Ranking Biggest Fantasy Basketball Disappointments of 2013-14 Season
Disappointing fantasy basketball efforts always abound, but they are coming from some surprising directions during 2013-14.
Who ranks among the biggest fantasy hoops disappointments thus far?
It's perplexing to see an array of veterans, such as Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, struggle out of the gate. Will this continue, or will such accomplished players find their groove?
This list does not feature individuals whose seasons have been characterized by injuries, causing them to miss a good chunk (perhaps the majority) of games. Therefore, you will not see figures such as JaVale McGee, Deron Williams or Derrick Rose.
Let's break down who is performing as a dud right now and better turn things around soon.
Honorable Mention
1 of 11
O.J. Mayo, Milwaukee Bucks (13.9 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game, 39.9% FG): Playing on an atrocious team, the expectations are much higher than what he's currently producing.
Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks (6.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 37.3% FG): He has the potential to be a stat-stuffer, but the New York Knicks' laundry list of woes are limiting what he can provide.
Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings (8.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 35.3% FG): Two years ago, he averaged 18.7 PPG, and now his role with the Kings and value in fantasy have both dramatically decreased.
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers (14.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.2 blocks per game, 42.8% FG): He certainly still has fantasy relevance, but shouldn't he boast better numbers after carrying the offensive load while Kobe Bryant was sidelined?
Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs (7.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 43.4% FG, 1.6 three-pointers made per game): Coming off a remarkable NBA Finals, a breakout year seemed like a strong possibility, but he's currently regressing.
Paul Pierce, Brooklyn Nets (11.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 37.0% FG): "The Truth" is past his prime and hasn't settled into a fluid role with the Brooklyn Nets.
10. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
2 of 11
Stats
- 14.6 PPG
- 6.1 RPG
- 1.2 BPG
- 0.6 3PM
- 51.9% FG
Chris Bosh doesn't appear to have waning skills, but his involvement in the Miami Heat offense fluctuates. He will frequently have stretches during games in which he disappears.
His PPG, RPG, BPG and field-goal percentage have all declined during 2013-14, and he no longer appears to be a dependable frontcourt option.
This is especially the case when considering his limited rebounding production. Rarely does he redeem a poor shooting night with efforts in other areas.
He is by no means worth dropping, but you'll need much more in your frontcourt outside of Bosh. You'll especially need somebody that picks up boards that Bosh simply doesn't generate.
9. Josh Smith, Detroit Pistons
3 of 11
Stats
- 15.0 PPG
- 6.6 RPG
- 3.4 APG
- 1.4 SPG
- 1.5 BPG
- 1.1 3PM
- 40.7% FG
- 57.1% FG
Josh Smith remains a fantasy contributor in a handful of categories. However, his efficiency has taken a significant hit during 2013-14.
Despite back-to-back 30-point outbursts, we can't overlook his steady struggles in terms of field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and turnovers.
He's averaging a career-low in field-goal percentage, and his free-throw percentage is also depressing. Furthermore, he coughs up an excessive amount of turnovers (2.6 per game).
If you can live with these deficiencies, Smith can still produce in a versatile manner, but you have to count the cost. Perhaps Smith's recent play is a sign that he's beginning to turn the corner in regards to consistency.
8. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
4 of 11
Stats
- 13.9 PPG
- 8.9 RPG
- 3.2 APG
- 1.7 BPG
- 46.2% FG
Tim Duncan had a beastly fantasy campaign during 2012-13 as a 36-year-old, but his output has diminished across the board as a 37-year-old.
The only category that has seen an increase is APG, and this hike has been minimal. Furthermore, his decreases in PPG, field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage have been significant.
However, Duncan is starting to round into form in recent contests (he has collected four straight double-doubles). He even reflected upon this after a win over the Utah Jazz (via USA Today),
""The first 20 games, it's not really that hard to do much better," Duncan said. "I'm still not shooting the ball well, but I'm trying to play hard and find ways to contribute."
"
Things could be on the rise for Duncan, specifically because he's a veteran who realizes where he must make adjustments. While he shouldn't be your primary weapon in the frontcourt, his disappointing start shouldn't prompt you to lose faith in him.
7. Greivis Vasquez, Toronto Raptors
5 of 11
Stats
- 9.8 PPG
- 5.2 APG
- 1.9 RPG
- 0.4 SPG
- 0.9 3PM
- 44.2% FG
Greivis Vasquez was one of the biggest fantasy surprises during 2012-13, averaging 13.9 PPG and 9.0 APG. Fantasy owners who drafted him with such expectations for this campaign are very frustrated.
The issue here hasn't been the play of Vasquez, but rather how different his scenario has looked this year compared to last. In 2012-13, he was the New Orleans Hornets' only serviceable point guard and thus gobbled up hefty minutes.
Thus far during 2013-14, he has shared the point guard duties, first while a Sacramento King (with Isaiah Thomas) and now while a Toronto Raptor (with Kyle Lowry).
The promising news for Vasquez owners is that Lowry is currently amid a bevy of trade rumors. If he's dealt, Vasquez will be handed the reins to Toronto's point guard duties and should emulate his numbers from a season ago.
6. Gerald Wallace, Boston Celtics
6 of 11
Stats
- 4.3 PPG
- 3.6 RPG
- 2.5 APG
- 1.3 SPG
- 0.2 BPG
- 48.4% FG
Just two seasons ago, Gerald Wallace was contributing in multiple categories with effectiveness.
Last year, he began showing signs of regression with the Brooklyn Nets, and he has fallen much harder towards fantasy irrelevance during 2013-14.
Truthfully, it was logical to believe that Wallace's productivity would increase with the Boston Celtics, who lack offensive weapons.
Instead, Wallace is averaging just 3.5 shot attempts per game (during 24.0 minutes per outing). He isn't displaying much aggression, nor is his presence being seen convincingly in other areas.
Plus, while his field-goal clip is respectable, his free-throw mark (35.9%) is abysmal.
The bottom line is that Wallace is not worth possessing unless your league is ridiculously deep.
5. Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets
7 of 11
Stats
- 9.5 PPG
- 4.1 RPG
- 2.3 APG
- 1.4 SPG
- 1.5 3PM
- 40.6% FG
Patrick Beverley had the upside of a breakout candidate, but he's leaving his owners desiring much more.
He's particularly limited in his assist production. This is partly because Houston runs much of its offense through James Harden and Chandler Parsons, but 2.3 APG is undoubtedly a small tally for a starting floor general. Beverley's poor field-goal percentage also strains his value.
Beverley is basically performing like a backup point guard, so if you drafted him with the hopes of quality starter production, you're unquestionably dissatisfied.
Further, it's doubtful that Beverley will improve much going forward due to Houston's talented backcourt and the presence of Jeremy Lin.
4. Ersan Ilyasova, Milwaukee Bucks
8 of 11
Stats
- 8.1 PPG
- 4.6 RPG
- 1.6 APG
- 1.1 SPG
- 0.2 BPG
- 39.6% FG
Ersan Ilyasova has been hobbled by injuries that have tinkered with his rhythm, but we can't let him off the hook entirely because he has still appeared in 17 games.
Unfortunately, he hasn't been nearly as productive as what most anticipated. With the Milwaukee Bucks possessing slim options in their offensive arsenal, Ilyasova figured to assert himself throughout 2013-14.
This hype was especially evident due to Ilyasova's figures after last year's All-Star break (per Basketball-Reference): 17.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 3-PPG, 48.7% FG and 86.5% FT.
Needless to say, Ilyasova has encountered a substantial dip in value.
Part of this can be attributed to injuries, but overall, owners can't discount the fact that Ilyasova is not reliable for both his health and his play.
The potential remains, but the concerns are mounting.
3. Tyreke Evans, New Orleans Pelicans
9 of 11
Stats
- 11.6 PPG
- 4.3 RPG
- 3.4 APG
- 1.3 SPG
- 0.1 3PM
- 41.4% FG
The trajectory of Tyreke Evans' NBA journey is a mind-boggling one.
After winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 2009-10, his career has slowly been on the decline. But he remains just 24 years old.
He changed scenery over the summer, joining the youthful New Orleans Pelicans where a fresh start seemed like it might ignite him. He was even a reasonable candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year Award before the season launched.
Instead of these hopes gaining traction, Evans continues to go in the wrong direction. He hasn't thrived in a bench role (playing the least amount of his career: 24.1 MPG), and he's also averaging career lows in PPG, RPG and APG.
Further, his field-goal percentage is particularly disheartening since he rarely hits a three.
He's still worth having if your league is deep, but it should be understood that 'Reke doesn't appear to be a trustworthy weapon in both real life and fantasy. Plus, his recent ankle injury presents even further worries in regards to his short-term health.
2. J.R. Smith, New York Knicks
10 of 11
Stats
- 10.5 PPG
- 4.2 RPG
- 2.4 APG
- 1.1 SPG
- 2.0 3PM
- 33.6% FG
- 64.5% FT
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is having a nightmare campaign.
After pouring in 18.1 PPG a year ago, J.R. Smith is currently characterized by a shot selection that features plenty of bricks. His percentages are downright terrible, both of which are career worsts.
This is surely contributing to the Knicks' woeful ride through the season's first month and a half.
Smith maintains that he'll break free from the slump, according to NYDailyNews.com,
""I’ve struggled with my shooting before but not to this magnitude,” Smith said. “But it’s just a shooting slump. I’ll get out of it some way or another.”
"
Smith should make marginal improvements, but he has never been a guy who has been known for efficiency. He'll provide superb scoring on his good nights, but he'll also regularly kill your field-goal percentage.
If your strategy contains plenty of points and three-pointers, then Smith is still worth a roster spot. But if his poor shooting continues much longer, it could be time to cut bait and look for more precision elsewhere.
1. Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn Nets
11 of 11
Stats
- 6.5 PPG
- 7.4 RPG
- 1.8 APG
- 0.8 SPG
- 0.8 BPG
- 37.3% FG
When Kevin Garnett was traded to Brooklyn, it was understood that his stats would suffer in some capacity.
Playing alongside Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson and Paul Pierce, there's only so much one can accomplish alongside a slew of offensive threats.
However, nobody expected Garnett's numbers to wane like this. After all, he was always able to amass quality figures while playing for the talented Boston Celtics (typically notched around 15 PPG and 8 RPG).
Therefore, Garnett's disappointing 2013-14 is a likely signal that the 37-year-old's career is fading fast. He's no longer a solid piece to have in your fantasy frontcourt.
In fact, the only statistic that he's supplying enough to warrant ownership is rebounds. Aside from that, he isn't bringing much to the table, and his shockingly poor field-goal percentage gives one reason to contemplate dropping him.
KG could begin revealing more efficiency, but even then, his value will remain minimal because teammate Andray Blatche is earning more minutes in the frontcourt.
The outlook on Garnett's fantasy value is decidedly bleak.
