Redd’s expanding his game.
(Photo. Stephen Hill)

The shooting guard rankings are marred by injuries. You look up and down this list and there are a whole lot of top of the line guys whose health could make or break your season. Here are our top 30 fantasy shooting guards …

1. Kobe Bryant – The clear-cut number one shooting guard. You know it and I know it. Kobe is a fantasy animal. We’re not even slightly worried about his trade demands in the off-season.

2. Dwyane Wade – A healthy D-Wade is an easy choice for the #2 spot on this list. That being said, Wade is most likely out for the first 3-4 weeks of the season. That’s very significant if you’re in a shallow league. Would we take him before a Michael Redd, T-Mac, or Vince knowing what we know about his shoulder? Probably. Would we keep him in a 3-player keeper league? Absolutely.

3. Joe Johnson – Joe Johnson is possibly the biggest up and comer on this list. If Johnson had played 82 games last season (he only played 57), he would have probably hit over 150 threes, averaged 25 points per game, over 4 boards and assists, and shot over 45% from the field. Those are some gaudy numbers. For some reason, JJ is not the best free throw shooter (in the low 70’s). Even so, he seems to be 100% healthy and should be in for a tremendous season.

4. Michael Redd – Numbers don’t lie. Michael Redd stepped up his fantasy game last season, turning himself from a fantastic two-category guy (points and field goal percentage) to a multiple category threat. Redd’s extended his range, is rebounding more, and is getting some steals. Still, the points and the crazy field goal percentage (considering how much he shoots), is where his true value remains.

5. Tracy McGrady – It’s all about health for T-Mac. On the court, McGrady is a fantasy monster, filling up multiple categories on the regular. Nagging backs are never good though and as good as shape as T-Mac was in last year, he still had issues.

6. Ray Allen – Ray’s a major fantasy debate. Surrounded by more talent than ever, there is concern that Ray’s numbers are going to significantly drop. I don’t share those concerns. If healthy, which is a HUGE if, Ray might not drop 26 per game, but you can book him for 20+ and 175 threes. Ray’s going to play more point than ever before so you can expect his assist numbers to also improve. He’ll also take better shots and you can expect his FG% to come up a bit as well.

7. Vince Carter – Vince is that guy who always slips two or three spots because nobody wants to draft him. His game is somewhat frustrating. A dominant athlete, Vince doesn’t go to the basket nearly enough, settling on a jump shot that is good but not great. Still, Carter’s numbers are undeniable. Does 25 points, 6 boards, 5 dimes, 45% from the field, and 150 threes interest you? I thought so.

8. Allen Iverson - The best news about drafting AI is that you’ll have the pleasure of watching him. You really can’t say the same thing for someone like Vince or Manu. AI is going to give you great scoring, assists, and steals. That’s guaranteed. So is the high turnover number.

9. Kevin Martin – Was Kevin Martin’s fantastic season last year a fluke? Personally, I don’t think it was a fluke, but I do think it was a career year. I think Martin is an above average scorer who is going to give you close to 20 points per game and over 100 threes. I don’t think he makes the jump to that next level though.

10. Jason Richardson – Jason Richardson was off the charts for the final month of last season. A strong finish is a great sign for a guy who was coming off knee surgery. We expect nice things in from the newest Bobcat.

11. Brandon Roy – Uh oh. Roy could miss the entire preseason. Healthy, he has big time potential. Best case, Roy is ready to go for the season and puts up above average numbers in points, assists, boards, and field goal percentages, while hitting about one three per game. Two years away from the next level?

12. Jason Terry – Jason Terry is always an underrated fantasy player. A better rotisserie than head-to-head performer, Terry struggles to put up consistent night-in and night-out numbers with so many dominant players on the Mavs. Even so, he shoots at a very high percentage, averages over 5 assists per game, and hits over 150 threes. Terry will predominantly play the shooting guard spot with Devin Harris running the point.

13. Manu Ginobili – Once again, if this is rotisserie I like Manu a lot better than if you’re in a week-to-week league. Manu has real game. He can score, pass, shoot threes, board, and of course flop (which would put him in top three if that was a category). The Spurs just have so many weapons that Manu doesn’t need to do it every night. Still Michael Finley is another year older and Manu will need to step it up that much more.

14. Ben Gordon – Another much better rotisserie than head-to-head player, Gordon was more consistent last year. 150+ threes and over 20 points per game are hard to find. That being said, in a head-to-head league, I’m still afraid of his streakiness.

15. Kevin Durant – If you are in a keeper league, Kevin Durant moves way up this list. Probably right before Kevin Martin. I still find it hard to believe that he is going to guard twos and that twos are going to guard him, but the Seattle staff came out and said Durant is the starting off guard. So there it is.

16. Monta Ellis – Monta was a great surprise last year. The kid can clearly ball and on another team, Ellis might be able to put up Ray Felton-like numbers. On the Warriors though, with the inconsistent Don Nelson, Ellis may have amazing spurts and could put up nice total numbers, but we imagine it won’t be as consistent as you want it to be.

17. Richard Hamilton – Don’t ignore Rip because he doesn’t hit threes like you want a 2 guard to. Get that category elsewhere. Rip helps you in multiple categories (points, percentages and even a little assists and boards), without hurting you anywhere. He’s not a “sexy” pick so he’s going to slip a bit. If he’s a good value pick, grab him.

18. Raja Bell – Raja is coming off knee surgery but is expected to be ready to go for the start of the season. Bell has hit 402 three pointers over the last two years. He doesn’t do much else at a fantasy impact level, but with that many threes, he really doesn’t need to.

19. Jamal Crawford – The kid has big time game. That’s not the question. The question is can he string together a consistent season where he is a real threat in points, assists, and threes. We’d probably let someone else find out.

20. Cuttino Mobley – Time is clearly starting to run out. Cat used to be a nice source of points and field goal percentage. Now he is probably an ok 5th guard for your roster.

21. Marco Belinelli – High risk and high reward. Someone probably takes Belinelli earlier than he should. That being said, Don Nelson loves him and the kid can flat out shoot the rock. Belinelli should be an immediate nice source of threes.

22. Mike Dunleavy – Such high fantasy hopes. I think it’s fair to say that Mike D is never going to live up to those hopes. Still he has the abilities to put numbers in multiple categories.

23. Morris Peterson – One of my least favorite fantasy players, Mo Pete has landed in a pretty good situation with New Orleans. Still, he’s incredibly streaky. I’d let someone else draft him.

24. Charlie Bell – Charlie had a rough off-season and is somehow still a Milwaukee Buck. Best guess is that Charlie is the 6th man and gets 25 minutes a night. He might need 30 to be playable. Still, watch him. He does too many things on the basketball court for you not to pay attention to the Bucks health situation and how many minutes Bell is getting.

25. Delonte West – Seattle has come out and said that Kevin Durant is the starting 2 guard. We have to assume that Ridnour and Watson are battling for the starting point guard spot. Where does that leave Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak? Still, Delonte is one of the better players on the Sonics roster and they’ll be a better team with him in the lineup. Somehow, he’ll find his way into some value at some point this season.

26. Juan Carlos Navarro – Worth a late pick. The Grizzlies desperately want Navarro to play a major role on this team. Could be a nice surprise. Also could be cut after week 2. Either way, he’s worth the late round risk. Navarro should solidify Mike Miller as the small forward.

27. Daniel Gibson – Boobie is probably going to play more point than off guard, but really he is more of a 2. Watch him as a source for threes. As for anything else? Don’t count on it.

28. Morris Almond – Utah is desperate for a guard who can score. Morris Almond was he best shooter available in the draft. Keep an eye on his preseason games. Probably a free agent pick up or late round flier.

29. Bonzi Wells – I’m a Bonzi sucker. He can score in bunches, shoots for a high percentage, gets steals, and boards. At least he did that 3 or 4 years ago. Hey, at least it was under Rick Adelman who is once again his head coach.

30. Willie Green – The kid can score in bunches and in multiple ways. He’s a season removed from an ACL tear. Watch him in the preseason to make a judgment if he is draftable.

Others to keep a waiver eye on: Matt Carroll, JR Smith, Anthony Parker, Jerry Stackhouse, Tony Allen, Eddie Jones, Louis Williams, Marquis Daniels