Dwight is a fantasy All-Star

We continue our look at the first half Fantasy All-Star team with the centers. Remember, to make this list, you needed to EXCEED expectations. Names you most definitely will not see on this list? Eddy Curry, Darko, and Shaq.

Yao – I know Yao was a top pick and I know his scoring (22 points per game), is actually down a little bit, but Yao does so many things to help win fantasy games. He’s shooting 50% from the field, 85% from the line, grabbing 11 boards, and blocking 2+ shots a game.

Chris Kaman – Chris Kaman could be the steal of the draft. After an incredibly disappointing season last season, Kaman has produced above anyone’s expectations. 17 points, an absurd 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. Not to mention a 48% field goal percentage. The fear is that Brand will limit Kaman’s second-half production. The numbers may dip a little bit, but the looks will be better, the field goal percentage will probably be above 50% and the assist numbers (Kaman is an excellent passer) will improve beyond the 2 a game he’s dropping now. Kaman should have been an NBA All Star, but he is certainly a Fantasy All-Star.

Marcus Camby – Camby is always one of my favorite fantasy players … when he’s healthy. The problem has been that Camby has rarely made it through an entire season without missing a significant chunk of time (though 70 games played last year was a nice improvement). This season, Camby has played in 44 games, which automatically qualifies him for our team. Camby is blocking an absolutely monsterous 3.9 shots per contest. His points are down a little bit and his field goal percentage is actually a very disappointing 44%, but the 14 boards, 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 1+ steals a game make up for the offense. It’s a travesty that Camby isn’t on the NBA All-Star Team.

Amare Stoudamire – I was so close to putting him on the snubs list. At 22.6 points, 9 boards, and 2 blocks per game Amare hasn’t clearly exceeding expectations, but he has certainly done his part. What puts him on this list are two factors: 1. Amare is shooting 60% from the field (okay, 59.4% but you get my drift). To put that in perspective, Camby is shooting 44% and Yao is shooting 50%. 2. Health. Somehow Amare went from playing 3 games two seasons ago, to a full 82 last year, and has already played 44 in 2007/08.

Dwight Howard – Big Dwight is close to 15 boards per game. That’s practically a category winner by itself. His offensive game is improving and he’s unstoppable in that Shaq sort of dominating way if he gets the ball in good position. And believe it or not, 60% from the line exceeds most expectations.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas – This list is about exceeding expectations, and although Big Z tailed off a bit, his numbers have been fantastic. 14 points, 10 boards, outstanding percentages and 2 blocks a game. It is never pretty with Z, but he’s still a very quality fantasy center and if you drafted him, you’re getting terrific production.

Andrew Bynum – 35 games was enough for Bynum to get on this list. In only 28 minutes per game, Bynum is shooting 60% from the field, scoring 14 per game and grabbing 10 boards. He’s also blocking over 2 shots a game. It’s going to be a rough second half for Bynum owners.

Brad Miller – Miller has been a productive fantasy center before, but I honestly thought he was pretty much done. Guess not. Miller is almost 15 and 10 per game, has hit 18 threes, and is blocking more than a shot per game. He’s a very good second center, which is definitely more than most people expected at this point.

Snubs: Chris Bosh (Bring it Raptors fans. Bosh is still very productive and his percentages are great, but his rebounding numbers are down, and he should be blocking more than one shot per game). Tyson Chandler (60% from the field, 11 boards… but only 1 block per game). LaMarcus Aldridge (you should feel great if you own him, but the hype on him was so huge on draft day, that most expected a guaranteed double/double. The kid is very good though.). Andrew Bogut. Sam Dalembert.

Related posts:

1. (Almost) Daily Fantasy - 1/7/09
2. (Almost) Daily Fantasy - 1/6/09
3. (Almost) Daily Fantasy - 1/5/09