FORWARD PREVIEW
November 22, 1998
Forwards have
the potential to contribute in a variety of
categories. The good power forward will give your
team output in the rebound, block and field goal
percentage categories in addition to points. The
good small forward will supplement his scoring with
output in the assist, steal, and three point
categories. The stud forwards will give
contributions in the small and power forward
categories. Below is a list of the best Fantasy
forwards for next year.
Studs
Malone,
Karl -
Last
year I suspected that Karl Malone may slow down but
he maintained his outstanding Fantasy value. With a
new agent, Malone has created controversy the
off-season by hosting an L.A. radio show, wrestling
with Dennis Rodman, and for a time insisting to be
traded from Utah. One must wonder if Malone has
remained committed to the rigorous summertime
conditioning program which has led to his legendary
durability, but in a published report, Malone
reaffirmed he has maintained his off-season work
ethic. Of all of Malone attributes, his biggest
contribution to your team is in the free throws
made category where he made 7.8 per game last
season at 76 percent. Too bad he can't nail them in
the post season when they count. It is my feeling
that Malone will show up in great shape as his
bitter loss to Michael should provide all the
inspiration he needs to remain a top Fantasy
player.
Garnett,
Kevin -
KG
became a Fantasy stud last year (which would have
been his junior year in college!). Look for him to
average 20 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 apg and nearly 2 blocks
and 2 steals. Garnett is already a top 10
playerimagine the increased output when he gains
much needed strength.
Webber,
Chris
- Lets
start with the negative. Webber is a player who has
developed a bad reputation off the court with
allegations ranging from sexual assault to being
caught with marijuana in Puerto Rico. He has a
history of injuries ranging from season enders
(only 15 games his second year) to miscellaneous
bumps and bruises. In his five seasons he has
averaged only 58 games per season. On the positive
side when playing he can be the number one Fantasy
player in your league. He has triple double
potential and can contribute in the steal, block,
and trey categories as well. His only weakness is
at the free throw line where he struggles to shoot
60 percent. This season Webber has an added risk
due to his threat to hold out rather than play for
the Kings.
Walker,
Antoine
-
Antoine Walker along with Kevin Garnett will be the
future premier Fantasy forwards. Walker played a
remarkable 40 mpg in 82 games last season. Antoine
will average 20+ppg and 10+ rpg as well as chip in
over a trey a game. His assist and steal totals are
solid for a forward too. His weaknesses include
free throw shooting where he converts 65 percent
and turnovers where he led the league. Walker has
been the subject of trade rumors but he will put he
impressive numbers no matter what team he plays
for.
Worthy Of A High Pick
Hill, Grant
-
Grant
played below his potential last year although he
was still very good. Through much of last season he
struggled with his shooting and ended up shooting
only 45 percent from the field. This is down from
50 percent from the year before. Hill gives great
contributions everywhere but the three point
category where he made only 3 the entire year. The
three point shot keeps Hill from being a top 10
Fantasy player in leagues considering the trey
(although I'm sure he goes in the top ten in those
Fantasy drafts). If your league does not have the
trey, Hill is a top 5 player. Hill racks up the
assists but pays the price for handling the ball so
much by averaging 3.5 turnovers per game.
Abdur-Rahim, Shareef
-
Shareef
is developing into an all-round Fantasy star. At
this point though he is not yet among the top ten
players because he is not getting enough rebounds
to be a star power forward (7 rpg) and is not
getting enough treys for to be a star small forward
(0.3 pgm). On the plus side his three point
percentage last year was 41 percent indicating he
has the potential to make great strides in that
category. Also he is still young and getting better
and has the motivation of upcoming free agency to
pile on the stats. The addition of Mike Bibby
should increase Rahim's scoring since Bibby should
be able to deliver the ball where he can score
best.
Ratliff,
Theo
- Theo
made me look smart last year by emerging when I
picked him as one of my preseason dark horse picks.
The release of Derrick Coleman indicates the Sixers
consider Theo a valuable part of their future. Look
for him to re-sign with the Sixers and give your
team major block and rebounds numbers with some
points to go along. Ratliffs value as a shot
blocker is sometimes underestimated by Fantasy
owners, so you may be able to get him for a good
price.
McDyess,
Antonio
- Antonio is frequently labeled an
NBA rising star and the Suns want to sign him as a
cornerstone to their team. But McDyess is not quite
capable of being the cornerstone of a Fantasy
franchise yet since he is not averaging in the
38-40 mpg range yet. McDyess doesn't dominate in
any statistical category but he gives real solid
numbers across the board. Although he does not hit
the trey, he rewards his Fantasy owners with an
impressive 54 percent shooting from the field.
McDyess is in great demand on the free agent
market, and a shift to a new team could bring the
additional playing time he needs to become a
Fantasy stud.
Rice,
Glen
-
Points, points, and more points. That is what you
will get from Glen Rice. But since he doesn't
supplement his stat line with another category
substantially, he is not a premier Fantasy player.
Many Fantasy owners overlook this liability and
take him a little higher than he is worth.
Better Than Most
Camby, Marcus
- Because of his outstanding shot
blocking skills, Camby has a huge upside in leagues
with a rotisserie style scoring system. Also,
reports are that Camby has bulked up significantly
which would improve his durability. If you get
Camby, be careful to not add another over achieving
shot blocker such as Theo Ratliff, or you might
blow your league away in that category more than
you need to. In addition to blocks, Camby has the
ability to contribute in the steal and rebound
categories.
Gugliotta,
Tom -
Gugliotta is a free agent who will
be in great demand next season. But in his last two
transitions (from Washington to Golden State and
from Golden State to Minnesota) his stats initially
dropped. That may occur again if he needs to adjust
to another team. Gugs is of particular value to
teams that consider free throw percentage since he
averages 4.5 free throws per game at 82 percent. It
is unusual for a power forward to contribute so
much from the line.
Baker,
Vin -
Although
Vin is a now a perennial all-star, he is not yet
among the elite Fantasy players. The reason is that
he does not supplement his 19 ppg and 8 rpg with
much of anything from the assist, steal, trey, or
free throw percentage categories. While a solid
Fantasy player, he is the type that many Fantasy
owners will take for too high a price.
Kemp,
Shawn -
At one
time Shawn Kemp was a top 10 Fantasy player but his
contributions in the block category and field goal
percentage have tapered off. Also, throughout his
career Kemp has had foul problems which not only
hurt you if considered in your league but also have
limited his playing time to 35 mpg. Another
liability is turnovers where he averaged 3.4 per
game last year. On the plus side he will give your
team substantial numbers in the points, rebound,
and free throws made categorieshe is just has not
been the top 10 player he once was.
Van Horn,
Keith -
Keith
Van Horn is getting recognition as a rising NBA
star but from a Fantasy perspective he is certainly
not in the class of Tim Duncan. The 20 ppg he
averaged can give the perception of a high Fantasy
value, but his rebound, assist, and block numbers
at this point in his career are subpar. Also, he
averaged 38 mpg yet got only 1 steal per game which
is below average as well. His Fantasy strengths
come from hitting the three point shot and getting
to the free throw line regularly at 85 percent.
With improved conditioning, he will improve his
non-scoring categories.
Not Bad, Just Don't Expect Too
Much
Robinson,
Glenn -
The Big
Dog can score but his contributions in the steal,
block, rebound, and trey categories are modest.
Last year for the first time he added injuries to
his list of liabilities as he missed many games
with a hyperextended knee. Robinson is an above
average player, but novice Fantasy owners have a
tendency to over draft him.
Outlaw,
Charles
- I have
always like Bo, even when the only category he
contributed in was blocks. Outlaw now nearly
averages 10 ppg and provides substantial numbers in
the rebound, steals, and field goal percent
categories. He is particularly strong on the
offensive boards, making him valuable in leagues
that consider that category.
Murray, Lamond
- After a couple disappointing
years, Murray showed his potential with career
highs in points, rebounds, and steals. Murray went
from a poor per minute Fantasy player to an above
average Fantasy player last season. He is now in a
position to emerge next season if his playing time
can increase to the high 30's. But the Clippers are
heavy at forward, particularly since the drafting
of Olowokandi will allow Lorenzen Wright to move to
the forward position.
Coleman,
Derrick
- The
Sixers bought out Colemans contract for 5.6$
million rather than pay him 13$ million for next
season. Coleman almost made it a tough decision for
the Sixers as he played very well in the second
half of the season posting many double-doubles and
showing he has three point range. If Coleman signs
a one year contract it would give him financial
reasons to play well again, although I would still
avoid him because of his tendency to miss games due
to injuries. Over his 8 year NBA career he has
averaged only 59 games a season.
Marshall,
Donyell
-
Donyell was one of my sleeper picks last year who
really came through. When I see young players like
Tony Battie and Antonio Daniels struggle, I think
of how it took sometime for Donyell to develop and
try not to give up on them too soon. Marshall has
the rare ability to contribute a little in all the
Fantasy categories. He can block shots, steal the
ball, and hit the treyall those small things
combined make him a valuable Fantasy player.
Although the Warriors drafted Antawn Jamison who
plays the same position, Marshall will maintain his
playing time next season.
Best Of The Rest
Schrempf,
Detlef-Schrempf just finished his 13th NBA
season and still looks strong and productive.
Detlef is a versatile forward who can contribute in
all the categories except shot blocking. He is a
low profile player you can obtain in a Fantasy
draft for less than his true value. From the
forward position Schrempf averaged 4.4 apg and shot
84 percent from the line. These type of numbers can
quietly help your team.
LaFrentz,
Raef
-
LaFrentz should be a solid rookie Fantasy performer
having spent 4 years in a big time college program.
In Denver, where the talent level was as thin as
the air last season, LaFrentz should be able to
step in and play all the minutes he can handle. In
college he averaged 20 ppg while shooting a high
field goal percentage and averaged 10 rpg. He
should make contributions at the professional level
in these categories as well. LaFrentz is a player
who certainly won't hurt your Fantasy team.
Fox,
Rick
- Fox
turned down lucrative contracts with other teams to
play for the Lakers last season. It is anticipated
that Fox will opt for the money next year which
will restore most of the Fantasy value he lost by
playing with the talented Lakers. Fox gives
contributions in multiple stat categories with a
particular strength in steals.
To find out
where these forwards should be ranked in a overall
draft specific to your league categories order
the
HoopsKlyce Player Rating
Report.