2017 Juicy Basketballs League Season Preview (Part 3)

MAMA Said Knock You Out (Rich Mamaradlo)

Can Chris Paul lead a team to the finals?

2016 Fantasy Total: 13,065 (9th)

2016 Regular Season: 9-7 (T-4th)

2016 Playoffs: First Round

Extended Contracts: Klay Thompson (3yrs, $34)

Expiring Contracts: Gordon Hayward (FA, $40), Aaron Afflalo (FA, $4)

Intriguing Players: Al Horford (2yrs, $40), Stanley Johnson (1yr, $10), Zach LaVine (1yr, $1), Chris Paul (1yr, $78), Jared Sullinger (2yrs, $8), Jaylen Brown (2yrs, $10), Jamaal Murray (2yrs, $10)

NBA Comparison: Toronto Raptors

The Raptors made franchise history last year by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time ever. That may come as a surprise considering the franchise once had Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady near their primes at the same time. All this goes to show how much the DeRozan-Lowry era has accomplished. The franchise has made so much ground lately that their GM, Masai Ujiri got a large contract extension this off-season. 

The east is still run by Lebron and the Cavs but Toronto remains their top contender in an ever-strengthening Eastern Conference. Toronto was able to take Cleveland to six games last year but it is the longevity of the Raptors that make them so compelling. Lowry and Carroll are the eldest at 30 while their teammates are still hitting their primes. LeBron's most dominate years are likely behind him but the Raptors are trending up. A currently good squad with promise to get better is just about all anyone can hope for from their franchise.

In the Juicy Basketball League, there is a lot to like about the squad that Rich has assembled. Stanley Johnson is expected to take a step forward and may even overtake the starting small forward position in Detroit. Zach LaVine has become a NBA starter on what many believe to be a playoff contender. Klay Thompson is, at the very least, a premium shooting guard on one of the best contracts around. Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, and Chris Paul are all top-tier fantasy contributors for their positions. MAMA Said Knock You Out has a great blend of value, youth, and elite talent. All the money has been spent efficiently giving plenty of opportunity for further growth.

This off-season, Rich could go a lot of different ways with his team. I am interested to see how he handles Hayward's extension. Keeping Chris Paul at such a large price may be just as difficult a decision to make. These are the choices that define a franchise.

Maybe Rich decides to run it back with what he's got. There would still be enough money to gather more quality guys in the auction draft if he did. Maybe he decides to let the expensive guys go and build around all his value players and his exciting new rookies. Either way, this team is sure to perform and I expect to see Rich MAMA in the playoffs once again. This team should put out over 825 fantasy points per week this coming fantasy season.

Is Derrick Favors about to hit his prime?

Por Favors (Nathaniel Coromelas)

2016 Fantasy Total: 14,399 (5th)

2016 Regular Season: 9-7 (T-4th)

2016 Playoffs: Second Round

Extended Contracts: Derrick Favors (3yrs, $25)

Expiring Contracts: Isaiah Thomas (FA, $7), Aaron Gordon (R, $10), Dante Exum (R, $10)

Intriguing Players: Draymond Green (1yr, $1), Kyrie Irving (2yrs, $60), Kristaps Porzingis (1yr, $10), Carmelo Anthony (2yrs, $69), Rudy Gobert (1yr, $12)

NBA Comparison: Boston Celtics

Boston's first world problem right now seems to be that they have more good pieces than they know what to do with. They have been hoarding assets as much as possible and now have enough quality role players to start a second D-league team. The unfortunate issue is that even with all this apparent value, they are missing that next-level superstar to elevate the team to contend with the league's best. Horford certainly helps in that regard but he and Isaiah Thomas still feel like good second and third options for Boston's next great Big Three. The Celtics have assembled all they can but are still missing that final puzzle piece, a franchise player.

One of the most commons trades that occur in both fantasy sports and the NBA is when one great player is given up for several quality assets. Like exchanging a dollar for four quarters, the former provides consolidated value while the latter gives increased flexibility. Two example from the NBA are when Pau Gasol went from Memphis to the Lakers for Marc Gasol and the cap space to sign Zach Randolph and when the Nuggets got the Knicks' starting lineup for Carmelo Anthony. Often, these types of trades can be mutually beneficial depending of the needs or directions of the teams involved. 

 

The Celtics have put themselves in prime position to receive a superstar in a similar kind of trade. Had this Boston team existed when OKC traded James Harden, they could have offered much more than the Rockets gave up. Instead, the Celtic must continue to wait patiently until a star becomes available.

Much like the Celtics, Por Favors is a team that has plenty of quarters and Nathaniel is simply waiting for his chance to land a few more bills. If that happens, I see Por Favors blossoming into an electric title contender. And with only Derrick Favors on the extended books, Nate Dogg has the flexibility to mold his team around any good move that presents itself.

Gordon and Porzingis are two very intriguing young players with All-Star potential. Irving and Carmelo are both top fantasy contributors. The ever-mysterious Dante Exum still has upside on a value contract. Meanwhile, Favors, Green, and Gorbert are all of the above. 

All of this leads me to believe that even if no exciting roster changes are made, Por Favors should be expected to take a step forward from last season. Much like the Celtics, Por Favors is prime to contend with out without a move.

Nathaniel has done a great job of developing this team in a truly healthy way. He has done this by collecting several value contracts. It will be exciting to see what he has in store this upcoming season.

Last year was Nathaniel's first trip to the second round, I suspect that was only the beginning. This campaign, I expect 900+ fantasy points per week during the regular season and another playoff berth.

Blow Me (Tyler Lopez)

How many stars does a true contender need?

2016 Fantasy Total: 12,274 (11th)

2016 Regular Season: 3-13 (12th)

2016 Playoffs: None

Extended Contracts: Blake Griffin (3yrs, $74), Kawhi Leonard (3yrs, $29)

Expiring Contracts: Bradley Beal (FA, $1), DeAndre Jordan (FA, $5), Marc Gasol (FA, $56)

Intriguing Players: Marcus Morris (2yrs, $2), Jeremy Lin (2yrs, $15), Chris Bosh (2yrs, $39), Ben Simmons (2yrs, $10), Eric Gordon (2yrs, $0)

NBA Comparison: Los Angeles Clippers

For the last few years the Clippers have been elite contenders in the Western Conference. The product of basketball that they put on the floor is top of the line. They sport the best pure point guard, the best rim protector, and one of the top offensive big men in the league. This core is only highlighted with veteran depth and an experienced coach. Unfortunately, their promising season was dashed by a slew of injuries.

  

With the Thunder presumably out of their way, the Clippers are one of the top contenders to Golden State's western throne. We are about to have a long season ahead of us. A lot of things can happen but one thing is certain, Chris Paul and the Clippers can only be fueled by Durant's move to Oakland.

If last June has taught us anything it is that the unexpected can happen even on the NBA's biggest stage. 

That truth is only magnified in fantasy sports.

The team delightfully known as Blow Me went through the worst year of injury luck any team has ever suffered in this league. Chris Bosh, Marc Gasol, and Blake Griffin missed a combined 106 games causing Brett Hoxie's team to lose about 160 fantasy points per week. 

That's the difference between ending up eleventh and third in fantasy production for the year. It is safe to say that those injuries cost Brett about seven wins last year.

Clearly, this squad is far better than what last year's record shows. The franchise had been in decent shape for the past few years and Michael drafted really well for the team last auction draft. 

Brett inherited a good team and made strong decisions all seasons. The unfortunate truth is sometimes you just get unlucky.

Oddly enough, all of Brett's misfortune developed into Tyler's fortune when Blow Me landed the top overall pick in this year's rookie draft.

I am confident that Ben Simmons will be a fantasy difference maker. Getting a top tier rookie like him is one of the best ways to kick a fantasy team into a higher gear. Tyler's situation gives me flashbacks to how the Spurs got to draft Tim Duncan the one year that David Robinson happened to miss a lot of games the prior season. The Spurs followed that with a twenty year dynasty of winning.

With quality superstars like Griffin, Leonard, and the newly arrived DeAndre Jordan, Tyler already had everything he needed to contend for a playoff spot. With Simmons and an excess of cap room, he could win multiple playoff games this year.

Tyler is a proven owner and I expect him to bring a stability to this team that the franchise has always been missing. He is a good craftsmen with good tools at his disposal. At the very least, I expect team Blow Me to post around 900 points a week in the regular season and follow that with a playoff win.