NBA 2011 Season Preview- Fantasy Basketball Edition

Welcome to another edition of The Fantasy Insider- Basketball Edition. Over and Undervalued.  Now that the 2010-2011 NBA season is complete, we can look back and discuss the flukes and non-flukes.  The following players I will list are people you should definitely trust or players you should stay away from. Players that are over and undervalued in Fantasy Basketball leagues.

Trust/Undervalued

Danilo Gallinari: (DEN)- With out a doubt, one of the NBA’s most overlooked players.  I don’t see why people aren’t paying more attention to Dinilo.  He’s got everything.  Pure shooting, a great passer, gets rebounds, both on defense and offence.  He’s got a great career a head of him. Only 22, he’s 6’10, 225 Lbs and in his 3^rd year.  You can trust Gallinari to put up solid numbers for your Fantasy team, blocks, steals, points, you name it.  He’s not INSANE, but can help your team with all categories.

Kris Humphries: (NJ)-Exactly the same situation as Gallinari, VERY underrated.  Kris has been trying to get his name out for years, and his 2010-2011 campaign was a success.  His name is getting out there, but still overlooked.  Humphries is legit.  Very aggressive, and can help you team with many categories. Last year he averaged a double double in points and rebounds (10 points and 10.4 Rebs per games). Now, those stats are amazing considering he averaged playing 27.9 minutes per games. (Also averaged 1.1 Blocks per game).  Humphries is a team leader, very trust worthy and will be a great pick in your 2011-2012 draft.

Tyson Chandler: (DAL)- Chandler is very underrated.  He showed many people why he should be talked about more often throughout the playoffs.  He plays shut down Defense, gets a lot of boards and blocks.  Probably, in my opinion, one of the best team leaders, and energizers in the NBA.  He helped the Mavs to win their first franchise championship.  He doesn’t score much, but is and will be a HUGE help with all the other categories (Besides assists and FT %).  Many people think he’s old cause he has been in the league for so long, but he is only 28 and is on his way to becoming a premier Fantasy center.

Other players: James Harden/ Luol Deng/Michael Beasley/Lamar Odom

Don’t trust/Overvalued

Dorell Wright: (GSW)-Last year was his first year as a full-time starter, Wright finished in the Top 30 in ESPN’s player rater. Averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 2.3 3-pointers on the season, Wright gave fantasy owners a great combo of stats, with his steals, rebounds and 3-pointers. Typically the players that can offer that type of stats, are trusted, but if owners head into next season expecting the same type of season, they may come away disappointed. It's not really the steals and blocks; it's his scoring and 3-point shooting that makes people worried. Wright was a streaky shooter for a majority of the season, and without a question benefited from playing alongside Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. Wright could take a major hit in the shooting and scoring categories in this upcoming 2011-2012 season.

Tim Duncan:(SA)- One of the best Centers of all time, Tim Duncan, is on the decline.  As each season goes by, his numbers are declining in almost every category.  Now, 35, turning 36 in April, Duncan also worries is owners with his risk in injuries.  Although Duncan still can put up solid numbers when healthy, he isn’t who he used to be.  He only has a couple of years left in him.  I expect him average around 10-12 points, and 7-8 rebounds per game in this upcoming season.  I’m not saying he is overvalued, but I think Duncan is the type of player you shouldn’t trust to be your starting center in your fantasy lineups.

Vince Carter: (PHX): Worthy of The HOF, Vince Carter is in the same boat as Duncan. Vince isn’t so much overvalued; it’s just that you shouldn’t trust him.  In the past 3 years Vince’s stats have dropped, points, rebounds, assists, etc.  His injury risk also worries me; turning 35 in January. His past seasons: 08’-09 averaged 20.8 points. 09’-10 averaged 16.6 points, and last season he averaged 13.5 points.  He still might be able to average double digit points, but don’t expect a lot out of the aging Carter. 

Other Players: Andre Iguodala/Andrew Bynum/Baron Davis/Chauncey Billups