THE HANGOVER: DRAFTSTARS WEEKLY WRAP

A big September and October ensured Draftstars’ Hangover endured.

It’s fair to say a lean November was necessary, but we’re back. And just in time for a huge festive season full of the best part of the NBA season, the most intense part of the NFL season and a test series between Australia and New Zealand which may be the most anticipated in history.

Of course, the anticipation is contingent the second test being able to be played at the MCG rather than Junction Oval. It will come through, the ‘G isn’t unfamiliar with a pitch emergency after it was almost banned for 12 months from hosting international cricket in 2017.

2019’s emergency looks a little like this…

Let’s be real though, the game will go on. The first test in Perth will be fast and fiery, the G will be intense and the deciding SCG test will be a chess match (presuming the series is still alive).

Since we last spoke, the NFL landscape has changed and has undergone somewhat of a changing of the guard. At the start of November, the Ravens topped the Patriots and Lamar Jackson staked his strongest claims for the title of MVP.

And the Ravens rose with Lamar after besting the 49ers and whoever else stepped in their path to be amid a nine game win streak.

Lamar Jackson needs only 65 more rushing yards to break Mike Vick’s single season QB rushing record and his season highlight (so far) is absurd.

The Patriots have actually lost three of their past five, but if we know Belichick it is probably just a matter of having secured a playoff run and now covertly planning for said post season (even if that includes recording your opponents side line).

They “only” have the third best record in the league now and sit at 10-3 with Green Bay, New Orleans and Seattle.

The NBA is still somewhat up in the air but we know the Lakers are actually good this year, as are the Clippers. The Bucks will probably finish with the best record again and Luka Doncic is a certified killer, he may even become an MVP this year.

What we don’t know is whether the Heat can keep up the pace that has them third in the East or whether the most anticipated debutant since Lebron, Zion Williamson, will even get on the court this season.

AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND

Potential controversy aside, New Zealand come to Australian shores as the second ranked side in the world and Australia are fresh from a comprehensive domination of a toothless Pakistani team.

New Zealand’s test ascension has come on the back of generational players Kane Williamson and Trent Boult and ably abetted by Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and Neil Wagner.

Meanwhile, Australia has risen from the unmitigated disaster of the ball tampering scandal to now be a side that must be reckoned with. As mentioned before, Pakistan suffered the brunt of an Aussie side looking for redemption losing by an innings and change in both tests.

Dave Warner has reclaimed his insatiable form and has an average of 489 this summer after his breath taking unbeaten 335 in Adelaide. And Steve Smith now has him and Marnus Labuschagne as reliable batting partners.

Both sides can bowl, and both sides are in strong batting form. Australia will be favourites due to it being on home soil, but New Zealand will be out to take their first series win since 1990.

NFL WEEK FOURTEEN

Week seven was a real cracker, highlighted by the shootout between San Francisco and New Orleans. So much was on the line for the 49ers in regards to playoff positioning and they came through after a herculean George Kittle catch and carry late in the game.

In terms of individuals though, look no further than Emmanuel Sanders. A monster 34 point explosion came from 157 yards receiving, two scores and a 35 yard TD throw to Raheem Mostert (who clocked up a priceless 25 DS points).

In the same game, Drew Brees had his highest score of the season with 40 DS points and five TD throws and one more score on the ground. He is now two TD’s off of Peyton Manning’s TD pass record.

And let us finally spare a moment for the Titans offensive scoring power since the inclusion of Ryan Tannehill as the starting QB in week seven.

In the latest round, Tannehill (27.5), Derrick Henry (23.9) and A.J. Brown (33.6) combined for over 80 DS points and were all handy inclusions in any DS lineup.

Contest winner Electric_Eel got the memo and had all three Titan offensive weapons in their arsenal.  

NBA

Lebron and AD are taking over the league right now. Davis is damned expensive but if you can fit him in your line up he will produce.

On Saturday he pumped out 61 DS points at a price of $20k for 39 points. Then he erupted for 50 points on Monday and rekindled his prospect of best fantasy player in the NBA. His season average is just over 50, but it’s rising.

While Davis is a solidified star with years of domination, Luka Doncic is taking over the league right now. It is looking like it may eventually be a case of “Luka’s league and everyone else is just playing in it”.

In his sophomore season he is averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Unbelievable numbers good enough for 55 DS points per outing.

Aside from his DS production, he is taking scalps with his records, the latest being that of MJ.

Bam Adebayo, of the Miami Heat, is a lesser known player with good DS upside this year as the Heat continue their form. Also in his sophomore season, Adebayo has taken it to another level.

His last two games have combined for 89 DS points and there is a big watch on him if he can maintain this purple patch.

Written by Brin Duggan

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