So when I approached JB about returning to the Razzball fold, my first suggestion was to do something on wing players. As any veteran fantasy hoops junkie knows, the dudes with the SG/SF designation are superly dooperly useful. Most teams have multiple non-PG and non-PF slots, plus you have the UTIL slots. Old-timers have some fond memories of crazy Latrell Sprewell, a member of the Wing Hall of Fame, and conveniently forgetting how he choked P.J. Carlesimo so you didn’t feel bad about clicking him into your lineup.
Anyway, some other ideas were floated to JB, but he wouldn’t give up on the wings. I began to wonder if his obsession with the concept had anything to do with basketball.
It started with an email where JB confessed to being hungry for wings, then continued with mentions of wing sauce, wing hotness, wing bones, wing grease on hairy chests, wing-covered women’s underwear, and then finally an email in 200-point type that said “ME LIKE WINGS” with this image attached:
Finally, I got the memo, so here we are.
James Harden – The King Wing said he felt like he was in “mid-season form” heading into 2014-2015, which sounded bad at first. Was he gassed already? Did he find Slick Watts in his beard? Naw, he was just feelin’ real good is all, which became evident when he effortlessly dropped 32 on the Lakers on opening night, including six dimes and 15-16 (!!!) from the charity stripe. He followed that up with two games where he continued to score but also tinkled all over the stat sheet with boards, assists and even a few blocks. This is especially scary, since over the course of his career, Harden doesn’t start heating up until around February. He’s Three Mile Island.
Kyle Korver – Ten years ago, when the Sixers drafted Kyle Korver, there were questions about whether he would even survive in the NBA. Watching dweeby Kyle launch bombs while A.I. was at the peak of his powers was just ridonc. Flash forward a decade, and Iverson is playing the Vegas circuit (sorry) while Korver is starting at shooting guard for the Hawks. And doing so as much more than a three-point specialist. Even still, his value will fluctuate depending on real-life needs. If the Hawks start to gel and don’t need Korver to try and get 20 – which they shouldn’t – his fantasy value will go down. Sell high on this hot wing.
C.J. Miles – The Pacers have got to be experiencing a big ol’ case of the eff-its. No Paul George, no David West, no C.J. Watson, no George Hill, Roy Hibbert is still there, so what’s the point? None of this matters to C.J. Miles, who fires shots like an Al Swearengen henchman on dope. This is good news for those in five-CAT leagues that don’t count percentages, because C.J. will get you points and three’s and a steal here and there as long as he’s starting. But his FG percentage will be abysmal – in his first three games he had 38 points on 42 FG attempts – and he doesn’t shoot FTs well enough to be a tasty wing. Frozen honey barbecue wing.
Evan Turner – (In Drunk Uncle Voice) “So I’m a draft bust, OK? I’m not NBA Y2K material, OK? I’ll never be Snookie of the Year … That’s not me.” That’s not anybody. But what Turner is, at the moment at least, is a poor man’s Andre Iguodala. He can get you 10 points, a handful of assists and rebounds, maybe a steal or possibly (but not likely) a block. Someone gets hurt, however, and he’s a store brand Andre Iguodala. And, no, that’s still not very good for fantasy, but he’s not a bad wing to have in a deepish league. He’s weird, like a Pineapple Thai Wing.
Kyle Singler – Wacky Stan Van Gundy is starting this third-year goof because, well, because he’s Stan Van Gundy. As such he’s going to get some minutes, and he’s going to get some shots, because no one is going to guard him. How many he makes is anyone’s guess. Hooters wing, a little undone.
Joe Johnson – There comes a time in every fantasy draft where you just have to draft a guy who you do not want to draft. If Joe Johnson is sitting there in the mid-to-late rounds, and you’re hard up for a SG/SF type of guy, you have to take him. On Saturday night, you were feeling pretty good about that, as J.J. poured in 34 points along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists in Detroit. I’m pretty sure this was after a reporter asked Johnson about retiring, and he wasn’t exactly poo-pooing the idea. The Nets will be rancid this year, especially with Brook Lopez out (again), but Johnson will get his points and three’s. Three-day old wing – still good, but still three days old.
Kawhi Leonard – You heard it here last: The 2014 Finals MVP won’t sign long-term with the Spurs and is testing the market in the offseason. Many experts are saying this means he’s going to have a big season in a contract year. It’s just one game, but 6 points and 8 boards (Friday against the Suns) ain’t the best start. I’m most worried about the fact that Sugar K always seems to have this bored look about him, like he’s being forced to do this somehow. Makes me wonder if he’s got the goods to turn on the juice and be the bomb-biggity for the whole season. Non-drum stick wing.
Lance Stephenson – There’s a lot of hype going around for a guy who’s famous for feeling up LeBron (And getting in fights with teammates and other players. And beating people up. But anyway.). It’s not like there’s a Big Three-type stat share going on in Charlotte, but does anyone see Lance stealing any buckets from Kemba Walker or Big Al Jefferson? He’ll get the hustle stats – at least when he’s not being benched like he was on Saturday – and as long as he’s cool with that things will keep, er, buzzing. Otherwise, Stephenson might put on some Luther Vandross and try and give Steve Clifford a hickey. Steakhouse wing.
Andrew Wiggins – Right now he’s just a SF, but it’s only a matter of time before he gets the SG designation. At least I think it is? This is what Yahoo says about position eligibility for fantasy hoops: “There are no set criteria (minimum number of games, minutes at a new position, etc.) for position eligibility. A new position will be added when our data provider determines that a player’s primary position has changed, or he is logging sufficient playing time at a secondary position to warrant adding that position to their eligibility.” Uh, OK. Either way, he’ll be getting some big minutes soon enough, and will produce at that time, so yeah I’d try and trade for him as he struggles early on. Spicy Cajun Wing.
Mike Dunleavy – He’s 30 percent owned in Yahoo. These Neanderthals realize it’s 2014 right? They know this isn’t Mike Sr., right? Wait, what? Tom Thibodeau is starting Dunleavy over Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott? Er, ah, nevermind. I mean, he did almost have a triple-double the other night, but even Alexey Shved can have a big night this early in the season when the dust hasn’t quite settled with rotations. At least you ESPN ballers have your senses about you – he’s 2 percent owned over there. Turd-flavored wing.
I’m a diehard Knicks fan and right now I am trying to get Carmelo in my H2H points league. Out of my team:
Front Court: Paul Pierce, Lamarcus Aldridge, Kelly Olynyk, Rudy Gay, Josh McRoberts, Jared Sullinger and Andre Drummond
Back Court: John Wall, DeMar Derozan, JR Smith, Jeff Teague, Brandon Knight and Jarrett Jack.
Who should I try and get Melo for out of these players?
@Nikko Respeto: Maybe Drummond and Wall or Drummond and Teague to start, but he might end up asking for LaMarcus. Would you do that straight up?
@Nikko Respeto: I think I responded to this but just in case not: Maybe try Teague and Drummond or Wall and Drummond, but he’ll probably want LaMarcus.
You know what I love about this blog? The AL swearengen nods.
@Grant: Always. I tried to slip Al’s favorite word in there 26 times but JB caught em all. What a flock plucker.
What about KJ McD? What kind of wing is he? He also is only SF right now.
@zebo: You talking about Dougie McBuckets? No he’s not a wing just not getting run over Dunleavy, which I think is silly.
@Pete Nice:
I think he means KJ McDaniels from the Sixers
@Don: @Zebo: oh right, I somehow missed the KJ. It was funny how everyone went nuts for him in fantasy drafts, even though he was projected as more of a defensive-type guy. I like him, but I think I like Jerami Grant just as much. Like you said, though, I don’t think either will get wing status.
This is one high class article, top shelf stuff!
You had me at 3 day old wings… the food, not the Johnson. And I do detest the hot wing, especially when he carved up my Raps last week with nasty long-balls. Glad they pulled it out in the end. I agree, a perfect sell high.
And not that I’m advocating violence of any sort, but Trell fulfilled the ultimate fantasy, choking one’s boss. Only now, how’s he gonna feed his family??
@Dan A.: Thanks man! Great to be back in the Razz.
It’s RAZZ time again! Haha love what you guys do here.
What do you think about Darren Collison vs Tony Wrotten /w or /w out MCW
@Sneaky Pete: Collison, especially in a league that counts percentages and TOs. It is much closer without MCW obviously.
Hi Pete. Do you have any thoughts on trevor booker this year? I’m intrigued by his improved performance with Utah thus far, and it seems he can take over Kanter’s job. That being said, is Gobert also a decent fantasy stash?
I dropped Hawes for him, who I feel is just going to be capped all year due to low mins. Thoughts?
Also, would you trade wiggins for Len?
@hamtime: I like Booker, but I can’t see them playing him and Favors together without a goon. I do like Gobert as a stash if/when Kanter becomes unbearable.
If you can wait yea Gobot over Hee Hawes.
No sir on the Wiggins trade.
Thanks for the article Pete.
Have a question on a trade – it looks like I can get Goran Dragic (SG designation on ESPN) for Kevin Martin and Wesley Matthews. On the surface I know that’s unbalanced but with McBuckets, CJ Miles, etc on waivers, is that enough to part with KMART and MATTHEWS or am I out my mind for considering?
Early in the year I like stacking good/average players and getting studs, using waivers to stream and/or fill in the gaps.
Thanks for the article Pete.
Have a question on a trade – it looks like I can get Goran Dragic (SG designation on ESPN) for Kevin Martin and Wesley Matthews. On the surface I know that’s unbalanced but with McBuckets, CJ Miles, etc on waivers, is that enough to part with KMART and MATTHEWS or am I out my mind for considering?
Early in the year I like stacking good/average players and getting studs, using waivers to stream and/or fill in the gaps.
@WNWDOTCOM: Matthews is just so solid man. He’s so solid and consistent that he’s boring. I got burned trading Wes last year so I have to say no go.
Leave it to Yahoo to be so clear cut with their position eligibility. I figured I’d have to wait a while for Otto to get SG eligibility since he was only SF to start the season. Lo and behold I went to set my lineup the other day and he already picked up SG eligibility. WTF? In baseball it’s a little different (5 starts or 10 appearances), not that Yahoo plays favorites or anything!
@A Hill O’ Beans: once football’s over they’ll get on the stick…maybe
Hi, Robin Lopez and Terrence Jones both on waivers. I am thinking about dropping Hawes for one of them. I have the #1 waiver, who should I target?
@Andrew: if you really need a C to replace Hawes RoLo is super reliable. Jones seems to have the bigger upside.
Oh I love this! Great having you back in the fold mate
@Lasandro: thanks homey!
Wutup Pete.. My H2H 9 CAT 10 team league
Dragic
Monte Ellis
Kevin Martin
Serge Ibaka
Paul Millsap
Favors
Monroe
West
Alffalo
Antetokounmpo
Darren Collison
Wroten
Copeland
I went 2-7 and that’s my total score. No wins and losses. This week he’s got almost 10 more guys then me and he’s killing it right now. He’s got a solid team, that’s why I’m asking him to trade. I thought on paper my team looked better but he has a ton of sg/sf and sf/pf’s which hit all CAT’s. He’s the guy I was gonna trade with. His team is
Curry
Lin
Jamal Crawford
Kobe
Rondo
Wesley Mathews
Butler
Kidd-Giltrist
Tobias Harris
Teletovic
Ginoboli
Pekovic
Howard
Marieff Morris
He and I are thinking about Butler for Westbook unless you see a trade where I can either get 2 guys or package Westbrook for a couple of his guys. Any Advice after looking at our teams?? Thanks buddy!!
@Frank White: It seems like it’s bad news to trade with a guy who just pounded you. Right off the bat, your guys and your team has diminished value, so it’s really hard to get value back. I would advise against trading with him at this time.
However, if you think he’s your best bet at landing at deal, and you think you can get something fair, maybe you could do Westbrook and Wroten for some combination of the two of Matthews, Tobias or Butler. Maybe you could even get all three.
Well its a h2h with ten other teams and I lost bad last week. We just started this week but I know I’m most likely gonna lose. I mean does it matter who I trade with weather they beat me or not..? Do you like Butler n Westbrook straight up?? Also do you think my team is any good or I’m I sitting on a team of bad luck picks?? Lol
@Frank White: No I wouldn’t do the deal. It doesn’t give you a stud, the trade has you giving a stud away. Copeland is a hot name. You could pair him with Millsap or Favors and shoot for the moon.
Thanks brotha!!
Sup Pete… Someone just offered me Bosh for Westbrook. Should i do it?? Also I was gonna offer Westbrook and Wroten for Wall but don’t know if I should or he will do it. Right now I’m concerned about Ellis and dragic. Should I be? On top of poor play they also haven’t hit a 3..
Dragic
Monte Ellis
Kevin Martin
Serge Ibaka
Paul Millsap
Favors
Monroe
West
Alffalo
Antetokounmpo
Darren Collison
Wroten
Copeland
I lost the 1st week 2-7 and it’s the same this week so far.. I know West will come back
He sent me Ariza not Bosh.. Should I do it??
I also just got offered Pau Gasol and Bledsoe for Westbrook??
@Frank White: I would take the Gasol/Bledsoe deal.
Thanks man.. who do I drop.. I have alphabet in my lineup but I’ve been xstreaming that spot and now have Courtney Lee.. drop him or Alfallo??
@Frank White: Yeah drop Lee
thanks bro I appreciate it!! Should I be worried about dragic n Ellis?? They’ve been playing like a streamer and both haven’t hit a 3 yet
@Frank White: nah I wouldn’t worry