FANTASY BASKETBALL:

CONTROLLING THE GAME (PG RANKINGS)

 

 

BEAST DOME NATION.

Last season I projected Damian Lillard higher than every expert.  I also projected breakout seasons from Jrue Holiday and Kemba Walker when other experts did not expect much.

 

 

2012 FANTASY BASKETBALL RECAP

 

 

VIP PACKAGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED  NEXT WEEK

*Remember, this season BEAST DOME is all about dominating Daily Fantasy Basketball, taking over Vegas, as well as short cutting your way to the Championship if you play in seasonal leagues*

BEAST

1. STEPHEN CURRY – GSW

Steph Curry is a 3PT splash waiting to happen everytime he touches the ball.  The Warriors lost Jarrett Jack which gives more freedom for Steph Curry to get Assists as well as knocking down shots.  He score more than any Fantasy PG, he has no backup, steals come easy, and now 8 Assists is not even close to out of the question.

2. KYRIE IRVING – CLE

Kyrie is going to be the new Superstar Face of the NBA this season.  He has such a dominant supporting cast that assists will finally come easy.  He can knock down the 3PT shot, he can drop 40+ Points, he can rebound and get steals while also grabbing assists.  The only downside is the emergence of Jarrett Jack.  Jack is too good not to play 20+ Minutes a night.

3. CHRIS PAUL – LAC

CP3 talent wise is the best PG in the game.  Problem is the Clippers brought in Darren Collison to be his backup.  When you combine that with the fact the Clippers are stacked with shooters/Blake Griffin and a winning attitude, you can expect there to be nights where Chris Paul gets 8 Points/10 Assists.  There will also be nights he gets 20 Assists which makes him intriguing, but this is not the same dominant scoring CP3 as his knees are not what they used to be.

With that being said, he is having a great Preseason.  Take him with confidence.

4. DERON WILLIAMS – BRK

Deron is on a team that can win the Championship.  He fills up the stat sheet like no other, and there is no reason to think that will not be the case this season.  Shaun Livingston is his backup which is a bad thing, because if games get out of hand where the Nets find themselves dominating another team, Shaun can eat minutes.  The shot attempts will not be there as well with so many star mouths to feed.

5. BRANDON JENNINGS – DET

Jennings had problem with his wisdom tooth, so he could miss around 5-10 games to start the season.  I still like Brandon Jennings to be a Superstar this season.  The Pistons are completely a Big Man Team who needs a guard to jack up shots to prevent double-teams down low.  Jennings will be shooting at will, and getting assists at will.  This is a dream situation for him and those 21 Points/3 3PTM/8 Assists games are too good to pass up.

6. JOHN WALL – WAS

Wall-to-Wall, this is the best PG in the game at times.  Problem with his Fantasy Game, he does not rack up those 3PTM.  Everything else comes automatic, including all those turnovers.  If you are in Roto Leagues, you have get some 3PTM production from your PG, and if you cannot get it from Wall, you have to find a way to get it somewhere else.  This is almost the same thing as getting a PF that does not get Blocks.  Everything else comes, besides the 3PTM.

7. DAMIAN LILLARD – POR

Last season Lillard had to play just about every minute of every game all season long.  This season, the Blazers brought in Mo Williams to give Lillard some time to breathe.  Lillard is still a BEAST and is easily one of the best young PGs in the game today and is only going to get better, but if he starts losing 4 Minutes per game, his stat production could take a mini drop.  Still Lillard is too good to worry about 4 Minutes as he gets those Assists/Steals/3PTM like it’s nobody’s business.

8. DERRICK ROSE – CHI

Derrick Rose is not 100%.  It is a very long NBA season, and there are going to be random games where he sits or is just not feeling right.  There is too much to worry about with spending a high draft pick on Derrick Rose this season.  Sure he can average 20/10, but he can also miss random stretches of back-to-back games and other odd circumstances.  I will pass on Rose in 2013.

9. RUSSELL WESTBROOK – OKC

Westbrook is the Gronk of the PGs.  He could return in 4 weeks or he could miss 1/3 of the season.  He is also not guaranteed to be his usual self once he returns.  Westbrook is a turnover machine who fills up the box score better than any Fantasy PG can.  I still do not like the injury risk of how long he will be out and if he will be the same when he returns.  I would pass on Westbrook in 2013.

ELITE

10. JRUE HOLIDAY – NO

The Pelicans are not a good fit for Jrue.  Between Eric Gordon who likes the ball in his hands, as well as Tyreke Evans.  We are going to see some inconsistent nights from Jrue.  He is a rising star and should be able to stand out in this group, but there are going to be nights where you wish you did not have to worry about those guys taking the ball away from him.  His upside is what keeps him up here.

11. MIKE CONLEY – MEM

The Mike Conley show should take the next step to being popular this year in Memphis.  The Pistons lack guard scoring outside of Bayless and Magic Mike.  Conley knocks down the 3PT shot, he gets the easy assists to his big men, but most important he racks up those steals among the best.  Take a shot on Conley jumping to the next level this season.

12. TY LAWSON – DEN

Ty Lawson can never seem to break into the next level of Fantasy PGs.  Every season Experts rank him like he will, but I have always been spectacle because of Andre Miller who continues to take so many crucial minutes.  With George Karl out of the picture, those crucial minutes should now goto Ty Lawson who has no leash.  If the Nuggets make it to the next level, it’s because of Ty.  For that reason alone, take him high and get the a potential BEAST, but beware of the downside.

13. KEMBA WALKER – CHA

Kemba is the spark-plug of the Bobcats.  The only problem is the Cats have so many guards on that team that can score the ball.  Still Kemba is their man, and you can expect him to take the next step and be a consistent 20 Point scoring guard.

14. KYLE LOWRY – TOR

Lowry last season had to deal with competition from Calderon.  Now that Calderon is gone, Lowry has the job all to himself to take his Fantasy game to the next level.  He gets Rebounds/Assists/Steals and knocks down the 3PT shot.  He will not score that many points, but he does the intangibles other Fantasy guards cannot match.

15. JEFF TEAGUE – ATL

With no more Josh Smith to handle the ball, and Louis Williams no longer the immediate backup.  We can expect Jeff Teague to take the next step to Fantasy greatness.  The Steals/Assists come naturally, and now the scoring should finally be that constant 15 Points.  His 3PT shot is developing and soon he will jump to the next level of being a Fantasy Basketball guard.

16. RICKY RUBIO – MIN

Rubio is finally healthy and can now put up his Jason Kidd 2.0 Stats.  Rubio does it all and is very exciting while doing it.  There will be nights he gets 15 Assists, there will be nights he only scores 2 Points.   He will even throw in the random 3×2, do not be afraid to take a nab at Ricky to get a true X-Factor at the position.

17. RAJON RONDO – BOS

Rondo is truly going to be Gronk to the next level.  If you can grab him to stash him, great.  You are going to need to do that desperately as he could be out until December.  This is looking more like a gamble than anything as it is not even certain how he is going to rack up all theses Assists with this garbage team.  Take into account that his jump shot is probably worst than every player on this list, and I would avoid taking Rondo unless he slipped late.

18. GORAN DRAGIC – PHX

The Magic Dragic is on a horrible Phoenix Suns team.  While this could mean more scoring, it does mean it is hard to see Dragic being anything more than 7 Assists per game.  That is fine for how late he goes in drafts especially with his nice upside.  With that being said, we can expect some games where he does not show up.

19. JEREMY LIN – HOU

Lin Sanity is improving and knows what he has to do with this Rockets team.  He has the chance to win the Championship and be a dynamic Fantasy PG at the same time.  He steals, he knocks down 3s, averages 15 Points and should get those 7 Assists.  The only problem with Lin was inconsistency.  We should see much more from Lin Sanity in 2013.

20. JAMEER NELSON – ORL

Jameer is the most underrated Fantasy PG in the game.  He knocks down the 3PT shot, he racks up the 7 Assists, he gets steals and scores 14 Points.  Just like his journey in College when he led the Saint Joesph Hawks, he could do the same for your Fantasy Team and is easily one of the steal’s of the drafts.

21. STEVE NASH – LAL

While Steve Nash is looking older by the day, this is his ideal team to get the Assists we all once knew.  The Lakers made moves to give Mike D’Antoni his running squad, and that is exactly what Steve Nash needs to make this a Fantasy Season to remember.  Do not be afraid to grab Nash late, he can help you like a Tier 1 PG with Assists this season.

22. TONY PARKER – SAS

Parker’s last season was a fluke.  20 Points and 7 Assists is amazing, but I do not see it happening again.  The fact he does not give you 3PTM/FT%/or Steals.  It makes Tony Parker two dimensional, and I want much more from my PG than that.  I would take the upside guys.

GOOD

23. MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS – PHI

MCW is going to get his chances to get his nice all-around low-end Fantasy numbers.  At 6’6 he has a nice advantage as a PG, and with 30 Minutes certain to be in the picture, his upside is looking nice. He should improve as the season goes along and he is shooting plenty of 3PT shots so far this preseason.

24. ISIAH THOMAS – SAC

IT22 is one of my favorite Fantasy PGs in the game.  The only problem is this team is stacked at the guard Position.  Marcus Thornton/McLemore/Fredette.  Most important of them all, is the newcomer Greivis Vasquez.  Vasquez is good enough to be right with the Mike Conley’s of this group, and now IT22 has to worry about him every single night.  Not a great thing for his Fantasy Owners.

25. JOSE CALDERON – DAL

The Mavericks are going to give Calderon plenty of chances to get his 10 Assists every night.  He does have Devin Harris backing him up, which is the first concern.  The second concern is the fact that Monta Ellis loves the ball in his hands.  There are going to be nights you wish you did not take Calderon with a high pick. Don’t do the same.

26. RAYMOND FELTON – NYK

Felton is on a team that does not use Felton like a PG.  J.R. Smith and Melo do not create assist opportunities as they just hold onto the ball and shoot.  Felton will have his nice exciting moments, but for the most part you are getting 8 Points and 8 Assists.  Too many scorers and too many players that need the ball early in the shot clock.

27. TREY BURKE – UTA

Broken Finger could be a good thing for Burke to sit back and watch the game a little bit.  His Fantasy Potential is high as this team needs him to score, but for now you can see him as a late Flier with good upside to get 12 Points and 6 Assists.  Not bad at all for how late he goes.

28. JERRYD BAYLESS – MEM

Jay Bay Bay is going to get his chances to score 15 Points a lot of nights.  If Mike Conley misses any time Bayless automatically goes up a Tier and is a player that can score with the best of the Guards in this league.  He should be the starting SG at some point this season, take him with huge upside.

29. GREIVIS VASQUEZ – SAC

Vasquez is too good of a player not to get his 25 Minutes.  Right now that is the case in Sacramento, which means things will change once they see how good he is.  Vasquez is a Superstar Fantasy PG trapped on a team that does not need him for all of his potential.  For now stash and wait to see if he gets his random PT.

30. GEORGE HILL – IND

George Hill is still suffering from ankle problems.  He does not score a lot to begin with, and his assist numbers are not that special.  With C.J. Watson coming into town, George Hill losses a lot of value as C.J. is probably better at running this team.  Hill is going down quick.

31. BRANDON KNIGHT – MIL

Knight is not ready to compete with these star PGs.  He is not quick enough, and he does not play good enough defense.  Luke Ridnour will make life tough for Knight on random occasions as his backup, and this is enough reason for me to let Knight slip in my drafts.

32. MARIO CHALMERS – MIA

Chalmers is a hard Fantasy option to trust.  Obviously they do not need him on the court for anything but defense, but he will knock down the 3PT shot and get you steals.  Accompany that with 5 Assists and you have yourself a decent low-end option.  Norris Cole is emerging, but not enough to kill Chalmers.

AVERAGE

33. RAMON SESSIONS – CHA

Sessions is an Assist machine, even when the entire team is healthy.  Take him for a late round assist guy if you need it.

34. JARRETT JACK – CLE

Jack is talented enough to be a starter, playing behind Kyrie could force Dion Waiters to miss some PT.

35. LUKE RIDNOUR – MIL

Knight will have some of those nights where Ridnour has to play plenty of minutes.

36. DARREN COLLISON – LAC

Collison will be seeing the court in mostly blowout fashion.  15-20 Minutes on other nights.

37. J.J. BAREA – MIN

Barea has huge Steal/Assist potential if Rubio misses games.  His upside is enormous for someone who does not look like belongs in the NBA.

38. DEVIN HARRIS – DAL

Harris is losing ground quickly.  Maybe a return to the team that drafted him will help him revitalize his career, he needs it badly.

39. CHAUNCEY BILLUPS – DET

The Veteran is back and he’s taking names this season.  Will get to start the start of the season with Jennings injured.  For the most part, he is not the same Piston he once was.

40. NORRIS COLE – MIA

His Haircut and the team he is on gets him more attention than he deserves as far as being Fantasy worthy.

41. ANDRE MILLER – DEN

One of these years Miller is going to give way to Ty Lawson.  This is possibly that season.

42. C.J. WATSON – IND

Watson would make the Pacers an exciting team.  You can expect good assist numbers if you need a late stash.

43. KIRK HINRICH – CHI

Do not expect much from Captain Kirk now that Rose is back.  Hinrich will have his moments, but no consistency.

 

Muntradamus is a Fantasy Sports Expert who specializes in Fantasy Football/Baseball/Basketball. He is currently in his second season as a Pro on FantasyPros coming off of an impressive Rookie Campaign where he landed the #10 Overall In-Season Fantasy Football Rankings Expert.  Which also included #1 WR of all Expert Sites.  He is also one of two people to qualify for allDRAFTSTREET CHAMPIONSHIPS in 2012. Most Historically, Muntradamus was the #1 Fantasy Football Expert of IDP & Overall Rankings in One Week, first and only time in Fantasy Sports History.