B-Ball, B-Fast is a weekdaily look at last night's NBA action from a fantasy perspective. Bookmark it and visit often.Cup of Coffee
Gerald Wallace sure wasn't gone long. Last week's Eastern Conference Player of the Week was back wrecking shop again last night, scoring 22 points with 11 boards and three assists. He played 48 minutes too, which is always nice. Sam Vincent has said mentioned the wear and tear that playing the four puts on Wallace, yet continues to start him there. I don't want to say sell high, because Wallace is an absolute monster but I am a little concerned about is durability the rest of the way home.
Hot Cakes
Chris Paul deserves a lot more MVP talk but it hasn't hurt him that the NO supporting cast has been better/healthy this year. Jannero Pargo was the lastest helper, posting a season high 24 points off the bench last night; with Morris Peterson being highly ineffective -- only seven double digit outings since December 1 -- and the Hornets likely wanting to treat Peja Stojakovic with kid gloves in the second half of the season, it's possible that Pargo will see his playing time ratcheted up. Plan accordingly.
Kirk Hinrich may be the devil. After missing a few games with a bad back, fantasy owners were likely concerned about keeping him in the lineup. He responded by going off for 38 points and 10 dimes last night against the Pacers. Gee. Expect Hinrich's scoring totals to stay high while Luol Deng misses time (up to three weeks) and with Ben Gordon hurt (sprained wrist) as well.
Ronny Turiaf scored 14 points with four blocks in just 23 minutes against the Spurs last night -- with the Lakers banged up, Turiaf should see good time and nice stats while helping make up for Trevor Ariza's missing "hustle stats".
Linas Kleiza continued to produce with Carmelo Anthony (ankle) hurt, scoring 23 with five boards and three dimes last night. Kleiza is a must start while 'Melo is ailing. As predicted, Allen Iverson's percentages dipped and Anthony Carter flirted with a double double. Big ups to Josh Smith for a ridiculous 22 points, 12 boards, 10 dimes, five blocks and three steals. Stu. Pid.
In case you hadn't noticed, and it's possible because of the return of all the injured Kings, but Brad Miller is quietly averaging 17/10/5 for January. Those are the All Star numbers we expected a few years back and with no scoring pressure expect his assists to remain high. If his owner somehow hasn't noticed either, pry him away.
Chris Kaman loaded up with another 20/20 game last night, continuing to dominate. He's totally legit. Obvi. Or whatever the kids are saying. Al Thorton is not so "obvi" but he's averaging over 12 points a game in January now. Look for a big second half from him, especially if any Clipjoint shake-up type stuff goes down.
