Lessons Learned: Now That The Wizards Have Won a Game...

1) Even if your star player is out, that is no excuse to give up on the season.

 

Not every team can be like the Bulls and have the perseverance to stay in the hunt while their Derrick Rose is out, nor does every team have the depth of a Mavericks and have the best #2 and #3 options to fill in for their top dog. 

Especially true of the Wiz and their engine, John Wall. Although in the NBA, teams will tank the season in the fool-hardy attempt to improve their draft chances, no such thing exists in fantasy basketball. Plus, in head-to-head matchups, any-freaking-thing can happen, so get your Randy Wittman on and keep looking to make your team better even though your main weapon might be out of commission.


Fantasy application: If your team is missing a star contributor, maybe your goal isn't to be in 1st – 3rd place, but you do have a chance to win your weekly battle and by stringing a couple of those along, you could find your way into the playoffs.

Highlight: Russell Westbrook Dunk-up

Totally know how it is when you're powering up the  lower back and glutes for a thunderous jam, but all of a sudden your hand slips on the ps3 controller and you hit the shot button while in the air and you end up laying it up instead of doin' the slamma jamma.  

Thanks for giving us a highlight to relate to, Russ.

Tweet: Dejuan Blair Referring to himself As Old St. Nick

Since my m.o. on twitter is to favorite all third person personal references to fictional characters made by NBA players, I was delighted to see that Mr. Blair agrees with me that he is the most healthily santa-shaped player in the NBA.

  - DeJuan Blair / DeJuan45, bragging about his fancy schmancy shopping spree with a instagram picture, of course.

League Update: Wednesday Waiver Wire featuring Patty P

It is officially Christmas shopping season, so instead of trying to swing big deals with co-owners, why not go for some cyber monday-type deals by checking out these available players.

Wal-mart 55 inch HD TV Door-Buster

Patrick Patterson

last 5 games:

average 17, 5 reb, 58% FG, ~1 3PTM 75% FT

Aaron Brooks – on waiver wire (dropped by Laker Gang)

last 5 games: 56% FG, ~2 3PTM, 1 STL

Carl Landry

last 5 games: 57% FG, 5FTM, ~90FT%, 14PTS, 4 REB

Target Dirt Devil Clearance

Tiago Splitter

15, 12 AND 7 ASTS, 2 STL and 2 BLK last game (it was against the Wiz, so be a bit wary),

Martell Webster

Cause he plays on the Wizards, noone is paying attention. but you should. Last 3 games have featured points of 16-21-10, with an average of 2 3TPM. Plus, someone has to shine in DC while Wall is out.

Kohl's Outlet Sale

Jeremy Pargo

Lots of minutes since Kyrie has been out (averaging 33 Min, since Nov. 21st). Production is still rather low and not warranting a pick up but the Ty Lawson-like potential (28, 5, 5 against the Sixers on 11/21) is definitely there. May want to keep a careful eye on him.

Caron Butler

Not going to be getting a lot of opportunities as the 5th option on the Clipps, but he did have a franchise record in 3PM made on Monday.