Week 1 Player Rankings
Every Sunday I will rank the top 30 guards, top 30 forwards, and top 15 centers for the week ahead. I will also list 5 sleeper picks (any position) that you should seriously consider starting if you have a hole in your lineup. My rankings are based on what each player has done in the past and his short-term outlook, as well as his # of games played and the strength of his opponents. Enjoy!
4 games: UTA
3 games: CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAL, MIA, MIL, NJN, NOR, ORL, PHI, PHO, POR, SAC, SAS, SEA, TOR, WAS
2 games: ATL, BOS, CHA, LAC, MEM, MIN, NYK
GUARDS
1. D. Williams (4) - J. Kidd Team USA tutelage + 4 games = #1 spot.
2. S. Nash (3) - Good ol' reliable Steve Nash. Better than ever at 33?
3. K. Bryant (3) - Will he get traded? I dunno but I'm glad I don't own him.
4. C. Paul (3) - Preseason: Dished out 7 assists in under 25 MPG.
5. G. Arenas (3) - Played poorly in the preseason and is not 100% yet.
6. A. Iguodala (3) - Can he carry Philly on his back for an entire season?
7. J. Kidd (3) - Had back problems, but is ready to go for his 14th season.
8. V. Carter (3) - 25/6/5 is very nice but the steals and blocks are falling.
9. B. Davis (3) - iBOOM is ready to prove that last year's playoffs were no joke.
10. C. Billups (3) - One of the most reliable PG's in recent years.
11. A. Iverson (3) - Moving back to PG w/ Blake gone and Atkins hurt. More dimes?
12. M. Redd (3) - With more weapons on the Bucks, will his PPG fall?
13. K. Hinrich (3) - The floor leader of the Bulls is just entering his prime.
14. T. McGrady (3) - Will Adelman's new system make things easier for T-Mac?
15. K. Martin (3) - Could score 25 ppg early on, but faces the Spurs & Mavs this week.
16. M. Ginobili (3) - 2nd best fantasy player per minute behind Wade. Give him some more burn Pop!
17. B. Roy (3) - If his heel's not bothering him, he's gonna be HUGE this year.
18. B. Gordon (3) - BG can flat out score and is getting to the line more often.
19. J. Terry (3) - How much will coming off the bench hurt his fantasy value?
20. L. Barbosa (3) - Less minutes with Hill around, but still super productive.
21. M. Williams (3) - Can he match the stats of last year's stellar season?
22. T. Parker (3) - The NBA Finals MVP is just entering his prime.
23. A. Miller (3) - The 76ers need a vet like 'Dre around. Still can't shoot threes tho.
24. TJ Ford (3) - Ford was brilliant last year and his assists could go up even more.
25. R. Brewer (4) - Brewer had a HUGE preseason and has 4 games this week.
26. R. Davis (3) - Ricky is gonna have to be All-World with Wade out.
27. M. Ellis (3) - Came back from a scary neck injury to drop 27, 8 and 8 w/ 5 steals.
28. J. Nelson (3) - Looked solid in preseason and is ready for a breakout year.
29. D. Harris (3) - Dallas is expecting Harris to make big strides this season.
30. J. Tinsley (3) - Tinsley is enjoying playing in Jim O'Brien's offense.
FORWARDS
1. C. Boozer (4) - Tops the list with 4 games this week.
2. S. Marion (3) - One of the few guys you never have to worry about benching.
3. D. Nowitzki (3) - How will he follow up an MVP season?
4. L. James (3) - Can't be too happy without his missing soldiers.
5. A. Kirilenko (4) - Many people are expecting a bounceback season.
6. T. Duncan (3) - The guy just wins. Will he ever shoot 70% from the line again?
7. R. Lewis (3) - He's gonna benefit big time from playing with a Man-Beast.
8. C. Bosh (3) - Missed most of preseason with a knee injury but is ready to go.
9. C. Anthony (3) - Leader of Team USA is ready to dominate in '07-08.
10. K. Garnett (2) - You're crazy if you think about benching KG.
11. L. Deng (3) - Playoff averages: 22.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 52.4% FG, 80.7% FT.
12. C. Butler (3) - I picked him last year but now he's being drafted too early.
13. A. Jamison (3) - I doubt he'll match last year's 1.97 threes per game.
14. D. Granger (3) - The 3rd year forward will do a little bit of everything.
15. R. Jefferson (3) - Should be primed for a bounceback season.
16. J. O'Neal (3) - Elite big man shot just 43.6% from the field last year.
17. K. Durant (3) - Expect a lot of highs and lows his rookie year.
18. A. Bargnani (3) - Expecting BIG things from the #1 pick in '06.
19. P. Pierce (2) - He's loving playing with the Big Ticket.
20. P. Millsap (4) - Coming off the bench, but should put up big stats in 4 games.
21. G. Wallace (2) - Put up HUGE stats in preseason but only 2 games this week.
22. B. Diaw (3) - Should have a nice bounceback season.
23. S. Battier (3) - Perhaps the most underrated player in fantasy hoops.
24. D. Gooden (3) - Should get a solid boost without Varejao stealing minutes.
25. A. Nocioni (3) - Bulls frontcourt is banged up so Noce should produce.
26. C. Wilcox (3) - Was a beast in preseason: 16 and 8 on 68.7% FG shooting.
27. U. Haslem (3) - Riley is expecting a lot from him this year.
28. G. Hill (3) - Fits in perfectly in Phoenix and is even making threes.
29. L. Walton (3) - Will dish out 5+ assists as long as Odom's out.
30. P. Stojakovic (3) - I'm pessimistic about his chances, but Peja could bounceback.
CENTERS
1. Y. Ming (3) - When healthy, Yao is the #1 center without a doubt.
2. A. Stoudemire (3) - Came back from minor knee surgery to drop 22 & 11 in 25 min.
3. M. Okur (4) - With 4 games, Okur should get a lot of points and threes.
4. D. Howard (3) - FYI: Dwight Howard is going to DOMINATE in '07-08.
5. M. Camby (3) - Camby sat out most of preseason with back spams but says he's ok.
6. L. Aldridge (3) - If Aldridge can stay healthy, he's gonna have a big year.
7. T. Chandler (3) - Post All-Star break averages: 12.7 points, 12.9 boards & 1.8 blocks.
8. A. Biedrins (3) - Can he average a double-double this season?
9. Z. Ilgauskas (3) - His minutes (27.3 last year) should go up without Varejao.
10. A. Jefferson (2) - He's the MAN in the middle in Minesota.
11. R. Wallace (3) - 'Sheed lost weight for his 13th NBA season.
12. A. Harrington (3) - Hits threes and looks ready to grab more boards this year.
13. A. Bynum (3) - Looked great in preseason. Can't believe he just turned 20.
14. A. Bogut (3) - Injured his wrist in preseason but should be good to go.
15. B. Miller (3) - He'll be asked to do a lot more with Bibby and Artest out.
SLEEPERS
1. J. Salmons (3) - One of Sac's top players with Bibby out and Artest suspended.
2. K. Azubuike (3) - Gonna tear it up w/ S-Jack suspended. A young Mitch Richmond?
3. R. Turiaf (3) - Starting at PF with Odom out. Way better than Kwame Bust.
4. L. Kleiza (3) - Will get a chance to shine with Atkins out. Can nail threes.
5. H. Armstrong (3) - David West may miss a couple games. 'Strong played well in the preseason.
Go Back to the Fantasy Home Page
