Mid-Season Fantasy Basketball Awards

Hedo Turkoglu – Turkoglu was moved to the power forward position with the injury to Tony Battie and the signing of Rashard Lewis. He has thrived in the perimeter-based Magic offense. He is posting career highs in multiple categories. At age 28, he is older than most players that breakout. However, there is no denying that Turkoglu has given his fantasy an unexpected lift. Runner-up: Chris Kaman.

Kevin Durant – Durant was the odds-on favorite to win the “Rookie-of-the-Year” award going into this season. Not much has changed going into the season’s second half. So far in his first year, he has shown some glimpses of the fantasy superstar that he will soon become. Next year may be the last time that you will be able to snag Durant outside of the first two rounds of your fantasy draft. Runner-up: Al Horford.

LeBron James – Cavaliers – This guy just continues to get better. James is averaging career highs in rebounds, assists, and blocked shots so far this season. His free throw percentage is a definite concern, especially considering the amount of attempts. Still, he does much more to help your fantasy team than 70% from the line will hurt. Runner-up: Chris Paul.

Center – Yao Ming – Rockets – Yao gives you everything that you want from a fantasy center: high field goal percentage, double-digit rebounding, over two blocks, and twenty-plus points a contest. The bonus here is that he is money from the free throw line. Of course, there is a downside: Yao has struggled with injures the previous two seasons.

Power Forward – Kevin Garnett – Celtics – Garnett has played a wonderful team game this season without sacrificing too much of his fantasy value. He is no longer the undisputed top three fantasy pick that he once was, but he still holds on to his spot as the best power forward in the fantasy game.

Small Forward – LeBron James – Cavaliers

Shooting Guard – Kobe Bryant – Lakers – No shock here, Bryant has been a fantasy stud for years. Now that Andrew Bynum is out for a while, expect Bryant to take even more of the offensive load on to his shoulders.

Point Guard – Chris Paul – Warriors – This is a tough one between Paul and second-teamer, Baron Davis. However, the stronger percentages and the better assists give Paul the edge over Davis’ three point superiority.

Center – Dwight Howard – Magic – Howard would be in the running for fantasy MVP if it were not for his dreadful performance at the line. He is tops in the league at rebounding and is top five in field goal percentage and blocked shots, all while averaging over 22 points a game.

Power Forward – Shawn Marion – Suns – Marion is not a true power forward, but fits exactly what is need for the position in the up-tempo Phoenix offense. His all-around game puts him ahead of other, more traditional big forwards, including his three point shooting and top notch defensive statistics. He has had some trouble at the line this year, but his track record suggests that it is more of a fluke than a trend.

Small Forward – Caron Butler – Wizards – Butler has been a solid fantasy player for a few years. But so far this season, he has taken his game to a new level. Whether it was the injury to Gilbert Arenas that triggered it or that he was just due for a breakout, Butler has been one of the best fantasy finds this season. He gives you a little of everything, but excels in two categories: steals and free throw percentage.

Shooting Guard – Allen Iverson – Nuggets – Just like the Energizer Bunny, Iverson just keeps going and going and going. At age 32, he has not slowed down much at all. He gives you boost in assists, steals, and, of course points.

Point Guard – Baron Davis – Warriors – The knock on Davis has never been about his ability, except perhaps his below average free throw shooting. It has been that he is extremely injury prone. That has not been the case so far this season. Davis has played in all 42 of the Warriors games so far and is logging 39 minutes a night. Heck, he even has his free throw percentage north of 75%.

Center – Amare Stoudemire – Suns – You could put Stoudamire on the first or second team at center and you would not get much of an argument from me. It is that close between he, Yao, and Howard. Stoudamire gets a high percentage of his shots in the lane, mostly on dunks. So, his field goal percentage is outstanding. He has picked up his rebounding and shot blocking lately, which puts him in the conversation as the top fantasy center.

Power Forward – Dirk Nowitzki – Mavericks – Nowitzki beats out a notable contender in Carlos Boozer because of his all around game. His rebounding and field goal percentage are below what Boozer can give you, but the blocks, three pointers, and free throw percentage give him the edge here.

Small Forward – Josh Smith – Hawks – Although there are several contenders for this position, Smith gets the nod due to his three-plus blocks and almost two steals a game. If there was All-Defensive Fantasy MVP, Smith would nudge out Marcus Camby for the award. The rest of his fantasy game is strong, with the exception of his percentages and turnovers.

Shooting Guard – Dwyane Wade – Heat – Wade missed the first seven games this season due to injury. He has put up great fantasy numbers since returning, despite playing on a team that lacks direction. He has put the team on his shoulders offensively for most of his games, resulting in nine games over 30 points, two of them topping 40 points so far.

Point Guard – Steve Nash – Suns – Nash is definitely the safe pick here. His percentages are about as good as you will find out there. His lack of defense, or at least lack of defensive statistics, and high turnover rate keep his value down some.

Center – Chris Kaman – Clippers – The block opened up wide for Kaman when it was learned that Elton Brand would miss most of the season. Kaman has not disappointed, in fact he has thrived. He credits some of his success to brain-exercises that allow him to focus more clearly. Whatever it is, Kaman is averaging career numbers in almost all fantasy relevant categories, including over 13 rebounds and over three blocked shots a game. Runner-up: Andrew Bynum.

Power Forward – Hedo Turkoglu. Runner-up: Joe Smith.

Small Forward – Rudy Gay – Grizzlies – Gay has proven himself to be more than just an athlete. He has a multitude of basketball skills to go with his athleticism. The scary part is that he is only 21 years old. So, we probably have not seen the best he has to offer. To think, his draft rights were traded by Houston for Shane Battier . . . ouch! Runner-up: Linas Kleiza.

Shooting Guard – Mike Dunleavy – Pacers – In his sixth year in the league, Dunleavy has been terrific. His rebounding and assist production have been just about where you would expect. But his scoring and, more impressively, his percentages are sitting at career highs. He seems to be a favorite for minutes and offensive touches in the Pacers offense, so there is no reason to think a slow down is coming. Runner-up: John Salmons.

Point Guard – Devin Harris – Mavericks – Jose Calderon was considered here and actually has been a better playmaker. However, most fantasy owners knew that Calderon could do what he is doing, he just need the opportunity that T.J. Ford’s injury has provided. It appears that Harris has finally turned the corner from being a player with potential to a legit fantasy option. He has learned to be consistent this season, using his speed to put pressure on the opposing defense. He still is not a top point guard choice for assists, but he has gotten better in that category this season. Runner-up: Jose Calderon.

Center – Al Horford – Hawks – Horford is winning over his teammates, coaches, and fans with his hardworking style of play. He has a near double-double average with about a steal and blocked shot a game.

Forward – Yi Jianlian – Bucks – Yi came with much mystery and more hype. There is still some debate on how good he really is, partly because he has had his ups and downs this season. Most agree that this guy has the inside-outside offensive tools to become a real good player in the league. He is posting double figures in scoring and almost six boards with over a blocked shot and almost a steal a game, not too bad for his first run through the association.

Forward – Jamario Moon – Moon, unlike Yi, came into the league with no hype at all. In fact most had not heard of 27 year-old prior to this season, including myself. He has made his mark defensively, averaging more than a steal and a blocked shot a game.

Guard – Kevin Durant

Guard – Juan Carlos Navarro – Navarro does not have the upside of some of the other rookie guards. But the production has been there for him, especially from beyond the arc. He does not offer much in rebounding or defensive statistics. Still, he is a solid option if scoring and three pointers are what you need.

Center – Andray Blatche – Wizards – Am I only one that does not have a lot of faith that Brendan Haywood can keep it up all year? Blatche has huge upside, but is still mistake prone.

Power Forward – Andrea Bargnani – Raptors – This guy has too much talent to lay dormant all season, right?

Small Forward – Lamar Odom – Lakers – The Bynum injury puts Odom back as the second offensive option for the Lakers again, at least until mid-March.

Shooting Guard – Raja Bell – Suns – It seems like he is getting his confidence back on his jumper. Remember, this guy was tied for the league lead in three pointers made last season.

Point Guard – Mike Conley – Grizzlies – The talented rookie has finally been given the reigns to the offense, an offense with multiple weapons. His jump shot almost looks NBA-caliber.

Reserves: Rodney Carney, Gerald Green, Oleksiy Pecherov, Tyrus Thomas, Delonte West, Louis Williams, Brandan Wright.