NBA Weekly Fantasy Basketball Player Rankings: Week 4
Point Guards
| RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
| 1 | Russell Westbrook | OKC | 4 | Westbrook, as expected, remains at the top of the list and has recently looked to attack the rim more than finding a shot via isolation. A good sign that his health is in great shape. |
| 2 | James Harden | HOU | 4 | Right behind Westbrook as the everything player in the NBA is Harden. The "Harden Runs Point" experiment has not hurt this team as they run the floor very similarly to how they did last season. |
| 3 | Damian Lillard | POR | 4 | Before the season, I was very worried that adding more shooting options would takeaway from the Millions of shots that Lillard gets, but then I remembered Evan Turner is a bum and I haven't had any doubts since game one. |
| 4 | Chris Paul | LAC | 4 | Paul has been getting a lot of open looks and un-contested tear drops that have helped keep his scoring average up. Just like the commercials, Paul is always there to give the "assist". |
| 5 | Kyle Lowry | TOR | 4 | Starting to put a little more stock in Lowry as he is becoming more aggressive on the wing. He lets DeRozan have his with the offense, but when doubles start to form out on the block, Lowry takes advantage and drives. |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | GSW | 3 | There are very few players that can start over players with more games with them, but because of the vast pool of PG's on this list, Curry moves out of the top 5 with one less game. |
| 7 | Mike Conley | MEM | 4 | Conley has been a bit banged up to start the season and needs to get things going a little bit. Conley must work to move the ball more in the paint and not around the key. |
| 8 | Rajon Rondo | CHI | 4 | The one top 10 point guard in which their scoring is a bonus. Remember, with Rondo, you are paying for assists, steals and rebounding. |
| 9 | John Wall | WSH | 3 | Beal's hammy has been acting up a bit meaning more production is expected from Wall, especially on the scoring front. |
| 10 | Kyrie Irving | CLE | 3 | Irving puts up a ton of wild shots, but the backspin he puts on the ball always gives it a chance to rock the rim and go in. Very Iverson-esque. |
| 11 | Eric Bledsoe | PHX | 3 | The Suns NEED scoring and they are not getting it from their undersized front court and with Bledsoe running point, he will continue to get vast shot opportunities. |
| 12 | Jeff Teague | IND | 4 | Teague has been more involved in the offense than I thought and am slowly learning that when one Pacer goes down, it's Teague who picks up the slack and takes more mid range shots. |
| 13 | Kemba Walker | CHA | 3 | Walker and Batum have a nice two-man game going on in which they are constantly on the pick and roll. Batum calls for the ball in the post everytime and then quickly steps out and sets the screen for Walker to cut. |
| 14 | Isaiah Thomas | BOS | 4 | Currently has a sprained finger but it should not keep him out, and if it does, maybe for one game. A little worried about his shooting motion, but with other teammates hurt, his scoring is needed. |
| 15 | Dennis Schroder | ATL | 4 | Schroder has been quietly impressive and has improved his shot selection. He doesn't force shots as much and is always thinks paint first when he has the ball showing his maturity as a PG. |
| 16 | Derrick Rose | NYK | 4 | He's still healthy and that's all you can ask for at this point. The Knicks look they have punted defense for the season meaning scoring is a must and Rose is on the right team to do so. |
| 17 | Goran Dragic | MIA | 4 | Despite the lack of consistent weapons, Dragic has done a great job handling the primary responsibilities for a PG and has not started taking brick after brick especially when the eteam is down. |
| 18 | J.J. Barea | DAL | 4 | With Deron Williams injured, Barea see's a ton more playing time and his scrappy nature alone makes him the prime beneficiary for most of the minutes and has done a great job driving the floor and scoring. |
| 19 | D'Angelo Russell | LAL | 3 | The Lakers are still looking for consistent strengths of their overall game and right now it seems a different player shines each night. Some night's Russell plays more of a traditional PG role which includes a lot of passing, and others, he has played as a shoot-first PG. |
| 20 | Darren Collison | SAC | 3 | Collison is back in full force and looks like he hasn't missed a step. He has already had a 20-point game and a 9-assist game showing how dynamic of a guard he is. |
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Shooting Guards
| RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
| 1 | DeMar DeRozan | TOR | 4 | DeRozan continues to show why he very well could be a No. 1 option in the NBA. His dynamic scoring and combo attack of driving through the lane and defenders along with his excellent post play, it has been hard to guard him and Lowry is letting him have his way. |
| 2 | C.J. McCollum | POR | 4 | McCollum continues to produce as part of one of the most lethal NBA back courts and with the lack of other offensive weapons, he will continue to score. |
| 3 | Victor Oladipo | OKC | 4 | Oladipo surprisingly gets open a decent amount because of how much attention needs to on Westbrook at all times. |
| 4 | Gordon Hayward | UT | 4 | Hayward is back, healthy and the Jazz just lost George Hill and may lose Derrick Favors, meaning the offensive burden will fall mainly on him. |
| 5 | Dwyane Wade | CHI | 4 | Wade continues to turn back the clock and show his durability early. He has been relying on mainly isolation, but also catches smaller defenders falling asleep when the shot goes up and gets rebounds and putbacks under the basket. |
| 6 | Avery Bradley | BOS | 4 | The Celtics have been hurt and Bradley has done a good job stepping up on both ends of the floor. He has been excellent at getting open off screens and has been lethal from beyond the arc. |
| 7 | Klay Thompson | GSW | 3 | It will be hard to tell on a per-game basis how many shots Thompson will get, but when the Warriors get out to a good lead, they often let Thompson start running the offense to pad the score. |
| 8 | Devin Booker | PHX | 3 | Very very impressive to start the season and also has been one of the most reliable shooters late in games. It is easy to tell that the Suns coaches are fully behind booker and are letting him get creative with the ball. |
| 9 | Nicolas Batum | CHA | 3 | Batum will keep using the post nicely and especially against smaller defenders. It is hard to tell on a given offensive play whether he would post up first or square up for three. He positions himself nicely. |
| 10 | Tyler Johnson | MIA | 4 | I'm a believer in Johnson. He is being forced into a No. 1 role, but he will continue to drive with force and has a very quick inside pass when Whiteside cuts. |
| 11 | Monta Ellis | IND | 4 | When the pace needs to change, Ellis is frequently called upon and can do it himself. He is excellent at running the floor on transition and stopping and popping while defenders go guard the paint to prevent the potential layup. |
| 12 | Rodney Hood | UT | 4 | With the Jazz once again suffering from multiple injuries, Hood will be needed to score. He will have to serve as the off-the-ball bail out option for Hayward and will need to run the point with a little bit of isolation included. |
| 13 | Sean Kilpatrick | BKN | 4 | Kilpatrick continues to earn his spot in the Nets rotation with Jeremy Lin hurt and has shown how effective he is on the glass. |
| 14 | Wesley Matthews | DAL | 4 | Matthews plays a very similar role in Dallas as Batum in Charlotte and thinking about it is funny b/c they were once teammates. Expect a lot of post plays up top and popping out on offense. |
| 15 | J.J. Redick | LAC | 4 | Redick's quick release on his shot makes it very difficult to guard and when the Clippers transition play is not working, an open Redick serves as the primary bail out option on the wing. |
| 16 | Kent Bazemore | ATL | 4 | Bazemore really wants to be a shooter, but with his bigger build, he must look to post and draw contact. If he can perfect a turn around jumper in the paint, he will be a bigger threat to opposing teams. |
| 17 | Bradley Beal | WSH | 3 | Beal can score and we have seen more tenacity from him on both sides of the ball, but as the story goes with Beal, he is ailing from a Hammy injury and could potentially miss a game. |
| 18 | Lou Williams | LAL | 3 | The back door cut is still effective as ever and you can always tell when it is coming because, who ever is running the point starts looking in the corner of the court for it. |
| 19 | J.R. Smith | CLE | 3 | Smith continues to add in his own trick shots throughout games and LeBron allows it and that is great for fantasy players. Smith as the frequent 3rd scoring option when on the floor is dangerous from downtown. |
| 20 | Evan Fournier | ORL | 3 | Fournier has been reading screens very effectively and his shot selection continues to improve and is constantly moving around to get open right inside the arc. |
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Small Forwards
| RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | ||||
| 1 | Jimmy Butler | CHI | 4 | Butler continues to impress as the Bulls offense continues to be dominated by their mid-court. Butler has been excellent on both sides of the ball on the perimeter and is deserving of this top spot. | ||||
| 2 | Kevin Durant | GSW | 3 | Durant continues to play consistently on and off the ball and has been playing a bit more inside following up teammates shots with put-backs. | ||||
| 3 | Paul George | IND | 4 | George is very effective all over the court, but also is dealing with a minor ankle injury. He will play, but may look to pass off a bit more in his first and possible second game of the week. | ||||
| 4 | LeBron James | CLE | 3 | James still gets his when on the court and he is burning defenders in the mid court and is not hoisting up wild three-pointers. | ||||
| 5 | Carmelo Anthony | NYK | 4 | When Anthony is not getting ejected in the 2nd Quarter of games, he has been a strong offensive weapon, per usual, especially in the 2nd half of games. | ||||
| 6 | Kawhi Leonard | SAS | 3 | Leonard's perimeter play continues to improve and you see him putting up a lot more long range shots because teams know and focus on keeping him out of the paint. | ||||
| 7 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 3 | The Greek Freak will always have playing time and time of possesion with the ball on his side as the Bucks continue to see inconsistent production from others. | ||||
| 8 | Rudy Gay | SAC | 3 | Gay continues to work himself and the ball in and out of the post and teams need to make extra efforts in keeping him off the glass. | ||||
| 9 | Luol Deng | LAL | 3 | Deng continues to turn back the clock and shows these younger Lakers how to not only take effective wing shots, but also follow them up and grab long rebounds. | ||||
| 10 | Trevor Ariza | HOU | 4 | Ariza continues to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league who can knock down the open three. | ||||
| 11 | Tobias Harris | DET | 4 | The Suns have seen a lot of success in their mid court offensive game and Harris and marcus Morris have been getting open right at the top of the paint. | ||||
| 12 | DeMarre Carroll | TOR | 4 | In some games Carroll will be more of an offensive stat-line producer and in other games he will grab a ton of rebounds. He is a somewhat forgotten outside shooter. | ||||
| 13 | Andrew Wiggins | MIN | 3 | Wiggins continues to show his growth as a scorer but his passing needs improvement and needs to cut more to spread the ball and opposing defense around. He's way too passive on offense. | ||||
| 14 | Moe Harkless | POR | 4 | Harkless has earned this spot because despite most of the scoring coming from the smaller players, the Blazers need a mid court presence and with Al-Farouq Aminu hurt, expect Harkless to see more playing time. | ||||
| 15 | Harrison Barnes | DAL | 4 | Often inconsistent on offense, but his shut down perimeter defense is needled on the d-less Mavs team (Get your mind out of the gutter). He can hit the knockdown three, but when he drives, he forces up a lot of wild shots that don't even hit the basket. | ||||
| 16 | Otto Porter | WSH | 3 | With Beal's Hammy tweaked, Porter's mid range scoring will be needed a bit more and could serve as Wall's primary bail out open option when he draws the double. | ||||
| 17 | Aaron Gordon | ORL | 3 | Gordon has done a great job hitting semi-contested long range jumpers. He normally starts inside, pops outside, and then gets a screen and then shifts and shoots. He is a dangerous driver too. | ||||
| 18 | Chandler Parsons | MEM | 4 | Parsons minutes will continue to improve as he gets back into rhythm and as much as I don't like his shot selection, the shots will be there for him. | ||||
| 19 | Jae Crowder | BOS | 4 | Crowder has been dealing with an ankle injury and is expected to play in three of his four games but beware of setbacks and soreness. | ||||
| 20 | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | CHA | 3 | The upper body just can't stay healthy for MKG as he is dealing with a back strain. His defensive presence is needed on the court and is currently day to day. He has turned into a double-digit scoring threat on offense. | ||||
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Power Forwards
| RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | ||||
| 1 | Anthony Davis | NO | 4 | The best option on the Pelicans. The ONLY option on the Pelicans. | ||||
| 2 | Blake Griffin | LAC | 4 | Very proud of Griffin and his drive first attitude this season. He has learned that he is way more effective banging around inside and drawing contact. | ||||
| 3 | Paul Millsap | ATL | 4 | Millsap continues to dominate on offense in and out of the paint has no competition for minutes, shots and has been very consistent. | ||||
| 4 | Kristaps Porzingis | NYK | 4 | Porzingis gets a major boost because of his effective shooting. The further away he is from the basket the better chance he has of making the shot. Doesn't make sense! | ||||
| 5 | LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS | 3 | Aldridge continues doing a great job focusing on the low block and passing out to cutters when doubled inside. He is a match up nightmare with his long range shooting. | ||||
| 6 | Draymond Green | GSW | 3 | Green continues to dominate the paint and give the Warriors a ton of second-chance scoring opps. Even though he won't have the ball in his hands as much, you can count on him to be a hound on the glass. | ||||
| 7 | Kevin Love | CLE | 3 | Just like Griffin, Love has also done a great job of taking his talents to the paint. He is excellent in the post and creates shots for himself and does not hang on the arc as much. | ||||
| 8 | Thaddeus Young | IND | 4 | When the middle of the paint is open Young is very efficient and will attack the rim and draw contact. He is also good at working the ball in the middle of the paint to create. | ||||
| 9 | Serge Ibaka | ORL | 3 | Remember, when you invest in Ibaka, you are investing in all defensive statistics. In fact, it's less frustrating watching him when the ball is not in his hands. | ||||
| 10 | Dirk Nowitzki | DAL | 4 | Nowitzki should be ready to go for a full week's slate and would be higher up this list, but he will need a game to get back into rhythm. | ||||
| 11 | Derrick Favors | UT | 4 | At this point, we do not know Favors future as his knee is acting up again. Because Gobert lacks offensive ability, if Favors plays, he will produce, but he could very well be put on the injured list soon. | ||||
| 12 | Taj Gibson | CHI | 4 | Gibson has been great inside and it has been hard boxing him out of the paint. He sets up in the same area every possesion. | ||||
| 13 | Ryan Anderson | HOU | 4 | Anderson will always be a match up problem and will serve as a good bail out option when the Rockets want to run. If transition is halted, he will likely be open from downtown. | ||||
| 14 | Trevor Booker | BKN | 4 | Booker has been a Monster on the glass and will play deep into games as he is the Nets primary rebounder with Brook Lopez hovering on the wing. | ||||
| 15 | Marcus Morris | DET | 4 | Morris along with Harris have developed a great and threatening mid-range attack. Harris is more of a rim attacker, while Morris works inside from the post and has a turnaround jumper. | ||||
| 16 | Greg Monroe | MIL | 3 | Monroe continues to be great in the low block on the post. He calls for the ball and literally forces himself inside and draws a lot of contact. | ||||
| 17 | Jabari Parker | MIL | 3 | Even Parker is getting in on the post-play in Milwaukee and gets the ball at the top of the paint, squares up to the basket, stutters and then drives against bigger defenders. | ||||
| 18 | Julius Randle | LAL | 3 | In some games, Randle will put up a ton offensively and in others he will be passing out. As the Lakers continue to find their flow, expect games with fewer shot attempts, but he will always rebound. | ||||
| 19 | Gorgui Dieng | MIN | 3 | Dieng will not leave the low-block once he sets up down there because he cleans up the glass nicely and he is your standard NBA 10 and 10 guy for his effective post play. | ||||
| 20 | Markieff Morris | WSH | 3 | Morris has been excellent when he calls for the ball in the high post because he short hook jumper has been falling. Morris does a great job of not leaving the paint until he is sure the play is over as the Wizards lack a major front court presence. | ||||
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Centers
| RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | ||||
| 1 | Hassan Whiteside | MIA | 4 | Whiteside deserves the top spot because of not only how effective he has been on the glass and attacking the rim, but the Heat have nothing else inside. | ||||
| 2 | Dwight Howard | ATL | 4 | Howard has been playing with a purpose to start the season. He makes smarter decisions with the ball, hustles all over the court, and is still a fierce rebounder. | ||||
| 3 | DeMarcus Cousins | SAC | 3 | A rare 3rd spot for Cousins, but he is effective all over the court, plays deep into games, and don't forget about his ability to hit long-range jumpers. | ||||
| 4 | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 3 | Towns has a lot of room to work with as he pops out to the top of screens and works his way inside and is always there to keep plays alive. | ||||
| 5 | DeAndre Jordan | LAC | 4 | I love Jordan's defensive game, but when the Clippers transition is not working, Jordan's offensive stats decrease. | ||||
| 6 | Marc Gasol | MEM | 4 | Because Memphis has been struggling downlow a bit, Gasol will need to play more in the post than on the perimeter moving forward. He has post moves and will draw a ton of contact. | ||||
| 7 | Andre Drummond | DET | 3 | Drummond is a hound on the glass, but when he gets the ball inside, unless he's right under the basket, he passes out a lot. | ||||
| 8 | Myles Turner | IND | 4 | Turner has been playing a bit better and has been following up shots nicely. When he gets the ball while doubled, he needs to be aware of who is by him and not panic with the ball. | ||||
| 9 | Rudy Gobert | UT | 4 | Love Rudy's defense and ups and he can always be relied on for production on that side. Rudy's offense: non-existant. | ||||
| 10 | Al Horford | BOS | 4 | Horford would naturally be ranked higher, and should be ready to go this week, but with concussions and their symptoms, you never know. | ||||
| 11 | Nikola Vucevic | ORL | 3 | Despite the depth at big-man, the Magic are limited offensively and Vucevic is their only consistent inside force on offense so he will get a ton of time with the ball. | ||||
| 12 | Brook Lopez | BKN | 4 | If this guy can just learn how to be an effective rebounder, he would be a top-5 Center in the game, because he certainly is among the top shooting big-men, but lacks defense. | ||||
| 13 | Pau Gasol | SAS | 3 | Gasol has not been calling for the ball as much in the low block and waits for shots to go up, but when he does get fed in the post, he is hard to stop. | ||||
| 14 | Joel Embiid | PHI | 4 | I trust the Process and you can start to see his minutes creep up a little bit. Everyone wants to see more of Embiid. | ||||
| 15 | Steven Adams | OKC | 4 | Adams will always be a banger and you should expect nothing flashy, but consistent multi-category production. | ||||
| 16 | Jonas Valanciunas | TOR | 4 | Valanciunas inside game will continue to improve and he will get fed more once the Raptors cool down a bit. Their outside game is carrying them. | ||||
| 17 | Marcin Gortat | WSH | 3 | Gortat has been quietly effective on both sides of the ball and draws a lot of contact right under the basket. He does utilize a few quick one handed post moves. | ||||
| 18 | Clint Capela | HOU | 4 | Capela needs to attack the paint right when Harden puts the ball up. When I watch Capela, I want to tell him not to worry about getting the pass from Harden and to just be ready to crash the boards. | ||||
| 19 | Tyson Chandler | PHX | 3 | Chandler has been dealing with a death in his family, but is now back with the team. He has been grabbing over 13 rebounds a game this season as the Suns lack big man depth. | ||||
| 20 | Jusuf Nurkic | DEN | 3 | I applaud Nurkic in trying to find his offensive game and it is hard to position yourself next to Kenneth Faried in the paint. If he works the ball to the middle of the paint, he will see a lot more success because defenders will worry about other players cutting to the basket. He will get more open looks. | ||||