Kobe Shoots, Shoots & Shoots
Games Played Week 4
4 Games: BOS, BRK, CHA, CLE, DAL, DEN, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, NOP, OKC, ORL, PHI, PHX, SAS
3 Games: CHI, DET, HOU, MIN, NYK, POR, SAC, TOR, UTA, WAS
2 Games: ATL, GSW, IND
Here’s a look at Sunday’s action, which featured an embarrassing blowout for the Lakers, but that didn’t stop Kobe Bryant from “getting his,” as well as a look at the league’s injury report. If you missed Waiver Wired on Sunday, it’s here. And you can follow me on Twitter by clicking here.
Knicks 109, Nuggets 93
Should we break up the Knicks after they beat what may be the league’s most dysfunctional team? Nah. But Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith each started and scored 28 points, finishing the game as the only two Knicks in double figures. Melo hit 10-of-14 shots and added nine rebounds and two 3-pointers, and Smith hit 10-of-16 shots and two 3-pointers to go along with four boards, four assists, two steals and a block. Smith is officially worth a hard look with three games this week, and a potentially permanent starting job. Tim Hardaway Jr. played just 11 minutes off the bench and Amare Stoudemire was back in action after getting the night off on Friday, and had nine points and six rebounds. And a guy named Travis Wear played 12 minutes, which tells you how things are going for the Knicks. Iman Shumpert sat out another game with his hip injury and is day-to-day, but I’m not starting him in a weekly league with just three games this week.
The Nuggets players and coach Brian Shaw don’t seem to be very fond of one another, but at least the starters played normal minutes tonight. Kenneth Faried has been anything but a Manimal thus far, but did have 16 points, nine boards two steals on 7-of-9 shooting in 32 minutes. Arron Afflalo also bounced back for the second straight game with 18 points and five 3-pointers, as the ship appears to be getting back on course in Denver. JaVale McGee played just six minutes off the bench and is barely worth stashing, just in case he ever lives up to his potential, while Wilson Chandler is an interesting option after his 11 points and a full stat line in 31 minutes. Eventually, Danilo Gallinari should ruin him, but Gallo just hasn’t gotten it going yet. I didn’t write about Timofey Mozgov in Waiver Wired, but he’s another center who deserves some attention, although he had just eight points, six boards and no blocks yesterday.
Bucks 91, Heat 84
The big news here was that Giannis Antetokounmpo started for the Bucks and played pretty well, finishing with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals on 4-of-8 shooting. He hit just 3-of-7 free throws and didn’t attempt a 3-pointer, but if he’s available in your league, think about grabbing him. If he stays in the starting unit going forward, he could be fun to own, and a multi-cat player. Larry Sanders was mildly disappointing, as usual, with 11 points, six boards and no blocks, Jared Dudley started, but didn’t even score, and Jabari Parker hung in there with 13 points, six boards and two steals on 5-of-11 shooting. Brandon Knight was their bets player with 20 points, five boards, four assists, a steal and four 3-pointers, and hit 7-of-13 shooting, while Zaza Pachulia chipped in 11 points and five boards off the bench, and Khris Middleton added 10 points, three steals, a block and a 3-pointer in 20 minutes off the pine.
The Heat were without Dwyane Wade due to a hamstring injury and remains day-to-day. Without Wade, Mario Chalmers got the start and led the way with 18 points, five assists and a 3-pointer on 7-of-13 shooting. Norris Cole was decent with 11 points, two assists, two steals and three 3-pointers on 4-of-10 shooting, while Luol Deng (10 & 6 on 3-of-11 shooting), Shawne Williams (13 & 11) and Chris Bosh (10 points, five boards, five assists and five blocks) assured that all five starters scored in double figures. Bosh killed his owners’ field goal percentage by hitting just 2-of-17 shots, but he will bounce back. Josh McRoberts was out with the toe injury that won’t go away, which allowed Williams to get loose for a quality double-double. Williams is still probably worth using in most leagues, especially if McBob is going to miss more time. Williams and the Heat have four games this week, so give him a look.
Rockets 69, Thunder 65
The Rockets welcomed back Patrick Beverley and he responded with one of his better games of the season with 12 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two 3-pointers on 4-of-10 shooting. Isaiah Canaan went back to the bench and didn’t even get into the game, so drop him if you had him. Dwight Howard had 12 points, nine rebounds and a block, while crushing your free throw percentage (4-of-13), and Trevor Ariza was quiet with 11 points and four rebounds on 4-of-11 shooting. This was a defensive struggle for both teams, but you can fully expect Ariza and Howard to bounce back. James Harden had 19 points, nine boards, five assists, a steal, a block and two 3-pointers, but hit just 5-of-17 shots. With Terrence Jones still out with a leg injury, Donatas Motiejunas started and had seven points, nine boards and a block, but didn’t make a 3-pointer. He’s worth spot-starting as long as Jones is out.
The Thunder got 15 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a steal from Reggie Jackson, but he hit just 3-of-11 shots against Beverley. Lance Thomas also scored 15, while Jeremy Lamb continued to disappoint with five points on 2-of-5 shooting. I’ve moved on from Lamb, especially with Perry Jones presumably coming back at some time in the near future. Serge Ibaka was nice with 10 points, six rebounds and five blocks, but like most of you, I’m expecting more from the big man. He’ll eventually get it going, but at least the blocks are happening. Steven Adams missed both his shots and scored just one point, but had six boards and six blocks, meaning he’s still clinging onto some value. Anthony Morrow played 29 minutes off the bench, good for third on the entire team, but hit just 1-of-9 shots for four points. He’s still a player I’m into holding as long as the Thunder are so beat up.
Warriors 136, Lakers 115
This game was garbage time after the first half, yet Kobe Bryant kept playing and kept shooting, despite dealing with an illness. For the winning Warriors, Stephen Curry was the man, as usual, racking up 30 points, a season-high 15 assists, a steal and five 3-pointers on 10-of-19 shooting. It’s a shame he couldn’t play in the fourth quarter last night. Klay Thompson had 18 points, two 3-pointers and three blocks, Andrew Bogut got hot early and had 15 points, 10 boards and a block on 7-of-9 shooting, Harrison Barnes had 14 points and two 3-pointers, and Draymond Green added 10 points, eight boards and two 3-pointers on 4-of-5 shooting in the cake walk. Marreese Speights went nuts off the bench with season highs of 24 points and nine rebounds, but this wasn’t all garbage time. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last four games, and is averaging 14 points, 6.5 rebounds and a block over that stretch, hitting 21-of-30 shots. Put him on your radar and congratulations are in order if you used him in FanDuel last night. The score of this game wasn’t nearly as close as it appeared.
Kobe shot his way to a season-high 44 points, as he took it upon himself to do all the heavy lifting last night until he was finally pulled after the third quarter. He hit 15-of-34 shots, 3-of-12 3-pointers and 11-of-16 free throws on the night, but didn’t have a steal or block. He’s a one-man wrecking crew in fantasy, but watching him just gun his way to big points in reality, while his team is down by 30, is a little sad. If you thought his past teammates didn't like him, wait until we start hearing from these guys. I'm guessing Monday might be the day Kobe shows up in Jimmy Buss' office and demands a trade to the Knicks. Jordan Hill stayed hot with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Ed Davis had 10 points, six boards, two steals and three blocks off the bench. Jeremy Lin was a mess in this one, missing both his shots and finishing with zero points and one assist in 22 minutes. He’s going to either be off or on from night to night, and looks more like a headache than someone you want starting for your fantasy team on a daily basis. How anyone scored in double figures with Kobe shooting it every time he touched it will remain a mystery.
Injury Report
DeMarre Carroll – groin – No word on a return date, bench him with 2 games
Marcus Smart – ankle – I doubt he plays this week, so more Avery Bradley
Gary Neal – concussion – Already ruled out for Monday, so don’t use him.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – foot – Already ruled out for Monday, so more P.J. Hairston
Derrick Rose – hamstring – Missed Saturday, iffy for Monday at Clippers, etc.
Raymond Felton – ankle – Targeting a week from Monday, then Dallas PG messy
Randy Foye – knee – Iffy for Monday, Nate Robinson gets more minutes if he’s out
David Lee – hamstring – Questionable for the week, watch for updates
Terrence Jones – leg – Not likely for Monday, questionable for the week
C.J. Miles – calf – Day-to-day, but not doing enough to be held
Rodney Stuckey – foot – Day-to-day, not worth holding
George Hill – knee – Still looking at a December return, so Sloan has value
David West – ankle – Targeting a Wednesday return, so bench him for now
Dwyane Wade – hamstring – Traveling, but sounds doubtful for Monday
Josh McRoberts – toe – Missed Sunday, use Shawne Williams for now
Thaddeus Young – personal – Guessing he’ll play Weds. after loss of mother
Iman Shumpert – hip – Day-to-day, but very risky play in 3-game week
Jose Calderon – calf – Could practice this week, but I wouldn’t use him
Andrea Bargnani – hamstring – Getting closer, could play later this week
Perry Jones – knee – Missed Sunday, iffy for this week. Bench him
Andre Roberson – foot – Doesn’t sound close to a return yet
LaMarcus Aldridge – illness – Missed Saturday, questionable for Monday
Nicolas Batum – knee – Listed as doubtful for Monday, bench him
Tiago Splitter – calf – ruled out for Monday
Marco Belinelli – groin – ruled out for Monday
James Johnson – ankle – X-rays negative, but he’s not walking well
Bradley Beal – wrist – Hoping to make season debut on Friday
