Week 4: Settling In
I'm going to do my best to get the Review out bi-weekly, or, like this week, at the very least, tri-weekly. We're three weeks into the season now, and man, is it just me or are the injuries crazy this year? Troy Murphy, Kevin Love, Pau Gasol, Antawn Jamison, Devin Harris, Kevin Martin, Michael Redd, Tony Parker, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, Josh Howard, Tyrus Thomas, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Andris Biedrins, and now, Chris Paul, just to name a few! Whew. That's an all-star team right there. In any event, the season, and the rankings, must go on.
1. The War Monkeys - Hate to say "I told you so," but so far so good for the Monks. At least top 3 in the league in FG%, points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Gotta love the Nash/Bosh combo, and surely that 12th round Rodney Stuckey pick is looking like pretty good value (at least with Rip out of Detroit's lineup). Noah's been a somewhat surprising beast. The Monkeys are getting value out of every pick except Iverson, but they've also been fortunate to be spared from any injuries whatsoever. Iverson being a headcase doesn't count. Last Week: 1
2. The MonStars - Another season, another dominant Michael Boyd team. The scary part? He's doing this injured. Chris Paul going down hurts, so we'll see how he weathers this first major storm. Despite my constant arguments to the contrary, Chris Kaman is a beast. 'Sheed's done well in his Boston role, Lopez and Oden have performed at high levels too. Manu's put up some good performances, but Gordon coming back would be nice. Like the Monks ahead of him, all signs point to good things, at least so far. Last Week: 2
3. Loud Lezbos - After two convincing solid wins, they looked like the favorite to knock off an injured MonStars team. In the end, though, they came up just 2 steals short of a victory, but will settle for the 4-5 loss. Getting Jamison back this week will be nice, to help an already strong squad headlined by Billups, Roy, Gay, and Bynum (who's been quite a beast lately, despite the injuries). Scola hasn't quite lived up to his potential yet, but fortunately, Dampier played out of his mind while a part of this squad. The two should balance each other out, because I don't see Erick playing that way all year. Last Week: 3
4. Rattlesnakes - A week after knocking off Kevdog's Ballers in a close 5-4 battle, the Snakes took apart the Globetrotters in what should have been our first 9-0 win of the season (no assists for Carl Landry, c'mon!). Despite a killer start from Dirk, Jason Thompson, and Jason Richardson, Cody's got half his team on the trading block. What's that about? Last Week: 8
5. Bangladesh Thunder - Things weren't looking good after an opening 7-2 loss to the Lezbos, but a favorable schedule sure is nice. The Thunder took advantage of his weak opponents, pounding both the Free Ballers and Double D's 7-2 each in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively, vaulting himself way up the standings, just as he should with such opponents. Tough break on the Kevin Martin injury, but the Thunder did well to snap up Tyreke Evans when it happened, and has also been the beneficiary of some great play by Aaron Brooks. Marc Gasol is slowly looking like the steal of the FA wire, too. Last Week: 9
6. Zen-Masturbaters - What, you ask? Bridges in the top 6? Can't be. Well, think again. As shocked as even I am to do this, Bridges team has out-performed at least 6 teams in the league and deserves the spot right now. After the opening week loss to Kevdog's Ballers 6-2, the Zen have spouted off two straight 5-4 wins. And you know the adage: a win is a win is a win is a win is a win. Unfortunately, the small wins don't boost your standings too much, and he's having a tough time digging out of that early 2-6 hole. But, he has gotten some value out of guys like Channing Frye, Brandon Jennings (55!), Bibby, Camby, and Joe Johnson. Oh, and LeBron. That helps. Last Week: 10
7. StraightouttaMenifee - The Kobe and Carmelo duo has been one of the best in the league so far, and the Gallinari pickup has been huge. He caught the Ballers in a terrible week, which is a great thing to do to nab a 6-3 win. He's had a tough schedule in the first few weeks (taking on the Review's #1 and #2 in weeks 1 and 2) and held on for slight 4-5 losses, which is commendable. All in all, a mediocre showing, but that's been fine for now. Staying in the hunt in both the standings and the Review. Last Week: 11
8. Kevdog's Ballers - It's been a struggle, to say the least. First, Howard decides he wants to make some free throws, but now he's realized he can't really make them after all. Lee and Harrington haven't really played up to their potential, Al Jefferson's been miserable. Rondo and Diaw have been bright spots, but they're only so helpful when the rest of the team isn't doing much. Moves may be on the horizon for the Ballers, but maybe a victory over Lightning this week will inspire them. Last Week: 6
9. Globetrotters - Steven may hate his team, but I wouldn't quite go that far yet. An 8-1 loss hurts, but he has to realize its early and his first round pick hasn't played a game yet. He's gotten some good play out of Horford and Villanueva, and you can be sure that Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, and Rip Hamilton are still poised to do good things this year. Give it time; you're in 9th for now, but I still like the squad. Last Week: 5
10. Lightning Jeffs - We didn't know it in week 1, but that may turn out to have been the "Battle of the Cellar Dwellars" between the Lightning and the Double D's. Lightning won, though not by much, to give him a star on his chest in the form of a victory. Since, it's been ugly: a 1-7 loss to his brother and a 3-6 loss to the War Monkeys. Granted, those are some touch opponents, but the magnitude of the losses has been the most painful. Bargnani, much to my dismay, has been his best player. That's probably saying something. Last Week: 12
11. Free Ballers - Matt gets a big boost this week with the return of Rashard Lewis from a 10-game suspension; so you have to remember, that with the injury to Tayshaun, Matt's been down using only 11 guys for the first three weeks of the season. That said, he's yet to get a win, playing what I would call all mediocre opponents (Rojas, Thunder, Bridges). With Lewis back, he'll take on the Snakes this week and try to right the ship. Any team with Baron Davis scares me, fantasy world included. Last Week: 7
12. Double D's - So far, so ugly for the D's. Durant's been great, but injuries have hit this squad hard, so take this 12 ranking with a little bit of a grain of salt. Duncan down, Murphy down, Redd down, and now Foye and Shaq are missing time as well. May be time to think about making a deal - even the strongest fantasy teams can't win with 9 (8? 7?) healthy players. Last Week: 4
There you have it. Disagree? Let me know.
1. The War Monkeys - Hate to say "I told you so," but so far so good for the Monks. At least top 3 in the league in FG%, points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Gotta love the Nash/Bosh combo, and surely that 12th round Rodney Stuckey pick is looking like pretty good value (at least with Rip out of Detroit's lineup). Noah's been a somewhat surprising beast. The Monkeys are getting value out of every pick except Iverson, but they've also been fortunate to be spared from any injuries whatsoever. Iverson being a headcase doesn't count. Last Week: 1
2. The MonStars - Another season, another dominant Michael Boyd team. The scary part? He's doing this injured. Chris Paul going down hurts, so we'll see how he weathers this first major storm. Despite my constant arguments to the contrary, Chris Kaman is a beast. 'Sheed's done well in his Boston role, Lopez and Oden have performed at high levels too. Manu's put up some good performances, but Gordon coming back would be nice. Like the Monks ahead of him, all signs point to good things, at least so far. Last Week: 2
3. Loud Lezbos - After two convincing solid wins, they looked like the favorite to knock off an injured MonStars team. In the end, though, they came up just 2 steals short of a victory, but will settle for the 4-5 loss. Getting Jamison back this week will be nice, to help an already strong squad headlined by Billups, Roy, Gay, and Bynum (who's been quite a beast lately, despite the injuries). Scola hasn't quite lived up to his potential yet, but fortunately, Dampier played out of his mind while a part of this squad. The two should balance each other out, because I don't see Erick playing that way all year. Last Week: 3
4. Rattlesnakes - A week after knocking off Kevdog's Ballers in a close 5-4 battle, the Snakes took apart the Globetrotters in what should have been our first 9-0 win of the season (no assists for Carl Landry, c'mon!). Despite a killer start from Dirk, Jason Thompson, and Jason Richardson, Cody's got half his team on the trading block. What's that about? Last Week: 8
5. Bangladesh Thunder - Things weren't looking good after an opening 7-2 loss to the Lezbos, but a favorable schedule sure is nice. The Thunder took advantage of his weak opponents, pounding both the Free Ballers and Double D's 7-2 each in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively, vaulting himself way up the standings, just as he should with such opponents. Tough break on the Kevin Martin injury, but the Thunder did well to snap up Tyreke Evans when it happened, and has also been the beneficiary of some great play by Aaron Brooks. Marc Gasol is slowly looking like the steal of the FA wire, too. Last Week: 9
6. Zen-Masturbaters - What, you ask? Bridges in the top 6? Can't be. Well, think again. As shocked as even I am to do this, Bridges team has out-performed at least 6 teams in the league and deserves the spot right now. After the opening week loss to Kevdog's Ballers 6-2, the Zen have spouted off two straight 5-4 wins. And you know the adage: a win is a win is a win is a win is a win. Unfortunately, the small wins don't boost your standings too much, and he's having a tough time digging out of that early 2-6 hole. But, he has gotten some value out of guys like Channing Frye, Brandon Jennings (55!), Bibby, Camby, and Joe Johnson. Oh, and LeBron. That helps. Last Week: 10
7. StraightouttaMenifee - The Kobe and Carmelo duo has been one of the best in the league so far, and the Gallinari pickup has been huge. He caught the Ballers in a terrible week, which is a great thing to do to nab a 6-3 win. He's had a tough schedule in the first few weeks (taking on the Review's #1 and #2 in weeks 1 and 2) and held on for slight 4-5 losses, which is commendable. All in all, a mediocre showing, but that's been fine for now. Staying in the hunt in both the standings and the Review. Last Week: 11
8. Kevdog's Ballers - It's been a struggle, to say the least. First, Howard decides he wants to make some free throws, but now he's realized he can't really make them after all. Lee and Harrington haven't really played up to their potential, Al Jefferson's been miserable. Rondo and Diaw have been bright spots, but they're only so helpful when the rest of the team isn't doing much. Moves may be on the horizon for the Ballers, but maybe a victory over Lightning this week will inspire them. Last Week: 6
9. Globetrotters - Steven may hate his team, but I wouldn't quite go that far yet. An 8-1 loss hurts, but he has to realize its early and his first round pick hasn't played a game yet. He's gotten some good play out of Horford and Villanueva, and you can be sure that Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, and Rip Hamilton are still poised to do good things this year. Give it time; you're in 9th for now, but I still like the squad. Last Week: 5
10. Lightning Jeffs - We didn't know it in week 1, but that may turn out to have been the "Battle of the Cellar Dwellars" between the Lightning and the Double D's. Lightning won, though not by much, to give him a star on his chest in the form of a victory. Since, it's been ugly: a 1-7 loss to his brother and a 3-6 loss to the War Monkeys. Granted, those are some touch opponents, but the magnitude of the losses has been the most painful. Bargnani, much to my dismay, has been his best player. That's probably saying something. Last Week: 12
11. Free Ballers - Matt gets a big boost this week with the return of Rashard Lewis from a 10-game suspension; so you have to remember, that with the injury to Tayshaun, Matt's been down using only 11 guys for the first three weeks of the season. That said, he's yet to get a win, playing what I would call all mediocre opponents (Rojas, Thunder, Bridges). With Lewis back, he'll take on the Snakes this week and try to right the ship. Any team with Baron Davis scares me, fantasy world included. Last Week: 7
12. Double D's - So far, so ugly for the D's. Durant's been great, but injuries have hit this squad hard, so take this 12 ranking with a little bit of a grain of salt. Duncan down, Murphy down, Redd down, and now Foye and Shaq are missing time as well. May be time to think about making a deal - even the strongest fantasy teams can't win with 9 (8? 7?) healthy players. Last Week: 4
There you have it. Disagree? Let me know.
Labels: nba, power rankings
posted by K.C.R. at
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