When healthy, L.O. has big value(Photo. Tim Tadder)
Some of the greatest source of stats come from the power forward spot. In one position you can get points, boards, threes, blocks, and percentages. Really you can.
1. Kevin Garnett – KG is a fantasy monster and that’s not about to change in the East. Yes, there is going to be more to go around in Boston than in Minnesota, but KG is going to get his, have great percentages, block shots, board like crazy, and his assist numbers should go up.
2. Dirk Nowitzki – A Top-5 pick in any league, you can book Dirk for a minimum of 25 points, 1 three, 8 boards, and a block a game. Oh yeah, and his percentages are always off the chain.
3. Shawn Marion – The Matrix is going to slide a few picks in the draft. He should go Top 5 and he’ll probably go somewhere between 7 and 10 overall. He’s still one of the top fantasy stat machines in the game and whether he eventually gets traded or not you shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
4. Pau Gasol – If he qualifies as a center (which honestly he shouldn’t with Darko in town … unless you really believe in the return of the Stro Show) then Pau is a Top-10 pick. If he doesn’t, he is still a Top-20 pick. If Gasol stays healthy, he’s in for a breakout season.
5. Tim Duncan – Last season I got bashed for taking a center-qualifying Duncan over Dwyane Wade in a draft. I had a hunch that TD would have a great season and was more worried about Wade getting injured than Duncan. I was right. This season? Duncan’s minutes are going to be monitored more than ever before. You know what you’re going to get, though, great numbers and a very average free throw percentage.
6. Carlos Boozer – The bounce-back player of the season last year, Carlos Boozer has been limited in the preseason while caring for his son who is in the hospital. That being said, he’s probably good for 75 games and is dominant in points, boards and field goal percentage. Keep in mind, you’ll need to find blocks elsewhere.
7. Antawn Jamison – Jamison was absurd last season. A power forward who boards and hits over 100 threes, Jamison helps you everywhere except blocks.
8. Al Jefferson – People keep talking about how Big Al won’t put up the same numbers this season because of the better front court competition in the West. I’m not a believer in that. Jefferson goes for 17, 10 and close to 2 blocks per game minimum.
9. David West – Underrated this season because of his injury problems last year. He’s extremely solid.
10. Zach Randolph – I’m kind of a hater, but the big man does give you points and boards. I still think the Curry/Randolph tandem won’t work and I’d let someone else grab big Zach.
11. Emeka Okafor – It looks like he is actually going to start at center this season, though he’ll probably play mostly power forward. If only he could stay healthy.
12. Al Harrington – Al makes me a little nervous because of the way he played himself out of Nellie’s playoff rotation. That said, they need him in the lineup. Poor man’s Jamison numbers.
13. Lamar Odom – The shoulder is a major concern. Healthy, Lamar is a terrific fantasy player that gives you every category except blocks.
14. Nene – So much for microfracture surgery ending dude’s careers. Nene was a BEAST at the end of last season. He’ll come in as the main power forward. He’s always been a good rebounder.
15. Rasheed Wallace – Sheed was relatively consistent last season. Besides getting the boot from what seemed like every other game, Wallace did what he does – boards, hits threes, blocks and yells. Considering he already has two ejections (IN THE PRESEASON), you expect more of the same.
16. David Lee – It’s crowded on the Knicks, but Lee HAS to play. A double-double monster with tremendous field goal percentage numbers.
17. Chris Wilcox – This is probably the last chance we’ll give Chris Wilcox to be a fantasy starter. He’s athletic and talented enough. He’ll battle Nick Collison for minutes, though.
18. Boris Diaw – Diaw crushed owners last season. But those owners took him in the first four rounds. Not anymore. Diaw is okay as your third or fourth forward.
19. Troy Murphy – A bounce-back year? He was outstanding two seasons ago. An “always injured” player, T-Murph is already considered questionable for the opener.
20. Jason Maxiell – Maxiell is a beast when he gets minutes, and this year with no C-Webb (at least not yet), Maxiell should get minutes. Maxiell is a nightly double-double. Watch out, though, his free throw percentage is dreadful.
21. Al Horford – Two weeks ago, he might not have made this list. No more. Horford is climbing the rankings very quickly with an outstanding preseason.
22. Al Thornton – Thorton has had an outstanding preseason and should play 30-plus minutes a night until Elton Brand returns. Has double-double potential.
23. Elton Brand – That’s right, Elton Brand. Would I rather have Tim Thomas for a whole season or 2-3 months of Brand? Brand.
24. Tim Thomas – I’m not a believer in his consistency, but he’ll hit threes.
25. Nick Collison – Sure would be nice for either Collison or Wilcox to take the job and run with it. I’d probably stay away.
26. Hakim Warrick – I’m just not a fan of Warrick’s consistency. He should board more and he doesn’t block shots. A bad combo for a power forward.
27. Drew Gooden – With Varejao still unsigned, Gooden needs to take on a huge role in the Cavs’ offense. Gooden has a nice offensive game but tends to disappear. At the end of the season, he has a shot at being an 11 and 8 guy.
28. Udonis Haslem – UD is a great 4th or 5th forward. He silently puts up nice points and boards numbers night in and night out. He’s gives you a strong field goal percentage, but no blocks and he shoots free throws poorly.
29. Antonio McDyess – McDyess was one of my big sleepers last season and it never really happened.
30. Jorge Garbajosa – Garbajosa is an intriguing cat. Between summer international competition and the NBA preseason, he’s played a lot despite many in the Raptors front office feeling like he needed additional ankle surgery. He’s an extremely intelligent player who isn’t necessarily very good at any one thing. He isn’t overly athletic, he can shoot a little bit, and he isn’t big enough to be a banger. He also has too much competition. Keep an eye out on him, though, because when given the minutes, he finds ways to give you multiple categories.
31. Luis Scola – Is Luis Scola the missing piece to the Rockets front line? We’ll see. If he is, Scola should help you with points, boards, and field goal percentage.
32. Yi Jianlian – We don’t really know what we’re getting yet. Yi has been up and down in the preseason. He has more of a small forward’s game; he can shoot, slash, and also board a bit. Definitely worth a late round pick.
33. Paul Millsap – He had his moments last season didn’t he? All he needs is a Kirilenko or Boozer (or Okur) injury and he’s an automatic double-double.
34. Charlie Villanueva – Two years ago it looked like Villanueva was on his way to long-term fantasy value. Now no one is too sure. We do know that Villanueva can hit a three and score in a variety of ways. Not a bad flier.
35. Tyrus Thomas – It looks like he has won the power forward starting spot for the Bulls. Tyrus is a young exciting player who can jump out of the gym and get up and down the court.
36. Chris Webber - Because he will sign eventually, and probably will have real value. Major question on when he’ll sign though and it seems like the Pistons aren’t desperate to have him back… yet.
37. Channing Frye - - He was almost going to be a fantasy threat wasn’t he? He still might be. With Oden out, Frye should get the majority of the PF minutes with Aldridge moving over to center. He can score, but what else can Frye bring to the table?
38. Reggie Evans – Either Shavlik Randolph or Reggie Evans is going to have value on the Sixers. My guess is Evans. Great rebounder.
39. Walter Herrmann – Herrmann had such a strong finish to last season that you’d think he’d come in with great value. Wrong. The 6-10 international star who can hit threes seems to be out of the ‘Cats initial rotation.
40. Joe Smith – Joe Smith? Really? He looked very good at the end of last season and if he’s healthy and get minutes, he can provide some double-double nights.
Honorable Mentions: Craig Smith, Shelden Williams, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Alexander Johnson.
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October 25th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Phil B says:
i’m assuming you’re calling lamarcus a center, but he’s actually playing 95% PF for the blazers this year and he should be ranked around #8-10.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Captain America says:
The “doctor” is out, out of his/her mind.
Tim Duncan has owned KG for years. Al Jeff with make the T’Wolf fans say, “KG, who?”
October 25th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Amar says:
BULLSHIT!
boozer out of most of the preseason with nagging injuries? what the fuck man, do you just make shit up? boozer is healthy, he missed the majority of the preseason because his son was in the hospital.
you guys are jokes. either that, or start to research a bit before writing shit down on laptops while crack whores who like sneaker articles are giving you blowjobs.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Fantasy Doctor says:
Wow. First off, Amar’s right. Boozer’s missed some of the preseason to be with his son who had a bone marrow transplant. It’s my mistake. I’ll fix it.
Second. Amar, ease back dude. Don’t be that guy on the board.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:39 am
FK in Toronto says:
ummm, Chris Bosh?
October 25th, 2007 at 11:39 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
I am calling LaMarcus a center. In most leagues this year he’ll qualify for center. You want him to qualify as a center.
And for the person who suggested that Duncan is a better fantasy player than KG, let me know how it goes after you take TD before KG in your draft room.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:43 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
We’re going to have Bosh on our center list. No worries Toronto.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:47 am
FK in Toronto says:
Bosh and Bargnani both starting at Centre this year?
Wicked…
October 25th, 2007 at 11:48 am
FK in Toronto says:
Bosh and Bargnani both starting at Center this year?
Wicked…
October 25th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
Depends on the league. In multi-position leagues they’ll both qualify as centers. In single position leagues, it’s debateable.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
fiyaman says:
when r the center’s list coming.. season starts tuesday?
October 25th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
the center list should be up tonight or tomorrow.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Dre in O Town says:
I think we need a new “Fantasy Doctor”. How does Dirk and Pau overshadow Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan is a double double every night. Pau plays when he is not crying for a trade and Dirk is not a franchise center piece, just a efficient german scorer that doesn’t make up for poor rebounding and passing. hmmmm …
October 25th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
Dre my man. I’m the Fantasy Doctor because I win fantasy leagues. Being the Doctor, let me diagnose you. You have what’s commonly known as “don’t know what the hell you are talking about” disease. It’s extremely common and you shouldn’t be too concerned.
I’m not talking basketball Dre, I’m talking fantasy basketball. There isn’t one fantasy ranking in the entire world that would have Dirk below Duncan.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Dre in O Town says:
Let me diagnose you with “don’t know shit about any-kind-o-basketball.” It is very common and rampant among dime bloggers and it seems, the staff. It curable with a dose of “Shut up and Listen.” Dirk is a fantasy roller coaster with more dips than an ice cream shop so why don’t you doctor your mouth with some duct tape and i’ll keep collecting my cash with Timmy grabbing rebounds from Dirk’s bad shooting nights.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
Dre,
I’m a Duncan fan. Really am. I took him over Wade last year in a league. But Dirk is a better fantasy player right now. I’m not saying by a lot. But he gives you a bump in tough categories and doesn’t hurt you anywhere. Here is a breakdown of the last three years of both players. The stats are very very similar. But the points, threes, and free throw percentage give Dirk the edge.
Points:
Dirk - 2032, 2151, and 1916.
Duncan - 1342, 1485, and 1599.
Boards:
Dirk - 661, 613, 571
Duncan - 732, 881, 845
Dimes:
Duncan - 179, 253, 273
Dirk - 240, 226, 263
Blks:
Duncan - 174, 162, 190
Dirk - 119, 83, 62
Threes:
Duncan - 3, 2, 1
Dirk - 91, 110, 72
FG%:
Duncan - 49.6, 48.4, 54.6
Dirk - 45.9, 48, 50.2
FT%:
Duncan - 67, 62.9, 63.7
Dirk - 86.9, 90.1, 90.4
Steals:
Duncan: 45, 70, 66
Dirk: 97, 58, 52
Turnovers:
Duncan - 127, 198, 223
Dirk - 176, 156, 167
October 25th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Dell says:
Best online quote of the day….”Being the Doctor, let me diagnose you. You have what’s commonly known as “don’t know what the hell you are talking about” disease.”
I’m going with the Doc here. TD is hurt a lot, and truth be told, practically the 3rd option on his team on some nights. Plus he shoots terribly from the line. We had our draft over the weekend, and I went with Chris Paul over TD. You can find better value later on with PFs than at PG.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:18 am
Austin Burton says:
For what it’s worth, Dirk is sometimes the 3rd option on his team; there are nights when Josh Howard and Jason Terry put in more work.
I would take Duncan over Dirk in fantasy just because personally I like him more, but I’m the type to take a player I enjoy watching instead of always going with the smarter fantasy choice. That’s why all my fantasy teams have some combination of Seattle guys, Georgetown guys and/or Zach Randolph on the roster.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:16 am
Fish says:
Kenyon Martin? Big risk, but potential for reasonable reward. Would only sneak onto the list above the likes of Joe Smith obviously.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Dre in O Town says:
SCORE!!! Man you really are the “Doctor”. I know you wouldn’t but don’t take any of what i said personal, i was just seeing what you were made of. Props homie. one.
October 26th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Adam says:
David West? – Underrated? No. Solid? Ya, sure, but not as far as fantasy goes. He’s like Z-Bo, 2-dimensional, and he doesn’t even give you Z-Bo stats. And Z-Bo drops off from last year, there are way to many other stat fillers on the Knicks. Odom is a NASTY fantasy baller (Like 15-10-5 plus he shoots 3s). Or Okafor, who can go off and give you 15 boards and 5 blocked shots?
P.S. “I’m the Fantasy Doctor because I win fantasy leagues!” = Gay
October 26th, 2007 at 10:40 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
Adam,
Odom is a nasty fantasy player no doubt, but healthy is a concern. My guess is he plays between 65 and 70 games. And if Okafor plays that many games it’s a miracle. Both give you great numbers, they just slide a bit because of durability issues.
And don’t sleep on West. His percentages are both legit for a big man (much better than Randolph’s) and he’ll give you a little bit of blocks as well.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Rodney a1 says:
T. Duncan owning K.G. is the stupidest shit ive heard since bush took office. Anybody that knows basketball knows that when you have players around you as good as t parker, manu,finley,bowens, horry, it makes it easier for duncan to get his day in and day out but walk a mile in K.G. shoes shits a little tougher when you dont have a consistent shooter on the outside abig man down low to help bang boards. the only thing he lacks is a championship and those are won with good teams not individually. but from inside the paint to outside the key the most versitile of the 2 is k.g. handsdown but dont get me wrong tim duncit as i call him is a hellof a ballplayer. but if you dont believe me just watch their stats this while both are with good teams and if duncans stats outshine k.gs im a bigger asshole than bush