Booms, Busts, Battlestar Galactica: NBA Week 6
Feb 07 | 2021
From left to right: Harrison Barnes, Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), Kristaps Porzingis
Disney, USA Today
Did the fantasy basketball week have you feeling like a raging, “25-year-old” courtside housewife? Don’t worry. I have what you need.
Unlike entitled wives of billionaires, we have the foresight to know that one choice can have negative (if not, hilarious) consequences. We got a list of booms that can propel you out of that funk or busts you may want to consider dumping like Monica Rambeau out of Westview, New Jersey.
Don’t go “Courtside Karen” If things don’t work out, though.
Booms
Gary Trent Jr. Guard/Forward Portland Trail Blazers
On a live stream after C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic went down with injuries, I asked who would step up as Portland’s Alfred to Damian Lillard’s Batman because there was no one who could even be Robin. Gary Trent Jr. is making a strong case to be more sidekick than a butler.
The past week, the former Duke guard averaged 18.5 points with 4.5 made threes and 1.8 steals while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. With McCollum and Nurkic out, Trent Jr. has every chance to surpass the impressive numbers he’s been putting up. And with only 38 percent of teams on Yahoo rostering him, he is probably available in your league.
Joe Harris Guard/Forward Brooklyn Nets
All eyes are understandably on James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant carrying the Nets to a league-leading offensive rating, but Joe Harris is also thriving in the shadows like Creed in The Office. 71 percent of Yahoo leagues got a nice surprise last night with Harris dropping 30 points on eight made threes.
Joe Harris is on pace to be the 4th player in NBA history (and first under 7′) to average 15+ PPG and a .666+ eFG% https://t.co/k78oKs0f0l— Basketball Reference (@Basketball Reference) 1612212903.0
Over the last week, Harris has a .556/.485/1.000 slash line while averaging 17 points, three assists, one steal and four made threes a game. He will have some down games due to playing with three superstars, but he is trusted by those stars to make open shots and keeps the ball moving enough to make positive contributions to any fantasy team.
Harrison Barnes Forward Sacramento Kings
Remember Harrison Barnes? He is quietly having a career year in Sacramento and he has been balling the past week, averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and three made three-pointers per game with a .625/.529/1.000 slash line.
Barnes is second on the Kings in scoring while ranking ninth in usage. He may not be getting bonkers numbers, but those solid numbers will get a few wins in fantasy.
Reggie Jackson Guard Los Angeles Clippers
Sometimes, a couple more minutes can be the difference between a baller and a bust. Jackson’s season has been marred with poor performances, but his recent production after being inserted in the starting lineup this week has been a sight for sore eyes for some fantasy managers.
Reggie Jackson is going to have to see the floor more going forward even with Beverley returning. The Clippers are… https://t.co/HAHN0TybKX— Mike McClure (@Mike McClure) 1612316093.0
The former Boston College guard is averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, one steal and 2.4 made threes in the last five games. Patrick Beverley can come back at any time from a sore right knee, but until he does, Jackson seems hellbent on making the most of his opportunity.
Busts
Kristaps Porzingis Forward/Center Dallas Mavericks
The return of Porzingis was supposed to catapult the Mavericks to Western Conference contention, but the team’s record has gone from the first floor to the basement. The big Latvian has especially been M.I.A. the last week, averaging 15 points but only shooting 36 percent from the field and only hitting 1.3 threes per game.
Kristaps Porzingis having more fouls (4) than points (3) or rebounds (3) early in the second half is kinda problematic for the Mavs.— Tim MacMahon (@Tim MacMahon) 1611981216.0
For a player of his caliber, those numbers won’t do for his team or his fantasy managers.
Collin Sexton Guard Cleveland Cavaliers
After handing the Brooklyn Nets a 42 piece, Collin Sexton’s performances haven’t been much to talk about. He averaged 18.4 points per game last week but has only managed to hit 0.6 threes, steal 0.6 balls and turnover the rock 4.4 times per contest.
The good news for Sexton managers is that there aren’t many options on the Cavs, so he should be back on track to continue his breakthrough year.
Aaron Gordon Forward Orlando Magic
The high-flying Gordon has had a hard time getting off the ground this season. He has been especially undependable in the last week, averaging 9.5 points and 3.5 turnovers on 30.8 percent of shooting the last four games.
People forget Gordon is only 25 years old, so stretches of inconsistency shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, as he has shown in the past, he should be able to break out of this funk in a big way.
Kemba Walker Guard Boston Celtics
Since Walker has returned, he’s struggled to make a consistent impact for the Boston Celtics. While he did notch his first 20-point game, he has only averaged 3.3 assists, 1.7 made threes and 13 points on 35.9 percent shooting—not exactly fitting for a player getting over $34 million.
The Celtics have Finals potential if Kemba Walker can stay healthy and give them something in big games. Jaylen Bro… https://t.co/WOB13WYLv7— Kevin O’Connor (@Kevin O’Connor) 1612065126.0
But with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and even Marcus Smart keeping the train moving, the need for Walker to go off may be fewer and further between. It might be time to ship him off while you can.
string(16083) ""Did the fantasy basketball week have you feeling like a raging, "25-year-old" courtside housewife? Don't worry. I have what you need.
Unlike entitled wives of billionaires, we have the foresight to know that one choice can have negative (if not, hilarious) consequences. We got a list of booms that can propel you out of that funk or busts you may want to consider dumping like Monica Rambeau out of Westview, New Jersey.
Don't go "Courtside Karen" If things don't work out, though.
Booms
Gary Trent Jr. Guard/Forward Portland Trail Blazers
On a live stream after C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic went down with injuries, I asked who would step up as Portland's Alfred to Damian Lillard's Batman because there was no one who could even be Robin. Gary Trent Jr. is making a strong case to be more sidekick than a butler.
The past week, the former Duke guard averaged 18.5 points with 4.5 made threes and 1.8 steals while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. With McCollum and Nurkic out, Trent Jr. has every chance to surpass the impressive numbers he's been putting up. And with only 38 percent of teams on Yahoo rostering him, he is probably available in your league.
Joe Harris Guard/Forward Brooklyn Nets
All eyes are understandably on James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant carrying the Nets to a league-leading offensive rating, but Joe Harris is also thriving in the shadows like Creed in The Office. 71 percent of Yahoo leagues got a nice surprise last night with Harris dropping 30 points on eight made threes.
Joe Harris is on pace to be the 4th player in NBA history (and first under 7') to average 15+ PPG and a .666+ eFG% https://t.co/k78oKs0f0l— Basketball Reference (@Basketball Reference) 1612212903.0Over the last week, Harris has a .556/.485/1.000 slash line while averaging 17 points, three assists, one steal and four made threes a game. He will have some down games due to playing with three superstars, but he is trusted by those stars to make open shots and keeps the ball moving enough to make positive contributions to any fantasy team.
Harrison Barnes Forward Sacramento Kings
Remember Harrison Barnes? He is quietly having a career year in Sacramento and he has been balling the past week, averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and three made three-pointers per game with a .625/.529/1.000 slash line.
Barnes is second on the Kings in scoring while ranking ninth in usage. He may not be getting bonkers numbers, but those solid numbers will get a few wins in fantasy.
Reggie Jackson Guard Los Angeles Clippers
Sometimes, a couple more minutes can be the difference between a baller and a bust. Jackson's season has been marred with poor performances, but his recent production after being inserted in the starting lineup this week has been a sight for sore eyes for some fantasy managers.
Reggie Jackson is going to have to see the floor more going forward even with Beverley returning. The Clippers are… https://t.co/HAHN0TybKX— Mike McClure (@Mike McClure) 1612316093.0The former Boston College guard is averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, one steal and 2.4 made threes in the last five games. Patrick Beverley can come back at any time from a sore right knee, but until he does, Jackson seems hellbent on making the most of his opportunity.
Busts
Kristaps Porzingis Forward/Center Dallas Mavericks
The return of Porzingis was supposed to catapult the Mavericks to Western Conference contention, but the team's record has gone from the first floor to the basement. The big Latvian has especially been M.I.A. the last week, averaging 15 points but only shooting 36 percent from the field and only hitting 1.3 threes per game.
Kristaps Porzingis having more fouls (4) than points (3) or rebounds (3) early in the second half is kinda problematic for the Mavs.— Tim MacMahon (@Tim MacMahon) 1611981216.0For a player of his caliber, those numbers won't do for his team or his fantasy managers.
Collin Sexton Guard Cleveland Cavaliers
After handing the Brooklyn Nets a 42 piece, Collin Sexton's performances haven't been much to talk about. He averaged 18.4 points per game last week but has only managed to hit 0.6 threes, steal 0.6 balls and turnover the rock 4.4 times per contest.
The good news for Sexton managers is that there aren't many options on the Cavs, so he should be back on track to continue his breakthrough year.
Aaron Gordon Forward Orlando Magic
The high-flying Gordon has had a hard time getting off the ground this season. He has been especially undependable in the last week, averaging 9.5 points and 3.5 turnovers on 30.8 percent of shooting the last four games.
People forget Gordon is only 25 years old, so stretches of inconsistency shouldn't come as a surprise. However, as he has shown in the past, he should be able to break out of this funk in a big way.
Kemba Walker Guard Boston Celtics
Since Walker has returned, he's struggled to make a consistent impact for the Boston Celtics. While he did notch his first 20-point game, he has only averaged 3.3 assists, 1.7 made threes and 13 points on 35.9 percent shooting—not exactly fitting for a player getting over $34 million.
The Celtics have Finals potential if Kemba Walker can stay healthy and give them something in big games. Jaylen Bro… https://t.co/WOB13WYLv7— Kevin O'Connor (@Kevin O'Connor) 1612065126.0But with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and even Marcus Smart keeping the train moving, the need for Walker to go off may be fewer and further between. It might be time to ship him off while you can.
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