Another day, another slate of preseason basketball to digest. With seven games on the docket, let's see what went down and what it could mean for when the season kicks off in earnest later this month.
Kawhi Leonard Does Kawhi Leonard Things
In the Spurs buzzer-beater loss to Alba Berlin, Leonard showed the type of categorical diversity that has him as one of the more intriguing fantasy prospects this season. Leonard scored 14 points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT) with seven rebounds, four steals, and a block in 29 minutes and it was encouraging to see the six free throw attempts. Leonard's value depends a lot on your league's format, but his versatility is very intriguing and this season could see him assume more responsibility on the reigning champions. Tony Parker led all scorers with 28 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
Marvin Williams Gets The Starting Nod
Williams started over second-year man Cody Zeller, but was ineffective, scoring five points (2-9 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 0-2 FT) with eight rebounds in 21 minutes. Zeller played more minutes, finishing up with seven points (2-6 FG, 3-3 FT) and four rebounds in 23 minutes, while rookie Noah Vonleh didn't get into the game and doesn't appear to be a factor to get significant minutes at the four. Zeller and Williams are both worth looking at, at the end of drafts, with Zeller holding more upside.
Tony Wroten Stuffs Stat Sheet In Another Start
With Michael Carter-Williams sitting again with a shoulder complaint, Wroten went to work scoring 15 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT) and added six rebounds and seven assists in just 22 minutes. When MCW returns, Wroten will go back to the bench and that makes it hard to rely on him in standard leagues, but in any instance of a Carter-Williams injury, Wroten will put up big numbers. This also goes to show us how much of a gold mine the Sixers team can be for fantasy numbers. Hollis Thompson played just four minutes after suffering a corneal abrasion and rookie K.J. McDaniels player most of the minutes in his stead and showed us again his ability to contribute across the board. McDaniels is a decent flyer in the last round of drafts.
Nerlens Noel Blocks Three In Second Preseason Game
Noel narrowly missed a double-double, scoring 10 points (5-13 FG, 0-4 FT) and grabbing nine rebounds, and added three assists and three blocks and showed that he will likely be one of the top fantasy rookies this season. In a punt-free throw percentage team build, Noel's value skyrockets.
Four Wizards Suspended For Opening Night
After the scuffle against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, Nene, DeJuan Blair, Daniel Orton, and Xavier Silas were suspended for one game. That gives Kris Humphries and Marcin Gortat added value for that night, but it really shouldn't impact your draft strategy.
John Wall Still Taking Three-Pointers
Wall improved his three-point shooting last season, hitting a career high 35 percent from deep on 3.8 attempts per game and has started the preseason in a similar vein, attempting three triples in both games. Against the Pelicans on Wednesday, Wall hit two of his three shots and ended with 14 points and a whopping nine turnovers. In eight category leagues, Wall should be a unanimous first-rounder.
Jrue Holiday Looking Comfortable In Return From Injury
Holiday put up a nice line of 10 points (4-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in just 22 minutes Wednesday and looks to over the leg issues that caused him to miss the final 48 games of last season. People seem wary of drafting Holiday in a lot of leagues, but with his showing so far, you can go ahead and draft him with full confidence.
Tim Hardaway Jr. Leads Knicks In Scoring
Hardaway had 18 points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 10-11 FT) in just 21 minutes, but more importantly grabbed six rebounds and dished two assists. A somewhat empty scorer, if Hardaway can add some other numbers to his box score on a regular basis, he'll have late round value as the Knicks' sixth man. Samuel Dalembert started at center and blocked three shots n 18 minutes, but he won't be much value outside blocks and rebounds.
Marcus Smart Starts Again At Point Guard
With Rondo still obviously sidelined with his broken hand. Smart got another start and looked better than his debut outing. Smart had 11 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 24 minutes. His shooting will fluctuate at times, but he looks to be a nice late round player for his assists, rebounds (for a guard) and great steal numbers. Jeff Green didn't play again for Boston, nursing a sore calf, but the injury is not considered serious.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Comes Off Bench On Wednesday
New coach Jason Kidd opted to go with veteran Jared Dudley at the shooting guard spot, but the Greek freak was still productive in his 28 minutes off the bench. Antetokounmpo scored eight points (2-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT) with five rebounds, five assists and one block in 28 minutes and flashed the fantasy value he has tantalised us with so far in his short career. With O.J. Mayo given the night off, and coming off a horrific season, Antetokounmpo has a great chance at solid minutes and is worth a top 100 pick in most fantasy leagues.
Serge Ibaka Misses Game With Ankle Sprain
The injury to the Thunder's key big man isn't a serious one and the team is just being overly cautious with one of their most valuable pieces. Without Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins, Mitch McGary and Steven Adams started and both scored in double digits. Adams has a clearer path to minutes and fantasy value with Perkins' general ineptitude and he looked good with 15 points (7-8 FG, 1-5 FT), seven rebounds, one steals, and two blocks. Unless concrete news comes out about the Thunder going with Adams permanently, however, it's hard to draft him in standard leagues.
Nuggets' Injured Quartet Sit Out Again
Danilo Gallinari, J.J. Hickson, JaVale McGee, and Nate Robinson have yet to make their preseason debuts, but all bar McGee should suit up Friday. Timofey Mozgov looked very good starting at center, scoring 20 points (8-8 FG, 4-4 FT) with eight rebounds and three blocks in 24 minutes and will make it hard for McGee and Hickson to unseat him.
Isaiah Thomas Looks Good In Sixth Man Role
Thomas, playing behind Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, scored 18 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-7 FT) with two rebounds, four assists, and three steals in just 21 minutes in the victory over Flamengo on Wednesday. All three Suns' guards figure to be productive and Thomas could possible surprise people with his numbers in a reserve role. It's hard to draft him inside the top 50 though, given the competition for minutes.