This article is part of our Rebound & Rant series.
Yes, the NBA is back! I can now ignore my mediocre fantasy football teams and obsess about fantasy hoops. (Side note: I am gently stroking my RotoWire Staff NBA Keepers League trophy). Oh happy day!
And is there a bigger joy than reading the box scores from opening night? Well, yes, but it's still fun. And if you're like me, you completely overreact to news from the first few games. So heck, let's overreact together.
Joakim Noah
I'll confess, I avoided Noah like the plague in all my drafts and auctions. In addition to having no faith in his health, his five straight years of declining field goal percentage (38.3% in 29 games last year) scare the heck out of me. Starting centers can NOT shoot less than 45%. If so, their pay should be docked.
Noah did not disappoint Tuesday in Cleveland. Or should I say he was a HUGE disappointment: zero points, six boards, three assists and zero blocks in 20 minutes of play. If you grabbed him hoping for a comeback, deal him while he still has some name recognition. He's a train wreck. If you have bench space in a deep league, Willy Hernangomez looks to be a wise speculative move as we await Noah's eventual injury(s).
Speaking of overreactions, good to see Charles Barkley is already flip-flopping on his Knicks predictions. Did you hear him on TNT last night?
Charles Barkley is really writing the #Knicks out of the playoffs after one game 😂
— Ryan McComb (@RyanMccomb) October 26, 2016
Charles Barkley believes a healthy Joakim Noah is a key to the #Knicks' playoff hopes https://t.co/8rJNmXc7Bspic.twitter.com/lig9IUloWh
— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) October 18, 2016
Kevin Love
Kevin Love took 15 shots in that opening Cavs victory, while next door the Tribe beat the Cubs in Game 1 of the WS. Sure, the Indians' bullpen is impressive, but let's enjoy those 15 shots. Love averaged 12.7 shots per game during his first two seasons in Believeland. It would be great to see the Cavs rest LeBron James and let Love carry more of the scoring load. Yes, 15 shots isn't too much of an improvement, but remember, these are overreactions.
Frequent R&R readers will note that I used to live in Cleveland for six years. The town has been absolute hell for sports fans until last summer's glorious championship. Let's take one more look at that beautiful banner:
Best. Night. Ever.#WonForAllpic.twitter.com/98BxiA90m5
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 25, 2016
Pau Gasol
WHAT, only 18 minutes and four shots during that Warriors beat down!?! No, that CANNOT be!!! (Calm breaths; calm slow long breaths)…
OK, let's actually think logically about this. The Warriors, obviously, run and play lots of small ball. Pau is 36 and a center. San Antonio certainly didn't need Pau's defense against Zaza Pachulia. GS was especially motivated to go small down double digits for much of the game. At one point, the Spurs were up 29 points.
Everything is fine. Gasol is still a groovy match for Coach Pop's system. Popovich will change lineups to battle opponent strengths. Thursday night the Spurs face DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings. They will need Pau – if he doesn't play much Thursday, then I will overreact.
Klay Thompson
I think with every game the Warriors play, someone is going to overreact about one of the big four not shooting and scoring enough. Last night it was Klay. On Friday against the Pelicans, I bet it will be Draymond Green. This will especially be true through the end of December. This new super-team lineup will take time to gel, just like the James-Wade-Bosh Heat. We will all need to collectively chill. I still think most auctions had Thompson at a discount. His percentages are just too strong: 45% FG, 42% 3-point shooting and 85% FT over a five year career. That won't change.
George Hill
George Hill will be an All-Star! Holy smokes, 19 points, six assists and two steals in 39 minutes of play. That is versus only eight minutes for Dante Exum and 15 minutes for Shelvin Mack. Again, I should probably calm down.
The Jazz were missing Derrick Favors due to a knee issue. I can't imagine Hill gets 18 shots off if Favors is in the lineup. Exum returns after missing all of last season due to a brutal torn ACL. I assume the Jazz take their time throwing him in the deep end of the pool with important minutes. Exum is still only 21 years old. But Shelvin Mack will probably creep more into Hill's minutes. He was a legit threat for the Jazz last year.
I still like Hill as a sleeper this season, but mostly due to the low price / ~93 ADP.
Evan Turner
Turner scored only three points over 36 minutes of run, coming off the bench in his opener for the Trail Blazers. Portland didn't give Tuner $70 million over four years to lead the squad in points. Ignore the poor shooting and bench status. Focus on "36 minutes", as well as five boards, five assists, one steal and one block. I'm keeping my eye on Turner owners. If they sour on low point totals early, I'll happily take Turner off their hands.
That's it for me, ballers. Enjoy the 2016-17 season! ADIOS AMIGOS!!!
