Okay, so Gay (6.06) didn’t actually have the Line of the Night. And there were only 3 games yesterday, meaning even guys like Francisco Garcia (5.29) can make the top 10 and Kyle Lowry (3.63) can crack the top 20. But still, Gay’s 31 points, 4 threes, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals (not to mention 69% FG and 90% FT shooting) are a fantasy line to be reckoned with.
Line of the Night: And doing The Reckoning? Rasheed Wallace (6.40). Wallace had 23 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 partridges in pear trees. (I’m assuming that each partridge comes with its own pear tree) It had been a while (say, 2 months) since Rasheed had put up a line of domination like that one.
Waiver Wire Line of the Night: You know what? I’m going to go with Nobody. Only 57 players were rated fantasy-wise last night, and after looking at about 10 players who are on probably on the Waiver Wire, I’ve come to the conclusion that none of them are any better than anyone you should already have on your team. I mean, do you really want me to decide between Kyle Lowry’s efficient 8 points and 6 assists and Juan Carlos Navarro’s 10 points and 6 assists on 2-13 shooting?
The Biggest Loser: I know a lot of people were high on Jason Maxiell coming into this season (right? I didn’t make that up did I?), so let me bring everyone down a little here. Maxiell (1.90) checked in at #48 last night with 4 points on 2-8 shooting, adding only 2 rebounds, 1 assists, and a block. And that was in 28 minutes in a blowout win. According to Yahoo, though, his rank for the season is 137 against his O-Rank of 131. So much for Upside Potential.
For most fans, the NBA experience consists of watching games on TV and in person, with the occasional special event or autograph signing thrown in. But this guide will help you maximize your enjoyment of the NBA. To use this guide, simply locate your skill or skills and then do what’s listed there. It’s really that simple.
IF YOU ENJOY WRITING FAN MAIL: Email your favorite Dallas Maverick player.
IF YOU’RE BETWEEN THE AGE 7 AND 16 AND HAVE ACCESS TO $100.
Go to a summer camp hosted by Sean May, Dell Curry, Brevin Knight, or the Carroll Brothers.
IF YOU’RE A PUPPETEER, VENTRILOQUIST, OR HAVE ANOTHER SKILL THAT PEOPLE PRETEND TO FIND ENTERTAINING:
Become an in-game entertainer for the Hawks or Bobcats.
IF YOU OWN A CAMCORDER AND ENJOY WATCHING THE CLIPPERS: Make a fan video.
IF YOU OWN A CAMERA, A COPY OF PHOTOSHOP, AND A GRILL OR OTHER HIBACHI-LIKE DEVICE
Enter the “Are you Hibachi enough?†contest.
IF YOU’RE AN ATTRACTIVE FEMALE WITH DANCE SKILLS
Audition to become an NBA dancer, preferably for the Lakers, Mavs, Heat, Spurs, or Rockets
IF YOU’RE A FORMER CHEERLEADER OR GYMNAST AND ARE ATTRACTIVE (FEMALE) OR ENJOY TOUCHING WOMEN IN INAPPROPRIATE PLACES WITHOUT THE THREAT OF GOING TO JAIL (MALE):
Try out for the Detroit Work Force or Utah Jazz Stunt Team.
or: But that doesn’t mean that you should, too, LeBron, especially when you’re basically at the rim with some wireframed defender a step behind, and yeah, maybe he’s blocked some people before, but those were weak ass lay-ups and not power dunks of which you are more than capable of throwing down, especially when you have a step on said defender and the help defender is not going to be in a position to do anything but foul you
LeBron, you’re really the only person I still like in this playoffs (sorry former Illini Dawan Williams, I can’t like you cause you not only play for the Jazz, but also are teammates with Carlos Boozer). LeBron, I tried, but I can’t quit you. So LeBron, if TayTay is stuck to you like a blanket after a wet dream, then I will understand throwing the rock to Donnybrook. Or maybe if that was Damon Jones over there with his gold sunglasses on, then you throw the ball to him. Or if Robert Horry is on your team, you can pass to him too. But even that is questionable when you are in position to throw down a two-handed slam. You’ve made harder shots in last year’s playoffs, why stop now?
There’s a reason this blog is called GIVE ME THE ROCK, and I know you’ve said it before. You’re not getting lottery picks any time soon (that I know of), so keep saying it, and then play like you mean it. For me and for the 99% of the US that doesn’t live in Detroit, San Antonio, and/or Utah.
Welcome to this week’s edition of the week in trends, where I go way, way down the list of players to find you free agents that are guaranteed to be available in your league. Oh, and by the way, in case you’ve failed to notice (Like I did last night), both Gerald Wallace and David West are back in their respective lineups. I’m glad West is back from that one week injury.
Most Improved on the Week
Name
Rank 1-20
Rank 1-12
Change in Rating
Andre Brown
247
357
2.3
Derek Anderson
172
236
1.8
Brandon Roy
89
123
1.1
Jason Williams
115
151
1.0
Emeka Okafor
39
52
1.0
Devin Brown
129
158
0.9
Kelenna Azubuike
110
134
0.9
Steve Blake
265
307
0.8
Allan Ray
375
411
0.8
- mabeuf – where’s the love for Andre Brown? Ok, it’s premature to sign him up to the all-rook team, but with Danny Fortson out with an injury (and possibly done with the Sonics), Brown (recently called up from the Sioux Falls SkyForce) has signed a second 10-day contract with Seattle and seen his minutes steadily increase over the past week. To 15 a game, baby! He was called up to help the team improve its rebounding, and he can score a little bit too. I haven’t had a chance to see his game live, but from the description he sounds like Ryan Gomes, which is a complement in my book. The Sonics are thin in the frontcourt, so Brown is a legitimate guy to watch in deeper fantasy leagues. That is, if he’s still in the league in 10 days. Don’t say I don’t look deeeeep on the free agent list for everyone.
Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Terrence Vaccaro/NBAE via Getty Images)
- Fellow D-leaguer and 10-day contract man, Kelenna Azubuike, started for the Golden State Warriors on the 18th, played 48 minutes and scored 28 points. But before you get all mad-addy with Sambuca, THE TRADE happened that same day and basically left the Warriors with a 6 man roster. Sambuca can shoot the three and score some points, but the minutes won’t be there once Steven Jackson arrives.
- Brandon Roy was nominated for the GMTR Rookie All Star Team and over the past week he’s been making a strong case for the real rookie of the year award. In fact, today I traded Stephon Marbury and Damon Stoudamire for Roy and Sam Cassell in one league. I probably screwed Roy and his heel will explode next week, but for now, I excitedly wait for his first career triple-double.
- Three games into his tenure with the Nuggets and Steve Blake is averaging 33 minutes a game and starting along side Allen Iverson. Blake even pulled out a career high 25 points in his second game with the team on the 14th. But I agree with the general consensus that Blake won’t have much fantasy value in the long run, especially when Carmelo returns and Blake likely comes off the bench. If you own Blake, now is the time to try and unload him on any particularly gullible owners in your league.
- Not that you were even thinking about adding Derek Anderson, but don’t. He’s been piling up the minutes with Gerald Wallace out, but his FG% is atrocious and he doesn’t bring much more to the table than an occasional 29 point game.
- I somehow missed the fact that Emeka Okafor had 10 blocks in one game last week. He had more blocks than rebounds, possibly because he wasn’t letting any shots make it to the rim.
- A couple of guys who might be worth an add are Devin Brown (starting for the Hornets) and Jason Williams. Note that Williams has just about the craziest inconsistent game log I’ve ever seen, so make sure you have the patience to take it.
Least Improved on the Week
Name
Rank 1-20
Rank 1-12
Change in Rating
Drew Gooden
113
88
-1.0
Johan Petro
193
160
-0.9
Pau Gasol
41
34
-0.8
Steven Hunter
271
246
-0.8
Nazr Mohammed
163
139
-0.8
Jorge Garbajosa
140
120
-0.8
Troy Murphy
116
100
-0.7
Carlos Delfino
256
229
-0.7
Dorell Wright
167
144
-0.7
- Ok, maybe it’s Drew Gooden who has the most inconsistent game log in the league. Two point and 5 point games back-to-back? Ough, that’s ugly. At least he’s still leading the team in rebounds, for now.
- Paul Gasol also makes the list for two low scoring games this week, although they weren’t nearly as bad as Drew Gooden’s. I’d chalk it up to two unlucky shooting performances and move on. Likewise, Dwight Howard had an off game (10 points/5 rebounds) against the Suns this week.
- With Chris Webber signing with the Pistons, Nazr Mohammed’s fantasy value (or what was left of it anyway) is absolutely destroyed. Mohammed hasn’t played a minute in the Piston’s last two games. If Mohammed is traded, and rumor has it that he’s been shopped around for possibly Morris Peterson or Bonzi Wells, there is a chance he could regain some relevance, but neither Houston nor Toronto would provide anywhere near the opportunity that Detroit did. It’s time to drop Mohammed, if you haven’t done it already.
- Jorge Garbajosa came straight out of nowhere (ok, Spain) to play some decent center for the Raptors and put himself on the GMTR Rookie All Star Team. But look a little deeper and you’ll see that Chris Bosh has pretty much rained on Garbajosa’s bearded parade. Since Bosh’s return from injury, Garbajosa’s game has taken a nose dive. Both his minutes and per minute stats are way down in January. As a Garbajosa owner, garbage time was fun while it lasted.
or: While the Carnival of Earl Boykins was more of an ironic kind of statement, this may be the most press that Webber gets for the rest of his career, so let’s document it here…
Here’s a partial quote (only a smidge of the Webber part, and none of the other guys… y’know, so you’ll be forced to click over there to read the rest):
There should be no illusions here - Chris Webber is here to help this team win a championship. Championships are not won in February. As long as the other four stay healthy, and Webber provides at least something, Detroit should run away with home court. Even if they don’t, Flip Saunders will have to keep a tight leash on Webber’s minutes. Why play the guy 35 mpg and wear him out by playoff time? To expect any more than 30 mpg out of Webber given his health and the situation he’s in is probably unreasonable, but that could change with concern number two: His drive. Webber was clearly unhappy in Philly, but you know what? He was unhappy last year and still put up almost 20/10. So I don’t think this is a Vince Carter situation here - I think Webber is legitimately hurt and legitimately old and is physically incapable of putting up 20/10 again or playing 35-40 mpg anymore. Then, there’s concern number three: his fit with the club. Webber showed in Philly that he can produce in multiple systems, and that should be the case here. His assist rate fell while playing next to AI but this year he’s been back to his typical per-minute passing numbers, and that should keep up in the free-flowing Detroit offense. Much like in Sacramento, he’ll be surrounded by four guys who can take and make 20-footers, so his assists will be there, though the points might not.
Dime Magazine has some attempted analysis and then goes on to talk about some other stuff that happened in the league. Really? Other things were allowed to happen while Chris Webber signed with a new team?
