With fantasy basketball combining two weeks due to the all-star break, we decided to switch up the format a little bit.
Like an early M. Night Shyamalan film, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered in the second half of the season to neatly conclude this chaotic NBA year.
Pending a big third-act twist ending the season prematurely, here are the questions that need answering the rest of the year.
1. What will the NBA do to improve their COVID protocols?
Mid-game positive tests, mask-related fines, regular stints in the NBA's safety protocol: The NBA's non-bubble COVID safety enforcement has left a lot to be desired. While players are enjoying their week-long break, the league executives are hopefully shoring up the protocols so that fans and athletes can safely enjoy the game.
No major announcements have been made thus far. Assuming that remains the case and the association decides to stand pat with their rules, the NBA is basically giving in to literal insanity and outbreaks like the Raptors will continue to occur. Multiple teams have postponed a number of games, so why not just stay the course, right?
Many of the positives cases, as expected, are isolated on one team (Toronto). The NBA postponed two Raptors games a… https://t.co/30TEGJ6CCA— Shams Charania (@Shams Charania) 1614811281.0
It's gonna be a wild ride until the end.
2. Can the Utah Jazz sustain their reign atop the Western Conference?
With the Western Conference hosting both the reigning NBA Champions and their uber-talented crosstown rivals, only the most hardline Utah Jazz fan could have predicted their incredible season so far. They opened the season at +4000 to win the NBA title according to Sports Odds History, but their current claim as the best offensive team in the conference, and third-best defensive team in the West has their championship odds at +825 as of March 4 according to Sports Betting Dime.
While Utah does have the easiest remaining schedule according to the Positive Residual's NBA calendar, they have to travel almost 28,000 miles the rest of the season: That's a lot of tired legs.
LeBron explains why he didn’t draft the Utah Jazz players until last https://t.co/0MMJ20Pkps— Rob Perez (@Rob Perez) 1614907584.0
But championship aspiring teams don't let things like travel get in the way of wins. If they want to really make a statement, getting over the mental and physical challenges of travel will go a long way in asserting their dominance in a stacked Western Conference.
3. How hard will the Lakers fight to win the West?
Being part of Lakers fandom is knowing the team is in a great position to repeat as NBA Champions and still panicking after every loss. Being third in the conference puts them in striking distance of the No. 1 seed, but whether they will go all out for that homecourt advantage until the NBA Finals is left to be seen.
"I 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 where we are. I don't 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 where we are." LeBron James looks ahead to the second half of the season with th… https://t.co/PDXpC0VPoz— Spectrum SportsNet (@Spectrum SportsNet) 1615436520.0
No matter how you look at it, the road to the NBA Finals goes through Los Angeles. Unless a historic collapse occurs, the Lakers will be in the playoffs. No. 1 seeds have represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals 55 percent in the last 20 years. 15 percent of the time, a three-seed has represented the West in that same time span.
If Los Angeles continues on this third-seed road, the odds are against them to make the Finals. Head coach Frank Vogel and LeBron James will have to walk a tightrope to not only stay fresh for the playoffs but win enough games to get them in a better position to be successful in the postseason.
4. Are the New York Knicks back?
For the first time in seven years, the Knicks are a team that actually looks like they can somewhat live up to the lofty expectations of their fans. Head coach Tom Thibideau has transformed this team from punchline to defensive line in his first year and it doesn't look like they're going anywhere but up.
Knicks ever win a title and New York City going to be wild https://t.co/EZ6e6oaSpW— kyle/Free agent nba fan (@kyle/Free agent nba fan) 1615073735.0
New York is giving up the fewest points per game while holding opponents to the worst field goal percentage out of all teams in the entire league. Julius Randle has developed into a bright star under the lights of Madison Square Garden, on pace to average 23 points, 11 rebounds and five assists per game for the season.
Still, while defense wins championships, offense wins games and the Knicks are nearly the bottom of the league in points per game. The lack of scoring has resulted in the team only one game above .500 at the All-Star Break, keeping their grip on even a play-in spot tenuous in a highly contested Eastern Conference.
5. How far will the Philadelphia 76ers go?
As successful as the Sixers have been the last four seasons, they have yet to break into the Eastern Conference Finals. So while they may have the best record in the East, there's a lot of doubt outside of Philadelphia about whether they will represent the conference at the NBA Finals.
At the halfway mark of the NBA season, who's your MVP? 🏆 Philadelphia 76ers star center, Joel Embiid 👍👍👍👍👍 https://t.co/A7KC6RMkyu— ♑Capricorn♑ (@♑Capricorn♑) 1615012151.0
They do have Joel Embiid, who is playing with an MVP-like stat line, providing 30.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. He has played in 83 percent of games this season, which would be a career high. However, if history holds true, he will miss a few more games. What the Sixers hope for is that he won't miss time with a major injury, which is always a concern with big men.
The road already won't be easy with the team finishing the season with the ninth most difficult schedule. Like a lot of other squads, how far the Sixers go will depend on how healthy their players will be.
After Joel Embiid donated $100,000 to Project HOME, Sunday Breakfast Mission and Youth Service Inc. earlier today,… https://t.co/DbpCJO28X8— Tim Bontemps (@Tim Bontemps) 1615063976.0
6. How will the race for the Play-In Tournament play out?
For the first time in NBA history, NBA fans will care about the ninth and 10th worst teams in the league. The first year of the play-in tournament will pit the No. 7—No. 10 seeds against each other in each respective conference for the final two seeds in the NBA Playoffs, meaning teams that have been floundering have a chance to catch fire and make some noise in the postseason.
Usually, the race to the bottom starts after the All-Star break for many teams looking to improve their draft prospects in the offseason. While there are teams that will continue this time-honored tradition (*cough* Minnesota *cough*), it'll be interesting to see how teams on the bubble will approach the Play-In Tournament; whether they go all out for a chance to make a deep playoff run or tank to plan for the future.
Either way, the middle of the standings has never been so intriguing.
Your struggling NBA fantasy team may have you looking as out of place as Emily in Paris at the Golden Globes, but we have what you need to shine.
Last week, some NBA stars came out like "Ted Lasso" and stole the show for their respective teams while others tanked like the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's credibility over their questionable nominations (re-read the lede).
Here are the NBAs booms and busts of Week 10.
Booms
P.J. Washington Forward/Center Charlotte Hornets
Washington's fit with the Hornets has been like fitting a round peg through a square hole at times, but this week, he set the hole on fire and ran through it. He ended the week with a 42-point effort and finished the last seven-day period averaging 21 points on 57.4 shooting from the field, 2.8 made threes, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
Bleacher Report NBA on Twitter
Bleacher Report NBA on Twitter twitter.com
“PJ Washington balled out in the Hornets comeback win: - 42 PTS - 9 REB - 42 min Big time performance 🔥"
The bad news for the former 12th pick is that Cody Zeller is most likely coming back soon from his hip injury and will cut into his minutes. While he may look like a good pick-up now, a dip in production is sure to come.
Richaun Holmes Forward/Center Sacramento Kings
Holmes couldn't have come back from injury at a better time for the Sacramento Kings. With Hassan Whiteside out due to the health and safety protocols, Holmes has been balling out, averaging 14.8 points while shooting 70.6 percent from the field, 10.5 rebounds, one steal and one block the last week. He even hit 91.7 percent from his free throws.
Whiteside won't be out forever, but Holmes will still have value, especially if you're looking for a field-goal-percentage boosting, rebounding-eating big man who won't hurt you at the charity stripe.
Bobby Portis Forward/Center Milwaukee Bucks
Bobby Buckets hasn't been living up to his perfect moniker, but he is filling up the stat sheet and providing so much more for his fantasy managers. He's only averaging 11.7 points in the last three contests, but he has been very efficient, shooting 56 percent from the field and making 1.7 three-pointers. He's also grabbing seven rebounds, swiping 1.7 balls and rejecting 1.3 attempts in that same stretch.
Bobby Portis does his best Zion impression 😂 https://t.co/HsS6YiT4iN— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 1614310908.0
Portis will have better scoring numbers while still keeping the same efficiency, so pick him up if he's available (like he is in 58 percent of Yahoo leagues).
Bruce Brown Shooting Guard Brooklyn Nets
With Kevin Durant out for the week and Kyrie Irving taking a break on Sunday, the Nets were looking for options not named James Harden to carry the load. Bruce Brown was that guy.
In three games, Brown averaged 18.3 points on 71 percent shooting from the field at the shooting guard position. SHOOTING. GUARD. He also threw in 5.7 rebounds and one steal per game while turning the ball over 0.3 in that same stretch.
Unfortunately for him (and fantasy waiver watchers), there are a lot of mouths to feed in Brooklyn, so picking him up now, might not yield the same production in the future. Pick up with caution.
Busts
Eric Gordon Guard/Forward Houston Rockets
Gordon has had a bit of a resurgence this year, but last week was a bit of a disaster. The usually accurate shooter only hit 29.6 percent of his shots from the field, resulting in a four-game average of 13 points, 1.5 made threes and 2.5 assists.
He will have plenty of chances to get back on track with the Rockets struggling, so ride out this rough patch for a little while longer if you are holding onto him.
John Wall Point Guard Houston Rockets
There's plenty of blame to go around when your team is on an 11-game losing streak. Ergo, having two players in the "Busts" section is justified.
John Wall tonight: 14 PTS 0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 3PM 4-16 FG He is the first player with a 10/0/0/0/0/0 statli… https://t.co/3rk0X8xMuQ— StatMuse (@StatMuse) 1614569254.0
John Wall has been less Optimus Dime and more an Optimus Crime on the court, only contributing 5.5 assists, shooting 34.8 percent from the field, making 1.5 threes, grabbing 1.5 rebounds and stealing the ball 0.5 times the last four games.
The Rockets season is looking increasingly lost and the All-Star break can't come soon enough.
Andrew Wiggins Guard/Forward Golden State Warriors
After a while, intriguing prospects become frustrating ones and watching Andrew Wiggins is always a hair-pulling affair. In one moment, he'll look unstoppable and in another, he'll leave even the most patient fan scratching their heads. There was a lot of the latter this past week.
Momma, there goes that man! Andrew Wiggins tonight 3 points in 22 minutes 😮😮😮😮😮 2 rebounds 💪💪💪💪💪 1/5 from the fiel… https://t.co/X9HezNXOFV— NBA Memes (@NBA Memes) 1614583393.0
Wiggins averaged only 12.8 points shooting 39.6 percent from the field and only making 0.8 per game the last four contents. With all his athleticism, he only grabbed 2.8 rebounds in that same stretch.
Fantasy managers are hoping Wiggins figures it out eventually, but that hope is wearing thin after seven seasons of inconsistency.
Robert Covington Forward/Center Portland Trail Blazers
Covington managers were riding high last week watching RoCo stuff the stat sheet like an ambitious burrito assembler. But this week was a different story.
He brought a lot of teams down with his 16.7 percent field goal percentage and a paltry 3.3 points per game. He also only averaged 0.7 made threes per game and one block in that same span after averaging 4.7 last week.
Thankfully, small-ball basketball isn't going away in Portland anytime soon, so Covington has a chance to surge once again if you hold onto him.
Whether it all falls down like Kim and Kanye's marriage or you found your only one, scouring through the waiver wire is bound to leave you paranoid.
But if you want to be stronger and have more power in your fantasy leagues, take four, five seconds (or more) to read this column so you can find free-agent gems like a gold digger or drop a player that you don't like.
Here are some amazing and not so amazing players from the last week to help your team become champions.
Um…Jesus Walks.
Booms
Robert Covington Forward/Center Portland Trail Blazers
Some players were made for small-ball basketball while others flounder with the challenge. Robert Covington has been the former for the past week.
The former full-time small forward has flourished playing power forward and center in small-ball lineups the past few years and he's flexing that versatility in Portland. Last week, he averaged an unremarkable 9.7 points, but he added 9.3 rebounds, two made threes, 1.3 steals and a ridiculous 4.7 blocks a game.
I see you Robert Covington! 3P% Dec - 18.8% Jan - 30.3% Feb - 41.1% https://t.co/n3QDMIp9m1 #RipCity https://t.co/275j3Jt2cG— Team Mom (@Team Mom) 1613969773.0
I don't care what your height is. If you're blocking 4.7 blocks a game, you're definitely worth an add.
Davis Bertans Forward/Center Washington Wizards
The beginning of the season was not kind to the usually accurate Bertans, who was only shooting 33.9 percent from the field heading into last week. For one week at least, it looks like the Latvian Laser has his rhythm back.
My goodness, Davis Bertans is a SNIPER. 🔥 https://t.co/zmnHnorE2r— Hoop Central (@Hoop Central) 1608771602.0
Bertans hit 60.7 percent of his shots, including 64 percent from three-point range, resulting in an average of 5.3 threes made per game the last three games. He also contributed 19.7 points and one steal per game to round out what might be a turning point for the fifth-year player.
Terrence Ross Guard/Forward Orlando Magic
The Magic may be struggling to reach even the play-in tournament, but Terrence Ross is doing his part to keep the team in the hunt. The thirty-year-old vet is having his best year and last week he was on fire.
Terrance Ross is one of the few players that probably moves the needle at least by some margin. He's number 1 on my… https://t.co/4Lzjdncuca— James Garcia (@James Garcia) 1613835630.0
He averaged 23.7 points in three games while shooting 53.1 percent from the field, hitting four three-pointers and stealing 1.7 balls per game in that same span. If you have a chance to grab the Human Torch on the waiver wire, don't hesitate.
Robert Williams Center Boston Celtics
On a team with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, other players tend to fall by the wayside in fans' minds, but one name fantasy managers should remember is Robert Williams.
Robert Williams III on both ends! @celtics 30 @PelicansNBA 28 2Q underway 📺 ABC https://t.co/SHIilV1drX— NBA (@NBA) 1613941771.0
He might have the sexiest stat lines, but he does enough dirty work that will help your team in key areas. This past week, he hit 78.3 percent of his shots, turned the ball over 0.5 times, grabbed 7.8 rebounds, stole 1.8 balls and blocked 2.5 shots per game. That is efficient production in five categories available in 27% of Yahoo leagues. Why haven't you picked him up yet?!
Busts
Lou Williams Guard Los Angeles Clippers
Last week, Lou Williams was back to being Lemon Pepper Lou. This week, he's right back to being Louis Williams, the struggling shooter.
The Clippers have made it “widely known” that Lou Williams is available for trade, via Bleacher Report.— Legion Hoops (@Legion Hoops) 1612809072.0
While he has been averaging 14.5 points a game, he's only shot 38.1 percent from the field and only hitting one three per game in that same span. He has been a decent enough playmaker to offset some of his inaccuracy (five assists per game), so it may be worth it to hold onto him for at least another week.
De'Aaron Fox Point Guard Sacramento Kings
Yes, Fox still averaged 15.8 points, 9.3 assists and 18 steals last week, but he needs to provide so much more if he wants to live up to his high draft status in many fantasy leagues.
The Sacramento guard finished last week shooting 39.7 percent from the field and 60 percent from the charity stripe. He also turned the ball over 3.8 times and only made one three per game in that same span.
De'Aaron Fox is on pace for a big night after a strong first quarter 🦊 8 PTS 2 REB 5 AST https://t.co/H4TZOCl41I— Franklin Cartoscelli (@Franklin Cartoscelli) 1613446417.0
It may be time for Fox to be an All-Star, but his lack of production in fantasy has some managers putting him in time out instead.
Kevin Huerter Guard/Forward Atlanta Hawks
With so many injuries and COVID absences, many managers have turned to Kevin Huerter to help boost their teams. Unfortunately, his help has been more Andy Bernard than Dwight Schrute in terms of support quality.
The Hawks guard only averaged 7.8 points on 35.3 percent shooting while only making one three-pointer and grabbing 2.3 rebounds per game. If he's putting up those kinds of numbers while averaging 33.1 minutes in that span, it may be time to move on to greener pastures.
Russell Westbrook Point Guard Washington Wizards
Wait a second! How can a guy averaging a triple-double the last week be considered a bust? Well, those are the only categories he's positively contributing to.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK IS NOW TIED FOR THE MOST TRIPLE DOUBLES IN THE WIZARDS FRANCHISE HISTORY IN ONLY 20 GAMES 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯 https://t.co/j5avZp2Tyf— J͎a͎c͎k͎0️⃣🐳 (@J͎a͎c͎k͎0️⃣🐳) 1613884350.0
He's shooting 44.4 percent from the field, turning the ball over 6.7 times, accounting for 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks all while hitting zero three-pointers the last three games. He may be a former MVP, but he is also a bottom-tier fantasy contributor in 8-cat and 9-cat formats, no matter how much he is contributing to three categories.
If you tried to ask our someone without a mask on Valentine's Day or played fantasy basketball this past week, congratulations: You probably had your heart (and maybe your nose) broken.
Thankfully, you have us for waiver advance whether you're a stud or dud. Here are some of the hottest and coldest NBA players in Week 8 of the season.
Booms
Kyle Anderson Guard/Forward Memphis Grizzlies
They call him Slow Mo, but speed has nothing to do with Kyle Anderson's game. The former UCLA star has methodically had a career year and is contributing to all categories, averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, four rebounds, two steals, one block and 2.5 threes in the last four games while shooting 54.5 percent from the field.
Kyle Anderson (20 PTS, 5 STL) and the @memgrizz win at home! Jonas Valanciunas: 22 PTS, 12 REB Grayson Allen: 22 P… https://t.co/kAdMIfDj3D— NBA (@NBA) 1613623310.0
Only 65 percent of fantasy teams on Yahoo have the seven-year stud, so If you need a solid overall contributor, he is probably available in your league.
Lou Williams Guard Los Angeles Clippers
Lemon Pepper Lou is back! The sixth man extraordinaire has had a rough year for sure, but he started warming up this past week, averaging 24.7 points, 6.3 assists and one steal on 56 percent shooting from the field in the last three contests.
Lou Williams tonight: 30 points 10 assists 10/22 FG 8/8 FT Always solid ✊ https://t.co/aa7HiryP1f— NBA Central (@NBA Central) 1613366721.0
Williams is relatively available on waiver wires with only 67 percent of Yahoo teams rostering him and his streaky shooting. If you can stomach the lows (and potential Magic City trips), he is worth the pickup.
Jakob Poeltl Center San Antonio Spurs
An international big man quietly flourishing in San Antonio? What a shocker. Poeltl was a throw-in addition to the trade that netted the Spurs DeMar DeRozen, but he has proven to be a solid presence in the middle for Gregg Popovich, averaging 10 points, 10 rebounds, one steal and 3.3(!) blocks while 70.4 percent in the last four games.
If you need a boost in your center slot, look no further than the Big Austrian.
Saddiq Bey Small Forward Detroit Pistons
Everyone has their eyes on LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, but Saddiq Bey is starting to make an impact in his rookie year. He was named NBA Player of the Week, only the second rookie Piston ever to earn the honor, averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and four made three-pointers while shooting a ridiculous 69.6 percent from three and 71.4 percent from the field last week.
With Pistons deciding to sit Griffin while deciding his future with the team, Bey is in line to be fed a huge helping of minutes. And with only 28 percent of Yahoo teams rostering him, you may have a pretty good shot at getting the former Villanova forward.
Busts
Ja Morant Point Guard Memphis Grizzlies
Morant exploded onto the scene last season, but teams are now better prepared for his skill set and it's showing in his numbers. He was particularly cold this past week, shooting 37.3 percent from the field and only hitting one three-pointer per game.
"I'm not a stat chaser, I'm just trying to win games." - @JaMorant https://t.co/gb9rWvlrGm— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@FOX Sports Grizzlies) 1613370861.0
He still averaged 10 assists this past week and scored nearly 17.8 points, but his efficiency and lack of production in the other categories (0.5 steals and 2.3 rebounds the last four games) is making it hard to trust him right now.
Eric Bledsoe Guard New Orleans Pelicans
After a hot end of January, Bledsoe may be on the chopping block with the Pelicans and fantasy managers. With Kira Lewis Jr. starting to cut into his minutes, the former Kentucky guard has seen a drop in his production, averaging 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 35.5 percent shooting.
As far as fading assets go, Bledsoe might be disappearing faster than Marty McFly's brother and sister in "Back to the Future."
Andre Drummond Center Cleveland Cavaliers
When NBC Sports Edge uses "uninterested" to describe what your play over the last week, things aren't going well for you. Then again, things haven't been going well for Drummond most of the season, but last week he averaged nine points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 42.9 percent from the field.
“He can get you 30-20 and have no impact on the game.” -NBA Scout on Andre Drummond (via @SmithRaps) https://t.co/aJClQam9Im— Hoop Central (@Hoop Central) 1613417837.0
He was also kept out of Sunday's game for "rest" AKA keeping him healthy so he can be traded. His days with Cavs appear to be over, but he's worth holding to see what situation he gets shipped to.
Harrison Barnes Forward Sacramento Kings
We were singing his praises a couple of weeks ago, but Barnes is on our busts list this week. In three games last week, Barnes only managed to score 9.7 points and 0.7 made threes while shooting 37.5 percent from the field. His 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game also left a lot to be desired especially while he was averaging 33.2 minutes in that same stretch.
Barnes tends to run hot and cold, but he is having a career year. Managers might be looking at this stretch as a short lull before he heats up.