5. Stephen Curry: PG, SG Golden State Warriors
2011-12 Projections: 18.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
After the top four point guards there is a severe drop off to the rest of the pack. While Curry is a strong candidate for a starting point guard, he certainly isn’t the superstar caliber player that guys like Paul, Williams and Westbrook are. Still, Curry will have plenty of scoring opportunities in the fast-paced Golden State offense. While his assist numbers are lower than some of the other guards, Curry still is a viable fantasy point guard option.
4. Deron Williams: PG, New Jersey Nets
2011-12 Projections: 21.8 PPG, 10.9 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
This has the potential to be a big year for Williams. It will be the first full season in New Jersey, and rumor has it the Nets may add Dwight Howard to the mix. This would help free up Williams for additional scoring opportunities, as well as get him more assists. But, until Howard officially lands in New Jersey he will have to make it without him. Still, he has plenty of talent around him to provide for a double-digit assist average. He is also still one of the top scorers on the team, meaning he’ll get plenty of points for your fantasy team as well.
3. Russell Westbrook: PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
2011-12 Projections: 21.4 PPG, 8.4 APG, 5.2 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Westbrook and the Thunder are looking to take the next step this season. After establishing himself as a top fantasy point guard in 2010-11, Westbrook can really climb to elite status this season. He is the perfect point guard for several reasons. He is a big scorer but also has a lot of talent around him, making things like assists much easier. Westbrook also does a good job of crashing the boards, and any additional rebounds you can get from your point guard position should be viewed as stolen goods.
2. Derrick Rose: PG, Chicago Bulls
2011-12 Projections: 26.0 PPG, 8.4 APG, 4.0 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Fresh off his MVP season last year Derrick Rose is looking for an impressive encore. While he won’t be able to sneak up on anybody this season he will still be a very strong fantasy point guard in 2011-12. His value will be scoring more than most other point guards, and his assist numbers are lower than some of the other top tier players at his position. Still, Rose is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league, and with some additional help in Chicago this season. If Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah are able to stay healthy for the entire season, something they couldn’t do last year, Rose’s numbers should continue to improve.
1. Chris Paul: PG, Los Angeles Clippers
2011-12 Projections: 17.4 PPG, 10.1 APG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG
After being traded from the New Orleans Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers Paul’s stock has never been higher. Even though he’s had to deal with some injuries in the past, if he’s able to remain healthy this year he should be a fantasy monster for a variety of reasons. In Los Angeles Paul has more talent around him than he ever did in New Orleans. He will be able to rack up assists passing to post with players like DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, and can also penetrate and dish it out to one of several outside shooters on the roster as well.
Make sure you’re prepared for your fantasy draft with our complete fantasy rankings. Check out the top shooting guards, fantasy small forwards, power forwards and centers as well.
