NBA FANTASY BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Being the basketball junkie I am, I feverishly ran through all schedules, stories from camp, and some preseason basketball numbers just to get my mind set back on track, now I can safely say I am in full fledged NBA Mode. Since tip off is Tuesday I thought it would only be fair to run down a few fantasy projections and insights, a prediction how the East and West will be won, a breakdown of the Heat, and how I think the Finals will play out. Ill post these over the next few days leading up to tip off on Tuesday.
If you are participating in fantasy basketball this year I am assuming you have your draft in the next couple of days, so hopefully this information will be valuable.
Fantasy Focus
Top 10
This guy is the consensus number 1 pick this year and there is no question about it. 30ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 90% ftp, 36.5 3pt%, and didn't miss a game last year and has only missed 10 games his entire career. It doesn't get much safer then KD at number 1, and lets understand the fact that he is going to come back even better because of his time leading the US Select Team to FIBA Gold this summer.
30.7 ppg, 7.9rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.2 treys, 1.1 blks, 1.8 stls.
30.7 ppg, 7.9rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.2 treys, 1.1 blks, 1.8 stls.
2.) Chris Paul
If you have been playing fantasy basketball the last few season I can promise you Chris Paul was probably on the team that won the championship. Last year was a throw away because Paul battled injuries for most of the season, but when healthy look out. Im assuming CP3 is going to be motivated this year after missing a huge chunk of the season last year and give you the typical CP3 numbers. 18.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 11.5 apg, 2.4 stls is what you should be looking for from Chris this season.
Say what you will about Lebron but dont let that cloud your judegment, no matter what, we know that he is one of the most talented basketball players in the league and if he was in Cleveland he would be the number 1 pick hands down. Since he is in Miami we well definitely see a drop in scoring, a increase in assists, and probably similar numbers rebounding. The only thing I worry about is that Lebron and the Miami crew probably wont be playing alot of fourth quarters when they are blowing teams out of gym but 30, so keep that in mind. But other than that these 3 guys, KD, CP3, LBJ are locks as the first three picks.
23.5 ppg, 9.6 apg, 7.5 rpg, 1.3 stls, .9 blks.
23.5 ppg, 9.6 apg, 7.5 rpg, 1.3 stls, .9 blks.
.... This is where it gets dicey, 4 through 10 is honestly a crap shoot and it all goes by preference. I am choosing my next 6 picks as to what I would do if I was in this position.
4.) Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk is always good for around 20 and 9 every night and is going to give you a trey, block, steal, and a few helpers a night. You gotta like that coming from your power forward. I have heard reports that Coach Carlie is going to cut down on Dirks minutes but I wouldn't let that scare you.
25.2ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.2 treys, 1.1 blks
25.2ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.2 treys, 1.1 blks
5.) Deron Williams
People are going to say im crazy putting Deron Williams in front of Kobe, Wade, and Warrior fans are going to kill me for not putting Steph Curry above D Will. I have had D Will on my team the last three years and he hasnt let me down, not once. He is in a solid motion offense, he has complete control over how it is run, the Jazz were one of the best teams in assists per game and D Wills numbers are strikingly close to CP3s when both are healthy. I dont care what you say Im not budging!
21.0 ppg, 10.7 apg, 4.7rpg, 1.5 treys, 1.2 stls
21.0 ppg, 10.7 apg, 4.7rpg, 1.5 treys, 1.2 stls
6.) Dwayne Wade
Like Lebron we know Dwayne is not going to be forced to carry his team every night with the addition of Lebron and Bosh so keeping that in mind his stock falls slightly in my book, but not much. Dwade is still a elite talent and his numbers are going to coincide with that. Considering Lebron is going to be playing the Magic Johnson role and doing a lot of facilitating I think that Wade is going to be the beneficiary here. I'm projecting around 24.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 5.3 rpg, 2.2 stls, and .7 blks from Wade. Solid at 6.
7.) Steph Curry
I can already here the Laker fans from here complaining about Kobe, but here me out. Steph Curry is a fantasy stud. Even though Nelly ball is gone I don't see that changing too much of the Warriors up tempo identity. Really came on strong last year with his threes per game, assists, and steals. Him and Monta Ellis are going to be a nightmare in the backcourt, so when one is getting it going the other will have more open looks.
18.5 ppg, 8.5apg, 5.2 rpg, 2.5 stls, 90%FT, 2.5 treys.
8.) Dwight Howard
18.5 ppg, 8.5apg, 5.2 rpg, 2.5 stls, 90%FT, 2.5 treys.
8.) Dwight Howard
Sure we all know Dwight is still somewhat raw offensively and horrid at the free throw line but other than that this guy is a MONSTER! Dwight is good for a 20+ppg, 14rpg, and 3blks, and all of those should make up for his struggles at the foul line. If your in a 1 Center, Head to Head league Dwight would be higher on this list.
23.5 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 2.9 blks.
9.) Danny Granger
Not a super popular name to most, but this guy can really play. He plays in Indiana in a super small market and they haven't had a nationally televised game in many years so not a lot of people know about Granger.He carries his team night in and night out you can look for 25 ppg, 2 to 3 treys, 6 boards, block, and 1.5 steals. Lead the league last year in games over 30 points with at least 2 threes, 5 boards, a block and a steal. Solid pick at nine if he falls to you here.
25.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 treys, 1.1 blks, 1.5 stls.
10.) Kobe Bryant
I know I know, I am going to get killed for this and I promise you Kobe wont fall passed the 7th pick but this is my honest opinion. Kobe is a super elite scorer, one of the best of all time, we know this already. Kobe also contributes in the fact that he is a underrated passer when he wants to facilitate, and the fact that he is gifted playing the passing lanes and getting steals. Sounds like an endorsement of a player that should be ranked higher, I know. My only issue here is that Kobe is not going to be playing those big minutes we are used too. The Lakers can only prove themselves in the playoffs, the regular season means nothing to them. They aren't chasing 72 wins or trying to win every night, they just want to get into the playoffs and they will take care of the rest. Kobe has a lot of mileage on him, over 1200 games and it has been documented that players decline after the 1,000 game mark, obviously Kobe is a different type of player and stats like these done phase him but I know Phil and the rest of the Laker brain trust are going to cut down on Bryant's minutes especially after he just came off knee surgery this summer. With all that being said I cant give him a top 5 pick, but when things are good you can expect 25ppg, 5rpg, 5.5 apg, and 1.7 stls.
23.5 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 2.9 blks.
9.) Danny Granger
Not a super popular name to most, but this guy can really play. He plays in Indiana in a super small market and they haven't had a nationally televised game in many years so not a lot of people know about Granger.He carries his team night in and night out you can look for 25 ppg, 2 to 3 treys, 6 boards, block, and 1.5 steals. Lead the league last year in games over 30 points with at least 2 threes, 5 boards, a block and a steal. Solid pick at nine if he falls to you here.
25.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 treys, 1.1 blks, 1.5 stls.
10.) Kobe Bryant
I know I know, I am going to get killed for this and I promise you Kobe wont fall passed the 7th pick but this is my honest opinion. Kobe is a super elite scorer, one of the best of all time, we know this already. Kobe also contributes in the fact that he is a underrated passer when he wants to facilitate, and the fact that he is gifted playing the passing lanes and getting steals. Sounds like an endorsement of a player that should be ranked higher, I know. My only issue here is that Kobe is not going to be playing those big minutes we are used too. The Lakers can only prove themselves in the playoffs, the regular season means nothing to them. They aren't chasing 72 wins or trying to win every night, they just want to get into the playoffs and they will take care of the rest. Kobe has a lot of mileage on him, over 1200 games and it has been documented that players decline after the 1,000 game mark, obviously Kobe is a different type of player and stats like these done phase him but I know Phil and the rest of the Laker brain trust are going to cut down on Bryant's minutes especially after he just came off knee surgery this summer. With all that being said I cant give him a top 5 pick, but when things are good you can expect 25ppg, 5rpg, 5.5 apg, and 1.7 stls.
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