25 Best Fantasy Basketball Players
By:
Published: July 13, 2006
With the 2006 NBA season in the books, let's look ahead to 2007 and talk about the best fantasy basketball players in the NBA for next season.
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LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
Believe the hype.
King James elevated his game last season to heights that many predicted but few expected so soon. James averaged 31.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists while being the best of the best fantasy basketball players. All while leading the Cavaliers to the playoffs and nearly taking the team to the conference finals.
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Shawn Marion, SF, Phoenix Suns
The perfect fit for the Suns relentless offensive attack. Marion was a double-double machine in 05-06, averaging 22 points and 11 boards. Expect more scoring next season with Amare Stoudamire coming back.
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Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks
After a playoff run that put put his game on another level, Nowitzki averaged 26.6 points and 9 rebounds in the regular season and led the Mavs to the NBA Finals. Nowitzki will improve his already spectacular numbers in '06-07.
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Dwyane Wade, PG, Miami Heat
In terms of overall talent and leadership, Wade would be standing alone at the top of this list with no distant second place, but in terms of the best fantasy basketball players, Wade is somewhat human, averaging 27 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists and shooting nearly 50% from the floor.
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Kevin Garnett, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves
although an extraordinary talent, KG has yet to prove himself in the playoffs. Luckily, that doens't affect his status as one of the best fantasy basketball players in the NBA. Garnett has been rumored in possible trades in recent months and no matter where he ends up, he will take his career averages of 20.5 ppg and 11 rebounds and help out his team. -
Allen Iverson, SG, Philadelphia 76ers
Perhaps the gutsiest performer in the league, Iverson is one of the best fantasy basketball players to go along with it. While scoring 33 a game and dishing out 7.4 assists on average, AI is a premier player with a huge heart.
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Elton Brand, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
How did the Clippers almost make the Western conference finals? Elton Brand. Brand averaged 24.7 ppg and 10 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field. He is the Clippers most valuable player and one of the NBA's best fantasy basketball players.
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Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
When determining the best fantasy basketball players, usually when you average only 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, you are not the cream of the crop, that is unless you are Kobe Bryant. Bryant made up for everything by torching opponents on a nightly basis by averaging 35.4 ppg, including 81 against the Raptors in January.
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Jermaine O'Neal, PF, Indiana Pacers
O'Neal had a down year by his standards averaging 20.1 ppg and 9.3 rebounds and again battling injuries but he looks to improve in 06-07. When his game is on, O'Neal is one of the league's best fantasy basketball players as a dominating force inside with a soft shooting touch.
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Gilbert Arenas, PG, Washington Wizards
Shoot first point guards are usually a primary reason why a team is unsuccessful. However, in Arenas' case, he makes the Wizards better. The 5th year star averaged 29.3 ppg and 6 assists while leading the Wizards to the postseason and cementing his status as the 2nd best point guard among the best fantasy basketball players.
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Michael Redd, SG, Milwaukee Bucks
A scoring extraordinare with endless range, Redd has become more aggressive in attacking the basket and creating more scoring opportunities for himself helping his case as one of the best fantasy basketball players in the league. He averaged 25.4 ppg in 05-06 and will look to improve upon that next season.
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Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs french floor general had his finest season in the NBA scoring 18.9 ppg and dishing out 5.8 assists while shooting 54%. Parker will be among the league's best fantasy basketball players next season when Tim Duncan returns to form.
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Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
The NBA's two-time reigning MVP averaged 18.9 ppg and 10.5 assists while taking the Suns to the western conference finals. Nash had more scoring opportunities with Stoudamire out and his scoring will take a hit next season but everything else will stay about the same.
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Tim Duncan, C, San Antonio Spurs
The NBA's best ever Virgin Islander had a quiet season by his standards. While his scoring (18.6) and rebounding (11.0) took a hit, Duncan was still one of the best fantasy basketball players at his position. Look for Duncan to bounce back next season.
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Ray Allen, SG, Seattle Sonics
The deadliest marksman in the NBA, Allen let it rain with 25.1 ppg while shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc. Allen is one of the best fantasy basketball players because his shooting never seems to cool off.
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Chris Bosh, PF, Toronto Raptors
In a span of three seasons, Bosh has raised his scoring from 11.5 ppg in 03-04 to 22.5 ppg in 05-06 and has put his name on the list of best fantasy basketball players in the league. Not only is he a dangerous scoring threat, but Bosh also pulled down 9.2 rebounds per game last season.
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Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
The NBA Rookie of the Year was the primary reason the Hornets had so much unexpected success. Paul was unbelievable as he rolled off 16.1 ppg, 7.8 apg, and 5.1 rpg. Paul's first season has him being hailed as one of the best fantasy basketball players at the point guard position.
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Jason Richardson, SG, Golden State Warriors
For years, Richardson was viewed as a dynamic dunker in search of a missing jump shot. Well, he found it. J-Rich had his finest season as a pro scoring 23.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg and making 183 treys as he entered the ranks of the best fantasy basketball players in the league.
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Pau Gasol, PF, Memphis Grizzlies
Scoring 20 ppg and getting 9 rpg, Gasol is beginning to make noise out of Memphis and he is gaining due respect. As one of the most consistent players in the league, the Spaniard is one of the best fantasy basketball players and he will be for many years to come.
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Andrei Kirilenko, SF, Utah Jazz
This Russian star is one of the best fantasy basketball players in the league because of his ability to do everything well. In addition to his 15.3 ppg and 8.0 rpg, Kirilenko also averaged 3.2 blocks per game and 4.3 assists as well.
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Boris Diaw, SF, Phoenix Suns
Diaw would be ranked near the top of this list if Amare Stoudamire wasnt returning. Diaw is one of the league's best fantasy basketball players because of his ability to score, rebound, and pass. However, his role next season may be less prolific but the Suns will improve.
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Jason Kidd, PG, New Jersey Nets
Always a safe bet, Kidd was again a triple-double threat every night as he averaged 13.3 ppg, 8.4 apg, and 7.3 rpg. What also made Kidd stand out as one the best fantasy basketball players was his 4:1 assist to turnover ratio.
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Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets
Melo has no problem putting the biscuit in the basket (26.5 ppg) but it still boggles everyone's mind when they only 4.9 rpg. His ability to score from anywhere on the floor puts him on the list of the best fantasy basketball players but his lack of high skill in other areas are what keeps him from taking his game to a higher level.
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Vince Carter, SF, New Jersey Nets
Carter excels in all areas of the game and when his game is on, he is one of the best fantasy basketball players in the NBA making his team better. In his first full season with the Nets, Carter went off for 24.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 4.3 apg and helped lead the Nets into the 2nd round of the playoffs.
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Kirk Hinrich, PG, Chicago Bulls
Hinrich has played extremely well in his first three seasons and his fourth season will be his breakout season. After averaging 16 points and 6 assists, Hinrich will have a more mature squad around him and the Bulls have the second overall pick in the draft and will likely add an immediate contributor into the mix to help Hinrich even more.
Honorable Mention
Paul Pierce, SG, Boston Celtics
Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets
Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
Baron Davis, PG, Golden State Warriors
Ben Gordon, SG, Chicago Bulls
Josh Smith, SF, Atlanta Hawks
