fBasketballBlog

JJ is finally deciding to play at a level closer to what his contract would seem to demand. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Beast of the Night: Joe Johnson posted 27 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals, three blocks and three three-pointers last night. He shot 45 percent (9-20) from the field, 86 percent (6-7) from the free-throw line and turned the ball over once. Johnson has really turned things up a notch lately and is putting up top 40 numbers so far this season, a notable improvement from last year’s disappointing averages. There’s not much reason to think he can’t keep this up.

Lines for Discussion:
Mike Conley: 9-13 FG (69%), 1-1 FT (100%), 1 three, 20 Pts, 7 Reb, 8 Ast, 4 Stl, 5 TO; he’s shooting 92 percent from the charity stripe and is stealing 2.5 balls per game, which helps his top 30 value so far in 2011-12

Ryan Anderson: 11-19 FG (58%), 1-1 FT (100%), 7 threes, 30 Pts, 7 Reb, 1 Stl, 1 TO; he leads the league with 3.6 threes made per game and maintains top 10 value

Kemba Walker: 6-21 FG (29%), 1-2 FT (50%), 1 three, 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 4 Stl, 2 Blk, 2 TO; the Bobcats need all the scoring help they can get, so Walker should continue to have the green light to launch shots (continue reading…)

Lowry has been much, much better than advertised. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Weekend Wonder: Kyle Lowry averaged 29.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.0 threes in two games over the weekend. He shot 49 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line in that stretch. For the season, Lowry has maintained top three fantasy value, far exceeding even the loftiest expectations. Don’t be too surprised if he finished the 2011-12 NBA season with top 15 overall value.

Lines for Discussion:
Samuel Dalembert (1/13): 9-11 FG (82%), 3-4 FT (75%), 21 Pts, 16 Reb, 1 Stl, 4 Blk, 1 TO; since starting for the Rockets, Dalembert has averaged 8.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting 61 percent from the floor and 88 percent from the free-throw line — top 20 digits

MarShon Brooks (1/13): 8-15 FG (53%), 2-3 FT (67%), 2 threes, 20 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Ast, 3 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 TO; owners should feel good about starting Brooks while he’s hot

Ricky Rubio (1/14): 7-15 FG (47%), 2-2 FT (100%), 2 threes, 18 Pts, 4 Reb, 12 Ast, 5 Stl, 4 TO; he’s finally starting (continue reading…)

Howard and his fantasy owners were all smiles last night. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Beast of the Night: Dwight Howard was truly a beast last night, posting 45 points, 23 rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks against the Warriors. He shot 57 percent (12-21) from the field, 54 percent (21-39 – the 39 attempts broke Wilt Chamberlain’s 50-year-old record of 34) from the free-throw line and had three turnovers. Not much needs to be said here. Howard’s averages this season nearly match his output from 2010-11, except that he’s dishing out more assists (2.3 vs. 1.4) and turning the ball over less (3.1 vs. 3.6). The Magic only had two games this week, which means owners who unwisely benched the guy in weekly update leagues are kicking themselves this morning.

Lines for Discussion:
Josh Smith: 14-22 FG (64%), 2-6 FT (33%), 30 Pts, 13 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 TO; since Jan. 3, Smith has been posting top 10 averages

Joe Johnson: 7-18 FG (39%), 7-8 FT (88%), 2 threes, 23 Pts, 7 Reb, 8 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO; his appeal remains limited, mostly due to his inconsistent shooting from the field

Rudy Gay: 11-16 FG (69%), 3-4 FT (75%), 1 three, 26 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 TO; his lackluster shooting from the free-throw line (65 percent) and his lack of threes (0.5 per game) are weighing his fantasy value down (continue reading…)

Horford is the face of stability for the Hawks in 2011-12. (Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Derek Fisher was said to have text messaged some of his fellow NBA players last week telling them to be physically ready in case the season starts on time. Whether that’s true or not, the sentiment of that supposed message is one fantasy basketball fans should take to heart. The 2011-12 NBA season might start on time, or it might not. The point is that you don’t want to be the guy scrambling to get his act together in hasty preparation for a fantasy draft that has come quicker than expected. (continue reading…)

The man with the most uninteresting name in the NBA had the best line last night. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

[Read the full post at DimeMag.com]

Beast of the Night: Joe Johnson busted out of his slump in a big way last night, posting 36 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and six three-pointers. He shot 68 percent (13-19) from the field, 100 percent (4-4) from the charity stripe and had two turnovers. Johnson nearly matched his total points scored in his previous three games with last night’s line. Johnson’s fallen out of elite fantasy basketball status this season, but is still a solid guy to own in most leagues.

Lines for Discussion:
Landry Fields: 5-10 FG (50%), 4-6 FT (67%), 3 threes, 17 Pts, 3 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 TO

Darren Collison: 9-13 FG (69%), 5-5 FT (100%), 1 three, 24 Pts, 3 Reb, 9 Ast, 4 TO (continue reading…)