As overhyped events go, the 2013 NBA trade deadline was no Mayan Apocalypse or Y2K Bug. A few deals actually happened, if not the blockbusters many of us were expecting.
J.J. Redick was the biggest fantasy loser, though he is probably happy to leave a lottery team for a shot at the playoffs in real life. The players Milwaukee sent to Orlando gain in Roto value. Beno Udrih can start at PG when Jameer Nelson is hurt — he’s dealing now with a patella tendon strain — and should get Redick-like minutes. Tobias Harris may be a ‘tweener’ SF-PF, but he’s young, has talent and gets another opportunity. Doron Lamb is what we called a ‘live longshot’ at the racetrack. If he cracks the rotation, he becomes a deep-league asset.
The addition of Jordan Crawford by the Celtics is wonderful news for the player, who was buried in the Wizards’ doghouse. It’s great for any of his owners who hadn’t dropped him yet, and he’s worth a pickup in deep leagues. If you own Avery Bradley, Courtney Lee or Jason Terry, my condolences. Crawford will eat into their minutes and touches.
Eric Maynor goes from third-stringer in OKC to sixth man in Portland; what he does with that opportunity remains to be seen, as his career has stalled since a serious knee injury. The Knicks shipped Ronnie Brewer to the Thunder for a second-round pick, then signed free agent Kenyon Martin. Likewise, the Heat sent Dexter Pittman and a pick to Memphis, apparently for nothing but room to add another big man, though they did get the rights to Ricky Sanchez, last seen in the Argentinian league. Toronto added backcourt depth with Sebastian Telfair, who would start if anything happens to Kyle Lowry. Coach Dwane Casey likes John Lucas as a shooter, not a true PG.
The biggest winner by far in fantasy and reality was rookie PF Thomas Robinson, who escapes the asylum run by #1 inmate DeMarcus Cousins and his ironically-named coach to join a well-run organization. T-Rob will immediately get more minutes on a better team and should be owned everywhere.
Be sure to enter the Sheridan Hoops Freeroll which closes at 7:00 EST tonight. It’s fun, it’s free to play and there will be $300 in cash paid out to the top 15 finishers, including a hundred bucks to the winner. We have another great DraftStreet contest on Saturday, where you can win an extra $5 cash just by finishing ahead of Chris Sheridan. Details on Page 4.
February 21 Game Recaps
MIA @ CHI: The Bulls weren’t very good, with just 67 points and 26 turnovers. Nate Robinson (14 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL) started for Kirk Hinrich, whose elbow is not completely healed. Luol Deng (6 PTS, 6 REB) wasn’t much of a factor and only Joakim Noah (11 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL, 3 BLK) had a decent fantasy line for Chicago. Miami held them to 37% shooting and less than 20 points in each of the final three quarters. LeBron James (26 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST) was limping near the end after a collision with Robinson, but didn’t leave the game. Dwyane Wade also played well (17 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) as the Heat shot better than 50% and were in complete command.
SAS @ LAC: That was an epic fail as a prediction. I thought the Spurs might score more than 110 points, but was sure the Clippers would too. Chris Paul (4 PTS, 3 AST, 1-for-6) was completely destroyed and both ends of the floor by MVP candidate Tony Parker (31 PTS, 7 AST) as the road-weary visitors took a 58-43 halftime lead, then pulled away in the third. Blake Griffin (17 PTS, 7 REB) was the only effective starter for L.A.; reserves Matt Barnes (18 PTS, 6 REB) and Jamal Crawford (15 PTS, 6 AST, 3 STL) kept the margin from being even worse. Tim Duncan (9 PTS, 5 REB) was needed for less than 16 minutes, as San Antonio got scoring from 13 different players. Kawhi Leonard sat out with a sore left knee; Gary Neal (5 PTS) started in his place and Stephen Jackson (5 PTS, 3 REB, 3 STL) returned after missing three games for personal reasons.