Fantasy Basketball: Friday Free-for-All

by mahoney1213 on Feb 18, 2011 4:00 PM EST in Fantasy Basketball

OAKLAND CA - FEBRUARY 15: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets drives on Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on February 15 2011 in Oakland California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It's such a nice day out in New York today - a refreshing day we needed with all the snow we've gotten this winter. The weather has put me in a refreshing mood; for the first Free-for-all Friday, let's talk about keepers, a nice refreshing topic as we draw close to the season's mid-point.

This was my most daunting task: Create the top 30 keepers at each position for the next 3-4 seasons, especially since certain positions are so deep (PF, PG) while others get shallow fast (C, SG). It was a challenge I welcomed with open arms. I had to take the player's primary position even though you'll see players on the PF list that have been playing a lot of Center this season. It's easier to group this way. I'm sure I missed some players, and I cut an awful lot of players out of the top 30. Here you'll see fading stars fall on the list and young players rising. Let me know in the comments if you disagree with any of the lists below, or if I omitted anyone by mistake. Please keep in mind, I tried to incorporate the short-term.

The keeper rankings after the jump:

Chris Paul

Derrick Rose

Deron Williams

Stephen Curry

Russell Westbrook

Rajon Rondo

DJ Augustin

Kobe Bryant

Dwyane Wade

Joe Johnson

Ray Allen

Manu Ginoboli

OJ Mayo

Kevin Durant

LeBron James

Carmelo Anthony

Paul Pierce

Kevin Love

Amare Stoudemire

Pau Gasol

Blake Griffin

Dirk Nowitzki

Chris Bosh

Kevin Garnett

Tim Duncan

Dwight Howard

Al Horford

Poll

Who is the top keeper in fantasy basketball?

LeBron James

18 votes

Chris Paul

7 votes

Dwight Howard

1 votes

Other

7 votes

33 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Not too bad

It’s amazing how awful/stale the results are when you google “fantasy basketball keeper rankings”. For traffic purposes, you might consider putting these in their own post, maybe doing an overall ranking or providing additional commentary on some players.

I have some critiquing of some player rankings that I’ll follow up with some time later.

by andyreidswaistline on Feb 19, 2011 5:06 PM EST reply actions

great idea

TJ- you up for that??

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 19, 2011 6:08 PM EST up reply actions

thanks - will do

It was an idea to start my free-for-all as an initial keeper rank b/c of the ASB. I figured it’d be a good time to dive into keeper rankings. I would like to discuss further as I’m sure I’d flip flop some guys. It was tough to do. I should provide commentary. Thanks for the suggestion.

by mahoney1213 on Feb 19, 2011 8:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

yes

commentary is key…..looking forward to it.

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 19, 2011 9:51 PM EST up reply actions

After the trade deadline would be a good time

Since there might be a ton of movement especially with the Carmelo Anthony drama…

This way we will have a better idea of what players are in new places.

by mahoney1213 on Feb 19, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

makes sense

that drama has taken on a life of its own, huh?

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 19, 2011 10:48 PM EST up reply actions

yes

It’s annoying even as a Knick fan…way too much drama.
The trade will have multiple fantasy implications for 2010 and beyond. It will trigger a slew of deals around the NBA…

by mahoney1213 on Feb 19, 2011 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

Random thoughts

Durant is/probably should be the top keeper or at least a candidate

Little surprised Felton is so high but I suppose it could be accurate.
Kobe has a lot of miles on him. I am thinking in my keeper league the owner would likely flip him for a younger Wade or Ellis.
Not a believer in Gallinari – I’d put him behind Wright and Pierce.
It’s early but it’s hard to ignore the talent. I’d throw Blake over Gasol. Another function of miles on the tread.
PF pool is really deep. Almost seems like OF pool in baseball. Lots of choices, lots of flavors.
Cousins could get bumped up 3 spots.
ARandolph could get bumped down 5 spots. He’s waiver wire material right now. And KG TD and Frye are far from.
Humphries over Favors? I try not to be biased with rookies but I don’t know about that one.
Horford vs Jefferson is an interesting debate that I think leans toward the Gator.

Pretty solid overall.

by andyreidswaistline on Feb 21, 2011 9:21 AM EST reply actions

Thanks for the feedback

Durant – I don’t know how I missed that considering I have him higher than LeBron. That’s a big miss on my behalf. Thank you. He’s my top keeper overall.
I rank Felton that high assuming he stays in NY. That doesn’t appear to be the case with the Melo rumors surfacing. I will touch on this after the trade deadline.
I still think Kobe has a few solid years on him – he’s defied odds up to this point; I think he can still play at a high level for a few more years. I mean look at his ASG performance last night.
I’m a believer in Gallinari – 3’s at a PF position are a huge advantage. When he rebounds, it’s gravy. I can’t put him behind Wright until I see Wright do this for a full season. Pierce I can understand.
Blake needs to improve his FT shooting – it’s wretched. Until he improves dramatically, I can’t put him over Gasol just yet. Griffin’s play has also slowed as of late. Perhaps he’s trying to do too much by himself. He really needs Eric Gordon back.
Cousins is a disaster – if that guy wasn’t so goddamn immature, he’d be so high on the list. I don’t trust him to stay out of trouble.
Favors I had the hardest time ranking. I have high hopes for him, but I can’t stand Avery Johnson. I’m hoping Favors breaks out next season. I would push him up and move Randolph down. I had Randolph high because he’s got oodles of talent, and the Knicks appear to be trading him to a team that believes in him. However, if he lands on a team like Minnesota with a logjam at PF/C, then he’s off the list, or at least switches spots with Favors.
Horford over Jefferson makes sense. It’s a tough one. I lean towards Jefferson slightly.

Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate it – good stuff.

by mahoney1213 on Feb 21, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions