This article is part of our NBA Blog series.
Week 21 Rebound & Rant: Kyle McKeown Edition!RotoWire's incredibly hard working NBA Editor, Kyle McKeown, ( @RotoWireKyleNBA) had to visit the hospital yesterday, so today's Rebound & Rant is dedicated to him. Don't worry, his status is fine (if not a tad embarrassing). All of us at RotoWire are looking forward to his quick return to the office. Click here to see Kyle's columns and here to possibly get gory hospital details from his podcast (as well as fantastic fantasy basketball analysis, of course).
Kyle, get well soon!
The Greek Freak Will Be Awesome
Kyle was a Giannis Antetokounmpo fan months before last year's NBA Draft. He also wisely snagged him in our RotoWire Keeper League auction. Don't believe the hype on the Greek Freak? Well, check out this video clip from Monday's Bucks Clippers game:
You can't teach length, baby! The 19-year-old Antetokounmpo has plenty of room for growth and NBA development. He took to the game later than most, so the upside is high. I'm not pointing him out for this season (unless you really need blocks), but he'll be a MONSTER next year and beyond. For some odd reason, NBA sophomores are always undervalued. Don't make that mistake this September. Let others focus on Embiid, Wiggins and Parker. Get the Greek Freak.
That Was a Slugfest
Did you watch that brutal battle between the Heat and Indiana on Wednesday night? I enjoy Jeff Van Gundy as an announcer. How many times during that game did he debate whether a foul should have been a flagrant foul? I would guess around 20. And did you see Dwyane Wade and Lance Stephenson jawing at each other? I don't think they'll be exchanging Christmas cards. As you probably know by now, the Pacers won by one point, extending their East lead to three games. I liked it when Van Gundy said Stephenson was a "good kind of crazy." I agree.
In a deal I will probably regret in our RotoWire keeper league, I traded Sick Kyle The Unibrow Anthony Davis for DeAndre Jordan, Lance Stephenson and Reggie Jackson. Last year, I inherited a team with little-to-no depth, so I had to do a quality-for-quantity deal. Stephenson is the wild card for me. He's a free agent at the end of the year. Will he go to a team that makes him a larger part of the offense? The Pacers' trade for Evan Turner makes me think that is a real possibility. We'll see. And while I know Davis is a BEAST when he plays, I am a little concerned about his ability to stay healthy. (OK, I'm just rationalizing.)
Leonard Back and On Fire
In that same trade I made with Sick Kyle, I should have tried harder to get Kawhi Leonard from him. Leonard's return from a broken hand is a big reason the Spurs have won 15 straight. During his last 10 games, the young Leonard is averaging 31 minutes, 14.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.2 treys and 1.4 blocks per game. That is what you call production across the board. You are not going to get Leonard this year, it's too late. But remember his 14 missed games when looking at his totals as you prep for next year's draft. I suspect he'll be an undervalued pick.
There Is Still Time To Get Gorgui Dieng
I realize it would have been more helpful to point out Dieng last week, but the R&R was dark. Sorry. He is still only owned by 57% of CBS ballers and 53% of ESPN-ers, so there is still some chance the T-Wolves center is available. Nikola Pekovic's return doesn't worry me too much. Pek has been out twice with his current ankle injury. The T-Wolves have Pek signed long term, so they shouldn't push him since they're essentially eliminated from the playoffs. They would be smart to let Dieng keep developing with major minutes. If you can still grab him, enjoy the double-doubles.
Laughter Is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. I prefer gin and tonic, but laughter has its good points. And look, this clip includes my newly acquired DeAndre Jordan airballing a foul shot. Sick Kyle and R&R fans, enjoy:
Free Agent Pick-Ups?
Anthony Morrow (NO): A guy who is definitely available now is Anthony Morrow. As New Orleans continues to deal with injuries, Morrow is getting minutes. He got a rare start Wednesday and lit up the Clippers for 27 points. Over the past five games, he's averaged 23 minutes, 11 points, and 1.4 treys. Plus, he's shooting 83% from the free-throw line over the past 30 games. He's only owned by 1% in Yahoo leagues -- take a flier on him if you need threes.
Jordan Hill (LAL): I must continue the tradition of listing a Laker each column. This week it's Hill, who is getting a minutes boost due to Pau Gasol's bought with vertigo. RW and I both predict he sees 20+ minutes of action over the next three games. And he should be center-eligible.
Josh McRoberts (CHA): Since Week 1, I've been debating whether or not to put McBob in the FA section. Heck, I'm doing it today in honor of the 29 times I tried to trade him to Sick Kyle. He's a strategy play at this point. If you need threes, assists and rebounds from the forward position, go for it. But be careful about the FT%.
Kyle, please come back soon. It's morally risky to let me edit and post my own Rebound & Rants. Uncle Ken cannot be trusted.
