The biggest fantasy news of the season literally broke when it was announced that the Los Angeles Clippers will be without star forward Blake Griffin for at least a couple of months after he broke a bone in his hand punching a team equipment manager. Losing Griffin was a tremendous blow for fantasy owners as they had been enjoying an excellent first half from him. They will obviously be concerned about the timeline for his return as well as the persistent trade rumors. Here is a look at the top five fantasy power forwards from the first half of the NBA season.
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
DeMarcus Cousins, and Anthony Davis both have dual-eligibility as C/PF’s, but since we graded them as centers, it is Griffin who topped the list of the top fantasy power forwards from the first half of the season. Griffin has averaged 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists along with a combined 1.3 blocks and steals per game. His injury hasn’t hurt the Clippers as much as some would have thought, but it has been a devastating blow for his fantasy owners. With the Clippers managing to play well without Griffin in the lineup, it has begged the question – and forced the team’s front office to think about it – as to whether the team is better off moving him and getting some assets in return. In the coming weeks, we’ll see if it’s just hot air or whether there is some merit to it.
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
He might not be talked about as much as some of the other players on this list, but Millsap has quietly been one of the best fantasy power forwards in the game so far this season. He’s one of the most overlooked All-Stars in the league. Millsap has averaged 17.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game while maintaining an excellent .486 field goal percentage. The only thing that he doesn’t give you is the threes, but that’s rare from a power forward. Millsap has rewarded the Hawks’ faith in him for signing him to a three-year deal worth close to $60 million last summer and his fantasy owners hope that he can keep it up the rest of the way this season.
Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
Bosh hasn’t shown any negative effects after missing the second half of last season because of life-threatening blood clots and there is no reason to expect him to slow down anytime soon. Although, he did withdraw from the 2016 All-Star Weekend with a mysterious, last-minute injury.
Bosh has averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 three-point shots per game so far this season and the threes are what separate him from the rest of the crowd at the position. As long as he is healthy he should continue to produce as one of the game’s top fantasy power forwards.
Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
The 35-year-old Gasol hasn’t slowed down even a little for the Bulls this season. That’s surprising given the glutton of forwards that the Bulls have with Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and first-round pick Bobby Portis. Gasol’s fantasy owners have to be thrilled with his production as he has averaged 17.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. Chicago will need him to keep it up as they continue to fight for position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers
The third-overall pick from the 2015 NBA Draft has overcome problems away from the court to put together a pretty impressive rookie season. Okafor has averaged 17.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 assists per game this season. He has improved as the season has rolled on as evidenced by his 60.9% shooting in January. Previously, he hadn’t even topped the 50% mark in any single month. As long as he stays out of trouble outside of basketball, he should continue to excel on the floor. Okafor has heated up again just before the All-Star break, averaging 20.7 points and 12.0 rebounds over his last three. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he continued to improve his numbers in the second half as he continues to develop in his rookie NBA season.
