The Day Rondo Died...

Devastating news out of Boston/French Lick today...Rondo is gone for the year with a torn ACL. This year's French squad is struggling in 13th place and was trying to get out of the basement when they lose their main ATO/Steals man. I see French snatched up Devin Harris to replace him but that really says it all right there doesn't it...replacing Rondo with Harris. Ugh. So French can go one of two ways here...he can do his best and try to get out of the basement...and the way he would try to accomplish that would be to trade Derrick Rose. Or, he stands pat and tries to get out by keeping Rose and not allowing any other JBL to get their hands on him. I know which way I would go...

Another shocking piece of news from the JBL tonight is that Idaho spent his last FA dollar on Courtney Lee. I actually like the pick up of Courtney Lee for $1 onto a JBL roster - but I'm not sure I would have wanted to use my last dollar on this kid in week 14. There are still 10 weeks left in the JBL season and Idaho can only make moves by making trades?? Oh oh. You know what that means...we could all be going 'dark' like Montreal just announced.

I also see Bangkok picked up Chris Johnson. The Memphis one. I'm wondering if he meant to pick up the Minnesota one? It's funny because I actually thought they were the same dude. I thought Minny used him for a couple of games, released him, and he wound up in Memphis. Apparently, they are separate guys. It's the Minnesota one that intrigues me a bit more.

Week long trade discussions between Chilliwack and Golden ended on Sunday morning with no deal in place. Can't say I blame Benny for not pulling the trigger as it's a risky trade for both teams at this stage of the year. More risky for Ben because he's in 1st place and could have his cake and eat it too if he stands firm. We're just a few weeks away from the JBL Keeper trade deadline (NBA All-Star game - Feb 17th) so we may see some JBL trade action in the next couple of weeks.

With the keeper trade deadline just a few weeks away I thought I would go with yet another quick hitter on who I think is each JBL's team best keeper. Here we go...

Yuma - by pure value, I think it's actually Kyle Korver, but we all know Pat isn't going to protect him for $13 bucks. So, for me, it's either Jennings for $27 or David Lee for $45. Neither is really a super 'bargain' at those prices but you certainly know what you're getting with either of them.

Seoul - It's General Greivis in my books. He can come back for just $9 bucks. He's averaging 14ppg and 9ast while shooting 38% from downtown. No brainer - he'll be back in Seoul next season.

Montreal - Kyrie Irving for $25. Irving will be entering year 3 of his potential 5 year rookie deal. Kyrie continues to improve every year and is now averaging 24ppg and 6ast while shooting 48/41. He made his 1st All Star game this year too. I don't see Montreal moving him anytime soon.

Maui - It's the Unibrow. He'll be brought back for $20 bucks. While I don't think he'll win ROY he is having a very solid season. 13 and 8 with 35 steals and 55 blocks thru 30 games while shooting 52%. Anthony Davis will be back in Maui next season I would think.

Manhattan Beach - I think his best keeper is Brook Lopez for $31 dollars. First off, I think Brook got jipped on the All-Star game. He should have made it over Bosh. Brook is averaging 19 and 7 and has 82 blocks and shot 52%. I definitely think he's worth more than that at Auction.

Juan de Fuca - While I'm tempted to go with someone like Kemba or David West - Juan's best keeper is Larry Sanders. The breakout star of the 2012/13 season is leading the league in blocks (3.1 per game) and is also chipping in 8.5PPG and 8.5REB while shooting 54%. He's worth a lot more than his $15 dollar keeper price.

Idaho - while Idaho has a couple of potential keepers (Hill, Anderson) his best one still has to be James Harden for $18 bucks. He's one of the top scorers in the NBA and despite his horrible 3PT% he still is a nice building block.

Golden - The Showers certainly don't have many cheap bargains for next season but Nikola Pekovic has become a fan favourite and will likely be back for just $17 bucks. His 16 and 8 numbers with 50% shooting is nice to have from a man in the middle.

French Lick - the best keeper in the JBL could be Derrick Rose for $8 bucks. He'll have a rule named after him this off season. We'll see what French does with him but I'm hoping he ends up back in the JBL Auction next season.

Chilliwack - the Offs are loaded for next season with keepers (Mayo, George, Drummond) and the best value of the bunch, for me, is Paul George. While Drummond has the most long term potential it's George that is already an All Star. He's now the face of the Pacers and his stat stuffing abilities and fantasy friendly game (and $18 salary) should have other JBL teams drooling for his services.

Brussels - the only team that can rival the Offs' stable of keeper is the 2013 Muscles. With Damian Lillard and Nikola Vucevic on the roster Timmy has the makings of a solid foundation for next season. So, who is the better value?? In my opinion, it's Vucevic, and it's not even really that close. Yes, Lillard will win ROY but it's Vucevic's rebounding numbers that make him the #1 keeper option in Brussels.

Bangkok - The best keeper on this roster could actually be the biggest fantasy disappointment this year. Yes, it's Andrew Bynum. He could be brought back next season with a salary of $30 bucks. He could also blow out a knee in a heartbeat or he could be the #1 Center in the NBA. Risk and reward in the highest regard.

Arctic - This was another easy choice for me. It's Kenneth Faried. The Manimal is a fantasy beast. He scores, rebounds, shoots great, and gets steals and blocks. He does it all. And he'll be doing it again next season in Arctic for just $16 bucks in year 3 of a potential 5 year rookie deal. He is becoming the cornerstone of the Arctic franchise.

That's all for me tonight...on to Week 14...