Fantasy Notes: Who is the best of the West?

With so many teams in the Western Conference playing to win this season, there is a common bond with fantasy owners. Just like the Mavericks acquiring the better player now (Jason Kidd) for the player with the brighter future (Devin Harris), fantasy managers look for immediate dividends in every move they make. On that note, in both reality and fantasy, the Western Conference is stacked. Here’s a look at the Best in the West when it comes to the brightest fantasy stars. 

CHRIS PAUL, POINT GUARD, HORNETS
It may be shocking that a 6’0” 175 lbs. point guard is atop the fantasy rankings, but this is something that we will likely have to get used to for the years to come. This season, Paul has become a better shooter, draining over a three-pointer per game while raising his field goal percentage to 48 percent. In reality, he is deadly down the line of close games, as he drains a Steve Nash-like 88 percent of his free throws. Just like Nash, Paul also knows how to distribute the ball to his scorers, with 11 assists per game compared to just 2.5 turnovers. Unlike Nash, Paul is also lethal on defense, with a staggering 2.7 steals per game and even four boards per game out of a small frame. His daily 20.9 points might only get higher as he gains experience in the league. Paul is simply as good as it gets. He dominates all but one category, but then again, how many point guards provide blocks anyway?

KOBE BRYANT, SHOOTING GUARD, LAKERS
He’s probably the best in the game when it comes to reality, as Kobe Bryant is made out of the same cloth as Michael Jordan and can score with the best of them. The days of 35-plus scoring averages are likely in the rear-view, but Kobe has developed a much more efficient game that will provide the Lakers a shot at a championship. This isn’t bad news for fantasy managers since Kobe is now efficient in all categories, including on defense where he can spend more energy to pile up two steals per game and 0.5 blocks. Kobe will put up 28 points per game, but it comes at a solid 46 percent from the field. He knocks down 85 percent of his free throws and he makes 1.7 three-pointers per contest. His rebounding is at a healthy six per game, while he’s playing the role of playmaker with 5.4 assists. The turnovers are higher than you’d like at 3.4 per game, but the package is pretty sweet. Don’t be shocked to see him pass Chris Paul as the best player in the fantasy game by season’s end.

AMARE STOUDEMIRE, CENTER, SUNS
Now that he’s healthy, Amare is making giant leaps in his fifth NBA season. The majority of fantasy managers simply hoped for a return to his 2004-2005 form, when he averaged a career-high 26 points, along with nine rebounds. In fact, Stoudemire has gotten better. He is shooting a career best 58 percent from the floor, a solid 80 percent from the stripe, and his perimeter shot has even expanded to the three-point line as he is 22 percent from downtown. His turnovers aren’t too shabby either; he’s averaging a career low of two per game, to tag along with a career best 2.3 blocks. Best yet, his scoring currently sits at 24, but is only increasing. Since Shaq has come to town, Stoudemire is shooting more open shots and scoring more. In six starts at power forward, he is averaging 30 points, two blocks, two assists, nine boards, and shooting 90 percent from the free-throw line and 55 percent from the field. As long as he maintains the center eligibility, he ranks atop the big men. 

DIRK NOWITZKI, POWER FORWARD, MAVERICKS
He might not have the prettiest game or the prettiest hair for that matter, but Dirk Nowitzki is at it again, enjoying a remarkably consistent season while filling the stat sheet. After an awful slump last year in the playoffs, it took some time for Nowitzki to return to form. In fact, he averaged season lows of 21.5 points and 8.4 rebounds in the opening month. In February, Nowitzki is averaging 27 points, nine rebounds, and four assists per game. He should find himself taking easier shots closer to the basket now that Jason Kidd is back in town. While his points might be down a touch compared to recent seasons, Nowitzki is averaging a career high with four assists and even offering one block per game. If only he had center eligibility, Nowitzki would have it all. Instead, he sits at fourth overall when it comes to fantasy stars. Something else to note for Nowiztki: among the top five talents in fantasy hoops, Nowiztki is the only star never to have played fewer than 76 games in a season. Durability certainly counts for something.

MARCUS CAMBY, CENTER, NUGGETS
Marcus Camby has had his 6’11”, 235 lbs. frame banged up throughout 12 years in the NBA. Camby isn’t your usual fantasy star since he fails to average double-digits in scoring or shoot at sensational percentages, but he does dominate in two categories and offers solid production in two more. Camby is at the top of the class when it comes to blocking and rebounding in the NBA. He leads the league with four blocks per game and averages over 14 boards per game. He also averages 1.2 steals per game, with an impressive 2.9 assists from the center position. The turnovers are minimal and his 69 percent free-throw shooting is respectable. Indeed, Camby can do it all and has even nailed four three-pointers this season. It is shocking, but true: Camby is the best fantasy player on the Denver Nuggets and the fifth best in the NBA.

* JUST MISSING THE CUT:

BARON DAVIS, POINT GUARD, WARRIORS
On the topic of brittle fantasy stars, it’s been a pleasant surprise to see Baron Davis healthy this season. He has actually improved on his totals from last season with averages of 22 points, eight assists, five rebounds, 2.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers. Even his 2.8 turnovers per game is a respectable total compared to last year’s total of 3.1. The only drawback to Davis’ game is his 42 percent field goal shooting and 74 percent shooting from the free throw line. Regardless, those are inadequacies that are easy to overcome for a player who has 15 double-doubles this season.

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

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