Ballers Fantasy Basketball Showcase Week 1, Round 1

1. Randy Perry, NBA & UFC Writer – @RondoSports937

Randy: “I’m going to play it safe and take my guy Russ Westbrook in tomorrow’s game vs the Magic.”

Houston: “One sec, are we including the 8th? I thought it was 9th-15th.”

Jade: “Correct, Houston.”

Randy: “My bad… Can I just move to Russ’s Monday’s game against Minnesota?“

Since it’s our first ever Ballers Fantasy Basketball Showcase Draft we collectively decided to let Randy’s oversight slide. *shrug*

1st Overall Selection Breakdown

The inaugural Ballers Fantasy Basketball Showcase draft has concluded. All the big names were in attendance as these dime dropping delights seemed to just fly off the board. As the rookie of the crew with an early pick, it seemed the pressure was on from the start. How much safer can you go then the triple-double machine, Russ Westbrook? In round one, I took the Brodie vs the Timberwolves on March 9^th.

2. Houston Wentzel, Sports Betting Deprtment Head – @FinalDriveFF

Houston: “Trae Young vs Hornets on March 9th. Let’s hope he isn’t sick by then!”

2nd Overall Selection Breakdown

Young is the leader in assists among all point guards. This was an easy pick for me as the Hornets will head into Atlanta on March 9th. The Charlotte Hornets give up the most assists per game in the league at 26.5. Yes, Trae Young missed a game against Memphis on March 6th due to illness. However, Young has confirmed to his fans that his illness isn’t as bad as fans believe it to be. Trae has had over 10 assists in 5 of his last 6 games. Young will be fresh heading into Monday’s game against the Hornets.

3. Lamarr Fields, Basketball Writer – @raiderway83

Lamarr: “I’m taking Ricky Rubio.”

Houston: “Against who?”

Chaka: “Which game?”

Lamarr: “Rubio, March 10th against Portland.”

3rd Overall Selection Breakdown

With my first pick, I went with Ricky Rubio from the Phoenix Suns. The Suns will take on the Portland Trail Blazers on March 10th. The Blazers’ defense is not good at all; they rank 27th in the NBA in defensive rating (113.5), and 26th in points allowed a game, 115.3. Rubio is third in the NBA in assists, averaging 8.8 a game. In six of his last ten games, Rubio has dished out double-digit assist totals. Against Portland, there will be plenty of assist opportunities to be had.

4. Jade Johnson, Basketball Department Head – @auxiliarythings

Jade: “I’m taking Devonte’ Graham against the Cavs.”

Houston: “Perfect, on the 13th.”

Jade: “Yeah, sorry. I forgot to put down the dates lol”

Another draft day pass handed out in the Ballers Fantasy Basketball Showcase. For the record, this one pass will cover the entirety of this week’s draft for Jade.

Houston: “It’s cool. He was second on my list, Jade. Great pick!

Jade: “Thanks! He was second on mine too!”

4th Overall Selection Breakdown

Soooo, here’s the thing. I have a whole research process that I used to get to my picks. I can’t tell you the details because I’m a competitive person and I can’t have my competitors getting a peek at the recipe for the secret sauce.

But I did a deep dive into each Point Guard and how they’ve played against each team they are facing this week. Westbrook against the Timberwolves would have been my first pick if Randy hadn’t taken him against the Magic. But I’m confident I have a solid number two option.

5. Chaka Cummings, Senior NBA Writer – @ChakaCummings

Chaka: “I’ll take Dame Dollar on March 10th vs. Phoenix“

This will be an especially interesting matchup since Chaka and Lamarr’s picks, Ricky Rubio and Damian Lillard will be facing off head-to-head this week. Having the first head-to-head matchup of the Ballers Fantasy Basketball Showcase come in the first round of the first draft feels somehow… right.

5th Overall Selection Breakdown

With my first pick, I had to go Damian Lillard. It scared me a bit that he missed six games with what was reported as a strained groin (I’m pretty sure he had a bruised ego after getting roasted for his All-Star Game halftime show). He has a sweet match-up versus Phoenix on Tuesday night. The Blazers are home and currently sit as the eighth highest-scoring team in the league, going against a Suns defense that is in the bottom third of the league, giving up over 113 points per game to their opponents.

Dame Dollar dishes dimes at nearly eight per game, and he’ll have a chip on his shoulder after the Blazers just dropped one in Phoenix last Friday. Dame had six assists in that game; I see him getting into double figures in a fast-paced contest. Plus, Lamarr went with Rubio in the same game. We are about to square up and make the Belly Up Sports Wrestling Department proud!