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The NBA regular season is almost a memory. So in preparation for my series of posts here and on Give Me The Rock on my notes on key players from this season, I figured it would be nice to lead off with a little something-something to think about for next season's draft.
Just before this season started, we all had a clear and definitive idea on who the first four picks for fantasy basketball should be. They were pretty much undisputed. You could debate for hours on the order the four of them should be drafted, but collectively you could say that they were almost equal and would be chosen based on individual drafter's preferences. Chris Paul, LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire, and Kobe Bryant. They were the Fantastic Four! They were the SUPERHEROES you expected to count on to, well not save the world, but your fantasy team's standings.
Sadly, Amare Stoudemire has fallen from fantasy grace. He stung us all due to a combination of drastic team roster changes, initially having an awful coach, and of course last but not the least his season-ending, eye gouging injury which nailed the Phoenix Suns and fantasy owners alike. For all of those reasons, he will not be reprising his role in the Fantastic Four sequel for next season.
Two former members of the group, remained steadfast and dependable this season. Chris Paul and LeBron James chimed in their awesome numbers like clockwork. This season also unveiled the return to favor of a former fantasy stud, Dwyane Wade. He was a regular choice in 5-7 pick range a couple of seasons back, but suffered in the rankings coming into this season due a cluster of injuries. He lost his superpowers. His travels to Olympus (well fine, the Olympics) rejuvenated the young hero. He rekindled the fire in him. The same fire that won him an elusive NBA Championship ring. Wade was on fire this season, plain and simple. Just as importantly, he didn't miss many games either. Because he truly brought his game to a new level this season, he will be joining the other two former members of the Superhero team.
Ok so that's three. As far as the fourth spot goes there are several options to be considered. Well, there's last pre-season's member, Kobe Bryant; there are emerging stars Danny Granger and Kevin Durant; and of course the Colossus, Dwight Howard. Each of these guys can make a strong case for nailing that fourth spot.
Danny G is 4th right now on GMTR's Player Rater, both in 8-cat AND 9-cat filters; but he did miss a considerable number of games due to injury.
Kevin Durant has diversified his game, and is due for that "thrird year bump," but would you trust an incoming third year player with your precious fourth pick position?
Dwight Howard is now indisputably prime real estate. I called him out in the pre-season back in my old site as a head to head stud. If you're fourth to pick, and you plan to build on a big ball strategy for head to head, then by all means pick Dwight. It's a no-brainer. The problem with D-Ho, and this is a problem that will always be hanging over his fantasy head, is that he still hurts you in roto.
After some deliberation, here is your NEW FANTASTIC 4...
Starring:
LeBron James as Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards) - His versatility matches Reed's powers of elongation. He can produce numbers from any category your team might need. A leader. He exemplifies utility and varied function. You can plug him into almost any draft strategy and begin building a powerhouse team.
Chris Paul as the Invisible Girl - Well, he's hot (in terms of fantasy) and every fantasy hoophead's PG man-crush. Let's not forget the DEFENSE. Sue Richards was in charge of the team's defense and we all know CP3 is fantastic on defense. You just got to love all those dang steals! Whoa, baby!
Dwyane Wade as the Human Torch - The dude was on fire this season. Nuff said.
Kobe Bryant as the Thing - He's not really pretty to look at in terms of popularity. Undeniably, however, KB is one tough mofo. He manned up and played this season with his surgery-needing fingers taped up and was still able to drop 60 at MSG. It's as if his fingers were made of brick. That's what we want from an early pick. A stud who is tough enough to finish the season in spite of his injuries.
Disclaimer: This is based on now. In the end, we should closely follow how Kobe's finger recovers from surgery during the off season and Dwyane Wade still should be considered a minor injury risk based on his past track record.
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