Friends in fast breaks,

Two weeks of data, 7+ games per team. We know what's happening now, right? No more surprises.

Wait... Giannis is scoring 54 and losing? Rockets have won 4 straight? Philly traded Harden for scraps and are 2 points away from being undefeated?

Oh yeah, everything is going according to plan...

WEEK 3 PICKS

• Points One-And-Done
  • Summary | Overall Standings | Golden Spreadsheet
• Survivor #1
  • Summary | Overall Standings | Golden Spreadsheet
• "All 30" One-And-Done
  • Summary | Overall Standings | Golden Spreadsheet

The GM AWARDS

Rewarding whatever random things I feel like. Feel free to suggest topics! 

Most Egregious Tech - Giannis

A half-second stare-down sends Giannis into the crowd, in a not "Malice at the Palace" type of way. After getting this second Tech and therefor ejected from the game, he literally takes a fan seat courtside, flabbergasted by the call. Dude has the video of a lifetime as a fan there.

Most Outrageous Outfit - Spike Lee

Puffer jackets have been around for a while now. I'm a fan, worn one for years now. But Spike Lee busted out the Puffer Jersey Vest this week and... It's an abomination. But I still want it?

Best Game Winner - Trae + Murray

Cap off a big game in Mexico City with the insane wrap-around assist for 3 to take the lead, that's a stellar finish!

Biggest Surprise MVP Chatter - Haliburton

Absolutely no insult to Haliburton here, I just didn't expect THIS kind of output from him to start the year. Over 23 PPG and 11 APG with a 6-3 record (including wins over MIL and CLE) and leading the best NBA offense with 126 PPG? Love seeing him thrive in Indy (even in the terrible jerseys).

PICK STATS

Walking Bucket Wilt OAD

• Our top pick is J. Tatum with 53 picks
  • This is a pretty sudden surge, he only nabbed 43 picks across our first two weeks
  • Did I miss an amazing performance?
  • He's been a pretty consistent 30  point threat except for two nights ago, but why now?
• Our other big picks: L. Doncic (50 picks), J. Embiid (49), S. Curry (44), D. Bane (44)
  • Luka's been a top 3 pick every week, but hasn't managed the top spot
  • We're clearly bought into Embiid's explanation of new "culture" in Philly
  • Curry's also been a top 6 pick each week - I always think about how impressive Lebron's performance is at 38, but Steph's a spritely 35 and still running marathons and splashing 3s every game, respect
• Interesting low volume picks: M. Bridges (1 pick), C. Johnson (1), J. Harden (1)
  • BKN getting a weak two picks from us this week
  • To be fair, Bridges has been pretty disappointing compared to last year, and Johnson is coming off an injury
  • Round of applause for Harden getting his first pick, good job little buddy!
• Digging into the Golden Spreadsheet...
  • D. Mitchell stands at the top, with 44.5% of us having already used him
  • Close behind is L. Doncic at 41%, the only other player above 40%
  • The big surprise to be is D. Bane, our fifth most used player since he's nearly the entire MEM offense this season
  • Unused players - A. Simons (now injured), B. Bogdanovic (been injured), and J. Morant (suspended)
  • Proud of the fact we spread the love around so well to start the SZN! 

Survivor #1

• PHI, with their somewhat surprising success, nabbed our top spot with 93 picks this week
  • Let's be honest, playing DET is also a big reason for it
• The only other big team is BOS with 89 picks
  • They're on a two game skid and playing a 4-4 BKN team
  • Do I think they'll win? Sure
  • Do I think there are other games with just as good or better odds? Also yes
• Then a HUGE drop off to the next tier of teams in the 10-20 pick range
  • Look at HOU and NOP both getting 7 picks, neat!
• Shout out to the non-commenting MOXIE picker who took DET against PHI tonight. You gotta leave a comment so you can get the praise you deserve!
• Digging into the Golden Spreadsheet...
  
  • This only looks at picks from alive players in the pool
  • BOS already sitting at 49% usage, we've definitely played it safe there
  • MIA in second with 42.9%
    • Driven almost EXCLUSIVELY by last week's pile-on
    • They were picked once this week and not at all in W1
  • Every team has been picked, hooray!,
    • The DET moxie picker got us to full usage!

"All 30" One-And-Done

• Our top picks here mirror Survivor
  • PHI is on top here as well, with 46 picks
  • BOS in second with 39
• But then WHOA! WAS swoops in with 19 picks!
  • CHA is bad and hurt us in W1, I get it
  • But do we really think WAS is meaningfully better than CHA?
  • Not exactly, because CHA also fetched 11 picks of their own
• Digging into the Golden Spreadsheet...
  • Far less "extreme" here, thanks to the non-elimination
  • BOS and MIA tied for first at 33.2% usage
  • PHI, CHA, and MIN round out the top five nearly all above 20%
  • Interesting that IND has fewer picks here than DET, UTA, HOU, and POR

BEST PICK COMMENTS

@kbanaian (L. Doncic, S. Gilgeous): "Before Luka's first injury of the year..."
GM says: You say it like he's made of glass. Or Zion.

@YikesVikes (G. Antetokounmpo, S. Barnes): "NBA baby - Nice Barnes Antetokounmpo weak picks. "
GM says: Legit unsure if you're being self-deprecating or meant "week". But they're both on an upswing so the picks ain't weak!

@RedEd4 (Sixers, Survivor #1): "Using my Philly shot early"
GM says: Sometimes it's just about living one more week...

@Salroc_ (Sixers, Survivor #1): "10 9 8"
GM says: I get it!

@Logan2273 (K. Durant, L. Ball): "Big Baller Brand"
GM says: Get Lavar in the pool!!!

@kbanaian (Celtics, Survivor #1): "2 losses in a row for the Celtics. It won't be 3."
GM says: But most clovers have three leaves, think about it!

@GaviK (K. Kuzma, F. VanVleet): "Jimmy MVP"
GM says: Jimmy G. Buckets and the G is for "Gets GaviK points"

@YikesVikes (Kings, Survivor #1): "Bag it Sac it - seems the same to me. "
GM says: You know Fox is out... right?

@Logan2273 (Sixers, Survivor #1): "Philly Philly"
GM says: Poor punching bag DET

@Schreindogg (K. Kuzma, L. Ball): "Selecting two players from the highest scoring game of the evening is a good play, right? RIGHT?? "
GM says: No defense plus a lot of chucking - Logic checks out.

@Logan2273 (BOS, All 30): "Need to get a win under my belt here"
GM says: Same, but then I went and picked UTA

@Sportsfan90 (MIN, All 30): "My lock Minnesota "
GM says: Are you advocating for some sort of baguette on baguette crime here? 

@EpicG0d (T. Maxey, L. Ball): "Could not have done any less research :/"
Commish says: You LOOKED at the page, you could have closed your eyes 👀

Yours in Roundball Rock,
The GM