fBasketballBlog

The smoke has cleared and Griffin's true fantasy value has been revealed. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Apologies for the lateness and slight outdatedness of this shortened post — took a quick vacation this weekend.)

Game watch:
4 games: DAL, DEN, LAC, LAL, MEM, NJ, NO, NY, OKC, PHO, TOR, UTA, WAS
3 games: BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DET, GS, HOU, IND, MIA, MIL, MIN, ORL, PHI, POR, SAC, SA
2 games: ATL

Waiver-wire watch:

• Eric Bledsoe: as Baron Davis continues to ail, Bledsoe will continue to get minutes
• Mike Dunleavy: continues to start and had a solid week
• Rudy Fernandez: could be a winner in the “Brandon Roy’s bum knee” sweepstakes
  
• Keith Bogans: he’s finding some offense
• Brandon Rush: stuck on the bench for now, but still offers a great mix of stats
• Tyler Hansbrough: “Psycho T” does a lot with the minutes he’s given
• Austin Daye: showing signs of life
• Amir Johnson: the sleeper is waking up
• Jordan Hill: should benefit from Yao Ming’s absence
• Chuck Hayes: ditto
• Shannon Brown: produces nice lines every now and then
• Andres Nocioni: streaky, but good for some threes
• Travis Outlaw: fun guy to own if you like roller coasters
• Kris Humphries: had a monster game on Wednesday, could be decent as Nets big men suffer
• Ishmael Smith: Kyle Lowry’s still getting his legs back

Stock watch:

↑ LeBron James: finding his groove

↑ Jrue Holiday: finally making strides

↑ Gerald Wallace: rebounds, steals and blocks are falling into place

↑ Nicolas Batum: bouncing back after a couple clunkers, will benefit from Roy’s health issues

↓ Brook Lopez: looks absolutely miserable so far

↓ Chauncey Billups: minutes, scoring, FG%, 3ptm, rebounds, assists are down, turnovers are up

↓ Brandon Roy: knee issues are cause for serious concern

↓ Blake Griffin: the hype and big lines have died down and his weaknesses (low FT%, blocks) are becoming clear