Fantasy Basketball: Russell Westbrook Da Gawd

Dec 14, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts on the floor in a break in action against the Phoenix Suns at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts on the floor in a break in action against the Phoenix Suns at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

A look back at Tuesday’s NBA action in a fantasy basketball way.

Breathing ball of explosive fire: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook

  • I like watching basketball. I like watching Russell Westbrook play basketball because he is really good at it.  Westbrook went off for 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting with seven assists, six rebounds and only one turnover. Since returning from injury, the former UCLA product has averaged 27.8 points, 7.2 assits, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals. His shooting splits are 51%/36%/81%. Westbrook is doing all of that in only 31.6 minutes per game, which is low for a player of his caliber. It’s really incredible.

Trade now, immediately right now, don’t wait: New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony

  • Melo has stacked together three solid performances after missing only one game with a lingering knee injury. SELL, SELL, SELL and SELL. A savvy fantasy owner won’t fall for it, but that’s why you target the non-savvy owner. The Knicks are 5-22 and if they have any sort of common sense he will get shut down in the very near future. He’s short on a bunch of his jumpers and looks like a guy playing with a knee injury he shouldn’t be playing with. Then again this is the Knicks and they don’t exactly have a sterling reputation in the common sense category.

Dumpster Fire Alert: The entire Miami Heat frontcourt

  • Chris Bosh is out with some sort of calf injury for who knows how long (we literally don’t know they haven’t given a timetable) and Josh McRoberts will most likely miss the rest of the season. On Tuesday night the Heat started Udonis Haslem and Justin Hamilton. They combined for 10 points, two assists, six rebounds and one three. That wouldn’t even be good if you joined them together as Judonis Haslemilton.  The bigs coming off the bench were slightly more productive. Chris Andersen got you two blocks and nine rebounds in 20 minutes.  Shawne Williams hit two threes and added in 10 points with three assists. Hamilton I’d monitor a little longer before completely giving up on. If you need a source of blocks/boards go with Andersen and points/threes snag Williams.

Can no longer be considered a fluke: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad

  • Muhammad has officially become a thing and I’m pretty surprised by it, but good for him. It’s always fun to see players that get doubted end up succeeding. Head coach Flip Saunders talked about how Muhammad gets plays run for him because he plays harder than his teammates after the T’Wolves lost to the Wizards. As long as the effort stays Muhammad should continue to get run and opportunities. In the month of December he’s averaging 16.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 24 minutes per game. He’s shooting slightly less than 50 percent and making 74 percent of his free throws on 5.8 attempts. If Muhammad is still sitting your waiver wire for some reason snag him up.

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