POINT GUARDS
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | |
1 | Stephen Curry | GSW | 2 | This is one situation where Curry having just two games this week is a great thing and continues to use his speed to burn defenders, | |
2 |
| OKC | 2 | Westbrook continues to be as productive as he has been all season and is a rare co-No. 1 option on a team. | |
3 | Chris Paul | LAC | 2 | The Clippers' backcourt has stepped it up big with the ongoing frontcourt issues they have and most of that credit goes to Paul's all-around great game. | |
4 | Kyle Lowry | TOR | 2 | When Lowry does not succeed in one fantasy hoops category on a given night, he will often make it up to you in another category. | |
5 | John Wall | WSH | 2 | The Wizards are finally starting to get healthy and this means that Wall's shot selection and even pass selection will improve and hopefully keep his turnover numbers down. | |
6 | Damian Lillard | POR | 2 | Lillard continues to be the top scoring option on a team that lacks frontcourt consistency. | |
7 | Kemba Walker | CHA | 2 | Even with Batum back in, Walker will continue to thrive in both guard spots as the frontcourt does not produce. | |
8 | Isaiah Thomas | BOS | 2 | Thomas is one of the most aggressive basket attackers for someone his size and his ability to change shot angles while in the air has made him tough to defend. | |
9 | Rajon Rondo | SAC | 2 | Rondo continues to be an assist machine and it seems that he and DeMarcus Cousins are always on the same page. He has turned the Kings into a run and gun style offense. | |
10 | Mike Conley | MEM | 2 | Conley is able to attack the rim with one hand and creep by screens in order to get open. | |
11 | Ricky Rubio | MIN | 2 | While Rubio has been increasing his production of late, he needs to be shooting over 40 percent from the field consistently. | |
12 | Jrue Holiday | NO | 3 | Holiday! Celebrate! He is one of the rare three-game players of the week thus having the biggest opportunity to succeed. | |
13 | Reggie Jackson | DET | 2 | Jackson continues to be an effective combo guard who never seems to have a problem finding the open wing player or the beast known as Andre Drummond on the low block. | |
14 | Derrick Rose | CHI | 2 | Rose has been producing at a high rate and his scoring will be needed if Jimmy Butler can't give it a go this week. | |
15 | Jeff Teague | ATL | 2 | Teague continues to drive through the line slow and hit tear drops on bigger defenders and is able to find Millsap often in the mid-post. | |
16 | Ish Smith | PHI | 2 | Smith continues to prove that he is worth more than draft picks if you want his services. He is the lone consistent option on the 76ers. | |
17 | George Hill | IND | 2 | Hill continues to utilize his spot-up jumper from downtown when Paul George draws the double and he still is able to attack the rim with force. | |
18 | Lou Williams | LAL | 2 | The Lakers guards have shuffled around a ton, but have been hurt and Williams continues to be a great off the bench option and speeds up the Lakers pace when on the floor. | |
19 | Tony Parker | SAS | 2 | Parker will have some games where he is watching the screens and passing off a ton and others where he will be attacking the rim. If Leonard and Aldridge have early success in the post, he will pass more. | |
20 | Michael Carter-Williams | MIL | 2 | Always the same story with MCW: if he is shooting well, he produces in all categories but if he is lacking that confidence (which shows when on the court), he can be a detriment. |
SHOOTING GUARDS
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | |
1 | James Harden | HOU | 2 | Harden continues to dominate most of the Rockets' offensive possesions and that leads to multi-category production. | |
2 |
| GSW | 2 | Thompson has been a great secondary shooting option from short and long range and always finds himself open. | |
3 | Kyrie Irving | CLE | 2 | Irving is starting to show signs of full health and is starting to utilize his agility on court to read through screens and get open lanes. | |
4 | C.J. McCollum | POR | 2 | McCollum is finally starting to turn the corner and shoot better. He is taking a lot more mid-range jumpers and is open when Lillard draws the double. | |
5 | Gordon Hayward | UT | 2 | Hayward is a high-energy guy who has a consistent jumper, but he thinks to attack the basket first, especially on transition. | |
6 | Bradley Beal | WSH | 2 | Back to back's are tricky and playing time is certainly impacted, but Beal's scoring has been consistent and in the 20's lately. | |
7 | Victor Oladipo | ORL | 2 | Oladipo is an excellent driver, but has been getting into trouble driving into traffic. He needs to learn how to stay out of the corner. | |
8 | Tyreke Evans | NO | 3 | Another diamond in the rough with three games this week. Three Games + A Ball Hog = Huge opportunity to succeed. | |
9 | Avery Bradley | BOS | 2 | Bradley has been shooting very well in recent weeks and has been a go-to option in crunch-time giving him more shot opportunities and playing time. | |
10 | Will Barton | DEN | 2 | Barton is the de-facto No. 2 scoring option on this team and starts his game in the post, working outside. | |
11 | Evan Fournier | ORL | 2 | Fournier has been a good scorer, but it will never look pretty. He hits a ton of off-balance jumpers and hopefully the streaky shooting that follows this does impact him. | |
12 | Nicolas Batum | CHA | 2 | Batum looks healthy and is starting to make a scoring impact again showing that his toe ailment could be behind him. | |
13 | Rodney Hood | UT | 2 | Hood has been a good change of pace scoring option, especially from long range. He definitely has a role cut out for him in the offense. | |
14 | Dwyane Wade | MIA | 1 | We all love Wade, but he only has one game this week and we don't love that. | |
15 | J.J. Redick | LAC | 2 | Redick is hard to defend because he is ALWAYS moving off the ball and through screens and he is always able to find open looks. | |
16 | Kobe Bryant | LAL | 2 | He continues to have sore body parts heading into games and is questionable until game time, and then plays and produces at a high rate…..Doesn't make sense! | |
17 | Joe Johnson | BKN | 2 | A few years ago this man was the highest paid player in the league primarily for his ability to score and is the No. 1 scoring option on his current team and has not been consistent…..Doesn't make sense! | |
18 | Goran Dragic | MIA | 1 | Dragic has been great at controlling the tempo of games and driving the lane, but he only has one game. | |
19 | Monta Ellis | IND | 2 | Ellis has been a good change of pace combo guard that has hit big long-range jumpers when asked. | |
20 | Jimmy Butler | CHI | 2 | INJURY CONCERN: (Knee): If he plays, you play him. It is not looking good for this week. |
SMALL FORWARDS
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | |
1 | Kevin Durant | OKC | 2 | Durant continues to produce at a high rate and gets a ton of long rebounds and is able to reset the offense. | |
2 |
| CLE | 2 | LeBron may be getting older, but still has a ton of speed and it is certainly showing in an effort to speed up the tempo of the Cavs offense. | |
3 | Paul George | IND | 2 | George continues to play well on both sides of the ball and is able to guard quicker guards and break up the transition. | |
4 | Kawhi Leonard | SAS | 2 | Leonard has made a huge effort to be more of a presence in the post and it is working and he has a quick one-handed turn-around hook. | |
5 | DeMar DeRozan | TOR | 2 | DeRozan knows he is playing for a maximum salary contract next year and he has been making smarter decisions with the ball and taken over games when needed. | |
6 | Danilo Gallinari | DEN | 2 | Gallinari continues to be the Nuggets' top shooter and lane driver. | |
7 | Khris Middleton | MIL | 2 | Middleton continues to burn defenders from right inside and right outside the arc and has been consistent on defense. | |
8 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 2 | Antetokounmpo is a good compliment to Middleton because he is very effective on defense on and off the ball and can play multiple positions. | |
9 | Tobias Harris | ORL | 2 | Harris has shown his improved isolation attack to the rim on smaller defensers. He often utilizes his quick release turn-around hook when inside the paint. | |
10 | Andrew Wiggins | MIN | 2 | Wiggins has been very scoring-dependant and has not been shooting consistently in recent weeks. | |
11 | Kent Bazemore | ATL | 2 | Bazemore has carved out his own role in the Hawks' offense because of his ability to create in the post and shoot from the outside. | |
12 | Thaddeus Young | BKN | 2 | Young is very strong and is excellent at attacking the rim and following his own shots to create second chance scoring opportunities. | |
13 | Rudy Gay | SAC | 2 | MINOR INJURY CONCERN: (Ankle): We are unsure at this point whether or not he will miss time, but if he is in, you must play him. | |
14 | Otto Porter | WSH | 2 | Porter has been helping the Wizards inside more by attacking the rim when on the ball and then screening the low post and posting up himself near the foul line. | |
15 | Carmelo Anthony | NYK | 1 | Anthony is the No. 1 scoring option but he only has one game this week. | |
16 | Marcus Morris | DET | 2 | Morris has been very effective in the post and has been able to hit consistent mid range jumpers. He has been a solid defender. | |
17 | Jae Crowder | BOS | 2 | Like Morris, Crowder attacks the rim a little harder, and has a good mid-range game and has been securing minutes by playing good perimeter defense. | |
18 | Trevor Ariza | HOU | 2 | It is hard to tell how many shot opportunities he will get, but Ariza seems to be more consistent shooting from long range than inside. | |
19 | Chandler Parsons | DAL | 1 | Parsons' production has improved lately, but he is another player with just one game this week. | |
20 | Matt Barnes | MEM | 2 | Barnes has been a good high-post option as he has called for the ball and then immediately tries to drive inside and draw contact. |
POWER FORWARDS
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | |
1 | Anthony Davis | NO | 3 | Health seems to be cause for concern with Davis, but he is a top option with three games…Enough said! | |
2 |
| ATL | 2 | Millsap has been excellent at driving inside and dominating the paint when inside. His offensive game has improved a ton this year. | |
3 | Draymond Green | GSW | 2 | Green continues to shoot well, rebound well and pass well to the mid-post. He is hard to defend and a consistent offensive weapon. | |
4 | Pau Gasol | CHI | 2 | Gasol continues to dominate the post and be the top front court option for the Bulls. | |
5 | Kevin Love | CLE | 2 | Love playing more at the elbow will allow him to attack the basket more and not settle for as many jumpers. | |
6 | Greg Monroe | MIL | 2 | Monroe continues to rack up the double-double's as he continues to show excellent footwork in the paint. | |
7 | LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS | 2 | Aldridge has been able to read screens well and find open jumpers and with Tim Duncan hurting, he has been able to utilize his post game. | |
8 | Derrick Favors | UT | 2 | Favors will continue to get his rhythm back and will dominate the paint for the Jazz on both sides of the ball. | |
9 | Serge Ibaka | OKC | 2 | Ibaka succeeds more when he is in the paint and gets a good amount of second chance opportunities, but then he has games where he camps outside shooting jumpers. Why?! | |
10 | Zach Randolph | MEM | 2 | Randolph continues to take contested mid-range jumpers and is hard to box out. | |
11 | Kenneth Faried | DEN | 2 | Faried is very raw offensively and does not have the best foot work, but he is good at grabbing rebounds and keeping the offensive attack alive. | |
12 | Robert Covington | PHI | 2 | Covington continues to dominate in the post and use his size to move through the middle and score and has been effective on the glass. | |
13 | Jared Sullinger | BOS | 2 | Sullinger is more rebound dependant, but when he has good positioning inside, he will score in double figures. | |
14 | Chris Bosh | MIA | 1 | Bosh is an excellent scorer, but only has one game this week. | |
15 | Kristaps Porzingis | NYK | 1 | Porzingis has been scoring and rebounding consistently and has been an excellent No. 2 option on this team. | |
16 | Dirk Nowitzki | DAL | 1 | Nowitzki still has his scoring ability from inside and outside, but also only has one game. | |
17 | Marvin Williams | CHA | 2 | Williams has been on probation for most of the season as he has had every opportunity to be the dominant inside force for the Hornets, but we have only seen it sparingly. | |
18 | Harrison Barnes | GSW | 2 | Barnes is starting to get more plays on offense and seems to be able to be a bit of a play-maker with the second unit. | |
19 | Al-Farouq Aminu | POR | 2 | Aminu has been a bit more aggressive driving the lane and drawing contact. This will continue to lead to more playing time. | |
20 | Tim Duncan | SAS | 2 | INJURY CONCERN: (KNEE): Still no timetable on whether or not the swelling will stay down. |
CENTERS
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis | |
1 | DeMarcus Cousins | SAC | 2 | With Rudy Gay ailing with an ankle injury it will lead to even more scoring opportunities for Cousins. | |
2 |
| DET | 2 | Drummond continues to dominate the low post as it is hard to box him out. | |
3 | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 2 | Towns has made the top three and is deserving because of consistent efforts inside and outside o both sides of the ball. | |
4 | Nikola Vucevic | ORL | 2 | Vucevic needs to move around the post in order to get better positioning. Sometimes he stays in the same spot too long on offense. | |
5 | DeAndre Jordan | LAC | 2 | Jordan's offensive attack is not as consistent, but he is good off the glass and on defense and contributes with put-backs. | |
6 | Marc Gasol | MEM | 2 | Gasol has a very quick jumper and is able to utilize his size in the high post to barrel down the lane. | |
7 | Al Horford | ATL | 2 | It has become hard to tell whether or not Horford will be involved in the paint play or if he will just stay outside and try to creat from the arc. He is still effective, but his attack needs to be more consistent. | |
8 | Brook Lopez | BKN | 2 | Lopez continues to burn bigger defenders by shooting open jumpers from the outside. | |
9 | Rudy Gobert | UT | 2 | Gobert is an excellent low block player who is also skilled at timing out his jumps to swat shots away. | |
10 | Ryan Anderson | NO | 3 | Anderson is another scoring big man with three games to prove his worth this week. | |
11 | Dwight Howard | HOU | 2 | If Howard sticks to posting up inside and not starting his attack to the rim from the outside he will see more success. | |
12 | Marcin Gortat | WSH | 2 | Gortat has been utilizing the post and hitting baby jumpers consistently. He is often the trailing big man when Wall is driving. | |
13 | Jonas Valanciunas | TOR | 2 | We have been seeing improvements in his overall offensive game and mid range jumpers. He has been solid on defense. | |
14 | Gorgui Dieng | MIN | 2 | Dieng continues to dominate the low post and gets a ton of put-backs. | |
15 | Hassan Whiteside | MIA | 1 | Whiteside is an excellent rebounder and defender, but he only has one game this week. | |
16 | Nikola Jokic | DEN | 2 | Jokic has become a consistent scoring option in the post and has been grabbing more rebounds. | |
17 | Jahlil Okafor | PHI | 2 | The Sixers think playing Okafor more at the power forward spot and that could give Okafor more plays in the post. | |
18 | Zaza Pachulia | DAL | 1 | Pachulia is an excellent low-post defender, but he only has one game this week. | |
19 | Nerlens Noel | PHI | 2 | With the Sixers looking to try Noel at the center spot, they will look to execute the give and go with Noel attacking the basket more at the start of plays. | |
20 | Myles Turner | IND | 2 | Turner continues to play meaningful minutes with the Pacers' frontcourt hurt and has become a reliable scoring and rebounding option. |