2010-2011 Top 10 Fantasy Basketball Performers in The NBA
The NBA season is heating up and there have been some big surprises so far this season. With the rise of players like Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge there has been a filtering of younger talent mixed in with the top players in the league.
Like clockwork superstars such as Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant have been leading the way for the veteran class. As the NBA season edges past the midway point of the year we have a chance to look back on the first half and determine the top performers in the NBA so far.
No. 10 Steve Nash, Point Guard Phoenix Suns.
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Even at the age of 36 Nash continues to lead the way for the proto-typical PG in the NBA. His numbers almost seem to get better with age and not even injuries and mid-season trades can alter his game. At the midway point of the season Nash is putting up some great numbers and there is no reason that these should diminish in the second half.
Averaging 17 ppg, 11 apg, and chipping in 3.5 rebounds per game, Nash does all of this while shooting 53 percent from the field and 91 percent from the free throw line. When putting a squad together Nash has to be in the top ten and though he may not be the top scoring point guard available, there are not many PGโs that can average a double/double for an entire NBA season.
No. 9 Manu Ginobli, Shooting Guard San Antonio Spurs.
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The fearless Argentine shooter makes the list as he has performed extremely well for one of the best teams in the NBA this season and is also playing a career high in minutes this season. Though Manuโs numbers are not in the same realm as Durant or Kobe, he can still have that blow-up game that will make you appreciate all the little things he does day in and day out.
Ginobli, who is averaging 19 ppg, five apg, four rpg and nearly two steals per contest will contribute to the fantasy squad every single game. Manu probably isnโt going to blow up the scoreboard too often, but with over 100 three-pointers so far this season he definitely has the potential to drop four-five threes in a game which will help you out immensely during tough fantasy matchups.
No. 8 Russell Westbrook, Point Guard Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Having the best year of his young career, Westbrook, may be one of the nicest surprises this season for the fantasy owner smart enough to have drafted him. While averaging 22.5 ppg, 8.5 apg, five rpg, and nearly two steals per game, Westbrook has been a production machine alongside teammate, Kevin Durant.
With the ability to score at will and even throw in the occasional triple-double, Westbrook is a top ten performer this season and just seems to be getting better. In a recent game against the Wizards, Westbrook dropped 35 pts, had 13 rebounds, 13 assists and even chipped in two blocks just for good measure. If you play in a keeper league then this guy is a must-own and will be for a long time to come.
No. 7 Pau Gasol, Power Forward Los Angeles Lakers.
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The first non-guard to make the list, Gasol is having another great year and his one of the main reasons why LA is still very dangerous. Though his numbers have dropped slightly in the last month, due to a healthy Andrew Bynum becoming part of the regular lineup, Gasol is still putting up great numbers.
So far this year Gasol is averaging, 18 ppg, 10.5 rpg, four apg and almost two blocks per game, all while shooting 51 percent from the field and a solid 81 percent from the free throw line. These are great numbers for a big man and with his ability to help your team in almost every category, Gasol is having a better year than his superstar teammate, Kobe Bryant. With the Lakers struggling a bit this season, look for Gasol to be an even bigger part of the offense in the second half of the season.
No. 6 Deron Williams, Point Guard Utah Jazz.
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Yet another point guard who seems to be able to do just about anything that you ask of him, Williams is having yet another banner season. While averaging, 22 ppg, 9.5 apg, four rpg and just over one steal per contest, Williams is one of the better scoring PGโs in the league and shoots a solid 47 percent from the field. Deron also has the ability to completely take over a game and ruin your opposing PGโs best game.
With the ability to put up a double/double every single night and a motor that allows him to average 38 minutes per game, Williams is one of the most consistent and versatile players in the NBA today and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
No. 5 Lebron James, Small Forward Miami Heat.
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As expected, Lebron James is having another MVP season and his fantasy value is quite evident. Even though his scoring has dropped a bit since joining the Heat he is still having an amazing year averaging 26 ppg, seven apg, seven rpg and 1.5 steals per game.
With Wade and Bosh joining him on the floor and the Heat getting better every game the potential for Lebronโs numbers to rise even higher is easy to imagine. As the season comes to a close Lebron will most likely take an even larger role in the offense and that could make him the most valuable fantasy player in the game.
No. 4 Kevin Love, Power Forward Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Without a doubt the biggest surprise on this list is Minnesotaโs forward, Kevin Love. He is having a breakout year to remember and he has become one of the best fantasy players in the game. Loveโs consistency has been the key to his value and with the ability to put up 20 points and grab 20 rebounds on any given night, his stock is at an all time high. Though the Timberwolves have struggled and most likely have hurt Loveโs numbers as well he is still averaging 21.6 ppg, 15.6 rpg, and shooting a remarkable 44.5 percent from beyond the arc.
In just his third season Kevin Love has the potential to become a perennial all star in the NBA and an anchor in fantasy basketball.
No. 3 Kevin Durant, Small Forward Oklahoma City Thunder.
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The only way to say it is that Kevin Durant is a scoring machine and the leagueโs reigning scoring champ may very well do it again. With the ability to drop 40 points on consecutive nights he is a threat every time he steps onto the floor and he has the option of doing it from anywhere on the court.
Durant is averaging 29 ppg, seven rpg, three apg, and chipping in one steal and block per game. When you have a player that can drop 40 points and 20 rebounds in a game all while shooting over 46 percent from the floor, then all you need to do is to build around that in order to compete in fantasy basketball.
Durant is an MVP candidate yet again and will continue to get even better in the future.
No. 2 Amare Stoudemire, Power Forward New York Knicks.
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Many people wondered whether or not it was a wise decision for Stoudemire to sign with the Knicks in the off-season as he would be without his MVP teammate Steve Nash who remains in Phoenix. Stoudemire has answered all the critics and silenced them all while averaging 26 ppg, nine rpg, two bpg, one spg and nearly three apg. His field goal percentage is at a ridiculous 50 percent on the season and his ability to have 35 points and 15 rebounds in a game is better than not.
Stoudemire plays big minutes every night and with a young athletic team around him his game continues to get better and may earn him multiple awards for his play this season.
No. 1 Chris Paul, Point Guard New Orleans Hornets.
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Chris Paul has become the prototypical point guard in the NBA in the last few seasons as he continues to refine his game to the point of perfection. Though his scoring is down just a bit from last season he is still averaging 17 ppg, 10 apg, four rpg and nearly three steals per game which makes him an all around threat.
Paul is extremely efficient when shooting the ball as well which will be a huge bonus for your fantasy squad in those tight matchups down the stretch. His numbers are almost too good to be true as he connects nearly 49 percent from the field 45.5 percent from beyond the arc and 90 perfcent from the free throw line. His ability to control the flow of the game and his near-perfect manner in which he plays the game, makes him a perennial MVP candidate and is the reason why he is the top fantasy performer so far this year.
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