Empty the Bench

Power forward is, bar none, the least sexy position in fantasy basketball. The truly dominant fantasy center is as rare as a mountain Yeti, and as equally sought after. The small forward position is defined by a combination of size and athleticism that makes them superstars. The shooting guard slashes to the basket with reckless abandon, handles the ball admirably, and knocks down impossible outside shots. The point guard is the floor general, the man who dominates the ball each possession and yet keeps everyone involved.

The power forward? Most of the time, he stands around the hoops waiting for somebody to pass him the ball or to rebound another player’s miss. And half of the real power forwards are C-eligible to start with, and with the dearth of talent at center that’s what they’re being drafted as. What’s left at PF isn’t very exciting after the top-three, but a balanced fantasy squad needs at least two true power forwards.

More of ETB’s free Fantasy Basketball Positional Rankings:

Center Rankings 1-30

1. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics: If C-eligibility is really in the works, then KG is your top overall pick. If it’s not, he probably still is. There’s simply no other player in the NBA who provides this level of consistent excellence across the board year in and year out with his track record of good health. While the points may take a slight hit in Bean Town, the rest of the numbers should hold steady or even improve with a superior supporting cast that’s thin on option after the Big Three. The baseline right now is 20+ points, 12.5+ rebounds, 4.5+ assists, 1.5+ blocks and 1.2+ steals on around 50% FGs and 82% FTs. All the plus signs in that line are because we can see him improving significantly in all those categories after being moved away from the NBA’s elite PFs into the softer Eastern Conference and playing alongside people who can finish and take offensive pressure off KG for a change. Six assists are not out of the question.

2. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: He may have choked in the real playoffs, but fantasy owners shouldn’t care about that. If anything, we expect Dirk Diggler to come back with a vengeance. Although his perimeter game lagged last season (0.9 three-pointers), there are few players in the NBA who can give your squad solid traditional PF numbers while helping in points and three-pointers. At ETB we also believe in drafting players in the first round who will have a positive impact on your percentages because they’re likely going to take the most shots for you. Dirk’s 50.2% FGs on 17.2 attempts and 90.4% FTs on 7.1 attempts are a major asset on top of his usual 25 points, 9 boards, 3 assists and 1 block.

3. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: Marion has finished each of the last two seasons as the top ranked player in fantasy basketball, making it tempting to rank him first. Keep in mind, though, that fantasy titles are not won by comparing player ranks at the end of the season, especially in head-to-head. The one knock on Marion is that he’s a jack of all trades, and master of none—he won’t go out and win you categories. Still, he’s an amazing fantasy asset and his career line leaves little to be desired: 18.6 points, 10.0 boards, 1.9 steals, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 three-pointers on 47.9% FGs and 81.1% FTs.

4. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers: There’s a substantial fall off from the third PF on this list to the fourth. Part of that is because so many real PFs have C-eligibility, and part of it is because there aren’t many dominant, pure PFs left these days. While the first three have a history of solid health, Odom enters the year with questions about his surgically repaired shoulder and a long history of injuries (four seasons of 64 games or less played). When he’s on the floor, though, Odom is a versatile stud that puts up consistently helpful numbers. You’d like to see his 46.8% FGs and 70% FTs improve, but the 16 points, 5 assists, 1 three-pointer, 1 steal and 10 boards are excellent.

5. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards: Jamison is a scorer who’s going to give you close to 20 points and 2 threes a game, which is nice. But he doesn’t block shots (0.5 blocks), rebounds inconsistently (8.0 rebounds), doesn’t pass well (1.9 assists) and has weak percentages (45.0% FGs, 73.6% FTs). There’s a lot to like about the 20 points and 8 boards, but he’s not in the same class as the top four here.

6. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz: Heading into last season, Kirilenko was challenging to be among the top three here. Last year was an absolute train wreck for the mouthy, pithy Russian on and off the court. When he’s on his game, he’s a top-5 fantasy contributor because of his incredible hustle stats and ability to flat-out win you steals or blocks any given week. But it turns out he can also act like a baby that needs a diaper change at times, dog it at practice if he’s in a bad mood, and has threatened to walk away from his contract and play in Russia. So, caveat emptor…

7. David West, New Orleans Hornets: When he’s been on the court over the last two seasons David West has been a fantastic asset. He puts up a 50% FGs on 15 attempts and an 83% FTs while notching around 18 points and 8 boards with 2 assists and nearly a block and steal per game. He runs the pick-and-roll game with Chris Paul to perfection (when he also happens to be on the court) and provides consistent, solid, if unspectacular numbers. Unfortunately, he missed 8 games in 2005-06 and 30 games in 2006-07, so there is an injury concern here.

8. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors: We’re both Bargnani converts at ETB. Neither of us figured he’d be much of a PF at the NBA level, but after seeing his outside game and shot-blocking ability translate we’re expecting big things this season. It doesn’t look like he’ll ever be a stud on the glass, but 6-7 rebounds, 2+ three-pointers, 19 points along with 1 steal and 1 block would make Bargnani a major asset. Playing next to a guy who will command double teams like Chris Bosh certainly helps.

9. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger is another player who won’t dominate or win you any categories, but his across-the-board production will serve you well as a third or fourth forward. An emerging talent entering his third season, he’s a solid defender who could also bring a steal and a block to the table along with 17 points, 6 rebounds and more than 1 three-pointer with solid percentages.

10. Zach Randolph, New York Knicks: Watching Randolph and Eddy Curry both fight to avoid defending people and grabbing rebounds should be good. It’ll be like two brothers arguing who’s turn it is to clean the room. With the investment they’ve made, Isiah Thomas will be forced to start Randolph at first but he really doesn’t do much besides score, play bad defense, spread cancer in the locker room and grab whatever rebounds happen to come his way. You’re going to get 18+ points and around 8+ rebounds on decent percentages, but not much else.

11. David Lee, New York Knicks: And Lee is the guy who loses out in the Knicks’ gambit to acquire Randolph. He’s the exact kind of hustle player who makes sense alongside the sluggish Curry, and we think he’ll earn his minutes. In just his second season Lee averaged a double-double (10.7 points, 10.4 rebounds) in only 29:48 minutes and on 6.9 attempts. That’s pretty incredible in and of itself. Add in the astounding 60.0% from the field and 81.5% from the line, and you have a fantastic glue player for your fantasy squad.

12. Andres Nocioni, Chicago Bulls: The undrafted Nocioni has continued to improve in each of his three seasons, despite being limited by injury in 2005-06. There are points to be had in in the Chicago frontcourt, and Nocioni should be good for around 100 three-pointers this season. His percentages are respectable and the 15 points with 6 boards are helpful, but unspectacular.

13. Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers: This is a major sleeper, and we’d be tempted to reach for him. Elton Brand will miss a bulk, if not all, of the season and that should thrust Thornton into more than 30 minutes a game. The rookie from Florida State has an excellent jumper from mid-range, has quick feet and gets off the ground well. With those minutes, combined with lining up next to the offensively challenged Chris Kaman, he could challenge for the ROY award.

14. Tyrus Thomas, Chicago Bulls: We’re not huge fans of Thomas, especially the attitude, but the guy can block shots and possesses tremendous athleticism. He blocked more than a shot a game as a rookie last season and should see a lot more than 13:24 minutes a game this season. He needs a lot of polish offensively, and it’s a major gamble on upside, but you could do worse as a second PF.

15. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks: It remains to be seen how the logjam at forward sorts itself out in Atlanta, but it’s hard to think the third-overall pick in June’s draft won’t be a prominent member of the regular rotation. From Andrew’s July 8 “Draft’s Impact Players: “11 ppg, 8 boards and 1.5 blocks with an nice FG% is a reasonable expectation, making him a 12th or 13th round pick. He’s already a very strong player with nice length and good leaping ability. He also finishes very well, which should be good for a few buckets on the Hawks’ fast break. While he doesn’t have great range yet, he does have soft hands down low and plays tough D, which should mean respectable rebound and block numbers. He’s already the best power forward on the Atlanta roster.”

16. Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Williams is PF eligible, even if he plays like more of an oversized SF, and he’s got all the talent in the world. The former second-overall pick could be in for a breakout season in his third year, or he could be another year in development. It’s hard to ignore the explosive offensive potential and sheer athleticism though. With a little more polish 16 points, 6 boards, 1 steal and one 1 block should be a reasonable expectation.

17. Chris Wilcox, Seattle Supersonics: Motivation seems to be the key with the eighth-overall pick of the ‘02 draft. A major underachiever during his career with the Clippers, Wilcox was moved to the Sonics about midway through the 05/06 season–his contract year. It just so happened that that’s when the light bulb went off and he suddenly went from a mediocre sub to a solid, hard-to-handle starter. If he stays motivated as the Sonics work through their growing pains, we expect numbers right on pace with last year’s 13.5 points, 7.7 boards, and mid-50% FG. More blocks (0.5/per) would be swell.

18. Troy Murphy, Indiana Pacers: Murphy used to be a consistent double-digit rebounder, but the last few seasons he’s drifted from the basket on defense. You’re not going to get much in the way of assists, steals, blocks or percentages, but modest points and rebounds, with a three-pointer per game and low TOs, aren’t worthless. Can’t you just feel our enthusiasm for Murphy and the Pacers?

19. Nick Collison, Seattle Supersonics: The Sonics are just loaded at the PF/C center spot with high first-round draft picks they’re still waiting (hoping?) will develop into consistent, reliable contributors. Now entering his fourth season, the 6-9 Collison might be that guy, at least for now. He suited up for all 82 contests in 06/07, putting up very solid numbers in just 29 minutes of action/per: 9.6 points, 8.1 boards, 1 assist, and 50% FG. He’ll spell Wilcox again this year and probably get about the same amount of burn. His numbers have gone up every successive year, so a double-double average is possible.

20. Jason Maxiell, Detroit Pistons: J-Maxx is a certified ETB favorite and one of the most ferocious up-and-coming forwards the NBA has to offer. Don’t put too much weight into this monster’s sub-mediocre averages in 06/07 (5 points, 2.8 boards, 0.9 blocks). Now entering his third year, the former first-round pick will be the first forward off the bench for the Pistons and could see upwards of 25 minutes/per right out of the gate. Expect his points, boards, FG PCT, steals, and blocks to all go up, and for him to chew up and spit out at least seven weaker opponents. He’s a great last-round pick and a total upside guy that’s capable of low double-double numbers if he gets the minutes.

21. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks
22. Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat
23. Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee Bucks
24. Drew Gooden, Cleveland Cavaliers
25. Antonio McDyess, Detroit Pistons
26. Reggie Evans, Philadelphia 76ers
27. Chuck Hayes, Houston Rockets
28. Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers
29. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers
30. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets

All ETB Fantasy Hoops Rankings:

Top 150 Overall (Coming Soon)

Point Guards (Coming Soon)

Shooting Guards

Small Forwards

Power Forwards

Centers

**ETB is currently seeking out writers and bloggers to participate in the 2007-08 ETB Fantasy Basketball Extravaganza. It is a standard Yahoo!, 9-category, head-to-head league. The draft is set for Tuesday, October 23, at 8:15pm EDT. If interested, please contact us at andrew@emptythebench.com.**