The small forward position is absolutely stacked at the top. There were a lot of question marks heading in to the season when it came to the best of the best but midway through this year a lot of those concerns have been addressed. Here is a look at the top five fantasy small forwards from the first half of the NBA season.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
The biggest question heading in to the season for Durant was would the foot injury that sidelined him last season take its toll on his numbers again this year? So far to this point, the answer has been a resounding ‘no’. Durant as risen to the top of the ladder among fantasy small forwards once again. KD has averaged 27.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.4 made three-point shots, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steal per game. All of the concerns of his healthy and beefing with Russell Westbrook have been allayed. It’s a contract year for him and he’s playing like a league MVP-caliber player again these days. In terms of the fantasy small forwards, he’s been the best you can own so far this season.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James is still the game’s most complete player and an absolute fantasy stud, even if he does have to settle for No. 2 on this list. The biggest question mark heading into this year for James was whether or not he could stay healthy and continue to put up elite fantasy numbers after registering so many hard miles the past five seasons. He has certainly delivered to this point. James has averaged 25.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game this season to take a firm hold on the No. 2 spot on this list. He continues to be the superstar that elevates the play of everyone around him.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
How would Paul George respond after recovering from a broken leg that ruined his 2014 NBA season? Well, the numbers indicate that he has been the third-best fantasy small forward player at his position so far this season. George has averaged 23.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.8 made three-point shots and 1.8 steals per game. He’s benefited from the fact that the Pacers have gone away from the halfcourt style of game they used to play with Roy Hibbert and David West, and shifted to more of an up tempo style of offense. The team is running and gunning a lot more and George has been the centerpiece of that. There has clearly been zero lingering effects from last year’s injury and George is starting to get back to the MVP level he was approaching two years ago.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Fantasy basketball managers questioned the impact San Antonio’s offseason free agent haul would have on Leonard’s production but he has put the fear of declining numbers to rest with an excellent season so far. Leonard has averaged 20.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 made three-point shots per game this season. Remember, a lot of people thought that with the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge and David West that there wouldn’t be enough of an opportunity for Leonard to pile up the numbers. He’s been fantastic, though, contributing in almost every category across the board. There isn’t any reason to expect his numbers to decline the rest of the way.
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
The question asked the most of Anthony heading in to this year was whether or not he would be able to bounce back as a 31-year-old small forward. That’s after missing most of last year due to injury and facing all sorts of questions as to how good (or bad) shape he’ll be in heading into the season. It’s safe to say at least for this year, Anthony is just fine. The Knicks’ star forward has averaged 21.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 made three-point shots per game this season. We’ll have to see how the Knicks – and Anthony – perform under new head coach Kurt Rambis but there isn’t any reason to think his production will slow down in the second half.
