Friends in fast breaks,
We're chasing ghosts this week! D. DeRozan and D. Murray have both recently posted 40 points games, and we're hoping lightning strikes again! Our Survivor picks are getting more desperate. But we're STILL not able to convince more than 7% of us that DET could beat MIA.
WEEK 21 PICKS
- Points One-And-Done
- Survivor #1
- "All 30" One-And-Done
- Survivor #2
- Weekly Pick'em
PICK STATS
Points OAD
- D. DeRozan dominates the top with 70 picks
- Right behind him is D. Murray with 53 picks
- Like I said, we're chasing the ghosts of their recent 40-pointers!
- Our other big picks: J. Butler (37 picks), L. James (31), and P. Siakam (28)
- Interesting low volume picks: SGA (1), K. Thompson (1), S. Henderson (1)
- The fact someone had an SGA left is top-tier hording!
Survivor #1
- Status check
- 3 of you are still flawless (no wrong picks)
- 16 of you have missed once, but are still kicking
- With so few players left, the top of the board can only be small
- CHI (7 picks), IND (7), SAC(6), and ATL (5) are the big ones
- A pick on TOR - Yes Moxie!
"All 30" One-And-Done
- CHI dominates here just like DeRozan with 63 picks
- Then there's a cluster at IND (37 picks), UTA (33), SAC(29)
- DET, HOU, MEM, POR, and WAS all got a pick
- GLORY!
Survivor #2
- Status check
- 11 of you are still flawless
- 35 of you have missed once, but are still kicking
- How does triple picks taste? I'd say NOT GOOD
- Our top picks were all close: PHX (27 picks), CHI (25) and MIA (25)
- Our most common triplet was CHI, MIA, PHX - taken by 12 people
- Every other combination was taken by 3 people or fewer
Weekly Pick'em
- 15 games in the slate this week
- We have 1 close matchups this week
- LAC @ NOP - 56.2% on NOP
- Then there's 8 (!) lopsided matchups
- DEN @ SAS
- PHX @ CHA
- WAS @ CHI
- MIA @ DET
- POR @ NOP
- OKC @ MEM
- CHA @ PHI
- BKN @ IND
- Have we learned NOTHING!
- That leaves 6 games in the "middle"
- 15 game slate makes perfection feel tough, let's see what happens
BEST PICK COMMENTS (Theme: Who has impressed you most?)
Reminder: the weekly themes are totally voluntary, you can always be as wild as you want. Consider them a suggestion if you need a jumping-off point.
@YikesVikes (D. Murray, J. Murray): "Double Murray's.... That might get me double the points as my average.... Come to the hoop Dejounte & Jamal... 🏀"
GM says: If only we added Keegan and Kris, we'd have so many Murrays!
@BigDaddy (Jazz, Wizards, All 30): "am either out this week or on track for the Champion Belt"
GM says: A big swing on both UTA and WAS - MOXIELICIOUS
@TheCommish (Bulls, Kings, Survivor #1): "I would like to lob a complaint at @TheGM, my peerless co-founder, longtime friend, and creator of the soon-to-be greatest NFL linebacker to ever live. I am amid the greatest NBA Survivor stretch in human history. I am the defending champion (ceremonially, of course; I can't win money). I am still alive in my quest for the first-ever Survivor repeat - in any sport - in SZN history. My skill is legendary. My charisma undeniable. My 3-point stroke *chef's kiss*. And yet, I cannot get a single mention in these emails. WHAT GIVES, GM?! The people want this story. The people need this story. It's time to shine a light on my inevitable back-to-back triumph as (ceremonial) NBA Survivor #1 Champion."
GM says: Leave a comment or post sick picks - No nepotism in my posts 😏
@Beandog (Weekly Pick'em): "Alperen Sengun has impressed me this year. Looking like a legit center"
GM says: Amen! I grew up watching Hakeem, so seeing another center with the pivots and footwork has been a (turkish) delight
@NEELERSBTB1 (D. DeRozan, P. Banchero): "The player that has impressed me most this year is the The Commish!!!!!"
GM says: Hey @TheCommish! They like you, they really like you!
@YikesVikes (Weekly Pick'em): "It's anybodies race and anybodies game, they're all winners and all losers, just depends on who's out and who's in, from an injury point. Hoop it up ya'all. I'm going to go hit a bucket of balls that's more fun than putting a ball in a bucket. "
GM says: Top Golf is basically hitting a bucket of balls AT really big buckets - Two birds with one stone!
@GDishes (L. James, C. Thomas): "Jarrett Allen! Dude is legit... also shout-out to him drafting a LOAF OF BREAD on Old Man and the Three (iykyk)"
GM says: He's been incredibly impressive when Mobley went down. And apparently I need to go find that OM3 episode!
@Salroc_ (Weekly Pick'em): "tyrese halliburton for sure - and lebron"
GM says: LeBron continuing to be LeBron 20 years later is truly absurd
@Rodgers_is_dead_to_me (T'Wolves, Kings, Survivor #1): "It’s in the $$$ time, so I reserve the right to change this at a moment’s notice, much like my underwear."
GM says: Pick riskier teams and you'll have all kinds of reasons to change those undies!
@Jts5522 (Suns, Kings, All 30): "AD..and I say this because he’s vieeed as washed up, no passion, etc…he’s proving everyone wrong this year. He’s dominating like he should have been…the majority of his career. "
GM says: That last sentiment is exactly right. I'm just disappointed we haven't seen this version of him MORE.
@RedEd4 (L. James, Z. Williamson): "I am just guessing at this point, at least I remembered to pick this week 🤦🏼♂️"
GM says: Step 1 - Remember to pick. Step 2 - Remember that we're ALL just guessing!
@mconnaughton (Magic, Jazz, All 30): "Derrick MF White"
GM says: You even spelled his first name right (so many ways to spell it). You DO appreciate him!
@NEELERSBTB1 (Hawks, Magic, Survivor #1): "Two road teams to stay alive!!!!! Sucking wind!!!!"
GM says: The desperation is coming out, love it!
@Jts5522 (Weekly Pick'em): "Also, maxey and haliburton have played like all league players. "
GM says: I love seeing young guys get their shot to headline and pulling it off, great choices!
@AC0606 (A. Davis, F. Wagner): "S.G.A. his selflessness and overall basketball I.Q. while still scoring a ton is crazy!"
GM says: I've loved seeing the whole "happy team" aesthetic OKC has been running with. That can take you far when people aren't too worried about "getting theirs".
@GaviK (T. Maxey, P. Siakam): "BANG BANG BANG!!!- good song fyi"
GM says: BANG BANG BANG by BIGBANG? Listening now. I'll also accept Bang Bang by Jessie J as an enormous guilty pleasure song.
@kbanaian (Bulls, Nuggets, All 30): "Are the Wizards still playing? "
GM says: Would you consider what they're doing to be "playing"?
Yours in Roundball Rock,
The GM