Check out the Fantasy Primer
 |
| Superman is going to have company this season. |
You can throw your idea of a “true” center out the window. For the past several years the NBA has seen a surge in more athletic big men who are less defensive stoppers and more of an all-around player. I think this year though we begin to see a shift back toward the days of yore where a center meant a block party and 10-15 boards a night.
Superstars-
Dwight Howard- Almost a lock for Defensive Player of the Year every year, D12 is going to be a force no matter where he plays. He had his best season yet last year and still has room to improve.
Automatics-
Al Horford- I think this is the year Al creeps over 10 boards a night and has the potential to turn into a 20-10 guy. You’re at least getting 15-10 from him though. A solid young player.
Joakim Noah- Noah dealt with some injuries last season but was still averaged a double-double. There is a chance he has met his ceiling, but I think he still has room to grow.
Andrew Bynum- Bynum is going to have to step up this season with Lamar Odom heading to Dallas. As it goes every year, as long as the young fella can stay healthy.
Andrea Bargani- Bargani is a scoring machine and has improved his offensive production each season in the league. Last year he dropped 21 a game. Now if only he could learn how to rebound and block a shot.
Al Jefferson- Big Al played a full 82 games last season. I expect him to return to his 20-10 form and with 2 blocks a game, you can’t go wrong.
Breakouts/Fantasy Grenades-
Roy Hibbert- Hibbs had his best season yet last year and has improved every season in the league. I think this year he makes a major jump on an exciting Pacers team.
DeMarcus Cousins- Full of talent, but also full of attitude. If he can mature he is going to turn into a beast. He can score, board and pass. He complete package.
Marcin Gortat- Gortat was barely doing anything in Orlando playing behind Dwight Howard. Then, mid-season, he got traded to Phoenix and went off. I think the he is due to breakout big this year and could easily go 15-10 with a block or two a game.
Marc Gasol- The other Gasol made a name for himself in last years playoffs and it turned into a big payday. I trust Gasol to not only continue improving despite not being in a contract year, but I think he can become one of the leagues best centers right behind D12.
Serge Ibaka- The Thunder just know how to draft. Ibaka is going to have a monster season, earning a starting role and could easily go for 15-10 and 3 blocks a game.
JaVale McGee- JaVale took it up a notch last year averaging 10 points, 8 boards and 2 blocks a game. Playing alongside John Wall I imagine McGee to take it to another level, averaging a solid double-double and 3 blocks a game.
DeAndre Jordan- The Clips wisely resigned Jordan. Playing alongside Chris Paul is going to do wonders for this young big man. I think this year he makes a big leap and averages a double-double and two blocks a game.
Greg Monroe- As Monroe saw more playing time last year he also saw his production rise. This year he is going to have the starting role on a rebuilding Pistons team. He will be good for 15 and 10 this year.
Brook Lopez- (see mid-season upside)
Mr. Consistent-
Anderson Varejao- Varejao is a double-double candidate and should still have a large role on a rebuilding Cavs team.
Nene- Nene has reached his ceiling at 15-7. That’s pretty good.
Andrew Bogut- The Aussie does a little bit of everything. He averaged 12-12-2-2.5 last season and I expect the same from him this year.
Tyson Chandler- A crucial piece to the Mavs title run last year has now found his way to the fast paced Knicks. He is expected to play a similar role. Even in the high octane offense, I expect him to stay steady at 10-10.
Purgatory-
Jordan Hill- Due to the botched Pau Gasol trade Hill is going to get valuable minutes in Houston at the center position. The question is, can the young big man produce with the added minutes?
Chuck Hayes- As with most of the players in Sacramento, there just aren’t enough minutes to go around. With the alleged heart condition and the stacked frontcourt, it’s hard to tell how many minutes Hayes will receive.
Andris Biedrins- Three years ago Biedrins averaged a double-double. Since then he has fallen off quite a bit. He is still capable of producing, but it’s uncertain if he will.
Spencer Hawes- Hawes was turning into a promising young big in Sacramento and then got sent to Philadelphia and took a step back last season. It could have been an adjustment period or a real sign that he just isn’t the full package.
Too Soon To Tell-
Kawme Brown- The former number one pick had one of his best seasons of his career last year and now finds himself on a fast paced Golden State team. At 29, he could score 15 a game in this offense. But if history holds, he will disappoint again.
Samuel Dalembert- Dalembert has finally found a home in Houston after becoming a free agent. The rockets may decide to play their young guys as they find themselves in a rebuilding process after the Gasol trade fell through.
Kendrick Perkins/Nazr Mohammed- The Thunder went and picked up both these big men via trades last year in order to add some much need size to their young core. With Ibaka taking a larger chunk of minutes both of these players may become irrelevant.
Darko Milicic- Most likely still considered a bust by most due to where he was drafter, Darko looked fairly comfortable in Minnesota last season and that turned into a productive season. There is a chance he can improve even more this season playing next to Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio.
DeJuan Blair/Tiago Splitter- The Spurs are one of the best managed teams in sports. With Tim Duncan aging one of these young big men are going to step up and deliver a solid season. I’m just not sure which one.
Mid-Season Upside-
Bismack Biyombo- Bismack has a fun name to say. Hopefully he can develop quickly and become a fun player to watch. A ton of raw talent.
Eddy Curry- Curry has the potential to fill a large need for the Heat this year. The question is if he is in shape or not.
Greg Oden- The Blazers are sticking it out with the former number one pick. We’ve seen glimpses, but can he stay healthy.
Mehmet Okur- He will now rejoin Deron Williams in New Jersey. Will he rejoin his former skills as a basketball player as well? The minutes are certainly there.
Enes Kanter- If the Jazz are smart they will play their young guys. As the season moves on Kanter should gain very valuable minutes.
Brook Lopez- He scored 20 a game last year but forgot how to rebound. More recently he suffered an injury that will put him out 6-8 weeks. Hopefully he can come back strong when he is fully healed.
Mid-Season Downside-
Marcus Camby- The season won’t treat Camby well and if Oden makes a return there will be a big drop in the veteran’s production.
Washed Up-
Jermaine O’Neil/Chris Wilcox- Boston would come out really lucky if both of these guys return to being half the players they used to be. I doubt it happens though.
Brendan Haywood- Haywood lost a lot of minutes to Tyson Chandler last season. He lost those minutes for a reason. Don’t expect much.
Ben Wallace- It’s time for the former DPOY to call it quits.
Joel Anthony- He does certain things that the Heat need him to do. He will do nothing you need him to do on your fantasy team.
Ronny Turiaf- Even though he was never really much of a fantasy presence, he is now in Washington to serve as a mentor to a young team.
No comments:
Post a Comment