Fantasy Basketball
Russell Westbrook: A faller or straight bust?
Published
2 years agoon
By
Joshua![Russell Westbrook: A faller or straight bust?](https://courtsideheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220729_westbrook_3x2.jpeg)
Russell Westbrook: A faller or straight bust?
Russell Westbrook: A faller or straight bust?
Westbrook has been very shaky for fantasy owners as of late. You can start to mark his fall, so to speak, when his time ended with the Wizards and his time began with the Lakers. Russell Westbrook was not the same player he was back in his primal years featuring the Thunder, and he hasn’t fallen off of his game completely; so where do we put him?
Do we categorize him as a straight bust or a player that’s fantasy draft stock had fallen for this season? Is this season going to be a rocky, finding himself season, or is this season just going to make him out to be a straight bust?
My answer is going to be short, concise, and to the point. I am going to answer this question within the next few paragraphs; so with that being said, let us begin.
Russell Westbrook is a…
In short, the 33-year-old is a fallen player. He isn’t to the point of his career where we can classify him as a bust, but he is definitely falling off. Westbrook is a fallen player that’s value has suffered since joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Mainly last season we can pinpoint his snowball effect collapse. Honestly.
He isn’t a straight bust because he is still averaging good numbers, those numbers? Averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. Plus, averaging 44.4% from the field last season. Now, the main season why he has fallen is due to his stats falling off. His productivity is depleting, to say the least, and is making the Lakers and their fanbase more angry and confused as each passing day goes by.
Two seasons ago, when he played with Washington, the man averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 11.7 assists per game. Since his role has been changing, so has his productivity and what he feels comfortable doing.
Since joining the LakeShow, Westbrook’s value around the NBA and fantasy basketball has gone down tremendously. As the former superstar couldn’t hit his three-pointers or mid-range shots, which (when watching him play) was pretty pathetic. It wasn’t a few, it was reoccurring mistakes that killed him throughout the entire season with the Lakers.
There is another problem with Westbrook:
If the Lakers keep experimenting with Westbrook and make him come off the bench, then guess what? His fantasy points will go down, his productivity will go down, and his effectiveness and usefulness will go down tremendously. Making him almost invisible within Darvin Ham’s new system with the Lakers, which will end poorly for both sides if Westbrook’s act keeps failing.
If Westbrook comes off the bench, then you draft him later. His stats are already proving to us he is on a slippery slope of decline, this season is make-or-break for him. In what way? For fantasy owners, we will determine his value moving forward and if he truly is a bust at this point and time in his career.
If he can shoot, rebound, or pass as well as he used to, then what use does he have? That is why this is a make-or-break season for him, beyond fantasy but in real life.
Conclusion:
With all that being said, Westbrook is a fallen player and not (yet) a bust. If he keeps declining, then, yes, he will be a bust. However, for now, the 33-year-old will be a fallen player trying to redeem himself.
In the end, Westbrook is a bench player and should be drafted by the tenth and beyond round. Per CourtSideHeat’s calculated mock draft, I have him at round number eleven. The bench is his new friend and will be in real life and in fantasy.
Use caution if you go through with drafting him. Be smart and know what you are getting yourself into, just remember he is Russell Westbrook and he is a depreciating asset – for lack of a better phrase. Use your discretion wisely, I will be checking in on Westbrook throughout the fantasy season.
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Fantasy Basketball
Herbert Jones: Sleeper or Bust?
Published
2 years agoon
October 17, 2022By
Joshua![Herbert Jones: Sleeper or Bust?](https://courtsideheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CP-Herbert-Jones-Defense-Block-1920.jpg.webp)
Herbert Jones: Sleeper or Bust?
Herbert Jones: Sleeper or Bust?
Jones is definitely a sleeper, but a deep sleeper. You wouldn’t take him midway through the draft, but more toward the end of the draft. CourtSideHeat has him being selected in the tenth round, to be exact, with the 98th pick. But why? Because he has high value going into his second season with the Pelicans and is someone you need to have on your fantasy team.
The 24-year-old is a good defensive player that averaged 2.5 steals per game last season, and to do that as a rookie is pretty unique and jaw-dropping. Honestly, seeing a rookie be that good at being a menace through stealing and blocking the ball is something that takes multiple seasons to learn.
However, for him, he specializes in that and that is why fantasy owners love him and fans in real life love him. Not only is he averaging 9.5 points per game, and 3 rebounds, but also getting big defensive numbers is something very promising for the franchise and for fantasy owners.
By no means is he a bust, in simple terms, he is a sleeper that deserves to go before the tenth round. Don’t get him before the eighth, but don’t let him drop to the evevlnth round. This is a player with terrific wingspan, height, width, and skill that is only getting better. I don’t want to hype him up too much, but his defensive skills remind me of one terrific player; that player? Mikal Bridges.
No joke, him and Bridges have some similarities defensively and that is one of the biggest compliments I can give him defensively. Statistically and how he performs overall makes him the perfect candidate for your 13-man roster. Get him in the tenth, have him as a backup, and let’s see where he goes from there.
Nothing too complicated, just keeping it simplified and smart. Jones will be a good return on investment, be patient and it will work out well. He’s on a team that can use his services, that is the benefit of being on the New Orleans Pelicans.
All the signs to selecting him are there and he is a very positive player. I will be selecting Herbert Jones, you should too – you won’t regret it!
Fantasy Basketball
Avoid this player like the plague…
Published
2 years agoon
October 15, 2022By
Joshua![Avoid this player like the plague...](https://courtsideheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DJwebsite107.jpg)
Avoid this player like the plague…
Avoid this player like the plague…
Fantasy basketball is coming right around the corner as CourtSideHeat has released their calculated mock draft breaking down all 13 rounds, and 130 players – 10 per round. Now within that mock draft, you knew there were going to be some sleepers and then there were going to be some busts.
However, and this may come to everyone as a shock, the biggest bust for this fantasy season would be Dejounte Murray. Yes, the same Dejounte Murray that got traded from the San Antonio Spurs to the Atlanta Hawks. But why?
There are multiple reasons as many experts are saying not to select that guy, or, if you do, then you use him with caution. Again, why would we do that for a guy that has been on the up and up since joining the league? I’m going to discuss that starting in the next paragraph.
Why avoid Dejounte Murray?
Number one, he’s in a different environment than what he’s used to:
From being the number one option to now being the Robin of the team; that’s a difficult transition to make, why? Because one team desperately relied upon that singular player and now he is moving to a team that has many weapons that will have the touches shared equally – or at least somewhat proportional to their skill level.
He’s in a different system, with coaches and players having different mindsets than his previous team, and he will be asked to do different tasks than what he was previously asked to do by the Spurs.
It will take a while to get used to and that could cause his production to decrease, which is not good for real life or in the fantasy world. The reason why I believe that is going to be the case is due to the fact that he isn’t the star anymore. When DeMar DeRozan left, guess what? Murray was the star and the number one option, hence why his playing time and production picked up.
Now that he’s with a new team with a wholly different philosophy, it is going to take some time to get used to. But even then, I have a problem seeing his productivity staying the same consistency throughout the season or just downright dropping.
Number two, Murray is not going to be a two-way player, the coach will make him play one style:
Nate McMillian could force Dejounte Murray into being more of a playmaker than an active shooter, he may strip away the combo that Murray has become so good at. The reason why I put this as number two is that the backcourt already has playmaking and shooting, a two-way player, in Trae Young. It isn’t impossible to see, but it would be tough to imagine to see McMillian having two of his top players playing the same style – especially in the first unit.
I’m not saying it is going to happen, but just have that in the back of your mind. He may force Young, or most likely Murray, to focus on one part of their game better than the other. Not entirely eliminating one area, just focusing more on shooting (for example) and letting the other one play off of that skill.
The backcourt has to flow smoothly and properly so McMillian could see this as the perfect opportunity, since both players are like an identical mirror to each other, to play off one another with their most important skills.
Why am I bringing this up? I am bringing this up to say that production and his role may go down or be utilized in a different capacity.
Lastly, number three, his selected role will determine his productivity:
Dejounte Murray will have a different role than what he had in San Antonio, that is without question. Now, the real question comes when we break down what kind of role he receives amongst all these already good players in Atlanta.
He’s still going to be getting tons of minutes, and he is still an important player, but his productivity may decrease due to the good/great players increasing. If that makes sense. The coach is going to have to figure out how many shots players are going to take per game (what is their minimum and what is their maximum), what each player’s primary position/role is going to be, who’s going to be ball-dominant on the team, and different things along those lines.
Ultimately, Murray’s productivity will rely upon what kind of role he is put into and what that coach allows him to do. How long will his leash be? How much input does Murray initially have over this team and what he can do? That will be found out during the beginning of the season when we see him adjusting to the new system, team, etc.
Conclusion:
I love Dejounte Murray, from the time he got into the league until now. Everyone knows that I have been hyping him up when he got traded to the Hawks; as I believe he will be doing great things for that team, and he will thrive there. However, in the sense of fantasy basketball, he is going to be kind of a bust.
Yes, he is going to be spectacular for his team in real life. But I truly believe, along with other experts, he is going to have a hard time in fantasy. He is going to have great productivity in real life, but for us fantasy owners, it is not going to be the same.
Everything is going to be extraordinarily different and maybe even a little more unique when it comes to him finding his way in this brand-new system. Just something to think about as we are three days away from the NBA tip-off.
In conclusion, that is why I am writing him off as a bust – given the reasons I have provided. However, it does pain me in some ways because he is a talented player and I have ranked him very well in my mock draft. But I have to be realistic.
I’m still going to draft him, but I am going to do so with caution and already going into it that he is going to bust down and not be the greatest that we thought he was going to be when traded to Atlanta.
Fantasy Basketball
2022 Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft
Published
2 years agoon
October 12, 2022By
Joshua![2022 Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft](https://courtsideheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1203282810.jpeg)
2022 Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft
2022 Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft
Head-to-head fantasy basketball drafts are one of the most common fantasy league options, besides root-leagues (of course). The H-2-H method is the one I will be participating in, but how do we go about it?
Currently, in a draft I am enlisted in, I am at seventh place. We talk about all these hot players to draft, these sleeper players, but depending on your drafting position that may be easier said than done. So, to get everyone ready for their drafts before the league starts in two days; let’s have a mock draft.
By having this simulated mock draft you will be able to see where these top players, and all players, be drafted at in these 13 rounds. You will be able to see where these guys are projected to go and where we rank them. So, whether you are selecting first or last, you will now have the perfect chance in getting the most information when selecting and/or viewing these players.
What to know:
This simulated mock draft will be featuring a default of ten teams, which means ten selections (picks) per round. Plus, this simulation will be having thirteen rounds to give a realistic feel of what a regular fantasy consists of. By the end of a regular draft, your team should have thirteen players on your entire roster.
With all that being said, let us jump right into the first round of this 2022 NBA Mock Draft!
First round:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
- Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
- Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Big things to know in the first round:
If you have the first pick, you are set with anyone that was listed from picks 1-4. Picks 5-10 showcase phenomenal players that deserve to go in the first; however, the players that will get you the most points for fantasy will come through our projected 1-4 players.
Second round:
- James Harden, Philedelphia 76ers
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
- Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors
- LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Big things to know in the second round:
Notable players like Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Jimmy Butler, and Brandon Ingram were not selected in the second round due to the fact that they don’t beat out guys like Kyrie, Booker, Kawhi (even not playing for a long time), and LeBron. Those players are perfect for the third round, as the third round still has significant meaning. Why? Simply, it is only the third player you are selecting for your team – not your tenth or even last player selection.
Third round:
- Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
- Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
- Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
- DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
Big things to know in the third round:
These are all good picks as there may be only one questionable one, which one would that be? It would obviously be Zion Williamson with how his health may affect his play come this season, after missing significant time due to injury and injury recovery. To have your third player selected it should be one of these ten, even if you had the tenth pick, there are so many good players that it is bananas.
Fourth round:
- CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
- Nikola Vuevic, Chicago Bulls
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
- Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
- Darius Garland, Cleveland Calivers
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Big things to know in the fourth round:
Look, if Sabonis slides to the fourth round then you got a steal. He should have been gone by the third, but with the depth of good/great players it isn’t hard to imagine him sliding to the fourth round. I would definitely pick up Mobley or Barnes, or Cunningham if you can’t get the other two, why? Because they are going to have even bigger years that is going to translate beautifully to Fantasy Basketball.
Fifth round:
- Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
- De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
- Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
- Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
- John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
- Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns
- Julius Randle, New York Knicks
Big things to know in the fifth round:
No matter where you are in this round, it doesn’t matter. Honestly, it doesn’t for one second. These are all good picks as not one player is sketchy or bringing the potential of backfiring. I’d definitely look at all your options, but on paper, these ten right here will carry you through the Fantasy Basketball season.
Sixth round:
- Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
- Josh Giddy, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks
- Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics
- Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics
- Kristaps Porzingis, Washington Wizards
- Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Big things to know in the sixth round:
Didn’t notice this until now, but this round has a lot of players that begin with a “J”. Good news for everyone is that these guys that start with that letter are very talented and will produce very well for your fantasy squads. Now, want to have a risky pick? Number 60 is locked in as Klay Thompson’s pick, why would I do that? Despite others waiting until the seventh, eighth, or even ninth round to draft him; I do not believe in waiting that long, I believe Thompson is going to ball out this season and will be a good asset to your team. But, if you don’t want to be risky, then select Jordan Poole.
Seventh round:
- Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors
- Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
- Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors
- Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons
- Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
- Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
- Terry Rozier, Charlette Hornets
- Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
- Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
- Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets
Big things to know in the seventh round:
Even though we are getting up there in the later rounds, still some players to take that has high value. Poole, Wiggins, Herro, and others mentioned are very good. Now, remember Ben Simmons hasn’t played in forever and can cost you points – if you were comparing him to Myles Turner, or whoever else. Same goes with Jaren Jackson Jr., who has been dealing with injuries. So there are players you have to be cautious about, but in the long run it probably would be advised to pick up one of these two guys.
Eighth round:
- Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
- Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
- Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
- Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
- Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers
- RJ Barrett, New York Knicks
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
- D’Angelo Russell, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat
- Josh Hart, Portland Trail Blazers
Big things to know in the eighth round:
The eighth round is where steals and busts start to begin, this is where you start to become a little riskier on who you want to select. The core rounds are the players you know that have performed very well in fantasy basketball, now we are entering a dangerous territory of players that may or may not thrive. Players that will thrive will be Barrett, Smart, and Hield. Players that may be questionable would be Green, Lowry, Hart, and Wagner. There are certain players you start to gamble with and some you don’t even touch.
Ninth round:
- Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons
- Dillion Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies
- Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets
- Tre Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
- Al Horford, Boston Celtics
- Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards
- John Wall, Los Angeles Clippers
- Jalen Smith, Indiana Pacers
- Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers
- OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
Big things to know in the ninth round:
Are there some questionable picks made in this round? Yes, but I would still pick John Wall either in the ninth or tenth round. I believe, in the system and team he is on, fantasy owners will be happy with his progress throughout the season. Another name would be Jalen Smith; while his productivity for the Suns was underwhelming, for the majority of his tenure, he should pick it up with Indy. If you see Anunoby fall this far down, something is wrong. Should he have gone before the ninth? Yes, but I’m not too high on Anunoby when looking at the other players that have gone before him on this mock draft.
Tenth round:
- Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
- Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks
- Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
- PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets
- Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jaden Ivey, Detriot Pistons
- Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
- Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
- Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns
- Jordan Clarkson, Indiana Pacers
Big things to know in the tenth-Thirteenth round:
We are now entering the replacement rounds of this mock draft. These are players designated to be backups and fill-ins if someone goes on the H/S Protocols or gets injured. To be honest, all these players are good choices to be fill-ins and backups. When it comes to the bench, I just fill out accordingly to the pistons I need to fill the most. If I need another point guard, I select them. If I need another power forward, or small forward, guess what? I select that player. These final three rounds are filling out and putting the final touches on your roster. Those are the big things to understand for rounds eleven, twelve, and thirteen.
Eleventh round:
- Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers
- Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Gordon Hayward, Charlette Hornets
- Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings
- Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
- Victor Oladipo, Miami Heat
- Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks
- James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors
- Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
- Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors
Twelfth round:
- Jarred Vanderbilt, Utah Jazz
- Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings
- Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
- Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls
- Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers
- Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic
- Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks
- JaVale McGee, Dallas Mavericks
- Deni Advija, Washington Wizards
Thirteenth round:
- Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
- De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
- Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
- Reggie Jackson, Los Angeles Clippers
- Kelly Oubre Jr., Charlette Hornets
- Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks
- Nicolas Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
- Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs
- Obi Toppin, New York Knicks
- Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
Conclusion:
This is the end of CourtSideHeat’s mock draft as many great names went early, some slid, and we made our way to the absolute end. I just wanted to say, for anyone confused, this is just a recommended draft of how CourtSideHeat believes everything will play out. By no means are we predicting the future or this is our result of doing one live. This is just a mock draft that we calculated to be as accurate as possible through our data.
More Fantasy Basketball content will be coming out within the coming days; we will be continuing this until the 19th to give people who are late to drafting an extra day of prep.
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