We continue our position by position analysis by moving onto the power forward spot. The depth at power forward is much greater than that at center. This is evident upon quick inspection of the rankings.
An example of the depth at the position, you need look no further than the first guy on our list to see a 14 time NBA All Star and former League MVP.
To find good value in a power forward on this list, one must consider how the player will contribute on his current team. A player like Kevin Garnett obviously plays a more pivotal role than say his teammate in Brandon Bass. Know the role and expectations of your power forward before you draft. Find one that balances descent scoring with solid rebounding numbers.
There are some players in new cities: Elton Brand, Ryan Anderson, Antawn Jamison and Luis Scola are all playing for different teams this year. How these players are fitting into their new teams is affecting their player ranking. For example: Anderson in New Orleans is no longer a ‘sleeper’ pick and Jamison in Los Angeles is not getting starter minutes; such changes affect fantasy production.
Here are the Edraft rankings for power forwards 11- 25:
11- Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics
The glory years are definitely in the rear view mirror; don’t expect any more league MVP’s or consistent double-double nights out this 36 year old. This isn’t to say that Garnett can’t add value to your fantasy roster; you just need to know the player you are drafting and not just go off of name recognition. Expect Garnett to have those terrific nights, similar to those against the Miami Heat in last year’s playoffs, that saw 20+ ppg and 10+ rpg efforts. This isn’t something that is maintainable for Garnett, partly because those numbers aren’t needed nightly and the fact that Doc Rivers is going to try and get Garnett rest throughout the season. Make no mistake, Garnett is still a highly serviceable power forward that can score, rebound and block shots.
12- Ryan Anderson – New Orleans Hornets
One of many players to change zip codes this off-season was Ryan Anderson who went from Orlando to the New Orleans Hornets. In New Orleans, Anderson will be a starter and should be seeing at least 30 minutes of court time a game. This Hornets team is a young squad in search of a go-to offensive weapon. Anderson will be the guy in New Orleans until young players like Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers learn the game. Big things are expected from Anderson after his breakout season. I’m going to go against my norm of not getting too high on guys coming off career years; however, in this case Anderson is setup to succeed and should do so.
13- Ersan Ilyasova – Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks will be a perimeter orientated offense as they have a dynamic duo in Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings. When the ball goes inside, they will notice a very viable scoring option in Ilyasova. Last season started off slowly for the 25 year old; however, he came on strong and finished with respectable numbers and noticeable potential. There were some monster games for Ilyasova, the kind that that make fantasy rosters. Ilyasova had nine games with over 15 rebounds in each and 20 double-double nights in only 41 games started. There is real potential in this player and this year could be the breakout.
14- Carlos Boozer – Chicago Bulls
This ten year NBA veteran saw a decrease in his production across the board last season. Despite playing in 66 games, Boozer posted career lows in minutes played, points and rebounds. This just isn’t the same bruising power forward that played for the Utah Jazz. The Chicago Bulls have some depth up-front in Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson; this ultimately hurts Boozer as his younger teammates are getting the minutes now. In the absence of Derrick Rose; the inability of Boozer to create his own scoring chances will be magnified. Look for Boozer’s numbers to fall off from last year’s.
15- David West – Indiana Pacers
The 2011-12 NBA season was not a good one for David West. He was battling a knee injury and just never got back to being 100% healthy. This season, West should bounce back as the rehabbing is finished with and the knee is no longer a lingering concern. If West can keep his minutes up around 32 per game then his scoring and rebounding averages will stay up. The Indiana Pacers line-up is fairly deep and there are some gifted offensive players on the squad. West is also entering a contract year, which may motivate him; it may also see him moved at the deadline.
16- Luis Scola – Phoenix Suns
I really like Luis Scola to have a bounce-back year this season. Last season saw him post 15.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg averages for the Houston Rockets. Now paired again with his point guard in Goran Dragic in Phoenix, and in the absence of Channing Frye; Scola will be called upon to do more offensively and defensively. I’d expect the scoring and rebounding numbers to go back up to about 17.5 ppg and 8 rpg.
17- Kenneth Faried – Denver Nuggets
People didn’t start to take notice of this rookie until late February as he got off to a very slow start. Come mid-season, Faried was showing he was going to be a force at the power forward spot. Faried’s showing made it possible for the Nuggets to move Al Harrington and then pass on re-signing Chris Anderson. Not the most offensively polished player, Faried makes up for it with an unbridled enthusiasm for rebounding and getting those garbage buckets. I don’t see any way that Faried is not in the starting line-up this season for the Nuggets. I’ve moved Faried up the ranking board based on potential.
18- Serge Ibaka – Oklahoma City Thunder
In my mind for Ibaka to move into the discussion of top-tier fantasy players he needs to be a more consistent scorer. Too many games last season saw scoring outputs of six and eight points. I realize that having Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the team will naturally limit offensive touches, but I need more than just mediocre rebounding and fantastic block shot totals. Before drafting Ibaka, one must ask: Will the blocks per game average stay around 3.5, or will there be a significant drop off? The draft ranking of Ibaka is so closely tied to those block shot totals that if you don’t think it is sustainable throughout the year, then avoid him.
19- Thaddeus Young – Philadelphia 76ers
With the departure of Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young is looking to once again join the starting rotation. This isn’t going to be a foregone conclusion as Evan Turner and Jason Richardson are battling for playing time and one could push Young into a reserve role or potentially a starter’s role at the power forward spot. Should Young get regular starts, expect his ppg average to go up to around 15.5 and the rebounding numbers to increase as well. Just how Young fits into the lineup will be instrumental to his fantasy production. Keep an eye on the situation early on to see how the 76ers plan on using him.
20- Kris Humphries – Brooklyn Nets
I’ve stated this before but it bears repeating. I don’t like drafting players coming off career years. I do think that Kris Humphries just had his career year. With Deron Williams and Joe Johnson in the backcourt and Brook Lopez returning from injury; Humphries is going to see less offensive touches and have another big to share rebounding stats with. Last season saw averages of 13.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg to go along with 29 double-doubles. This season the points and rebounding numbers will tumble and so should Humphries draft ranking.
21- Anthony Davis – New Orleans Hornets
Time will be the true determination for this young-man on his long-term fantasy value. In the meantime, Davis will be in the starting line-up for the Hornets come opening day. While he may not experience a whole lot of early success, I think by mid-season it will be clear that Davis is a very talented ballplayer.
22- Elton Brand – Dallas Mavericks
Elton Brand is going to be playing the majority of his minutes in a reserve role for the Dallas Mavericks. With Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman as starters and barring injury to either of them, I’d expect Brand to get about 26-28 minutes of action a night. As the minutes decrease, so will the stats and Brand will not be scoring or rebounding in double digits this season.
23- Thomas Robinson – Sacramento Kings
If not already in the starting rotation come opening day, Thomas Robinson should be making an early case for starter-like minutes. As we saw from the NCAA Tournament, he is a beast who can seemingly do it all. Now how his skills translate to the NBA level remains to be seen. I envision a frontcourt comprised of Robinson and DeMarcus Cousins being very tough to cope with for opposing teams.
24- Taj Gibson – Chicago Bulls
Currently behind Carlos Boozer on the Chicago Bulls depth chart, Taj Gibson still gives good value despite his limited minutes. I think Boozer is in decline, while Gibson is on the rise for the Bulls. In only 20 minutes per game, Gibson still averaged 7.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg; extrapolate that out to 30 minutes a night and Gibson is over 10 ppg and around 8 rpg. Playing time is all he needs.
25- DeJuan Blair – San Antonio Spurs
DeJuan Blair saw limited minutes as last season wound down, primarily due to the arrival of Boris Diaw. Blair still started 62 games last season for Gregg Popovich; however, he only played 21 minutes game. With Diaw back with the Spurs this season and the emergence of Kawhi Leonard; I just don’t see much more playing time be allocated his way.
Best of the Rest – Potential waiver wire pickups:
Al Harrington – Orlando Magic
Jason Thompson – Sacremento Kings
Antawn Jamison – Los Angeles Lakers
Tristan Thompson – Cleveland Cavaliers
Amir Johnson – Toronto Raptors
Brandon Bass – Boston Celtics