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.
We will start first in the Eastern Conference where I’ll give you a starting five as well as a couple honourable mention spots that came close but ultimately fell just short of cracking the starting lineup. All rankings are based on eDraft’s fantasy stats and are based on a cumulative total for the month which is not necessarily indicative of individual fantasy point per game averages.
Similar to the Eastern Conference there are a couple surprises here as a relative unknown cracked the top five at a very competitive position and a couple of guys not known for their consistency not toughness put together pretty solid months and managed to displace to potential MVP candidates from the top five. Alright let’s take a look at the top fantasy players from the Western Conference for the month of January.
Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
It is becoming the norm to Curry’s name at or near the top of fantasy players in the league. For a shooting guard Curry is averaging a whopping 9.1 apg which is actually tops in the entire league.
When one considers that Curry is one of the league’s best scorers as well, it is reasonable to expect top notch fantasy numbers on a nightly basis. January was no different as was firing all month long. He ended the month with averages of 27.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 8.1 apg and 1.9 steals per contest.
Goran Dragic - Phoenix Suns
Dragic is quickly emerging as a top backcourt option as his play in the Valley of the Sun has garnered attention league wide. He is hands-down my vote for breakthrough player of the year as he has established himself as the catalyst behind the Suns success. Dragic has managed to improve on his monthly averages as the season progresses and given that his slash line is already quite impressive I can’t wait to see what February will bring for him.
Blake Griffin - Los Angeles Clippers
To see Griffin’s name here means that he had to have had a better month than both Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. Despite the unlikeliness of this occurring, Griffin pulled it off and in the process relegated two of the games premier power forwards to the honourable mention side. In the absence of Chris Paul, Griffin has certainly elevated his game. His January was a tidy 25.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 4.3 apg and if the early indications are a sign of things to come, February could be a monster month for Griffin.
Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder
Like there was any doubt about this. Not only did Durant have a historically great month, he was a no-brainer for the Western Conference Player of the Month award as well. Right now Durant is the single best fantasy option out there, he gives amazing numbers night after night and one never knows when he will explode for a huge one. Not that Durant’s greatness needs any affirmation, but his January was incredible; 35.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 6.1 apg and 1.6 steals per.
Pau Gasol - Los Angeles Lakers
A bit of a surprise here, given that Gasol did miss the Lakers last three games of the month due to injury; however, the remainder of the month more than made up for it. For the month of January Gasol did his best to keep the Lakers relevant in the Conference as evidenced by his 20.8 ppg, 11.9 rpg and 3.9 apg slash line.
Unfortunately Gasol is out at least two weeks and possibly more as aggravated a groin injury. Don’t count on seeing Gasol on this list again come February.
Honorable Mention
LaMarcus Aldridge - Portland Trailblazers
It’s pretty tough to imagine that a player who posts a monthly average of 26.1 ppg and 13.1 rpg wouldn’t be a top-two option at forward. Aldridge is right there of course but his counterparts do consistently offer more in terms of assists, steals and blocks per game. Don’t get me wrong, I love the scoring and rebounding numbers, but a more rounded stat line would propel Aldridge over the top.
Kevin Love - Minnesota Timberwolves
Love had himself a solid January by anyone else’s standards, but by Love’s standards it was a bit of an off month. He still managed to average a double-double on the month, however; his scoring and rebounding numbers were a bit depressed from his season averages. Not to worry though, through three games in February he is averaging 37 ppg and 18 rpg, looks like a bounce-back month is on the horizon.