open mike

1. Kevin Garnett - Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 30 Height: 6'11'' Weight: 220 School: Farragut Academy (HS) Years: 11 Role: Starting PF/SF


Kevin Garnett is a fantasy owner’s dream. He has posted seven straight seasons of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks with great percentages. He’s only missed a total of nine games in the last seven years and dominates every single category except for three pointers. There’s no one better in the league at grabbing tough rebounds in traffic and he’s skilled at finding open teammates when opposing teams collapse on him in the paint. He’ll shoot nearly 50 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the line, which is remarkable for a big man. Add to the fact that he is eligible at both forward positions, and you have the recipe for a stud. There are reasons to think this year could be better than last for KG. With new additions Mike James and Randy Foye raining shots from outside, things should open up inside for Garnett.

Bottom Line: Garnett shouldn't fall any further than the number three overall pick in your draft. Though there were some grumblings that he had lost a step last year, don't believe it.

2. Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas Mavericks
Age: 28 Height: 7'0'' Weight: 245 School: None Years: 8 Role: Starting PF


Dirk did not have the greatest series in the finals but do not let that diminish your appreciation of the man. He is still the best pure fantasy power forward in the land. Last year Dirk scored a career-high 26.6 points with 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 blocks and 1.4 threes a game. He’s also great for the percentages shooting 48 percent from the floor and 90.1 percent from the free throw line. Those are incredible numbers. For a 7-footer, Dirk has great ball handling skills and touch from the outside. He can create his own shot scoring off the dribble and finish the three-point play inside. And, of course, there is always the deadly long range jumper. He is close to un-guardable. He’s solid defensively, getting close to one steal and one block a game in each of the last six years. When you consider he’ll also rank in the top ten in both points and rebounds, you know why he should not be available when the second round of your draft starts.

Bottom Line: You can’t go wrong with drafting Dirk in the first round. He’s been a dominant force in the league for six straight years and rarely misses games due to injury.

3. Elton Brand - Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 27 Height: 6'8'' Weight: 272 School: Duke Years: 7 Role: Starting PF


Elton Brand has been as regular as the sunrise every fantasy season. You could just pencil him in for another 20/10 season with good percentages and close to two blocks per game. Last year he broke with this consistency—in a good way. He posted a tremendous season for the L.A. Clippers. In his breakout season, Brand averaged 24.7 points, 10.0 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.5 blocks while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor and 77.5 percent from the line. What boosted Elton from his already excellent play to near MVP level? A new winning attitude in Clipperland and the addition of a savvy point guard like Sam Cassell explain some of it. Whatever it was Brand got the most out of himself and given that he is entering his peak years at age 27, there is no reason to forecast much backsliding this year. On defense, Brand will continue to use his long arms to create steals and block scads of shots. There is no reason to question his offense. Chris Kaman's improvement means opposing defenses won’t be able to double Brand as much. And with Cassell and Shaun Livingston feeding Brand in the post, he will be in line to score well again. It really doesn’t get much better than Brand as year in and year out he produces for the Clippers.

Bottom Line: Brand has moved into first round territory with his statistical dominance. He is a lock for scoring, rebounds, blocks, and great percentages. He is a great grab toward the end of the first round.

4. Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs
Age: 30 Height: 6'11'' Weight: 260 School: Wake Forest Years: 9 Role: Starting PF


Tim Duncan may not get many points from the bling set but fans of the game know he remains one of the greatest players in professional basketball. He is the Big Fundamental after all, establishing post position with ease and grace and skilled at passing out of the inevitable double-team. Despite his excellence, last year was a down one for Duncan. He averaged career lows in points, field goal percentage, rebounds, and blocked shots. Of course, when the averages include 18.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 blocks on 48.4 percent shooting from the floor and 62.9 percent from the line you realize that, free throw shooting aside, most players would be ecstatic to call these career highs. Further, Duncan played most of the season on a bad ankle. His numbers improved dramatically in the playoffs, averaging 25.8 points on 57.3 percent from the field and 71.8 percent from the line. A healthy Duncan will come back to his career averages this season and reassert himself as the premier power forward of his generation.

Bottom Line: Duncan may drop to the late first round due to questions about his free throw shooting and his overall performance last season. If he does, scoop him up and enjoy another spectacular season from the big man.

5. Chris Bosh - Toronto Raptors
Age: 22 Height: 6'10'' Weight: 235 School: Georgia Tech Years: 3 Role: Starting PF


Bosh took the step last season and has entered the fantasy elite. He improved in every category except blocks and steals, averaging 22.5 points, 9.2 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals on 50.5 percent from the field and 81.6 percent from the line. It is his shooting that really distinguishes Bosh for fantasy players. He is a 50/80 guy who shoots with high volume. This is crucial. Among power forward-eligible players who played serious minutes, only Bosh, Shawn Marion, Kevin Garnett and David West shot both 50 percent plus from the field and 80 percent plus from the line—though Dirk came close. Bosh shot and made more free throws than any of these players. He averaged 6.8 made free throws per game; Garnett, with the second most, averaged 5.2. Marion and West weren't even close. The more attempts a player makes, the more his high percentages help your team. Bosh gets to the line with a dazzling array of moves and is an excellent mid-range shooter. With Charlie Villanueva out and pass-first point guard T.J. Ford in, Bosh's attempts from the field and line will only increase. It is reasonable to expect Bosh to be among the league leaders in scoring this season. He will also grab about ten boards and block over a shot a game. As valuable as Bosh is at power forward, his value is increased even more in leagues where he has center-eligibility. Catch this kid while he's on the rise.

__________________
Bringin power forward to the center for all of da ballers
"Ben" hustlin longer, hand in all of ya "wallace"
When he shoot on the block,its like yall gettin the trainin
Sippin Hennessey and "Chris" ever since the day he "Kaman"
The point is he the future,take guard for your own welfare
Cau"sebastian" the door no need to pay "HoTel-fair".
In a city like New York bustas is barbaric.
Breakin ankles result in more murders and "Marburry-ied."

Dee-Zy

I don't think BRand is under TD especially how he showed up in the Playoffs...


Where's Gasol, STAT, Howard, JO.


I'm not sure I'm ready to put JO over Bosh yet, and maybe not even Gasol as to how he showed up in the tournement. Stat and Howard, ok fine you can say they are Cs, but I still consider STAT as a PF and he's surely better than Bosh.

open mike

Those were NBA.com Rankings.

Sportsline also has him ranked 5th.
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9655561

__________________
Bringin power forward to the center for all of da ballers
"Ben" hustlin longer, hand in all of ya "wallace"
When he shoot on the block,its like yall gettin the trainin
Sippin Hennessey and "Chris" ever since the day he "Kaman"
The point is he the future,take guard for your own welfare
Cau"sebastian" the door no need to pay "HoTel-fair".
In a city like New York bustas is barbaric.
Breakin ankles result in more murders and "Marburry-ied."

billfindlay10

Gasol will be out for 4 months and will take time to get back into the swing of things.....not to mention he has grown to be more of a center in my opinion. J O'neil is plagued by injuries....pushing him down the list. Howard and Amare were considered centers as well.

__________________
The best free online basketball gamewww.cyberdunk.com?ref=248057

SickGame

I always forget how young Bosh is. Ridiculous.

speedythief

I don't think Bosh is as polished or accomplished as the two forwards behind him. Gasol is a nice, well-rounded player (minus the defense) and O'Neal is chronically underrated.

But this year, when Bosh takes it to another level, he could solidify his place among the elite big men in the NBA.

VTRapsfan

No, he's probably not as polished or accomplished as JO or Gasol. But he's a much better fantasy option consider the injury problems of the other 2.