Kevin Durant is getting frustrated with the Suns’ performance. (Britannica)
This week, Damontas Sabonis suffered a grade one hamstring strain that will sideline him indefinitely; OKC and San Antonio got into it Sunday, resulting in three ejections; and the Suns lost their 11th in the past 14 games, causing a frustrated Kevin Durant to say they embarrassed themselves. Other Fantasy basketball stories we’re following include…
KD Doing his Part
The Phoenix Suns had a solid season in 2023-24, winning 49 games, but a first round playoff loss left them wanting more. However, after a dominant 8-1 start, things have gone massively downhill for Phoenix, as we alluded to above.
After getting pummeled by Minnesota – which has been par for the course recently — the Suns have now lost eight of 10 to drop to four games back of 10th place in the West for the final play-in slot.
Small wonder KD has been losing his shit.
Durant, who dealt with some injury issues early on, managed a team-high 26 points on Sunday (when not getting schooled by Anthony Edwards — see video below), but he hasn’t exactly been lighting it up lately, topping 26 just once over the last five games.
In fact, February marked the second straight month Durant’s scoring declined. He’s attempting more three pointers than at any time since 2017-18, but they’re not going down as often, and when combined with fewer overall touches and less accurate FT shooting, his scoring is down for the season overall. So is his rebounding, although a rare double-digit game on the glass on Sunday was a very welcome sight for his Fantasy owners.
It’s becoming clear that the 36-year-old – despite surviving the trade deadline – will soon be on his way out of Phoenix.
Durant is still delivering late first round value, and has been a top 10 player over the last two months, so while he’s in decline, Fantasy owners are still getting great value here. His size as a PF (6’11”, 240) has always been a major asset, and he’s ridden an elite jump shot to what will clearly be a Hall of Fame career. No one can say that KD did not achieve his potential.
Stephen Curry Still a Force
Still in the west, one of KD’s former teams, the Golden State Warriors have been unable to build on last season’s solid 46-win showing, although they’re definitely trending in the right direction.
Despite losing to Philadelphia on Saturday, Golden State is 7-3 over the last 10 to tie the Clippers for the final automatic playoff spot in the West. Still, with the Lakers really rolling now, a Pacific Division title is a long shot (the Warriors are currently +1600 to win the division as per FanDuel).
On Saturday, Stephen Curry did something he almost never does… he actually dunked for the first time in six years. Back in November, we were worried about his ankle, but in the last couple of games, he’s been looking like anything but a guy who’s been in offensive regression for the past couple of seasons.
Saturday, he piled up a team-high 29 points, a season-best 13 assists and five boards. The game before, Curry displayed vintage form with 56 points, 12 treys and two steals. His touches were way up last month, which is notable considering they’ve dropped in the last couple of seasons. Curry may not be an MVP candidate anymore, but he’s currently healthy and still popping a solid 24.1 PPG (tied for 18th in the NBA).
The 10-time All-NBA player will be 37 in a week and a half, but clearly has plenty left in the tank.
Waiver Wire Pick of the Week
Andre Drummond, C, Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN: 10.6 per cent; CBS: 31 per cent): It’s been over five years since we last discussed Drummond, and at the time he was on borrowed time in Detroit. He’s had some great campaigns since, but in recent seasons, he’s been reduced to a role player. However, with Joel Embiid (knee) done for the season, Drummond has started the last two games and is doing pretty well, recording a double-double in his most recent effort. Drummond joined the 76ers for a second tour of duty this season, but saw his PT really dip last month. That’s going to change now, although it’s worth noting that he’s had his own injury issues this season, so it’s reasonable to wonder how he’ll handle the increased workload. For now, however, Drummond makes for a solid pickup if you need rebounding help.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
English hard/prog rock band Uriah Heep formed in 1969 and is still at it today. In 1973, they released their first live effort, the double album Uriah Heep Live. It kicks off with “Introduction/Sunrise,” a tune originally found on 1972’s The Magician’s Birthday.