The 2014-15 NBA fantasy basketball season included some significant injuries, surprise performances and a pair of rising stars that took their place at the top. Here is the first part of our midsummer rankings of the top 12 NBA fantasy players as we countdown No. 6 down to No. 1.
6. LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers
There is no doubt about the most complete player in the NBA right now as LeBron is easily the player most likely to lead a team to an NBA championship next season. However, in terms of a pure fantasy perspective, he falls just outside of the top 5. LeBron averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 assists and 6.0 rebounds last season but he will turn 31 years old this coming season and he was limited to 69 games a year ago in big part because of the fatigue that builds as a result of going all the way to the NBA Finals every single season. LeBron will return as one of the most dominant players in fantasy basketball but he will not have him in the top-five in part because his focus remains on the more important task at hand which is winning championships.
[related_post_one]
5. Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook could be higher on this list after he led the NBA with 28.1 points per game last season along with 8.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds but the one major factor that could limit his potential from a fantasy perspective is the return of his teammate and 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant. Durant missed almost all of last season and that served as a direct benefit for Westbrook owners as he got the chance to be the man in Oklahoma City. Westbrook is entering his prime and will still put up outstanding numbers but with Durant back he takes a small step back on this list.
4. Kevin Durant
Oklahoma City Thunder
So where does Durant slot in after being limited to just 27 games last season? Well, the most important news is that he is running without pain and will be cleared to play in full basketball activities by the beginning of August…barring a major setback. The last time he played a full NBA season, he averaged a career-high 32.0 points per game along with 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.4 threes, and he will only be 27 years old when the season starts. Some will forget just how dominant Durant can be but the bottom line is that he will be back and as dangerous as ever after spending a year getting his health back to where it needs to be.
3. James Harden
Houston Rockets
Only Westbrook had a higher points per game than Harden last season, who averaged 27.4 points, 7.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 threes. The difference is that Harden isn’t going to be playing with Durant next season and there is no doubt about who the man is in Houston. Harden is motivated to prove he is one of the best in the NBA and after he was barely edged out for the scoring title this year, don’t be surprised if he wins it next season.
2. Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
The 2015 NBA MVP averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 3.6 threes per game to literally stuff the stat sheet across the board. However, the scariest part about Curry’s production is that he could have done even better from a fantasy perspective if the Warriors weren’t so dominant. Curry averaged just 32.7 minutes per game and sat out several fourth quarters after Golden State had already put games out of reach. The Warriors could be just as dominant again this year but if their overall play dips even a little bit then Curry will have the opportunity to actually improve on the totals he posted last season.
1. Anthony Davis
New Orleans Pelicans
Davis finished fourth in the NBA in points per game last season but like Curry, it was his dominance across the board that separates him from the pack. Davis averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.9 blocks and 1.5 steals per game last season and that was as a 21-year-old. Davis is 22 and heading in to his fourth NBA season with easily the best supporting cast he had had since entering the NBA, so the sky is the limit for the game’s most dominant big man and the top player on our midsummer NBA fantasy rankings.
