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Hi everyone,
My additional DFS duties have turned the weekly compendium into a spontaneous compendium.
When time allows, I'm happy to take a look around the league - and find intriguing nuggets to write about (resisting the urge to make a Denver pun right now)...
I've scanned the league, and wanted to shine a light on some of the heroes and villains of the current NBA season...
HEROES:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL, SF
Better known as The Greek Freak, Giannis has been going off.
His long awaited breakout year is happening - and it's glorious... This 21-year old superstar is finally giving us some serious counting stats: 17.7 PPG, 6.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 1.1 STL, 1.1 BLK. Even more unexpected: 52.9 FG%, 85.5 FG%. If he can maintain these percentages, you're looking at potentially a first round pick next year...
The scariest part? He's still only hinting at his potential...
How do you say 'stud' in Greek?
C.J. McCollum, POR, PG/SG
I've been hearing about McCollum's upside for a couple years now, but I'm always skeptical until I see numbers.
Well, now it's clearly too late to get him anywhere.
Look at the leap he made from last year to this year: 6.8 PPG to 19.9 PPG!
That's insane.
Obviously his minutes & usage have increased dramatically in the wake of Portland's roster overhaul, but not too many NBA players make a leap of over THIRTEEN POINTS in scoring average from one year to the next.
Firmly part of the rotation, I see no reason McCollum can't sustain this pace all season. And since he sort of came out of nowhere, this could only be the beginning... He's only a third year player.
Evan Fournier, ORL, SG/SF
I've written about Evan before, but he's earned the right to be profiled more significantly.
He showed flashes of brilliance last year, but couldn't sustain it throughout the year. Injuries also factored in. (Perhaps why I'm still SLIGHTLY skeptical of his torrid pace.) I did manage to scoop Evan in a couple dynasty leagues last season - so I have been following his progress closely - but I assumed Orlando had better assets to focus on. (Mario Hezonja has basically become a waterboy because of Evan's progress this season.)
At 17.7 PPG and 2.4 3PM, this is an asset that keeps increasing in value... At 23 years old, he's a MUST OWN in dynasty leagues/keepers.
Clint Capela, HOU, PF/C
Another guy I've written about a LOT this season, I simply had to write about him yet again now that he's in the starting lineup WITH Dwight Howard.
This is significant news.
I had him in 1 dynasty league, and just snagged him in another.
C2's deal was Marcin Gortat 2.0. Clint was Howard's backup, and reaped the rewards of D12's injury history. But now that they're playing TOGETHER?
Get this guy immediately.
In dynasties/keepers, his stock should be going through the roof. He's obviously an asset the Rockets covet.
In under 20 MPG, Capela is averaging 7.8 PPG, 6.6 REB, 0.7 STL, 1.5 BLK.
At 21, this 2014 first round pick has an extremely bright future. Don't miss out...
VILLAINS:
Jahlil Okafor, PHI, C
You can't argue with his mammoth rookie production, but punching dudes in the face on camera is not ideal for career advancement. If you haven't seen the infamous video, here it is.
He's 19. I get it. But c'mon, dude.
Kobe Bryant, LAL, SG
31.1 from the field, 19.5 from 3.
Kobe.
Just.
Stop.
Bobman, FAKE TEAMS, writer
Yes, I'm putting myself here - cuz I'm having a rough season in Yahoo's Friends and Family league. After my 2nd place finish last season (as a rookie!), the sophomore jinx has hit me hard. I did take Kyrie Irving as a stash - which will help me soonish (I hope) - but I'm in trouble, man.
I'm gonna need to start taking out some of these guys' kneecaps.
At this point, my strategy is hoping they don't set their lineups every week.
Where's Jahlil Okafor when you need him?
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
Bobman