Empty the Bench

See Also:
Vol. 1, Issue 2: Hoopsters 21-40
Vol. 1, Issue 3: Hoopsters 41-60
Vol. 1, Issue 4: Hoopsters 61-80
Vol. 1, Issue 5: Hoopsters 81-100

1 Chris Paul, NO, PG: After a breakout campaign last season Paul enters 2008-09 as the unquestioned top pick, likely to lead the league in assists and steals again with no noticeable holes in his fantasy game and experience to build on.

2 LeBron James, Cle, SF: LeBron is the ultimate consolation prize and his massive totals could even have more value than Paul’s on a H2H team that’s punting FT%. New PG Mo Williams looks good and should take some pressure off of Bron Bron.

3 Kobe Bean Bryant, LAL, SG/SF?: Kobe’s minutes are supposed to be “limited” this season. I don’t see it having much of an impact, and with these weapons Black Mamba should be able to contribute across the board - but may be asked to do less offensively.

4 Amare Stoudemire, Pho, PF/C: Nobody boosts your FG% like Amare, and few centers can actually buoy your FT% in the process. More defensive stats would be nice, but a healthy Stoudemire is a roto stud.

5 Elton Brand, Phi, PF/C: Bold, I know, but we believe in the guy. This will be the best supporting cast of Brand’s career and he came out strong in his first preseason game. Look for big contributions in points, boards, blocks and FG% with nice assist totals mixed in.

6 Dirk Nowitzki, Dal, PF: After a slow start to the season Dirk came on strong with Jason Kidd in tow and he has something to prove this season. He’s no longer the 3-point asset he was, but the assists have come on the last two seasons.

7 Kevin Garnett, Bos, PF: You gotta love a guy who contributes in every category (outside of threes) like KG does, but look for his minutes and attempts to take another hit. We’re also not convinced he can stay healthy all season with nearly 38,000 NBA minutes on his tires.

8 Caron Butler, Was, SF: Perhaps the most underrated fantasy player in the game, Caron is a stud in points, boards, assists, steals and especially FT% with no glaring weaknesses outside of the injury history. Look for him to hover in the top 5 while Arenas is sidelined.

9 Dwyane Wade, Mia, G: If you watched the Olympics you know D-Wade is back in a major way. Now on a team that needs his scoring and can run with him, look for a return to fantasy form. The TOs will still hurt though.

10 Josh Smith, Atl, G/F: Nobody has as much fantasy upside and nobody is as capable of going out and winning categories as J-Smoove. The departure of Childress should open even more minutes. Now let’s see some better shooting, especially behind the arc and behind the line.

Hoopsters 11-20 after the jump…

11 Baron Davis, LAC, PG: It’s going to be the Baron Davis show in Clipperland this season, so expect some gaudy numbers. Expect at least one injury too - we’re not sold on last season’s 82-game performance.

12 Chris Bosh, Tor, PF/C: Bosh looked extremely solid in the Olympics and will be free to roam with Jermaine O’Neal on board. We’d like some more blocks, but he’s still the best percentages center this side of a healthy Yao.

13 Danny Granger, Ind, F: Huge stats on a shitty team are still huge stats - they’re just easier to come by. Look for Granger to renew his assault on all categories with a vengeance.

14 Allen Iverson, Den, PG: The run-and-gun in Denver suits AI and he posted one of the finest fantasy season’s of his career as a result. Denver may lean on him even more this season sans Camby, but his age and style of play have to catch up with Iverson eventually… right?

15 Steve Nash, Pho, PG: It’s difficult to say how much the loss of D’Antoni will hurt Nash and he’s another guy due for a decline, but it’s hard to argue with this assists and percentages monster. If you think Nash can continue on his pace of the last five years then by all means bump him up into your top 10.

16 Deron Williams, Utah, PG: The second-best point guard in the NBA? It might be common sentiment by season’s end. 50% FGs and 80% FTs with 10+ assists, 1+ steal and 1+ 3-pointer are a rare treat.

17 Al Jefferson, Min, PF/C: Look for Big Al to improve in all categories while he matures and finally has a supporting cast that can hit outside shots and take away the double teams. The assists are pitiful, but with his work ethic expect gains in points, boards, dimes, blocks, FT% and steals.

18 Dwight Howard, Orl, PF/C: Dwight can kill your FT% and TO cats in a rotisserie league, but he more than makes up for it by dominating blocks, FG% and boards. If you can afford to boot FT% in a H2H league Superman is a very solid top-10 pick.

19 Shawn Marion, Mia, SF: We’re not convinced he can bring his all-around fantasy dominance with Nash in the desert to Miami Beach with Wade. Still, even a down year from The Matrix can be fantasy gold - and a trade to friendlier confines is a real possibility.

20 Jose Calderon, Tor, PG: A model of efficiency and all-around productivity as a starter: 13 points, 9 dimes, 1.2 steals, 1.2 threes, 53% FGs, 91% FTs. No TJ and an improving supporting cast means Calderon should improve upon that jaw-dropping fantasy line.

All Fantasy Basketball Rankings:

- Vol. 1, Issue 1: Hoopsters 1-20
- Vol. 1, Issue 2: Hoopsters 21-40
- Vol. 1, Issue 3: Hoopsters 41-60
- Vol. 1, Issue 4: Hoopsters 61-80
- Vol. 1, Issue 5: Hoopsters 81-100