Welcome Hoop Ball readers another edition of The Week Ahead!

I had taken a week off from The Week Ahead last week due to the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s death.  Rest in Peace to Kobe, Gigi and all of the others that were taken from this world during the tragic helicopter crash.

Although it is tough to discuss basketball after the tragedy form last Sunday, I will do my best by stating my two biggest snubs from the All-Star roster.

1. DEVIN BOOKER– There are no words to describe how strongly I believe that Booker should have been an All-Star. He transformed his game by scoring the ball efficiently and is putting up numbers that only NBA greats have. He should have undoubtedly been in the All-Star game over half of the reserves that made it in my opinion.
2. BRADLEY BEAL– Similar to Booker, I feel as though Beal should have been an absolute no-brainer to make the All-Star game, but the coaches had other plans. Not to target any specific player (Kyle Lowry), but there were definitely a couple players that Beal could have made it over. He is almost averaging 29-5-5, but somehow is left off of the roster. Insanity.

Aside from these two guys, I felt as though the roster was spot on, which is why I limited this list to just two players.  I believe that Booker and Beal should have made the roster easily and I am honestly confused as to how the coaches did not agree with me.

Now here is an overview of the week ahead:

Weekly Schedule Breakdown

4 games: 76ers, Celtics, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Heat, Knicks, Magic, Mavs, Pacers, Pistons, Rockets, Spurs, Suns, Trail Blazers

3 games: Bucks, Cavs, Hornets, Jazz, Kings, Lakers, Nets, Nuggets, Pelicans, Raptors, Thunder, Warriors, Wizards, Wolves

2 games: Bulls

Best Schedule: Celtics (at Hawks, Magic, Hawks, at Thunder)

The Celtics are fighting for position in the East with the Raptors, Heat, Pacers and 76ers.  An easy schedule does them justice as they are just behind the Raptors who currently sit at second in the Conference.  They are playing the worst team in the NBA, the Hawks, twice, which already makes their week easier than most.  Aside from those two games, they are playing the Magic at home which should be a win and the Thunder on the road which is their toughest matchup of the week.  However, the Celtics needed this schedule as Kemba Walker will miss at least the first two games of the week.  Expect Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart to have fantastic weeks.

Worst Schedule: Bulls (Pelicans, at 76ers)

The Bulls still have hope for the eighth seed, so a two-game schedule in which both games will be difficult to win is tough for them and all fantasy owners of their players.  They are playing the Pelicans at home, who are a much improved team now that Zion Williamson is back and seeing around 30 minutes per game.  After that matchup, they are facing the 76ers on the road.  They are likely going to lose both of those games, which digs their hole deeper.  Aside from Zach LaVine, Bulls players will be a tough start for fantasy this week.

Game of the Week: Rockets at Lakers on Thursday at 10:30 PM ET

This is James Harden and Russell Westbrook’s chance to prove that they can hang with the big dogs in the West and compete for the NBA title.  They are playing the Lakers on Thursday night in a primetime matchup and both sides should be fully healthy.  Harden and Westbrook need to both be on their game for the Rockets to have a chance, while the Lakers rely heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis to carry the load.  This should be an entertaining matchup between two top-heavy teams in the West.  Tune in on Thursday night!

Waiver Wire Watch

Shabazz Napier- The Wolves are horrible and since Jeff Teague has been traded, Shabazz Napier should see the floor quite a bit for the remainder of the season.  Over his past six games, he is averaging 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists on 51.2 percent shooting.  He has been the starting point guard and is seeing 30.3 minutes per game in those six contests.  Those numbers are good for top-40 per-game value, which is likely unattainable.  However, we could expect that his ceiling is middle-round value to finish the campaign. He should be picked up in all formats.

Jalen Brunson- This one is more short-term as it is only for the six games (and maybe more) that Luka Doncic will be out. Jalen Brunson should put up top-50 value over those six games, which is why he should be added in all formats.  However, expect him to return to a deep-league assist specialist upon the return of Doncic.  He had 27 points and eight assists in a start on Saturday night, which is a bit above what we should expect over the next few contests.  Regardless, pick him up if you have an available spot in your league.

Trevor Ariza- Ariza has been fantastic since he has joined the Blazers and is a strong bet for middle-round value for the remainder of the season.  Unlike his role in Sacramento, Ariza is locked in as the starting small forward.  Over his first five games with the Blazers, he is averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 triples per game on 53.5 percent shooting.  He is seeing 34.3 minutes per game in those five contests, so we could see him return the kind of value that he did with the Rockets.  Pick him up immediately in all formats as he could easily be a top-100 asset for the rest of the season.  

Injury Report

Luka Doncic (ankle) will be out for the next six games after suffering an ankle injury on Thursday. Hopefully, he is able to return in time to play in the All-Star game, but we could see Devin Booker replace him if he is forced to sit out.

Kyrie Irving (medial ligament sprain) will be re-evaluated in a week after suffering a right knee sprain against the Wizards on Saturday. Irving can’t catch a break and is seemingly hit with an injury as soon as his health begins to cooperate. Spencer Dinwiddie should return to domination in his absence.

Norman Powell (fractured finger) is out indefinitely after fracturing his finger on Friday against the Pistons.  Patrick McCaw and Terence Davis will likely see increased roles in his absence, while Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam continue to dominate the offense.

Kris Dunn (sprained MCL) has no timeline to return to action after spraining his MCL against the Nets on Friday.  Chandler Hutchison and Coby White could see some extra run with Dunn out.

Here is a list of guys who are day-to-day:

DeAndre’ Bembry, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Trae Young, Enes Kanter, Kemba Walker, P.J. Washington, Tomas Satoransky, Seth Curry, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Paul Millsap, Derrick Rose, Markieff Morris, Clint Capela, T.J. Warren, Brandon Clarke, Justise Winslow, George Hill, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, Aron Baynes, Dario Saric, Ricky Rubio, Richaun Holmes, Jordan McRae, Rui Hachimura

Check for updates on these guys throughout the week.

Thanks for reading this week’s edition of The Week Ahead!