With the NBA season tipping off one week from today, David Kay gets you ready for your fantasy basketball draft. Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant are once again the top shooting guards available, but who else you want on draft night? Click here if you missed David’s point guard rankings.
1. Dwyane Wade, Heat
The question since The Big 3 joined forces in South Beach is how would they balance out their productivity playing on the floor together? Wade will not have to shoulder the load like he did the past couple seasons so I would expect his numbers to slightly decrease, but not by much since the Heat has so much to prove.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 25.0 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.75 spg, 85 3PTM, 50.0 FG%, 77.0 FT%
2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Kobe is as steady as they come in fantasy basketball. He will do a little bit of everything on the floor and put up numbers every night. He and Wade are really a 1A and 1B at shooting guard in my opinion so go with your gut (or who you dislike less) if you are deciding between the two.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 27.5 ppg, 4.5 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.50 spg, 120 3PTM, 46.5 FG%, 83.0 FT%
3. Tyreke Evans, Kings
Evans was a guy I targeted in my fantasy draft last season because I felt he had stud potential written all over him… and well, I was right. He joined Wade and LeBron as the only three players in the league to average 20 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists. He now has a talented big man in DeMarcus Cousins which should help his assist numbers even more. If he can improve his outside shooting and cut down on his massive amount of turnovers, he will be even more valuable this season. Plus he has the PG/SG label which I always like having on my roster.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 22.5 ppg, 6.5 apg, 5.5 rpg, 1.75 spg, 40 3PTM, 47.5 FG%, 76.0 FT%
4. Monta Ellis, Warriors
Ellis flourished last season playing in the same backcourt as Steph Curry. I am not sure he will post the same scoring numbers he did a year ago now that David Lee is aboard, but Ellis is still a high commodity on draft night. Plus, he probably has the PG/SG label which, allow me to repeat, I am a huge fan of having on my team.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 22.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.0 rpg, 2.00 spg, 85 3PTM, 46.5 FG%, 80.0 FT%
5. Joe Johnson, Hawks
Johnson cashed in this off-season on a monster deal but will that help or hurt his motivation? The Hawks are pretty much the same team they were last year so expect similar production but I will say this, chemistry was an issue for Atlanta down the stretch last season so part of me cannot help but think this team might implode in 2010-11.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 21.0 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.00 spg, 140 3PTM, 44.5 FG%, 82.5 FT%
6. Andre Iguodala, 76ers
Two things to ponder when thinking about Iguodala; 1- He played this summer for Team USA at the World Championships so he really has not much of a basketball break this off-season. 2-Evan Turner is now on board in Philly and Jrue Holiday will be better in his second season so how will that effect Iggy’s numbers? He is still a great fantasy weapon due to his versatility, but I would not over-value him.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 17.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 6.0 rpg, 0.75 spg, 85 3PTM, 45.5 FG%, 74.0 FT%
7. Brandon Roy, Blazers
I am concerned by the bodies Portland has at shooting guard this season. They signed Wesley Matthews, drafted Elliot Williams, and still have a disgruntled Rudy Fernandez. What will that mean for Roy’s minutes? He is clearly the best of that group and will still get his, but with recent injury concerns, Roy might get a little more rest this season to keep him healthy.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 21.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.0 rpg, 0.75 spg, 90 3PTM, 48.0 FG%, 80.5 FT%
8. Eric Gordon, Clippers
“The Basketball Judas” as TSB.net founder Paul M. Banks call him, was awesome for Team USA this summer. He looked impressive as a scorer and a defender. If he can carry that over to the Clippers, Gordon should make a pretty significant jump this season especially with Baron Davis hitting the down slope of his career. Blake Griffin’s presence inside should also open up more opportunities for Gordon on the perimeter.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 20.0 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.0 rpg, 1.25 spg, 155 3PTM, 47.0 FG%, 81.0 FT%
9. Stephen Jackson, Bobcats
Jackson was great for Charlotte after getting traded their nine games into the season. He immediately became the team’s go-to scorer and should have more opportunity to handle the ball with the Cats’ point guard play a bit questionable. His field goal percentage and high amount of turnovers are a concern though.
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 20.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.50 spg, 120 3PTM, 42.0 FG%, 79.5 FT%
10. Jason Richardson, Suns
Two things are in J-Rich’s favor this season; he is in a contract year and someone will need to pick up the production left behind by Amare. He could also possibly see more minutes with Leandro Barbosa no longer in town (though Josh Childress is now in Phoenix but I think he will cut more into minutes at the three than the two.)
Projected 2010-11 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 19.5 ppg, 2.0 apg, 5.5 rpg, 0.75 spg, 175 3PTM, 46.0 FG%, 75.0 FT%
Click here for the rest of David’s Shooting Guard Rankings.
Check out David’s NBA season previews.