Upsyde Blog

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: DARK HORSE TEAMS TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS: This play-in tournament is a welcomed addition. Sort of a spinoff of last year's "bubble" tournament, I think it is about time the NBA shook things up a little bit. For fringe playoff teams, they probably hate having to protect their position, but for teams that were plagued with injuries, had bad starts, or in this year, had to deal with COVID, this is great. In a way, this is a more exciting version of the Wild Card race in other sports. Part of what I do is consistently check in on players, teams, and transactions to see how it affects the league as a whole and what trends occur. I do this for the passion of the sport, but I also participate in several fantasy sports leagues and it helps me stay keen to what's new. Every once in a while I write an article completely void of any fantasy sports commentary, and this is one of them. As mentioned, a lot of teams that had bad starts and had to deal with exten...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW: THE STANDINGS ARE GETTING INTERESTING - Right now, the Sacramento Kings are 7-3 in their last 10 games and on a 4-game winning streak. They are only one game back of the second play-in tournament spot behind Golden State. In the East, even with the Oladipo acquisition, the Heat are continuing their losing streak to 6 and have slid to the 8-seed. I'm sure Heat fans were hoping for Kyle Lowry. CELTICS UNDEFEATED WITH TIME LORD STARTING - Yes, it's only 2 games, a very small sample size, but they've looked great in both games. He's only averaged 8.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in those two starts, but he's averaging 2.0 steals and 3.5 blocks per game over the same time. He's only averaging 26.5 minutes over his first two starts, so we have to believe he has yet to reach his ceiling. DE'AARON FOX IS 2ND IN SCORING SINCE ASB - Looking back to my previous King's shout out, Fox is a large reason why they...

 UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: YOUNG PLAYERS HEATING UP: It's that time again when tanking teams start giving their young players reps. Between trades, resting, and buyouts, young players can make a difference for a fantasy team and can give people an idea about which players are trending upward into the summer. This information can affect the draft, free agents added, or could be used to leverage a more valuable asset. Here's a list I've put together of players that are surprisingly good over the last two weeks. PJ WASHINGTON (Drafted 134th) - Washington has had a very up and down season, but with Cody Zeller out, Charlotte has been playing small ball 5 with him and Biyombo mixing it up. Washington being thrust into a larger roll has helped him tremendously, as his rebounding and blocking is up 50% over his season averages. With LaMelo Ball out for the year, he may be asked to take on a larger offensive role as well. While his numbers aren't eye popping - 12/7.5/3 - 1.6 BPG/...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: TUESDAY THOUGHTS: Throughout the season, situations change, players get hurt, record gets tainted, players asked to be moved, it's fluid. An article I write a week ago could mean nothing today. I feel pretty confident about my list, but now it's time to start discussing the potential destinations. KYLE LOWRY: TORONTO RECEIVES: Goran Dragic, Kelly Olynyk, Precious Achiuwa, Future 1st Round Pick (Lottery Protected) MIAMI RECEIVES: Kyle Lowry, [some expiring contract] ANALYSIS: Honestly, I think he'll be the biggest name to move. The big question is where, but I feel like Miami has the most motivation and the best assets to put something together. They have future draft capital, they have young prospects in Herro and Achiuwa that could become available, and a 3-game losing streak might push them over. I think if we're deciding between Achiuwa and Herro, I think they'd prefer to keep Herro. Herro is able to do more, guard more positions, and Achi...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: MOST IMPRESSIVE PLAYERS POST-ASB NORMAN POWELL - He's in a contract year, so it's no surprise he'd be coming alive during the home stretch. It appears that Toronto is on pace to miss the playoffs, but it likely won't be due to Normal Powell's game. With Siakam, VanVleet, and OG the only long-term core pieces, Powell is making a case to be extended. Over the 4 games since the All-Star Break, he's averaging 30.3 PPG and 5.0 3PM, with 57/49/74 splits. He's 27 and entering his prime and could be looking to move on from Toronto to be a larger role on a rebuilding team. Keep an eye on him next year in the Most Improved Player conversation if he sees a major jump like Christian Wood did this past year. ANTHONY EDWARDS - With all the hype centered around LaMelo Ball, Edwards has been trying to remind people of late that he was the #1 overall pick. With questions marks centered around Karl Anthony-Towns being the centerpiece of this offense, E...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: Each Team's Most Likely Traded Player We have entered the final stretch of days before the trade deadline. The rumors are starting to heat up, phone calls are being made, and negotiations are likely underway. Here are some predictions for the most likely traded player for each team. ATLANTA HAWKS - JOHN COLLINS - With Atlanta fighting for a playoff spot, management is likely exploring their options for John Collins. He will likely not be open to taking a team-friendly deal in the summer, and they need to prepare themselves for that to happen. After signing Bogdan and Danilo, they have mostly abandoned their efforts to enter the free agency conversation for the upcoming off-season. They drafted another big in Onyeka Okongwu early in the draft and have one more year on Bruno Fernando's contract before he will enter restricted free agency. It's possible they hold off and keep him through the trade deadline and make a move in the summer, yet don't be...