Fantasy basketball, not unlike it’s fantasy counterparts, is won and lost by players who outperform their preseason expectations. Granted your fantasy basketball team won’t be in contention without proven stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, but it is the bit players and role guys that you slot in as complementary pieces that can ultimately propel your fantasy team to the top.
Preseason fantasy polls are full of predictions and analysis that peg a players worth in comparison to his counterparts. Bargains can be had here as a player’s value may seem low to you and ultimately you draft him based upon your belief that he will outperform those preseason predictions. Choosing your bit-role players can be the most important part in your draft as it is through these up and comers that real success is experienced.
I’ve selected six players from the Eastern Conference who turned out to be great fantasy producers. Each player outperformed their preseason expectations by a large margin and thusly they are now identified as eDraft’s fantasy up and comers for next season. Stay tuned for the up and comers from the Western Conference.
Jrue Holiday - Guard, Philadelphia 76ers
Holiday had a coming-out party this last season. He averaged 17.7 ppg, 8.0 apg 4.2 rpg and 1.6 steals per game. He registered 20 double-doubles and one triple-double on the season as well. In terms of fantasy production, Holiday was the eighth-ranked fantasy player in the league based on total fantasy points accrued and he was the sixth-ranked guard overall. Holiday actually outperformed the likes of Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony. Come next season expect Holiday’s stock to be sky-high as fantasy general managers will be eager to snap up the fifth year point guard early in the drafts.
Kemba Walker - Guard, Charlotte Bobcats
Is anyone still out there second-guessing the Bobcats for drafting Walker two years ago with the ninth-overall selection? If there are they should pay attention because Walker has established himself as a hot-rising star in the league. This season saw Walker finish with averages of 17.7 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.5 rpg and 2.0 steals per game. This kind of fantasy production propelled Walker into the tenth overall spot for guards in terms of fantasy worth and with this he finished the season ranked fourteenth-overall in the league. Next season promises to be another solid campaign and Walker’s fantasy value will reflect this as he will be a top-ten guard selection to come off the board.
Jeff Teague - Guard, Atlanta Hawks
Teague came from the shadows to surprise most in his play this season. Teague was the catalyst behind the Hawks playoff push this season and given that he just wrapped his fourth season in the Association the future is bright for this young-man. Teague finished the season with averages of 14.6 ppg, 7.2 apg and 1.5 steals per game; all of which were good enough to rank Teague sixteenth overall amoung guards. He was seventh overall in assists per game and posted 15 double-doubles on the season. As the confidence and experience comes Teague’s game will flourish. Expect Teague to be a top-fifteen fantasy guard next season as he will leapfrog the likes of Goran Dragic.
Evan Turner - Forward, Philadelphia 76ers
Turner had a turnaround season due in large part to his ability stay healthy and play in all 82 games. During which time he set new career highs with 13.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 4.3 apg. Turner’s strong and consistent play earned him the thirteenth overall ranking among all forwards and placed him ahead of the likes of Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph. With the entire turnaround that is taking shape in Philadelphia I expect Turner to continue with his success and he should be similarly valued come next season.
Nikola Vucevic - Center, Orlando Magic
Vucevic represents one of the brightest young centers in the game today. He was a part in the Dwight Howard - Andrew Bynum trade that saw him go from Philadelphia to Orlando. This second-year player was phenomenal for the Magic as he went on to post 46 double-doubles on the season and finished with averages of 13.1 ppg 11.9 rpg and 1.9 apg. With him under contract through the 2014/15 season at a cap hit of less than $3 million; the Magic got the better of the initial trade without a doubt. Come next season Vucevic will no longer be a secret, not even a sleeper pick; he is a definite top-ten talent at the center position and he could be ranked as high as fifth given.
Larry Sanders - Center, Milwaukee Bucks
What a pleasant surprise Sanders was for the Bucks this season. not only was he the emotional and defensive leader for a squad lacking in both areas; he contributed mightily as he nearly tripled his previous season’s scoring and rebounding averages. Sanders finished the season with averages of 9.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 2.8 blocks per game. Despite averaging just under double digit points and rebounds for the year, Sanders still posted 26 double-doubles during the season. Biggest drawback to Sanders continues to be his headspace as he was whistled for 14 technical fouls and was ejected five times. Sanders represents solid fantasy value; he was the sixteenth ranked centerman this season and he could conceivably work himself into the top 12 come next season’s draft.