subject: Nba Tickets - Top Five Fantasy Small Forwards [print this page] Here is how I would rank the top small forwards for fantasy basketball heading into training camp for the 2010-11 NBA season:
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: Durant heads into the season as my number one fantasy player for 2010-11, regardless of position. Durant won the scoring title last season and is still working on his game and getting better every day. He was the unquestioned alpha dog for the USA in the FIBA World Championships this offseason and one could argue that he's already the best player in the National basketball Association.
While I think he's got a bit higher to climb to hurdle guys like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, this could be the year it happens. Anyone that got NBA tickets to a Thunder game last season can tell you that Durant is one of the most unique talents in the league; there's really nothing he can't do on the floor. He's a great bet to win the scoring title again this season and should produce very solid rebounding numbers for a small forward. Durant also shoots fantastic percentages and contributes in virtually every statistical category on some level. He's THE elite option this season.
2. LeBron James, Miami Heat: It's hard to predict exactly how things are going to shake out in South Beach this season. LeBron was a fantasy monster in Cleveland, but he was also forced to do a lot with a suspect supporting cast. In Miami, James will have two other star players on his team in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Which of these three players becomes the go-to guy remains to be seen, though it could be none of them. Either way, I expect to see an uptick in James' assist numbers and perhaps an increase in his percentages, but the scoring numbers should drop, as will the rebounds if LeBron ends up spending a lot of time at the point. He could gain some positional flexibility once we see how Miami decides to run things.
3. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers: Granger is a fantastic all-around producer for fantasy purposes. He contributes in every single category, but shoots a lower field goal percentage than most elite fantasy options. He missed 20 games last season, which has to be a concern, and could see his usage decrease with a real point guard in town, but that could also help his percentages.
4. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets: He's unhappy in Denver, which makes him a risk, but he also wants to prove that he's an elite player that will be worth a huge payday next summer, depending on the new collective bargaining agreement. Either way, I just don't see a better option this season at this point. He scores in bunches and rebounds the ball very well, but he definitely comes with significant risk.
5. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks: Smith was a fantasy stud in 2009-10, as he decided to focus more on rebounding and defense than his offense. He still scored a decent amount, mostly inside, and his assists were pleasant surprise. Smith reverted back to his former self a bit in the postseason, which is why I don't have him one spot earlier, but he could definitely outperform this ranking if he plays within himself.
