Here we go. The cream of the crop. The last time we did this was in mid-November, so we may be a bit overdue. Last time’s rankings are in parentheses.
1. Kevin Garnett, F, Min (1)
The boards and assists are down a bit, but no worries - he’s still the best in the game. Plus, his 53% from the field is pure gravy.
2. LeBron James, SF, Cle (3)
Is it possible to be “slumping” while scoring 31 ppg? His boards and assists are lower than last year, which is surprising, but he’s really the only true 8-category player in the game. Still, maybe we should forget about that 30-10-10 idea for a little while.
3. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dal (2)
You know, what I’d love to see is Dirk handling the ball more on the perimeter as a play-maker, not just a pure shooter. I feel like he could get a good 5-6 apg if Avery Johnson would let him try.
4. Shawn Marion, F, Pho (4)
After hitting just one three pointer in his first 10 games, The Matrix has put in 23 triples in his last 13. Now, however, there’s a new concern – Shawn, what’s with the FT%?
5. Elton Brand, PF, LAC (13)
This is a huge drop-off from the top four. Brand is the MVP so far this year in real basketball – in fantasy basketball, he’s just about everything you could ask for from a PF.
6. Dwyane Wade, G, Mia (8)
The big guy is back, but Wade will still be this team’s on-court leader. Having Shaq on the floor short-term has meant a better FG%, and long-term means less chance of injury. If Wade ever develops a three-point shot (a disgusting 7.1% this year), he’ll join the fantasy elite.
7. Tim Duncan, F/C, SAS (5)
FT% in November: 78%. FT% in December: 56%. What’s it gonna be, Timmy? Other than that, though, he’s as consistent as they come, a guaranteed 20/10 with 2.5 blocks and sweet FG%.
8. Allen Iverson, G, Phi (10)
The fact that he’s now a PG makes his TO’s more bearable, and if the 76ers were any good he’d be getting MVP talk, too. He’s having perhaps his best statistical year ever so far – career highs in points and FG%, with the great assists and steals that you’ve come to expect.
9. Kobe Bryant, SG, LAL (7)
Unless your league counts shots as a category, Kobe might be one of the most overrated players in the game right now. His points are awesome to be sure, but nothing in his boards, assists, percentages or defensive numbers separate him from the rest of the upper-tier SG’s. (Ed. Note: BV wrote this before last night’s ridiculous explosion. Just sayin’.)
10. Paul Pierce, G/F, Bos (11)
Something’s gotta give in Boston. Pierce and Ricky Davis are having huge years but the C’s are losing big time. This might be the time to sell high on Pierce before his role changes a bit.
11. Tracy McGrady, G/F, Hou (6)
This is definitely too low for McGrady, especially with the solid December he’s put up so far and the fact that Yao will miss some time, giving Tracy more shots, but his back is still a concern. If he stays healthy for a few weeks he’ll be back up in the 5-7 range like he usually is.
12. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Was (9)
His boards are slightly down, but everywhere else is just as good or better than last year. He’s a top-5 point guard for the foreseeable future, but if your league counts TO’s he’s probably a little further down this list.
13. Chauncey Billups, PG, Det (NR)
Okay, we’ll bite. Billups is having a career year and is showing no signs of slowing down. 19 assists in one game? Is that even legal?
14. Ray Allen, SG, Sea (16)
He’s closing the gap on Kobe and T-Mac … if there even is a gap there anymore.
15. Jason Kidd, PG, NJN (14)
You know, you keep on thinking he’s getting too old for this, and maybe you’re right – but you can’t ignore 14/7/7 with 2 steals and nearly 2 threes. Maybe one of the most underrated fantasy players in the league, if that’s possible.
16. Marcus Camby, C, Den (15)
If we ran this column last week Camby would be in the 7-10 range. But now that he’s missed three straight games with a sprained pinkie, he’ll stay right about where he was last time. I can’t tell if he’s a good sell high or buy low right now, or something else entirely, but those numbers are tough to ignore.
17. Rasheed Wallace, PF/C, Det (NR)
Wallace is very quietly putting together a top-thirty season. Combine that with his inexplicable center eligibility and this looks about right for Sheed. The problem is, there’s nothing to suggest that he’ll maintain his 1.7 steals (career average: 1.0), 81% from the stripe (career 71%), or ridiculous 47.7% from the arc (career 33.9).
18. Steve Nash, PG, Pho (12)
Amare who? Classic Nash – the 96% from the stripe is misleading, though, as he only gets to the line 3.8 times per game.
19. Rashard Lewis, SF, Sea (NR)
I was really down on Lewis early in the year, because of his pedestrian rebounding numbers. The thing is, he’s such a plus in six other categories, you can forgive that.
20. Chris Paul, PG, NO (NO)
LeBron, Year 1: 20.9/5.9/5.4, 0.8 3’s, 1.7 steals, 42% FG, 75% FT.
Wade, Year 1: 16.3/4.1/4.5, 0.3 3’s, 1.4 steals, 47% FG, 75% FT.
Paul, Year 1: 16.6/6.6/7.6, 0.5 3’s, 2.4 steals, 45% FG, 77% FT.
I’m just saying, CP3 is on the right track.