared for a lengthy absence from Love, and while he’s having a great season – much better than in 15-16 – thankfully his stats to replace aren’t the tougher-to-find AST-STL-BLK. There have been a lot of bigs to emerge for PTS/REB, and for the treys, we all know you can always ThrAGNOF! So if we get some brutal news today, hop into the comments, and let me be your Love counselor! Here’s what else went down last night in fantasy basketball action:
Kawhi Leonard – Turning into the alpha iso scorer – the one we always knew could happen, but weren’t sure Pop would allow – by going 32+ for his 4th straight game on a 32/6/3/4/0 line on 13-23 shooting with 2 treys. Kawhiiiiiii! Weeeee, weeee, weeeeeee! Remember that pig commercial?!
David Lee – A popular add when Pau Gasol went down, but Dewayne Dedmon has really cemented himself as a solid starting C fill in. 12/11/1/0/1 for Lee last night though, in a good 22 minutes. David Leeeeeeee! Leeeeee, Leeee, Leeeeeeeeee!
Paul George – Was fun to watch this game down the stretch with PG13 and Kawhi going isos against each other, but the Pacers fell just short with PG13 going 27/6/3.
Kevin Seraphin – Giving my boy minutes! 27 minutes as the starting PF, going 12/4/1/0/1 on 6-9 shooting. Thaddeus Young isn’t expected back before the ASB, so deeper leaguers who need some big man mins (Love owners!), Seraphin could be a hotfix.
Monta Ellis – Another 30 minutes for 10/2/4/2/0 and a trey. Not huge, but better than it used to be. If that’s not a ringing endorsement for a player’s value, I dunno what is!
Nerlens Noel – Looking kinda wrong about my Sixers analysis past few weeks, but I still think Noel is a risky ROS asset. I’d OF COURSE own him right now though… 12/7/1/3/2 last night.
Dario Saric – Same with Dario, love what he’s doing right now – actually do own him in a couple RCLs – but I worry what happens once Ben Simmons starts taking minutes. That said, 31 minutes of 18/11/3/0/1 with a trey, and the Sixers won again. Maybe I need to warm up more here…
T.J. McConnell – Dapper Dan, the scorer! Hit a little lull for around 2 weeks, but back-to-back nice games, going 14/4/7/1/0 last night. Plus only 4 TO the past 5 games, with 32 AST. My fantasy abacus tells me that’s a solid AST:TO!
Frank Kaminsky – Running Frank the Tank to an empty tank! 38 minutes of 12/11/2/1/3, but 5-16 shooting and 1-4 FT. Cody Zeller is still going to take minutes when he’s back though; I’m only streaming Frank for the short-term.
Evan Fournier/Elfrid Payton – The Virgin and The Shelfrid CAN co-exist! Big game from The Virgin for 24/2/4/1/0 with 2 treys on 10-17 shooting, leading the Magic to a big win over a hot Heat team. Hot hot Heat! Isn’t that a band…? Then Shelfrid off the bench got his 31 minutes of 20/5/4 with no TO and 6-7 FT. Pretty encouraging for Shelfrid owners.
James Johnson – Year of the neck tat! Does something nice – if not everything nice – pretty much every game now. 15/3/3/0/3 with a trey, and only 1 TO with 4-5 FT.
Dion Waiters – Along with JJ, is sucking up a ton of usage, going 23/2/6/2/0 with 6 TO. Goran Dragic on the other hand only got 1 assist. Waiters do what Waiters do, Waiters DON’T know how to pass!
Brandan Wright – Hmmmm, that’s weird. 17/3/1/1/0 on 7-9 FG outta nowhere, but I guess it was against the Mess, so as KG would say, “anything is possible!” Makes me wanna listen to the Podcast intro again!
Mike Conley – 32/1/6 with only 1 TO. Gotta love that Mess D!
Spencer Dinwiddie – Off 0 points and 8 assists, goes 17 points with 1 assist last night. Plus, ya know, not playing much D… Ugh, the Mess are so annoying.
Marcus Morris – Ever since 36 points 10 days ago, his points have trended down, but picked it back up last night in a game where no other Piston really showed up. Well, Drummo was OK, but 26/5/3 and 4 treys for this Brother Morri.
Reggie Jackson – Just as we thought, even in a 13 point loss, got back up to 31:26 for 9/2/9 and only 1 TO. Ish Smith went back to his 16:34, and the StanVan doghouse is back on the market. Let’s get a good realtor and get this sold for good!
Michael Beasley – Taking over as the primary scorer! 23/3/4/3/1 with no TO on 10-13 shooting. They need SOMEONE with all the injuries and Khris Middleton still working his way back up from the bench… “What about Greek?!” you say? Ugh, rough start to his week, only 8 points on 2-9 shooting… The minutes look to be there for Beasley, plus he’ll nab a couple boards… Love fill-in?!
Greg Monroe – Back-to-back nice games after the Moose went into hibernation for a while, going 25/13/2/3/0 on 12-15 shooting last night. What was the Pistons defense doing?!
Victor Oladipo – Wow. Just…. Wow. OKC got bludgeoned, with Oladipo having his worst game maybe ever, going 6/1/0/0/0 with 2 TO and 4 fouls.
Joffrey Lauvergne – Your only bright spot, cleaning up some junk time minutes for 17/6/4 on 6-7 FG (1-1 3PTM 4-4 FT). No consistency here though…
John Wall – You know OKC is having a rough night when the Wiz turn the game into a Harlem Globetrotters event…
15/5/14/1/2 in only 30 minutes.
Marcus Smart – Keeping up his underrated little breakout. 19/3/3/2/1 against the Mavs, with 4-4 FT and 3 treys. Nothing but the steals really “jump out”, but I’ve been happy with him in RCLs.
Kelly Olynyk – Same with Olynyk of Nazareth! Although this was a recent add/stream, but 15/7/2 with a trey off the bench will get it done for now. Nice seeing another 29 minutes as well.
Yogi Ferrell – Another nice game off the bench, going 20/2/5 with 2 treys in 33 minutes. That said, Deron Williams got ejected and Hot Yogi just shot well again. I’m not letting this game keep me from moving on to other needs, if I needed a big or something.
Stephen Curry – Dude, wtf Golden State?! Laid an egg in Denver! 1-11 3PTM for Steph, and I think it’s because the ball carries that extra “ummmpf” in the mountain air. Ya know, like Coors!
Patrick McCaw – Got the start at SG with Klay Thompson resting a sore heel. 19/1/2 on 8-13 shooting for a pretty good outing. Even though they lost, at least we get an opportunity to yell McCAWWWWWWWWW!!!!
Nikola Jokic – Dude, 132 points and beating the best team in the NBA by 22?! Yeah, every Nugget had an unreal game. 17/21/12/2/0, and he’s just inhuman right now.
Juancho Hernangomez – The Hernangomezes taking over the NBA! Got the start, and not only played, but plays 43 MOTHER F MINUTES!!!! 27/10/2/1/1 on 9-17 FG (6-9 3PTM 3-4 FT) and only 1 TO. Unbelievable. That said, Kenneth Faried (kankle), Rooster (groin) and Wilson Chandler (illness) were all out. I don’t see how Malone doesn’t run a similar unit for the short-term though, after this win… Well, they do have to showcase… I cautiously recommend Juancho as a 12er add, but I wouldn’t be losing sure-fire assets for him. More in the stash/upside range like Marquese Chriss.
Will Barton/Jameer Nelson – 24/10/7 and 23/3/7 respectively. Sheesh, hopefully someone in DFS stacked the Nuggets!
Tyreke Evans – Bleh, got nothing much for the Pelicans, but want to keep squashing on Evans, who had a 15/4/4 line… But no treys, 3-5 FT and 3 TO, plus it was against the Suns. You can leave him off your roster in 10/12ers.
Tyson Chandler – REL bias blurb! Shocked to see him play last night with a kankle, but 4/8/2/0/1 and 2-2 FT. Not great, but someone might have dropped him if you need some Love-boards.
Eric Bledsoe – You think he gets exhausted when he puts up huge scoring nights and the Suns still lose?! 37/2/5/3/0, including another double-digit FT outing, hitting 12-14. Mini-Bron getting major-beatup!
Blake Griffin – The Jazz are supposed to be good on defense?! 26/10/6/0/2 with no TO, on 11-18 FG (1-1 3PTM 3-4 FT). Really bouncing back strong off the injury, and if he finishes the regular season this hot, is playing for big $$$$$$$$$$$.
Derrick Favors – Back to being the Jazz primary guy! Led the team in scoring! …with 13 points, hah! But seriously, nice 13/3/1/2/2 game with no TO, minus the 3-6 FT…
Paul Millsap – The Trillsap going full Trill!
Wanna know who mighta blocked that?! Jusuf Nurkic! If only he was ready! Millsap hit that pivotal layup to put the game in OT, with the Hawks ending up winning 109-104. Monster line too, 21/9/5/2/4 for a rainbow, on only 4 made FG! Hit a trey and 12-12 FT.
Dwight Howard – Big night across the board for the Hawks starters, with Dwight also near a rainbow for 19/16/1/2/4. Blazers didn’t have a center on the team though…
Tim Hardaway Jr. – Best ThrAGNOF stream I’ve ever made! Hah! 25/7/4, and I added him for 3s a few weeks ago, but staying around for the consistency now! Why you ThrAGNOF stream! 4 treys as well.
Kent Bazemore – You’re welcome, Razzball Nation! Kept pushing for him to be universally owned, and gives you 8/6/6/1/3. Meh, 4-7 FT and 3 TO though… Well, you’re semi-welcome. You’re 6 outta 9 cats welcome!
Meyers Leonard – Rivaling Rolo as the worst player in basketball. Got the start at center because the Nurk deal is still processing (just push the trade through, commish, amiright?!), going 2/6/3/0/0 with 5 fouls in 24 minutes, shooting 1-7 FG and 0-2 FT. To be fair, it’s a tough task to ask your bench stretch-4 to play starting center on Dwight, but wow. The Ed Davis comes in, dubdubs at least for 11/13, but fouls out in 27 minutes and hits 1-6 FT. So many ways the Blazers coulda won this game…
Al-Farouq Aminu – I’ve spent the last few years slamming his game and have been mostly right, but I must confess, I do own him right now in an RCL or 2. 14/15/2/1/0 with 4 treys in a hot 39 minutes, and he could be another Love bandaid for boards and a few treys…
Well, let’s cross our fingers that Valentine’s Day brings us good Love news! I hope everyone out there in Razzball Nation enjoys a nice day with their significant others. For me, that means a hurried dinner with the wife, and a nice night with the NBA! Hah, jk, but not like she reads this anyway! Catch you on Thursday morning!
