The first big trade of the NBA season is done, and we now get to watch Rajon Rondo toiling in the Western Conference, as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. That, and an injury to Kevin Durant turned a relatively quiet four game slate into one of the busiest of the season so far. Let's break it all down.
ADD ME! ADD ME!
Without a huge amount of fanfare, Amar'e Stoudemire is having a very good season. Against the Bulls, Stoudemire, who forego his day of rest, scored 16 points (7-13 FG, 2-3 FT) with six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and four blocks in 31 minutes. He's only playing 27 minutes a game, but is averaging 13.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 56 percent from the field. Those kind of numbers can find a home in all leagues, and despite the injury risk he can be, he's been remarkably healthy this season. With the Knicks lacking in talent across the board, Stoudemire has the opportunity to continue these sort of numbers all season.
TRADE ANALYSIS
Well, it finally happened. Rajon Rondo is no longer a member of the Celtics. The trade that feels like it has been rumored for about the two seasons went down today, with Rondo joining Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, and Tyson Chandler in Dallas. Going the other way was Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder and a first and second round draft pick.
My instant reaction is that Rondo should be basically the same player, except perhaps with less scoring and more assists, given he has more talent to pass the ball to. Ellis takes a hit, as he had the ball in his hands a lot and was basically the Mavericks' defacto point guard. His numbers may take a dive.
In Boston, Marcus Smart looks to be the man on the surface, but coach Brad Stevens has shown a liking toward playing Evan Turner, so while adding Smart is a prudent move, don't be shocked if Turner has just as much value. The addition of Brandan Wright muddies the front court depth chart. Wright will have to compete with Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller and Brandon Bass and how that rotation shakes out is anyone's guess. I'm not making any adds or drops based on the big men in Boston, at least until we see how Stevens incorporates Wright into the mix.
M.I.A.
These guys all sat out Thursday's action, for one reason or another.
- Knicks
- Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
- Andrea Bargnani (hamstring)
- Carmelo Anthony (knee)
- J.R. Smith (heel)
- Bulls
- Taj Gibson (ankle)
- Derrick Rose (illness)
- Pelicans
- Eric Gordon (shoulder)
- Tyreke Evans (knee)
- Rockets
- Jason Terry (personal)
- Terrence Jones (leg)
- Bucks
- Ersan Ilyasova (face)
- Larry Sanders (suspension)
- Kings
- Omri Casspi (knee)
- Thunder
- Nick Collison (DNP-CD)
- Warriors
- David Lee (hamstring)
- Andrew Bogut (knee)
FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT
Another night, another ridiculous line from Steph Curry. Curry had 34 points (14-24 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-1 FT) with seven rebounds, nine assists, four steals, and one block in 42 minutes in the Warriors victory over the Thunder. There's not a lot more I need to say about Curry, but it interesting to note he has grabbed seven rebounds in four out of his last five games, superb for a point guard.
CASUALTY WARD
The basketball world held their breath for about three hours Thursday as we watched Kevin Durant hurt his foot and not to able to return to the court against the Warriors. Thankfully, the news came out that all Durant had suffered was a mild ankle spain to his right foot and the foot itself was all okay. Durant said he wanted back in, but was convinced to sit out the second half. The Thunder take on the Lakers on Friday and while Durant has said he'll likely be playing, if there's one team the Thunder won't need his services against, it's the Lakers. As it is only a mild injury, no-one gains enough value to be added, although guys like Andre Roberson, Anthony Morrow and Perry Jones gain value in daily fantasy.
BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES
Tim Hardaway Jr. took full advantage of the absence of Carmelo Anthony, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, scoring 23 points with five three-pointers. The five assists he gave were also a great bonus, because on the season, Hardaway is only averaging 1.4 helpers per game.
Cole Aldrich started, along with Travis Wear in a very inexperienced lineup, and Aldrich responded with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding a steal and a block as well. If he could start and get consistent minutes, Aldrich would be a guy for 12 team fantasy leagues as we saw some big games he had down the stretch of the 2013-14 NBA season, when he averaged 13.0 points and 14.5 rebounds in the final two games. His value, though, is playing time dependent.
Jose Calderon scored 12 points, but didn't attempt a three-pointer and added just three rebounds, two assists and one steal. He has been a disappointment this season, and is no longer a must own in 10 team leagues.
Jimmy Butler dropped a career-high 35 points with five rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and one block in a Bulls team without Derrick Rose. He is a true star now and fantasy owners are loving his production. Don't expect to draft him outside the top 50 next season.
Nikola Mirotic took advantage of Taj Gibson's absence with an ankle injury, scoring 13 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT) with three assists, three steals, and one block in 27 minutes. As always, when one of the big men miss, Mirotic is a nice 12 team option.
Aaron Brooks scored 18 points in 25 minutes with five assists without Rose, but like Mirotic, only has fantasy value when someone in front of him gets hurt.
Anthony Davis returned to his early season form, scoring 30 points with 14 rebounds, two steals, and five blocks. Yeah, it's going to be fun owning Davis for years to come.
With Tyreke Evans sitting with a sore knee, Austin Rivers made a return to the starting lineup and underwhelmed, as he is wont to do. Rivers scored 10 points with six assists in 35 minutes. You can look elsewhere in most leagues.
Dwight Howard continues to look unencumbered by his knee injury, scoring 17 points with 13 rebounds and three blocks, and is averaging a tidy 22.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in the three games since he returned. He is doing everything you want of him.
With the return of Kosta Papanikolaou, Donatas Motiejunas' value took a hit, scoring just nine points with four rebounds and two assists. He's still a guy you want to hold, but this development is a little worrying and could be a harbinger of when Terrence Jones returns.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was able to play through his sprained ankle, starting and playing 37 minutes for 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block and is still the guy to pick up in Jabari Parker's absence, if he's still available.
Jared Dudley and Jerryd Bayless led the bench with 19 and 17 points respectively, but Jason Kidd's rotations and the general ineptitude of these two players, makes it hard to own either in standard leagues. If I had to choose one, it would be Dudley.
Jason Kidd gonna Jason Kidd. After making his debut and playing just five minutes Wednesday, Johnny O'Bryant was thrown into the fire and give his first NBA start Thursday. O'Bryant scored six points in 17 minutes and the maddening nature of KIdd's rotations make it tough to roster so many of the Bucks; players, despite how well the team is playing.
DeMarcus Cousins made his triumphant return after suffering a bout of viral meningitis, scoring 27 points with 11 rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 33 minutes. If you own Cousins, it's time to party.
Darren Collison played 40 minutes compared with Ramon Sessions' 22 minutes, but they also shared the court at times.
With Cousins back, any value Jason Thompson and Reggie Evans may have had has evaporated.
Serge Ibaka blocked three more shots, making it 10 swats in his last two games.
Andre Roberson had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds with three assists and one steal, but while he continues to start, has limited fantasy appeal due to the minutes coach Scott Brooks usually plays him. Today was just a bonus.
Draymond Green got close to a triple-double, scoring 16 points with nine rebounds and nine assists, adding one steal and one block and continues to be a phenomenon in the fantasy world. With Andrew Bogut out likely until January, even when David Lee returns, Green won't lose any playing time.
NIGHTLY LEADERS
Points
- Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 35 points
- Steph Curry, G, GSW, 34 points
- Russell Westbrook, G, OKC, 33 points
Rebounds
- Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 14 rebounds
- Dwight Howard, C, HOU, 13 rebounds
- Joakim Noah, C, CHI, 13 rebounds
Assists
- Jrue Holiday, G, NOP, 10 assists
- Steph Curry, G, GSW, 9 assists
- Draymond Green, F, GSW, 9 assists
Steals
- Steph Curry, G, GSW, 4 steals
- Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 4 steals
- Trevor Ariza, F, HOU, 4 steals
Blocks
- Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 5 blocks
- Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 5 blocks
- Amar'e Stoudemire, F, NYK, 4 blocks
Three-Pointers
- Steph Curry, G, GSW, 5-12 3Pt
- Kevin Durant, F, OKC, 5-6 3Pt
- Tim Hardaway Jr., G, NYK, 5-8 3Pt
Minutes
- Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 45 minutes
- Draymond Green, F, GSW, 44 minutes
- Steph Curry, G, GSW, 42 minutes