Ryan Rollins has played far above his ADP, providing those who roster him a reason to be thankful. David Jensen / Getty Images
I’ll keep this piece short and sweet because I know how much you want to get back to conversing with the relatives. Since it’s Thanksgiving week, this is my chance to give thanks.
Here’s what I am thankful for …
My faithful readers and editors.
Jalen Duren‘s breakout. Duren is my second-most rostered player across all formats this season. My most rostered player is Kevin Porter. Life always finds its way to balance and humble me.
Erik Spoelstra, not a rigid curmudgeon, is willing to do whatever he thinks is best for the team. Breakthrough Basketball’s Jeff Huber put it best: “What is soft is being a coach who’s afraid to try something different because it might open them up to criticism.” There is no soft in Spoelstra. Miami led the league for many years by employing a zone defense that most teams eschewed. Now, Spoelstra has changed the offense not only to play fast but also to incorporate many of the concepts the Memphis Grizzlies instituted — fewer pick-and-rolls and more driving, with off-ball players moving like an amoeba to fill in gaps. Miami is playing at the fastest pace and leads the league in points per game. Now they add Tyler Herro to the mix, who put up 24 points, seven rebounds and three steals in 29 minutes during his season debut on Monday.
Anthony Davis, who helped deliver a chip during COVID and was instrumental in bringing Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Thank you for your service. It’s the universe’s way of balancing out all those seasons I drafted you in the first round, only to tank my season after a month.
Michael Porter, who’s hucking and chucking to his heart’s content and has shown some playmaking chops. Porter is averaging a career-high 3.2 dimes and is showing Cam Thomas that it’s OK to pass from time to time.
Ryan Rollins. He’s been like manna raining down from the heavens for us fantasy nerds. Through 17 games, Rollins is averaging 31.7 minutes, 18.6 points, 2.5 treys, 3.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 79% from the line. Unfortunately, I did not get him in my Main Event league, where I have Porter. Life always finds a way.
Dillon Brooks reminding us that it’s always Dillon Brooks time. Brooks was drafted as the 178th player on average in NFBC drafts during October. Kudos to those who predicted a 10% usage rate increase from the prior season and top-60 fantasy production on a per-game basis through two months.
Not drafting Joel Embiid, who’s played a total of six games and averaged 23.3 minutes per game.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who was drafted with the 194th overall pick on average in NFBC drafts during October and has garnered a 24.6% usage rate with Trae Young out of commission. NAW has posted top-75 production on a per-game basis. Alexander-Walker is the cousin of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the two have trained together in the offseason, so you know the offensive bag has more than rabbits and snakes in it.
Derik Queen, who has good size at 6-foot-10 and 248 pounds. The moxy, IQ and playmaking have been so impressive, but I am most thankful for Queen because I was once cut and Eddie Jones-esque, but eventually morphed into Boris Diaw — a larger playmaker who would set devastating back picks. Queen reminds everyone that players of all sizes and shapes can dominate hoops.
Andre Drummond‘s corner treys. For many offseasons, we were inundated with videos of Drummond making it rain from downtown with step-backs and pull-ups. Well, it’s finally happening during the season, as the stroke is pure this season — 0.5 of 1.3 attempts from behind the arc for a cool 40%. Oh, he’s also been the guy when Embiid is unable to go, averaging 12 points, 14 rebounds, 0.8 treys, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in seven starts.
Kel’el Ware, who was chained to the Spoelstra doghouse since the summer and through the early part of the season. But Ware kept working, and it looks like he’s finally taken to heart what Spoelstra has been preaching because the playing time and production have been robust. Over the past seven games, Ware is averaging 28.6 minutes, 16.1 points, 1.1 treys, 14.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.6 blocks while shooting 56% from the field and 86% from the line. Spoelstra recently said, “He’s feeling the importance of the games; he’s playing meaningful minutes. He understands the responsibility to play well, and he’s recognizing if it doesn’t go well, you know what, he needs to correct. That’s a big-time improvement from last year, where he wasn’t really recognizing what was happening.” On Monday, Spoelstra then said, “He’s playing with much more force than a year ago … I don’t want to put a ceiling on him.” From the doghouse to the penthouse, a true American story.
Josh Giddey, who is almost averaging a triple-double: 20.5 points, 1.7 treys, 9.9 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.0 steals. Unfortunately, with Coby White back, Giddey has seen a 4% downtick in usage rate. The counting stats may come down a bit, but Giddey will still be putting up plenty of them.
Keldon Johnson, who has been an excellent source of points and rebounds with Victor Wembanyama out. In four games, Johnson has seen a 4% increase in usage and has averaged 17.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.5 treys in 27.5 minutes per game. With Wembanyama, Johnson averaged 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 treys in 23.1 minutes.
Moussa Diabate, who has been decent from a fantasy perspective, averaging 10.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, but he’s only playing 23.2 minutes per game. What I most love about Diabate is his relentless energy when crashing the boards and running in transition. He smiles, I smile. He runs, I want to do the same, but then I remember I’m old and my body wouldn’t be able to handle it.
For players like Caleb Love and Daniss Jenkins, because it reminds everyone how amazing NBA players truly are. Both Love and Jenkins went undrafted, yet have balled out when given the opportunity.
For all the late-round producers of dimes (ADP in parentheses):
*Tre Jones has lost playing time with Coby White’s return; Vince Williams’ production has come primarily with Ja Morant out.
I promised I’d keep it short and sweet, so that’ll be a wrap, but I wanted to thank everyone once again for making my dream a reality. Y’all are the true MVPs.
Nov 26, 2025
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