ETB’s 2008-09 Fantasy Basketball Rankings Bazaar, Vol. 1, Issue 3 – Hoopsters 41-60

- The Season's Over -

ETB’s 2008-09 Fantasy Basketball Rankings Bazaar, Vol. 1, Issue 3 – Hoopsters 41-60

October 15, 2008

Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley Want You to Draft Them

Michael Beasley and Kevin Durant Photo Credit: Icon SMI

41 Kevin Durant, OKC, G/F: Once Durant learns to play within himself, improves his shot selection, and adapts to the physicality of NBA defense he’ll be a perennial first- or second-round pick. He’s not there yet, so you’ll have to deal with the turnovers and a low FG% on a high volume of shots. On the plus side, Durant is showing some intriguing versatility in the preseason thus far and should be good for some monster performances.

42 LaMarcus Aldridge, Por, PF/C: I’m as big a LaMarcus Aldridge fan as anybody but I’d like to see some more boards, assists, and blocks. I expect an improvement in his offensive stats this season now that he’ll be playing next to a potentially dominant defensive center.

43 Michael Redd, Mil, SG: Redd was underrated a few years ago, but it’s come full circle and he’s going a bit too high in drafts this year for a guy with such low steals, high turnovers, and mediocre FG%. His scoring was also down last year and he’s missed 39 games over the last two season. He’s still a solid source of points, threes, and FT% though.

44 Hedo Turkoglu, Orl, G/F: Count me among those who think Turkoglu will have a hard time repeating his breakout season from 2007-08 at the age of 29. He won’t be a 20-5-5 guy again, but should be a good source of core stats with strong threes.

45 Gerald Wallace, Cha, F: Wallace is the ultimate boom or bust pick with his extensive injury history and reckless style of play. The steals, boards, and points are great, especially with 1-2 blocks mixed in, but don’t discount the damage that FT% can do for a guy who gets to the line as often as Wallace does. His turnovers are also less than desirable.

46 Michael Beasley, Mia, F: It’s hard to peg Beasley at this point, but I would be surprised to see anything less than 17 points and 9 rebounds with some blocks and steals mixed in. The biggest question is how his shooting percentages and turnover totals will stack up in the NBA game.

47 Mike Dunleavy, Ind, F: Dunleavy was a top-25 fantasy player last season out of virtually nowhere. He should get just as much run and have just as many looks this season, perhaps even more with a playmaker like TJ Ford on board and Jermaine O’Neal out of the picture – it’s just hard to expect a repeat performance after five seasons of mediocrity.

48 Rasheed Wallace, Det, PF/C: We love Sheed here at ETB, but he’s clearly at the tail end of his career. A jack of all trades and a master of none, Sheed’s good-not-great contributions in every category play better in rotisserie than head-to-head. You should also expect to see his minutes decrease after he wore down in the postseason last year and with the emergence of Amir Johnson and J-Maxx.

49 Mike Miller, Min, G/F: Miller is a fantastic shooter who is more than capable of filling it up for an offensively challenged team. He will be relied on heavily to take pressure off of Al Jefferson, but Minnesota will also be running combinations of McCants, Foye, Brewer, and Gomes in the SG and SF spots.

50 Andre Miller, Phi, PG: Andre Miller really turned it on in the second half last season and should have even more opportunities for assists with Elton Brand inside and Thad Young emerging as a swing man. Expectations for the 76ers are high and Andre is also playing for a contract, so the motivation will be there.

Hoopsters 51-60 after the jump…

51 Jason Kidd, Dal, PG: Kidd could be a great source of assists, rebounds, and steals from the PG position again this season, or he could take another major step in the painfully obvious decline we’ve been seeing. If the Olympics are any indication, he’s lost another step. Rocking a guy who shoots under 40% from the field can be deadly as well. I’m staying away unless he falls into this neighborhood – let somebody else worry about making up for his poor shooting.

52 Josh Howard, Dal, G/F: Josh has been making headlines for his appearances on talk radio and YouTube more than his play on the floor the last year. His blocks and steals really dried up in a disappointing 2007-08 campaign and he’s yet to play a full 82-game season.

53 Lamar Odom, LAL, F/G?: The disappearing act in the postseason, word of Phil Jackson’s displeasure in training camp, and rumors of a sixth-man role have me less than excited about Odom’s prospects this season.

54 Vince Carter, NJ, SG: You read it here first: by midseason Vince will be sick of playing for a loser and the sporadic DNPs will start to kick in, followed by a prolonged absence due to a sore hamstring or something of the like. I just don’t want the headache of dealing with this joker/loser.

55 Mo Williams, Cle, PG: LeBron James has to be happy with what he’s seen of Mo Williams in the preseason thus far. Mo is a talented scorer and a decent passer who tops out around 6 assists per game. He should find plenty of open looks playing on the best team he’s been a part of and with all eyes on LeBron.

56 Devin Harris, NJ, PG: YouTube videos aside, Devin has the tools to be the best defensive PG in the NBA in the right situation. His FG% took a dip in Jersey, which was to be expected, but his three-pointers and field-goal attempts spiked while his points, assists, and minutes also rose. Too bad the Jersey frontcourt is a bit messy at the moment.

Hat Tip to TrueHoop and Henry Abbott

57 Andris Biedrins, GS, C: If you’re looking for a boost in FG%, rebounds, and blocks from a center who won’t hurt you in the turnovers department, look no further. The 22-year-old should be more involved in the offense this season as well. Don’t let the bad FT% scare you: he shoots less than 3 per game. I’m willing to reach for this kid.

58 Luol Deng, Chi, G/F: After a fantastic 2006-07 Luol was a major letdown last season. The nagging Achilles injury was a major part of it, but so was the contract situation. Look for a bounceback season.

59 Emeka Okafor, Cha, PF/C: Okafor can be a double-double machine with strong defensive statistics, but what you see is what you get. There’s no upside here and the brutal FT% and complete lack of assists will hurt you.

60 Randy Foye, Min, G: I’m looking for a breakout season from Foye. He’s on my short list of players to reach for, partly because of his strong second half, partly because of the improved situation in Minnesota, but mostly because I believe in his talent.