Nine games, a trade of minimal consequence between the Pistons and Celtics, an unspecified Larry Sanders surgery, and Tristan Thompson smooching a sideline reporter. Is this a regular season Friday or do my eyes deceive me? Trick question, I'm near-sighted. Just eleven more day until the NBA season kicks off.

PASSION OF THE KIDD-GILCHRIST

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

ESPN Rank - 204 (38 spots after Gerald Henderson) & 4.5% owned

Yahoo! Rank - 270 (six spots after Bismack Biyombo) & 8% owned

Box score - 12 points (3-5 FG, 6-6 FT), 11 rebounds, four steals, two assists, and two blocks in 30 minutes

This isn't your nephew's Kidd-Gilchrist. A double-double and not a single missed free-throw for a career 68 percent shooter feels like fool's gold. That is until you find out this former second overall pick is 21-of-27 at the free-throw line through five preseason games. He still hasn't attempted a three-pointer and is shooting 39 percent from the field, but his block and steal rates are through the roof. Picture young Anakin Skywalker's midichlorian count as a reference point.

I can see shooting nights like this where he hits his stride and other nights where one or two misses rattles his confidence. Coincidentally, Kidd-Gilchrist airballed his first elbow jumper early in the first quarter and converted his only subsequent mid-range attempt late in the first half. He failed to score or even attempt a shot in 12 second half minutes.

To provide additional context, Lance Stephenson sat out this game with a groin issue. In the two games Stephenson missed this preseason, Kidd-Gilchrist grabbed nine and 11 rebounds, respectively. Because Stephenson has only missed eight games over the past two seasons, Kidd-Gilchrist exudes end of draft flier, dependent on league size and team need.

THE ISLAND OF DR. MONROE

Greg Monroe: team-high 24 points (10-15 FG, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 33 minutes.

Stan Van Gundy trotted out the infamous Drummond-Monroe-Smith frontcourt against his former squad, the Orlando Magic. Coach Van Gundy has been tinkering with his lineups this preseason and has all but sworn off the starting front line he deployed last night. The absence of Jodie Meeks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the interim allowed coach to embody his inner three-pointer shooting Josh Smith, attempting something he probably shouldn't have. Josh Smith recorded a team-high seven assists (the Pistons were 5-2 last season when Smith tallied at least seven assists). Andre Drummond blocked a game-high five shots (the Pistons were 4-1 last season when Drummond blocked at least five shots). The Pistons lost, 99-87.

On to the main event, Mr. Monroe. He's still suspended the first two games of the regular season and will likely come off the bench barring injury. That's not terrible news but under the guise of a one-year qualifying offer, coach Van Gundy isn't required or forced to bestow bountiful minutes. A three-man rotation also cuts down on Josh Smith's 35 minutes per game from last season. On his durability alone, I wouldn't let Monroe slip after the top 80 in standard drafts. If Van Gundy can situate his bigs the way Jeff Hornacek plans on using his littles, Monroe's value won't see a drastic decline. In fact, facing second units regularly should increase his efficiency and rebound opportunities.

CLERGY BAKA

Serge Ibaka made his preseason debut against the Toronto Raptors after missing four games with a sprained ankle. In 21 minutes, Ibaka recorded eight points (4-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and six rebounds. His outside shot reeked of rust, missing six of seven jumpers. Ibaka and Steven Adams had a decent two-man game working before Adams fouled out for the second time in five contests.

Anthony Morrow started at small forward and performed much better than his counterpart, Jeremy Lamb. In 27 minutes, Morrow scored 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt), dished four assists, grabbed two rebounds, and recorded a steal. It's just a matter of time before coach Scott Brooks names Morrow his starting small forward for the regular season.

Russell Westbrook was his usual self, finding open teammates, utilizing his blazing speed, and pulling up from either elbow with more than 20 seconds on the shot clock. From my vantage point, the ball movement stagnated when Westbrook sat, leading me to believe Reggie Jackson will come off the bench once he returns from his wrist injury. Sebastian Telfair tried to run point, but all I saw were Anthony Morrow and Jeremy Lamb playing hot potato and whoever ended up with the ball at the end of the shot clock fired away.

I dug up more numbers from last season. When Westbrook missed time after his third knee operation, Kevin Durant played 38.7 minutes per game and sported a usage rate of 35.5 percent next to Reggie Jackson at point. Westbrook's usage rate was 32.8 percent when he shared the court with Durant. If Coach Brooks was willing to run Durant nearly 40 minutes a night next to a combo guard like Jackson, imagine the type of numbers Westbrook could put up next to Andre Roberson and Anthony Morrow in the starting lineup.

THE UTAH JAZZ

Gordon Hayward scored a team-high 22 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 12-12 FT), grabbed six boards, pilfered six balls, and dished out four assists in 37 minutes. In five preseason tilts, Hayward has shot less than 50 percent from the field once. The issue that plagued him last season, three-point shooting, looks corrected in Quin Snyder's offense. He's 8-of-13 from behind the arc and has recorded at least one steal in every game thus far, culminating in last night's six steal barrage. Even more deflating, his Yahoo! default rank jumped from 59 to 46 in the wake of Kevin Durant's injury.

Trey Burke, a career 90 percent free-throw shooter, finished the night 5-of-9 at the charity stripe. Nine attempts is an encouraging number for a player who attempted 1.6 per game during his rookie season and only eclipsed nine attempts on the final day of the regular season in a double-overtime affair. Side note: in the previous four preseason games, Burke attempted four free-throws combined. Free-throw minutia aside, Burke finished his night against Chris Paul with 21 points (7-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-9 FT), six assists, five rebounds, and one steal in 36 minutes.

PARKER V. WIGGINS

First off, I know Jason Kidd is experimenting in the preseason and Larry Sanders won't be around until the regular season, but I about fell off my chair when I saw Zaza Pachulia was the starting center. This game was not televised and I couldn't even locate any highlights. It's 2014 and I have to scour the interwebs to find any relevant news from a game played in Iowa. To my knowledge, neither rookie guarded each other extensively.

Jabari Parker scored a game-high 21 points (8-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), grabbed 11 boards, blocked two shots, recorded two steals, and doled out two assists in 35 minutes. He found success around the rim and when his teammates set him up for catch-and-shoot opportunities. His place in the starting lineup appears set. The only lingering question becomes which position does he occupy on a nightly basis, small forward or power forward?

Andrew Wiggins finished the game with 10 points (5-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds, and one assist in 27 minutes. He may have tweaked an ankle causing him to miss a chunk of the second half, but that's hearsay at this point. We'll know more about Wiggins' spot in the rotation once Flip Saunders integrates the injured Kevin Martin. The odd man out is likely Corey Brewer or Wiggins under that scenario.

This game featured 11 double-figure scorers, including O.J. Mayo (19 points, 5-10 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 7-9 FT), Gorgui Dieng (16 points, 5-10 FG, 6-6 FT), Anthony Bennett (12 points, 5-11 FG, 2-2 FT), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (19 points, 6-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 7-7 FT), all off the bench.

HOSPITAL WARD

Enigmatic Larry Sanders underwent a surgical procedure and is expected to miss the remaining preseason games with an eye toward returning for the Bucks' season opener, October 29th at Charlotte. I'm not going to pretend to know what transpired in the operating room or speculate on the proximity his recent illness played. My only concern stems from his orbital socket injury suffered last season. An injury of that magnitude can have long lasting effects that extend beyond basketball. If the terms "double" or "blurred" vision surface in future reports, proceed with caution.

Paul Pierce left the game with a knee problem in the second quarter but returned at the start of the second half. He left the game later in the third quarter under his own power and did not return. Randy Wittman chimed in afterward, "he's fine."

Amir Johnson left the game in the second quarter with a left foot injury and did not return. He didn't go down in pain but gingerly walked towards his bench. Should he miss regular season action, look for Patrick Patterson to pick up the slack.

Glen Davis will miss the rest of the preseason with a right groin strain. This news means more minutes for Spencer Hawes. In 23 minutes Friday, Hawes scored 24 points (9-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-6 FT) and secured six rebounds. Not having to split those power forward/center minutes with Davis boosts Hawes' value in the interim.

Zaza Pachulia strained a hamstring in 13 minutes. With Larry Sanders' preseason on hold, all eyes shift toward John Henson for the final two exhibition contests.

Trevor Booker sprained his right ankle trying to remove himself from the Blake Griffin headlock.  Booker noted, "It's a little sore, but nothing major. I'll be back in a couple of days." Before he exited, Booker attempted and missed two top-of-the-arc three-pointers. In case you're keeping track at home, that's seven triple tries this preseason compared to 10 three-point attempts in his previous four years combined.

M.I.A.

A plethora of NBA players sat out Friday's action. Below are the notables.

• Charlotte
  • Lance Stephenson (strained groin)

• Cleveland
  • Kevin Love (neck)
  • Shawn Marion (rest)

• Milwaukee
  • Larry Sanders (illness/surgery)
  • Brandon Knight (groin)
  • Nate Wolters (left ankle)

• Minnesota
  • Ricky Rubio (rest)
  • Kevin Martin (left adductor)

• Orlando
  • Maurice Harkless (rest)
  • Victor Oladipo (sprained right MCL)
  • Channing Frye (sprained left MCL)

• Toronto
  • Greivis Vasquez (dizziness)

• Utah
  • Alec Burks (shoulder)

• Washington
  • Bradley Beal (left wrist)
  • Glen Rice Jr. (sprained right ankle)

HE HIT A THREE-POINTER?

Last week, I highlighted the Magic's Evan Fournier. This week, the Magic's Kyle O'Quinn grabs my attention. The 6-foot-10 center hit an above-the-break three-pointer in his second consecutive game and also knocked in a corner three, starting off this preseason 3-of-3 from downtown. O'Quinn attempted and missed four three-pointers in his previous two seasons, but this preseason he's emulating Channing Frye to a tee. Ranked 196 in ESPN (0.1% owned) and 233 in Yahoo! (3% owned), O'Quinn finished the game with 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 31 minutes. Clearly, the minutes won't be there when Frye returns, but be ready to snag him off the waiver wire should one of Nikola Vucevic or Channing Frye miss extended regular season time.

Aaron Gordon, June's fourth overall NBA selection, connected on 2-of-4 three pointers and one of those misses was a heave from beyond half court. That's rather impressive for a player who shot 29 percent on jumpers during his only collegiate season. He finished the night with 14 points (6-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt) and eight rebounds in 33 minutes. Much like O'Quinn, be weary of the minutes bind in Orlando. A healthy Channing Frye likely shifts Tobias Harris to small forward, seizing meaningful minutes from the 19-year-old rookie.

Al-Farouq Aminu hit 1-of-4 from downtown. The career 29 percent three-point shooter has attempted at least three tries from beyond the arc in each preseason game, converting just 2-of-13 overall. If you roster Aminu, it's for his rebounding prowess and steal potential, but finding minutes behind Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons caps his fantasy value substantially.

BOX SCORE ODDITIES

David Lee connected on all 11 field goal attempts in 31 minutes against the Heat. His counterpart, Shawne Williams, never stood a chance on the defensive end against Lee but held his own on the offensive end, knocking down all five three-pointers. Lee topped Williams 22 points to 19 in the box score, but the Heat triumphed 115-108 on the heels of an impressive 32-12 fourth quarter smack down. Andrew Bogut chipped in seven assists.

Tyson Chandler was held scoreless and missed all four shot attempts. The last time he performed similarly, his jersey read Bobcats and the year was 2009.

The Portland Trail Blazers played all 17 players between five and 24 minutes against Maccabi Haifa in the 121-74 blowout victory. Everyone scored between three and 13 points, and Steve Blake led the charge with a positive 31 plus/minus.

The Memphis Grizzlies recorded 19 steals against Brazil's Flamengo squad in a 112-72 win. Mike Conley and Zach Randolph posted a positive 44 plus/minus. The Grizzlies' starting five each recorded a plus/minus of at least 41.

The Charlotte Hornets made all 15 team free-throws. As noted above, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist led the team on 6-of-6 shooting from the line.

The Detroit Pistons attempted 28 free-throws. Their opponent, the Orlando Magic, attempted six free throws and never trailed. In fact, the Magic have held all preseason opponents under a combined 40 percent from the field. To add insult to insult, the Pistons only made three field goals in the final quarter.

The Miami Heat didn't block a single shot, a scenario that played out 36 separate times across the NBA last season.

THE DAN FORDEN AWARD*

Jamal Crawford lit up the Staples Center with five three-pointers on seven tries. We even saw him play some minutes at small forward against the Jazz. Crawford, who finished fourth in fourth quarter scoring last season at 6.8 points per, scored nine of his team-high 25 points (8-13 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT) in the final 12 minutes. He chipped in five assists for good measure.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Klay Thompson, G, GSW: 29 points (10-21 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT)
2. Jamal Crawford, G, LAC: 25 points (8-13 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT)
3. Greg Monroe, F, DET: 24 points (10-15 FG, 4-5 FT)
4. David Lee, F, GSW: 24 points (11-11 FG, 2-2 FT)
5. Spencer Hawes, C, LAC: 24 points (9-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-6 FT)

Rebounds

1. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC: 17 rebounds (1 offensive)
2. Jabari Parker, F, MIL: 11 rebounds (2 offensive)
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, CHA: 11 rebounds (3 offensive)
4. Tristan Thompson, F, CLE: 11 rebounds (4 offensive)
5. Anthony Bennett, F, MIN: 11 rebounds (2 offensive)

Assists

1. Chris Paul, G, LAC: 9 assists (3 turnovers)
2. Russell Westbrook, G, OKC: 8 assists (4 turnovers)
3. Monta Ellis, G, DAL: 8 assists (3 turnovers)
4. Elfrid Payton, G, ORL: 8 assists (5 turnovers)

Steals

1. Gordon Hayward, F, UTA: 6 steals
2. Tony Allen, G, MEM: 5 steals
3. Mike Conley, G, MEM: 5 steals
4. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, CHA: 4 steals
5. Anderson Varejao, C, CLE: 4 steals

Blocks

1. Andre Drummond, C, DET: 5 blocks
2. Kyrie Irving, G, CLE: 3 blocks
3. Marc Gasol, C, MEM: 3 blocks
4. Nene Hilario, PF, WAS: 3 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Shawne Williams, F, MIA: 5-5 3Pt
2. Jamal Crawford, G, LAC: 5-7 3Pt
3. Jameer Nelson, G, DAL: 4-6 3Pt
4. Klay Thompson, G, GSW: 4-9 3Pt
5. Dion Waiter, G, CLE: 4-9 3Pt
6. Terrence Ross, F, TOR: 4-10 3Pt

Minutes

1. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC: 39 minutes
2. Gordon Hayward, F, UTA: 37 minutes
3. Trey Burke, G, UTA: 36 minutes
4. Khris Middleton, F, MIL: 36 minutes

*The Dan Forden Award is given to the player with the best long-distance shooting performance. It is named the Dan Forden Award after Dan Forden, audio technician for the Mortal Kombat series and the guy who popped up from the bottom right corner of the game and excitedly proclaimed "Toasty!"