Fantasy Basketball: Back To School For A Season That May Not Happen

We’re on the cusp of Labor Day Weekend, which means students who haven’t already started their new school year are now seeing their summer vacation quickly slipping away. If there’s any solace for students wincing at the thought of going back to school, it’s that they can rest assured that the 2011-12 school year is actually happening. While that may not be much of a comforting thought in and of itself, the start of a school year means graduation is closer than it was yesterday. Imagine if an entire school year were put on hold: While visions of an extended “summer break” are certainly enchanting, it would mean that students would commence their education a year older than they should be, and that graduating and heading off to that coveted next stage of life would be put on a maddening hold.

Yet that’s the predicament the NBA and fantasy basketball owners find themselves in these days. NBA players are faced with the prospect of missing out on a season to show off improved skills and get a shot at a championship ring, whether it’ll start off or add to their collection. Fantasy owners, especially those who didn’t win their league’s championship last season, are champing at the bit to get another season started, whether motivated by vengeance or just a chance to put their skills and knowledge to yet another test.

As students head back to school, we’re reminded that the NBA was supposed to be heading back to work soon. Nevertheless, a good fantasy owner is always prepared.

In light of back-to-school season, here’s a list of 50 players and the statistical categories they’ll need to improve on from last season’s marks in order to boost their fantasy values (which isn’t to say these players can actually improve these areas of their game in reality). Positions were considered when examining weak statistical categories – meaning that a lack of blocks from a point guard and a lack of threes from a center were ignored, for example.

Arron Afflalo: Stl
Tony Allen: 3PTM, Ast
Gilbert Arenas: FG%
Trevor Ariza: FG%
D.J. Augustin: FG%, Stl
Andrea Bargnani: FG%, Reb, Blk
DeJuan Blair: FT%, Blk
Andrew Bogut: FT%
Carlos Boozer: Blk
DeMarcus Cousins: FG%, FT%, TO
Jordan Crawford: FG%
Ed Davis: FT%
Carlos Delfino: FG%
DeMar DeRozan: 3PTM, Ast
Tyreke Evans: FG%, TO
Channing Frye: FG%
Danilo Gallinari: FG%
Danny Granger: FG%
Blake Griffin: FT%, Blk
J.J. Hickson: Blk
Dwight Howard: FT%, TO
Andre Iguodala: FT%
Stephen Jackson: FG%, TO
LeBron James: FT%, TO
Brandon Jennings: FG%
Joe Johnson: Stl
DeAndre Jordan: FT%
Jason Kidd: FG%
David Lee: Blk
Kevin Love: Blk
JaVale McGee: FT%
Jodie Meeks: FG%, Ast
C.J. Miles: FG%
Andre Miller: 3PTM
Greg Monroe: FT%
Anthony Morrow: Ast, Stl
Steve Nash: Stl, TO
Emeka Okafor: FT%
Tony Parker: 3PTM
Zach Randolph: Blk
Rajon Rondo: FT%, 3PTM
John Salmons: FG%
Amar’e Stoudemire: TO
Rodney Stuckey: 3PTM, Ast
Jeff Teague: Ast
John Wall: FT%, TO
Russell Westbrook: 3PTM, TO
Lou Williams: FG%, Stl
Nick Young: Ast, Stl
Thaddeus Young: 3PTM, Ast, Blk

Throughout the season, be sure to leave your questions, comments, concerns, trade offers, roster problems and more in the comments below.

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