The fantasy hoops world is one of diversity, danger, and drip. Some parts of the world are in constant drought with bricks raining down from the heavens. In others, there are only waterfalls that splash to the rhythm of a metronome. Tucked on the highest peak in the most remote part of the world lies a pantheon of extraordinary magnitude: The Nikola Pantheon. Nikola Jokic has been sitting on its iron throne for much of the season, as he has been the numero uno player in fantasy hoops. Nikola Vucevic has been valiantly trying to unseat Jokic. While he’s been a tier below Jokic for much of the season, there have been moments when the guardians of the Nikola Pantheon have discussed making it a timeshare. Last night, Vucevic went for 32 points, 17 boards, five dimes, and one block while shooting 14-for-29 from the field and 4-of-7 from downtown. Jokic went for 27 points, eight boards, 11 dimes, one steal, and one block in only 27 minutes. What a Jokic! Vucevic is the number 11 player for fantasy and has been narrowing the gap somewhat, but the divide is still a massive one. The iron throne on the Nikola Pantheon is no joke as it will be inhabited by Jokic for the foreseeable future.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
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Joel Embiid
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 35 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1/5 | 9/19 | 16/20 |
C’mon, Embiid! Sharing is caring. “Shut up, Son. I do what I want and want what I do.” Ok, Mr. Embiid. You da boss.
Tobias Harris
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4/11 | 2/3 |
The 14th time Tobias has stuffed the stat sheet. Damn it. I just realized that he didn’t drain a tres. F it. I did the research already. Last year, he had six SSS (Stat Sheet Stuffers). In 2019, 13. Doc for president. For reals.
Ben Simmons
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4/7 | 4/8 |
Remember when Simmons was good? Yeah, me neither. Freaking BS. He’s a top 100 player on the season and has been a top 300 player over the last 12 games.
Jayson Tatum
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3/10 | 7/17 | 3/3 |
‘Twas the only CeLtics player to score at least 20 points. Any wonder why the 76ers punked them, 106-96? *Gets tapped on the shoulder* “Son, I do what I want and want what I do.”
Kyle Anderson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 19 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3/6 | 7/11 | 2/3 |
Mr. Anderson has been at one with the Matrix, providing top 40 production over the last four games. He’s an across-the-board contributor and is oh so close to being a 1/1/1 member. Any of you remember Shawn Marion, The Matrix? Dude was a fantasy beast back in the day.
Dillon Brooks
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5/9 | 10/16 | 3/5 |
Sauntering down by the Brooks is an interesting affair. Sometimes the floods overflow with tres while other times the heavens rain down bricks. In either case, there are no sprinkles.
Jonas Valanciunas
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1/1 | 7/9 | 5/5 |
Just another dub-dub for JV, his 35th on the season. He’s third behind Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic, who has 43.
Desmond Bane
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3/6 | 6/12 | 0 |
A SSS in 22 minutes off the bench. That’s back-to-back games with double-digit points and a usage rate above 20. He’s someone to keep an eye on, like how a liquor store owner eyes a teenage kid walking up and down the aisles.
Jimmy Butler
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 11/16 | 5/6 |
Jimmy is Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne, AND Batman combined into one entity.
Bam Adebayo
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 18 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9/14 | 0/3 |
The fifth time Bam has messed around in his career. If he develops a shot from downtown, he could be a top 10 player for fantasy.
Zion WilliamSON
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 34 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1/1 | 12/18 | 9/10 |
I was so wrong about Zion this season. Good thing he’s part of the SON family because family always got each other’s backs, right?
Steven Adams
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 6 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2/6 | 2/4 |
Pelicans front office is in the lab trying to figure out how to stretch Zion out three inches. At least they get off the abomination of the Adams contract after this season. Four years for $100,000,000 with $27.5 owed this season.
Lonzo Ball
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4/14 | 4/15 | 0 |
Ball now has 53 career SSS. Gazes into Lonzo’s eyes and sees……Hey, what’s LaMelo doing in there?
Isaiah Thomas
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2/6 | 4/13 | 0 |
In 25 minutes off the bench. If you need points, taking a chance isn’t the worst idea because he’s going to huck and chuck when he’s on the court. He garnered a 27.8 usage rate last night. The IT department is back in business.
Clint Capela
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5/7 | 2/4 |
12 is my favorite number!!! How did he know? The C & C music factory has been providing sweet music for us fantasy nerds.
Trae Young
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6/7 | 10/21 | 4/6 |
Mondae. Tuesdae. Wednesdae. Thursdae. Fridae. Saturdae. Sundae. Traedae.
Thaddeus Young
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6/10 | 2/4 |
Welcome to the Fountain of Young. Top 75 player on the season.
Myles Turner
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2/3 | 3/5 | 2/2 |
It was a block party and everyone was having a good time. Even Tina was getting her groove on. Then, 20 minutes in, Myles sprained his ankle and the party was done.
Edmond Sumner
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0/2 | 6/8 | 3/5 |
Got the start and played 18 minutes because Malcolm Brogdon was out due to a hip injury. I know what you did last Sumner.
Caris LeVert
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 20 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2/4 | 9/18 | 0 |
With no Brogdon or Domantas Sabonis, LeVert garnered a usage rate of 23.9. Since arriving in Indianapolis, LeVert has had a usage rate over 30 just twice in 13 games.
Jeremy Lamb
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2/6 | 4/12 | 5/5 |
A career-high six steals!! The prior high was four, which he accomplished six times. He’s a baaaaaaaaaaaa baaaaaaaaaaaa baaaaaaaaaad man. Dudes get thrown into jail for less.
Marc Gasol
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1/3 | 6/9 | 0/2 |
Played 28 minutes as Montrezl Harrell got ejected two minutes in. Move along. Nothing to see here.
Talen Horton-Tucker
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3/4 | 6/10 | 2/3 |
In 26 minutes off the bench. Love seeing that proficiency from downtown and he’s garnered a usage rate over 24 in four straight games. THT is a future SSS. When LeBron James and Anthony Davis return, though, it will be interesting to see where he fits in the rotation.
Pascal Siakam
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 27 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/6 | 7/21 | 13/15 |
SSS!!! The shooting efficiency made one of the S’s run away. I hope there are no closet Nazis reading this and view it as a call to action.
OG Anunoby was ejected 10 minutes into the game after going WWE on Dennis Schroder.
Deandre’ Bembry
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0/3 | 5/10 | 2/4 |
Has started the last two games with Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet out and played 30 and 32 minutes. Bembry has been more than serviceable, providing some points, boards, dimes, and defensive stats.
Malachi Flynn
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2/4 | 4/11 | 1/1 |
SSS! With Lowry and VanVleet out, Flynn has played 31, 34, and 33 minutes. He has been a SSS in two of those games. Freaking Masai is too good.
Will Barton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3/6 | 10/16 | 1/1 |
Top 40 player over the last three games. Rostering Will is definitely a thrill because the highs and lows are reminiscent of surfing a big wave. It’s going to come crashing down eventually.
Michael Porter Jr.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3/4 | 11/16 | 0 |
Has scored 20 points in four straight games and shooting over 60% from the field. L. O. L.
Saddiq Bey
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6/12 | 9/15 | 1/1 |
Hey, Bey. What you wanna do tonight? There’s only one thing on my mind.
Jerami Grant
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3/5 | 11/18 | 4/6 |
Wasn’t Grant a top 30 player earlier this season? Am I misremembering? It’s all a fog to me. Did the world really get shut down due to a global pandemic? I thought that stuff only happened in video games like Sim City and Civilization.
Robert Covington
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2/7 | 6/13 | 1/2 |
Lord SSS!
Norman Powell
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 32 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2/7 | 8/18 | 14/15 |
Led the team in shot attempts. Damian Lillard shot 2-for-14 so…..Damn, that’s crazy. Powell made more freebies than Lillard attempted shots from the field.
Enes Kanter
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5/8 | 3/4 |
Got the start and played 36 minutes because Jusuf Nurkic did not play due to knee inflammation. Kanter could have some value if Nurkis has a setback.
Kawhi Leonard
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/4 | 10/18 | 8/9 |
Beep. Bop. Objective: Dominate but make it look human. Human: his stat lines are so consistent that no human could possibly do that.
Paul George
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 36 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6/9 | 11/18 | 8/8 |
If this is PG, then I’d love to see what R and XXX look like.
Reggie Jackson
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4/6 | 8/12 | 3/3 |
In 26 minutes off the bench. Is it October already? Is Jackson the new Lou Will?
Khris Middleton
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2/4 | 10/19 | 6/6 |
Warm it up, Khris! He’s about to. With no Giannis, Middleton led the Bucks in shot attempts but couldn’t deliver a victory as the Warriors squeaked out a 122-121 victory at home.
Bobby Portis
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2/3 | 5/10 | 1/2 |
Got the start for Giannis and played 28 minutes.
Jrue Holiday
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 29 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4/7 | 11/18 | 3/3 |
For a man named Holiday, he sure does put in a lot of work. Top 5 player over the last six games.
Jeff Teague
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 15 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/2 | 5/7 | 3/3 |
In 16 minutes off the bench. He lives. What a time to be alive.
Steph Curry
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 41 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5/10 | 14/21 | 8/9 |
