Fantasy Basketball drafts are quickly approaching. David Kay does your research for you and lets you know who you want to grab on draft night. Here are his point guard rankings:
1. Chris Paul, Hornets
If you ended with CP3 on draft night, you were probably thrilled. By February you were probably scrambling to pick up Darren Collison as Paul ended up missing 37 games due to injury. Paul is healthy and should return to his old form being one of the top overall picks. He shoots a solid percentage from the free throw line and improved his three-point shooting before suffering the injury. I have a feeling CP3 will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this season after a summer full of trade rumors.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 22.0 ppg, 10.5 apg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 spg, 90 3PTM, 49.0 FG%, 86.0 FT%
2. Deron Williams, Jazz
Utah underwent a bit of a facelift this off-season losing Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Wesley Matthews in free agency. While they acquired Al Jefferson to replace Boozer’s production, there is a question as to who will score on the wing meaning D-Will will probably shoulder more of a scoring load this season. I would feel good taking him in the late first round in a ten or twelve person league.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 21.0 ppg, 10.5 apg, 3.5 rpg, 1.25 spg, 105 3PTM, 47.0 FG%, 82.0 FT%
3. Stephen Curry, Warriors
He certainly answered all the questions about his ability to run the point in the NBA during his rookie season. Playing in Golden State’s up-tempo offense makes him very valuable in fantasy hoops (assuming that style is still incorporated even though Don Nelson is no longer in charge.) His long range bombing ability is a huge asset and he should see more assist opportunities with David Lee around.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 19.0 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.75 spg, 180 3PTM, 46.0 FG%, 90.0 FT%
4. Rajon Rando, Celtics
Rando made the leap to an elite fantasy point guard last season and if he plays like he did in the post-season, he will only be more valuable this year. He is not a big scorer or three-point threat, and his free throw percentage is at the bottom end for point guards. Now entering his fifth season as a pro and being the energizer on an aging team, his opportunities should only increase in 2010-2010.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 15.5 ppg, 9.0 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 spg, 20 3PTM, 49.5 FG%, 63.0 FT%
5. Steve Nash, Suns
Will this be the year that age finally catches up to Nash? For the fifth straight season, his playing time dipped a little bit and with Goran Dragic starting to figure it out, that could mean even less minutes. Plus you have to consider how Amare’s departure from the desert will effect his numbers. One belief is that the 36-year old will not be as productive without Stoudemire while the other is that Nash will have to shoulder more of the load. I would make sure to draft a solid back-up for Nash if you are going to use a high pick on Nash.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 16.0 ppg, 9.5 apg, 3.0 rpg, 0.75 spg, 130 3PTM, 49.5 FG%, 93.0 FT%
6. Jason Kidd, Mavericks
I think this is the year Kidd suffers a setback in not only his playing time but also production. Having Roddy Beaubois waiting in the wings will cut into Kidd’s playing time as Dallas will try to make sure he is fresh for the post-season. With that being said, Kidd is still a valuable option due to his ability to put up solid numbers across the board. Shooting has never been his forte, but the 37-year old did top his single season three pointers by 37 last season.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 9.5 ppg, 8.0 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 spg, 125 3PTM, 41.5 FG%, 81.5 FT%
7. Derrick Rose, Bulls
The addition of Carlos Boozer finally gives Rose an interior scorer who should help his numbers (even though Boozer will miss the first two months.) Entering his third season, Rose is on the brink of vaulting himself into elite point guard status. He is not a great outside shooter, but should be improved in that area this season. Having played for Team USA at the World Championships only made him a better player and his risk/reward is probably far greater than Steve Nash or Jason Kidd.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 22.5 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 40 3PTM, 49.0 FG%, 79.0 FT%
8. Russell Westbrook, Thunder
It is scary that Westbrook only turns 22 in November. As a result of Kevin Durant’s leap into superstardom, Westbrook’s assist numbers increased last season and should only go up this year. He will not do much for your three-point total but makes up for it in other areas. I would not take him ahead of Kidd or Nash, but it might be worth a roll of the dice.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 17.0 ppg, 9.0 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 spg, 30 3PTM, 42.0 FG%, 80.0 FT%
9. Aaron Brooks, Rockets
The NBA’s Most Improved Player, Brooks was probably a steal for whoever drafted him in your league. With Yao returning, his scoring numbers will probably dip a little bit, but Brooks will be a huge asset in helping you win the three pointers category where he led the league last season. He does not put up great assist numbers but is still worthy of being a number one point guard if you do not grab one of the guys ahead of him.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 17.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 2.5 rpg, 0.75 spg, 190 3PTM, 44.0 FG%, 84.0 FT%
10. Chauncey Billups, Nuggets
You have to assume that ‘Melo will not finish the season as a member of the Nuggets. When that deal happens is anyone’s guess so for the time being I would be careful when drafting Billups as the Nuggets could soon be a completely different team. Still, he will hit threes, shoot a high percentage from the free throw line, and put up solid numbers. He will be most valuable at the beginning of the season when ‘Melo is around and Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen are sidelined with injuries. I would have a solid back-up though if you take Billups as your number one point guard.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 18.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 3.5 rpg, 1.00 spg, 150 3PTM, 41.0 FG%, 90.0 FT%
Click here for the rest of David’s Point Guard Rankings.
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