After each month of the NBA season we will compile our NBA All-Fantasy teams comprised of the top fantasy performers at each position along with a few honorable mentions that might break into the starting lineup next month.
For this month’s Eastern Conference All Fantasy Team we have a few surprises in store for you. Two months into the season and we still have yet to see Deron Williams, Dwayne Wade or even Monta Ellis crack the upper echelon for fantasy guards. Season to date actually has a lesser known guard out of Indiana and a second year player who was disrespected and second guessed coming out of the University of Connecticut.
LeBron James, Rajon Rondo and Joakim Noah all followed up on their November success by maintaining their fantasy studliness. Carmelo Anthony broke through and is now likely going to be a lock for the second forward spot baring an injury for the duration of the season.
November saw Jrue Holiday ranked as a top fantasy guard; he has since cooled considerably and is not out of the top ten in terms of fantasy guard options. Anderson Varejao has relinquished his starting role on the All-Fantasy squad in part due to the return of Kyrie Irving and also the continued stellar play of Carmelo Anthony.
The player rankings used are from ESPN.com Fantasy Sports and are based on a fantasy point per game production.
Here is the December edition of the NBA All-Fantasy Team for the Eastern Conference.
Paul George – Indiana Pacers
This second year budding star out of Fresno State University is proving doubters wrong as he is absolutely making the most out of Danny Granger’s absence. George had himself a terrific month of December as he continued to pour in the fantasy points. For the month he averaged 18.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.1 blpg and 1.6 stl all the while shooting a blistering .454 from the field. This might be a quick stop on the All-Fantasy roster for George as Danny Granger is slated for return in February; the two of them can’t co-exist and still have George put up these kind of numbers.
Rajon Rondo - Boston Celtics
Rondo is still leading the charge for guards in the Eastern Conference; while the top fantasy guards all play in the West, Rondo is doing his best to represent. December was another solid month as Rondo registered a triple double early on and then came within a rebound of registering a second just two games later. Personally I see Rondo as having a real up and down month as he had four games with scoring in single digit, six games with assists totals below his season average and two games missed due to injury. He is still the top fantasy guard for the conference; however, his counterparts in the West offer more consistent fantasy production.
LeBron James – Miami Heat
What else can one say about LeBron James? Plain and simple he is a fantasy god; the highest point getter among all fantasy players and he consistently proves himself worthy of the title. December was actually a better month statistically for King James as he managed to raise his already impressive rebounding and assist averages. LeBron’s humdrum stat line for the month was 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.2 apg and 2.1 stl. Why aren’t we talking more about him for MVP again?
Carmelo Anthony – NY Knicks
Making his first appearance on the All-Fantasy squad is Carmelo Anthony who after a descent month of November continued his strong play right through. I actually like the November numbers for Carmelo better than his December numbers as his stats across the board actually decreased save for his ppg average which jumped to 32.6. Keep an eye on Anthony though as he missed six games due to injury in the month. If that keeps up it becomes difficult to keep him in your lineup.
Joakim Noah – Chicago Bulls
Joakim Noah is proving he belongs as one of the top fantasy producing big men in the game. December was a great month to own Noah; he recorded a triple double, posted a 30 point 23 rebound game and didn’t miss any games for the Bulls all month. Criticism has fallen on Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau for giving Noah too many minutes this early in the season. Well when your most productive player and heart and soul of the team is on the court good things tend to happen. With Derrick Rose’s return still up in the air; Noah remains an excellent fantasy option for your roster.
Honorable Mentions:
Kemba Walker – Charlotte Bobcats
If you are saying to yourself Kemba Walker is a top fantasy option...really? Then I have two things to say in reply. Yes! And start paying attention to what this young man can do because this is not just a flash in the pan glimpse of success; this kid is seriously talented. Playing on a Bobcats squad that is void of any real big name talent; Walker is showing that he is ready to step up and be the man. Check out this stat line for December, then go to your fantasy site and pick him up. 19.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.5 stl and a .455 field goal percentage.
Anderson Varejao – Cleveland Cavaliers
Varejao’s stock has fallen; he is currently out with an injury that will take him into mid-January and his role in the Cavaliers offense has depreciated with the return or Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers are continuing to lose basketball games with great regularity and it seems unlikely that Varejao will be kept around once he returns. Stat wise he still registered enough fantasy points to garner an honorable mention here; however, I’d be looking to move him and pick up a healthier option.
Al Horford – Atlanta Hawks
Horford has been a very consistent fantasy option in both November and December. He doesn’t have those really complete games like a Joakim Noah does, but nonetheless his scoring and rebounding stats are always there and the down nights are few and far between. For the month of December, Horford averaged 15.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 3.1 apg while shooting a blistering .530 from the field. Very consistent production; Horford quietly goes about his business and racks up those fantasy points.