POINT GUARDS
Player | Team | # Games | Comment |
1) Stephen Curry | GSW | 4 | When this man is on the court, you play him. Best shooter in the game today. |
2) Russell Westbrook | OKC | 4 | Getting a ton of shots and is seeing a similiar role to last season even with Kevin Durant back. |
3) Damian Lillard | POR | 4 | The Blazers are built around Lillard and their offense lives and dies with him. He has all of the shots that he can want. |
4) Chris Paul | LAC | 3 | Despite not having the fourth game, the Clippers’ offensive style makes Paul a weekly stat-heavy player in LOB City. |
5) Eric Bledsoe | PHX | 4 | The Suns will be featuring their guards a lot on offense throughout the year and they let Bledsoe create via isolation. |
6) Jeff Teague | ATL | 4 | Teague is playing 32 minutes per game and is the Hawks' primary backcourt scoring weapon. |
7) Kyle Lowry | TOR | 4 | Lowry commands the ball and has taken 13 shots per game. You have to love the 5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 3 steals that you are getting from him per game. |
8) Victor Oladipo | ORL | 4 | He had an excellent shooting display in the second half versus the Thunder as it looked like it was him and Russell Westbrook doing all of the scoring. Great combo guard option. |
9) Mike Conley | MEM | 4 | Conley is showing that he is focusing on playing more of a traditional point guard role, focusing on playmaking. His eight assists per game to start the season prove it. |
10) Rajon Rondo | SAC | 4 | Shot selection is key for Rondo as we all know he is one of the best passer’s in the league and needs to shoot over 50 percent from the floor to be most effective. |
11) John Wall | WSH | 3 | New year, same Wall! Great scoring option with crisp passes and is a hound on defense (2.7 blocks per game)….However, 4.7 turnovers per game? Same. Old. Wall! |
12) Derrick Rose | CHI | 3 | I will say it again: when Rose is healthy and on the floor, HE controls the Bulls' offense and is their No. 1 scoring option. |
13) Reggie Jackson | DET | 3 | 5.7 rebounds per game is impressive, as is 18.7 points per game, but Jackson will be most effective when he shoots over 45 percent in a game. |
14) Elfrid Payton | ORL | 4 | Payton is a very traditional point guard as he will do all of the dirty work and grab rebounds, steals, dish assists and any scoring is a bonus. |
15) George Hill | IND | 4 | New hairstyle, same old Hill as he has served as an excellent combo guard to start the season. |
16) Ricky Rubio | MIN | 3 | He’s only played in two games in which his shot was on in one of them, but he did compile 22 assists in those two games and is one of the better passers in the league. |
17) Kemba Walker | CHA | 3 | Walker is showing he is fully healthy early and is getting to the free-throw line as well. He is always a reliable option if he plays over 30 minutes per game. |
18) Michael Carter-Williams | MIL | 4 | Shooting percentage is something MCW needed to improve on coming into the season. He also must work on turnovers per game. Liking the 5.3 rebounds per game he is averaging, though. |
19) Jarrett Jack | BKN | 4 | If he is hot, he will continue to shoot and shoot, if not, he will be a ghost on the floor. |
20) Mo Williams | CLE | 4 | Williams helped fantasy owners the most in Week 1 with his confident outside shooting and five assists per game. When LeBron James is creating, he will likely be the open option on the wing when he draws the double team. |
SHOOTING GUARDS
Player | Team | # Games | Comment |
1) James Harden | HOU | 4 | Remember this is fantasy and the Rockets record has no impact on YOUR season. Harden is still a top option. |
2) DeMar DeRozan | TOR | 4 | DeRozan has proven that he is the top scoring option on the Raptors and has scored over 20 points per game. |
3) Klay Thompson | GSW | 4 | Thompson has not been coming through on the scoring end because he has been dealing with a back issue. He says he is over it and you will see him return to normal form. |
4) Dwyane Wade | MIA | 4 | When Wade is playing over 30 minutes per game, you know it is a good sign his hamstrings have not tightened yet. |
5) Goran Dragic | MIA | 4 | Playing time will not be an issue for the other end of the Heat’s backcourt and Dragic is one of the better passers in the league and is never afraid to drive the lane and draw contact. |
6) Kobe Bryant | LAL | 3 | As long as Bryant is playing, the Lakers’ offense runs completely through him and even though he does not have the extra game, his guaranteed scoring makes him reliable. |
7) Brandon Knight | PHX | 4 | Knight has been scoring 20 points per game and has shown the Suns will be relying on their backcourt heavily for scoring this year. |
8) C.J. McCollum | POR | 4 | McCollum’s quickness and consistent mid range jumper makes him a viable scoring threat and will be able to be productive even with Damian Lillard as his counterpart. |
9) Kyle Korver | ATL | 4 | When Korver is getting open looks, he is one of the deadliest shooters in the game. If he is being chased around the arena all night and has a tough defensive matchup, fatigue absolutely impacts his game. |
10) Monta Ellis | IND | 4 | We have seen Ellis as more of a playmaker to start the season as he is struggling to adapt to the Pacers’ offense and shooting from the field in general. This will change soon. |
11) Trevor Ariza | HOU | 4 | Playing time will not be an issue because Ariza is a very disciplined defender. To get full value, he must be hitting consistently from downtown. |
12) Gordon Hayward | UTAH | 4 | Hayward is finally learning how to use the baseline to get open and is showing more creativity. He does not stop moving and that will get him open looks inside and out. |
13) Jimmy Butler | CHI | 3 | With Rose being back in, his role on offense is a bit confusing and will be for the next few weeks, but his amazing all around defense will keep his minutes high. |
14) Bradley Beal | WSH | 3 | So apparently nobody can stop Beal….or so he says! Now that his wrist is 100 percent again, the Wizards will rely on him as, at minimum, the secondary scoring option. When Wall is cold, Beal will be scoring in the 30’s. |
15) Nicolas Batum | CHA | 3 | Not only has Batum been helping on the shooting front, but he has also been grabbing rebounds as well and it is always a good sign seeing guards grab rebounds. |
16) Joe Johnson | BKN | 4 | I cannot deny a No. 1 scoring option and though this Nets team looks uncomfortable on the court, Johnson never takes a shot he doesn’t like. |
17) Danny Green | SAS | 3 | Green is often open from the corner and is smart enough to dribble inside and take a baby or mid-range jumper rather than just taking the open three-pointer. |
18) J.J. Redick | LAC | 3 | Redick causes confusion among the opposition because he is constantly moving on the court and is good at reading screens. He has played in nearly 30 minutes per game while scoring 16.7 points per game. Role established! |
19) Hollis Thompson | PHI | 4 | The feel-good option of the week. Thompson is playing 34 minutes per game and experience is on his side with this young Sixers team. He has the ability to score but needs to shoot more this week. |
20) Kevin Martin | MIN | 3 | Strict scoring option who has yet to see his usual high volume of open looks. Already scoring nearly 19 a game, once Martin gets those open looks, he will be scoring a lot in the upper 20’s. |
SMALL FORWARDS
Player | Team | # Games | Comment |
1) LeBron James | CLE | 4 | Looking very effective with a lingering back issue. It shows how good he can be regarding suppressing his physical pain. |
2) Kevin Durant | OKC | 4 | The rust is still being shaken off but did have a 43-point scoring effort which is absolutely a good sign. |
3) Paul George | IND | 4 | He can play multiple positions and is moving around the court just as effectively as he did two seasons ago. Playing time will always be on his side. |
4) Carmelo Anthony | NYK | 4 | The primary scoring weapon of the triangle offense. Enough said! |
5) Rudy Gay | SAC | 4 | Gay has less of a burden on him now with Rajon Rondo at the helm and can camp out beyond the arc where he is most dangerous. |
6) Tobias Harris | ORL | 4 | Already a 30-point outing for Harris, but what makes me even more interested in him is his rebounding ability. Very happy with 23 rebounds in three games. |
7) Thaddeus Young | BKN | 4 | Definite go-to wing defender and wing scoring option. Starting to see a little post play added to Young’s game, which will make him more lethal on offense. |
8) Khris Middleton | MIL | 4 | Despite poor shooting, Middleton’s size gives the Bucks even more depth and has been playing over 30 minutes per game. |
9) DeMarre Carroll | TOR | 4 | Showing his offensive skills early and when he is hot from mid range, he will be given the ball every time. Carroll has an excellent drive to the basket. |
10) Kawhi Leonard | SAS | 3 | What Leonard won't give you in points some nights, he will make up to you with steals and rebounding. |
11) Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 4 | He is shooting well over 60 percent from the field and has 18 rebounds in two games. He can even play multiple positions. |
12) Luol Deng | MIA | 4 | Now relegated to the wing, Deng’s job is to screen and pop out from the screen to get an open look. He is a very effective shooter. |
13) Jeff Green | MEM | 4 | Green is the change of pace player Memphis needs and is very good at attacking the hoop. |
14) J.R. Smith | CLE | 4 | If his shot is on, you will want to marry him and keep him forever, but when he starts chucking up shots, it will make you want to pull your hair out. |
15) Harrison Barnes | GSW | 4 | As long as Barnes is playing close to 30 minutes per game, and averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds, I am happy. He will have 20-point scoring nights. |
16) Danilo Gallinari | DEN | 3 | Excellent shooter and a matchup nightmare for bigger defenders. I always wish he would attack the hoop more, but Denver pays him for his jumper. |
17) Ersan Ilyasova | DET | 3 | Good shooting translates to more playing time for him. Use him for his scoring and long range shooting ability. |
18) Wesley Matthews | DAL | 3 | He has not seen the amount of shots he is used to, but is expected to score in double figures providing minor rebounding and steals help as well. |
19) Chandler Parsons | DAL | 3 | The Mavericks will increase his playing time and he will be given a decent amount of shots in his next few games while he still finds his rhythm. |
20) Jae Crowder | BOS | 2 | His role creating from the elbow is definitely something we will see a lot of throughout the season. Expecting Crowder to score 10-13 points per game this season. |
POWER FORWARDS
Player | Team | # Games | Comment |
1) Kevin Love | CLE | 4 | The offense is said to be running a lot through Love, and you have to LOVE that (pun intended). |
2) Paul Millsap | ATL | 4 | Already showing he is willing to take on as much of the scoring as the Hawks guards are willing to give him and that’s awesome considering he is a more defensive weapon. |
3) Chris Bosh | MIA | 4 | Bosh is back and looks like he has not lost a step and for some reason teams still do not guard him from the outside. |
4) Anthony Davis | NO | 3 | Davis has one less game and needs to continue to attack the rim more. He’s big, lanky and has tremendous reach and needs to take advantage of that. |
5) Pau Gasol | CHI | 3 | There is a reason Gasol is the starter and not Joakim Noah. His post play has been on point and is still very involved in the Derrick Rose-led offense. |
6) Zach Randolph | MEM | 4 | Randolph is still one of the hardest players to box out in the lower block. He scores a lot via second chance opportunities (put backs). He is all over the glass, especially on offense. |
7) Greg Monroe | MIL | 4 | So far so good for the Greg Monroe for Mayor campaign in Milwaukee and just like in Detroit, he attacks the basket and posts up and can work through the double team. |
8) Serge Ibaka | OKC | 4 | The Thunder’s enforcer reigns supreme and is averaging three blocks per game while scoring 12 points per game. |
9) LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS | 3 | Looks comfortable in the offense just like he did in Portland and as mentioned last week, has a ton of room to create and work in the paint. |
10) Blake Griffin | LAC | 3 | Shoot less! Drive more! Griffin wants to be an outside shooter, but he needs to realize how much of an animal he is inside. He is one of the most effective paint players in the league. |
11) Dirk Nowitzki | DAL | 3 | Has scored in the 20s in just one of his first three games, but his 8.3 rebounds per game should put a smile on your face. He will score more as he gets back into rhythm. |
12) Tim Duncan | SAS | 3 | People forget that Duncan played in 77 games last year and does not look washed up. He is even blocking 1.3 shots per game. |
13) Marcus Morris | DET | 3 | Great signing by Detroit as Morris has been their most effective player on offense thus far. He could very well average 20 points per game this season. |
14) Draymond Green | GSW | 4 | Inconsistent scoring, but he is still getting a consistent amount of playing time and is grabbing 7-8 rebounds per game. |
15) Kenneth Faried | DEN | 3 | Faried is still all over the glass and is excellent at following his teammates shots. |
16) Derrick Favors | UTAH | 3 | Favors has been a monster when it comes to filling up a stat sheet. The standout stat for him is 2.3 steals per game. |
17) Nikola Mirotic | CHI | 3 | Great move getting him in the starting lineup as he is a reliable outside shooter. |
18) Markieff Morris | PHX | 4 | Morris is tough inside and has drastically improved his offensive game and the Suns need all of the frontcourt help they can get. |
19) Kristaps Porzingis | NYK | 4 | Has shown his shooting range and also perimeter defense. When his shot is on, he doesn’t miss and is a very reliable outside shooter. |
20) Terrence Jones | HOU | 4 | Has an eye injury that kept him limited, but is always effective on both sides of the ball when he plays. . |
CENTERS
Player | Team | # Games | Comment |
1) DeMarcus Cousins | SAC | 4 | One of the best and most consistent players in the game today when it comes to fantasy. He is the primary scoring weapon. |
2) Al Horford | ATL | 4 | Looks very quick and his long-range jumper has been working for him so far. Expect a plentiful amount of points and rebounds. |
3) Marc Gasol | MEM | 4 | Can burn you from the post and from long range and is very difficult to box out on the glass. |
4) Nikola Vucevic | ORL | 4 | Excellent lane driving ability and a solid pump fake down low to draw contact. Always looking to create inside. |
5) Andre Drummond | DET | 3 | Drummond’s percentages may ultimately hurt you, but seeing 20-20 on the stat sheet is always something to cheer about. |
6) Hassan Whiteside | MIA | 4 | Strict inside player who is a hound on the glass. Has no offensive presence except when it comes to putbacks. |
7) DeAndre Jordan | LAC | 3 | Would be ranked high if he had the fourth game this week, but business as usual for Jordan. Very lethal inside. |
8) Rudy Gobert | UTAH | 3 | Gobert has grabbed 13.3 rebounds and swatted 3.7 shots per game. I’ll leave it at that. |
9) Tyson Chandler | PHX | 4 | Your 10 and 10 guy who is excellent at keeping plays alive and will tap the ball to the outside, counting as a rebound. |
10) Nerlens Noel | PHI | 4 | A good creator from the top of the key. Noel has definitely improved in playing the post and driving the lane. |
11) Marcin Gortat | WSH | 3 | Strict post player who has an excellent baby hook that is very hard to defend. Often found camping out down low for the low screen in order to get open. |
12) Brook Lopez | BKN | 4 | The 7-foot-1 center is known more for his scoring and less for his rebounding, but has grabbed 6.7 rebounds per game thus far and will need to improve. |
13) Zaza Pachulia | DAL | 3 | Another 10 and 10 veteran center who gets the job done defensively on an offensive-heavy team. |
14) Joakim Noah | CHI | 3 | Coming off the bench will help preserve Noah throughout the season and will take down any team’s second unit down low. |
15) Al Jefferson | CHA | 3 | When moving at full speed, Jefferson is a 20 and 10 player but needs to be moving down low in order to be fed the ball. |
16) Enes Kanter | OKC | 4 | Very good at creating and screening from the top of the key. Very reliable outside shooter. |
17) Mason Plumlee | POR | 4 | Banger under the boards that has developed a post game, complete with spin moves inside to draw contact. |
18) Robin Lopez | NYK | 4 | Lopez is a quiet scorer as he spends more time screening than shooting. He will score on second chance opportunities. |
19) Jonas Valanciunas | TOR | 4 | Need him to secure more minutes to be effective and also must watch the hacking so he stays out of foul trouble. He can average 10 rebounds per game if time is on his side. |
20) Timofey Mozgov | CLE | 4 | The volume player that speaks volumes when on the court. He has so much to prove with such a little amount of time to prove it. Expect 20-25 minutes per game. |