Fantasy Notes: Fresh faces in fantasy

Every year new players emerge in the fantasy sports world. Sometimes they are fresh faces, sometimes veterans with a new opportunity, and sometimes simply a player finally cashing in on the potential that had the in basketball’s greatest talent pool to begin with. Here’s a look at some players who might not have been fantasy-ready a season ago or simply were used as specialists in one category, who are now vital members of the fantasy basketball community.

RUDY GAY, SF, MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

When the Atlanta Hawks selected Marvin Williams with the second overall pick ahead of Deron Williams and Chris Paul, they envisioned a player with forward size, yet guard athleticism. They simply hoped that they had found the next great sensation justifying their decision to go after talent, rather than actual need. Rudy Gay is the epitome of the type of player that they hope Marvin Williams will one day evolve into. Gay himself was a big prospect coming out of UConn when he was selected with the 8th pick of the 2006 draft.

At 6’9, Gay can size up with the forwards, yet hang with the guards. In his rookie campaign, he played second fiddle to Pau Gasol and averaged 11 points per game with 4.5 rebounds. However, his potential was on display in the second half of the season, when he averaged 13.6 points and 6 rebounds. In his second season, Gay has brought his game to a whole new level. Even with Gasol sharing the hardwood for the first half of the season, he is flirting with 20 points per game, while averaging 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, and even knocking down 2 three-pointers each game. In the second half, those numbers should improve to 22 points per game, 7 rebounds, and let’s hope he can reach 3 assists. The optimism does not reflect his continued maturation, but instead, his greater role. Pau Gasol has been traded to the Lakers, with little coming back in return. There is no longer any questions about it, this is Rudy Gay’s team.

If he can continue to improve his performance, and learn to rack up some assists, Gay can become a top 20 player as early as this season, and get drafted in the second round of fantasy drafts for 2009.

LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE, C, BLAZERS

This is another one of those high potential players drafted early in the NBA that has shown some promise, but not enough to warrant elite fantasy status entering this season’s draft. When the Blazers drafted Greg Oden first overall, many NBA pundits assumed that Aldridge, last year’s second overall pick, would never be the focal point of the team’s offense. However, two big breaks aided Aldridge’s fantasy value before the season even began. The Blazers first traded Zach Randolph to the New York Knicks for a bunch of role players. Then, Oden had severe knee surgery that ended his rookie campaign before it even began.

When the season kicked off, Aldridge was the Blazers’ best big man, and he demonstrated his potential with 27 points and 2 blocks in the season opener. Aldridge averaged 18.5 points, 1.2 blocks, and 8.3 rebounds in November. Unfortunately, the numbers did not hold. He averaged 16.9 points and 6 rebounds in December, and cooled off more in January averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds. The good news is that last week, Aldridge put together back-to-back 20-point performances for the first time since November. The Blazers big man appears to be back in a groove, and with averages of 17 points, 8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and fine percentages, Aldridge is one of the best centers in fantasy hoops. Considering his youth, the Blazers big man should only continue to improve in the second half of the season.

DANNY GRANGER, SF, PACERS

Born in New Orleans, Danny Granger might have gone under the radar in his college days at New Mexico. However, he has a similar build to Marvin Williams and Rudy Gay, and broke out last year with 14 points per game, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 three-pointers. He sure looked good as a role player, but we did not expect him to evolve into the team’s lead option within a season. Regardless, when Jermaine O’Neal did not return 100 percent from a knee injury, Granger was immediately called upon to fill the void.  He has been sensational, posting numbers that mirror Gay: 18 points, 1 block, 1.1 steal, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 three-pointers per game. Those figures have been on the rise recently, as Granger averaged 20 points in January, and is averaging 22.4 points in February. Just like Gay and Williams, you would still like to see Granger pass the ball a bit better (he averages 1.9 assists), but his percentages are sensational, and his turnovers are low. The 17th pick overall in the 2005 draft, Granger might end the season as the 17th best player in fantasy hoops. 

THABO SEFOLOSHA, G/F, BULLS

While the Bulls have evolved as a playoff contender in recent years, they have also accumulated a horde of guards. The running of the Bulls currently includes Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Thabo Sefalosha, and Luol Deng. As a result of the depth, there are limited opportunities for the guards coming off the bench. Sefolosha is making his case for playing time. On January 15, the Switzerland native was inserted in the starting lineup. The 13th overall pick in the 2006 draft, Sefolosha has offered solid scoring and rebounding. In 15 starts, Sefolosha is averaging 12 points, 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, 2.5 assists, and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes of play. If the Bulls decide that Deng is expendable, Sefolosha can play either shooting guard or small forward. Of course, there is no telling how these players will fit into the Bulls rotation until Hinrich, Deng, and Ben Gordon return to health.

Rob Shaw is the Lead Expert for FantasyFanatics.com, the premier fantasy sports community.

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