2011 NBA Fantasy Sleepers

By Bob Radl, Staff Writer

NBA training camps opened recently after a length lockout. This year’s pre-season action will be fast and furious. Even a casual observer of the NBA is aware of the top names in the sport such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Dwayne Wade and Kevin Durant. These early round selections are expected to perform like stars on a nightly basis.

I would like to offer our reader some players that might be available in the middle and even late rounds of your drafts. These are players that you should target for that segment of your draft. These players should have more value than the average fan would expect.  Here are a few names to consider. The players are listed in alphabetical order at each position. Many of the players may also qualify at more than one position.

CENTER

Marcin Gortat, Phoenix, After being traded from the Magic to the Suns, Gortat came into his own last season. He averaged 15.3 ppg, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 28 games after the All-Star game. Gortat should be one of the top centers this season.

DeAndre Jordan, Clippers, Jordan was just re-signed by the Clippers to a 4 year $43M contract. He has the potential to post a double-double every night if he plays 30+ minutes. If the Clippers move Chris Kaman, Jordan’s prospects look bright. Jordan will need to improve his weak free throw shooting percentage of 45%.

Greg Monroe, Pistons, Monroe averaged 10.0 rebounds and 1.6 steal per game as a rookie after the All-Star break last year. He also shoots a high percentage from the filed at just over 55%. Monroe also passes well for big man and there is plenty of room for improvement at age 21.

Javale McGee, Washington, McGee is a gifted big man as evidenced by a triple double last season in points, rebounds and blocks. McGee is foul prone and also immature at times. He has the potential average 13 to 15 points 10+ boards and be in the top three in the league in blocks this season.

FORWARD

DeJuan Blair, San Antonio, Blair arrived in training camp in great shape. He has an outside chance to start at center for the Spurs if Antonio McDyess does not return. Blair could also see an increase in minutes to spell Tim Duncan in this condenses season with so many back to back games. Watch the pre-season carefully in San Antonio.

Omri Casspi, Cleveland, Casspi averaged 10.7 points per game along with over five boards and 1.6 treys per game last year in 27 starts for Sacramento. Casspi should be the starting SF for the Cavs this season. He is only in his third year in the league so a nice jump in production would be expected.

Austin Daye, Detroit, Daye will benefit from the departure of several players in the Motor City to break up a log jam at SF. Daye can shoot, rebound, hit the trey and get a few blocks. He needs to get 30+ minutes to be a fantasy factor. Target him later in your draft.

J.J. Hickson, Sacramento, Hickson disappointed many fantasy owners early last season. He did have 11 doubles over his final 13 games last season. Hickson needs to improve his shot blocking and his defensive concentration. He did average 19.5 ppg along with 12.3 rebounds in the final month of last season with the Cavaliers.

Kris Humphries, New Jersey, Humphries was a rebounding machine last season in New Jersey under Coach Avery Johnson to include a career high 23 board sin one game. Humphries averaged 10 boards and 10 points along with 1.5 blocks in 28 minutes per game last season...

Wesley Johnson, Minnesota, Johnson, the #4 pick in the 2010 draft, showed some of his potential last year. He will need to secure the starting SF spot in Minnesota under Coach Rick Adelman. He did score a career high 29 points along with four boards and three steals in March of last season against the Lakers. Improved consistency is a must for Johnson this season.

GUARD

Aaron Affalo, Denver, The departure of Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith to China for most of the season makes Affalo the best option at SG for the Nuggets. Affalo looked solid last season and could well average 15 or 16 points this year and hit many treys.

Jordan Crawford, Washington, Crawford came over to Washington last season in a trade. He made a huge impact after Nick Young was injured when he averaged over 16 points along with 3.9 assists and 3 rebounds per game in 16 games. At worst, Crawford should be the team’s sixth man this season and may start. Keep a close eye on the Wizards roster during the pre-season.

James Harden, Oklahoma City, Harden is the odds on favorite to win the SG position in Oklahoma City this season. He came on strong in the playoffs last year when he showed his true potential. Harden may have limited upside as he is third option for the Thunder behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Paul George, Indiana, George could make a quantum leap in his second season in the NBA. The departure of Brandon Rush could lead to a big increase in playing time. George, the #10 pick overall in the 2010 draft, flashed his potential in April of last season when he scored 23 points and added sex rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block in one game.

Kyle Lowry, Houston, Lowry came on strong last season after he replaced Aaron Brooks. He averaged 16.8 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.5 treys in 22 games after the All-Star break. He should be one of the focal points for the Rockets this season.

Ty Lawson, Denver, Lawson came on late last season after the team made several trades. He averaged 14.4 points, 6.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game over the final 25 games of the 2010-2011 season.

Jeff Teague, Atlanta, Teague should finally come into his own this season in Atlanta. Mike Bibby has left town. Kirk Hinrich is injured to begin the season. The starting PG job is Teague’s to lose. He has the potential to average 13 to 14 points a game along with five or so assists and an occasional trey and a steal.