As always in the NBA, there were some extraordinary performances, as well as a few that the players would like to forget. And like every week, we will be looking into those who impressed and those who were underwhelming.
Today, I taught I'dd switch it up a bit and talk about the fallers first and then take a look at the risers. I like leaving things off on a higher note. And there hasn't been a higher note than the one last night in a long, long time.
We've been shifting our schedule a bit, my personal obligations and I are to blame, so this is more of a Weekend 22 edition of fantasy NBA risers and fallers in the top-100.
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FALLER - Carmelo Anthony (F, NY) – Carmelo Anthony hasn't really meshed all that well with Phil Jackson as Knicks fans had hoped once this front office-star player partnership was established. Things went from bad to worse when Jackson, supposedly, asked Melo to waive his no-trade clause. When the trade deadline passed, and Anthony was still in New York, it was expected that he will be calmer and more certain about his status and situation, which would lead to great performances. Well, that didn't really happen as Melo failed to score more than 20 in all but two of his last ten games. In that span he is averaging just 17.7 PTS, 1.6 3PM on 38.5 FG% and 89.1 FT%, 5.8 REB, 2.6 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.8 BLK and 1.7 TO in 36 minutes a game. That's well below expectations for a franchise player like Melo. Furthermore, he's missed the Knicks' last game with a sore left knee and, with New York eight games behind the eighth-placed Miami, more rest days could be on their way.
FALLER - Otto Porter (F, WAS) – You wouldn't think Otto Porter producing at around the top-100 value in the last week would have him in the "fallers" column when the season started, but he's got his own, top-notch-performing, cross to bear. Otto-pilot has been on cruise control this whole season and is flirting with top-20 value, but has slowed down significantly in his last three. In those games he posted averages of 7.7 PTS with 1.0 3PM on 43.5 FG% and no free throw attempts, 5.0 REB, 1.3 AST, 0.3 BLK, no steals and 0.3 TO. As a result, he was only playing 23 minutes per contest. Otto is averaging 2.0 combined blocks and steals on the season and almost 2 threes per game on 51.8% from the field, so he should be fine. But this slump has come in the worst possible moment for fantasy owners who are battling it out in the playoffs.
FALLER - Reggie Jackson (G, DET) – Now I know Reggie hasn't really been a top-100 player at almost any time this season, but his reputation and the fact we know he is capable of great things have "earned him the right" to find himself in our "faller" column. Reggie has been struggling for a while now, and Ish Smith has been breathing down his neck. And right when you think that Ish is going to take away his starting gig, Reggie flashes us a glimpse of his magic and it's back to the drawing board. But the Pistons' coach Stan Van Gundy finally made the switch in his starting lineup, starting Smith in Reggie's place on March 24. It hasn't worked well. Jackson logged 20 minutes and hit 5-of-14 for 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, a three-pointer and a block while Ish had six points with three rebounds and a turnover. Not a pretty sight in Detroit's backcourt at the moment.
Weekend 22 Fantasy Basketball Risers
RISER - Giannis Antetokounmpo (G,F, MIL) - First to give credit where credit is due. Last week I had Giannis in the "fallers" column and expressed hope that he will turn things around and get back to leading my team, actually all of his owner's teams, to the finals and eventually to the fantasy NBA tittle we all crave so desperately. Well The Alphabet delivered in a big way in his last two by scoring 33.0 PTS with 1.0 3PM on 56.8 FG% and 73.7 FT%, 13.0 REB, 5.5 AST, 2.0 STL, 2.0 BLK and 0.5 TO in 28 minutes per outing. That's everything you can ask from him, and more. Thank you Giannis. Thank you!
RISER - Jimmy Butler (G,F, CHI) – Dwyane Wade's season was cut short due to a fractured right elbow and Jimmy Butler was asked to pick up the slack. And pick it up he did, with averages of 28.0 PTS with 1.0 3PM on 52.3 FG% and 83.3 FT%, 6.2 REB, 8.2 AST, 2.4 STL, 0.8 BLK and 0.8 TO in 39 minutes per game in the five games since Wade went down. There's no reason to think that Jimmy will slow down, especially now when most of the shots will be going to him. He is one of the league's best two-way players and is one of the bigger reasons that the Bulls are still in contention for the playoffs, just 1.5 games behind Miami. And as long as they have a shot, you can bet that Jimmy will be getting all the run he can handle.
RISER - Devin Booker (G, PHO) – And now for the pièce de résistance. We saved the best for last as Devin Booker, a twenty-year-old sophomore from Grand Rapids, Michigan, former Kentucky student, became the youngest man to ever hit the 70-point mark last night, on March 24. Nobody had accomplished that in over 10 years, ever since Kobe hit 81 back on Jan 22, 2006. Booker is just the sixth man in history of the NBA to pass that mark. Moreover he did it against the Celtics, and that is the highest number of points scored against them ever. No one has scored more for the Phoenix Suns ever, either. Just for reference, the great Michael Jordan's highest scoring game of his career was 69. Way to go Devin! Way to go! Keep it up my man!
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