Steve Nash’s sigh of relief and a fantasy plea in Philly | Tip Off with Titus
Yahoo Fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus takes a quick whip around the latest happenings in the NBA, including fantasy MVPs, Steve Nash and Tyrese Maxey’s fantasy potential.
Video Transcript
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DAN TITUS: What's good, y'all? Dan Titus here with Yahoo Fantasy Sports, excited to announce this is my inaugural episode of "Tip Off With Titus." I'm going to be going over all the things that are going around in the NBA, talk about fantasy and a little mix of the culture as well.
So let's not waste any time. Let's get right into the 24-second shot clock. Drop it.
My MVPs to start the year are SGA, Luka, and Jayson Tatum. And hats off to Donovan Mitchell and Pascal Siakam for both averaging career best in points, rebounds, and assists to start the year. The Bucks-- they're the only remaining undefeated team in the NBA at 6 and 0. And they're posting three players in top-25 value.
Why are the Lakers celebrating their first victory like they won a championship? I can only blame Pat Bev. It's Pat Bev.
And I know there was a hot start for the rookies, but now all rookies are outside the top 100 in per game value. Sorry, Paolo-- was a good run. And those that slept on Lauri Markkanen-- sheesh, we could be looking at the real-life most improved player and fantasy player this season.
All right, and moving on-- Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash is out and reportedly he will be replaced by Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka. This is crazy news.
- What a twist.
DAN TITUS: You've got to feel some sort of relief for Steve Nash. I mean, just a few nights ago, this guy literally almost blew his top fighting for his players. And now, he just gets to coast on the side, watch the Champions League, and potentially just dumpster fire-roll down Atlantic Ave.
- I'm in a glass case of emotion.
DAN TITUS: I mean, the Nets, from a basketball perspective, this is probably a good thing, getting a defensive-minded head coach like Ime Udoka, who has a history of dealing with egos and superstars. This one-- he's going to have a lot to deal with. But from a fantasy perspective, I don't expect much change. Kevin Durant-- still a top-10 player on a per game value, as well as Kyrie Irving. Let's see if Ime Udoka can unlock some of the defensive issues that have plagued the Nets for years.
- I can make things out of clay and lay by the [? bae ?] I just made.
DAN TITUS: All right, now, before I get out of here, I got to get this off my chest. I've been having some fantasy misery lately.
- Can't be rattled in your game-- no, no, no, no, no.
DAN TITUS: And it really stems from the 76ers and their inability to recognize-- or I should say, Glenn Rivers' inability to recognize-- that Tyrese Maxey needs more usage. In two games with Joel Embiid off the floor, he's averaging 36 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists-- small sample size, but the man's getting the 31% usage with Embiid off the floor. With Embiid on the floor, 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists and only a 23% usage.
Did you know that Joel Embiid is averaging a career high in turnovers per game at nearly four per game? I get it. Joel Embiid is a bona fide star. He demands the touches. But can we really consider the fact that Joel Embiid may not be the best person with the ball in his hands?
- Say what?
DAN TITUS: I mean, just look at the game tape. Tyrese Maxey-- increased pace, more shots in transition. Just look at how the ball moves. It's not stagnant when Embiid just gets in the post and ultimately forces the double team and then turns it over.
Glenn Rivers, this is a plea to you. Give Tyrese Maxey the ball. Good things will happen. And yeah, I'm on record. I got the receipts-- top-40 fantasy player this year, first-time all-star. I got a lot riding on it-- other fantasy managers, too, that spent fourth-round draft capital-- but really, the Sixers are better off if they just give the ball to Tyrese Maxey and a little bit less to Joel Embiid.
- Fellas, give me the ball. OK, give me the ball. Give me--
DAN TITUS: All right, y'all. I'll see you in a couple of weeks where we'll continue to recap what's going on in the NBA and fantasy basketball.
