Fantasy Related But Good info.........
Stuckey Just Says No
Wednesday was as wild a night as I can recall for fantasy owners. It was loaded with injuries, upsets, overtime, lineup changes, a triple-double, guys you've never heard of playing well and an entire team recreating the climactic scene from Poltergeist. You know, the one where the house crumbles up and disappears into the cemetery, never to be seen again?
I was very active on my Twitter feed, last night, providing quick injury updates and notifying my followers of hot players. My guess is it helped owners grab guys like Bledsoe before other owners may have figured out what was happening.
I've decided to only focus on things that will help your fantasy team today, as there's just too much information to cover. So Paul Pierce's milestone gets shelved, Kobe Bryant's great triple-double will get very little love, Dwight Howard's insane line in just 23 minutes gets buried, and more big lines from PGs Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul and Deron Williams will go unnoticed for the most part. And if you're looking for details of the Charlie Villanueva vs. Kevin Garnett high school war of words, you'll need to look elsewhere. If you want the whole story on the night in the NBA, just go check out the 90 or so blurbs we posted last night, as well as a fresh batch of updates this morning.
Detroit Folk Implosion
The Pistons, who fell to 0-5 last night, are in full meltdown mode and Rodney Stuckey is suddenly at the center of the storm. John Kuester twice summoned him to come into the game last night but was simply ignored by the point guard. So Kuester didn't mess with him in the second half and Stuckey finished with just 13 minutes and five points. Kuester called Stuckey and the rest of the team out on Tuesday and has apparently lost them. Joe Dumars really should be on the hot seat for the way he's run the team into the ground over the last five years, while Kuester simply needs to go so fantasy owners can on with their lives. It's a real shame, too, as Stuckey was playing at such a high level this year. Will Bynum is hurt, which left DaJuan Summers to handle the point guard duties in the second-half loss to the Hawks. I have no idea how this is going to end, but they can't fire the players. Stuckey faces disciplinary action, but don't be surprised if Tayshaun Prince or another veteran pulls a similar move, as it's clear the players are fed up with how things are going in the locker room and on the bench.
Lineup Changes
Timberwolves - Corey Brewer and Wesley Johnson started last night while Wayne Ellington was demoted and Michael Beasley was out with a hip injury. I thought Brewer was pretty good with two steals and two threes to go along with 12 points, and he's worth a look if he ends up starting over Johnson, who scored eight in an embarrassing loss. Darko Milicic could be the next one on the way out as 'Manna' missed all six of his shots and failed to score again. Ahh, memories. I still think my favorite part is the fact that Chris Webber won Rookie of the Year. The Wolves suffered a 42-point humiliation at the hands of the Magic, the worst in team history, so it remains to be seen what Kurt 'Nellie' Rambis has up his sleeve for the next one.
Magic - Ryan Anderson started at power forward, sliding Rashard Lewis to SF and Quentin Richardson to the bench. What's not to love about this move? It could finally kick Shard out of the funk he's been in for a year, as well as allow a young and talented player like Anderson an opportunity. Anderson responded with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four 3-pointers and three blocks. I see no reason why Stan Van Gundy won't stay with this lineup for a few more games, and possibly the rest of the way, making Anderson a very hot pickup today.
Warriors - Reggie Williams, who was starting for injured Stephen Curry, was benched for Rodney Carney last night. Carney was insignificant, but Williams blew up for 16 points, a career-high eight assists and two 3-pointers, and could be ready to start scoring consistently. Dorell Wright was spectacular with a career-high seven 3-pointers and another 25 points, while Monta Ellis threw in 3- with a near triple-double. All of these guys have a bit of a sell-high feel to them, but it's going to take a lot in return to get an owner of Ellis or Wright to move them. I knew Wright was going to get some run and have a shot at success in GSW, but had no idea this explosion was coming. My apologies for sleeping on him early.
Ultimate Sell High?
Rudy Gay had 35 points last night and In five games is averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.5 3-pointers while shooting 52% from the floor, 50% from downtown and 86.7% from the line. He's also turning it over just 1.3 times per game. Add in that Zach Randolph is going to return to steal some of those points and boards, as well the fact Gay is playing with a strained oblique, and he looks like the ultimate fantasy sell-high candidate. Start making some offers and see what you can get for him. I still think he'll have a big year, but not this big.
Waiver Wire
Here are some noteworthy performances from non-superstars on Wednesday.
Boris Diaw exploded for 24 points and filled the stat sheet, helping limit Tyrus Thomas to just 16 minutes in a tough win over the Nets.
Troy Murphy returned from a back injury for the Nets, but had just two points and two rebounds in 18 minutes. Think baby steps and he should be grabbed in most leagues.
Eric Bledsoe started again at point guard for the Clippers and was awesome. He hit 7-of-10 and two 3-pointers for 17 points, eight assists and two blocks. I actually feel bad about Bledsoe, as I was getting a lot of questions about him early yesterday, but wasn't very bullish on him. That is my bad, as it's clear that he should at least be owned in all leagues with news that Baron Davis could now miss the next four games. And you have to think he's going to be fairly disgruntled when he is ready to return, while I doubt any Clippers fans even want to see him come back. This story is just beginning.
Richard Jefferson hit all six shots in the fourth quarter, including four 3-pointers, on his way to 28 points. He's got it figured out now and should be grabbed in all leagues.
Hakim Warrick was nice again for the Suns last night as Hedo Turkoglu and Channing Frye both stunk again. It's almost as if they're trying to play their way out of the rotation. Turkoglu may be running out of chances, while Frye is clearly not the same player he was last season. Maybe both guys get it turned around, but it's time for Alvin Gentry to turn to Warrick (19 points, five boards). Robin Lopez was awful again, but I remain convinced he'll figure it out.
Greg Monroe (7 pts, 8 rebs, very active 27 minutes) has played heavy minutes for Kuester two games in a row and it looks like it is time to start thinking about grabbing him. The Pistons might as well blow up the whole team and play the kids, which include Austin Daye and DaJuan Summers. I have no idea if they'll do it or not, but all of these guys, and especially Monroe and Daye, should be watched very closely going forward.
Francisco Garcia came off the bench for 17 points and three 3-pointers after disappearing in his previous two games (4 points in each), while new starter Omri Casspi disappeared last night with just three points on 1-of-3 shooting after going for 20 and 14 in his previous two. I don't know what it is with the small forward job in Sacramento, but maybe it's destined to always be a mess. Whoever is there, on the bench or starting, tends to be extremely inconsistent, including these two guys.
Samuel Dalembert had 10 rebounds and three blocks last night in 28 minutes. The timeshare with DeMarcus Cousins has started and if you need a big man, it's time to move on Sammy D.
Ersan Ilyasova somehow had 15 points, seven boards and a couple threes off the Bucks bench last night, while Carlos Delfino kept it going with 15 points and seven boards. I can't say this enough, but this team is going to eventually have a different player get hot every night. I am riding the Delfino wave until he cools off, but I have a feeling his fall will be swift and punishing when it happens. I have not moved to pick EI up in any of my leagues.
Marco Belinelli is up and down like a yo-yo, scoring 18, 5, 3 and 18 points in his first four games. Marcus Thornton disappeared and Peja Stojakovic is completely out of the rotation in New Orleans. Belinelli still looks like the guy to own of this group, but don't be at all surprised if he disappears and Thornton has a big line in the next one.
Denver's Arron Afflalo is similar to Belinelli, but more consistent, going 22, 10, 10 and 17. He's hit eight threes on the season and posted a big line last night. He's locked and loaded as a starter and should probably be held in most leagues.
Utah's C.J. Miles played well for the second straight game, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 19 points in 25 minutes last night. He's a guy you should have your eye on in all leagues, especially with Wesley Matthews finally out of the way.
Jason Smith had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets in 22 minutes off the bench last night. This is just a guy to keep an eye on in deeper leagues, as Monty Williams appears to like him. He may have got some extra run with David West struggling to the tune of 5-of-14 shooting, and he was another big man to put on Yao Ming.
Jordan Hill was the first big man off the bench for Houston and Brad Miller didn't even play. Hill had nine rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes, and is just another guy owners in very deep leagues will want to keep a close eye on going forward. He hadn't played much at all before last night.
Sonny Weems came out of nowhere and ruined Linas Kleiza last night, scoring 23 on 7-of-13 shooting. Kleiza, who was just 2-of-6 with four points in 21 minutes, is still the guy to own until further notice, while DeMar DeRozan hit 6-of-10 shots and a three for 16 points for the Raptors.
Gary Forbes started in place of Nene last night and had 12 points, a steal and a block on 6-of-12 shooting. This is just a nice story, as the rookie spent last year in the Philippines and Israel, and just like you, the Mavericks had no idea who he even was when he was announced the starter for Denver. He might get another shot if Nene's out on Friday with his groin injury, and while I picked him up in my 30-team league, that's about the only place I could see him having fantasy value. And even that is probably a stretch.
Keep reading for the Injury Report.
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Injury Fallout
Stephen Curry G Warriors – Curry (ankle) sat on Wednesday and could easily do so again on Friday, presenting bad news for those of us who rolled the dice on him this week. He hasn't been ruled out though and is going to see if he can go.
LeBron James F Heat – Missed practice with a sore leg, but should be good to go.
Gerald Wallace F Bobcats – Wallace sprained his ankle badly enough that he needed X-rays last night, which were negative. He then strapped his shoe back on and re-took the court. We don't have him on our injured list right now, but he could end up there if the ankle swells up.
Tyreke Evans G Kings – Ditto. He left the loss to the Lakers after a nasty fall and even though it sounded like he was done, re-taped it and came back into the game. Again, it could easily swell over night and end up being a problem on Friday.
Antawn Jamison F Cavaliers – The Cavs were off last night, but Jamison's knee really has me worried. I get the sense there is surgery in his future, but that's just a hunch.
Shaquille O'Neal C Celtics – Day-to-day with his knee, but he could miss another week. Jermaine O'Neal was fairly quiet before fouling out last night and Glen Davis had just 14 points and four rebounds, but the Celtics held the Bucks off in OT. Davis is a guy I cut to get Bledsoe in several leagues last night.
Baron Davis PG Clippers – Diddy missed another game with a knee injury and remains iffy for not only Friday, but the next four games. Given the way his replacement, rookie Eric Bledsoe, played last night, and the fact the Clippers beat the Thunder, no one in L.A. is very excited about seeing Diddy back on the court. Especially coach Vinny Del Negro.
Randy Foye G Clippers – Foye will miss another week with a hamstring injury, clearing the way for Bledsoe to continue to get run.
Zach Randolph F Grizzlies – Randolph missed Wednesday's game against the Warriors, as expected, with a tailbone injury. That's four straight games for Z-Bo, who could return on Friday.
Marvin Williams F Hawks – Left Wednesday's game with a sprained right knee and may not be able to make the trip to Minnesota for Friday's game.
Jamal Crawford G Hawks – Missed Wednesday with turf toe and sounds doubtful for Friday's game.
Lamar Odom F Lakers – Odom injured a finger last night and was in some serious pain for a minute, but played through it. It looks like he should be fine.
Andrew Bynum C Lakers – Bynum might be able to make his target date of late November, but Phil Jackson was far from confident it would happen. Bynum will start when he returns (probably in December), but we're guessing his minutes are monitored closely, and Odom still holds value.
Brook Lopez C Nets – Lopez went to the floor on the game's final play, rising from the floor with a left shoulder injury. He was in some pain, but said later that he's OK. We'll see.
Devin Harris G Nets – Harris also left with a shoulder injury, but returned to finish the game. He looked fine, so this was another false alarm.
Nene F/C Nuggets – Nene was a surprise scratch with a groin injury, while Gary Forbes was an even bigger surprise in the starting lineup for Denver. Nene sounds very iffy for Friday, as well.
Richard Hamilton G/F Pistons – Rip missed another game Wednesday with a mysterious foot injury and is hoping to return this weekend.
Michael Beasley F Timberwolves – Beasley was held out with a hip injury but he's probably glad he missed this one, as the Magic were dominant. He should be ready to return Friday.
Will Bynum G Pistons – Remains out with a hamstring injury, which could be significant given the 'Stuckey Situation.'
Jeff Foster F/C Pacers – Foster tweaked his ankle in practice Wednesday and it sounds fairly serious, not that he had much fantasy potential to begin with.
Chris Andersen F/C Nuggets – Andersen (knee) appears to be ahead of schedule for the Nuggets and could be ready to return in November instead of December.
Anthony Randolph F Knicks – Randolph is healthy and ready to return for the Knicks, but I'm not expecting much tonight against the Bulls – unless they plan on showcasing him to help facilitate a trade to Denver.
Kyrylo Fesenko (flu), Jeremy Evans (wrist) F Jazz – Both guys missed Wednesday and are day-to-day, not that it mattered in your league.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Baron Davis dealing with cyst behind knee </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Baron Davis - G - LAC - Nov. 4 - 10:48 a.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Baron Davis is experiencing swelling due to a cyst behind his left knee and his status for the Clippers' upcoming four-game road trip is in doubt.
