2004 Player Rankings: Small Forwards, Pt. 1

2004 Player Rankings: Small Forwards
Need a shooter? A rebounder? A defensive stopper? Here’s your chance to shape your team however you like it. Much like a name for your band, you won’t know what kind of fantasy basketball team you have until you have a small forward. So let’s see what there is to choose from.

Tier One: Kevin Garnett

1. Kevin Garnett (MIN) – All talk about the top pick in the draft starts and ends with Kevin Garnett. He helps you in every single category except threes. He’s a huge plus in boards and blocks, gets steals like a PG, and shoots about 50%.
Take Him: First overall. And don’t look back.
But Remember: Your draft isn’t over yet!

Tier Two: Silent But Deadly

2. Andrei Kirilenko (UTH) – Full disclosure: I drafted this guy in the third round last year and loved every minute of it. He fills up the box score every night, and gives you the ability to ignore blocks and steals for the next couple of rounds.
Take Him: In the mid-to-late first round. He might not be a ‘name’ player, but he’s certainly a numbers player.
But Remember: His pedestrian scoring numbers, as a first rounder, mean you’ll need some serious scorers later on. Plus, he only qualifies as a PF in some leagues, which would cut into his value.

3. Shaun Marion (PHO) – Possibly the most complete player in fantasy basketball. He’s a plus in 3’s, steals, blocks, %’s, rebounds…just a solid all-around player. He won’t dominate a category but he’ll keep you in the running for everything.
Take Him: In the mid-to-late first round. He’s a great first round pick because you can go in any direction with your next few selections.
But Remember: His name has come up in trade discussions. Worth noting but I don’t see him getting moved.

4. Peja Stojakovic (SAC) – He shoots lights out every night. 3 3-pointers, .480 from the field, and a ridiculous .927 from the line last year. He might be a little grumpy, but that won’t hurt your fantasy team. He is a top-5 pick based on his stats last year, but the at least temporary return of Webber might bring his numbers down.
Take Him: Late in the first round. With Gerald Wallace gone, there’s no reason to think he won’t keep going 40 minutes a night.
But Remember: His points, boards, 3’s, and FT% were all career highs last year. Don’t look for a repeat.

Tier Three: Next Best

5. Carmelo Anthony (DEN) – That ‘other’ stud rookie is ready to have a serious impact here in his sophomore season. He’s already a stud scorer, but now he’s got to start doing all the little things that make fantasy owners gush. We think he’ll make progress, but he’s not an elite player yet. Look for 8-9 rebounds, a three, a steal, and a few more blocks than last year.
Take Him: In the mid-late second round. He’s a risky pick there, but if you really want him you won’t be able to wait until the next round.
But Remember: A sophomore slump could be in the cards, as he didn’t exactly ‘shine’ in the Olympics. Plus, that whole pot thing could end up being a problem.

6. Lamar Odom (LAL) – The Pippen to Kobe’s MJ, he’s in a great position this year. The unquestioned #2 option on a team where the #1 option will draw double-and-triple teams, Odom could set a career high in scoring this year, plus continue to rebound like a monster and help a little bit everywhere else.
Take him: Late in the 2nd round. This could be a breakout year for Odom, and he hasn’t exactly been chopped liver so far.
But Remember: Before last year he missed a ton of time due to injuries, so be wary.

7. Ron Artest (IND) – He’s playing more, shooting more, scoring more, and still getting more than 2 steals a game. He’s a guy who will always keep you on your toes with possible suspensions and emotional freak-outs, but when he’s playing, he’s in the prime of his career.
Take Him: In the third. A classic third round pick, where the only thing he does really well is steal the ball, but he doesn’t really do anything poorly.
But Remember: Make sure to have a solid SF elsewhere on your roster for those one-and-two-game absences he likes to have.

Tier Four: Good Players, Bad Teams.

8. Antoine Walker (ATL) – Bombs awaaaay! Walker will be a huge plus in 7 of the 8 fantasy categories. One of only 2 decent players on the Hawks, he’s going to score, pass, board, and steal with the best of ‘em. Unfortunately, his FT% has gone from ugly to hideous – a horrific 55% last year.
Take Him: In the third or fourth round. Expect his numbers across the board to be more like they were in Boston.
But Remember: He’s an automatic –3 points in FT%. Be prepared to punt it, or have great FT shooters around him.

9. Richard Jefferson (NJN) – We know he can shoot – he’s a 49% career shooter from the field. But that was with the best passer of our time feeding him the ball, K-Mart drawing the D inside, and Kittles drawing the D outside. Now he’s on his own. He’ll certainly score more (look for 23 ppg), and get more assists with the ball in his hand, but he’s got no help.
Take Him: In the 4th round, and cross your fingers. He could be ready to emerge this year.
But Remember: He looks nice as a #3 guy, but as a #1? Defenses are gonna key on him, making his life miserable – and maybe yours miserable, too.

10. Antawn Jamison (WAS) – The latest addition to Warriors East, look for ‘tawn to return to form this year statistically. Which means points and boards and very little else, but enough else that he’s a valuable fantasy player.
Take Him: In the fourth. He hasn’t missed a game in 4 years.
But Remember: He’s never been much of a passer or blocker, and his FG% won’t be over 50% again.

11. Donyell Marshall (TOR) – OK, what the hell is this all about. A journeyman SF ends up in Toronto, and all of a sudden he’s Marion Lite. 3’s, boards, steals, blocks…he helps you everywhere. Can he keep it up? It’s gotta be worth the risk at some point.
Take Him: In the fourth, but no earlier. If he proves himself again, then next year we’ll take him in the 2nd, but 5 months in Canada doth not a fantasy stud make.
But Remember: Even in down years (i.e., the rest of his career), he put up decent numbers, so the risk might not be as bad as it looks.

12. Rashard Lewis (SEA) – The safest pick amongst this tier, but he brings up the rear because he’s got a pretty low ceiling. You know what you’re gonna get from Lewis – 17 points, 6 boards, nice threes, and a steal. While those numbers are nice, they’re not great. He’s a nice player – but not great.
Take Him: In the 4th or 5th rounds. Nice fantasy filler, and not much of an injury risk.
But Remember: He’s not going to win you any championships – you’re going to need to take risks elsewhere.

Comments

[desi mcgrath]

1 more thing. KG AND ANTOINE WALKER ARE POWER FOEWARDS AND THERE MANY OTHER MISTAKES IN YOUR LISTINGS THAT I HAVENT FOUND YET. TAKE SOME LESSONS FROM RICK KAMALA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!