Mr. Grinch stole my Christmas - Fantasy Dynasty Edition
Dec 31, 2018 15:28:13 GMT 2
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Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and 2 more like this
Post by Portland TrailBlazers on Dec 31, 2018 15:28:13 GMT 2
Here are some guys that haven’t been able to meet the expectations so far this year and my verdict on whether you should cut the cord on them or exercise more patience.
Did the Grinch steal them for good or should you be stashing/buying low on them?
Evan Fournier, (79% owned), Per Game Value: 112/139 (8/9-cat)
Even though the Magic still rely heavily on the swingman to create offense for their team, Fournier has struggled, shooting 42.4 percent from the field, 75.7 from the free throw line and a career-low 32.4 from behind the arc. The Frenchman is only 26 years old and has looked fresh and in shape all season long and his poor shooting is really the only thing that is holding him back, so I’m optimistic that he will be able to bounce back in 2019. On top of everything, the Magic’s biggest gamble this season has been their resistance to acquire a starting-caliber point guard. And this situation might be also contributing to the lack of efficiency from Evan who often finds himself doubled team by opponents who identify the lack of skilled playmakers in Orlando’s lineup. Just look at AG attacking the rim but failing to recognize Jonathan Isaac (who is slowly cutting to the middle and is wide open), throwing instead the ball to Fournier who is forced to take the long three as the shot-clock expires.
3ball.io/embed/0021800456_240
Nicolas Batum, (66% owned), Per Game Value: 129/137 (8/9-cat)
While the numbers are not bad and Batum is still playing 30 minutes per game, the French swingman is failing the eye test and looks out of sync on a Charlotte team that badly needs his veteran leadership. Throughout his career, Batum’ decision-making gave Charlotte a crucial secondary ball handler, which usually set Kemba Walker free, allowing him to move without the ball and focus on scoring. Unfortunately, James Borrego has taken the ball away from Nic and his usage is down to 13.5, second to last after only Bismack Biyombo!!! At 30 years old, he still has a lot of basketball left but unless the coaching staff puts the ball in his hands I wouldn’t expect to see any change for the rest of the season. Batum is constantly stationed at the corners without being involved in any screen action and the Hornets are almost never trying to initiate the offense through him or create mismatch situations close to the basket where he can use his craftiness to draw fouls or pass the ball out of potential double-teams. Look at how easy Charlotte makes the life for rookie Rodi Kurucs who is simply watching Batum stand in the corner and wait for Kemba to launch the contested shot.
3ball.io/embed/0021800505_9
Goran Dragic, (62% owned), Per Game Value: 137/185 (8/9-cat)
Even after a summer in which he focused entirely on his body and did not play with the Slovenian national team, the signs are finally here that the Dragon might be aging faster than we all anticipated. It seemed surprising to hear that the Heat were shopping Dragic during the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes but Pat Riley knows how to play his cards better than any other GM in the league and it all makes sense now after Dragic had surgery on his right knee a couple weeks ago. Shooting an ugly 41 percent from the field and 31.4 from behind the arc it’s unclear what the future holds for him and the Heat seem trapped at the middle of the barrel with no better option other than develop Josh Richardson and Justice Winslow as their playmakers of the future (or maybe trade for John Wall and his horrendous contract).
Pau Gasol, (8% owned), Per Game Value: 168/144 (8/9-cat)
The mystery surrounding Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and their alleged misdiagnosis from the Spurs medical team last year took another spin this season when Pau Gasol was found to have suffered a stress fracture but only after getting a second opinion and playing a couple games with basically a broken foot. The Spaniard is currently out of his walking boot but is still looking at an indefinite timetable as he tries to work his way back at the age of 38.
Ersan Ilyasova, (5% owned), Per Game Value: 211/196/ (8/9-cat)
I have to admit that I was really high on Ilyasova coming into the season but he has battled miscellaneous injuries and has managed to stay on the floor for a career-low 19.9 minutes per game. The main reason for the limited action of course is how effectively Brook Lopez has spread the floor as Giannis has been playing mostly at the four, leading the league in points in the paint so far. The Turkish forward is recovering from surgery to repair his fractured nose and there is no timetable for his return, but I still think he emerges as a valuable bench contributor in the second half of the season when coach Bud will be relying mostly on his veterans. Unfortunately, Ilyasova is at the point of his career where he is a better basketball asset rather than a fantasy contributor. He ranks fourth in the NBA with 12 charges drawn which is impressive if you consider the minutes that’s he is playing compared to the leaders (Tim Hardaway Jr., Blake Griffin and Kyle Lowry). Here is him positioning himself nicely to draw the charge from Trevor Ariza in a close game and against a team with athletic forwards who attacked the Bucks during the entire game.
3ball.io/embed/0021800275_503
Dirk Nowitzki, (25% owned)
Dirk is still owned in far too many leagues but it’s time to remind everyone that he should be cut in all formats and especially dynasty leagues where it’s always better to take a flier on a young player with upside rather than relying on dinosaurs like Dirk. Don’t get me wrong of course, Nowitzki is a Hall of Famer but he seems to be getting into game shape slowly and the Mavs simply don’t need him while Luka Doncic has shown the ability to already carry the burden of a leader.
Dzanan Musa, (0% owned)
Musa was considered to be the more ready-to-contribute project (between him and Rodi Kurucs) but just like everything in life, circumstances and luck define success. Musa has struggled with injuries to his ankle and to his shoulder while the team’s logjam at the wing and point guard positions have left no room for him at the moment. Musa though has thrived in the G-League, playing in all 16 of Long Island’s games, leading the team in scoring at 20.1 points, while also contributing 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.4 minutes per game. Most importantly, he’s trying to improve all parts of his game, as he doesn’t want to be seen simply as a scorer, which is how he made his reputation in Europe. Musa won’t turn 20 years old until May and I’m absolutely targeting him in dynasty leagues in case an owner is disappointed by the lack of playing time. Here are some highlights of him playing the point in the G-League.
youtu.be/qw0R95SvfiM
Mario Hezonja, (23% owned), Per Game Value: 315/338 (8/9-cat)
Super Mario is struggling with his shooting, his decision-making and his overall game for a rebuilding team where he was supposed to get plenty of opportunities. We have now reached the point where Hezonja is on the receiving end of multiple DNP-CDs and his future in the league looks murky. Hezonja has talked about how this year he is sacrificing scoring in order to concentrate on other aspects of his game while he has been adamant about his preference to remain in the lineup. The numbers though and the simple eye test fail him miserably and with Kevin Knox emerging as a core rebuilding piece in New York, Super Mario shouldn’t be owned even in deep formats. Just look at this play where Mario attacks the basket but forgets about Kanter (who is cutting to the basket with the proper pace) and sends the ball to the fifth row instead of the big man.
3ball.io/embed/0021800307_34
Dragan Bender, (0% owned)
Back in the summer, I talked about how Bender was supposed to get a clean slate with a new coaching regime and specifically Igor Kokoskov who was familiar with his game since his Europe days but this has not happened with a team desperate for any kind of production from him. Bender is the type of player who needs the confidence and the playing time in order to produce and the more he stays out of the rotation the more he seems to develop into a lazy 7-footer who just settles instead of using his length and size to exploit his advantage in the paint. Look at this fast break opportunity where Bender gets the ball while having a direct opening to the basket but opts to crawl back to the corner and brick the uncontested shot.
3ball.io/embed/0021800366_473
Zhou Qi, (0% owned)
The Rockets moved on from the 22-year-old center/forward earlier this month and at this point it’s highly unlikely that he gets another opportunity with an NBA franchise, especially if you consider the fact that he was brought in Houston more as a marketing tool and less because if his talent.
Frank Ntilikina, (3% owned), 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.8 triples shooting an atrocious 34.1 percent from the field and 28.9 behind the arc.
The Knicks already seem to be out on Frankie Smokes but this is more of an organizational decision and the direct result of front office politics as the French guard was Phil Jackson’s draft selection a couple years ago. The thing is that smart teams around the NBA are already monitoring his situation as the kid is just 20 years old and guards with a seven-foot wingspan are hard to find. Ntilikina will have many suitors in the event that New York goes to a different direction and he has a ton of room for improvement while playing point guard might not be the ideal position for him.
Dante Exum, (7% owned),
Ricky Rubio is headed into the final year of his contract but the team’s offense has really struggled this season. The Jazz paid Exum $11 million per year and it’s currently difficult to see them committing double-digit million dollars per year to Rubio next summer as well. The opportunity is there for Exum and this is a very important year for a player who has repeatedly shown what he is capable of. If the Jazz don’t turn things around don’t be surprised if they pull the plug on Rubio and decide to go with Exum as their starting guard.
Maxi Kleber, (3% owned), PER 36 MINUTES of 12.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 0.9 steals and 1.7 triples (and in case you are wondering THESE are the numbers that Brooklyn sees and is not trading me this German panzer.
Kleber is not a sexy pick but he brings tremendous value in deep leagues with his ability to contribute with money-counter stats. His positional flexibility is another undervalued part of his game and even though the Mavs have committed to DeAndre Jordan as their starting center, I expect plenty of teams to inquire about Kleber when he becomes a free agent this summer.
O.G. Anunoby, (5% owned), Per Game Value: 283/278 (8/9-cat)
The British forward has not taken a much-expected leap in his second year in the league but the Raptors don’t seem to worry about it after the summer acquisition of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green that has put Toronto in the conversation for a possible NBA Finals appearance. An athletic 3-and-D forward who can guard all five positions, OG is undoubtedly gaining the much needed experience needed to succeed at this level, playing with one of the best players at his position in Kawhi Leonard. OG’s father passed away during the summer and his season has been up and down with minor injuries and a prolonged shooting slump but I am a believer in his ability to deliver the money counters so feel free to buy-low on him if the opportunity is there.
Ivica Zubac, (42% owned but only 1% before the recent emergence)
The Lakers fan base seemed to be really low on Zubac during the offseason but the kid has put a lot of work in order to drop his weight to NBA standards and the illness that Javale NcGee suffered last week opened up the opportunity for the Croatian big to go from an end of the bench player to a fringe starter. Luke Walton thinks Ivica Zubac has earned the right to keep playing for the team, even when JaVale McGee returns, so I would strongly advice to pick up Zubac in dynasty formats if he is still sitting in the waiver wire. I took a look into his game last year and what is still clear is that even if the NBA is no longer a league dominated by giants, there is still a place for bigs, as long as magnitude is accompanied by talent and skill and Zubac is surely one of them. Just look at this sequence where Zupac sets a couple strong screens and then rolls to the basket where he finishes with the impressive footwork to avoid the charge.
3ball.io/embed/0021800514_210
Skal Labissiere, (0% owned)
The Kings and Dave Joerger specifically have surprisingly been able to alter the direction of the franchise by finding the right combination of youngsters and NBA veterans and winning while giving reason for hope and optimism to their fanbase for the first time in a few years. Nothing is perfect though and the lack of developmental minutes for Skal has been one of the dark spots of the team this year. Harry Giles and the hype that surrounds him has been able to surpass the Haitian in the rotation and at this point it seems likely that his future in not in Sacramento. The athletic big has shown flashes of his talent in the last couple years and while his scoring abilities might not be required in Sacramento, there are plenty of teams that could use his help. He will definitely have plenty of suitors once he becomes a free agent so feel free to stash him in deeper formats with an eye on the future.
Ante Zizic, (1% owned)
Just like the Kings have failed to give minutes to Labissiere, the same can be said for Ante Zizic and the Cavs. And while Sacramento is competing for the playoffs by showing signs of consistency in their success, Cleveland has struggled with injuries in their frontcourt that have opened up minutes for healthy bodies like Zizic. Unfortunately, the team wants to play fast and this style doesn't allow room for a slow-footed big man who simply can’t keep up. The Cavs also entered this season with a switch-everything approach on defense and Zizic has been targeted repeatedly every time he steps on the floor. Look at Antonio Blakeney immediately attacking the Croatian on the switch as he struggles with lateral quickness and the ability to control his big frame.
3ball.io/embed/0021800490_455
Jakob Poeltl, (17% owned)
Poeltl is another guy that might have left managers worried in dynasty leagues, failing to meet expectations after he was traded to the Spurs in the summer. He obviously hasn’t forgotten how to play basketball though and his integration to the Spurs has been slow but I would absolutely stash him in dynasty leagues. He is a high basketball IQ player with a well-balanced game overall who makes a team better every time he steps on the court, perfectly fitting the need for a big man who can be a contributor instead of the epicenter. Isn’t this what the Spurs’ way is all about?
Svi Mykhailiuk, (2% owned)
Svi scored 47 points (16-23 FG, 5-9 3FG, 10-11 FT) in the South Bay Lakers’ win Saturday and it’s the most points scored by any G League player this season. Even LeBron recognized the game, the only one that doesn’t? Our favorite Minnesota Timberwolves
Stay up to date on all the breaking news and rumors posted on our website and on our Twitter account @hoopballfantasy.
Stats are courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com and are accurate as of December 31st .
Did the Grinch steal them for good or should you be stashing/buying low on them?
The Grinch that stole my efficiency!
Evan Fournier, (79% owned), Per Game Value: 112/139 (8/9-cat)
Even though the Magic still rely heavily on the swingman to create offense for their team, Fournier has struggled, shooting 42.4 percent from the field, 75.7 from the free throw line and a career-low 32.4 from behind the arc. The Frenchman is only 26 years old and has looked fresh and in shape all season long and his poor shooting is really the only thing that is holding him back, so I’m optimistic that he will be able to bounce back in 2019. On top of everything, the Magic’s biggest gamble this season has been their resistance to acquire a starting-caliber point guard. And this situation might be also contributing to the lack of efficiency from Evan who often finds himself doubled team by opponents who identify the lack of skilled playmakers in Orlando’s lineup. Just look at AG attacking the rim but failing to recognize Jonathan Isaac (who is slowly cutting to the middle and is wide open), throwing instead the ball to Fournier who is forced to take the long three as the shot-clock expires.
3ball.io/embed/0021800456_240
Nicolas Batum, (66% owned), Per Game Value: 129/137 (8/9-cat)
While the numbers are not bad and Batum is still playing 30 minutes per game, the French swingman is failing the eye test and looks out of sync on a Charlotte team that badly needs his veteran leadership. Throughout his career, Batum’ decision-making gave Charlotte a crucial secondary ball handler, which usually set Kemba Walker free, allowing him to move without the ball and focus on scoring. Unfortunately, James Borrego has taken the ball away from Nic and his usage is down to 13.5, second to last after only Bismack Biyombo!!! At 30 years old, he still has a lot of basketball left but unless the coaching staff puts the ball in his hands I wouldn’t expect to see any change for the rest of the season. Batum is constantly stationed at the corners without being involved in any screen action and the Hornets are almost never trying to initiate the offense through him or create mismatch situations close to the basket where he can use his craftiness to draw fouls or pass the ball out of potential double-teams. Look at how easy Charlotte makes the life for rookie Rodi Kurucs who is simply watching Batum stand in the corner and wait for Kemba to launch the contested shot.
3ball.io/embed/0021800505_9
The Grinch that injured my toe!
Goran Dragic, (62% owned), Per Game Value: 137/185 (8/9-cat)
Even after a summer in which he focused entirely on his body and did not play with the Slovenian national team, the signs are finally here that the Dragon might be aging faster than we all anticipated. It seemed surprising to hear that the Heat were shopping Dragic during the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes but Pat Riley knows how to play his cards better than any other GM in the league and it all makes sense now after Dragic had surgery on his right knee a couple weeks ago. Shooting an ugly 41 percent from the field and 31.4 from behind the arc it’s unclear what the future holds for him and the Heat seem trapped at the middle of the barrel with no better option other than develop Josh Richardson and Justice Winslow as their playmakers of the future (or maybe trade for John Wall and his horrendous contract).
Pau Gasol, (8% owned), Per Game Value: 168/144 (8/9-cat)
The mystery surrounding Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and their alleged misdiagnosis from the Spurs medical team last year took another spin this season when Pau Gasol was found to have suffered a stress fracture but only after getting a second opinion and playing a couple games with basically a broken foot. The Spaniard is currently out of his walking boot but is still looking at an indefinite timetable as he tries to work his way back at the age of 38.
Ersan Ilyasova, (5% owned), Per Game Value: 211/196/ (8/9-cat)
I have to admit that I was really high on Ilyasova coming into the season but he has battled miscellaneous injuries and has managed to stay on the floor for a career-low 19.9 minutes per game. The main reason for the limited action of course is how effectively Brook Lopez has spread the floor as Giannis has been playing mostly at the four, leading the league in points in the paint so far. The Turkish forward is recovering from surgery to repair his fractured nose and there is no timetable for his return, but I still think he emerges as a valuable bench contributor in the second half of the season when coach Bud will be relying mostly on his veterans. Unfortunately, Ilyasova is at the point of his career where he is a better basketball asset rather than a fantasy contributor. He ranks fourth in the NBA with 12 charges drawn which is impressive if you consider the minutes that’s he is playing compared to the leaders (Tim Hardaway Jr., Blake Griffin and Kyle Lowry). Here is him positioning himself nicely to draw the charge from Trevor Ariza in a close game and against a team with athletic forwards who attacked the Bucks during the entire game.
3ball.io/embed/0021800275_503
Dirk Nowitzki, (25% owned)
Dirk is still owned in far too many leagues but it’s time to remind everyone that he should be cut in all formats and especially dynasty leagues where it’s always better to take a flier on a young player with upside rather than relying on dinosaurs like Dirk. Don’t get me wrong of course, Nowitzki is a Hall of Famer but he seems to be getting into game shape slowly and the Mavs simply don’t need him while Luka Doncic has shown the ability to already carry the burden of a leader.
Dzanan Musa, (0% owned)
Musa was considered to be the more ready-to-contribute project (between him and Rodi Kurucs) but just like everything in life, circumstances and luck define success. Musa has struggled with injuries to his ankle and to his shoulder while the team’s logjam at the wing and point guard positions have left no room for him at the moment. Musa though has thrived in the G-League, playing in all 16 of Long Island’s games, leading the team in scoring at 20.1 points, while also contributing 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.4 minutes per game. Most importantly, he’s trying to improve all parts of his game, as he doesn’t want to be seen simply as a scorer, which is how he made his reputation in Europe. Musa won’t turn 20 years old until May and I’m absolutely targeting him in dynasty leagues in case an owner is disappointed by the lack of playing time. Here are some highlights of him playing the point in the G-League.
youtu.be/qw0R95SvfiM
The Grinch that stole my game!
Mario Hezonja, (23% owned), Per Game Value: 315/338 (8/9-cat)
Super Mario is struggling with his shooting, his decision-making and his overall game for a rebuilding team where he was supposed to get plenty of opportunities. We have now reached the point where Hezonja is on the receiving end of multiple DNP-CDs and his future in the league looks murky. Hezonja has talked about how this year he is sacrificing scoring in order to concentrate on other aspects of his game while he has been adamant about his preference to remain in the lineup. The numbers though and the simple eye test fail him miserably and with Kevin Knox emerging as a core rebuilding piece in New York, Super Mario shouldn’t be owned even in deep formats. Just look at this play where Mario attacks the basket but forgets about Kanter (who is cutting to the basket with the proper pace) and sends the ball to the fifth row instead of the big man.
3ball.io/embed/0021800307_34
Dragan Bender, (0% owned)
Back in the summer, I talked about how Bender was supposed to get a clean slate with a new coaching regime and specifically Igor Kokoskov who was familiar with his game since his Europe days but this has not happened with a team desperate for any kind of production from him. Bender is the type of player who needs the confidence and the playing time in order to produce and the more he stays out of the rotation the more he seems to develop into a lazy 7-footer who just settles instead of using his length and size to exploit his advantage in the paint. Look at this fast break opportunity where Bender gets the ball while having a direct opening to the basket but opts to crawl back to the corner and brick the uncontested shot.
3ball.io/embed/0021800366_473
Zhou Qi, (0% owned)
The Rockets moved on from the 22-year-old center/forward earlier this month and at this point it’s highly unlikely that he gets another opportunity with an NBA franchise, especially if you consider the fact that he was brought in Houston more as a marketing tool and less because if his talent.
The Grinch that benched me!
Frank Ntilikina, (3% owned), 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.8 triples shooting an atrocious 34.1 percent from the field and 28.9 behind the arc.
The Knicks already seem to be out on Frankie Smokes but this is more of an organizational decision and the direct result of front office politics as the French guard was Phil Jackson’s draft selection a couple years ago. The thing is that smart teams around the NBA are already monitoring his situation as the kid is just 20 years old and guards with a seven-foot wingspan are hard to find. Ntilikina will have many suitors in the event that New York goes to a different direction and he has a ton of room for improvement while playing point guard might not be the ideal position for him.
Dante Exum, (7% owned),
Ricky Rubio is headed into the final year of his contract but the team’s offense has really struggled this season. The Jazz paid Exum $11 million per year and it’s currently difficult to see them committing double-digit million dollars per year to Rubio next summer as well. The opportunity is there for Exum and this is a very important year for a player who has repeatedly shown what he is capable of. If the Jazz don’t turn things around don’t be surprised if they pull the plug on Rubio and decide to go with Exum as their starting guard.
Maxi Kleber, (3% owned), PER 36 MINUTES of 12.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 0.9 steals and 1.7 triples (and in case you are wondering THESE are the numbers that Brooklyn sees and is not trading me this German panzer.
Kleber is not a sexy pick but he brings tremendous value in deep leagues with his ability to contribute with money-counter stats. His positional flexibility is another undervalued part of his game and even though the Mavs have committed to DeAndre Jordan as their starting center, I expect plenty of teams to inquire about Kleber when he becomes a free agent this summer.
O.G. Anunoby, (5% owned), Per Game Value: 283/278 (8/9-cat)
The British forward has not taken a much-expected leap in his second year in the league but the Raptors don’t seem to worry about it after the summer acquisition of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green that has put Toronto in the conversation for a possible NBA Finals appearance. An athletic 3-and-D forward who can guard all five positions, OG is undoubtedly gaining the much needed experience needed to succeed at this level, playing with one of the best players at his position in Kawhi Leonard. OG’s father passed away during the summer and his season has been up and down with minor injuries and a prolonged shooting slump but I am a believer in his ability to deliver the money counters so feel free to buy-low on him if the opportunity is there.
Ivica Zubac, (42% owned but only 1% before the recent emergence)
The Lakers fan base seemed to be really low on Zubac during the offseason but the kid has put a lot of work in order to drop his weight to NBA standards and the illness that Javale NcGee suffered last week opened up the opportunity for the Croatian big to go from an end of the bench player to a fringe starter. Luke Walton thinks Ivica Zubac has earned the right to keep playing for the team, even when JaVale McGee returns, so I would strongly advice to pick up Zubac in dynasty formats if he is still sitting in the waiver wire. I took a look into his game last year and what is still clear is that even if the NBA is no longer a league dominated by giants, there is still a place for bigs, as long as magnitude is accompanied by talent and skill and Zubac is surely one of them. Just look at this sequence where Zupac sets a couple strong screens and then rolls to the basket where he finishes with the impressive footwork to avoid the charge.
3ball.io/embed/0021800514_210
Skal Labissiere, (0% owned)
The Kings and Dave Joerger specifically have surprisingly been able to alter the direction of the franchise by finding the right combination of youngsters and NBA veterans and winning while giving reason for hope and optimism to their fanbase for the first time in a few years. Nothing is perfect though and the lack of developmental minutes for Skal has been one of the dark spots of the team this year. Harry Giles and the hype that surrounds him has been able to surpass the Haitian in the rotation and at this point it seems likely that his future in not in Sacramento. The athletic big has shown flashes of his talent in the last couple years and while his scoring abilities might not be required in Sacramento, there are plenty of teams that could use his help. He will definitely have plenty of suitors once he becomes a free agent so feel free to stash him in deeper formats with an eye on the future.
Ante Zizic, (1% owned)
Just like the Kings have failed to give minutes to Labissiere, the same can be said for Ante Zizic and the Cavs. And while Sacramento is competing for the playoffs by showing signs of consistency in their success, Cleveland has struggled with injuries in their frontcourt that have opened up minutes for healthy bodies like Zizic. Unfortunately, the team wants to play fast and this style doesn't allow room for a slow-footed big man who simply can’t keep up. The Cavs also entered this season with a switch-everything approach on defense and Zizic has been targeted repeatedly every time he steps on the floor. Look at Antonio Blakeney immediately attacking the Croatian on the switch as he struggles with lateral quickness and the ability to control his big frame.
3ball.io/embed/0021800490_455
Jakob Poeltl, (17% owned)
Poeltl is another guy that might have left managers worried in dynasty leagues, failing to meet expectations after he was traded to the Spurs in the summer. He obviously hasn’t forgotten how to play basketball though and his integration to the Spurs has been slow but I would absolutely stash him in dynasty leagues. He is a high basketball IQ player with a well-balanced game overall who makes a team better every time he steps on the court, perfectly fitting the need for a big man who can be a contributor instead of the epicenter. Isn’t this what the Spurs’ way is all about?
Svi Mykhailiuk, (2% owned)
Svi scored 47 points (16-23 FG, 5-9 3FG, 10-11 FT) in the South Bay Lakers’ win Saturday and it’s the most points scored by any G League player this season. Even LeBron recognized the game, the only one that doesn’t? Our favorite Minnesota Timberwolves
Stay up to date on all the breaking news and rumors posted on our website and on our Twitter account @hoopballfantasy.
Stats are courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com and are accurate as of December 31st .