Fantasy Basketball: Josh Smith And Rajon Rondo Updates
Here’s a look around the world of fantasy basketball from Sunday’s action.
We got your trade updates here: Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo and Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith
- We are five games into the Rajon Rondo era in Dallas and he’s putting up improved numbers. This mainly comes from Rondo averaging 14.8 shots per game compared to 9.1 with the Boston Celtics despite averaging slightly over one minute more per game. He’s shooting 43.2 percent from the field and a surprising 42.9 percent from three on 1.4 attempts per game. I’d be shocked if the three-point percentage stays that high. The assists are still there (8.4 per game) and so are the rebounds (6.2). It’s a nice start for Rondo when I thought the adjustment period would be a little bit more difficult. The free throws are still dreadful though………..16.7 percent…16.7 percent….16.7 percent. Yes, that number is a real thing. Luckily he’s only taking 1.2 per game.
- Smith has been with Houston for two games and in the second he was put into the starting lineup. We’ve had one good and one bad performance from the former Pistons and Hawks forward. I watched his entire debut and I was happy with what I saw. A couple of jumpers, but mainly everything he did was attacking the rim. Smith helped the Rockets beat the Grizzlies with 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists. He did shoot 9-for-21 from the field — not great, but again I’m more concerned with the process and the shots were good. Not as good in game two against the Spurs. Smith posted only five points and turned the ball over four times. He at least salvaged his line with three steals and eight rebounds. I didn’t see this game, but four of the seven shots were in the paint and three were outside. Only three attempts from deep through the two games and one of them was a force at the end of the quarter he had no choice to take.
Unintended consequences of trading Brandan Wright: Dallas Mavericks forward Charlie Villanueva
- Kudos to Mark Cuban and the Mavericks. Any trade that leads to Charlie Villanueva becoming a potential viable fantasy hoops performer gets an automatic A++++++++++ in my book. In his last four games Charlie V has averaged 17.3 minutes and posted 13 PPG, four RPG, three 3s and 1.5 blocks. He’s taking 21.4 shots and 14.6 threes per 36 minutes. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! He’s gonna have some duds, but I actually think there is some upside for big games if he keeps getting run.
He’s not Tony Parker, but it doesn’t mean he’s not good: San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph
- In his first three seasons with the Spurs, Cory Joseph mainly lived quietly in the background. He got a little bit of run the past two seasons after playing sparingly as a rookie, but Gregg Popovich is now unleashing the former first round pick, who is still only 23 years old. With Tony Parker having no timetable to return from his hamstring injury, Joseph is a must roster for now. He’s averaging 10 points on 52 percent shooting in just 25 minutes a night. Joseph adds in three assists, three rebounds and two steals. Joseph’s per 36 numbers 13.9 points, 4.6 boards and 4.3 assists. A very solid guard in addition to his percentages.