2009 - PF Sleepers
WIth the season just a day away, let's wrap things up from a sleeper perspective by taking a look at some power forwards (and centers, later) that can help you this season. Don't worry, if you're already done with your draft, many of these names will be on your league's waiver wire, and if they start the season off hot, you'll want to pounce.
SURFACE SLEEPERS
Jason Thompson (SAC): Yes, Thompson is on just about every site's sleeper list this season, but I wanted to add my two cents. He's a shoo-in for 50-plus percent from the field, and could easily average in double digits, points-wise, as the Kings have little else in the middle. 8-plus boards is also a very good possibility. Don't let a sub-par summer session scare you off. Thompson is a solid second PF in most league formats.
Drew Gooden (DAL): Gooden moves north to Dallas after a somewhat decent spell in San Antonio. His skill set actually favors the Spurs, but he'll be an important cog in the Dallas offense as a rebounder for the second unit.
Andrei Kirilenko (UTA): The big Russian has SF eligibility in most formats, and was once a fantasy monster. With regular playing time (which he'll get more of if Carlos Boozer departs), he could post solid numbers across the board. Definitely worth grabbing late and using in certain situations.
NORMAL SLEEPERS
Brandon Bass (ORL): Bass is likely the one to benefit the most with Rashard Lewis out to start the season. But even when Lewis returns, Bass will be a super-cheap source of boards, blocks, FG% and good FT% for his position.
Matt Bonner (SA): Bonner may not be starting anymore, but he'll have tons of value in the Spur system as a guy that can come in and hit the big three, and won't kill you in percentages. In deep leagues, you'll want the position flexible guy that can hit threes and score right around 9-10 points per game.
Andres Nocioni (SAC): Nocioni could actually move up into the next category of sleepers, as he'll be a solid frontcourt option - along with Jason Thompson - in terms of scoring. But Nocioni's game won't vulture from Thompson, and vice versa. Nocioni will be the top scoring option off the bench and could drop a three or two per game.
DEEP SLEEPERS
JaVale McGee (WAS): McGee's blocks-per-minute stats are off the charts, and with regular playing time, could be a fantasy monster. Yup, I said it. He could be a top-tier-or-two fantasy center if he gets the minutes. With the plodding Brenden Haywood ahead of him, anything is possible. If he's able to get significant minutes, the points and boards will follow.
Channing Frye (PHO): Frye is actually starting for the Suns, and while their may not be many points to go around with Amare Stoudemire dominating the middle, Frye is an athletic big man that can keep up with the Suns' frenetic pace. Plus, a return home to the desert could mean big things for the big man. If nothing else, 8-10 points, 5-6 boards to go along with decent percentages is more than doable in larger leagues.
Kosta Koufos (UTA): He'll be spelling Mehmet Okur, and actually has a pretty similar skill set (minus the threes, unfortunately). He'll shoot well enough from the field and line, though, and could block a shot every time out.
SURFACE SLEEPERS
Jason Thompson (SAC): Yes, Thompson is on just about every site's sleeper list this season, but I wanted to add my two cents. He's a shoo-in for 50-plus percent from the field, and could easily average in double digits, points-wise, as the Kings have little else in the middle. 8-plus boards is also a very good possibility. Don't let a sub-par summer session scare you off. Thompson is a solid second PF in most league formats.
Drew Gooden (DAL): Gooden moves north to Dallas after a somewhat decent spell in San Antonio. His skill set actually favors the Spurs, but he'll be an important cog in the Dallas offense as a rebounder for the second unit.
Andrei Kirilenko (UTA): The big Russian has SF eligibility in most formats, and was once a fantasy monster. With regular playing time (which he'll get more of if Carlos Boozer departs), he could post solid numbers across the board. Definitely worth grabbing late and using in certain situations.
NORMAL SLEEPERS
Brandon Bass (ORL): Bass is likely the one to benefit the most with Rashard Lewis out to start the season. But even when Lewis returns, Bass will be a super-cheap source of boards, blocks, FG% and good FT% for his position.
Matt Bonner (SA): Bonner may not be starting anymore, but he'll have tons of value in the Spur system as a guy that can come in and hit the big three, and won't kill you in percentages. In deep leagues, you'll want the position flexible guy that can hit threes and score right around 9-10 points per game.
Andres Nocioni (SAC): Nocioni could actually move up into the next category of sleepers, as he'll be a solid frontcourt option - along with Jason Thompson - in terms of scoring. But Nocioni's game won't vulture from Thompson, and vice versa. Nocioni will be the top scoring option off the bench and could drop a three or two per game.
DEEP SLEEPERS
JaVale McGee (WAS): McGee's blocks-per-minute stats are off the charts, and with regular playing time, could be a fantasy monster. Yup, I said it. He could be a top-tier-or-two fantasy center if he gets the minutes. With the plodding Brenden Haywood ahead of him, anything is possible. If he's able to get significant minutes, the points and boards will follow.
Channing Frye (PHO): Frye is actually starting for the Suns, and while their may not be many points to go around with Amare Stoudemire dominating the middle, Frye is an athletic big man that can keep up with the Suns' frenetic pace. Plus, a return home to the desert could mean big things for the big man. If nothing else, 8-10 points, 5-6 boards to go along with decent percentages is more than doable in larger leagues.
Kosta Koufos (UTA): He'll be spelling Mehmet Okur, and actually has a pretty similar skill set (minus the threes, unfortunately). He'll shoot well enough from the field and line, though, and could block a shot every time out.
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