Highlight Performances:
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC– The former 5th overall pick from a year ago has been a tremendous big man as of late. He posted his 4th straight double-double Wednesday Night, and it was a huge one. He scored 21 points, and grabbed 19 boards. Cousins is shaping out to be one of the best centers in the league at a very young age, and seems to have a very bright future;
Cousins, in just his second year, has become one of the most dominant big man in the NBA.
that is, if he can stay mentally focused. He had some early-season drama, apparently demanding a trade and refusing to play. Cousins looks to have put everything behind him, and fantasy owners should be very pleased with the value he has been returning this season.
Jordan Farmar, NJ– Farmar has been relatively unproductive all season long, scoring in double figures just twice and providing very little elsewhere. But he went crazy last night, scoring 26 points, and nailing 6-8 from long range. I am not endorsing Farmar as a strong play from this point forward. However, his performances is worth noting, as shooting that well is no easy task. Consider it an impressive anomaly, and for now, move on.
Performances to Forget:
Vince Carter, DAL– Known for his dunks, Carter has regressed considerably this year, and he is beginning to look very old. Although he is starting, he plays only decent minutes, and he does not do much besides score. He is clearly owned in way too many leagues due to his name, and owners who are invested in Carter should either entertain him on the trade market or just outright drop him, because his value may only plummet from this point forward. He shot only 1-8 last night, scoring just 4 points. I rest my case there, and just beg owners to look past the letters on his jersey.
Players to Watch:
John Lucas, CHI– I don’t know much about Lucas, who was an undrafted player out of Oklahoma State. He had seen very little minutes this year, and only played in 2 games last year. Yet, with Derrick Rose sidelined with a toe injury, Lucas had a monster game, scoring 25 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 8 assists, and played in an absurd 45:38 minutes of action. Whether or not he will have some value going forward is a complete unknown right now, but with the imminent return of Rose, this should just be considered a great game for Lucas, and he will return to the bench until further notice.
JaVale McGee, WAS– The 7-footer is surely gone in almost every league, so this is not an endorsement of a waiver wire add. However, it is worth noting how outstanding McGee has been blocking shots this season. He is averaging 3.2 blocks a game, and has not has less than 3 blocks in any game in the month of January. His numbers both scoring and rebounding are quite solid (11.8 ppg, 9.8 reb), but if he continues his block parties, he may be one of the bigger steals in fantasy basketball this year.
Injuries:
Tracy McGrady, ATL– Back, Day-to-day
Al Horford, ATL– Shoulder, Day-to-day
Joakim Noah, CHI– Thumb, Probable for Friday
Derrick Rose, CHI– Toe, Day-to-day
Earl Watson, UTA– Knee, Day-to-day