NBA Starting 5 (Core): Monday, December 19th
Normally, we use the Starting 5 as a way to talk about the great tools at RotoGrinders, but I’m going to go contrarian this week and talk about an important skill that’s super relevant on these shorter slates, and that’s playing a core.
On the shorter slates, it’s easy to just spread yourself out too wide and as a result give yourself no shot to win. Taking stands on shorter slates can give you a great shot to move up if a fade works, as everyone is relatively higher owned (since there are fewer players to select).
So, this article today is going to talk about the players who are going to be a part of my core (as of the afternoon) on this slate.
Point Guard: Eric Bledsoe – Phoenix Suns – $7,400 on DraftKings
This price is just silly for a guy who has been taking 20+ shots a game and gets a good matchup against Minnesota. The price has dropped $1,000 over the last week, mainly because he shot poorly and was involved in a blowout.
These of course are not good reasons to have a price decrease; he’s basically the same player DFS wise that John Wall is and he’s $2,300 cheaper. I think it’s a no-brainer tonight to play Bledsoe and fade Wall.
Shooting Guard: Tim Hardaway Jr. – Atlanta Hawks – $4,700
THJ will likely be chalk again today, but given his 30 minute floor and willingness to shoot, shoot and shoot, it’s really hard for him to bust at this salary.
If you wanted to fade because you think someone outscores him, that’s totally fine on these shorter slates. but in this scenario I’m going to ride the hot hand and hope people chase the Caldwell-Pope games; he has a really bad matchup and THJ and Harris should both crush KCP today.
Small Forward: Markieff Morris – Washington Wizards – $5,200
Yes, we’ve all been burned by him (at least once) this year, but with Oubre and Smith likely out again tonight, Morris’ minutes become super secure. At this cheap price, and with small forward eligibility, he becomes a core play (and I plan to be at a bar in case it goes south again).
Power Forward – No Core Play
There is no one at power forward I feel comfortable saying is a core play. It really comes down to roster construction and what I have left for salary.
Center: Andre Drummond – Detroit Pistons – $7,500
Drummond’s history versus the Bulls is insane, and even this year he put up 37.75 DK points in 25 minutes against them. If he plays 30-33 minutes, he’ll be well over 40 DK points and probably well into the 50s. I’m doing what I can to fit Drummond into every team I build today.