I’m lucky.
For 28 years, I could say I had a grandfather. But he was so much more than that.
For 28 years, I could say I had someone who wanted more for me than I wanted for myself. For 28 years, I could say that someone who had experienced so many different things and lived through so much in his own life cherished me like something brand new.
And for 28 years, even as he began to shrink in size and the debilitating Parkinson’s ate his physical abilities away, I knew I had a giant standing in my corner.
Thank you for everything, Martin Javitz. I’ll always carry you with me.
Iman Shumpert, G/F Cleveland Cavaliers: 3-pointers, Steals
Shumpert is the reason why J.R. Smith’s absence hasn’t been a substantial part of Cleveland’s evolving narrative.
In five games as a starter, Shump has averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 2.8 triples with just 1.0 turnovers on 53.7% shooting, including a ridiculous 58.3% from distance. This is the player Cleveland thought it was trading for and extending when the franchise handed him a four-year, $40M pact in the summer of 2015.
Shumpert’s shot is significantly better than it was last season and he looks considerably more comfortable on the court, so it’s fair to say the September 2015 right (shooting) wrist surgery Shumpert underwent had an impact that lasted longer than just the time he was out of action. This is an important thing to remember when assessing injury, rehab and the path back to production.
Smith is nowhere close to a return and the Cavs need what Shumpert is bringing to the table. That gives him a safe fantasy floor—even if his upside isn’t the greatest—for the foreseeable future so long as he keeps producing.
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David Lee, F/C San Antonio Spurs: Field Goal Percentage, Rebounds
Talk about coming out of nowhere.
Prior to Pau Gasol’s surprise broken hand, Lee was an afterthought in both reality and fantasy. No longer playing the David West role as the resident AARP advisor, Lee is now looking at a sizable boost in his role and a chance to revive his career.
In his first two games serving as the newest member of San Antonio’s starting five, Lee has averaged 12.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 block on 12-of-18 (66.7%) shooting. Most importantly, the big man has played 30-plus minutes in both contests and should continue to see enough playing time that provides a path toward value. Lee is a low-end grab because he’s really only an asset in two categories, but he certainly makes sense as a pickup in standard leagues, especially for those clubs that just lost Gasol.
Lou Williams, G Los Angeles Lakers: Points, 3-pointers
Williams was trending up again even before D’Angelo Russell (knee, calf) went down.
With Russell now expected to miss at least the next one-to-two weeks, the Lakers are going to be relying on Lou’s instant offense that much more. After the first half of January in which Williams’ minutes were down and his production suffered as a result, the Sixth Man of the Year candidate has come alive again and entered Sunday’s game vs. Dallas with averages of 25.7 points, 3.7 boards, 4.7 dimes and 3.7 3PM in his previous three matchups.
There is no reason Williams shouldn’t consistently flirt with 28-32 minutes nightly right now—especially with Luke Walton stating he has no plans to reduce the minutes he gets from his bench—and it looks like a good time for both the Lakers and fantasy GMs to showcase him for a potential trade should the right offer present itself.
Devin Booker, SG Phoenix Suns: Points, 3-pointers
Let’s start with the good: Booker has come out on fire to begin 2017.
Entering Sunday’s game vs. Toronto, the believed future of Phoenix’s franchise had enjoyed his best month of the season to date by averaging 26.7 points and 2.4 triples on 48.8% from the field. Now let’s get to the not as good: He’s not really bringing anything else to the fantasy table and has seen his turnovers (4.1/game) go up considerably.
It’s impossible to take anything away from Booker considering the rapid progress he’s made at just 20 years old; adjusting to life as a primary focal point of the opposition’s scouting report isn’t easy, and even he has admitted that reality. But it’s important to assess the situation for what it is and what it’s likely to be for the remainder of this season, and for that reason Booker may be more valuable in a trade than on your roster the rest of the way.
Robin Lopez, C Chicago Bulls: Blocks
Lopez looked like he was trending down in a big way, but he’s revived his value and has actually played well over his last handful of contests with averages of 11.6 points, 6.8 boards and 2.0 blocks on 50.9% from the floor.
He’s not a flashy or particularly eye-popping member of any team’s fantasy roster, but he’s a solid contributor capable of providing consistent value so long as the minutes are there. As long as he continues to play 25-30 purposeful minutes nightly, Lopez won’t be nearly as enticing as a drop candidate as he looked to be just a few weeks ago.
