The Daily Fantasy Basketball Diaries
Last night was a busy night in the NBA and I had a slight change in strategy, so I felt like it would be a good time to share some thoughts with you guys, especially since Thursdays during the basketball season are typically slow.
Below are the four lineups I rolled out last night on FanDuel, along with a player description of my best team. Usually I am trying to grind out 50/50s, Matrix games and H2Hs, while sprinkling in a few GPPs too. I normally roll out only one lineup, so it’s a true grind.
But, to break up the monotony, I decided to have some GPP fun and went with four rosters on Wednesday. You can find images of all four rosters to the right, but below is a player description on my best-performing team.
Langston Galloway
Galloway is a guy I was eyeballing since Monday, when he started and went for 30 FD points. He had a premium matchup with the 76ers and I was all over him. I would also be aware moving forward that Langston’s floor is still low, because the Knicks are in full tank mode, so if Galloway is “too good” I think he’ll find his minutes cut.
Jarrett Jack
As long as Deron is out, Jarrett Jack makes for a solid play. I liked the matchup and can’t complain with the 33 FD points, but he was rather unspectacular in this game and I am lucky he grinded out those points. Had this been a tougher opponent, I’m afraid Jack would have put up a clunker.
Wesley Matthews
Midway through the second quarter, I was prepared to send out a tweet about how poorly Wes was playing and how he was going to cost me a solid team. Then he comes out in the second half… AND TOTALLY REDEEMS HIMSELF! I was glancing at Portland early in the day and was all over Lillard, and even liked Kaman a good deal too.
I also thought Batum had potential here and that Thomas Robinson would get the start (wrong) and had upside. Then, about an hour before lock, I realized that I was neglecting Wesley Matthews and that he might be the best play of all Blazers. So, I adjusted and got him on half my teams. As long as Aldridge is out, Matthews is going to see an uptick in production.
Eric Gordon
Oh Eric Gordon, I see you and I know who you are. Luckily you produced for me on Wednesday night, but I will not fall in your trap.
There are going to be some disappointed people soon when the other shoe drops on Gordon. He isn’t this good, and we are all skating on thin ice by taking him right now. I count my blessings that he produced another nice game with Jrue out, but I know what’s coming soon. Hey, thanks for the nice night EG, but I’ll be fading you next game.
Nicolas Batum
Clearly, in hindsight, Batum was the play of the night given salary and position. I certainly didn’t expect this type of output. What triggered my Batum play was: 1) Aldridge being out freeing up some extra usage for him, and 2) I had Phoenix ranked extremely low on my small forward defensive ratings chart.
Robert Covington
Covington was able to scrap together nearly 30 FD points, but it was a true grind to get them. I felt like the 76ers were shorthanded and he would get some run, and he did. His 39 minutes were clearly what he needed to accumulate those fantasy points. I wasn’t banking on the 39 minutes. I was banking on better per minute production against a really bad Knicks team. So in that sense, I missed the boat.
Still, he salvaged a good total and I’m thankful for it.
Anthony Davis
I was extremely turned off by the power forward spot last night. Outside of Unibrow and Greg Monroe, I didn’t like any of the higher dollar options. I felt like Dirk Nowitzki was more of a cash game play, and then there were a couple guys I was willing to risk at near minimum salary. When I had a chance to free up some money on this team and get the Brow, I went for it.
Greg Monroe
We all have those players out there that we find ourselves rostering more than others and getting very excited to do so. We call that a man crush, and everyone has someone.
Before he went to the Mavericks, I had that affinity towards Monta Ellis. Now it’s Greg Monroe. I always play this dude, perhaps even subconsciously. I am just enamored with his game. He’s a double-double machine. Orlando is weak on the inside, mainly because Channing Frye has been playing 35+ minutes every night. Have you seen Channing Frye? If Gumby and a string bean had a baby, it would look like Channing Frye. No way was that emaciated twig going to guard a man-child like Monroe.
Andre Drummond
I was attacking the Orlando frontline with these last two picks. Vucevic is a solid center in the NBA offensively, but his defense leaves much to be desired. Drummond is just one of those guys best left for GPPs due to his penchant for foul trouble and dud games, but when he gets rolling he can drop a 50 burger.
Editor’s Note: For those interested, the detailed lineup finished fourth in the FD Super Slam.
Editor’s Note #2: headChopper came in fourth once again in Thursday’s Slam.