Fantasy Basketball 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Best Team Names
The leaves are changing and the weather is getting cooler, which only means one thing—the NBA is back, and so is fantasy basketball.
Oh, you thought I was going somewhere winter or holiday-related with that? Nope. For anybody who obsesses over the round leather ball, the month of October is primarily a long several weeks of preseason action and buildup to the upcoming season.
While the anticipation for the 2015-16 season takes center stage for fans of the Association, it can take a back seat to the nerve-wracking nature of putting together a fantasy team. Striking out with your first draft pick almost always leads to a poor season. And if you're like me, perhaps the toughest part of it all is crafting a great team name that stands out from the rest.
Have no fear, because we've put together everything you need to know for executing the right first-round selection no matter where you fall in the draft pecking order. After that, we'll round it all out with some of the best team names to go with for the season.
First Round Fantasy NBA Mock Draft
| 1 | Anthony Davis | PF/C | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2 | James Harden | SG | Houston Rockets |
| 3 | Stephen Curry | PG | Golden State Warriors |
| 4 | Kevin Durant | SF | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 5 | LeBron James | SF | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 6 | DeMarcus Cousins | PF/C | Sacramento Kings |
| 7 | Russell Westbrook | PG | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 8 | Chris Paul | PG | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 9 | Jimmy Butler | SG | Chicago Bulls |
| 10 | John Wall | PG | Washington Wizards |
Tier 1: Anthony Davis, James Harden, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant
He may not be the best player in the game—yet. That goes to the guy in Cleveland. But Anthony Davis isn't far from taking that title.
He showed in the Pelicans' regular-season tune-up that he'll be a force, putting up 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 93-90 preseason win over the Miami Heat. In a new and improved system with head coach Alvin Gentry, Davis' output should only improve from his already historic first three seasons, per ESPN Stats & Info:
Davis isn't the only MVP candidate that is worth a top draft pick, as the two who battled it out for the MVP last season should offer consistent star power. James Harden and Stephen Curry are both central figures of two highly potent offenses and will be a treat for any fantasy owner.
The top tier is rounded out by a player who let down fantasy owners last year, but don't expect the same from Kevin Durant in 2015-16. The Thunder superstar is finally healthy, and that will show as he returns to the forefront of the MVP discussion in a contract season.
Tier 2: LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins and Russell Westbrook
LeBron James is still the king of the NBA, but it's hard to peg the 30-year-old as a top-tier fantasy guy. The Cavaliers are ripe with star power, and given the nature of the Eastern Conference, minutes and playing time will be monitored to keep the King fresh for the postseason.
The same can't be said of DeMarcus Cousins, who looks to take the Sacramento Kings to the next level in the tough Western Conference. Amid incredible numbers that rank among the all-time greats, Cousins should continue to dominate, as Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report noted:
How much will the return of an effective Durant impact Russell Westbrook's numbers? He won't be that stat-stuffing monster he was in 2014-15, but he'll still be a wrecking ball and get his fair share of shots, assists and flirts with triple-doubles as he did during last season.
Tier 3: Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler and John Wall
Is it possible that Chris Paul is actually underrated? Coming off a campaign in which he averaged a double-double and posted his best shooting percentage in six seasons, Paul should continue leading the Los Angeles Clippers and benefiting from the immense talent around him.
There's a new bell cow in Chicago. You don't know what to expect from Derrick Rose, but Jimmy Butler is proving himself as a top-caliber star in this league. A healthier Rose will only elevate Butler's game and open up space for him, but he has no trouble making the difficult baskets, too, as Hardwood Paroxysm noted:
This first-round mock is rounded out with a player whose improvement is showing up in every category. John Wall enters his sixth season on the heels of career highs in assists and field-goal percentage, and his Washington Wizards' ascent into the Eastern Conference's elite is only a reflection of that.
Best Team Names
- Carmelo Macchiato
- Waka Ibaka Flame
- Harden the Paint
- Ain't Over Until Ilyasova
- Out of your Teague (for the ladies...)
- Fried Gallinari
- Don't Asik any Questions
- Afflalo 18
- Curry (or Kyrie) on my Wayward Sun
- Bed, Bath and Biyombo
- Better Call Gasol
