The holidays are over now, and if you’re like me, you let some things slide a bit. I mean, it’s hard to watch basketball in Mexico when Hulu Live isn’t working and the replay websites aren’t loading. Checking box scores and reading injury reports was the way to go for the week.
Let’s take a look at some of the week’s major storylines as we head into deep winter. Now that it’s cold and there’s nothing to do, let’s win some competitions. If you would like a more detailed minutes report, here is a great link.
Nikola Jokic injured
In a shocking turn of events, an NBA player was injured and it wasn’t a soft tissue injury. The all-time great center hurt his knee and will be out for about a month. The rest of them are getting healthy (Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon are back playing), but there is one clear benefactor. Tim Hardaway, Jr. gets all the shots he can handle. On Sunday, he drained five threes on his way to 26 points. The man gets between 2 and 8 three-pointers per game and took me to a head-to-head win against Rotoworld’s Zac Henshew this week. I thought Bruce Brown would do more, but now that health is coming back he’s still just under 20 minutes, so I’m ignoring it. It’s Hardaway or bust with the Nuggets.
The Bulls backcourt goes down
Triple double specialist Josh Giddey (hammy) and his defense buddy Coby White (calf, yep) are both missing time due to injuries. Tre Jones and Ayo Dosunmu are reasonable replicas of the starters, just less consistent and flawed. Jones gives you steals, assists, and low turnovers, but you don’t get rebounds with the same volume, and he can’t really shoot. Ayo is porky, but productive. Depending on his shot, he can get over 20 every night, and everywhere else he will contribute.
Yes, I realize no one watches the Bulls. However, you don’t have to watch them. I’ll do that for you. Just add the boys, okay?
Jay Huff
Oh no! Huff daddy only plays 17 per game his last three, and 21 his last ten. The guy can still give you a block of three and two in that time, but the volume obviously won’t apply to the rest of the stats. I’ll wait, hoping it’s a blip, but ten games is a bigger example.
Watching Dunks and Threes
Estimated plus/minus -2.4. In other words, they are worse with him on the field.
As a center, his shooting efficiency is in the 30th percentile. His threes have cratered and he is in the bottom tenth percentile.
Block interest is the best in the league, as we all thought.
The recovery is 60th percentile for his speed.
So Huff might just not be a good all-around player. Keep an eye on the minutes, it’s getting close to Drop City. 10 teams probably fall, 12 teams and above you have to hold on to him.
Grizzlies
It is a frustrating group, with constantly changing line-ups and availability.
Ja Morant: Ankle sprains, calf bruises, etc. He’s in and out of the lineup, and I’m not competing with him, I’m out.
Cedric Coward: Good talent, but sprained his ankle just as he was getting bigger minutes. Look and see
Christian Koloko: Not long for the rotation with a horrible -5 EPM, so just ignore the guy.
If you’re up for the late-night drama of Ja Morant’s availability, make an offer. Now that I think about it, he’s actually a good buy if you’re struggling. If you have it and things are going well, cash it in for a more stable asset.
That’s all for now. I should be able to publish two new things a week in the future. Thanks for reading, have a great week, and don’t get me started on Mexican airports!
#Happy #Year