RADIO
Welcome to the RotoBaller NBA Recap. In this feature, we highlight three fantasy basketball takeaways from last night's slate of NBA games.
Thursday night featured a heavy load of Western Conference squads going at it in a brutal race to the top of the standings. Denver (expectedly) annihilated Atlanta and the Spurs/Clippers battled out to see who was the less mediocre potential playoff team. Houston vs Golden State was a massacre and did not really feature too many significant performances outside of role players James Ennis III. Ennis III is looking promising with Carmelo Anthony officially out of the picture. He's someone to keep an eye on given his shooting/minutes these past two games.
Anyways, let's take it away in the Thursday, November 15th recap with some fantasy highlights (and lone lowlight).
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DeMar DeRozan: DeReturn to LA
DeMar DeRozan has been a fantasy STUD this season. He is demolishing his late second/early-third ADP by providing like a mid-to-late first rounder. His field goal percentage is the highest it has been since his rookie year and his free throw percentage is higher than ever. His points, rebounds, and assists are up from last year with the only drop coming in three-pointers (which you really shouldn't expect from him given his history).
DeRozan was the star of the Spurs Thursday as he led his team in minutes, scoring and assists. DD had 34 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. What's astonishing is the fact that Pop gave him the green light to shoot 30 shots. That is insane is a system that prioritizes ball movement and facilitating. Coach Pop clearly either trusts DeRozan or know that he's the only guy capable of getting a bucket on that team right now. Fellow Spurs' all-star, LaMarcus Aldridge, has struggled of late, but that will get discussed in a bit.
DeRozan is absolutely someone you want to hold on to as tight as possible. If he's not on your team already, the asking price is probably too high to consider. However, maybe a league-mate thinks the production is unsustainable and sells for lower than the going rate. Just spitballing here... but the point is that you want this guy on your fantasy team.
Juancho Hernangomez: Juancho Jack
The absence of Will Barton has opened up minutes for Juan Hernangomez to show some life. The 23-year old Spaniard has been in-and-out of the Denver lineup these past few years and is now finally getting some consistent playing time. Hernangomez has played 30 or more minutes in each of the past three games. While the production hasn't quite been thee outside of Thursday night, the court-time is promising.
Hernangomez played 31 minutes Thursday night and racked up 25 points on just 12 shots. He knocked down two threes, grabbed nine boards and a steal en route to a 45-point win over Atlanta. This was Juancho's second 20-point game of the year and third of his career. Coach Mike Malone loves tinkering his lineups, therefore, it's hard to say if Hernangomez's playing time is going to stick. When Barton returns, it is for sure going to dip, regardless, he may be a short-term add for anyone in deeper leagues in need of threes and solid efficiency.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Over the Ridge?
LaMarcus Aldridge is having a tough year. Aside from his boosted rebounds, LMA's field goal percentage is the lowest of his career, he hasn't made a three, his free throw percentage, steals, and points are down all while his turnovers are up. It is not easy owning him outside of points leagues right now. Aldridge is in a major slump and no one knows when he will jump out of it.
Thursday night just exemplified his struggles in the spotlight. On national television, Aldridge scored just 10 points on 15 shots. He made just three on the field but luckily drained all four shots at the free throw line. This marks LMA's second extremely poor shooting night in a row as he was coming off of a 3-for-12 game against the Suns. While the multiple steals and blocks were a nice addition, owners who invested a third-ish pick in Aldridge are still getting a monkey wrench thrown at them with the inefficiency.
The 33-year old power forward/center needs a long look in the mirror to remind himself who he is. Just 14 games in, there should not be TOO much worry, but a slight concern is warranted. He's not someone to sell-low right now. However, he might be in consideration as a sell in a few weeks if his game picks up.
