Homan League: Week in Review 11/24 - 11/30

Credit: Geoff Burke - USA TODAY Sports

A review of action in the fantasy basketball league dubbed "Homan League".   May include free agent pick-ups, trades, DNP's because someone forgot to set their lineup for the early morning Pacific time game.  Also other shenanigans worth mentioning in the fantasy league.  All opinions are exactly that, opinions. So don't take them too personally, and they are mostly mine.

Concluding the 5th week of fantasy basketball, individual teams are starting to distinguish themselves so that although we haven't had any trades yet, perhaps some players will be swapped soon. Of the match-ups this week, all of the higher seeded teams kept the status quo in not losing their matchup, including some embarrassing defeats (Adam Silver v. Mark Cuban) and one split (Just Jrue It v. Sasquatch). 

Along with the Battle of the Belt mini-game that I've been posting about, I'll be talking with commissioner James about instituting a Battle of the Belt for within our league.  In short, the belt will start with a random team and that team will keep the belt so long as they win their matchups from week to week.  If they lose the belt, the team that defeats them now holds the belt and so on and so forth.  The team that holds the belt, regardless of how they actually finish in the standings) will also have that bragging right and possibly a Toys 'R Us Belt to show their friends and family.  Feel free to ask me if you have questions, but more details about this will be outlined on a later blog post.

On to the impact players for the week...

League Leaders

Deandre Jordan is top three in the NBA for total rebounds, total blocks, field goal percentage and 4th in defensive rebounds.  He's gotten himself these stats consistently throughout the season, but this past week was especially brilliant as he grabbed over 13 boards per game and even had a 9 block game against those handshake-hating Kings.  His free throws are still horrendous, but well worth it considering his dominance in the rebound/blocks/fg% categories. (TEAM: Clipper Nation)

Steph Curry has shown no effects of that concussion that sidelined him for a couple games as this week he averaged over 30 points, dished out around 9 assists and grabbed about 2 steals per game.  What has made him most valuable has been the 15 threes he knocked down in a 3 game stretch. (TEAM: Mark Cuban)

John Wall continued his hot streak from the end of last week into this week, registering another 30 point effort and grabbing over 3 steals per game.  His high scoring output is usually at the cost of his assist numbers, but with Bradley Beal injured, he'll be switching hats and being more of a scorer for at least a couple weeks. (TEAM: League Champion)

Serge Ibaka topped his season averages this week averaging about 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks per game.  Ibaka may well behind Anthony Davis and Roy Hibbert for DPOY consideration, but he's a reliable contributor in the typical big man categories while still shooting well from both the field and free throw line (TEAM: Pres(i)ton)

Goran Dragic had himself a really nice week averaging 10 assists, including a 36 FTM's and topping 20 points three different times.  Teammate Channing Frye has been filling the 3PTM niche by making over three 3's per while averaging around 7 rebounds and doing that at less than one turnover per game (TEAM(s): Adam Silver, Just Jrue It).

Not that its possible to completely ignore the MVP of the last two seasons, but it kinda feels like people aren't talking about how well Lebron has been playing.  For this week, Lebron shot 60% from the field, added in around 7 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL and a three-pointer while getting to the line a ridiculous 9 times per game.  Oh yeah, he also averaged over 30 pts per game, so start considering a 3peat MVP finish for him. (TEAM: Adam Silver)

Neat Pickups:

Jordan Farmar (TEAM: David Stern):  Picked up right before the Lakers played the Wizards, Farmar rewarded the investment made by James with a 22 point and 8 assist effort.  Farmar then followed up that game with a well-rounded 15 point, 2 steal and 2 block game against the Nets the next night.

Kosta Koufos (TEAM: Adam Silver): Replaced Marc Gasol in the starting lineup and had back to back games of 13 rebounds while also registering about 2 blocks per game.  Definitely won't get these minutes when Gasol comes back, but for now Koufos is a nice big man option.

Jared Sullinger (TEAM: Adam Silver): Two double-doubles this week (21 & 14 against the Bucks, and 23 & 12 against the Grizz).  The high number of minutes played in these games may make these games seem more of an outlier in the overall scheme of things, but Sullinger's insertion into the starting line-up and Brad Stevens dislike of his veteran big man options (e.g. Kris Humphries) seem to indicate Sullinger will be able to somewhat keep these numbers up or at a slightly less total output.  Although his three pointers aren't exactly the smoothest sight, Sullinger is making 'em (about 2 per game) and at a very reason percentage too (~40%).

More Freakin' Injuries:

Bradley Beal had been leading the league in minutes played and putting up really nice numbers with his points and 3 pointers made.  However, Bradley's going to be out for at least two weeks with the injury to his right leg, so John Wall, Trevor Ariza, Martell Webster will get the bulk of Beal's numbers and opportunities to contribute. (TEAM(s): Pres(i)ton, League Champion, Just Jrue It, Sasquatch)

Two of his highest impact guards in the league in Eric Bledsoe (46) and James Harden (3) have been out for the whole week, so it's surprising that Oliver has kept up with Ray's Swagger squad. (TEAM: League Champion)

Spencer Hawes has sat out two of the games this week with that sore knee, which wouldn't be so bad if Timon didn't also have Iguodala (hamstring), Marc Gasol (right knee), Deron Williams (glass ankles). Ryan's team still almost got bageled but the team he faced was missing some key contributors. (TEAM(s): S7venbyVII, kobeking)

Just when Jeremy Lin was starting to put together some really great statistical games, he sprains his knee in the middle of the week.  This could mean more opportunities for Patrick Beverly and currently fantasy free-agent, Aaron Brooks, but super bad-times for Jae as his team really need's Lin's production. (TEAM: Jae's Dazzling Team)

Missed out

Gabe had to make a decision this week between playing Tony Allen, or Jared Sullinger and he picked Sullinger.  That night, Sullinger put up 23 points and 12 rebounds on 2 threes.  Allen did have 3 steals, but Gabe definitely missed out on Big Jared's best game of the season. (TEAM: Adam Silver)

Nick Young's big scoring output against the Nets was with Young sitting on Ray's bench.  Ray had to bench Young due to the all the SG's and SF's he had playing on his roster (Monta Ellis, Lance Stephenson, Paul George, Luol Deng and Harrison Barnes).  Of that group, only Harrison Barnes produced less than Swaggy P, and even still, I think playing Barnes over Young was the right choice and you know how much I love me some Swaggy P. (TEAM: Swagger)

Noteworthy: 11/30/2013

Tough Trip:  The Bulls finished their road trip 1-5 as they lost to a Cavs last night.  Things aren't looking so hot if you're a Bulls fan, even though this was a close game.  Luol Deng had 27 points and dish out 11 assists to keep them in it but the Bulls blew four bunny attempts at the basket that could have tied the game.

The Cavs got the second excellent game in a row from Dion Waiters and a performance from Andrew Bynum that I almost hesitate to call a throwback mostly because Bynum is only 26 years old and there's no such thing as a retro for someone that young.  But the Andrew Bynum that was playing last night looked like one we haven't seen since Lebron James was ringless. His presence on defense and ability to score in the post was the difference maker in this game as he logged 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had 5 blocked shots.

Not the best angle of the crossover Kyrie Irving had, but if you've seen the other ones he's done on other guys, this was basically another one of those except Tony Snell's cornrows almost ripped off his head from the whiplash he had trying to regather himself.



Injured vs More Injured
After getting destroyed in their last game against the Rockets, the Nets played much better against the Grizzlies last night.   It definitely helped having KG and Brook Lopez in the lineup although Paul Pierce and Deron Williams are still out with their respective injuries.

The Grizz have been hit with injuries too as Marc Gasol is still out with his knee injury and Zach Randolph must have had a really bad ingrown toenail as that was the reason he was not with the team and did not play in their loss to the Nets.

Zaza Pachulia Highlight:
These seem pretty rare to me, so I'd thought it be worth showing a no look bounce pass by Za-Pa

Pretty Good Week

John Wall (26) and Trevor Ariza (24) combined for 50 points as the Wiz beat the Hawks to go 3-1 this week.  If only those Pacers hadn't been their ole dominant selves in beating the Wiz on Friday, this woulda been a really excellent week for the team from D.C.

Coincidence:

Wolves beat the Mavericks at home 112-106 which is significant because it is the exact same score of another game that was going on in Texas over at AT&T arena between the Spurs and Rockets.

Ricky Rubio with the Matrix type stuff on this pass.

Firsts:

We got a glimpse of how good the Rockets can be last night as they took down the Conference-leading Spurs in San Antonio.  The difference being the play of Terence Jones who matched San Antonio's total amount of offensive rebounds just by himself.  First home loss on the year for the Spurs.

First road win for the Jazz as they redeemed their loss on Friday to the Suns at home by beating the Suns on their home court.  The hero was rookie Trey Burke who is currently the only Trey in the league and definitely lived up to his name last night knocking down four three pointers on way to 20 points.

End of a Bad Streak
Bucks with their third win of the season.  More significantly, they've ended that horrible 11 game losing streak they've been on by beating the Celtics at home.  They got time to enjoy this one as they don't play again until Tuesday against those same Celtics but this time in Boston.

The Bucks have a couple guys that are really really lanky including the Greek rookie with the endless limbs and really long last name.

This was impressive to me because Giannis basically showed off his ability to stretch out every inch of that spidery-long body. First, to block Jordan Crawford's weak layup attempt, and then he only needed 3 steps from the three point line in order to take off for dunk.  Really nice job by the guy with the really hard to spell last name.

Other: Lionel Hollins is looking to come back to coaching which reminded me that I have no idea who the current Grizz coach is so here's a link in case you're like me and never heard of David Joerger.

Video: Best Fan-Recorded Version of Westbrook's Game Winner Ever

You know this is good cause you're so close you can see that back wrinkles on that ref. 

Thanks to the fan who decided to pull out his phone to record this last sequence of the game, I almost feel like I'm there in person when I see Westbrook holster his finger pistols.

I am especially impressed because I have no idea how this fan didn't start jumping up and down or shaking uncontrollably in joy.  I can't even watch the videos I've made of my dog kicking in her sleep without getting serious motion-sickness.

Noteworthy: 11/29/2013

Full night of games as 26 out of 30 teams were in action, including the Rockets doing what looks to be a reenactment of a Mortal Kombat finish.   

Also, Lebron doing unreal pregame dunks and Tim Duncan showing he can still catch and throw down an alley-oop dunk. 

You Ok?

Whoever that lady is, here's Gerald Henderson's apology on twitter for her and everyone else to see.

Way to go, Wes:
Nice game for Wesley Johnson who had 27 points and a nice win for the Lakers who were wearing their home gold jerseys cause the Pistons were wearing their darker Motor City ones.



Everyone clamoring on the interwebs about Wes Johnson's alley-oop dunk, but that Steve Blake wrist flip pass from out of bounds looked really tough too ya know.

Kinda Odd: Rockets with more threes than free throws last night, which makes sense cause you're probably not getting fouled that much when you're shooting all them threes.  Also makes sense cause it was against the Nets who are really bad at defense.

Nice Passing, Rockets:

Poor Omri Casspi is the only who doesn't do anything in that highlight.

Fancy Passes, Lance:





Lance Stephenson was 3 points away from his third triple double of the season and after completing the no-look-mid-air behind the back one to CJ Watson, you are right to think that Lance may have been a little too risky with the ball last night (he wound up with 8 turnovers).

Best part of all these passes?  The scissor skippies he does after seeing the successful baskets that result from them.



Pleased:
Jordan Crawford did get a triple double last night as the Celtics dominated the Cavs.  Lookit how pleased Jordan looks.

Really good game by Serge Ibaka (you know aside from getting spun around by Steph Curry) but that was spoiled by a career high in points from Harrison Barnes who had his game made forgotten by this ridiculous broken play three shot thrown in by Russell Westbrook.



Former Teammates:
In the game between players that have been on both teams at one point or another, the former Knicks and current Nuggets, Wilson Chandler and Nate Robinson did not have the fanciest of stats but they got the win over former Nuggets and current Knicks, Jr Smith, Ray Felton and Carmelo Anthony.

Nate Robinson and all 5 feet and 9 inches of him did a good job stopping Melo on the last possession of the game.  With the way the Knicks are playing, the current Nuggets player definitely rubbed some salt in the wounds of those Knicks by reminding them that they coulda been with the competitive Nuggets, rather than these hopeless-looking Knicks.

More like DeMeanie
No Chris Paul tonight so we weren't able to see if Demarcus Cousins would let Isaiah Thomas shake hands with CP3 in this game.  Demarcus is not playing any favorites, as he himself is also not shaking hands with JJ Redick either.



Deandre Jordan with a huuuuge night.  At the end of regulation he had 9 blocks and 13 boards.  After the overtime period, DeAndre ended up scoring 5 more points (13 total) and 2 more boards (15 total) and finishing just 1 block short of a triple-double.

Other:  Lots of coaches last night (e.g. Erik Spoelstra) joking about the Jason Kidd's cup manuever and one guy wearing a t-shirt with a zinger about it on the sideline of the Rockets/Nets game...Nick Young took a charge in a key moment of the Laker win, so you know i was like "swaggggy deeee" and fist-pumping like crazy....hey Dejuan Blair, Al Horford makes that top of the key shot pretty often, so you might not want to be so far away...Nate Robinson wearing what looks like the pattern of a native american teepee for a shirt.