The NBA regular season has come to a close and now that the 2013-14 season is in the books we can look back and assess the fantasy season that was. Like those general managers who chase down the Larry O’Brien, the fantasy general managers realized success by stocking their rosters with fantasy stars.
There is no question that members of the fantasy elite are needed to take home a fantasy league title. Capitalizing on role players can make a difference over a season but it is the upper echelon of the NBA’s best that truly carry a roster.
We have already given you our First Team All-Fantasy squad and it included a few surprises on it. Not many would have pegged DeMarcus Cousins as the top center in the association and with the plethora of stellar guards in the league it was the unlikely combo of Stephen Curry and John Wall that nailed down top honours.
As we compiled our Second Team All-Fantasy we see that the disparity between first-teamers and second-teamers is ever so slight. A few positions here were decided by less than 100 total points and considering the 82 game grind that is the regular season that equates to a fraction over 1 fantasy point per game difference.
With that in mind we take a look at eDraft’s All-Fantasy First Team. Irregardless of division or conference here are the top performers at each position on the season. All rankings are based on eDraft’s statistical rankings at season end.
James Harden Guard - Houston Rockets
The expectations in Houston were high this season and as were those for Harden. Harden did everything he could to live up to the billing as he posted season averages of 25.4 ppg, 6.1 apg and 4.7 rpg. He carried the Rockets team when it was needed as Dwight Howard missed 11 games due to various ailments. With the playoffs looming and Howard ailing; Harden stepped up and contributed with 27.6 ppg, 8.7 apg and 4.6 rpg. Harden may not have been the sexy fantasy pick among his peers in the backcourt; however, in the end he out shown the likes of Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul and Damian Lillard.
Kyle Lowry Guard - Toronto Raptors
Lowry surprised many this season by raising his game and providing far better fantasy consistency. A huge difference maker was of course the trade of Rudy Gay from Toronto and the extended freedom in the offence to create for himself and others in transition. Lowry excelled this year by embracing the changes offensively and his numbers surged to career highs in points (17.9 ppg), rebounds (4.7 rpg) and assists (7.4 apg).
LeBron James Forward - Miami Heat
It’s odd to see the league’s most complete player sitting here on the Second Team; however, through no obvious shortcomings of James’ it was the stellar play of Kevin Love that barely nudged LeBron out of the top five by position. For the Heat it is all about the playoffs and quest to three-peat; to that regard James sat out a handful of games in order to rest. The point difference between Love and James would have been surpassed had James played in only a couple more games, but James is playing for a Championship and Love is working on getting a decent tee-time.
Blake Griffin Forward - Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin came into this season with a reputation for being soft and one dimensional; by season’s end he blew both myths out of the water. He posted career highs in points per game and assists per game, granted his rebounding numbers were down a bit but he played along side the beast of the boards known as DeAndre Jordan so that is understandable. Griffin played in and started 80 games for the Clippers and posted 43 double-doubles on the year. He played brilliantly in the absence of Chris Paul and he carried the Clippers for the entire month of January and better part of February.
Joakim Noah Center - Chicago Bulls
A well deserved honour here for Noah as he was the heart and soul of the Bulls this season. Noah outperformed Houston’s Howard by being consistent and healthier throughout the season. Viewed by many as a ‘Charlie hustle’ kind of player who really lacks the explosive potential fantasy general managers crave; Noah killed it this year with those garbage buckets and scrappy rebounds. He posted career highs in scoring, rebounding and assists as well as set a new career high with 47 double-doubles on the year and an astonishing 4 triple-doubles. Love him or hate him, Noah proved his fantasy worth this season to all.