ATL @ DET: It’s been a month of experimentation for Larry Drew, who has yet to use the same lineup twice. Josh Smith figures to have a giant year; playing for the biggest contract of his life and with Joe Johnson no longer taking so many shots. I wasn’t sure about Jeff Teague holding off Devin Harris at PG, but the latest configuration (Harris starting alongside Teague at SG) is a win-win for both players — and their owners.
At the risk of upsetting loyal Pistons fans, wait until next year. Greg Monroe is an anchor to build around and Brandon Knight is expected to improve, but the rookies aren’t ready — teenage PF-C Andre Drummond and SF Kyle Singler may be closest — and they lack a deep threat, as Tayshaun Prince, like many of us, ain’t what he used to be.
NOH @ MIA: Another solid effort by Greivis Vasquez (with fewer turnovers) would be nice to see, and the Hornets are still looking for two wing players. The timetable for Eric Gordon (knee) is a mystery, as is the soundness of that troublesome joint. Rookie Austin Rivers (sprained ankle) isn’t quite NBA-ready yet, SF Al-Farouq Aminu has done nothing to claim a starting role, and sophomore Lance Thomas isn’t the answer, so coach Monty Williams tried rookie Darius Miller last game. It all means big minutes for Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson, even if the latter comes off the bench.
Given how good Dwyane Wade has looked in his last two starts, all is well in Miami. Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers were a bit rusty the other night and will use this game to get more comfortable. The Heat are very deep, with Ray Allen one of the league’s best sixth men and a host of sharpshooting options on the bench. All they lack is a true center, but they seem quite content to play small and fast every night.
MIN @ MIL: Life without Love continues. Bruce Wrigley and I were talking yesterday about Nikola Pekovic and Love being compatible instead of competing for rebounds. Pek is a beast on the offensive glass, and will pull down a few extra DREB while someone else plays PF. That could be Derrick Williams, after all. The sophomore had 18 points in 22 minutes on Wednesday. Dante Cunningham outrebounded him 14-2 in 26 bench minutes — if you are looking for short-term help in a very deep league, you could do worse.
The Bucks were kind of lethargic in Charlotte yesterday until the fourth quarter. They may come out faster tonight. Larry Sanders returned from a brief suspension, blocking four shots and grabbing 13 boards in only 21 minutes. When everyone is healthy (like Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and rookie John Henson) the frontcourt will be very crowded. Sanders and backup C Ekpe Udoh have more value in the short term.
TOR @ MEM: Marc Gasol will be a real test for Jonas Valanciunas. It’s not an edge in size or speed — JV is quicker — but experience. Part of the rookie’s likely foul trouble is the quality of opponents he’ll be facing, part is being “initiated” by NBA referees. The Kyle Lowry matchup with Mike Conley is even, despite their contrasting styles. DeMar DeRozan seems a bit more aggressive this season and gives the Raptors the nod at SG, though Tony Allen in top form might shut him down. At PF, we have two complete opposites. Neither Andrea Bargnani nor Zach Randolph can stop the other. The real gap between these teams is at SF, where Rudy Gay is so far above Landry Fields, I’m at a loss for words.
CHA @ DAL: It sounds like Delonte West has played his last game for the Mavericks. His previous “detrimental conduct” suspension lasted just one day; this time “indefinite” seems more ominous. That’s worse than a release if you own him in a fantasy league; he can’t catch on somewhere else. It’s excellent news if you own Rodrigue Beaubois, who should get first chance at West’s minutes.
Where to draft Jae Crowder? The undersized, long-haired PF was the Mavs’ best player on Tuesday. Unlike most rookies, he could have a strong first month, then lose his job. Chris Kaman (calf) and Brandan Wright (ankle) are still unable to practice, but when all the veterans including Dirk Nowitzki are healthy, Crowder might not be as important as he is right now. The Mavs even signed Eddy Curry, released by the Spurs, to help the depleted frontcourt in the short term.
The new-look Bobcats played very well at home yesterday. It’s a small lineup, and they won’t win a lot of games, but they are more fantasy-friendly. While I have no opinion of coach Mike Dunlap as an actual basketball coach, his latest lineup shuffle moved four players up on my draft list.
WAS @ SAS: Speaking of weak teams and coaches trying to make the best of bad situations, Randy Wittman found his temporary point guard. A.J. Price will start against Cleveland on Tuesday, and at just $3,800 on FanDuel, the Price is right. (See next page.) Trevor Booker has been pressed into big minutes at PF because Nene (foot) is out indefinitely and Kevin Seraphin (calf) has been unable to play. The surprise of camp has been Martell Webster, potentially a cheap source of threes and points late in deep leagues.
As usual, the Spurs will send wave after wave of well-coached, skilled players out there and it’s anyone’s guess on a given night who the stars will be. The Big Old Three are still fantasy assets, Danny Green is a nice source of threes and blocks in deeper leagues, and Kawhi Leonard may lead the team in GP and minutes.
DEN @ PHO: The Nuggets went through the motions at home last night, so I don’t expect they will take this exhibition seriously. Like them, we are glad the preseason is over. The Suns should come out ready and they really don’t have any position battles. Although Markieff Morris looks better off the bench each game, he’s no threat to Michael Beasley or Luis Scola. Running out of time to avoid the “bust” label, Wesley Johnson played his best in the first exhibition game, was OK in the next three then has disappeared in the last two. Small sample size or trend? You be the judge.