Ahead of his NHL debut Thursday against the Canadiens, Lukas Reichel looked up at the Blackhawks’ whiteboard of lines, saw Patrick Kane’s name next to his and laughed.

“I was…like, ‘Oh my god, that’s awesome,'” he said pregame. “I’m really happy. He’s my favorite player. Now we’re on the same line and I just want to…make plays with him and have fun.”

Alongside Kane and Brandon Hagel, the Hawks’ top prospect did make a few plays early but also looked understandably nervous during the Hawks’ 3-2 overtime win.

Kane scored his first goal since Dec. 4 to tie the game in the third period, and Philipp Kurashev scored the strangest of overtime winners — after two reviews of the play — to secure the Hawks’ third consecutive victory.

Reichel’s agility, creativity and offensive vision — the traits that make his ceiling so high — were nonetheless visible, at least during scattered moments. His parents weren’t able to make it to the United Center but stayed up basically through the night in Germany to watch.

Despite Reichel’s big role Thursday, the Hawks plan to be patient with him. He implied he’ll play again Saturday against the Ducks, then head back to Rockford of the AHL for a while. Interim coach Derek King had explained Wednesday the logic behind that game plan, and Reichel sounded on board with it.

“He’s obviously one of our highly skilled prospects coming up, and we want to do it right,” King said. “There have been years of seeing players get called up early, started too early, and they don’t end up finishing with our team. So this is a chance to do it right by him.”

“I agree,” Reichel said. “I want to stay here, but it’s good for me if they send me to Rockford, [where I get] more minutes, first power play, play a bigger role.”

All-Star Cat

For the first time, Alex DeBrincat is an NHL All-Star. Entering Thursday sitting fourth in the league in goals (23), he was an obvious choice to represent the Hawks during the Feb. 3-6 event in Las Vegas.

The rest of the Central Division team is composed of the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov and Cam Talbot, Jets’ Kyle Connor, Coyotes’ Clayton Keller, Blues’ Jordan Kyrou, Stars’ Joe Pavelski and Predators’ Juuse Saros.

Seth Jones, meanwhile, is a candidate for the “Last Man In” spot that’ll be determined by fan vote.

COVID’s rotating door

The Hawks got three players back from COVID-19 protocols Wednesday and Thursday — then promptly placed two new players on the list.

Hagel, Erik Gustafsson and newly acquired Sam Lafferty all returned, but Dylan Strome and Kirby Dach were ruled unavailable shortly due to COVID before game time. Kurtis Gabriel, who was just assigned Wednesday to Rockford, was also added to the list.

Hagel said he was asymptomatic and unaffected physically by the virus, but he did encounter some difficulties trying to stay fit while locked down at home.

“Let’s just say I was probably lifting kitchen pots,” he said.

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George McCaskey and Jeff Ireland will have plenty to talk about Friday.

Decades before he was named chairman and tasked with making franchise-altering hires, McCaskey was a ball boy during Bears training camp. Years later, so was Ireland, who is now the Saints’ vice president and assistant general manager. He’ll interview for the Bears’ vacant GM job on Friday, per NFL Network.

Ireland’s maternal grandfather, Jim Parmer, was a longtime Bears scout. Ireland spent his summers — from 1982-87, the franchise’s sweet spot — with him. The summer after the Bears won the Super Bowl, running back Walter Payton gave Ireland a pair of shoes he said he wore during the big game in New Orleans.

Close your eyes, and you can just hear him telling the story at the introductory press conference, can’t you? Squint, and you can see McCaskey and Ireland reveling in their shared boyhood love of the franchise, right?

No franchise reveres their history — some would say fetishes it — than the Bears. Maybe it’s only a matter of time before they look to their past to make one of two signature hires this month. The Bears, though, have resisted such alumni homecomings in recent years — which is amazing, given their own self-reverence.

While Phil Emery was a former Bears scout when he was named GM in 2012, the Bears haven’t hired a head coach who’d previously worked for the franchise in 40 years. That was, of course, Mike Ditka, who was a Pro Bowl tight end in five of his seasons with the Bears — and eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame player.

McCaskey was asked Monday if a head coach or general manager candidate with a Bears history would intrigue him. Ever-careful not to rule anyone out — or in — he demurred.

“I tried to say in my opening remarks as exhaustively as I could that we weren’t going to limit the search,” he said. “Whether a person has a Bears background or not would not disqualify the candidate.”

What if it’s someone his family knows well? Wouldn’t that give him comfort?

“It would depend on who that person was,” he said, “and what their vision was for the Bears.”

Leslie Frazier is expected to explain his vision to the McCaskeys next week. The Bills’ defensive coordinator/assistant head coach played cornerback for the Bears from 1981-86.

During the team’s Super Bowl run in 1985, he led the Bears with six interceptions. The biggest day in Bears franchise history, though, ended his career: during Super Bowl XX, the Bears tried a reverse on a punt return. Frazier’s foot stuck in the artificial turf and he tore his ACL. He never played again — and vowed to not return to a Super Bowl unless a team he was coaching made it. That happened in January 2007 — when his Colts beat his former team, the Bears, in Super Bowl XLI.

Within a week, he was named the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. Four years later, he was named their head coach. Counting part of an interim season, he went 21-32 before he was fired.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s intentions remain a mystery — does he want back into the NFL or a raise to stay in Ann Arbor? — but that might change if the Raiders lose this weekend. He was a Bears first-round draft pick in 1987 and went 35-30 in seven years as the team’s starting quarterback.

Both men would have seen a teenage Ireland helping out with one of their practices. He’s not the only GM candidate with Bears’ ties; Thursday, the team interviewed Champ Kelly, the Bears’ current assistant director of player personnel. Kelly is well-regarded around the league — he’s interviewed for GM jobs with the Jets, Panthers and Broncos the last three years — but would hardly represent the real change the Bears are pushing for.

Emery, hired to be the Bears’ general manager in 2012, had been a scout for the franchise from 1998-2004. When the Bears fired him three years later, they had a chance to replace him with a longtime Bears scout, Chris Ballard, who was working for the Chiefs at the time.

Ballard was the Bears’ southwest area scout for 10 years and their pro scouting director in 2012. McCaskey instead pickedpicked Ryan Pace — a Saints executive with no Bears ties — as his next GM.

The Saints revamped their front office to make up for Pace’s departure. To oversee the scouting process, they hired the man who’d been fired a year earlier after six rocky years as Dolphins GM: Ireland.

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Chicago Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr. will miss 2-4 weeks after an MRI revealed significant bone bruising in his right knee, the team announced on Thursday.

Jones Jr. hyperextended his knee during Wednesday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets after landing awkwardly on his leg 36 seconds into the game. He struggled to put much weight on the leg after the fall and had to be helped to the locker room.

While an MRI did not reveal any ligament damage, the Bulls are still losing Jones Jr., who had moved into the starting lineup for the past six games, for an extended absence.

Chicago’s depth has been thinned by injuries lately with Jones Jr. joining Alex Caruso (health and safety protocols), Javonte Green (groin) and Tyler Cook (ankle) on the injury report.

“Everybody got to step up and take on a bigger challenge defensively,” Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan said after Wednesday’s game. “Understanding and helping each other and kind of using our smarts at the same time.”

To help bolster their bench, the Bulls signed forward Malcolm Hill to a 10-day contract on Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Hill recently appeared in three games with the Atlanta Hawks during a 10-day deal, including a 13-point, 3-steal performance against the Bulls on Dec. 29.

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The Bears interviewed two more general manager candidates Thursday.

Two needed no introduction to those inside Halas Hall: Champ Kelly, the Bears’ own assistant director of player personnel, on Thursday. The team also talked to Browns vice president of football operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Kelly was the team’s pro scouting director from 2015-16 before moving into his current role in 2017. Kelly interviewed for the vacant Jets GM position three years ago; last year, he talked to the Panthers and the Broncos. He worked for eight seasons Denver before joining the Bears.

Adofo-Mensah is a former Princeton basketball player who got a Master’s degree at Stanford. He spent seven years with the 49ers before joining the Browns two seasons ago.

The Bears have now interviewed three people to fill the vacancy they created when they fired GM Ryan Pace on Monday. Wednesday, they spoke with another Browns front-office member: vice president of personnel Glenn Cook.

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Please send scores and corrections to [email protected].

Thursday, January 13, 2022

BIG NORTHERN

North Boone at Dixon, 7:00

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Benet at Marian Catholic, 7:00

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

Francis Parker at University High, PPD

INTERSTATE EIGHT

Rochelle at Sycamore, 7:00

KISHWAUKEE RIVER

Johnsburg at Woodstock, 7:00

LAKE SHORE ATHLETIC

ACERO-Cruz at Lycee Francais, 6:00

NIC – 10

Freeport at Rockford East, 2-3 PPD

NOBLE LEAGUE – BLUE

UIC at Golder, 7:00

NOBLE LEAGUE – GOLD

Bulls at ITW-Speer, 7:00

DRW at Comer, 7:00

Johnson at Butler, 7:00

PUBLIC LEAGUE RED-SOUTH / CENTRAL

Brooks at Bogan, 5:00

Corliss at Phillips, 5:00

Hyde Park at Simeon, 5:00

Kenwood at Curie, 5:00

Longwood at Morgan Park, 6:30

PUBLIC LEAGUE WHITE-CENTRAL

Dunbar at Lindblom, 5:00

Hubbard at Solorio, 5:00

Kennedy at Urban Prep-Englewood, 5:00

King at Catalyst-Maria, 5:00

Tilden at Richards (Chgo), 5:00

PUBLIC LEAGUE WHITE-SOUTH

Agricultural Science at Harlan, 5:00

Dyett at South Shore, 5:00

Fenger at Carver, 5:00

Urban Prep-Bronzeville at Perspectives-Lead, 6:30

Vocational at ACE Amandla, 5:00

PUBLIC LEAGUE BLUE-CENTRAL

ACERO-Soto at Excel-Englewood, 5:00

DuSable at Gage Park, 5:00

Englewood STEM at Horizon-Southwest, 5:00

Instituto Health at Hancock, 5:00

Kelly at Back of the Yards, 5:00

PUBLIC LEAGUE BLUE-SOUTH

Bowen at Hirsch, 5:00

Julian at Air Force, 5:00

UC-Woodlawn at Chicago Military, 5:00

Washington at Goode, 5:00

PUBLIC LEAGUE BLUE-WEST

Ogden at Little Village, 5:00

SOUTH SUBURBAN – RED

Oak Lawn at Evergreen Park, 6:00

SOUTHLAND

Kankakee at Crete-Monee, 5:00

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – RED

Andrew at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:15

Lincoln-Way West at Stagg, 6:15

NON CONFERENCE

Beacon at Schaumburg Christian, 6:30

Genoa-Kingston at Richmond-Burton, 7:00

Proviso East at Proviso West, 6:00

Rockford Lutheran at Marengo, 7:00

South Beloit at Earlville, 5:30

Valeo at Christian Life, 7:00

Waldorf at Morgan Park Academy, 6:00

BURLINGTON CENTRAL

Marian Central vs. DeKalb, 5:30

Burlington Central vs. Woodstock North, 7:00

LAKES

Highland Park at Grayslake North, 7:00

SPRINGFIELD (MO) – MISSOURI STATE

Young vs. New Madrid County Central (MO), 4:30

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Just an hour northwest of Chicago, Crystal Lake wows with its natural wonders, including the Three Oaks Recreation Area and the Crystal Lake Park District’s 238-acre Crystal Lake, its two beaches, parks, and more. If you’re out in Crystal Lake enjoying the outdoors or live theater and musical entertainment, you might work up an appetite. To help, we’ve listed out ten top-rated restaurants in Crystal Lake for dinner. Let us know how you like them!

110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

For an upscale-casual vibe, hit up Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, a gastropub focused on comfort foods and a wide selection of libations. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers and producers for the freshest quality and sustainability peace of mind. 

Try the Beet Salad with apples, Wisconsin bleu cheese, house-cured bacon, endive, candied pecans, and a bacon vinaigrette. The bar is stocked with over 150 different craft brews and Belgian ales by tap, bottle, and can.

4818 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

The Village Squire is a local Fox Valley chain that has locations in Crystal Lake, Dundee, McHenry, and South Elgin. The family-owned English pub-style restaurant has been serving hearty grub since 1974, like their fall-off-the-bone BBQ Back Ribs. 

The Squire’s menu also includes salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and more. Don’t forget to try some of the famous House Drinks, like the Mai Tais or Rum Barrels.

856 Pyott Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Sit down and grab a slice of pie at Nick’s Pizza & Pub, a casual eatery with award-winning thin crust Chicago pizza. Established in 1995, the restaurant serves Italian-American cuisine in a casual, lodge-like atmosphere. 

The pizza dough and sauce come from a 50-year-old family recipe that’s made from scratch daily. Try the signature pizza Nick’s Special, which includes a secret-blend sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and 100% mozzarella cheese.

5016 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Jameson’s Charhouse is a long-standing American steakhouse with an upscale-casual vibe. Since it opened its first location in Mount Prospect in 1990, the restaurant has served a menu as big as your appetite, with items like a juicy Jameson’s Burger, a Greek Style Halibut, and a Black Angus New York Strip Steak. The restaurant chain has several locations throughout Illinois.

5011 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

There’s something nostalgic about hitting up a diner for dinner. This retro-style diner has served classic American grub for over 35 years, like sandwiches, burgers, and steaks. Like any classic diner, there’s also fresh homemade baked goodies, like pie, cakes, pastries, and other temptations. 

Ice cream lovers, don’t miss out on the sundaes and shakes here. Try the Tin Roof if you love peanuts—you get two scoops of vanilla ice cream covered with hot fudge, peanuts, and whipped cream.

5690 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

We can all appreciate a good show and you can get that plus delicious grub and drinks at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar. Diners can enjoy a hibachi meal where playing with your food is encouraged—for the chefs anyway! You can also sit at the sushi bar where you can observe the sushi chefs in action. 

Only the freshest ingredients are used in Kyoto, whether you’re enjoying a lobster dish, hibachi steak, or a sushi platter. A modern and club-like atmosphere complete with light effects add to the overall cool vibes.

75 E Woodstock St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Georgio’s is an award-winning pizzeria and pub serving casual Italian cuisine, like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Enjoy the Chicago deep dish or thin crust pizza while you root on the Bulls at the well-stocked bar. If Trulys, High Noons, or White Claws are your thing, Georgio’s has them for $6 each on Thursdays.

90 N Williams St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Breakfast for dinner? Why, of course! Cafe Olympic is full of history. It’s located in one of Historic Downtown Crystal Lake’s oldest buildings built in 1892. Once a soda fountain and candy shop, it grew into a full-service restaurant in 1975. 

Cafe Olympic serves all-day breakfast and American staples in a classic diner setting—counter seating included! Take home some of the diner’s homemade baked goods like banana nut bread and cinnamon rolls.

230 W Virginia St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Enjoy classic Thai cuisine, including curries, noodles, rice dishes, and more, at Krystal Thai. Outfitted with traditional Thai decor and a casual setting, the restaurant offers both take-out and dine-in. 

Try the spring rolls to start and if you’re looking for a not-your-typical fried rice, order the Volcano Fried Rice, which has shrimp with spicy chili soybean, mixed vegetables, tomatoes, onion, and egg. As with most Thai cuisine, be mindful of your spicy level choice!

93 Grant St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Taqueria Las Cumbres serves authentic Mexican food in a casual setting, including your classic burritos, tacos, gorditas, quesadillas, tortas, and more. The restaurant uses ingredients purchased directly from Mexico for authentic flavors. Taqueria Las Cumbres is named after the town of Las Cumbres in Maltrata, Veracruz, where the chef was raised. Most of the menu has flavors and recipes originating from Puebla and Veracruz.

Featured Image Credit: The Village Squire

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Who is trending up? Which rotations are changing? What’s the latest with the notable injuries around the NBA?

Here’s a look around the league at the most fantasy relevant news and notes for all 30 teams:

Atlanta Hawks

Following a two-month absence due to wrist surgery, De’Andre Hunter has returned to action. In light of the Hawks trading Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks on Thursday, he should be stashed. When his conditioning improves, he could be a difference-maker in the final stretch. Hunter averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per 40 minutes.

Boston Celtics

As we approach the trade deadline, rumblings around the Celtics may make some fantasy basketball managers queasy. However, Robert Williams III is one player you shouldn’t be concerned about being dealt. Averaging 10 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season, Williams signed a four-year, $48 million extension that starts in 2022-2023. In fantasy drafts, the Time Lord has outperformed his average draft position and seems to be part of the Celtics’ core moving forward.

Brooklyn Nets

As the Nets play three games in the next five days, Day’Ron Sharpe finds himself on the streaming radar. LaMarcus Aldridge (foot) and Nic Claxton (hamstring) are both injured. On Wednesday night, Sharpe scored a career-high 20 points with seven rebounds and a block against the Bulls. He is available in virtually all ESPN leagues.

Access 4,300+ hours of live coverage from 35 PGA TOUR tournaments each year, including 4 days of coverage at 28 events with four feeds each day. Plus, access replays, originals and more. Stream on ESPN+

Charlotte Hornets

P.J. Washington has struggled mightily the last three games, averaging 4.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG and 1.0 BPG. This, along with his 26.3 FG%, is tough for fantasy managers to absorb. There are two Hornets currently in league protocols: Kelly Oubre Jr. and Vernon Carey Jr. Washington is in a great spot to bounce back against the Orlando Magic on Friday. Power forwards have averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds against Orlando this season.

Chicago Bulls

Due to Derrick Jones Jr.‘s right leg injury, Alfonzo McKinnie may be given more playing time. Currently, he averages 15 MPG. Per 40 minutes, he averages 14 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists. McKinnie should be considered in deeper formats and is available in virtually all ESPN leagues.

Cleveland Cavaliers

With Isaac Okoro (elbow) and Rajon Rondo (hamstring) out right now, Lamar Stevens is worth considering in many fantasy leagues. In the last six games, he averaged 11.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG. Stevens is available in nearly all ESPN leagues and worth a look in deeper formats.

Dallas Mavericks

Mo Mooncey of Sky Sports reports that Ben Simmons is considering Dallas as one of two possible destinations if he is traded. If Simmons buys into a Draymond Green-like role with the Mavericks, he could coexist with Luka Doncic. Furthermore, Jalen Brunson should still be rostered. Brunson showed he can coexist with Doncic against the Knicks last night and is available in 41% of ESPN leagues.

Denver Nuggets

Aaron Gordon set a season-high with 30 points and 12 rebounds against the L.A. Clippers. He has scored 10 or more points in four of his previous five games while averaging 5.2 RPG. Gordon is available in 58% of ESPN leagues. It will be good to observe how Gordon performs when Will Barton returns on Thursday.

Detroit Pistons

Josh Jackson has played a consistent role with the Pistons off the bench. Since the beginning of January, the former lottery pick has scored 10 or more points in five of his last six games. He’s available in 99% of ESPN leagues and should be considered in deeper formats for scoring, with a dash of other statistical categories.

Golden State Warriors

The return of Klay Thompson may negatively impact Gary Payton II (available in 93.6% of ESPN leagues) offensively as his workload increases, but Payton should continue to have a positive impact defensively. In the last 10 games, he has averaged 5.5 RPG and 2 SPG. Payton has averaged 18 MPG this season and should be considered in deeper formats. .

Houston Rockets

In addition to his 31-point performance against the Spurs on Wednesday, Eric Gordon has been a valuable streaming option and source of points and triples for fantasy managers at different points this season. However, given the Rockets poor record, which could result in younger players being provided more minutes, Gordon could be traded as we approach the league deadline. He is someone to sell high on or leave on the wire.

Indiana Pacers

In his limited minutes, Lance Stephenson has made an impact for the Pacers and is worth adding to most fantasy teams. Even with Malcolm Brogdon sidelined due to an aggravated Achilles injury, Stephenson is available in 92% of ESPN leagues. Stephenson has averaged 16.5 PPG, 2.0 3PG, 6.5 APG, 4.3 RPG, and 2 SPG over his last four games.

LA Clippers

Over the last two games, Amir Coffey has been phenomenal for the Clippers. Coffey followed up his 21-point performance Sunday with 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals against the Nuggets on Tuesday. Paul George may not return for the rest of the season, so Coffey should continue to get plenty of work and is available in almost every ESPN league.

Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves has averaged 17.5 PPG and 25.5 MPG over the last two games. During that time, he has also made 5-9 3-point attempts. Look no further than Reaves in deeper formats if you need points and triples. He is available in nearly all ESPN leagues.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are shorthanded, without Steven Adams (protocols) and Kyle Anderson (back). Brandon Clarke has entered the rotation. Only Isaiah Stewart (12), Daniel Gafford (12), Robert Williams III (18), Myles Turner (18) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (19) have more blocks in January than Clarke (10). The last two weeks, he has been a top-100 player in category formats, and he is available in 62% of ESPN leagues.

Miami Heat

Heat forward Bam Adebayo is about a week or two away from returning from his thumb injury, and they also got Dewayne Dedmon back from his knee injury. If you have Omer Yurtseven on your roster, hold onto him. In the last two weeks, he averaged 11.5 points, 15 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Yurtseven is available in 80% of ESPN leagues. It is possible he will replace Dedmon in rotation going forward.

2hEric Moody

23hJohn Cregan

2dEric Karabell

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Milwaukee Bucks

With Jrue Holiday out with an ankle injury and George Hill in heath and safety protocols, the Bucks have relied on Khris Middleton more to provide offense. Middleton has averaged 25 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.3 APG and 1.5 SPG in his last four games. Since fantasy managers were hoping for a bit more from Middleton before the season started, this is a great opportunity to sell high on him.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Malik Beasley remains a source of points and triples for the Timberwolves and fantasy managers alike. He scored 18 points, grabbed four rebounds and made six 3-pointers against the Pelicans on Tuesday night. But Beasley has averaged just 10.5 points and 2.8 3-pointers over the last six games. He’s available in 64% of ESPN leagues.

New Orleans Pelicans

Josh Hart is a must-roster player across all formats, and he is still available in 56.6% of ESPN leagues. He has averaged 16 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, and 37 MPG over the last 13 games. Make sure to pick up Hart now!

New York Knicks

In Wednesday’s game against the Mavericks, RJ Barrett became the youngest player in Knicks history to have consecutive 30-point games. He surpassed Kristaps Porzingis, who was 22 years, 80 days old at the end of his streak in October 2017. This is a thrilling turn of events for Barrett, who has the skills to contribute in multiple statistical areas.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Even though Josh Giddey continues to flirt with triple doubles night after night, he remains available in 40% of ESPN leagues. He’s averaged 14 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 8.2 APG, and 2.0 SPG in his last five games. Giddey’s trajectory should only continue upward from here. I wrote about him last week and will continue to do so until his roster percentages rises.

Orlando Magic

The emergence of Gary Harris this season has been a pleasant surprise. In his last 13 games, Harris has averaged 18 PPG, 3 3PM, 2.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.3 SPG and 0.5 BPG. Harris should continue to thrive in the absence of rookie lottery pick Jalen Suggs; the veteran has played 29.5 MPG this season and has the ability to help your team in 3-pointers and 3FG% along with his other contributions.

Philadelphia 76ers

Furkan Korkmaz stands to benefit if Danny Green misses significant time with his knee injury. Korkmaz averaged 16 PPG, 7 RPG, 3. APG, and 2.5 3PG in four starts while Tyrese Maxey was in the protocols. Korkmaz is available in 98.4% of ESPN leagues.

Phoenix Suns

In 35 minutes against the Raptors, Jae Crowder had 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. It was his best overall game since returning from the protocols. Currently, he’s available in 89% of ESPN leagues and should be on your watch list to see if his statistical production can continue.

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard plans to undergo surgery in the near future to treat his lingering abdominal injury, and will be evaluated in six to eight weeks. It’s possible that the Trail Blazers shut him down for the season considering their poor record. In the second half of the season, Anfernee Simons has the opportunity to be a difference-maker. Simons logged 37 MPG in the last five games he started for Lillard, and during that time he averaged 28 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 7.6 APG. Somehow, he’s still available in 70% of ESPN leagues.

Sacramento Kings

Look no further than Marvin Bagley III (39% rostered) if your team needs a big man. Over the last five games, he has averaged 9.6 PPG and 8.0 RPG, but be sure to monitor the hand injury Bagley sustained during Wednesday’s game against the Lakers.

San Antonio Spurs

Devin Vassell can be very divisive when fantasy managers hear his name. In the three games before he entered the league protocols, he averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. As the season progresses, Vassell’s usage could increase. You should stash him if you have the capacity since he is available in 94.3% of ESPN leagues.

Toronto Raptors

The fact that Raptors coach Nick Nurse spoke positively about Chris Boucher in the media should surprise fantasy managers. In 37 minutes against the Suns on Tuesday, he scored 13 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked three shots. Despite being available in 43.8% of ESPN leagues, Boucher has the potential to be a difference-maker if he plays 30 minutes or more per game. Unfortunately, he’s at 18.3 MPG for the season.

Utah Jazz

COVID-19 is disrupting the Jazz in a major way, with five players in the protocols, including Rudy Gobert. If a fantasy manager is looking to capitalize on this situation from a streaming perspective, then consider Eric Paschall since he is Utah’s only big man. He had 18 points, seven rebounds and a block against the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal‘s inclusion in the league protocols clearly benefits Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Those in deeper formats can stream Corey Kispert, who has scored at least 10 points in the last two games. Kispert provides some rebounds and assists as well.

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When Jerry Angelo was hired by the Bears in 2001 as the franchise’s first general manager since Jerry Vainisi was fired in 1987, he didn’t have to rebuild the team from the ground up.

On the contrary, Angelo literally inherited a playoff roster. Adding only blocking fullback Daimon Shelton, the Bears went 13-3 in 2001 with a roster totally stocked by former vice president of player personnel Mark Hatley.

And even though that success didn’t last, even when the Bears finally reached the Super Bowl in 2006, Angelo still had three foundation blocks from the Hatley era — middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, center Olin Kreutz and safety Mike Brown. All three made the Pro Bowl that season.

Ryan Pace wasn’t so lucky when he was hired in 2015 to replace Phil Emery. Not only did he have the usual roster rebuild that most new general managers face, but the most productive players he inherited were either liabilities, malcontents or past their prime.

Within two years, the foundation pieces that usually stabilize a new GM’s roster — the Urlachers, Kreutzes and Browns — were gone: quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, tight end Martellus Bennett and running back Matt Forte. When the Bears made the playoffs in 2018, the only starters Pace inherited was cornerback Kyle Fuller, left tackle Charles Leno and right guard Kyle Long.

The Bears’ new general manager who replaces Pace should have a better head start. Even on offense — where the Bears ranked 27th in points and 24th in yards in 2021 under Matt Nagy — quarterback Justin Fields alone gives the new GM and coach a building block that, in the right hands, could make the entire offensive roster better.

Fields struggled through most of his rookie season. In 12 games (10 starts) he had a 73.2 passer rating (seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions), which ranked 28th among the 31 quarterbacks who started 10 games or more in 2021.

But until proven otherwise, Nagy’s offense that seemed to diminish even its most productive parts, gets the majority of the blame for Fields’ difficulty. In fact, it’s Fields that makes the Bears’ job more attractive than it has been in previous coaching and GM changes.

At running back, the Bears have two building blocks in David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. Montgomery’s production dipped slightly in 2021 — 225 carries for 849 yards (3.8 avg.) and seen touchdowns; 42 receptions for 301 yards and no touchdowns.

Herbert, a sixth-round draft pick in 2021, wasn’t quite a revelation, with 103 carries for 433 yards (4.2 avg.) and two touchdowns. But in two starts in place of the injured Montgomery, he had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Packers and 18 for 100 yards in a blowout loss to the Buccaneers.

Tight end Cole Kmet had a significant jump in production in his second season — 60 receptions for 612 yards but no touchdowns after having 28 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. He might end up closer to Kyle Rudolph than Travis Kelce or George Kittle, but he’s definitely a weapon to work with.

The offensive line figures to be the big unknown. Guards Cody Whitehair and James Daniels (who is a free agent) are solid starters. And rookie tackles Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom are unproven but promising. The Bears need an upgrade at center, where Sam Mustipher was below starter quality in 2021.

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney also improved in his second season — 81 receptions for 1,055 yards (13.0 avg.) and four touchdowns after having 61 receptions for 631 yards (10.3 avg.) and four touchdowns as a rookie.

With unproven rookie Dazz Newsome the only other wide receiver signed for 2022, the new GM will have some work to do. But with the Fields and the right coach, it can sort itself out — as it did for the Rams in 2017 under Sean McVay, with newcomers Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins excelling with quarterback Jared Goff.

It’s often dangerous to rely on best-case scenarios like the Rams’ rise from 32nd in scoring to first in 2017 under McVay — though if Fields blossoms, anything is possible. But on offense, Nagy’s offense was seen as a bigger issue than Pace’s talent. The Bears’ next coaching staff could settle that debate.

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The Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan continues to lead in the fans All-Star Game voting for Eastern Conference guard.

The latest tally, released Thursday by the NBA, shows DeRozan with 2,973,854 votes, followed by Atlanta’s Trae Young (1,596,301) and Bulls teammate Zach LaVine (1,442,571).

The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (Western Conference guards), the Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant (Eastern Conference frontcourt) and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (Western Conference frontcourt) are the overall top vote-getters at their positions.

The next NBA All-Star fan voting update will be released on Jan. 20. NBA All-Star Voting concludes on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 11 p.m. Chicago time.

Eastern Conference

Guards

1. DeMar DeRozan (CHI) – 2,973,854

2. Trae Young (ATL) – 1,596,301

3. Zach LaVine (CHI) – 1,442,571

4. James Harden (BKN) -1,433,217

5. LaMelo Ball (CHA) – 694,446

6. Kyrie Irving (BKN) – 561,103

7. Derrick Rose (NYK) – 373,039

8. Fred VanVleet (TOR) – 350,806

9. Darius Garland (CLE) – 227,813

10. Jaylen Brown (BOS) – 217,463

Frontcourt

1. Kevin Durant (BKN) – 4,088,334

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) – 3,808,458

3. Joel Embiid (PHI) – 2,357,404

4. Jayson Tatum (BOS) – 1,155,591

5. Jimmy Butler (MIA) – 978,889

6. Jarrett Allen (CLE) – 341,885

7. Bam Adebayo (MIA) – 282,512

8. Pascal Siakam (TOR) – 244,042

9. Miles Bridges (CHA) – 230,586

10. LaMarcus Aldridge (BKN) – 216,216

Western Conference

Frontcourt

1. LeBron James (LAL) – 4,386,392

2. Nikola Joki? (DEN) – 3,016,380

3. Andrew Wiggins (GSW) – 1,829,733

4. Paul George (LAC) – 1,773,447

5. Anthony Davis (LAL) – 1,342,294

6. Draymond Green (GSW) – 1,295,848

7. Carmelo Anthony (LAL) – 886,014

8. Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) – 851,033

9. Rudy Gobert (UTA) – 419,853

10. Deandre Ayton (PHX) – 344,688

Guards

1. Stephen Curry (GSW) – 4,463,426

2. Ja Morant (MEM) – 1,633,313

3. Luka Don?i? (DAL) – 1,410,605

4. Klay Thompson (GSW) – 749,038

5. Devin Booker (PHX) – 648,317

6. Russell Westbrook (LAL) – 576,512

7. Chris Paul (PHX) – 561,896

8. Donovan Mitchell (UTA) – 441,247

9. Damian Lillard (POR) – 364,217

10. Anthony Edwards (MIN) – 224,293

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