2010 Midseason Awards: All-Fantasy Teams

LeBron is the 1st half MVP, but has Kobe played well enough to join him on the All-Fantasy 1st team?

We’ve reached the midway point of the NBA regular season, which means it’s time to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 1st half.

Let’s start with the best of the best: the All-Fantasy teams are comprised of the 20 top players thus far.

Stay tuned, because more midseason awards will be handed out shortly…

Fantasy MVP = LeBron James

29.6 points
7.1 rebounds
7.8 assists
1.6 steals
1.0 blocks
1.7 threes
3.6 to’s
51.0 FG%
78.2 FT%

It took him long enough, but LeBron has finally become a reliable 3-point shooter. His 1.8 made threes per game and 37.2% shooting from beyond the arc are both career-highs, and he’s 1 of only 22 players averaging over 1.7 treys while shooting over 37% 3P this season. He’s also made over 55% of his 2-point shots, which has resulted in a career-best FG% (first time over 50%). Thankfully, his free throw shooting has not declined either, as that used to be his achilles heel.

Not surprisingly, James is the only player in the league averaging 7+ rebounds and 7+ assists, and he’s doing so for the 3rd straight season! The only negatives are the career-high turnovers and the career-low steals, but those could easily improve in the 2nd half. Last season LeBron had to share the Midseason MVP award with Chris Paul, but with CP3 missing 8 games and not being quite as dominant, there’s no question who the #1 fantasy player has been thus far. The Cavs are also fighting the Lakers for the best record in the league, so whether Roto or Head-to-Head, 8-cat or 9-cat, fantasy or reality, LBJ has been the NBA’s 1st half MVP.

All-Fantasy 1st team

PG: Chris Paul

19.5 points
4.5 rebounds
11.2 assists
2.3 steals
.3 blocks
1.2 threes
2.3 to’s
49.4 FG%
84.1 FT%

Despite missing a handful of games with an ankle injury, CP3 is still worthy of being named the #1 point guard. He’s averaging 11+ assists for the 3rd straight season, but he’s cut his turnovers down from 3.0 per game last year to just 2.3 this season. The result is an amazing 4.92 assist-to-turnover ratio that blows everyone else out of the water. When you consider that LeBron, Durant, Melo, Kobe, Wade, and Nash all average around 3 turnovers or more, you see why Paul is extra valuable in 9-cat leagues.

The 6-foot superstar has also improved his fantasy value by shooting a career-best 42% from beyond the arc. He clearly improved his outside shot over the summer, but he still rarely settles for the 3-ball (just 2.8 attempts per game). Unfortunately, CP3’s combined field goal + free throw attempts per game have fallen drastically, from 22.8 last year to just 19.3 this season. Not surprisingly, his scoring average has dropped at an almost identical rate, from 22.8 to 19.5. He’s also grabbing 1 fewer rebound and .5 fewer steals per game this season, so he’s taking a backseat to LeBron this time.

SG: Kevin Durant

29.1 points
7.0 rebounds
3.0 assists
1.3 steals
.9 blocks
1.4 threes
3.9 to’s
48.4 FG%
87.1 FT%

Way back in August I decided to sponsor Kevin Durant’s stat page. At the time, Dwyane Wade was still the consensus #3 pick after LeBron & CP3, but there was no doubt in my mind who I planned on taking. Sure enough, I got the #3 pick in two different leagues, and I drafted Durant in both of them. And while he’s played almost strictly small forward this season, he’s SG-eligible in most leagues and has played too damn well to leave off the All-Fantasy 1st team.

Durant currently ranks 3rd in points, 26th in steals, and 35th in rebounds, but his superior fantasy value is due to the fact that he ranks 3rd in free throw attempts (9.5 per game) and 9th in FT% (over 86% for the 3rd year in a row). His 48.4% FG shooting is also rock solid, but what’s crazy is that it could actually improve quite a bit. KD has made an impressive 51.5% of his 2-point shots this season, but his 3-point percentage has fallen from 42.2% last season to just 36% this year. It’s unlikely to happen this season, but Durant has a good shot of becoming the 1st player in NBA history to average over 30 ppg while shooting over 50% from the floor and over 90% from the line.

SF: LeBron James (see above)

PF: Dirk Nowitzki

25.4 points
8.0 rebounds
2.5 assists
1.0 steals
1.2 blocks
.7 threes
1.9 to’s
47.8 FG%
88.1 FT%

For the past decade, Dirk has been fantasy basketball’s most reliable superstar. Year in and year out he gets the job done, and this season is no exception. He’s averaging 25+ points for the 4th time in the past 6 years, he’s shooting over 47% from the field for the 5th straight season, he’s shooting over 86% from the line for the 8th straight season, he’s pulling down 8+ boards for the 10th straight year, and he’s committing fewer than 2.2 turnovers for the 5th straight year.

Despite shooting a rock solid 39% from beyond the arc, Dirk’s .7 made threes per game are his lowest average since his rookie year, but he’s made up for it by pumping up his steals and blocks. After combining for less than 1.6 steals + blocks in each of the past 3 seasons, Nowitzki is averaging a solid 1.2 swats + 1.0 thefts per contest this season. Once again, he’s one of the finest fantasy forwards around.

C: Brook Lopez

18.9 points
9.5 rebounds
2.2 assists
.8 steals
2.0 blocks
0 threes
2.5 to’s
49.3 FG%
84.5 FT%

While the Nets are on pace to have the worst record EVER, one bright spot has been shining all season long. Brook Lopez has proven that his rookie year was no fluke, and he’s going to be one of the league’s top centers for many years to come. He currently ranks 8th in blocked shots, 16th in rebounding, and 25th in scoring, joining Tim Duncan and Chris Kaman as the only players to rank in the Top 25 in all 3 categories.

Brook’s assists and steals are solid for a center, but he’s really rose to the top thanks to his excellent free throw shooting. After making 79.3% of his freebies on 2.6 attempts per game as a rookie, Lopez has pumped those numbers up to 84.5% FT shooting on 6.1 attempts per game. The only center getting to the line more often is Dwight Howard, but we know how ugly HIS FT% looks like. We’d like to see Brook’s mediocre field goal shooting rise, but that will happen as he gains more experience and is surrounded with better talent. At the age of 21, he’s already the #1 fantasy center.

All-Fantasy 2nd team

PG: Steve Nash

18.7 points
3.0 rebounds
11.1 assists
.4 steals
.2 blocks
1.6 threes
3.9 to’s
53.8 FG%
94.2 FT%

In a 2-category league that scores only steals and turnovers, Steve Nash would be the absolute worst player in the league. Despite those obvious flaws, Nash has still been strong enough everywhere else to make the All-Fantasy 2nd team. His per game assist numbers are a shade under CP3’s, but as far as total assists are concerned, Steve has 92 more than Kidd, 96 more than Rondo, 106 more than Paul, 110 more than Deron, and at least 140 more than everyone else. Of course, his dominance doesn’t end there.

The soon to be 36-year old is shooting a jaw-dropping 53.8% from the field and 94.2% from the line this season, both of which are career-highs. That’s quite remarkable for a guy who was already one of the most accurate shooters of all-time even before this season started. Now consider that his combined field goal + free throw attempts have climbed from 14.3 last year to 16.3 this season, and you see why his overall fantasy value has soared.

SG: Kobe Bryant

28.3 points
5.2 rebounds
4.5 assists
1.8 steals
.3 blocks
1.2 threes
2.9 to’s
46.3 FG%
83.1 FT%

Kobe has really struggled recently due to back and hand injuries, but he’s still been good enough to earn All-Fantasy 2nd team honors. While Wade dishes out more assists, Bryant gets the nod over him due to fewer turnovers (2.9 vs. 3.3) and vastly superior free throw shooting (Kobe is shooting over 81% from the line for an impressive 12th year in a row, while Wade is under 77% FT for the 3rd straight season).

There’s also plenty of room for improvement in Kobe’s stats, as his assists, blocks, threes, and 3P% are at their lowest levels in several years. However, if you’re worried about KB’s nagging injuries, then you may want to trade him for Wade before he starts missing games.

SF: Carmelo Anthony

30.0 points
6.3 rebounds
3.3 assists
1.2 steals
.3 blocks
.9 threes
3.1 to’s
47.6 FG%
86.8 FT%

What a difference a year makes! Melo averaged a meager 22.8 ppg last season (his lowest mark since ‘04-05), due to a combination of poor shooting (44.3% FG, his lowest mark since ‘04-05) and unaggressiveness (7.1 free throw attempts per game, his lowest mark since ‘03-04). This season he’s been much more aggressive around the rim, as his 9.7 free throw attempts rank 2nd, and are extra valuable because he’s shooting a career-best 86.8% from the line, good enough for 12th overall. Since his FG% has also improved drastically over last season, Melo leads the league in scoring.

Surprisingly, the rest of Anthony’s stats are nearly identical to last year’s, which shows how much one can improve his fantasy value simply by becoming a more efficient scorer. However, I have a hard time believing that Melo will continue to make over 86% of his freebies, so don’t be surprised if that slides in the 2nd half.

PF: Chris Bosh

23.8 points
11.1 rebounds
2.0 assists
.5 steals
1.1 blocks
.1 threes
2.3 to’s
52.3 FG%
78.5 FT%

Bosh has played like a man on a mission this season, posting career-highs in points (8th), rebounds (7th), free throw attempts (6th), and FG% (4th among players averaging 20+ points). Much like Dirk, Bosh excels in turnover leagues because he doesn’t cough the ball up as much as other superstars. He’s also shooting over 78% from the charity stripe for a 5th year in a row.

However, CB4 is averaging just 2.0 dimes per game, which will surely end his streak of 4 straight years averaging 2.5+ assists. Also, his lack of blocks continues to disappoint owners who know that he’s capable of more. Still, Bosh’s numbers have been excellent, and he’s surely going to get a fat contract this summer.

C: David Lee

19.1 points
11.2 rebounds
3.4 assists
1.0 steals
.3 blocks
0 threes
2.3 to’s
55.8 FG%
78.1 FT%

I won’t lie. As a David Lee owner, I was very worried when he averaged just 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in his first 11 games. However, he’s been a beast ever since then, averaging 19.8 points and 12.0 boards over his last 30 contests. And while Lee doesn’t block many shots, he’s surprised everyone by dishing out a career-best 3.4 assists, which is easily tops among all centers. In fact, he already has 10 games with 5 or more assists!

Lee is also a very efficient shooter, ranking 7th in FG% and 71st in FT% (5th among centers). After a slow start, D. Lee has been one of the most dominant big men around, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

All-Fantasy 3rd team

PG: Jason Kidd

9.0 points
5.3 rebounds
9.1 assists
1.6 steals
.6 blocks
1.9 threes
2.2 to’s
43.1 FG%
77.1 FT%

It’s Kidd’s 16th year in the NBA, but he still has plenty left in the tank. In fact, his outside shot has clearly aged well, as his 41.5% shooting from beyond the arc is a career-high, and his 1.9 treys per game and 43.1% FG shooting are both the 2nd highest marks of his career. Kidd is also blocking more shots than ever before (2nd behind Baron Davis among all point guards), and as usual is leading all PG’s in rebounds. While young gun Monta Ellis is scoring nearly three times as many points, he’s also averaging almost twice as many turnovers, giving Kidd the nod for 3rd team honors.

SG: Dwyane Wade

27.2 points
4.9 rebounds
6.2 assists
1.9 steals
1.3 blocks
1.0 threes
3.3 to’s
45.9 FG%
76.6 FT%

Wade’s stats have dropped off considerably this season, and as a result he’s fallen from 1st team to 3rd team status. While his boards, blocks, turnovers, and free throw shooting are nearly identical to last season, the rest of his numbers are not up to par. It starts with his sub-46% shooting from the field, which is the lowest mark of his CAREER. Likewise, Dwyane’s assists are also at their lowest level since the ‘04-05 season. He still ranks 5th in scoring and 6th in steals, but last year he ranked 1st and 2nd in those categories. However, Wade owners can’t complain TOO much, as he hasn’t missed a single game this season and is starting to turn it on in January, with averages of points and steals on % FG shooting over his last 11 games. He hasn’t played up to his abilities thus far, but he’s still one of the best around.

SF: Andre Iguodala

17.8 points
6.9 rebounds
5.9 assists
2.0 steals
.6 blocks
1.3 threes
2.8 to’s
42.7 FG%
77.3 FT%

On one hand, Iguodala’s 17.8 ppg average is his lowest in 4 years, and his career-low 42.7% FG shooting is the main culprit. However, he’s posting career-highs in rebounds, assists, and threes, and his 2.0 steals and .6 blocks is much better than the 1.6 and .4 that he averaged last year. Iggy is also shooting over 77% from the free throw line for just the 2nd time in his career, and is on pace to play in every single game for the 5th time in his 6 year career. Now if he can only improve that sorry field goal shooting!

PF: Gerald Wallace

18.5 points
11.3 rebounds
1.9 assists
1.7 steals
1.1 blocks
.6 threes
2.5 to’s
47.8 FG%
76.0 FT%

After finishing 22nd in rebounding last year with a 7.8 average, Wallace has crashed the glass in a big way this season, as his 11.3 total rebounds ranks 5th and his 9.1 defensive boards per game ranks 2nd (trailing only Dwight Howard). In addition, he’s playing more minutes (41.8 mpg ranks 2nd) and taking a lot more shots this year, and as a result his scoring average has increased. Best of all, the man dubbed “Crash” has missed just one game thus far. For a guy who’s never played more than 72 games in a season, that’s quite the accomplishment.

C: Tim Duncan

20.0 points
10.4 rebounds
3.1 assists
.5 steals
1.9 blocks
0 threes
2.0 to’s
55.2 FG%
73.8 FT%

He’s sat out a few games already, but Duncan is still getting the job done for his fantasy owners. The 33-year old ranks 9th in blocks, 10th in boards, 10th in FG%, and 19th in scoring, and his 3.1 assists per game trails only David Lee among centers. He’s also cut his turnovers down to just 2.0 per game this year, so he doesn’t hurt you in turnover leagues. If Timmy can maintain his current shooting %’s, he’ll set a career-high in FG% while posting a 2nd-best mark in FT%.

All-Fantasy Honorable Mentions

G: Rajon Rondo

13.8 points
4.0 rebounds
9.7 assists
2.5 steals
.2 blocks
.2 threes
2.9 to’s
52.8 FG%
58.4 FT%

I had to give Rondo serious consideration for 3rd team honors, but his lack of threes, high turnovers (compared to Kidd), and terrible free throw shooting really hurts him. That being said, if there’s a 6-category league that excludes those cats, Rondo would easily be a Top 5 player. He leads the league in steals, ranks 3rd in assists, and is 18th in FG%. His field goal attempts have gone up from 9.5 last year to 11.3 this season, which has resulted in a career-high in scoring and Rondo being one of the top guards around.

G: Monta Ellis

26.4 points
4.2 rebounds
5.4 assists
2.3 steals
.4 blocks
.7 threes
4.2 to’s
46.3 FG%
75.6 FT%

Ellis has been a scoring machine ever since Stephen Jackson got traded, and his season ppg average trails only Wade, Kobe, Durant, LeBron, and Carmelo. He ranks 2nd in steals and 16th in assists, and his boards and blocks are rock solid for a PG-eligible player. However, Monta’s shooting %’s have only been average, and his ridiculously high turnover rate prevents him from receiving 2nd or 3rd team honors.

F: Paul Pierce

18.6 points
4.8 rebounds
3.7 assists
1.3 steals
.4 blocks
1.9 threes
2.3 to’s
46.7 FG%
83.5 FT%

The Celtics have needed Paul Pierce to step up with Garnett missing so many games, and The Truth has done just that. His scoring average is the lowest it’s been since his rookie year, and his rebounds and shot attempts are currently at career-low levels, but he’s improved in other categories. After grabbing 1.0 steals and .3 blocks last year, Pierce has improved in both of those categories. He’s also shooting a blistering 46.8% from behind the arc, good enough for 4th overall. The career-low in turnovers is icing on the cake.

F: Pau Gasol

17.0 points
11.2 rebounds
3.3 assists
.4 steals
1.7 blocks
0 threes
2.1 to’s
54.9 FG%
86.3 FT%

Sure he’s missed a bunch of games, but when he’s played, Pau has easily been a Top 12 fantasy player. He’s done so by obliterating his previous career-highs in rebounding (11.3 vs. 9.8) and free throw shooting (86.3% vs. 81.9%). He also ranks 11th in FG% and 15th in blocks, and his low turnovers make him a better option than Carlos Boozer. Despite the continued emergence of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol is still one of the finest fantasy big guys around.

C: Marcus Camby

8.2 points
11.6 rebounds
3.1 assists
1.3 steals
2.1 blocks
.1 threes
1.3 to’s
49.3 FG%
73.0 FT%

Chris Kaman has been a scoring machine this season, but Camby has still been the better fantasy player due to his superior shot-blocking skills and low turnovers (1.3 per game compared to 3.0 for Kaman). Chris has also missed 4 games this season, compared to just 1 for Marcus. The 35-year old still has plenty left in the tank, ranking 3rd in rebounds and 7th in blocks. Among all big men, he trails only Nene and Josh Smith in the steals department, and is one of the leading passers for his position as well. Just remember that the Clippers might trade him soon, which would hurt his value if his playing time goes down.

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