Linception
Some of us fly around doing the things we really want to in life, but most of us don’t. Somewhere along the way we got sidetracked, whether by work, money, kids, or the like.
It is the fear of success that usually lets us down. The fear that we can’t be what we want to be, do what we want do, or think how we want to think. The chorus of boos rains down upon us, telling us to take the safe play, and left standing is a caricature of ourselves – a compilation of who we were and what we have become.
Getting cut from two squads in one year, Jeremy Lin probably had plenty of reasons to call it a career. Sure, he could play overseas ball and probably make a good living, but doing so is usually a death sentence for NBA dreams. And while the money isn’t bad, it’s not all that great, either. Basketball players don’t get rich, nor secure, sitting on the end of NBA benches or in overseas arenas – no matter how ridiculous that seems to the rest of us. Surely, amidst the smiles and ‘go get em’ speeches he got from family and friends, the crooked mouths that can’t hide doubts had to hit him every day.
‘You’re never going to make it.’ Said, but not spoken. Sincerely, everyone.
When he hit the game-winning 3-point shot last night with time expiring he sent the world one level deeper into Linception, and time in fact stood still.
Huddled around the old Twitter box, glued to the TV, and for thousands of miles around the world – together – we waited with held breath. Calderon gave him too much space, the shot stood still in the air. In that split second all of our hopes and dreams hung in the balance. For every time we took and missed a shot, and for every shot we didn’t take, the ball spun backward once toward the goal, though in suspended disbelief all we saw was the arc.
We didn’t see the 12-year old ‘me’ that one day could play point guard for the Knicks, or the eight-year old ‘you’ that was going to pack the stadium full with the sounds of electric guitar. All we saw was the clock, and Lin look over to his adoring coach, get the okay, setup, wait, rock and fire.
When the ball went through the net the joy felt around the world was binding, but also reminding and at the same time chiding – could we have done it ourselves? Could we have followed our dreams and made it from the couch to the pinnacle of our own sport?
Yes. The answer is yes. And that is what I have to say about the phenomena that is <a href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NBA&id=1772">For a complete review of the Knicks with Amare Stoudemire back in the fold, and Carmelo Anthony returning in the next week or so, check out the last page.
Also, to follow me on Twitter where all the magic happens, click here!
Lastly, I updated the last page with a letter from a reader who was at the game. Click here to read it.
NO, BEING JOSE CALDERON WASN’T ALL THAT BAD LAST NIGHT
Jose Calderon got another night of free reign at point guard with Jerryd Bayless (ankle) a late scratch, and put up a huge night with 25 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals, three triples, and a block, and I can’t scream sell-high any louder. Yes, your trade partner knows that Bayless could ruin him, but there is enough ambiguity about Bayless’ ankle to pull off a deal. Amir Johnson started and scored 10 points with four boards and five blocks, and has the ability to be a nice big man in fantasy leagues if he can pull it together. Owners that choose to make an add here are hoping that Dwane Casey put him in the doghouse once and that’s all it’s going to take. Linas Kleiza (15 points, 11 boards, 38 minutes) had a big night while James Johnson (six points, four assists, two steals, 17 minutes) got into foul trouble early. Both guys are worth owning and I wouldn’t drop Johnson unless I absolutely had to right now. He’ll see-saw right now, but looking long-term the arrow is pointing up.
BLAZERS GET BLAZED, BATUM GOES BOMBING
Nicolas Batum stepped into Wesley Matthews’ starting job last night and put up 33 points and a full stat line, as Nate McMillan grasps at straws to fix his suddenly floundering team. But that wasn’t the news of the night out of Portland, as LaMarcus Aldridge went down with a sprained left ankle and has already been ruled out for tonight’s game. Given the chance that Aldridge misses some time, Marcus Camby (13 points, 12 boards, two steals) should be owned despite his injury risk and beyond that there are only deep-league fliers Craig “Nasty Nate” Smith and old man Kurt Thomas. The Blazers are going to move toward a small lineup with Gerald Wallace at power forward, which he may not like but is actually a great thing for fantasy owners as it will speed up the pace of play, and coincidentally that could be a stop-gap solution or spark to fix the problems in Portland. Aldridge, while having a great year, is a ball-stopper and the lack of penetration by ice-cold Raymond Felton (four points, six assists, 2-of-5 FGs, 28 minutes) has bogged the offense down. Felton hasn’t lost a step, per se, but defenses aren’t respecting his shot. He was benched in the fourth quarter and needs to be held until he works things out, or falls much further off the cliff. Jamal Crawford also struggled with three points on 1-of-5 shooting. McMillan really has no choice but to keep running them out there in their current roles more or less, because Crawford is not the answer at point guard and there are no other options.
In fact, the inspiration to move Nicolas Batum into the starting lineup was partially born out of McMillan’s inability to make a change at the point. McMillan has reportedly been hesitant to pair Matthews and Crawford on the second unit because their games are not complimentary for reasons I’ll leave untouched, but this could be the best thing for everybody. Matthews hit 6-of-13 shots for 15 points, three triples, and five boards, and he should be held to see if the move to the bench pays off or Aldridge misses time. As the Blazers fell to the lowly Wizards on their home floor last night, the luster has worn off the job McMillan has done in Portland. I started to come around this season, but I’ve long thought he was overrated and had trouble with personnel – and too many times he pushed the wrong button. Pressure is going to mount and the Blazers are simply too good to fade away, so I think something has to give here, meaning keep an eye on low-end producers Felton, Matthews, and Crawford. Their value is in the tank right now and that’s a recipe for a steal when things inevitably get better. Just weeks ago they were Western Conference contenders.
MCHALE AND NELLIE SITTING IN A TREE
Kevin Martin (back) struggled to put on his own shoes after Sunday’s game, but really it’s unclear how hurt he is with Kevin McHale pulling on the strings in Houston. McHale, a known jerker, has been at it to Nellie-like proportions lately and it’s anybody’s clue if it’s going to stop. Martin played just 19 minutes and went scoreless with a near-bagel in the box score. Luckily, the Rockets lost, which hasn’t been the case in the past week, as McHale surely gets emboldened and enabled with every win. Anybody not named Kyle Lowry (24 points, six assists) or Samuel Dalembert (nine points, 10 rebounds, one block, 27 minutes) struggled mightily last night. If Dally was somehow available in your league go run and pick him up, as he can only be held back so far with McHale’s roster devoid of centers. Borderline guys like Chase Budinger (four points, 12 minutes) and Chandler Parsons (nine points, four rebounds, one three, 33 minutes) can be added and dropped as they oscillate hot and cold. Luis Scola (nine points, five boards, five turnovers) has played better lately, but last night should be a reminder that he is not all the way back. As for Martin, I’d buy him low right now as his owner is probably fed up to no end. He’s simply too good of a player for McHale to ruin him all year. The only caveat I would add is to watch for a more serious injury than anybody is letting on, but I really don’t think that is the case here.
THE SMART MONEY
Tyreke Evans scored 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting (including a three) with eight rebounds, eight assists, and a block in Chicago last night, and DeMarcus Cousins had a whopping 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting (including a rare three) with 17 rebounds, two assists, three steals, two blocks, and six turnovers. I had the opportunity to speak with Keith Smart after last Thursday’s big win over the Thunder, and as a Warriors fan I’ve already had the close up with him in Golden State. I wasn’t entirely sold he could handle a more challenging locker room than the one he had with the Warriors, but I’m sold now. We talked about Evans being the unquestioned point guard of the team, and over the last 2-3 weeks he has shown incredible progress limiting the number of wince-inducing plays handling the rock. What has been an even bigger story has been the progress of Cousins, who Smart has connected with and empowered to control his own destiny. I’m putting together a piece on it for ProBasketballTalk and it’s really a phenomenal turnaround for both guys and the team. So, yes, I’m buying both of them as fantasy assets, when just two weeks ago I was fairly down on both.
Marcus Thornton scored 23 points with three triples last night, too, and the kid has brass balls. The only way he goes south is if the team does, in relative terms of course, and finally Sacramento has roles. Jimmer’s development was stunted by the early issues and the lockout, and now he’s just a 3-point shooter off the bench – and that’s probably best. Jason Thompson (eight points, 11 boards) is going to hold down the PF slot indefinitely, leaving Chuck Hayes on the outside looking in. His shoulder and lack of time to gel with teammates are the culprits, here. If you need a big man don’t be afraid to look at Thompson – he has a good amount of leash right now. All-in-all, I like the direction this team is heading under Smart.
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HAND IT OVER
Mario Chalmers’ hand injury is apparently more serious than those in Miami were letting on, as he left last night’s game in pain with the Heat up big over the Pacers. I’d be tempted to call the situation minor if I knew none of the back-story, which includes a quiet return game and an improved, but still limited follow up game on Monday. My guess is that there is more to the injury than the score indicated, and with Norris Cole scoring a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting he’s worth a look as a flier if you need help at point guard in 12-team leagues. I disappointed folks by jumping on the Cole bandwagon earlier in the year, failing to see that Chalmers would step up his play the way he did. Cole has still held the hearts of the Miami press, so there’s a chance his false-start was the result of Chalmers picking up his game – and not a regression by Cole. If the injury is serious then Cole would clearly be worth a pickup, but for now owners are looking at this as a short-term, risk-reward add.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T JUMP
Greg Monroe had his first minutes-issue with Lawrence Frank leaving him on the bench late in a close game, as Monroe hit just 2-of-11 shots for four points, six boards, and one block in 22 minutes. The Pistons made a late comeback and with no report of an injury it seems likely that Frank let his bench try to steal the win. There’s no reason to panic as this is the first blip on the radar for Monroe in an otherwise stellar year. Rodney Stuckey has averaged 16 points, five assists, and 1.4 steals in his last five games, including last night’s 23-point, four-rebound, and eight-assist effort.
STATE SECRETS
Derrick Rose (back) did not play on Tuesday and Mike James was signed to a 10-day contract, which is usually a sign that a starter is going to miss some time. Rose said that he would be back soon, however, saying he would have “his back pain behind him in a couple of days.” This leaves him questionable for Thursday’s nationally televised game against the Magic. To complicate matters the Bulls have been feeding misinformation to the press all year, and Tom Thibodeau wants his guys to play through in injury they can, though he has softened a bit due to pressure from media and possibly management. Shake your magic 8-ball, because your guess is as good as mine here.
C.J. Watson (10 points, two points) is a sneaky short-term add despite his slow night, but only if you have the stones to look at James’ 10-day contract as a sign. With help from all the injuries, Joakim Noah has given owners about three weeks to sell-high, and kept it up with 22 points, 11 boards, and four blocks against the Kings’ soft interior defense. He’ll come back to Earth when Rose and Richard Hamilton (leg, groin) return. Luol Deng is also a sell-high candidate due to his wrist issues, but owners will likely think twice about that after he posted 23 points on 6-of-17 shooting (9-of-9 from the foul line), seven rebounds, 11 assists, two threes, a steal, and a block. Even if the wrist wasn’t a concern, his mileage and minute-counts over the last two years are worrisome, as is his prior injury history. You won’t get a better line all year to sell him with.
WAYWARD SON
Gordon Hayward’s slump continued after he entered the week as a hot waiver wire pickup, as he missed all six of his shots and finished with zero points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 16 minutes. Yes, the Jazz were on their third road game in three nights, and yes, it looked like Hayward was going to be able to survive playing next to Raja Bell early. I’ve expressed my reservations about that a lot in this space, and with Jazz players talking about the chemistry on the court, Bell’s presence has gone above and beyond the duty of sapping Hayward. Especially with Devin Harris (six points, one assist, 15 minutes) playing like a guy collecting a paycheck (and not to be owned), defenses can sag all day and limit Hayward’s less-than-explosive first step. All of that said, once Hayward gets moving to the hoop he has plenty of explosion and height to finish moves, and he’s more the answer than the problem in Utah – so I’d exhibit patience until the end of the week.
DON’T CALL ME ALF
I wanted to pump up Alf, a/k/a Arron Afflalo (20 points, 7-of-11 FGs, two threes, steal, block, 30 minutes) when Danilo Gallinari (ankle) went down, but it wasn’t clear that he would be needed at the offensive end and he was struggling pretty bad. I noted that he could be worth an add, but I called Rudy Fernandez (11 points, two threes, two steals, 21 minutes) the preferred add between the two. It looks like I got that backwards, as Afflalo has been putting this type of line up regularly, and he’s also a sell-high guy with Wilson Chandler coming back home sometime during the month of March. He and his Chinese team have been slumping hard lately and Chandler sounds like a guy whose mind is in Denver. Is Chandler worth a pickup as he stares down a potential 30-minute role with Gallo out? Sure, but only you can measure how long he can rot on your bench while his once-acclaimed team works through the CBA playoffs. Kenneth Faried (13 points, nine boards, block), Kosta Koufos (nine points, nine boards, five steals, three blocks), Chris Andersen (16 points, seven boards, six blocks) are all deep-league or spot-starting guys with Nene (calf) and Timofey Mozgov (ankle) out through at least tonight. In the case of Anderson he’s a total crapshoot as the owner of two DNP-CDs entering last night.
HOLD YOUR HORSES
Kobe Bryant hit just 5-of-18 shots for a season-low 10 points last night, and the most recent report on his wrist is that it’s completely healed. I said it once, but I’ll say it again – the wrist injury was either overstated early or it’s not ‘completely healed.’ Doctors everywhere ruled on the length and duration of the injury, and while prognoses varied, the large majority of them said he was risking further injury and that it wouldn't improve if there was a full tear. I don’t know that the answer to that question matters or not, as Kobe was able to play through it and theoretically should be able to play through it going forward. Those that have followed along know that along with the wrist, his mileage and high level of play were the basis for my sell-high calls, and after providing sixth and tenth round value in 8- and 9-cat leagues over the past two weeks maybe it wasn’t such a bad call after all. Owners can’t exactly sell ‘high’ right now, so it’s just time to watch for any talk about the wrist and hold until he gets hot again.
GOING POSTAL
Danny Granger left last night’s game with a sprained left ankle, not that you would know it if you read the Indy Star’s post-game report that didn’t even mention it. Even beat writers mail it in. If Granger misses significant time, which is possible though his injury didn’t appear to be definitively serious, the guys to watch on the wire will be George Hill (ankle) and Tyler Hansbrough (11 points, four boards). Neither are particularly appealing options right now, but they have the most talent and that usually is a recipe for value when a big piece like Granger goes down. We don’t have an update on Granger’s status yet, and if the Indy Star decides it’s a big enough story maybe they’ll let us in on it.
SUNBURNT
Steve Nash and Grant Hill got prescribed rest last night in the middle of a triple-set of games, and while it’s a bummer it’s a good thing for owners in the long run. The rest of the starters not named Marcin Gortat (10 points, 14 boards, steal, block) might as well have been rested, as the Suns deal with the realities of a five-game week. Channing Frye had seven points on 3-of-4 shooting in 17 minutes, but managed a steal, a block, and a three for good measure, Jared Dudley faded to the background with six points, six boards, and two assists in 27 minutes, and guys like Markieff Morris (21 points, six boards, four steals, two blocks, two threes) and Michael Redd (20 points, six boards, three treys) picked up the slack. Frye and Dudley should obviously be held in all formats right now, while Morris is worth a look as a long-term add. I am concerned, though, that the Suns aren’t good enough for Morris to be a consistent asset without some help. I trust Redd about as much as he can defend his position, which is ‘not at all.’
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KNICKERBOCKER CHOWDER
Carmelo Anthony (groin) is expected to miss at least the next two games, and coming back to the Jeremy Lin story, he had 27 points, a career-high 11 assists, a steal, and two 3-pointers last night. Fantasy owners will be talking about the eight turnovers, however, and since he started playing heavy minutes he has 5.2 per game in six contests. Steve Nash averaged about 3.5 of them per game under Mike D’Antoni, and I’d be willing to bet that’s where Lin heads in the long run. He’ll handle the ball less once Melo returns, and I do buy to some degree that Lin is being affected by fatigue, so if you want to over/under the issue I’ll go with a 4.1 average from the time he started playing 30-plus minutes per game.
Everybody wants to know what to do with Lin, and some of the trade offers and questions we’ve seen are out of this world. Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins I heard about last night. I turned down an offer for my Lin for his Rudy Gay, but stared at it for way too long. Lin’s numbers since taking on a big-time role: 26.8 points, 0.8 threes, 3.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.2 blocks, 50.4% FGs, 71.7% FTs, and 5.2 TOs in six games. That’s good for mid-fifth round value in 9-cat leagues (per-game) and top-15 value in 8-cat leagues. As I mentioned the last time around, look for his scoring to go down to about 18-20 points per game and that 3-point shooting number to hover around 0.5, with his assists and everything else holding steady. How much does that knock off of his value? 2-3 rounds are a good guess, and that’s the Mason-Dixon Line for owners talking trade.
As for the game itself, Lin and his teammates looked tired. They also looked out of sorts, but only because their execution wasn’t crisp. Still doing what good teams do, however, they played together. The spacing and ball movement is night and day different from the pre-Lin days, including the week or so that Carmelo Anthony was passing the ball, after pressure mounted for him to stop ball-hogging.
Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points on 8-of-22 shooting with nine boards, and he was not, repeat not, a featured pick-and-roller in this game. Everything came in the flow of ball movement, and while Tyson Chandler scored just 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting with nine boards and two blocked shots – I don’t think it’s crazy to call him the better player between the two. Amare has a wider array of shots he can take and make, but the difference in athleticism is striking. Stoudemire had seven shots blocked last night, and while his physical skills haven’t totally dropped off they have gone a step down for sure. Luckily, when Melo returns, any decrease in his touches should be offset by an increase in pick-and-roll plays run for him as he gets comfortable with Lin. It’s not unreasonable to predict a dip in scoring, nonetheless. If you want to try to sell high after a pretty box score be my guest, but my guess is the market is soft and owners’ best bet is to hold. I think some variation of last night’s line is in his future.
Landry Fields had eight points, seven boards, and seven assists, while Iman Shumpert had just eight points on 3-of-9 shooting (no threes), but still had two rebounds, three assists, four steals, and put on a defensive clinic. I think both guys should be owned in 12-team, 8/9-cat leagues for their expected low-end production, and Shumpert has a bit of upside as a developing player. Overall, the Knicks’ roles are really solid right now as Shumpert gives them a huge boost off the bench and his athleticism is a must on the court. Fields plays well off of Lin and the twin towers down low are a formidable bunch, particularly in the pick-and-roll game. The final piece is Melo, and as I’ve been saying for the last week I think he is going to fit in just fine. I wouldn’t say they’re expected to beat Miami or Chicago in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but I think they’re capable of beating any team in the NBA.
FOUR QUARTERS OF FURY LINSANITY
1<sup>ST</sup> QUARTER: Manu Ginobili isn’t quite yet himself, but at least Gregg Popovich has been up-front about it, calling him a “15-20 minute guy” before last night’s game. Ginobili’s conditioning is an issue right now but there is nothing to worry about despite his 0-for-4 outing that included one point, two rebounds, and seven assists. Please help anybody out that is even slightly panicked. Tony Parker has predictably slowed down with Manu back in the fold, scoring 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting with seven assists. If you sold high, you’re doing it right, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Pop gave Parker a night off down the road. No hard news there, just a gut thing. Tim Duncan stayed hot with 18 points, 13 boards, two steals, and three blocks, making the threat of surprise DNPs worth the squeeze. He’s at increased risk with Manu back now, unfortunately, but owning Duncan is generally a positive right now. Tiago Splitter had 13 points, seven boards, and a block, and continues to be a nice post 2 a.m. booty call for owners.
2<sup>ND</sup> QUARTER: Kevin Garnett (hip flexor) is doubtful for Wednesday and Jermaine O’Neal (shoulder) practiced Tuesday, and between the two issues Chris Wilcox has at least one unfettered opportunity in front of him. Dirk Nowitzki ditched the sleeve on his right knee on Monday and looks like the Dirk owners drafted. Richard Hamilton (leg, groin) is a week away from returning. It’s fair to wonder if the cardio king wasn’t so cardiovascular this offseason. DeAndre Jordan’s minutes have taken a hit with Kenyon Martin in the fold. I’d just hold, as his knee could be at the root of things and Martin is a health risk, himself. Brook Lopez practiced yesterday and his return is coming soon. Serge Ibaka scored 16 points with 10 rebounds and six more blocks last night, and I have to say that I’m shocked this is happening. I’m also shocked that Grape Nuts are neither grape, nor nuts. Check the news later today, as surely Scott Brooks will have won the Coach of the Year award. After all, he only figured it out two months late. Progress!
3<sup>RD</sup> QUARTER: John Wall scored 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting with nine assists, a three, a steal, and two blocks, and has finally turned it on after a slow start. Congrats to those that bought low, and this is not a sell-high moment. He's nowhere close to his ceiling. Nick Young’s 35 points with seven 3-pointers might be that moment, however, and I'm not questioning Young’s ability or play as much as I am his iffy environment, sometimes sultry attitude, and the presence of Jordan Crawford (21 points, 9-of-16 FGs). There’s too many hens in the hen-house and the potential for Young to frustrate owners during the valleys is the impetus to sell at the peaks. I’m not going to freak out about Trevor Booker’s (six points, six boards, 23 minutes) slowdown just yet, but Jan Vesely is getting minutes (29) and with three points, nine boards, three assists, two blocks, and six fouls he’s no longer a corpse. If it continues, be ready to cut bait on Booker with Andray Blatche (shoulder) returning at some point. D.J. Augustin (toe) had a setback on Monday but practiced yesterday and might play tonight, which reportedly will send Kemba Walker to the bench. The play is to hold Walker for now, and Doc and I aren’t necessarily sold that a bench role is going to stick. Gerald Henderson (hamstring) hopes to be back after the three-game road trip, and he shouldn’t be available on many waiver wires right now. He’ll replace Reggie Williams in the starting lineup, as Williams mostly blew his audition. Still, Paul Silas hearts him.
4<sup>TH</sup> QUARTER: Kyrie Irving (concussion) practiced in full yesterday and is targeting tonight’s game to return. Hopefully you sold Ramon Sessions high. Emeka Okafor (knee) is questionable for Wednesday’s game, which may be bigger news for Gustavo Ayon than it is for Chris Kaman, who is should get showcased as long as Monty Williams doesn’t screw it up. It may or may not be revealing that the Hornets will sign Solomon Jones to a 10-day contract. Carl Landry (knee) and Jason Smith (concussion) aren’t with the team and have a ways to go before returning. Jarrett Jack (knee) was ruled out for Wednesday, but unlike the Hornets’ injured forwards he wasn’t noted as staying home for the road trip. Jeff Teague bounced back with 18 points and just three assists, but the three steals, two blocks, and two threes are a nice complement. He’ll have every opportunity to keep the starting job and will have a pretty long leash, but he won’t get the run of the yard. Overall, I’m well-past optimistic about his prospects to hold off Kirk Hinrich (14 minutes, five points). LeBron James had 23 points, nine boards, seven assists, and four steals, but the moment of the night was when Ernie asked him if he would ever consider shaving his balding head.
Letter from reader:
Bru,
Not trying to rub it in or anything, but I was at that Knicks/Raptors game up here in The Great White North.
I was in the last row of the arena-- upper bowl-- Row 17-- the only affordable tix I could get last-minute.
It felt like a final game in the World Cup or a Hollywood movie.
Totally astonishing.
75% of the sellout crowd was Asian. Of that, only about half were even basketball fans.
I'm prone to hyperbole, but that was the greatest sporting moment I've ever witnessed live.
For different reasons than Jose Calderon, I nearly cried when that shot fell. Okay, I may have a little.
About a half hour after the game, I saw a little Asian kid with a Taiwanese flag in his hand and "LIN" painted on his cheeks.
He was bouncing up and down on the street, stopped, turned to his parents and sublimely said, "I'M SO HAPPY!"
What else needs to be said?
Unofficial Raptors Correspondent,
Manale
Some of us fly around doing the things we really want to in life, but most of us don’t. Somewhere along the way we got sidetracked, whether by work, money, kids, or the like.
It is the fear of success that usually lets us down. The fear that we can’t be what we want to be, do what we want do, or think how we want to think. The chorus of boos rains down upon us, telling us to take the safe play, and left standing is a caricature of ourselves – a compilation of who we were and what we have become.
Getting cut from two squads in one year, Jeremy Lin probably had plenty of reasons to call it a career. Sure, he could play overseas ball and probably make a good living, but doing so is usually a death sentence for NBA dreams. And while the money isn’t bad, it’s not all that great, either. Basketball players don’t get rich, nor secure, sitting on the end of NBA benches or in overseas arenas – no matter how ridiculous that seems to the rest of us. Surely, amidst the smiles and ‘go get em’ speeches he got from family and friends, the crooked mouths that can’t hide doubts had to hit him every day.
‘You’re never going to make it.’ Said, but not spoken. Sincerely, everyone.
When he hit the game-winning 3-point shot last night with time expiring he sent the world one level deeper into Linception, and time in fact stood still.
Huddled around the old Twitter box, glued to the TV, and for thousands of miles around the world – together – we waited with held breath. Calderon gave him too much space, the shot stood still in the air. In that split second all of our hopes and dreams hung in the balance. For every time we took and missed a shot, and for every shot we didn’t take, the ball spun backward once toward the goal, though in suspended disbelief all we saw was the arc.
We didn’t see the 12-year old ‘me’ that one day could play point guard for the Knicks, or the eight-year old ‘you’ that was going to pack the stadium full with the sounds of electric guitar. All we saw was the clock, and Lin look over to his adoring coach, get the okay, setup, wait, rock and fire.
When the ball went through the net the joy felt around the world was binding, but also reminding and at the same time chiding – could we have done it ourselves? Could we have followed our dreams and made it from the couch to the pinnacle of our own sport?
Yes. The answer is yes. And that is what I have to say about the phenomena that is <a href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NBA&id=1772">For a complete review of the Knicks with Amare Stoudemire back in the fold, and Carmelo Anthony returning in the next week or so, check out the last page.
Also, to follow me on Twitter where all the magic happens, click here!
Lastly, I updated the last page with a letter from a reader who was at the game. Click here to read it.
NO, BEING JOSE CALDERON WASN’T ALL THAT BAD LAST NIGHT
Jose Calderon got another night of free reign at point guard with Jerryd Bayless (ankle) a late scratch, and put up a huge night with 25 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals, three triples, and a block, and I can’t scream sell-high any louder. Yes, your trade partner knows that Bayless could ruin him, but there is enough ambiguity about Bayless’ ankle to pull off a deal. Amir Johnson started and scored 10 points with four boards and five blocks, and has the ability to be a nice big man in fantasy leagues if he can pull it together. Owners that choose to make an add here are hoping that Dwane Casey put him in the doghouse once and that’s all it’s going to take. Linas Kleiza (15 points, 11 boards, 38 minutes) had a big night while James Johnson (six points, four assists, two steals, 17 minutes) got into foul trouble early. Both guys are worth owning and I wouldn’t drop Johnson unless I absolutely had to right now. He’ll see-saw right now, but looking long-term the arrow is pointing up.
BLAZERS GET BLAZED, BATUM GOES BOMBING
Nicolas Batum stepped into Wesley Matthews’ starting job last night and put up 33 points and a full stat line, as Nate McMillan grasps at straws to fix his suddenly floundering team. But that wasn’t the news of the night out of Portland, as LaMarcus Aldridge went down with a sprained left ankle and has already been ruled out for tonight’s game. Given the chance that Aldridge misses some time, Marcus Camby (13 points, 12 boards, two steals) should be owned despite his injury risk and beyond that there are only deep-league fliers Craig “Nasty Nate” Smith and old man Kurt Thomas. The Blazers are going to move toward a small lineup with Gerald Wallace at power forward, which he may not like but is actually a great thing for fantasy owners as it will speed up the pace of play, and coincidentally that could be a stop-gap solution or spark to fix the problems in Portland. Aldridge, while having a great year, is a ball-stopper and the lack of penetration by ice-cold Raymond Felton (four points, six assists, 2-of-5 FGs, 28 minutes) has bogged the offense down. Felton hasn’t lost a step, per se, but defenses aren’t respecting his shot. He was benched in the fourth quarter and needs to be held until he works things out, or falls much further off the cliff. Jamal Crawford also struggled with three points on 1-of-5 shooting. McMillan really has no choice but to keep running them out there in their current roles more or less, because Crawford is not the answer at point guard and there are no other options.
In fact, the inspiration to move Nicolas Batum into the starting lineup was partially born out of McMillan’s inability to make a change at the point. McMillan has reportedly been hesitant to pair Matthews and Crawford on the second unit because their games are not complimentary for reasons I’ll leave untouched, but this could be the best thing for everybody. Matthews hit 6-of-13 shots for 15 points, three triples, and five boards, and he should be held to see if the move to the bench pays off or Aldridge misses time. As the Blazers fell to the lowly Wizards on their home floor last night, the luster has worn off the job McMillan has done in Portland. I started to come around this season, but I’ve long thought he was overrated and had trouble with personnel – and too many times he pushed the wrong button. Pressure is going to mount and the Blazers are simply too good to fade away, so I think something has to give here, meaning keep an eye on low-end producers Felton, Matthews, and Crawford. Their value is in the tank right now and that’s a recipe for a steal when things inevitably get better. Just weeks ago they were Western Conference contenders.
MCHALE AND NELLIE SITTING IN A TREE
Kevin Martin (back) struggled to put on his own shoes after Sunday’s game, but really it’s unclear how hurt he is with Kevin McHale pulling on the strings in Houston. McHale, a known jerker, has been at it to Nellie-like proportions lately and it’s anybody’s clue if it’s going to stop. Martin played just 19 minutes and went scoreless with a near-bagel in the box score. Luckily, the Rockets lost, which hasn’t been the case in the past week, as McHale surely gets emboldened and enabled with every win. Anybody not named Kyle Lowry (24 points, six assists) or Samuel Dalembert (nine points, 10 rebounds, one block, 27 minutes) struggled mightily last night. If Dally was somehow available in your league go run and pick him up, as he can only be held back so far with McHale’s roster devoid of centers. Borderline guys like Chase Budinger (four points, 12 minutes) and Chandler Parsons (nine points, four rebounds, one three, 33 minutes) can be added and dropped as they oscillate hot and cold. Luis Scola (nine points, five boards, five turnovers) has played better lately, but last night should be a reminder that he is not all the way back. As for Martin, I’d buy him low right now as his owner is probably fed up to no end. He’s simply too good of a player for McHale to ruin him all year. The only caveat I would add is to watch for a more serious injury than anybody is letting on, but I really don’t think that is the case here.
THE SMART MONEY
Tyreke Evans scored 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting (including a three) with eight rebounds, eight assists, and a block in Chicago last night, and DeMarcus Cousins had a whopping 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting (including a rare three) with 17 rebounds, two assists, three steals, two blocks, and six turnovers. I had the opportunity to speak with Keith Smart after last Thursday’s big win over the Thunder, and as a Warriors fan I’ve already had the close up with him in Golden State. I wasn’t entirely sold he could handle a more challenging locker room than the one he had with the Warriors, but I’m sold now. We talked about Evans being the unquestioned point guard of the team, and over the last 2-3 weeks he has shown incredible progress limiting the number of wince-inducing plays handling the rock. What has been an even bigger story has been the progress of Cousins, who Smart has connected with and empowered to control his own destiny. I’m putting together a piece on it for ProBasketballTalk and it’s really a phenomenal turnaround for both guys and the team. So, yes, I’m buying both of them as fantasy assets, when just two weeks ago I was fairly down on both.
Marcus Thornton scored 23 points with three triples last night, too, and the kid has brass balls. The only way he goes south is if the team does, in relative terms of course, and finally Sacramento has roles. Jimmer’s development was stunted by the early issues and the lockout, and now he’s just a 3-point shooter off the bench – and that’s probably best. Jason Thompson (eight points, 11 boards) is going to hold down the PF slot indefinitely, leaving Chuck Hayes on the outside looking in. His shoulder and lack of time to gel with teammates are the culprits, here. If you need a big man don’t be afraid to look at Thompson – he has a good amount of leash right now. All-in-all, I like the direction this team is heading under Smart.
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HAND IT OVER
Mario Chalmers’ hand injury is apparently more serious than those in Miami were letting on, as he left last night’s game in pain with the Heat up big over the Pacers. I’d be tempted to call the situation minor if I knew none of the back-story, which includes a quiet return game and an improved, but still limited follow up game on Monday. My guess is that there is more to the injury than the score indicated, and with Norris Cole scoring a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting he’s worth a look as a flier if you need help at point guard in 12-team leagues. I disappointed folks by jumping on the Cole bandwagon earlier in the year, failing to see that Chalmers would step up his play the way he did. Cole has still held the hearts of the Miami press, so there’s a chance his false-start was the result of Chalmers picking up his game – and not a regression by Cole. If the injury is serious then Cole would clearly be worth a pickup, but for now owners are looking at this as a short-term, risk-reward add.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T JUMP
Greg Monroe had his first minutes-issue with Lawrence Frank leaving him on the bench late in a close game, as Monroe hit just 2-of-11 shots for four points, six boards, and one block in 22 minutes. The Pistons made a late comeback and with no report of an injury it seems likely that Frank let his bench try to steal the win. There’s no reason to panic as this is the first blip on the radar for Monroe in an otherwise stellar year. Rodney Stuckey has averaged 16 points, five assists, and 1.4 steals in his last five games, including last night’s 23-point, four-rebound, and eight-assist effort.
STATE SECRETS
Derrick Rose (back) did not play on Tuesday and Mike James was signed to a 10-day contract, which is usually a sign that a starter is going to miss some time. Rose said that he would be back soon, however, saying he would have “his back pain behind him in a couple of days.” This leaves him questionable for Thursday’s nationally televised game against the Magic. To complicate matters the Bulls have been feeding misinformation to the press all year, and Tom Thibodeau wants his guys to play through in injury they can, though he has softened a bit due to pressure from media and possibly management. Shake your magic 8-ball, because your guess is as good as mine here.
C.J. Watson (10 points, two points) is a sneaky short-term add despite his slow night, but only if you have the stones to look at James’ 10-day contract as a sign. With help from all the injuries, Joakim Noah has given owners about three weeks to sell-high, and kept it up with 22 points, 11 boards, and four blocks against the Kings’ soft interior defense. He’ll come back to Earth when Rose and Richard Hamilton (leg, groin) return. Luol Deng is also a sell-high candidate due to his wrist issues, but owners will likely think twice about that after he posted 23 points on 6-of-17 shooting (9-of-9 from the foul line), seven rebounds, 11 assists, two threes, a steal, and a block. Even if the wrist wasn’t a concern, his mileage and minute-counts over the last two years are worrisome, as is his prior injury history. You won’t get a better line all year to sell him with.
WAYWARD SON
Gordon Hayward’s slump continued after he entered the week as a hot waiver wire pickup, as he missed all six of his shots and finished with zero points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 16 minutes. Yes, the Jazz were on their third road game in three nights, and yes, it looked like Hayward was going to be able to survive playing next to Raja Bell early. I’ve expressed my reservations about that a lot in this space, and with Jazz players talking about the chemistry on the court, Bell’s presence has gone above and beyond the duty of sapping Hayward. Especially with Devin Harris (six points, one assist, 15 minutes) playing like a guy collecting a paycheck (and not to be owned), defenses can sag all day and limit Hayward’s less-than-explosive first step. All of that said, once Hayward gets moving to the hoop he has plenty of explosion and height to finish moves, and he’s more the answer than the problem in Utah – so I’d exhibit patience until the end of the week.
DON’T CALL ME ALF
I wanted to pump up Alf, a/k/a Arron Afflalo (20 points, 7-of-11 FGs, two threes, steal, block, 30 minutes) when Danilo Gallinari (ankle) went down, but it wasn’t clear that he would be needed at the offensive end and he was struggling pretty bad. I noted that he could be worth an add, but I called Rudy Fernandez (11 points, two threes, two steals, 21 minutes) the preferred add between the two. It looks like I got that backwards, as Afflalo has been putting this type of line up regularly, and he’s also a sell-high guy with Wilson Chandler coming back home sometime during the month of March. He and his Chinese team have been slumping hard lately and Chandler sounds like a guy whose mind is in Denver. Is Chandler worth a pickup as he stares down a potential 30-minute role with Gallo out? Sure, but only you can measure how long he can rot on your bench while his once-acclaimed team works through the CBA playoffs. Kenneth Faried (13 points, nine boards, block), Kosta Koufos (nine points, nine boards, five steals, three blocks), Chris Andersen (16 points, seven boards, six blocks) are all deep-league or spot-starting guys with Nene (calf) and Timofey Mozgov (ankle) out through at least tonight. In the case of Anderson he’s a total crapshoot as the owner of two DNP-CDs entering last night.
HOLD YOUR HORSES
Kobe Bryant hit just 5-of-18 shots for a season-low 10 points last night, and the most recent report on his wrist is that it’s completely healed. I said it once, but I’ll say it again – the wrist injury was either overstated early or it’s not ‘completely healed.’ Doctors everywhere ruled on the length and duration of the injury, and while prognoses varied, the large majority of them said he was risking further injury and that it wouldn't improve if there was a full tear. I don’t know that the answer to that question matters or not, as Kobe was able to play through it and theoretically should be able to play through it going forward. Those that have followed along know that along with the wrist, his mileage and high level of play were the basis for my sell-high calls, and after providing sixth and tenth round value in 8- and 9-cat leagues over the past two weeks maybe it wasn’t such a bad call after all. Owners can’t exactly sell ‘high’ right now, so it’s just time to watch for any talk about the wrist and hold until he gets hot again.
GOING POSTAL
Danny Granger left last night’s game with a sprained left ankle, not that you would know it if you read the Indy Star’s post-game report that didn’t even mention it. Even beat writers mail it in. If Granger misses significant time, which is possible though his injury didn’t appear to be definitively serious, the guys to watch on the wire will be George Hill (ankle) and Tyler Hansbrough (11 points, four boards). Neither are particularly appealing options right now, but they have the most talent and that usually is a recipe for value when a big piece like Granger goes down. We don’t have an update on Granger’s status yet, and if the Indy Star decides it’s a big enough story maybe they’ll let us in on it.
SUNBURNT
Steve Nash and Grant Hill got prescribed rest last night in the middle of a triple-set of games, and while it’s a bummer it’s a good thing for owners in the long run. The rest of the starters not named Marcin Gortat (10 points, 14 boards, steal, block) might as well have been rested, as the Suns deal with the realities of a five-game week. Channing Frye had seven points on 3-of-4 shooting in 17 minutes, but managed a steal, a block, and a three for good measure, Jared Dudley faded to the background with six points, six boards, and two assists in 27 minutes, and guys like Markieff Morris (21 points, six boards, four steals, two blocks, two threes) and Michael Redd (20 points, six boards, three treys) picked up the slack. Frye and Dudley should obviously be held in all formats right now, while Morris is worth a look as a long-term add. I am concerned, though, that the Suns aren’t good enough for Morris to be a consistent asset without some help. I trust Redd about as much as he can defend his position, which is ‘not at all.’
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KNICKERBOCKER CHOWDER
Carmelo Anthony (groin) is expected to miss at least the next two games, and coming back to the Jeremy Lin story, he had 27 points, a career-high 11 assists, a steal, and two 3-pointers last night. Fantasy owners will be talking about the eight turnovers, however, and since he started playing heavy minutes he has 5.2 per game in six contests. Steve Nash averaged about 3.5 of them per game under Mike D’Antoni, and I’d be willing to bet that’s where Lin heads in the long run. He’ll handle the ball less once Melo returns, and I do buy to some degree that Lin is being affected by fatigue, so if you want to over/under the issue I’ll go with a 4.1 average from the time he started playing 30-plus minutes per game.
Everybody wants to know what to do with Lin, and some of the trade offers and questions we’ve seen are out of this world. Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins I heard about last night. I turned down an offer for my Lin for his Rudy Gay, but stared at it for way too long. Lin’s numbers since taking on a big-time role: 26.8 points, 0.8 threes, 3.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.2 blocks, 50.4% FGs, 71.7% FTs, and 5.2 TOs in six games. That’s good for mid-fifth round value in 9-cat leagues (per-game) and top-15 value in 8-cat leagues. As I mentioned the last time around, look for his scoring to go down to about 18-20 points per game and that 3-point shooting number to hover around 0.5, with his assists and everything else holding steady. How much does that knock off of his value? 2-3 rounds are a good guess, and that’s the Mason-Dixon Line for owners talking trade.
As for the game itself, Lin and his teammates looked tired. They also looked out of sorts, but only because their execution wasn’t crisp. Still doing what good teams do, however, they played together. The spacing and ball movement is night and day different from the pre-Lin days, including the week or so that Carmelo Anthony was passing the ball, after pressure mounted for him to stop ball-hogging.
Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points on 8-of-22 shooting with nine boards, and he was not, repeat not, a featured pick-and-roller in this game. Everything came in the flow of ball movement, and while Tyson Chandler scored just 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting with nine boards and two blocked shots – I don’t think it’s crazy to call him the better player between the two. Amare has a wider array of shots he can take and make, but the difference in athleticism is striking. Stoudemire had seven shots blocked last night, and while his physical skills haven’t totally dropped off they have gone a step down for sure. Luckily, when Melo returns, any decrease in his touches should be offset by an increase in pick-and-roll plays run for him as he gets comfortable with Lin. It’s not unreasonable to predict a dip in scoring, nonetheless. If you want to try to sell high after a pretty box score be my guest, but my guess is the market is soft and owners’ best bet is to hold. I think some variation of last night’s line is in his future.
Landry Fields had eight points, seven boards, and seven assists, while Iman Shumpert had just eight points on 3-of-9 shooting (no threes), but still had two rebounds, three assists, four steals, and put on a defensive clinic. I think both guys should be owned in 12-team, 8/9-cat leagues for their expected low-end production, and Shumpert has a bit of upside as a developing player. Overall, the Knicks’ roles are really solid right now as Shumpert gives them a huge boost off the bench and his athleticism is a must on the court. Fields plays well off of Lin and the twin towers down low are a formidable bunch, particularly in the pick-and-roll game. The final piece is Melo, and as I’ve been saying for the last week I think he is going to fit in just fine. I wouldn’t say they’re expected to beat Miami or Chicago in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but I think they’re capable of beating any team in the NBA.
FOUR QUARTERS OF FURY LINSANITY
1<sup>ST</sup> QUARTER: Manu Ginobili isn’t quite yet himself, but at least Gregg Popovich has been up-front about it, calling him a “15-20 minute guy” before last night’s game. Ginobili’s conditioning is an issue right now but there is nothing to worry about despite his 0-for-4 outing that included one point, two rebounds, and seven assists. Please help anybody out that is even slightly panicked. Tony Parker has predictably slowed down with Manu back in the fold, scoring 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting with seven assists. If you sold high, you’re doing it right, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Pop gave Parker a night off down the road. No hard news there, just a gut thing. Tim Duncan stayed hot with 18 points, 13 boards, two steals, and three blocks, making the threat of surprise DNPs worth the squeeze. He’s at increased risk with Manu back now, unfortunately, but owning Duncan is generally a positive right now. Tiago Splitter had 13 points, seven boards, and a block, and continues to be a nice post 2 a.m. booty call for owners.
2<sup>ND</sup> QUARTER: Kevin Garnett (hip flexor) is doubtful for Wednesday and Jermaine O’Neal (shoulder) practiced Tuesday, and between the two issues Chris Wilcox has at least one unfettered opportunity in front of him. Dirk Nowitzki ditched the sleeve on his right knee on Monday and looks like the Dirk owners drafted. Richard Hamilton (leg, groin) is a week away from returning. It’s fair to wonder if the cardio king wasn’t so cardiovascular this offseason. DeAndre Jordan’s minutes have taken a hit with Kenyon Martin in the fold. I’d just hold, as his knee could be at the root of things and Martin is a health risk, himself. Brook Lopez practiced yesterday and his return is coming soon. Serge Ibaka scored 16 points with 10 rebounds and six more blocks last night, and I have to say that I’m shocked this is happening. I’m also shocked that Grape Nuts are neither grape, nor nuts. Check the news later today, as surely Scott Brooks will have won the Coach of the Year award. After all, he only figured it out two months late. Progress!
3<sup>RD</sup> QUARTER: John Wall scored 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting with nine assists, a three, a steal, and two blocks, and has finally turned it on after a slow start. Congrats to those that bought low, and this is not a sell-high moment. He's nowhere close to his ceiling. Nick Young’s 35 points with seven 3-pointers might be that moment, however, and I'm not questioning Young’s ability or play as much as I am his iffy environment, sometimes sultry attitude, and the presence of Jordan Crawford (21 points, 9-of-16 FGs). There’s too many hens in the hen-house and the potential for Young to frustrate owners during the valleys is the impetus to sell at the peaks. I’m not going to freak out about Trevor Booker’s (six points, six boards, 23 minutes) slowdown just yet, but Jan Vesely is getting minutes (29) and with three points, nine boards, three assists, two blocks, and six fouls he’s no longer a corpse. If it continues, be ready to cut bait on Booker with Andray Blatche (shoulder) returning at some point. D.J. Augustin (toe) had a setback on Monday but practiced yesterday and might play tonight, which reportedly will send Kemba Walker to the bench. The play is to hold Walker for now, and Doc and I aren’t necessarily sold that a bench role is going to stick. Gerald Henderson (hamstring) hopes to be back after the three-game road trip, and he shouldn’t be available on many waiver wires right now. He’ll replace Reggie Williams in the starting lineup, as Williams mostly blew his audition. Still, Paul Silas hearts him.
4<sup>TH</sup> QUARTER: Kyrie Irving (concussion) practiced in full yesterday and is targeting tonight’s game to return. Hopefully you sold Ramon Sessions high. Emeka Okafor (knee) is questionable for Wednesday’s game, which may be bigger news for Gustavo Ayon than it is for Chris Kaman, who is should get showcased as long as Monty Williams doesn’t screw it up. It may or may not be revealing that the Hornets will sign Solomon Jones to a 10-day contract. Carl Landry (knee) and Jason Smith (concussion) aren’t with the team and have a ways to go before returning. Jarrett Jack (knee) was ruled out for Wednesday, but unlike the Hornets’ injured forwards he wasn’t noted as staying home for the road trip. Jeff Teague bounced back with 18 points and just three assists, but the three steals, two blocks, and two threes are a nice complement. He’ll have every opportunity to keep the starting job and will have a pretty long leash, but he won’t get the run of the yard. Overall, I’m well-past optimistic about his prospects to hold off Kirk Hinrich (14 minutes, five points). LeBron James had 23 points, nine boards, seven assists, and four steals, but the moment of the night was when Ernie asked him if he would ever consider shaving his balding head.
Letter from reader:
Bru,
Not trying to rub it in or anything, but I was at that Knicks/Raptors game up here in The Great White North.
I was in the last row of the arena-- upper bowl-- Row 17-- the only affordable tix I could get last-minute.
It felt like a final game in the World Cup or a Hollywood movie.
Totally astonishing.
75% of the sellout crowd was Asian. Of that, only about half were even basketball fans.
I'm prone to hyperbole, but that was the greatest sporting moment I've ever witnessed live.
For different reasons than Jose Calderon, I nearly cried when that shot fell. Okay, I may have a little.
About a half hour after the game, I saw a little Asian kid with a Taiwanese flag in his hand and "LIN" painted on his cheeks.
He was bouncing up and down on the street, stopped, turned to his parents and sublimely said, "I'M SO HAPPY!"
What else needs to be said?
Unofficial Raptors Correspondent,
Manale
