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Fantasy Preview: Top 70 Guards

The guards are perhaps the most crucial position for Fantasy Basketball.  Regardless of which type of league you prefer (Rotisserie, Point System, Keeper, etc.) Great Guards could excel in five (Points, Assists, Threes, Steals, FT%) out of the eight typical fantasy stat categories (not included previously were Rebounds, Blocks, and FG%).

Key:

D: Declining Player – Either due to age or lack of minutes this player should see a significant reduction in his numbers.

B: Breakout Candidate – This player is poised for a breakout season and as a result could flourish with an increasing stat line.

R: Risk – Either due to injuries, trade demands, or uncertainty of a new role, this player should be drafted with extreme caution.

S: Sleeper – This player could be undervalued and may be available several rounds later than previously anticipated.  He too can have a very nice stat line due to increased minutes and/or a new situation.

O: Overrated – This player may have a nice season, but other people in your league may overvalue him either due to his recent playoff performance or simply hype. 

1.  Dwayne Wade

Wade had a career year last season, reaching career highs in almost every statistical category: 30.2 PPG, 49.1 FG%, 88 three-pointers made (3PTM), 7.5 APG, and 173 steals.

There is no reason to believe Wade will not continue these phenomenal numbers going into next season.  The Heat still don’t have an adept starting caliber point guard which will mean the ball will be constantly going through Mr. Wade’s hands.

2.  Chris Paul

Chris Paul has now been dubbed the top point guard in the game of basketball and the same can be said for his fantasy status.  Paul enjoyed a stellar season in which he averaged, 22.8 PPG, on 50.3% shooting from the field, and 86.8% from the line.  He can literally win you 2 categories: Steals and Assist.  He dished out 11 dimes per game, and accumulated 216 steals.

3. Kobe Bryant   O, D

There’s not much that can go wrong with the reigning Finals MVP.  Kobe did enjoy a nice stat line last season: 26.8 PPG, 85.6 FT%, 118 3PTM.  There should be some slight caution here by fantasy owners.  Kobe has suffered a steady dip in his scoring and rebounding numbers.  This is likely due to the addition of Pau Gasol and less minutes, but expect the same type of decline considering the team added another major contributor in Ron Artest.

4. Deron Williams

D-Will did miss some time last season, but don’t let the 68 games fool you.  Deron is usually healthy having played at least 80 games in the three previous seasons prior to 2008-09.  When healthy Williams averaged 19.4 PPG and 10.7 APG.  Those two categories have been increasing steadily ever since the Illinois product entered the league in 2005.  Expect that trend to continue heading into 2009-2010.

5. Derrick Rose   B, O

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