Angle Fantasy Basketball

Welcome to the first edition of the Angle Newsletter known as “A New Angle.” I am very excited about this project being able to share knowledge and funny stories with you while getting to do something I love, which is writing! The new NBA season has started with quite a bang. There are some new stories from this week as well as still developing stories (looking at you James Harden). The new season also of course means a new opportunity to win some money at fantasy basketball! Majority of redraft and dynasty leagues should be finalized and ready for the new season. After teams have played their first and/or second games there is plenty to talk about. 

NYK BACKCOURT ROTATION

A point of interest coming into the season is how the New York Knicks will disperse playing time amongst their backcourt. Many drafted players like Grimes or Quickley late in drafts in anticipation of how this rotation plays out. Here are the minute breakdowns from game 1:

• Jalen Brunson- Started, 32.6 minutes. We expected this!
• Quentin Grimes- Started, 23.3 minutes. Started as expected. Played less minutes than usual. 
• Immanuel Quickley- Bench, 28.0 minutes. Same mpg as last year. Same bench role. 
• Josh Hart- Bench, 22.3 minutes. Far less than his NYK tenure last season. 
• Donte DiVicenzo- Bench, 15.4 minutes. Dramatic minutes decrease from last season. 

As is obvious to tell, the introduction of Donte DiVicenzo to this roster has complicated playing time for every member of the NYK backcourt aside from Brunson, who shall remain a stalwart in the rotation. We expected Grimes to start and IQ to be first off the bench, both of which happened. For fantasy implications, Grimes and Donte can be dropped. Grimes is simply too low usage to be held over streaming or good value on the wire. Donte had a shockingly bad game and we need to see more before roster consideration. IQ may run hot and cold but he should be held and I personally expect his best season this year. Hart I urge you all to hang on for a little bit longer especially for 9-category leagues. Hart can have amazing value across multiple build types with the appropriate amount of minutes. 

OKC RULES

Although I am a Lakers fan I can’t help but shout from the rooftops that the Oklahoma City Thunder are my 2nd favorite team! OKC Rules!! Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is easily one of my favorite players in the league and he is surrounded by players that allow OKC to play a very unique style of basketball. I encourage any hardcore or casual NBA fan to watch OKC as much as they can. Why? Well it’s not because they have one of the best young coaches in the league (which they do) in Mark Daigneault. No, it’s because of their new rookie, Chet Holmgren! (Bet you thought I’d say Cason Wallace huh?) Yes after missing the entirety of last year with a foot injury Chet now begins his campaign to win Rookie of the Year. Who were the last two players to win Rookie of the Year despite being in their 2nd season in the NBA? Blake Griffin and Ben Simmons. I love Chet as a +odds bet to win rookie of the year. An elite big man appeared to be the final missing piece that OKC needed to fully unlock the talents of Shai, Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey, etc. Not just a rim running big man, but one that can stretch the floor and protect the rim! If OKC reaches the next level due to the presence of Chet I can’t imagine a better argument to win Rookie of the Year unless Victor or a different rookie can carry a lottery team to the playoffs. 

DON’T YOU DARE!

For real, seriously, knock it off! That’s my advice for you if you’re having any thoughts about trading Scoot Henderson in a dynasty league after watching his debut performance. If you drafted him in redraft you should hold him there as well. After 1 game is absolutely not the time to panic over a prospect that easily could’ve gone 1st overall in any draft not featuring Victor Wembanyama. Whether it is dynasty or redraft you likely made a significant investment in order to obtain Scoot. Stand by your investment and do not let someone else capitalize on you panicking. If you try to trade him right now I guarantee you will not get a deal matching the true value of Scoot. Stay strong! He will repay your dedication soon.