HOOPSKLYCE'S FANTASY ALL-STARS 4/30/00   Now that the 1999-2000 season is over it is time to acknowledge who the fantasy all-stars were. A major factor determining these standouts is total games played. Another factor is league categories and I will try to qualify where necessary if a player was an all-star in only certain fantasy leagues because of the scoring system. It may be interesting to compare the players I nominate in the following article with their draft position in your league. Centers: All-Star #1 - Shaquille O'Neal - I give much of the credit for Shaq's incredible season to Phil Jackson who I am sure inspired Shaq to reach his potential. His rebounding improved from 10.7 rpg to 13.6 rpg and his blocks improved from 1.7 bpg to 3.0 bpg from the previous season. These are colossal improvements. And of course he led the league in scoring. In all leagues without the FT% category Shaq was the number one fantasy player last season, even though he missed three games. In league with the FT% category, where he failed to show an overall improvement, he was a top five player in terms of output, and still could have been considered the number one overall player given the value of his center position. All-Star #2 - Alonzo Mourning - His main contribution came in the shot blocking category where he led the league with 3.7 bpg and he also shot an impressive 55% from the field. If Zo could improve upon his meager 1.6 apg he might earn the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Shaq when it comes to fantasy value. Comparatively, Shaq averaged nearly 4 apg. Honorable Mention #1 - David Robinson - Overcame nagging injuries to play in 80 games last season, many more than I expected from him. Provided solid all-round numbers including 1.2 spg which is good for a center. Honorable Mention #2 - Dikembe Mutombo - Led the league in rebounding with 14.1 rpg and played in all 82 games of the season. His fantasy value increases in leagues with fewer categories since he can dominate in boards and blocks. Forwards: All Star #1 - Kevin Garnett - He put up outstanding number across the board including 0.4 treys per game. His field goal percentage also improved to 50% up from 46% in the previous season. His is still very young and improving and is a candidate to be the number one overall player in the league next season…no matter what the scoring system. All Star #2 - Karl Malone - Malone just completed another full season providing outstanding point, rebound, and assist numbers from the forward spot. If his steal and block numbers were a little better he would be dominating the forward position. Whether he can keep up his level of play next season will be a major fantasy question. All Star #3 - Vince Carter - He just turned 23 last season and just completed a full 82 game season. He scored nearly 26 ppg while hitting over a trey per game and still shooting 46%. He chipped in respectable numbers in all of the other categories as well including blocking over a shot per game. He was the ONLY player in the NBA to average over a trey and over a block per game. All Star #4 - Chris Webber - Although he missed seven games last season, on a per game basis his overall number rivaled those of Kevin Garnett. Of particular note he shot 75% from the free throw line which is a huge improvement from the 45% he shot the season before. He no longer has a weak spot in his game. Honorable Mention - Tim Duncan and Grant Hill each had very good seasons but each hurt their fantasy teams by missing 8 games of the season. Michael Finley and Shareef Abdur-Rahim did not quite match the numbers of the best forward studs but gave their teams the value of a full 82 game season. Guards: All Star #1 - Gary Payton - In terms of total output last season, no guard came even close to matching Payton's numbers. While Shaq was valued in fantasy leagues in the preseason on the assumption he would dominate the center position, an unforeseen number of injuries gave Payton the opportunity to dominate the guard position. Those who were able to pick up Payton late in their first round were greatly rewarded. He averaged 24 pts, 9 ast, 6.5 reb, and 2 sts over a full 82 game season. I would have Payton and Shaq share this year's fantasy MVP award. And now the rest….Payton needs to separated from the pack All Star #2 - Ray Allen - Gave his teams a full 82 game season. He has extra value in leagues with FT% and the trey since he excels in those categories. In a five category PARSB he really does not have all star status since he only makes an impact in the points category. All Star #3 - Eddie Jones - Although he missed ten games, Eddie Jones dominated in the steal category and was able to score 20 ppg while hitting nearly two treys per game. All Star #4 - Jerry Stackhouse - Provided his teams huge contributions from the free throw line where he made a ton at a high percentage. In addition to his 23.6 pg he contributed a nice 4.5 assists per game from his shooting guard position. He also played a full 82 games season. All Star #5 - Sam Cassell - He uncharacteristically gave his teams a healthy 81 game season. Cassell had more value in leagues without the three point category since he makes only 0.3 per game. He is one of the few point guards who was able to give significant assists and points. Honorable Mention - The following players were all outstanding but hurt their teams by missing substantial portions of the season; Kobe Bryant, Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, and Terrell Brandon. You really can't give a definitive list for the top ten players in general since a players value is dependent on the scoring system. I will give the top overall (over the full season) performers for the most popular roto scoring system. You should ignore anyone who gives any kind of fantasy list without qualifying the scoring criteria. PTS, AST, REB, ST, BL, FG%, FT%, TREYS These are the players that should have gone in the first round in leagues with this scoring system. (Note that I have not considered the value of a players position when making the list) Rank Player Score 1 Gary Payton 4215 2 Shaquille O'Neal 4053 3 Kevin Garnett 3990 4 Vince Carter 3894 5 Karl Malone 3863 6 Alonzo Mourning 3826 7 Chris Webber 3712 8 Tim Duncan 3608 9 Ray Allen 3599 10 Jerry Stackhouse 3567 11 Grant Hill 3513 12 Eddie Jones 3460 13 Michael Finley 3449 14 Shareef Abdur-Rahim 3426 15 Sam Cassell 3297 To find out who Hoops Klyce projects to be the top performers in your league next season order the Hoops Klyce Preseason Player Rating Report. 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