2009 Player Rankings 26-50

26. Rajon Rondo (PG - BOS): Rondo was a stat sheet filler in the playoffs, and the hope is that he can continue that into 2010. If his near triple double the other night was any indication, he will have a good chance at 14 points, 8 helpers, 6 boards and at least a steal or two per game. The FT% is a little debilitating, but his contributions elsewhere could make that a moot point.
27. David Lee (PF - NYK): To say Lee is a double-double waiting to happen is an understatement. If he averages any less than 10 or 11 boards will be a shock. And he'll give you 15 or so points too. And his percentages are outstanding. Don't let him slip by you if you're in need of a big man who won't kill you on the FT% side of things.
28. Jose Calderon (PG - TOR): I actually heard some rumors of him going in the FIRST round of some larger league drafts. His percentages are off the charts (both FG and FT) and will approach 9 assists per game for an improved Raptor squad. He'll also get you the requisite three and steal a game, too.
29. Kevin Martin (SG - SAC): All the guy does is score, hit threes, and shoot well from the line. But he'll get a sneaky steal or two, and grab a few boards. He's all the Kings have in terms of a consistent scorer and will put up gaudy numbers if he can stay healthy.
30. Devin Harris (PG - NYJ): Like Martin, Harris has been handed the keys to his organization, and if he can stay healthy (a bigger "if" than Martin), then he'll put up some big numbers. He'll likely average more than 20, will dish out 6 assists, and won't kill you in the percentages.
31. Gilbert Arenas (PG - WAS): Speaking of injuries, Arenas has been the epitome of walking wounded over the past two seasons. He claims to be 100% coming into this season, and if that's the case, you all know what he's capable of. The FG% might not be the best, but the guy's gonna contribute in points, 3s and will get you some steals and assists to boot.
32. Gerald Wallace (SF/PF - CHA): Wallace plays with reckless abandon, which makes him an injury risk, but also can be a fantasy monster. He'll probably settle in with around 17 points, a good number of boards for a SF (with PF eligibility in most leagues) and will steal the ball and offer solid percentages.
33. Elton Brand (PF - PHI): Plenty of injury risks here in the early 30s. Brand has the potential to be a top-tier fantasy PF, but he'll need to be on the floor to prove his worth. Few PFs offer the combination of points, FG% and blocks. There will be a few guys siphoning off some stats from Brand, but if he stays healthy he should be a welcome addition to any fantasy squad.
34. Carlos Boozer (PF - UTA): Yet another injury risk, Boozer presents a very interesting set of potential stats. He can put up double-doubles with regularity, but will Paul Millsap eat into his stats? If Boozer is traded, his value could inch up a bit. Boozer's percentages make him a solid fantasy PF.
35. Caron Butler (SF - WAS): Butler could actually be much higher on this list, as he's provided plenty of stat-filled games for the past few seasons. With the return of Arenas, we could see some of the stats slip ever so slightly. Still, he's a box score filler and his percentages are very solid.
36. Vince Carter (SG/SF - ORL): Carter moves south to Orlando, where he'll essentially fill the Hedo Turkoglu role, and could post similar stats. Carter will hit 3s, shoot well from the line, and have some big scoring outbursts. Don't expect huge board or assist numbers, though.
37. Josh Smith (SF/PF - ATL): Smith's ridiculous ability to block shots and steal the rock give him so much upside, but his poor FT% shooting and potential to dip into the 10-12 ppg region makes him a mild risk. Still, he'll fill up the box score on many an occasion and the blocks/steals will do nothing but help your squad.
38. Brook Lopez (C - NYJ): Lopez should build on his excellent rookie campaign and continue to block shots, shoot well from the line and field, and rebound the ball. Some project him to score a bit more this season, but I'd be shocked if he scored more than 13-14 a game.
39. Monta Ellis (PG/SG - GS): Ellis returns from an injury-marred 2009 season to the Warriors, who will lose some stats to the likes of Stephen Jackson and the newly-drafted Stephen Curry. Ellis doesn't hit threes, but he'll get solid steal numbers and decent boards and assists.
40. Baron Davis (PG - LAC): If Davis can stay healthy, he'll return to form and put up decent points (although Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin could eat into those numbers) and dish some assists and drop 3s. He'll of course steal the ball once or twice a game, too. The Clippers could win 40 games this year, and if that's the case, it's because Davis is on the floor and contributing.
41. Marcus Camby (PF/C - LAC): Three Clippers will land right in the 40-50 region and could actually perform better if they all mesh with Blake Griffin. Camby's boards could slip a bit, but he'll still block a ton of shots and won't kill you in FT%.
42. Stephen Jackson (SG/SF - GS): Like Ellis, Jackson's numbers could slide a bit with the arrival of Stephen Curry, but he'll still fill up the box score. Basically, he does everything but block shots. Is his reluctance to act as team captain a signal that he's not off to a good start?
43. Derrick Rose (PG - CHI): He'll be a star in this league sooner or later, but his value as a fantasy PG will depend on his ability to get steals (or 3s, or both) at some point. He'll drop 20 a game, and dish out 7 assists, and won't kill your percentages. Is this the year he adds the next category to his game?
44. Tony Parker (PG - SA): Parker is typically undervalued only because he doesn't get the huge assist numbers. But you can't argue with 20 points, 50% from the field and one steal a game. If you land a swingman that gets good assists in the first couple rounds and are looking to round out your roster with a steady PG, Parker can't be missed.
45. Nene (PF/C - DEN): Nene can singlehandedly change your fortunes in FG% and could up his scoring and rebounding this season if he can stay healthy for another season. Another positive is that he can block shots (1.3 last season).
46. Antawn Jamison (PF - WAS): Jamison doesn't offer the typical PF stats (FG%, blocks) but can get 7-8 boards along with his 20 points. Don't expect more than 20, though, with Arenas back. But he's been steady, even as he approaches the downside of his career.
47. Rashard Lewis (SF/PF - ORL): If you can survive the first 10 games of the season without Lewis, he'll arrive in time to post 18 points, 1.5 to 2 3s and will have solid percentages. The departure of Hedo Turkoglu may actually allow him to post better numbers.
48. Andris Biedrins (C - GS): If you can handle the poor FT%, his FG%, boards and blocks can make a huge difference in the health of your fantasy squad. Of course, he really doesn't get to the line much, so the effect really isn't too huge.
49. Russell Westbrook (PG - OKC): Westbrook is a perfect second fiddle to Kevin Durant for the Thunder. He is a quick guard with an uncanny ability to grab boards. And of course he'll get the occasional steal or two, and shoots well from the line.
50. Eric Gordon (SG - LAC): Gordon probably has the biggest upside of the "big Clipper 3" (or 4 if rookie Blake Griffin impresses). Gordon's gonna be a scoring machine with solid percentages, and his ability to hit the 3 will improve this season.

2009 Player Rankings 1-25

1. Chris Paul (PG – NO): Now The King of fantasy basketball. 50%-plus from a PG is ridiculous, and the assists/steals pile up. He even grabs a solid amount of boards for a guard. Only lacking category is 3’s, but he’ll improve on that stat this season. Plus, 3’s are an easy category to cover later in the draft.
2. LeBron James (SF – CLE): Call me crazy, but the numbers could dip ever-so-slightly with the arrival of the Big Vagabond. At very least, the board numbers could be in the high 6’s and we may see the points closer to 27 rather than 30. Still an absolute elite fantasy monster, but the guy’s fantasy ceiling may have been reached. Not that you’re complaining or anything.
   
   
3. Kevin Durant (SG/SF – OKC): The across-the-board numbers are impressive, and he could get even better. He scores, shoots for a solid percentage from both the field and line, and gets you the “other” stats (3s, steals, blocks) and while none of them jump out as absolute difference makers, his ability to matter in so many categories is untouchable.
   
   
4. Dwayne Wade (PG/SG – MIA): He’s got PG eligibility in most league management sites, which is a huge plus. Injuries have been a concern over the past few years, but if last season’s 79 games is any indication, he may have shook that tag. He set career highs in five categories last season, and could be right there again.
   
   
5. Danny Granger (SG/SF – IND): He’s actually got PF eligibility in some league management sites, which is tremendous. Not that you’d want to have him plugged into your PF spot permanently, as he certainly doesn’t add to the categories typically dominated by PF and C. But his percentages, 3s and steals/blocks are off the charts. He had a career season, so his ceiling could have been reached (and a decline could be in order), but he’s a safe bet to at least post very solid fantasy numbers across the board.
   
   
6. Kobe Bryant (SG – LAL): Kobe obviously has the talent to be a top-3 fantasy player, but with Ron Artest and Pau Gasol in town, the ceiling is somewhat limited. Kobe will get you points, boards and assists, and the percentages are solid. But don’t expect blocks and the absolutely huge games are most likely behind him.
   
   
7. Dwight Howard (C – ORL): Howard is by far the most improved fantasy player coming into this season. He’s improved his FT% and his scoring will be up this year. The blocks, boards and FG% are difference-makers.
   
   
8. Dirk Nowitzki (PF – DAL): The Mavs will again open the offense up and run, so expect the big German’s scoring numbers to remain consistent if not go up a slight tick. He’ll contribute in 3s, steals and blocks along with the solid board numbers.
   
   
9. Chris Bosh (PF/C – TOR): The position flexibility makes Bosh an attractive option, as does his fantastic percentages and scoring. He’s got some talent around him now, so a motivated Bosh could put up very solid numbers this season.
   
   
10. Amare Stoudemire (PF/C – PHX): Like with Bosh, the position flexibility moves him just above the likes of Al Jefferson and Kevin Garnett. Stoudemire is supposedly 100% after off-season eye surgery, but there’s always an inherent risk for injury with Stoudemire. But the potential for huge numbers is always there, too. Great percentages, and of course contributions in points, boards and blocks.
    
    
11. Deron Williams (PG – UTA): Williams and fellow draft alum Chris Paul are revolutionizing the PG position to a degree. Both are scoring in the low 20’s, while still dishing out double-digit helpers and have solid FG% for a PG.
    
    
12. Pau Gasol (PF/C – LAL): Once again, position flexibility moves Gasol up a notch, but of course the solid, consistent numbers don’t hurt either. The FG% is a difference-maker.
    
    
13. Al Jefferson (C – MIN): Jefferson had shed some extra pounds, which will help in his comeback from ACL surgery. His upside is limitless, being able to score at will and can put up solid board and block numbers while having incredible percentages.
    
    
14. Andre Iguodala (SG/SF – PHI): Another guy whose value has a slight up-tick with position flexibility, but it’s his overall contribution in every category that gives him his true worth. The FG% won’t be a difference-maker, but he’ll put up steal and board numbers to go along with the solid contributions in points and assists from the SG/SF spot.
    
    
15. Kevin Garnett (PF – BOS): The scoring will be down again, but he’ll contribute in boards, blocks, steals and always shoots well from both the field and stripe. I guess you have to expect some missed games, after two injury-riddled seasons, but Garnett is a warrior and could easily play 75+ games.
    
    
16. Steve Nash (PG ­– PHX): Let’s just say this: Nash’s percentages are off the charts. The assists, steals and 3s will be up there again, which makes him an elite fantasy PG. Still.
    
    
17. Tim Duncan (PF/C – SA): Gotta be a fan of the position flexibility again, and his boards, blocks and FG% keep him in the top tiers of fantasy basketball. The FT% won’t be a huge issue, and the Spurs will again be contenders, so expect Duncan’s numbers to remain solid.
    
    
18. Brandon Roy (SG – POR): Roy is the best player not everyone knows much about. He’ll be solid in percentages, score for your fantasy squad, and offers decent assist and board numbers for a SG. And he’s only getting better.
    
    
19. Joe Johnson (SG/SF – ATL): Position flexibility, once again, catapults Johnson over a few other similarly-ranked players. He’ll put up solid scoring figures, and usually contributes in assists and boards. He’ll continue to drop a couple of 3s every night, too.
    
    
20. Carmelo Anthony (SF – DEN): He’ll be scoring 27 a game yet again, and contributes in 3s, steals and boards. Probably one of the most underrated fantasy players in the game.
    
    
21. Chauncey Billups (PG – DEN): The assist numbers aren’t great for a PG, but you’re getting solid contributions in just about every other category. His FT% will help big time, and he’ll be dropping a pair of 3s every game too.
    
    
22. David West (PF – NO): West’s outstanding FT% to go along with points and boards makes him a special fantasy PF. The Hornets will again make a buzz in the West and Mr. West will be a big part of their success.
    
    
23. Paul Pierce (SG/SF – BOS): Mr. Consistency will once again lead the C’s to wins out East. He’ll again be right around 20 points, and will of course contribute across the board, shooting well and hitting treys.
    
    
24. Troy Murphy (PF/C – IND): Once again, the position flexibility bumps him up a tad, but of course the ridiculous 3s and board numbers isn’t too shabby either. He’ll shoot well from both the stripe and field, making him a fantastic fantasy option – and likely an underrated one.
    
    
25. Jason Kidd (PG – DAL): Don’t let the lack of points scare you off. He’s still a monster in terms of assists and board contributions from the PG spot. He’s discovered his long-range game, so his increased 3s will also help.