Fantasy Basketball: Top 10 PFs

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 22, 2010

Fantasy Basketball: Top 10 PFs

Dirk Nowitzki

2009-10 Key Stats: 25 ppg | 7.7 rpg | 1 bpg | 91.5% FT Consistent is fantasy gold, and no one is more consistent than Dirk Nowitzki. Since his rookie year he's never missed more than six games in a season, and he's a lock for at least 20 points, seven rebounds and immaculate percentages. In a league where fewer and fewer power forwards are blocking shots, you can also count on him for at least one a game. Even though his skills are in the decline he's a top-five player.

Pau Gasol

2009-10 Key Stats: 18.3 ppg | 11.3 rpg | 1.7 bpg | 3.4 apg Is there a better passing big man in the NBA? A modern day Vlade Divac, Pau Gasol averaged 3.4 assists last year, which are icing on the proverbial cake given everything else the Lakers' big man does on the court. Gasol is by trade a dominant rebounder and shot-blocker, but unlike his fellow paint enforcers, Gasol won't kill you in free-throw percentage. In the beginning of the second round he's a great complement to any first-round pick.

David Lee

2009-10 Key Stats: 20.3 ppg | 11.7 rpg | 3.6 apg | 1.1 spg David Lee is one of the harder players to project for the upcoming season. In New York he played in one of the league's most uptempo offenses, contributing to his scoring and assist totals. Golden State played breakneck basketball last year, but their gameplan under new coach Keith Smart is still unknown. One thing is for certain: The Warriors have a dearth of rebounders, giving Lee ample opportunity to compete for a rebounding title this season. Combined with his stellar percentages, he's a great player at any tempo.

Josh Smith

2009-10 Key Stats: 15.7 ppg | 8.7 rpg | 2.1 bpg | 1.6 spg Still only 24-years old, Josh Smith made huge strides for fantasy owners and the Atlanta Hawks last year. Smith raised his averages in points, rebounds, blocks and steals, and proved he could be a capable distributor, handing out 4.2 apg. Those across-the-board contributions are hard to find elsewhere, but they don't come without a price. Smith cannot shoot free throws to save his life, and his three-point shot is nonexistent. But given his other skills, and the possibility that his game could still evolve, you have to be happy if Smith slips to you in the second round.

Chris Bosh

2009-10 Key Stats: 24 ppg | 10.8 rpg | 1 bpg | 2.4 apg Like the other members of Miami Thrice, Chris Bosh's stats are likely to suffer in South Beach. The bad news: He's been a consistent 20-point scorer the past five seasons, and alongside James and Wade it would appear those days are over. The good news: The Miami frontcourt is razor thin. Bosh should have no problem averaging 10-plus rebounds, along with some nice percentages. And depending on the offensive style the Heat implement, Bosh could average a career-high in assists as well.

Zach Randolph

2009-10 Key Stats: 20.8 ppg | 11.7 rpg | 1 spg | 77.9% FT Zach Randolph's career has been rejuvenated in Memphis. After clogging up the lane for both the Knicks and the Clippers in previous seasons, Randolph pulled down a career-high 11.7 rebounds a game, while upping his percentages to a passable level (48.8 field-goal percentage; 77.9 free-throw percentage). He won't block any shots and he's got definite character issues, but there aren't a lot of locks for 20 points and 10 rebounds in the fourth round.

David West

2009-10 Key Stats: 19 ppg | 7.5 rpg | 3 apg | 86.6% FT David West's stats benefitted from Chris Paul's absence toward the end of last season, as the former Xavier Musketeer became the de facto scoring leader in New Orleans. West will be happy to have his pick-and-roll partner back, however, and should be a lock for around 20 points, eight rebounds and great percentages. He doesn't contribute anything on the defensive end, though, making him a bit of a reach in the third round.

Kevin Love

2009-10 Key Stats: 14 ppg | 11 rpg | 2.3 apg | 81.5% FT A double-double machine in Minnesota when he plays, Kevin Love should have no problem finding minutes in the 2010-11 season. With Al Jefferson shipped to Utah, Love should have the starting role all to himself. A rebounding monster, Love, who doesn't contribute much in the defensive categories, also doesn't hurt you in the percentages either. And at only 22-years old, his game may still be improving.

Antawn Jamison

2009-10 Key Stats: 18.2 ppg | 8.3 rpg | 1.1 spg | 1.3 3PM Antawn Jamison looked like a different player when he arrived in Cleveland. His mid-range game should have played perfectly next to LeBron James, but Jamison looked confused and often ended up standing around watching the action. With James gone, the Cavaliers are likely to look to Jamison to fill the scoring void. He's always excelled as a scorer on bad teams, and this year should be no different. Look for him to average at least 20 points, nine rebounds and at least a three-pointer a game.

Andray Blatche

2009-10 Key Stats: 14.1 ppg | 6.3 rpg | 1.1 spg | 0.9 bpg Andray Blatche's game was a revelation after the All-Star Break. Finally given starter's minutes, Blatche averaged 22.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals. He'll have competition for touches this season with a healthy Gilbert Arenas back, and John Wall inserted at the point guard position, but Blatche proved he can play. The aforementioned competition and offseason foot surgery might diminish his stats, but if he can come anywhere close to those numbers he's a steal in the sixth or seventh round.

Best of the Rest:

Big men are less scarce than they used to be. The league has welcomed a wealth of lanky giants who can rebound, score and even run the floor from time to time. Anthony Randolph is one of those players. Injury has held him back from superstardom, but if healthy, the Knicks will give him every opportunity to show his across the board production. Kevin Garnett's best days are behind him, but that doesn't mean he can't produce for your fantasy team. He'll pull down around seven rebounds, average at least one steal and help your team with his superior percentages. With the starting power forward role all to himself, Paul Milsap should blossom. He was already averaging around a block and a steal a game in limited minutes, and his increased playing time make him a great sleep in the seventh round. With Yao Ming back, Luis Scola's numbers should suffer. But Yao hasn't been the picture of perfect health, and Scola's efficient either way.