Highlight Performances:
Chris Bosh, MIA– When Bosh first signed with the Heat, most people expected Bosh to be, well, what he has been through the first 8 games this season. He’s averaging 20 points a game, and could easily be averaging much more had he not had such a pedestrian game on the first night of the season. Bosh seems much more comfortable this season, and he stepped up in a big way in Thursday Night’s game, scoring 33 points along with 14 boards. If you were able to steal Bosh in the middle rounds of your draft this year, it looks like the former Raptor is going to be the player we all expected last year.
Brandon Jennings, MIL– The Bucks seem to be another example of a below-average team that still has the ability to produce above-average fantasy players. Brandon Jennings is one of those players, and he continued his hot start to the season with 31 points vs. the Kings, as well as hitting 6 of 10 shots from long range. He seems to have Kobe Bryant-syndrome, being one of the only true scoring threats on the team (other than *maybe* Stephen Jackson; but then again, opinions are highly variable when it comes to that guy). He should score 20 points a game this year with relative ease, and seems poised to take the next step at becoming an NBA star.
Performances to Forget:
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL– I am not posting Dirk here because I think his value is falling because of one bad shooting night. Dirk is awesome, and not even a week of poor performances can change that. But tonight just proves that no player is invulnerable to cold shooting nights, even Dirk. The former Finals MVP scored only 6 points on 3-11 shooting as the Mavericks just looked collectively terrible Thursday night. And to add to their poor showing vs. the Spurs, Jason Kidd left with a lower back injury. And just when you thought the Spurs were done…
DeJuan Blair, SA– I don’t think Blair is a great fantasy asset. He is a decent scorer, as well as a decent rebounder, and that’s about it. If you get more then 15 points or 9 boards, consider it a big night for him. But 0 points and 4 rebounds is just bad, especially since the rest of the Spurs had very good nights. I wouldn’t look too much into it, I just wanted to reiterate that I am not a fan of Blair from a fantasy perspective.
Players to Watch:
Delonte West, DAL– Jason Kidd’s injury, if it were to be serious, would open the door wide-open for Delonte West. West was only 1 of 2 players Thursday Night to score in double figures for the Mavericks, and should see a serious uptick in production if Kidd was forced to miss any period of time. He’s a solid short-term/speculative add.
Mario Chalmers, MIA– With LeBron James and Dwayne Wade in the lineup, Chalmers is not a very good fantasy asset. He does not score much, and provides a handful of assists and steals. But with those two players out of the lineup, as they were Thursday Night, Chalmers becomes an immediate add. He scored 29 points with 8 assists and 7 rebounds, and if the Big 2 missed another game, he could be in line for another monster game. He should be owned in all leagues until Wade and James get healthy, however if/when they do return, he returns to mediocrity once again.
Injuries:
Tracy McGrady, ATL– Knee, Questionable for Friday’s Game
Jason Kidd, DAL– Back, Day-to-day
Chuck Hayes, SAC– Shoulder, Day-to-day
Mike Bibby, NYK– Foot, Day-to-day
Thanks Mr. Kilkenny I make sure every morning before work I look at your fantasy insight so I have a superior advantage against my buddies since I am in a daily lineup league. Keep up the good work!