Day 146 of 170: Sunday, Bloody Sunday

Categorized as: Author: Erik, Fantasy Basketball
Posted on: March 21st, 2011

“I can’t believe the news today
Oh, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away…”

“…And the battle’s just begun
There’s many lost but tell me who has won
The trench is dug within our hearts”

~Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2

Week 21 has come and gone. If you’re playing in the head to head format of fantasy basketball, by now you’re either in your fantasy league’s playoffs or not. For some of us, many of us, it all came down to what transpired on this faithful, bloody Sunday. Are you in, or are you out?

For my part, it’s been a bittersweet climax to one of fantasy’s most important weeks. YES, even more important than the week we all found out that Carmelo Anthony would be taking his talents to the City That Never Sleeps. I made it in a few playoffs, painfully missed one by a hair – well more like an ankle… Chase Budinger‘s ankle – and even have the benefit of getting a couple of byes in a couple of “experts leagues.”

Whichever side you were on, winner or loser, you probably got splattered by some blood in the process.

Line of the Night: As I mentioned, Chase Budinger left the Rockets-Jazz game early in the first quarter and did not return, but that likely did not dampen the spirits of Kyle Lowry (2.89), who exploded for a triple-double performance. He racked up 28 points (3 threes, 9-14 from the field), grabbed 11 rebounds, dished 10 assists, and added 3 steals. Kyle’s on my Top 20 players to watch in the 2011-12 season in fantasy. Now that’s a list I should get my ass in gear to get started on. Unless of course, you’d rather see Nels do more Natalie Portman posts. With another notched gained by the Jazz in the L column, it looks like their streak in consistently making the Playoffs is in dire jeopardy, if it hasn’t already flown South at this point in the game.

Honorable Mentions:
Paul Millsap (2.53), or Millie as I like to refer to him (without his permission, of course),  came back from injury and looked spot on to be reinserted in active lineups. If a line like 35 points (12-18 from the field), 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks isn’t enough to convince you he’s OK, I don’t know what would be.

Marcus Thornton (1.91), reborn in his new home in Sacramento – which may actually move to Annaheim – came up with another HUGE game for the Kings. I’d love to see how he and Tyreke Evans can work together on the court. Thornton, like Lowry, is another must-watch player going into next season. If he can consistently deliver 23 points (4 threes), grab 8 boards, and deal out 9 assists; then he’s going to be an intriguing back court partner in crime for Evans.  I doubt he’ll be able to dish nine dimes nightly, but I’d say it’s very possible that he can at least light up the score board, along with the 3PTM column, as he complements Evans on offense.

If you were worried about Nicolas Batum (1.63) and how the addition of Gerald Wallace into the mix and the recovery from knee surgery of Brandon Roy would affect his fantasy outlook, I think his 25-point performance (4 threes, 10-16 from the field), with 2 steals against the LA Lakers should allay any fears you may be holding onto. He won’t be “LaMarcus Aldridge consistent,” but it should be safe to say that his good games  should outnumber his stinky ones from this point forward.

Steve Nash (1.61) came back strong from his bout with “pelvic issues.” This particular strong outing was part of what did me in, in one of the playoff spots I was contesting to land this week. It’s done. I’m not going to cry over spilled milk flowing under the bridge, or whatever. Nash led Phoenix with 23 points (3 threes, 8-13 from the field), 7 boards, and 13 dimes. I’m sure Nash owners are keeping their fingers crossed that he can at least maintain similar lines as the regular season winds down.

***

Waiver Wire Line of the Night: Carlos Delfino (2.01) is back. It’s official. He’s over the nasty slump he was in and poured on 30 points (6 threes, 8-13 from the field), 11 rebounds (40% owned). If he was thrown to the wayside by disgruntled owners last week, grab him now, waiver for him even. He should do decently from here on out.

Pick Up Lines: Luc Mbah a Moute (1.66) has put together a couple of reasonably solid games for the Bucks. He was pretty good last night with 19 points (13-13 from the line), 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks (6% owned).

Jordan Crawford (1.21) is a deep league must-add, while is still a shaky play in standard leagues, but should continue to do well (on and off) moving forward. He scored 21 points (5-5 from the line), and got 2 steals (20% owned).

Peja Stojakovic (0.87) did well off the bench for the Mavericks with 17 points (5 threes).  He’s 5% owned, and should be expected to start once again at SF for Dallas this coming week. Still, take his return with a grain of salt, or more like a bathtub of ice, this IS Peja we’re talking about after all.

Biggest Loser:
DeMarcus Cousins (-1.00) once again reminded me why he’s a risky keeper candidate. Yeah, the potential is there, but then again so is the gross immaturity. Cousins was clearly overshadowed by pretty much the rest of his team as he kind of hurt more than helped his owners with 3 points, 1 rebound, and 4 turnovers. Doh!

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Daily rankings and stats come from the GMTR H2H Player Rater (beta version).

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Tags: Carlos Delfino, Chase Budinger, DeMarcus Cousins, Kyle Lowry, Luc Mbah a Moute, Marcus Thornton, Natalie Portman, Nicolas Batum, Paul Millsap, Peja Stojakovic, Steve Nash, Tyereke Evans