1.LeBron James #6FMiami Heat

Height:	6-8	Weight:	240
Birthday:	December 30, 1984	Drafted:	2003, 1st round, 1st pick by Cavaliers
Birth Place:	Akron, Ohio	College:

All Hail the King of Fantasy Basketball!  LeBron James proved that he is the best basketball player in the NBA, bringing the Cavs to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.  The reigning MVP averaged 28.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, and 7.2 apg in 2008-09 and also had 93 blocks and shot 78% from the free throw line (both career highs).  James had nine games where he scored over 40 points with two of those games being more than 50 points.  Not to mention he also had seven triple-doubles last season! Just another reason why he will be drafted number one in all fantasy league formats.  James is 24 years old and is just going to keep getting better.  He is also entering the final year of his contract with Cleveland, only adding incentive to have the best year of his career.  With the acquisition of Shaq, LeBron is going to have a real inside presence for the very first time.  Another MVP award and possibly an NBA championship appear to be in the future this season for King James.

2.Dirk Nowitzki #41FDallas Mavericks

Height:	7-0	Weight:	245
Birthday:	June 19, 1978	Drafted:	1998, 1st round, 9th pick by Bucks
Birth Place:	Wurzburg, West Germany	College:

Year after year Dirk Nowitzki not only keeps the Dallas Mavericks afloat, but keeps them a dangerous threat. Nowitzki has never been a one-man show in Dallas, but he has always been the pillar that holds up the talent around him. By now, any basketball aficionado knows the 7 footer’s excellent shooting touch brings his game the diversity that keeps him racking up the statistics in all categories. No, Dirk’s not putting up triple-doubles nightly, but he certainly is a constant double-double threat. Nowitzki’s versatility usually results in a few assists and blocks to go along with his 25 points and close to 10 rebounds a game. Dirk is also very consistent and goes on massive stretches for weeks at a time. At the age of 31 and hungry for a ring, don’t expect him to let the Mavericks fade into obscurity. After a monstrous season in 2008-09, Nowitzki has reestablished himself as a sure fire first round fantasy pick.

3.Kevin Durant #35FOklahoma City Thunder

Height:	6-9	Weight:	225
Birthday:	October 16, 2006	Drafted:	2007, 1st round, 2nd pick by SuperSonics
Birth Place:	Washington, District of Columbia	College:	Texas

If you haven’t noticed, Kevin Durant is a problem. Not if you’re an Oklahoma City fan, only if you’re damn near anyone else. After a solid rookie campaign, the 20 year old really came into his own last season leading a young Thunder squad. Despite the team sliding down the mountain towards losing ways, Durant was steadily climbing. He improved in nearly all statistical categories from his first to second year, including finishing out the season as the league’s sixth leading scorer, dropping 25 plus while grabbing 6.5 boards per contest. Add in the occasional double-double and Durant is a serious threat. No matter the size of your league or the direction of your team, KD is worth a first round pick. The Thunder are sure to get better, and Durant will be a huge part of that. As legitimate as his numbers were last year, you can be sure that Durant will equal or improve his output this season.

4.Carmelo Anthony #15FDenver Nuggets

Height:	6-8	Weight:	220
Birthday:	May 29, 1984	Drafted:	2003, 1st round, 3rd pick by Nuggets
Birth Place:	New York, New York	College:	Syracuse

Carmelo Anthony is one of the premier players in the NBA. He helped the Denver Nuggets run all the way to the Western Conference Finals a season ago. Even with missing time due to a broken bone in his hand, he was able to average 35 fantasy points on 22.8 ppg, 3.4 apg, and 6.8 rpg. With a healthy supporting cast returning and being eligible for a contract extension, Melo should have an outstanding year. The superstar is one of the most consistent players in the league and it makes him ultra-valuable in Hotbox Sports leagues. He is in the middle of prime and has avoided the major injury so far, so health is isn’t an issue with him. Anthony should be taken at the end of the 1st round or definitely towards the beginning of the 2nd, but we shouldn’t need to tell you that.

5.Danny Granger #33FIndiana Pacers

Height:	6-9	Weight:	228
Birthday:	April 20, 1983	Drafted:	2005, 1st round, 17th pick by Pacers
Birth Place:	New Orleans, Louisiana	College:	New Mexico

Danny Granger is the go-to player for the Pacers, and has stepped up his game in a big way for this team. He has increased his scoring average by SIX points each of the past two years. Last season, he averaged 26 ppg, 3 apg, 5 rpg, 1 spg, and 1 bpg. Granger is a fantasy stud and the focal point of a high scoring offense. While he did miss 15 games last season, mostly small nagging injuries rather than anything serious, he played virtually every game in the 3 previous years so he shouldn’t be an injury risk. The only knock on Granger is that he can be a bit lacking on the defensive end at times, which seems to be a theme of this Pacer team. That means fantasy owners can count on a lot of points being scored on both ends of the floor, the perfect combination for fantasy glory. Granger should not make it out of the 2nd round. If he falls to you in the 3rd, consider it an early birthday gift.

6.Antawn Jamison #4FCleveland Cavaliers

Height:	6-9	Weight:	225
Birthday:	June 12, 1976	Drafted:	1998, 1st round, 4th pick by Raptors
Birth Place:	Shreveport, Louisiana	College:	North Carolina

On any given night Antawn Jamison is a double-double threat, likely to put up 20 and 10 against any opponent. His versatility makes him a difficult cover for most opponents and the numbers he put up in the 2008-09 season should not be taken lightly. Jamison posted averages of 22.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg and just under 2 assists. Antawn is an unconventional power forward, capable of mixing it up at the small forward position as well. However, the return of Gilbert Arenas could hurt Jamison’s production, at least a little bit, but we have to see Arenas stay healthy to believe it. We wouldn’t worry about that too much. He’s been very consistent throughout his career, and as a wily veteran, he should adapt fairly easily to having Arenas back in the lineup. The middle of the 2nd round is a reasonable place for him to be picked up. After the 2nd he’s a steal.

7.Carlos Boozer #5FChicago Bulls

Height:	6-9	Weight:	258
Birthday:	November 20, 1981	Drafted:	2002, 2nd round, 6th pick by Cavaliers
Birth Place:	Juneau, Alaska	College:	Duke

While the topic of where Boozer may or may not play next season is in doubt, his fantasy production is certainly not debatable. No matter where he plays, the caveat will be his health. In Boozer’s 7 seasons, he’s played more than 70 games only four times. Last year he was only able to play in 37 games. If you can deal with the health risks, Boozer is a beast and a double-double machine. He finished last season averaging 16.8 ppg and 10.4 rpg and logged 19 double-doubles. In his 2007-08, the last time he played a full season, Boozer was 6th in the league with 51 double-doubles. Bottom-line, if Boozer is out on the court, he is going to be effective. He should be drafted late in the second round or early third. Should you find Boozer available anytime after that, jump all over it!

8.David West #30FNew Orleans Hornets

Height:	6-9	Weight:	240
Birthday:	August 29, 1980	Drafted:	2003, 1st round, 18th pick by Hornets
Birth Place:	Teaneck, New Jersey	College:	Xavier

David West is a solid fantasy player, and although he should not be considered a Top 15 player, he is certainly a good look anywhere after that point. Last season he put up 21 ppg, 8.5 rpg, and 2.3 apg. Along with those numbers, he gave owners a consistent double-double threat. If the Hornets lean on him to hit the glass more this season, there’s the definite possibility that he can average a double-double and vault himself up into that Top 15 realm. He shoots well, at just under 50% for his career, and played a career high 76 games last season. West was selected to his first ever All-Star game last year and has continued to gel very well with teammate Chris Paul. He has also shown decent durability and managed to play in 70+ games 4 out of his 6 years as a pro. If he can stay healthy, you should expect much of the same from West, as his numbers have been almost identical the past 3 seasons.

9.Troy Murphy #3FNew Jersey Nets

Height:	6-11	Weight:	245
Birthday:	May 2, 1980	Drafted:	2001, 1st round, 14th pick by Warriors
Birth Place:	Morristown, New Jersey	College:	Notre Dame

Troy Murphy enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last year, averaging a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in 34 minutes of action for the Indiana Pacers. Troy had 49 double-doubles last season, making him a starter and all-around fantasy stud on any team. Murphy tends to deal with minor injuries over the course of an entire season, but played in over 70 games the past two years and has avoided missing any extended time. Tyler Hansbrough was Indiana’s first round pick in the NBA draft, which should make it interesting to see how this season plays out at their power forward spot, but with the year Troy had it is hard to imagine Tyler cutting into his playing time. Expect Murphy to be a double-double machine again this year, putting up big fantasy numbers night after night. There is a reason he is ranked in the Top 25 in Hotbox Sports leagues this year. His center eligibility makes him even more valuable. Target him in the 3rd round.

10.Josh Smith #5FAtlanta Hawks

Height:	6-9	Weight:	225
Birthday:	December 5, 1985	Drafted:	2004, 1st round, 17th pick by Hawks
Birth Place:	College Park, Georgia	College:

Former Slam Dunk Champion, Josh Smith, is a dynamic shot blocker and dunker who tends to rack up some pretty good rebound and assist numbers. He’s averaged over 7 boards a game in each of the last three seasons. The chink in his armor is his love affair for the 3-point shot. Long ball love keeps him away from the basket and from time to time gets him in Mike Woodson's doghouse. If he can keep his game closer to the hole, he's a potential difference maker. Considering the Hawks are a little thin in the frontcourt, Smith will continue to get good minutes. Don’t be surprised to see at least 35 per. With all that being said, he regressed slightly last season and feel like when he gets drafted in the middle of the 3rd round, it’s a little too early. This is a player that averaged under 30 fantasy points a game last season. A crafty GM hoping to snag him in the fourth or fifth round might get left empty-handed, but certainly shouldn’t be upset.

11.Caron Butler #4FDallas Mavericks

Height:	6-7	Weight:	217
Birthday:	March 13, 1980	Drafted:	2002, 1st round, 10th pick by Heat
Birth Place:	Racine, Wisconsin	College:	Connecticut

Caron Butler is one of three 20+ point scorers on the Washington Wizards’ roster. He’s capable of scoring inside and out, but his production on the court does not end with his ability to put the ball in the hole. In addition to the 20.8 ppg Butler averaged last season, he tallied 6.2 rpg and 4.3 apg to go with 1.6 spg. The reintroduction of Gilbert Arenas into the Wizards lineup could affect Butler’s numbers a bit (point production and assist totals may drop, but not by much). Expect Caron to be right around his 2006-07 form, when he averaged 19.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.7 apg and just over 2 steals. By the way, that was the last time Gilbert Arenas was healthy. Because of his versatility, Butler is good stock. He should be gone by the end of the 3rd round or early 5th at the absolute latest.

12.Kevin Garnett #5FBoston Celtics

Height:	6-11	Weight:	220
Birthday:	May 19, 1976	Drafted:	1995, 1st round, 5th pick by Timberwolves
Birth Place:	Mauldin, South Carolina	College:

How Garnett responds to his first major knee injury, coupled with his advancing age, are two major questions that stare KG dead in the face. Garnett's stats suffered last year while he was battling injury and continuing to adjust into his new team role. At 33, he is no spring chicken and in his first two years with the Celtics, Garnett had his lowest season averages (15.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg, and 31.1 mpg) since 1997. The downward trends do not seem to bode well for old man KG. Garnett will also see some stiff competition for touches with Wallace, Perkins, Big Baby, and Sheldon Williams. There is no doubt KG remains a potent offensive talent with a unique skill set, but where is his ceiling now? In some drafts, experts have him going as high as the 2nd round, while others as low as the 6th. KG will not be the superstar of the past, but he can still contribute solid fantasy numbers and would be a reasonable choice in the 4th-5th round. Don’t expect KG to drop 40 fantasy points a night this year, but he could contribute some solid double-doubles and give your fantasy team an extra boost.

13.Gerald Wallace #3FCharlotte Bobcats

Height:	6-7	Weight:	220
Birthday:	July 23, 1982	Drafted:	2001, 1st round, 25th pick by Kings
Birth Place:	Sylacauga, Alabama	College:	Alabama

Gerald Wallace has been one of the most gifted athletes in the league for the last few years; the problem is he is also one of the most fragile players around. He has missed an average of 16 games a year for the last four seasons which makes this ultra talented small forwards a very risky pick for owners this upcoming season. Wallace is still young (27 yrs old) and when healthy, gives you a good all around performance. Last season he struggled with his game and dropped in every offensive category except rebounds (16 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.7 apg) from the year before where he put up 19.4 points, 6 boards, and 3.5 assist per contest. The increase in rebounds was due in large part to the Bobcats playing him at power forward for long periods of time, but that also contributed to his body wearing down battling bigger players in the post. He’s usually going in the 4th or 5th round, but might be a gamble with his history of injuries. If he slips to the 6th round, he can be a great addition to any fantasy squad and produce quality numbers if healthy.

14.LaMarcus Aldridge #12FPortland Trail Blazers

Height:	6-11	Weight:	237
Birthday:	July 19, 1985	Drafted:	2006, 1st round, 2nd pick by Bulls
Birth Place:	Dallas, Texas	College:	Texas

LaMarcus Aldridge played in 81 games during the regular season and averaged 18 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2 apg and 1 bpg in 37 minutes of action. He benefited from an unhealthy Greg Oden, who missed a lot of games due to various injuries last season. So knowing that his effectiveness and value are directly connected to Oden’s health is an unsettling issue for his fantasy owners this season. Aldridge’s scoring numbers would remain the same because of his versatility from outside the key, but his rebounding would take a dive if they were both on the floor at the same time, making him less valuable in fantasy leagues. Regardless, Oden has not shown the ability to stay healthy for long periods of time, so LaMarcus will continue to log heavy minutes and put up solid numbers at the power forward spot. Should Oden go down once again, Aldridge’s value will definitely skyrocket. Start looking to draft him in the middle of the 4th round.

15.Zach Randolph #50FMemphis Grizzlies

Height:	6-9	Weight:	253
Birthday:	July 16, 1981	Drafted:	2001, 1st round, 19th pick by Trail Blazers
Birth Place:	Marion, Indiana	College:	Michigan State

No one can deny the fact that Zach Randolph has produced for every team he has been on in the NBA, but still he now finds himself starting for the 3rd different team in 3 years. Memphis will be the lucky beneficiary of his play this season and his insertion into the starting power forward spot instantly makes the Grizzlies a possible contender. Memphis now has solid players in all 5 positions, which is something that couldn’t be said for a while with this team. Z Bo will continue to deliver a steady 20 points and 10 rebounds a night even in his new digs. That constant double-double threat he presents each game is huge in the Hotbox Sports format. Many owners will let him slide because he’s now in Memphis, but you can certainly do worse in the 4th Round. If he ends up being your second forward, your squad is in very good shape.

16.Stephen Jackson #1FCharlotte Bobcats

Height:	6-8	Weight:	218
Birthday:	April 5, 1978	Drafted:	1997, 2nd round, 14th pick by Suns
Birth Place:	Houston, Texas	College:

Watching Stephen Jackson accumulate his stats is as stressful as it is rewarding. He could leave you with two points and one measly assist after three quarters of play, then midway through the fourth explode for 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. His play can at times be erratic, but in terms of fantasy, the box score is what matters and Stephen Jackson is a consistent stat-stuffer. Captain Jack had a breakout year last season, averaging career highs in scoring, rebounding and assists per game (20.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.5 apg). He also added 1.5 spg for good measure. His versatility creates match up problems for opposing defenses, and his ability to expose those mismatches allows him to roam for stats. Jackson finished ninth in the league in triple-doubles last season with nine, and has the ability on any given night to deliver LeBron-type fantasy numbers. He averaged more than 39 minutes per game in each of the last two seasons - and therein lies our sole concern: will fatigue become a factor? It is hard to put up great numbers on tired legs. In the 5th round however, Jackson would be a solid pickup.

17.Rudy Gay #22FMemphis Grizzlies

Height:	6-8	Weight:	222
Birthday:	August 17, 1986	Drafted:	2006, 1st round, 8th pick by Rockets
Birth Place:	Baltimore, Maryland	College:	Connecticut

It seems like every year we say that Rudy Gay is due to breakout even though he is only entering his 4th season. Still, a player with his potential shouldn’t REGRESS in only his third year. Memphis did a solid job of upgrading in the off-season with the additions of Zach Randolph, Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young. Couple those with rising stars O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol and all of a sudden, it’s not just Rudy Gay and the rest of the Grizzlies. There will be moments this season when he will put up ridiculous numbers, but Gay is far from consistent and that is what you should be banking on when drafting a player as high as Rudy Gay likely will be drafted. His breakout season could possibly arrive this year, but until he starts producing like the 8th overall pick from a few years ago, let his potential weigh down another owner’s roster.

18.Elton Brand #42FPhiladelphia 76ers

Height:	6-9	Weight:	272
Birthday:	March 11, 1979	Drafted:	1999, 1st round, 1st pick by Bulls
Birth Place:	Peekskill, New York	College:	Duke

Elton Brand played in just twenty-nine games this past NBA season, and fantasy owners have a right to be wary. However, all reports are that Brand is fully recovered and ready to roll, and those that are willing to take a chance could be heftily rewarded. If Brand is able to put up numbers resembling what he did in his 2006-2007 NBA campaign, his last relatively healthy season when he was a walking double-double, shot blocking machine, he would be worthy of a top round pick. Now at age thirty, and with his recent string of injuries, Brand is a risky pick. Andre Miller departing for Portland left Philadelphia with Iguodala as their only real offensive threat, unless Brand can regain his form or Thaddeus Young steps it up. If Brand is still available after the 6th round, he won’t be for long.

19.Hedo Turkoglu #26FPhoenix Suns

Height:	6-10	Weight:	220
Birthday:	March 19, 1979	Drafted:	2000, 1st round, 16th pick by Kings
Birth Place:	Istanbul, Turkey	College:

Fresh off a run to the NBA Finals with Orlando, Turkoglu had his pick of free-agent suitors and selected the Raptors. Joining a team with a top-tier distributor (Jose Calderon) should only enhance Turkoglu’s effectiveness. Last season, the 10th-year pro recorded a well-rounded line of 16.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 4.9 apg (26th in league), all the second-best averages in his career. The Turkey native had seven double-doubles, four with points and rebounds and three of the points-assists variety. The 6’10”, 220-pounder fits right in with a multi-faceted attack in Toronto, but that also might mean some inconsistency with his numbers. On some nights, he might stroke four 3-pointers and explode for 30 points, while on others he could provide great production in assists or rebounds. Last season, he scored more than 25 points four times (including a 35-point game), had at least 10 rebounds five times and enjoyed a 14-assist game. In five seasons in Orlando, Turkoglu averaged below 14.0 points just once. He played in at least 77 games three of the last four years (73 in ’06-’07). While he garnered a lot of publicity with the Magic’s playoff run last season, don’t go reaching too high for him in fantasy drafts. The 6th or 7th round seems appropriate.

20.Richard Jefferson #24FSan Antonio Spurs

Height:	6-7	Weight:	225
Birthday:	June 21, 1980	Drafted:	2001, 1st round, 13th pick by Rockets
Birth Place:	Los Angeles, California	College:	Arizona

For the San Antonio Spurs, the acquisition of RJ was tremendous but it severely hurt his fantasy stock. Averaging 35-40 minutes a game while in New Jersey and Milwaukee, Jefferson was looked upon to be one of the top scoring options on a nightly basis. Now he finds himself as just a complimentary piece to the Duncan & Parker show. By the way, over the past 5 years not even Duncan or Parker have averaged over 35 minutes a game, so expect RJ to see even less time. Coupled with the fact that the Spurs are focused on strong defense with Coach Popovich playing a lot of different guys to keep everyone fresh and it should spell disaster for Jefferson owners. He certainly makes San Antonio a front runner for the Western Conference title again, but he won’t help your fantasy squad get anywhere close. Take him in the middle rounds for depth if he’s staring you in the face, but don’t bank on him being a regular starter for your team.

21.Paul Millsap #24FUtah Jazz

Height:	6-8	Weight:	258
Birthday:	February 10, 1985	Drafted:	2006, 2nd round, 17th pick by Jazz
Birth Place:	Monroe, Louisiana	College:	Louisiana Tech

Paul Millsap could be the most intriguing fantasy player going into this season. You just don’t know what to expect. Last season he started off on the bench, then went bonkers when Boozer was hurt, and eventually fell back to earth when Boozer returned from injury. The trade winds have been blowing since the start of last season as to what is going to happen with Mr. Boozer. While most people outside of Utah really don’t care, fantasy owners are hanging on it. We all saw what Millsap was capable of when given the minutes. He strung together 19 straight double-doubles when inserted into the starting lineup! If you are drafting early and Boozer is still on the team, tread lightly. Perhaps you go after Millsap in the 7th or 8th rounds. But if Boozer is off the Jazz by the time you draft, Millsap should be a surefire 2nd round pick in all Hotbox Sports leagues. He will contend with no one for minutes in that scenario and he’s already shown what he can do given the opportunity.

22.Rashard Lewis #9FOrlando Magic

Height:	6-10	Weight:	215
Birthday:	August 8, 1979	Drafted:	1998, 2nd round, 3rd pick by SuperSonics
Birth Place:	Pineville, Louisiana	College:

Rashard Lewis will miss his first 10 games of the season after being suspended for failing the league’s substance abuse program, which is strange because you almost never hear of steroids in basketball. Last year, Lewis’ scoring was down, but most of that was due to Hedo Turkoglu’s emergence as the team’s playmaker as the season wore down. With Hedo signing with the Raptors in the offseason, Lewis should be more of a scoring threat, even if Vince Carter is now on the team. Carter will command a lot of attention on the outside and Rashard should be able to see many more open looks, especially from the 3 point line, where he is dangerous. Last season he averaged 18 ppg, 2.5 apg, 6 rpg, and 1 spg in 36 minutes of action over 79. But if past fantasy drafts were any indication, Rashard Lewis will probably go 2 rounds higher than his actual value. Don’t be that owner. If he is sitting there in the 7th or 8th round, obviously take him, but don’t use a 6th round pick on him when you can get a player like Monta Ellis, Andrew Bynum, or Russell Westbrook at that spot. They all have way more upside.

23.Shawn Marion #0FDallas Mavericks

Height:	6-7	Weight:	228
Birthday:	May 7, 1978	Drafted:	1999, 1st round, 9th pick by Suns
Birth Place:	Waukegan, Illinois	College:	UNLV

The acquisition of Shawn Marion from the Toronto Raptors is something many Dallas fans are excited about. The most excited person being Marion himself. While some might think the 4-time all-star’s best days are behind him, a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered. The past two seasons have not been the most productive for Marion, but he still managed to average 14.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, two assists and a steal. Earning the reputation as a quitter is understandable when you consider that at one point he was averaging as many as 21.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2 steals and nearly 2 blocks. He’s also been called a locker room problem. Still, if he’s around in the 6th round, it could be a smart pick-up. A 31 year old, re-inspired Marion has a chance of reverting back into “The Matrix,” the versatile, high flyer we knew in Phoenix. Running with a point guard that suits his tempo and a deep assortment of other talent might be the prescription for Marion’s inspiration.

24.Blake Griffin #32FLos Angeles Clippers

Height:	6-10	Weight:	251
Birthday:	December 31, 1969	Drafted:	2009, 1st round, 1st pick by Clippers
Birth Place:	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	College:	Oklahoma

Everyone is expecting Blake Griffin to come into the NBA and blow up. Not so fast. Yes, he was dominant in college, but the pros are a whole lot tougher. Griffin surely has the mentality to step up to the challenge but don’t go reaching too high for this kid based on college numbers alone. Plus, the Clippers have a logjam in the frontcourt with Camby and Kaman. Unless one of them gets traded, their combined presence is sure to eat into Griffin’s minutes and stats. Blake is going to need 35+ a night in order to produce the numbers you’re expecting and you just can’t be guaranteed of that many right now. In standard leagues, owners should expect to see Griffin coming off the board in the mid 6th round, but in keeper leagues he could go a round or two higher.

25.Kevin Love #42FMinnesota Timberwolves

Height:	6-10	Weight:	260
Birthday:	December 31, 1969	Drafted:	2008, 1st round, 5th pick by Grizzlies
Birth Place:	Santa Monica, California	College:	UCLA

Once Al Jefferson went down with a knee injury last season, Kevin Love stepped in and proved his fantasy value. In his rookie season, Love averaged 11.3 points and 9.1 rebounds in 81 games! He gave fantasy owners a pleasant surge in production as the season went on. Wit Jefferson’s absence, he saw an increase in minutes, and every other statistical category. Love’s downside is his defense, which could lead to a shortage of playing time in closer games. However, with his amazing ability to rebound, especially on offense, (Love was 2nd in the league last year with 3.4 orpg) Love could easily be one of those guys who averages a double-double in 2009-2010, bringing extra fantasy value. That extra 5 points for a double-double means good things for fantasy owners. This year he could go as high as the mid 3rd to early 4th round in some leagues, but for the most part you’ll be able to snag him the 6th.