Dorell Wright (Rocky Widner - Getty)Dorell Wright scored 20 points in 38 minutes on Tuesday, hitting six of his 11 threes and adding 10 boards, a steal, and a block in the 111-106 overtime win over the Heat. A few weeks ago, nobody would have figured that the summary above would be like manna from heaven, allowing Wright to more than double his three-point output from the season's first eight games, and bringing many of the fantasy owners who helped establish his average draft position of 30.5 back from the ledge. Wright was confident and active against the Heat, and that would have qualified as a huge improvement from his early doldrums even if his shot had not been falling. Wright had a late three that pushed the game to overtime and then scored eight points in the extra period, sending Warriors fans, fantasy owners, and Joe Lacob into a tizzy. Is this the beginning of great things for Wright? Nobody can say with any amount of certainty, but Wright at least looked the part for the first time this season. And in the event that it doesn't go without saying: yes, I think you should find a way to roster him if he happens to be a free agent in your league (currently 90% owned).
• Chandler Parsons made a splash in his second start on Tuesday, scoring 20 points on nine-of-16 shooting and adding two threes, seven boards, and a steal in 31 minutes. Parsons was a four-year key for a very successful Florida team in college, and was named SEC Player of the Year as a senior. He's what you would call "NBA-ready" and has a variety of skills that translate to the NBA game. Although Parsons isn't a real stand out in any one area, he's got handles and passing ability, rebounds well for his position, and has some range on his jumpshot. He's a good complement to the other Rockets' starters in that he doesn't look for volume offense, but that will also limit his fantasy ceiling. Parsons can get a look in deep leagues, as he certainly will have a chance to stick as a starter, but don't be expecting big numbers. A typical line in roughly 30 minutes figures to be 11/7 with below-average percentages (45% FG, 60% FT), around one three and steal, a few assists, and occasional blocks.
• I'm still seeing regular questions regarding Samuel Dalembert, and now would be the time to finally make that move if he's still on the wire in your league (53% owned). He made his second start Tuesday (26 minutes, 6 points, 10 boards, 1 steal, 1 block) and, after signing late and not having the benefit of even a short camp, finally appears ready to see 25-plus minutes on a regular basis. There's not much mystery when it comes to potential production, as his per-minute numbers have rarely wavered in his 10 seasons - his career averages include 8.1 points on 52-percent shooting, 8.3 boards, and 1.9 blocks in 26 minutes.
• Paul Silas said after Tuesday's solid effort (26 minutes, 15 points, 10 boards, 1 steal, 1 block) that there will be games moving forward where Byron Mullens gets the start at center, although DeSagana Diop will see the majority of starts against "bulkier" centers. Mullens' recent play has certainly solidified his ever-expanding role for the Bobcats - his averages over the past six games include 12.7 points on 48-percent shooting, 6.3 boards, and 0.8 blocks in 21 minutes. Just be wary of two things: you can't expect consistency while he's not starting, so you have to be ready for the occasional duds; and more of his looks are coming as long jumpers than shots around the rim, so you shouldn't expect the typical boost in field goal percentage that you might see from a typical center.
Ricky Rubio (Ned Dishman - Getty)• We spent some time on this subject on Tuesday, but Rick Adelman said after the T-Wolves' 111-100 loss the the Bulls that he will spend the next two days contemplating changes to his starting five. Three of his starters played under 10 minutes during Tuesday night's loss (SG Wayne Ellington, SF Wes Johnson, C Darko Milicic), and all three have been unproductive on most nights. We also spent some time on the subject during the live blog (starting at 8:47), and the upshot is that Derrick Williams could be the new starting small forward and Anthony Randolph will get consideration at center. Ricky Rubio seems like an obvious choice to start, but his role as a finisher is more important to this team, the current rotation at point guard is working well, and J.J. Barea's injury problems make it difficult to start both Rubio and Luke Ridnour. Give Williams a look if he's on your wire - he's got excellent fantasy potential with around 30 minutes. And give Randolph a speculative look in deep leagues while everything shakes out. I can't go any further with a recommendation than that, given our checkered history, but the combination of Rubio and the complete lack of expectations seems to have him looking like a better player.
• Deep-leaguers in need of combined threes, steals, and blocks should give Chris Singleton a look. Flip Saunders brought Rashard Lewis and Andray Blatche off the bench during their 93-78 win over the Raptors on Tuesday, and the Lewis move figures to be the one that sticks. Lewis is playing out the final stages of one of the worst contracts in NBA history, and his middling offense and poor defense are doing the Wizards no favors. Singleton's defensive versatility is a real plus alongside John Wall, Nick Young, and Blatche, and, unlike Lewis, he won't look for much usage outside of finishing on the break and knocking down the occasional three (8-18, 44% thus far). Over the past four games, Singleton has averaged 7.8 points, 1 three, 6.8 boards, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 28 minutes, numbers that warrant more than his current two-percent ownership level.
• T.J. Ford's hamstring injury may force the Spurs to adjust their starting lineup, with Gary Neal going back to the bench and Kawhi Leonard in the lineup at the tip. Neal is still in line for plenty of run as the primary backup to both guard spots, so his fantasy impact doesn't figure to change dramatically on most nights. But it's Leonard that becomes a bit more interesting, particularly after he averaged 16 points on 68-percent shooting, 6.5 boards, and 3 steals in 34 minutes over the past two games. Leonard has shown to be a good fit for the Spurs in short order, finishing well at the rim, grabbing offensive boards, and being disruptive on defense. Keep in mind that Leonard is only in for a real bump if Ford is out for some length of time, but a speculative add in deeper formats makes plenty of sense while we wait for an update.
• Dwyane Wade's foot seemed just fine, thanks, on Tuesday night, as he filled up the box score against the Warriors to the tune of 34 points (11-23 FG, 12-16 FT), six boards, four steals, and a block. But it's worth noting that Wade made just two of 10 shots in the fourth quarter and overtime, and we'll have to wait and see how Wade is feeling during Wednesday night's matchup with the Clippers before we suddenly start declaring him free and clear.
• Other status updates: Danny Granger (food poisoning) is expected to play on Wednesday .. Tyrus Thomas (fatigue) wanted to play Tuesday but Paul Silas held him out in advance of the team's upcoming back-to-back-to-back. He should be active on Thursday .. For the Nets: Mehmet Okur (back) has said he'll play Wednesday but is officially a game-time decision. Damion James and DeShawn Stevenson are both out again, meaning MarShon Brooks will start at small forward .. Spencer Hawes (back) will be a game-time decision Wednesday .. Rodney Stuckey (groin) is still very limited in his workouts and may remain unavailable during the team's upcoming back-to-back (Thu @MIL, Fri @CHA).
• Scanning the Buzz Index leaders: Nate Robinson is all the rage after putting up 24 points, two threes, five assists, and four threes against the Heat. He'll play plenty any time that Stephen Curry can't, and his career per-30 minute averages include 14.7 points, 1.7 threes, 3.4 boards, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. But if Curry can somehow return and stays healthy, then Robinson's window will be very small .. I'd actually roster Luke Ridnour over Nate Rob. The threes, assists, and steals will be similar with equal minutes, but Ridnour will deliver better percentages and has more job security .. Kyle Korver has been great in recent games (13 points, 3.3 threes, 1.8 steals over the past four), but keep in mind that this minutes bump (31 per) is only due to Richard Hamilton missing time. Korver's numbers are certainly tempting, but you should give that roster spot to someone with better long-term prospects, if at all possible .. I'm getting more comfortable with dropping Lamar Odom in standard leagues by the game. The Lakers and the triangle offense were the perfect utilization of Odom's talents, and his struggles to this point of the season are clearly more than an adjustment phase. The Mavs are running very little offense through Odom and his looks have been confined to long jumpers .. What is wrong with Jared Dudley, you ask? Obviously, the threes aren't falling (28%), but that's going to change (career 41%). His numbers aren't terrible over the past seven games (13 points, 46% FG, 1.1 threes, 3.3 boards, 1 steal), although I'll give you that they are still below expectations. Normalize that percentage from downtown and bump him closer to 15 points and 1.6 threes, and are we still having this conversation?
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