Daily Fantasy Diagnosis: 12.29
Beast of the Night: Rajon Rondo notched 30 points, 3 rebounds, 15 assists and 3 steals against the Warriors. He even hit a three, but also had 6 turnovers. Rondo shot 61 percent (11-18) from the floor and 78 percent (7-9) from the line. If he can hit more threes and shoot a higher percentage from the free throw line, Rondo could be one of the top-10 fantasy point guards.
Noteworthy Lines:
Kevin Durant – 15-22 FG (68%), 10-12 FT (83%), 40 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Ast, 3 Stl, 5 TO; The points tied his season-high. Durant hasn’t disappointed owners who drafted him with a top-five pick.
Gilbert Arenas – 12-26 FG (46%), 1-2 FT (50%), 5 3ptm, 30 Pts, 4 Reb, 5 Ast, 5 Stl, 4 TO; This was quite a line from Arenas, who has had a great December. His health is his main area of concern but he seems fine so far.
Zach Randolph – 7-17 FG (41%), 9-9 FT (100%), 23 Pts, 19 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 3 TO; He’s binging on the glass lately and has strung together six straight double-doubles. While it could be wise to sell high on him, owners who want to see how long they can ride this out can’t be blamed.
O.J. Mayo – 11-24 FG (46%), 3-4 FT (75%), 3 3ptm, 28 Pts, 7 Reb, 6 Ast, 1 Blk, 4 TO; This was one of his better overall lines of the season and though he’s inconsistent, Mayo has improved his production since a certain troublemaker left the Grizzlies. Expect him to be steadier in 2010.
Allen Iverson – 7-11 FG (64%), 5-7 FT (71%), 19 Pts, 4 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 TO; Speak of the devil. This was a nice return for A.I., who missed four games with a bum knee. He started alongside Lou Williams, who was limited to 9 points, 5 boards, 5 assists and 3 steals. Monitor their effect on each other going forward.
Elton Brand – 11-16 FG (69%), 3-5 FT (60%), 25 Pts, 9 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk; He’s beating out Marreese Speights lately but remains a game-to-game gamble.
Nene – 8-11 FG (73%), 9-14 FT (64%), 25 Pts, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Stl, 3 Blk; The Brazilian beast has been quiet lately but this was a near-perfect line from him.
Stephen Curry – 0-4 FG (0%), 0-1 FT (0%), 2 Reb, 1 Stl, 1 TO; This came in under 11 minutes of play. His minutes have fallen off a cliff and it seems that Nellie has his irrational swagger back.
Waiver Wire Appeal:
Nick Collison – 11 Pts, 10 Reb, 1 Blk; This was his second consecutive game playing 25+ minutes and if he can stay healthy, Collison can be a double-double threat on a nightly basis.
Yi Jianlian – 29 Pts, 7 Reb, 2 Stl, 3 TO; He’s a man with a mission and should be owned in all but the deepest of leagues.
Jared Dudley – 19 Pts, 3 3ptm, 7 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 TO; His strong month continues, as Dudley remains a solid source of threes and nice all-around production.
Andres Nocioni – 21 Pts, 4 3ptm, 6 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Blk, 2 TO; While this could be a flash in the pan, this performance should at least get him on the radars of deeper leagues.
C.J. Watson – 11 Pts, 1 3ptm, 7 Ast, 7 Stl, 1 Blk, 3 TO; He just won’t go away. It’s tough to believe that his nice streak will continue for the rest of the way, but he should be owned in most leagues for now.
Injuries:
Joe Smith (thumb): should return tonight
Tyson Chandler (foot): out at least another week, probably more
Trevor Ariza (shin): bruised it Sunday, monitor his status
Marcus Camby (knee): uncertain timetable for return
Ron Artest (concussion): could return tonight
Rudy Gay (ankle): day-to-day
Josh Boone (knee): day-to-day
Willie Green (ankle): day-to-day
Rudy Fernandez (back): could return around Jan. 18
Mike James (finger): activated last night, could play soon
Charlie Villanueva (foot, stomach): questionable for the rest of the week
Glen Davis (ankle): will miss some time
For Tonight:
See how Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton and Will Bynum fare in the Pistons’ fully-recovered, crowded backcourt as they host the Knicks.
Watch to see if Mike Dunleavy can bounce back in Chicago and monitor how Tyrus Thomas performs in his second game back. Also, see how John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich do as they continue in their new roles.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Jay says:
Hey Doc,
I got this trade offer and I wanted to see what your analysis is before I pull the trigger…The guy in my league offered me the following, Steve Nash & Al Horford for Westbrook & Amare
What do you think?
Thanks
December 29th, 2009 at 11:38 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Jay: If you’re getting Nash and Horford, yes, go for it.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Jsul says:
Whatsup doc?
Elmer fudd here,
been offered Lbj, Tony Parker and artest for cp3 and Joe Johnson, what do u think?
December 29th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Chicagorilla says:
Rondo = beast of the night?
This just proves the theory “Numbers always lie”. He clearly cost his team the game. yet stats show him being a beast.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
mules says:
^ it’s a FANTASY basketball article. Wins and losses don’t count for anything…stats are the game.
December 29th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Zippy says:
Hey Doc,
I have the opportunity ti pick up Beasley off the wire, but I would have to drop either Lou Williams or Yi Jianlian. I’m racking my brain trying to decide who to drop. I don’t really want to get ride of either of them.
this is the rest of my team…
baron davis
russel westbrook
stuckey
oj mayo
dwayne wade
deng
stephen jackson
boozer
carl landry
okafor
barnani
December 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
control says:
I think Rondo is just playing hardcore because his brother was arrested: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091229/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_us_airliner_attack
Doesn’t say specifically it’s his brother, but you look at em and just know.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Jsul: If you can use all that depth without pushing a productive player to your bench, and if your team is struggling and needs to be shaken up, this is an OK deal. I’m not in love with TP + Artest for JJ though.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@mules: Thanks for answering for me.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Zippy: Tough call. I’d probably swap out Yi if you’re looking to get similar stats in return and want to keep Williams’ PG stats. But for the time being, I’d lean toward staying put.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Nick says:
Just stumbled upon this site–already bookmarked it.
I’m in an 8 cat. roto league, 1st place in rebounds by 200 and looking for blocks, steals, 3P, and points.
1) Trade Big Z randolph while he’s smoking hot, or trust that he is the heart and soul of Memphis and will keep putting up these monster numbers? (If so, who could I get for him that would be the most beneficiary)
2) Bosh + Okur for G. Wallace + Gallinari?
3) Duhon + Okafor or Duhon + Haywood for Aaron Brooks?
Thanks, I’ll be checking in here often.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Kevin says:
Hey Doc,
I got an 2 offers from the same person
OFFER ONE, he offered me Brook Lopez, Ariza, and J Nelson for B. Davis and Murphy!
OFFER TWO he offered me Brook Lopez and Kevin Martin for Vince Carter and Troy Murphy
Its an H2H league and my strengths are 3’s, and assists, I don’t really have any weak points (I’m first in the league). (My worst cat would be TO, FG% and maybe steals)
Should I take any of the deals? I’m reluctant to take the first one because of Ariza and my love affair for murphy and baron davis. I’m scared of the second one because I don’t know if Carter can get better and how well Martin will perform!
Should I try a different counter offer of some sort, he seems pretty reluctant on getting baron davis!
December 29th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Kevin says:
Sorry, the second deal is Jameer Nelson and Kevin martin for Baron Davis and V.Carter
December 29th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Nick: 1) It’ll be very hard for him to keep this up on a consistent basis, but his role as the major cog in Memphis’ offense seems secure. You might be able to nab someone like Troy Murphy, Andre Iguodala, Joe Johnson, Al Horford or Brook Lopez in return right now. I’d lean toward dealing him if you can get this kind of value.
2) Wallace + Gallo
3) If you’re dealing away Brooks, go for Duhon and Haywood. If you’re dealing for Brooks, this is a tad bit much for him.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Nick says:
Awesome. Joe Johnson would be nice to have right now. Keep in mind I have randolph for 14$ (on a $260, 14 player minimum roster), so hes a $19 keeper next year.
Also, pick up Devin Brown or Kyle Lowry off wires, and should I dump John Salmons ($10 salary) for a shot at getting The Answer? I could use points, and 3’s as I mentioned earlier…
Thanks so much for the help.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Kevin: Appealing offers, in some ways. I actually prefer the first one, but only if you can actually use all three players week-to-week without benching another productive player. Ariza has hit a slump but will recover soon enough, and Nelson will get his legs eventually.
I’d look into countering for a three-for-three deal.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
I’d go for Devin Brown over Lowry. Beyond this season I like Salmons, but for the time being it’s tough to argue against getting A.I. instead.
December 30th, 2009 at 1:47 am
hydeout says:
Hi Doc,
Quick question. someone is trading Josh Smith to me for Deng and Louis Williams. I’m planning of accepting it to place Josh as my new SF. I already got Deron, Rondo, Mo Williams as my PGs. Good Trade?
December 30th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Josh Tha roc says:
Do I pick up tj or Nate and stash them? Waiver looking real bare. 12 team league.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:06 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@hydeout: Yeah, decent deal if you have the depth to lose a player.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:07 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Josh Tha roc: Ford for now, unless you really don’t need that spot, in which case it might be enticing to stash Nate.