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
If you don't get the Bad Boys reference, I'm sorry. It appears my time has passed me by. Anywho, Kyle Lowry got the most run of the trio of young Memphis point guards last night, seeing 32 minutes and scoring 24 points with four assists and two steals. Javaris Crittenton had 30 minutes and scored 17 points with four assists and a steal, while Mike Conley, Jr., scored zero points (0 for six shooting) with one assist and a steal in 16 minutes. All of this is important, because for the rest of the season, the Grizzlies are essentially having a tryout for point guard. Whoever is playing well will keep getting the run. I love Conley, and he's legit, but I think people undervalue Lowry. Since it appears he's not going to have a tremendous leash, well, adjust accordingly.
Hot Cakes
Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes are both starters now (do these guys have dirt on a slew of NBA coaches?). Hughes put up eight points with five assists and two steals in 25 minutes while Gooden went nuts, albeit against Memphis, for 21 points and 14 rebounds. It's classic sell high on either guy, although they're certainly doing their best to spite LeBron James at this point.
Mike Miller has been out almost the equivalent of a week in NBA games for the Grizzlies, but is expected to return tonight. Consider holding him out one more game because back injuries = bad field goal percentage.
Devin Harris finally started at point guard last night, and it appeared to motivate Marcus Williams, who scored 16 points in 28 minutes off the bench. Unfortunately, Harris popped the Spurs for 13 and seven assists, even if he didn't shoot well (five of 17). I think there's a decent chance we see his offensive side bloom a little more now that he's out of Avery's way.
"Hey! Reggie Theus! Yeah, you! Why aren't you playing Francisco Garcia more? Seriously, brah, you're killing me." Ron Artest continued to hog the ball last night with 23 shots in 40 minutes and Garcia saw only 10 minutes. Artest is clearly insane, so the Kings have to let him go (assuming he opts out); Garcia is also the future so expect his minutes to climb as the season closes. Of course, if John Salmons -- 17 points, four boards and four assists -- keeps balling then it's going to be harder to give him time.
Matt Carroll needs to be added in almost any league, because he's going to make two threes a game down the stretch, at least. Jeff McInnis is gone and Carroll's more or less entrenched in the two spot, meaning he should have pretty nice value the rest of the season. Grab him.
