The Phenom would like to formally welcome you to Fantasy Year 2011. The Phenom will unveil the major players who will have a tremendous impact on the fantasy world in 2011. You will notice many of the usual suspects, some sleepers, and a few long-shots that could very well help you to win a fantasy league championship in 2011. As a fantasy team owner, you must be able to rely on the usual suspects, invest in the sleepers, and to do enough research on the long-shots to determine who might be able to put together a solid supporting role on your team.
NBA 2011 (1/3/11)
The Usual Suspects
1. LeBron James/ MIA- James was the top-producing fantasy player in 2010 and will repeat that feat once again in 2011. He should be the #1 pick in all formats and should never leave your starting lineup.
2. Kevin Durant/ OKC- Durant was second only to James in fantasy production for the 2009-2010 season and currently resides in the top 10 for the 2010-2011 season. He is a top 3 pick.
3. Deron Williams/ UTA- Williams was the 12th overall producer in 2010-2011 and ranks 5th in the current season. He is a 1st round pick for sure.
4. Dwyane Wade/ MIA- Wade has been Mr. Consistency over the past few years as he ranked 3rd overall in 2009-2010 and remains in the top 10 in the current season. He won’t produce James and Durant-type numbers, but he is a top 10 selection in every format.
5. Kobe Bryant/ LAL- Bryant finished the 2009-2010 season as the #7 overall fantasy producer and currently resides in the top 10. However, I would not spend a 1st round pick on Bryant in your 2011-2012 draft. If you can get him in the 2nd round, then do it!
Sleepers
1. Kevin Love/ MIN- Love is the 2nd-best fantasy producer in the NBA and a mere 70 points behind LeBron. Love could have been taken in the 4th-6th rounds and has provided fantasy owners with tremendous value thus far. Love is a definite 1st round pick going forward.
2. Russell Westbrook/ OKC- Westbrook shot out of the gates in 2010-2011 and is currently ranked 5th overall. He is a late 1st round to early 2nd round selection and is considered a great stat-sheet stuffer.
3. Blake Griffin/ LAC- Griffin was selected high and isn’t much of a sleeper, but since this is his rookie season he came into the season as an unknown. Griffin should be a top 5 pick in the future.
4. Monta Ellis/ GS- Ellis has definitely benefited from the loss of Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson over the past few years and has taken advantage of it. As the #1 option for the Warriors, Ellis has vaulted into the top 10 and has equal value to Kobe Bryant at the present time. With an incredible upside, Ellis should be a 1st round pick in 2011-2012.
5. Derrick Rose/ CHI- Rose is considered to be one of the best point guards in the NBA as he finds himself on the doorstep of the overall top 10. Rose should be a late 1st round or early 2nd round pick and will soon be among the usual suspects in the NBA fantasy ranks.
Honorable Mention Sleepers: Josh Smith/ ATL, Al Horford/ ATL, Raymond Felton/ NYK, Eric Gordon/ LAC, LaMarcus Aldridge/ POR, Paul Millsap/ UTA, Dorell Wright/ GS, and Wilson Chandler/ NYK
Long-shots
1. Wesley Matthews/ GS- Matthews could find himself as a top sleeper as we approach the 2011-2012 draft. He has been a top 30 producer of late and his stock has risen dramatically enough to be considered a good middle-round selection.
2. Michael Beasley/ MIN- Beasley has been a top 20 producer over the past month, but not yet a top round selection. Beasley is risky but it wouldn’t hurt you to take him in the middle rounds.
3. DeMarcus Cousins/ SAC- Cousins has all the skills to become a great fantasy option and has resided in the top 50 overall over the past month. He could be a nice sleeper pick in 2011-2012 in the middle rounds.
4. Jrue Holiday/ PHI- Holiday has produced way more than he was projected to and finds himself as nice sleeper in 2010-2011. Holiday is a top 50 overall producer, and should be available in the middle rounds in 2011-2012.
5. Nick Young/ WAS- Young has the ability to put up big numbers, but is also very risky. Young should be a late-round pick in 2011-2012, but he might surprise people by becoming one of the top sleepers in the next year.
The Phenom
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