(Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
THURSDAY QUICK HITS
๐ฅWHAT I'M LOVING
๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐'s starting to get hot- he's hit 31, 23 and 22 in his past 3 games. Paolo Banchero's absence was a factor but it's good to see him more aggressive (31% usage). Still needs better 3PT% and boost in steals to reach his draft rank though.
๐ I'm loving the emergence of the new wave of fantasy stars- ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐'s been great and he's the best fantasy player in Memphis this year (sorry Ja). Bane's going to be an All-Star this year and a top 30 player AGAIN.
And how about ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, since returning, he's averaged 22P 3R 4A 1S 4-3PTM and increasing minutes. If the Spurs and Pop let him play and not tank/rest, Vassell's breaking into the top 50.
Can't forget about ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ again, 32P for the 10-3 Jazz. At this rate, they'd need to go on a 69 game losing streak to get that no.1 pick. They're good. Lauri's good. He's going to cool off- a bit but he's a top 40 asset this year.
๐I'm loving seeing the ceiling of ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ finally realized. He was picked in the 3rd round last year as people were predicting his breakout and he was a bust. Apparently, we were just a year late. Siakam's absence = OG ๐ He'll be a top 25 guy while Siakam's out. His steals alone will make sure he'll be top 40 for this season regardless
๐ Love seeing an aggressive ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ for a change. He had a career best 23% usage rate today that resulted in 31P-9R-5A-4S, very OG-like numbers. If CP3 continues to rest, we should expect more of this from Mikal.
๐ Love seeing players explode unexpectedly- ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ had a career game of 36P 12A with Jrue Holiday out. I'd be okay streaming this guy as long as Jrue isn't playing. ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ caught fire but he's really still a 3 points streamer specialist and how about the return of ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐- starting for Jusuf Nurkic and solid 14P 8R game. Like Jevon, I'd stream Eubanks if Nurkic misses another game.
๐ I โค RESURGENT PLAYERS-
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ has played 20+ minutes the past 3 games and that's all he needs to be a 12-14T league guy. I'd add him back if he was dropped with Jae'Sean Tate still without a timeline.
Another pair of rookie centers bear watching and maybe adding back in 14T leagues- ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ had 29 minutes and a low-end double double while ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ continues to play well and contribute decent stats with solid blocks as of late.
How about Tito ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐, 12.8P 7.3R 2.5A 1.0B in his past 3 games and is now back in the 86th spot quietly. Maybe his manager hasn't noticed yet and you could still buy low?
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ had a big double double off the bench in 17 minutes and while this is not really sustainable, JALEN SMITH's been stinking up the joint so there is an off chance the Pacers get IJax more minutes at PF. Still a MUST HOLD.
Remember when we were worried about the ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐-Onyeka Okongwu minutes share? Well that's been settled. Capela went in the late 80s to 90s in drafts and he's been a steal. He has pulled down 60 rebounds and blocked 7 shots in his last 4 games. Okongwu's a drop in standards. Capela's a sell high.
Love seeing ๐๐๐๐ back healthy and starting. He's an add while that's the case, of course we don't know when they tweak their rotation again but for now, Poku's back in our good graces.
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ had another good game but he got extra minutes with Banchero out. He did play better than Bol Bol again so this is worth monitoring. Bamba was good last year, it's not out of the possibility he gets back into the rotation- I'm not betting on it though.
๐ Love some veterans producing- ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐'s been doing a poor poor man's version of Nikola Jokic stats as of late and has been solid with those rebounds/assts. ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ is proving me wrong, staying relevant even with Garland back- don't expect that to continue but hey what do I know.
Talking about underrated- ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐'๐๐๐๐ won't get the hype but both have been more than serviceable in fantasy this year. Both are in the 60s and while people don't believe that to be sustainable- who cares, they were FA adds so ride them until it lasts. I predict that both will be within standard league roster-worthy levels the whole season.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ are worthy of your roster spot as they continue to roll while ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ is reminding us how good of a backup he is to CP3- he's a must own for CP3 owners.
And how about ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, grabbing another 19 rebounds on a bum ankle?
๐ข WHAT I'M HATING
โ Hate INJURIES- I hate late minute scratches like Giannis and Jusuf Nurkic today. It seems like there are more surprising rests/sits this season than before.
For injuries- we had some today, but none bigger than ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐- he went out with a groin injury that honestly didn't look good either. At 38, is father time knocking on his doors? Should boost RWB and Lonnie Walker when he returns.
We will also probably see multiple game absences from ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. There is no must add here, but Jevon Carter as mentioned is worth a streaming nod.
โ Hating Thibs waking up and deciding to bench ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ and play JERICHO freaking SIMS for 22 minutes. Sims is limited guy, I'm not rushing to add him while Hartenstein's a hold, hopefully Thibs wakes up from his dream and plays him more
โ Hate seeing the FG numbers of ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ today. Cade had an awful game- 1/11 FG and 4-3-2 line that really surprised me. Hopefully, it's just a bad game and he is not injured or anything.
โ Hate having to talk about ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ again- is he a hold, or is he a drop- it's like 2021 all over again. He's a drop right now, he's getting 14 minutes a night- thanks Nick Nurse.
โ Hate seeing ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ start and get 28 minutes when KJ Martin and Tari Eason are there on the bench, playing like they need more minutes. Come on now.
โ Hate seeing ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ take 19 combined FGA today in a big game against an undermanned Suns team. I'd rather see them shoot 4/21 or something but be more aggressive.
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