Complete 2010 Projections
PROJECTED 2010 SEASON STATS
| 1. Chris Paul*, Nor PG | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 78 | 38.5 | .503 | .868 | 0.8 | 5.5 | 11.0 | 3.73 | 2.8 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 22.8 | | 2010 Projections | | 79 | 38.3 | .499 | .864 | 1.0 | 5.2 | 11.2 | 3.92 | 2.8 | 0.1 | 2.8 | 22.5 | | 2010 Outlook: While there is some disagreement amongst the fantasy crowd as to whether Paul is the No. 1 selection in fantasy leagues, most agree that he is definitely a top-2 selection. Look for another dominant season, especially in points, assists, steals and both field goal and free throw percentage. There's not much the 24-year-old (yes, he's still that young) can't do. He even rebounds particularly well for a guard, with more than five boards per game. If there's anywhere to nitpick, it's his somewhat pedestrian 3-point shooting numbers. Paul will put up somewhere between 0.8 to 1.1 3-pointers per game, which isn't terrible, but could be better. Still, we'll look the other way on that minor deficiency to obtain his dominant statistics in nearly every other category. |
| 2. LeBron James, Cle SF | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 81 | 37.7 | .489 | .780 | 1.6 | 7.6 | 7.2 | 2.44 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 28.4 | | 2010 Projections | | 80 | 38.4 | .498 | .762 | 1.6 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 2.48 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 29.1 | | 2010 Outlook: He's the best basketball player in the world, and all signs point to his throwing up another awesome statistical season. Chris Paul may have beat him out for the Player Rater crown, but if LeBron continues to improve his shooting from the foul line and on 3-pointers, he's going to be the best fantasy player in the world this year, too. One can only imagine how he'll play now that he's had his character questioned a few times, but considering the fervor with which the guy played defense last season, it stands to reason that anything is possible. |
| 3. Kevin Durant, OKC SG, SF | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 74 | 39.0 | .476 | .863 | 1.3 | 6.5 | 2.8 | 0.91 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 25.3 | | 2010 Projections | | 77 | 37.0 | .484 | .863 | 1.6 | 7.4 | 2.6 | 0.90 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 28.0 | | 2010 Outlook: Durant went from impressive rookie to superstar in just his second season, and after an offseason in which he wowed the coaches of USA Basketball, his ascendance should continue. He has very few drawbacks, however Durant could (and likely will) stand to attempt more 3s, and his shot-blocking totals should improve as he continues to learn how to use his length and hops on defense. Durant is a top-5 fantasy choice this season, whose upside is perhaps the highest of any player in the game, or maybe any player alive. |
| 4. Danny Granger, Ind SF | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 67 | 36.2 | .447 | .878 | 2.7 | 5.1 | 2.7 | 1.11 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 25.8 | | 2010 Projections | | 75 | 36.2 | .460 | .880 | 2.6 | 5.3 | 2.8 | 1.03 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 26.2 | | 2010 Outlook: Last season, Granger made the leap from very good fantasy player to elite fantasy player. This year, he'll become a household name among all NBA fans. Granger has become an elite scorer, and he plays the kind of defense that shows up in box scores, racking up steals and blocks. Like Kevin Durant, if Granger can get a few more assists, he'll start pushing LeBron, CP3 and D-Wade for fantasy MVP status. |
| 5. Kobe Bryant, LAL SG | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 82 | 36.1 | .467 | .856 | 1.4 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 1.90 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 26.8 | | 2010 Projections | | 78 | 36.2 | .464 | .853 | 1.5 | 5.4 | 4.9 | 1.80 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 26.9 | | 2010 Outlook: The champ has become a model of fantasy consistency during the past two years, settling into his leadership role alongside Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. With another year of age, and a team so deep and talented that they might run away with the regular season title, there's a chance that Kobe takes it easier this season to save himself for the playoffs. Still, the only question with Kobe is whether to take him over Dirk Nowitzki, or youngsters Kevin Durant and Danny Granger. The latter two have more upside, but after two straight 82-game seasons, there isn't a safer superstar pick than Bryant. He's a legit top-four pick, and should never fall past No. 7 overall, but he almost certainly won't post his best statistical season. For Bryant, it's not about stats anymore, words that make fantasy owners cringe. |
| 6. Dwyane Wade, Mia SG | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 79 | 38.6 | .491 | .765 | 1.1 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 2.17 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 30.2 | | 2010 Projections | | 68 | 38.5 | .487 | .768 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 1.98 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 28.8 | | 2010 Outlook: Shedding the injury-prone label by suiting up for 79 games, Wade turned in his best statistical season as a pro with career highs in points (30.2), assists (7.5), steals (2.2), blocks (1.3) and 3-pointers (1.1) in 2008-09. Looking like the Wade of old, he dominated the action with his explosive first step and incredible quickness. He is still a little too reckless with his body for our liking, which could lead to future injuries, but he is easily a top-5 fantasy talent when healthy. Aside from LeBron James, there might not be a more well-rounded fantasy player in the game, especially now that he's improved his jumper and added the 3-point shot to his arsenal. |
| 7. Dirk Nowitzki, Dal PF | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 81 | 37.7 | .479 | .890 | 0.8 | 8.4 | 2.4 | 1.25 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 25.9 | | 2010 Projections | | 80 | 36.0 | .479 | .886 | 0.9 | 8.2 | 2.6 | 1.36 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 23.0 | | 2010 Outlook: Dirk may have posted his lowest totals in rebounds (8.4), steals (0.8), blocks (0.8) and 3-pointers (0.8) since his second season in the league, but those numbers still make him a multi-category stud and he is still one of the safest fantasy investments around despite the modest decline of his peripheral numbers. Dirk still gets it done in a big way in the percentages and points scored, and that doesn't figure to change anytime soon. He also doesn't get nearly enough credit for his durability. In his past 10 seasons, Dirk has missed a total of just 28 games. With that kind of security and statistical versatility, Dirk is an easy choice as a mid first-round selection. |
| 8. Dwight Howard, Orl C | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 79 | 35.7 | .572 | .594 | 0.0 | 13.8 | 1.4 | 0.47 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 20.6 | | 2010 Projections | | 79 | 37.0 | .584 | .605 | 0.0 | 14.1 | 1.5 | 0.46 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 20.6 | | 2010 Outlook: If it weren't for his horrendous free throw percentage (59.4 percent), Howard would easily be a top-5 fantasy selection. Averaging 20.6 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and a steal per game while shooting 57.2 percent from the floor, Howard is as dominant as it gets in the paint. There are literally no concerns about his game other than the free throw percentage, which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't attempt a whopping 10.7 free throws per game. He did shoot 63.6 percent from the line during the playoffs last season, so there is some reason to be optimistic about a potential improvement in that area, but owners shouldn't count on it and will be better served building around his strengths: points, rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage. |
| 9. Deron Williams, Uta PG | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 68 | 36.8 | .471 | .849 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 10.7 | 3.18 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 3.4 | 19.4 | | 2010 Projections | | 73 | 37.0 | .478 | .826 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 10.4 | 3.13 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 3.3 | 20.6 | | 2010 Outlook: Williams' injury plagued him for the first couple months of the season, long after he returned to the court. His post All-Star assists were 11.5, while his turnovers actually dropped to 3.1. Add in his free throw attempts going up every season, and you're looking at a fantasy superstar. Don't be afraid to take him in the top 10, and he should undoubtedly be the second point guard off the board behind Chris Paul. |
| 10. Chris Bosh, Tor PF, C | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 77 | 38.0 | .487 | .817 | 0.2 | 10.0 | 2.5 | 1.10 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 22.7 | | 2010 Projections | | 73 | 37.7 | .500 | .819 | 0.2 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.08 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 21.9 | | 2010 Outlook: Perhaps they've acquired Hedo Turkoglu a little too late in his career, and perhaps the acquisitions of Rasho Nesterovic, Jarrett Jack and Demar DeRozan aren't enough to make the Raptors title contenders, but at least they've shown a willingness to spend money on players in order to make Bosh want to stick around. At the very least, Bosh will be surrounded by the most talent he's ever had. Bosh is as consistent a fantasy option as there is, and is a good bet to continue putting up the 20 points, 10 rebounds and solid percentages that have made him such a force in fantasy the past few seasons. |
| 11. Pau Gasol, LAL PF, C | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |  | 2009 Statistics | | 81 | 37.0 | .567 | .781 | 0.0 | 9.6 | 3.5 | 1.81 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 18.9 | | 2010 Projections | | 74 | 35.5 | .575 | .783 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 3.3 | 1.70 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 17.5 | | 2010 Outlook: Gasol was tremendous last season, finishing seventh on the Player Rater. With Pau, the points, boards, blocks and insane field goal percentage are a given. But his sneaky 3.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 78 percent on free throws and continually diminishing turnovers mean that 3s is the only category in which Gasol doesn't contribute. His 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio since joining the Lakers is bonkers, and Pau fills up the box score nightly. The addition of Ron Artest, re-signing of Lamar Odom, and potentially healthy Andrew Bynum could mean that Phil Jackson doesn't have to use Gasol for 37 minutes per night, which will keep Lakers fans healthy if he's more rested for the postseason, but fantasy owners frustrated that his overall stats will dip. Despite his single-digit Player Rater ranking last season, he's not worth a first-round pick, but he's close, and the type of big man that can be the centerpiece of a fantasy team. |
| 12. Al Jefferson, Min C, PF | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 50 | 36.7 | .497 | .738 | 0.0 | 11.0 | 1.6 | 0.86 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 23.1 | | 2010 Projections | | 72 | 37.1 | .501 | .730 | 0.0 | 11.4 | 1.5 | 0.76 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 24.0 | | 2010 Outlook: Big Al boasts top-20, if not first-round talent, and will make or break fantasy dreams this season. It's a gamble spending a first- or second-round pick on a large man coming off reconstructive ACL surgery, but Jefferson's fantasy game is out of control. With Yao Ming out, Jefferson could be the only center to post 20 points and 10 rebounds with good percentages (sorry Dwight Howard) and serious blocks (sorry Chris Bosh). That makes him high risk, very high reward, who at just 24 years old still has his best seasons ahead. If you're a risk-taker, Jefferson will be a fun one to take, as he could win your fantasy season if his improvement continues and he stays on the court for 82 games. Then again, that knee ... |
| 13. Amare Stoudemire, Pho C, PF | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 53 | 36.8 | .539 | .835 | 0.1 | 8.1 | 2.0 | 0.69 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 21.4 | | 2010 Projections | | 64 | 35.1 | .563 | .813 | 0.0 | 8.7 | 1.6 | 0.59 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 22.3 | | 2010 Outlook: Amar'e frustrates Suns fans with his drastic undulations of games per season; in his four healthy seasons, he's averaged 80.7 games; in his three years plagued by injury, he's averaged 30 games. His combination of points, rebounds and both percentages are unparalleled in fantasy. However, he has some major question marks entering the season. First, can he see? Stoudemire had another eye surgery in the offseason, and the Suns have been reluctant to sign him to an extension, never a good sign. Also, will his blocks return to the 2.1 mark he reached two years ago? Last season's 1.1 just won't cut it. Lastly, his normally high-50s shooting percentage came down to a more human 53 percent last season. Not bad, but not dominant. Stoudemire has first-round talent, and will win leagues for players if he's healthy and effective for 82 games, but comes with significant risks. |
| 14. Andre Iguodala, Phi SG, SF | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |   | 2009 Statistics | | 82 | 39.9 | .473 | .724 | 1.0 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 1.95 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 18.8 | | 2010 Projections | | 81 | 39.8 | .460 | .737 | 1.1 | 5.6 | 5.1 | 1.84 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 19.3 | | 2010 Outlook: Last season was a small step backward for Iguodala. His long-distance shooting got worse, he didn't improve from the free throw line, and his steals dipped under two per game. However, for the fourth time in his five seasons, he played in all 82 games. Add to that the fact that his numbers got better after the All-Star break and there's reason to believe he could still wind up being the top-20 fantasy guy so many projected him to be. Last season, he may have been a little overrated, but now, you may be able to get a steal if you can draft him in the third or fourth round of a standard draft. |
| 15. Steve Nash, Pho PG | YEAR | | GP | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3PM | REB | AST | A/TO | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |  | 2009 Statistics | | 74 | 33.6 | .503 | .933 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 9.7 | 2.89 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 15.7 | | 2010 Projections | | 74 | 34.1 | .509 | .918 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 9.9 | 2.81 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 3.5 | 16.3 | | 2010 Outlook: Terry Porter's unsuccessful reign as head coach assaulted Nash's stats last season, since the Suns drifted from the 'seven seconds or less' offense, and he still managed to finish 11th on the Player Rater, based upon averages. With Nash, one doesn't need to worry about a decrease in skills or ability. Since he's never relied heavily upon his raw talent or athleticism to succeed, he should age better than most. The true determinant of his value will be how the system plays out, and even though head coach Alvin Gentry likely won't elicit the stats from Nash that Mike D'Antoni's system did, he should be in line for an across-the-board improvement this season, despite the fact he'll likely average fewer than his 36 minutes from last season. He's not the premier fantasy point guard anymore, but he's still one of them. |
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