Fantasy Basketball: All-Breakout Team

Devin Harris and Rajon Rondo are the leading vote-getters of this year’s annual Fantasy Basketball All-Breakout Team.

While Harris has New Jersey playing at a higher level than most anticipated, Rondo has upgraded the defending champion Boston Celtics’ core of the "Big Three" to the "Big Four." Both players have emerged from supporting roles to leading actors on both the NBA and fantasy stage.

So who else will join them on the 08-09 All Breakout Team?

Before we start let’s make clear the criteria: one has to go from role player to fantasy stud. Hence, players such as Danny Granger and Brandon Roy, despite vastly improving their fantasy games, won’t be on this list because they already established themselves as go-to-guys last season.

                                                                                                                                                   2008-2009 ALL-BREAKOUT TEAM

Nate Robinson (NY—PG, SG)

With D’Antoni’s offense in New York, the Knicks entire starting five (replacing Robinson for Quentin Richardson) should be named as the All-Breakout Team. Amongst the D’Antoni’s steroid-induced fantasy system, however, Robinson has the chance to improve his fantasy game the most.

Robinson has asserted himself as the No. 1 offensive option since his return from a hamstring injury, averaging 26 points while shooting 50 percent, 2 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. His numbers should continue to improve which propelled him past Chris Duhon for the point guard spot on All-Breakout Team.

Jason Terry (DAL—PG, SG)

The Jet has been producing solid fantasy number for a while, but in his tenth NBA season, Terry is enjoying his greatest scoring average of his career at 21 points a game.

That mark is a six-point increase from last year. Terry is also averaging his usual 4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2 three-pointers. The spike in his scoring, however, can be credited to new head coach Rick Carlisle and new point guard Jason Kidd. The two have allowed Terry more touches in the open court.

Terry has emerged as the team's No. 2 option in the absence of Josh Howard, and the Mavs have thrived as a result. With Dallas more up-tempo system under Carlisle, there should be enough touches for Terry to continue his 20-point average, regardless of Howard's return.

John Salmons (SAC—SG, SF)

It’s simple: Salmon plays on an awful team. Someone has to score and make plays and Salmons is doing such, averaging 19 points, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 three.

But to his credit, Salmons isn’t just jacking up shots during garbage time, in fact his numbers are surprisingly efficient with 49 percent shooting from the floor and 80 percent from the free throw line.

Paul Millsap (UTAH—SF, PF, C)

As a starter, Millsap is averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds, 57 percent shooting, 1.5 steals, and 1 block.

Thanks to those numbers, the Jazz haven’t missed a beat in the wake of Carlos Boozer’s extended hiatus. In the fantasy world, one could even argue that Millsap is an upgrade from Boozer, as he produces the defensive numbers (steals, blocks) that Booze has always lacked.

Once Boozer returns, obviously, Millsap’s number will decrease. But don’t expect his minutes to be back around 26. After his impressive performance as the starting power forward, Jerry Sloan will find a way to play this guy 30 minutes a game.

Nene Hilario (DEN—PF, C)

Nene has championed the starting center position as well as the human spirit with his incredible comeback from testicular cancer.

The native Brazilian is currently ranked sixth amongst Yahoo! Fantasy centers, averaging 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, and shooting an astounding 61 percent from the floor. Many wondered who would fill the void down low with Marcus Camby's departure to Los A. Now, Camby is a distant memory, as the Nuggets are playing better than ever with Nene patrolling the paint.