Hopefully, you’re ready with cheat sheets, rankings and tips for your annual fantasy basketball draft party. If it hasn’t happened already, just know it’s coming. Over the last week, we broke down and debated key matchups so when the time comes to choose, you’ll know where to go.
Up first was the debate over the best fantasy player in the game. Is it LeBron or KD? Then we asked about Dwight Howard and Kevin Love, before diving into James Harden vs. Chris Paul and then Derrick Rose against Kyrie Irving. Now today, we’re pitting Al Jefferson against Pau Gasol. We argue. You decide.
*based on head-to-head format*
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AL JEFFERSON
The 2007-08 season was a big one for the career of Al Jefferson. He had just arrived in Minnesota as the replacement for the franchise’s all-time greatest player, Kevin Garnett, but had only one solid statistical season to back it up with. It didn’t take long for him to silence any doubters. Jefferson broke out with average of 21.0 points and a career-high 11.1 rebounds.
Although he would only last three seasons as a member of the Timberwolves, right now the stay is considered his statistical prime. Over those three years, he put up 20.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from the field and pitching in 1.5 blocks per game. Long before Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio arrived in Minnesota, it was Al Jefferson who was relied upon to take on the bulk of productivity for the Timberwolves, but why am I still dwelling on the past so much?
Jefferson signed a three-year deal in Charlotte over the summer, putting him in a situation mirroring the one that he was stuck in with the Timberwolves. I don’t think I have to go into too much detail about the haplessness of the Bobcats. Since their formation they’ve been considered the doormat of the NBA. Last year, they finished 26th in the league in points per game and 29th in points allowed. They are desperate for any able body to put the ball in the hoop, and while Al-Jeff may not be in his prime anymore, he’s certainly capable of putting up tons of stats on a poor team. Heck, even Byron Mullens was a fantasy force for them last year. Charlotte ranked last in the NBA with a point differential of -9.3 points per game last season, and with a roster void of any major improvements aside from the acquisition of the big man, it looks like this season will be about the same. As the losses pile up, it will create plenty of opportunity for garbage time minutes.
Feasibly, another 20 and 10 season from Jefferson isn’t out of the question, but the same can’t be said for Pau Gasol. Entering 13th season, it’s quite possible that the older Gasol’s best years are behind him. He’s not even considered as the best fantasy player in his family anymore. Sure, the assists and free throw percentage are a plus from your big man, but Pau has played more than 65 games just twice since joining the Lakers in 2008 and it’s hard to be productive when you aren’t on the floor.
Jefferson doesn’t have the name value or finesse that Gasol owns, but I’m sure if he played in Los Angeles than he would be all the rage too. The only thing that matters to fantasy owners is the numbers, and you don’t have to look pretty doing it. Al-Jeff is your throwback big man who grinds out stats night in and night out and is in line for a rebirth in the fantasy basketball world. If the opportunity to take him presents itself on draft day, make sure not to pass him up.
-KEVIN SMITH
Keep reading to hear an argument for Gasol…
PAU GASOL
Pau Gasol is easily becoming one of the most underrated big men coming into the 2013-2014 fantasy basketball season and it simply baffles me. Not only is the paint going to be wide open for the seven-foot Spaniard because of the departure of Dwight Howard, but he’s still in D’Antoni‘s incredibly high-octane offense. Gasol is arguably the most versatile big men the NBA’s ever had with his ability to shoot proficiently, rebound the rock and find open teammates on a regular basis. He’s another player that many people have strayed away from because of injury concerns, but his ability to contribute in multiple categories should not be overlooked anymore.
Pau’s point total decreased substantially last season, but Howard’s cry for the rock certainly had plenty to do with it. With Howard out of the picture now, Pau can stop floating around the perimeter looking for 15-18 jump shots like he did all season and start playing with his back to the basket like when he was in his fantasy peak. By separating himself from the paint, it caused his point total to drop to 13.8 per game, nearly four full points off his average from 2011-2012. With arguably the league’s best rebounder in Howard off the team for good, Gasol’s numbers on the glass will increase by default. I can easily see him approaching double-digit rebounds once again, or at least a bump up from his 8.6 boards per game last season. If you haven’t gotten my drift yet, I’ll just flat out say how much Howard hurt him in the world of fantasy.
It’s clear that Pau is not getting any younger, but I don’t see his efficiency diminishing through thin air either. He is coming off a career-low in field goal percentage at 46 percent, as he’s a career 51 percent shooter from the field, but that directly stems from what I mentioned earlier about floating around the perimeter to give Howard his space. Along with points and rebounds, I expect his field goal percentage to take a giant leap once again. At 75 percent in his career from the charity stripe, Gasol has proved time and time again he’s an exceptional free throw shooter. As for defensive stats, the Lakers’ big man will still be a reliable shotblocker. With a career average of 1.6 blocks per game, I don’t see any reason as to why it won’t be around that respectable number next year.
Now, onto the stat that makes me one of Pau’s biggest fans in the fantasy realm. The Spaniard can simply just drop dimes. Pau’s 4.1 assists per game last year led all fantasy players with power forward/center eligibility. Basically, by owning Pau, managers are going to have an extra third or fourth tier point on their roster, giving them a huge advantage from the opposition. Despite his power forward/center eligibility, Pau will contribute in that category much like Kevin Love does with three-pointers and Dwyane Wade with blocks. So, don’t let the rankings fool you. Don’t hesitate to snatch Gasol early in your fantasy draft because of the array of numbers he’ll provide every night.
-CHRIS DIGIOIA
Which player would you draft first?
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