Selecting a Small Forward is unlike drafting your Centers or Power Forwards. When considering a Center or Power Forward, usually you will target key categories such as FG%, blocks, and rebounds. Small Forwards, however, should be selected based on how many stat categories they fill up. Most Small Forwards don't do any one thing well as far as statistics for NBA fantasy basketball are concerned. They score, rebound, assist, block and steal in relatively modest numbers, but they (should) contribute in every category.There are, of course, exceptions to the rule, some Small Forwards dominate scoring the ball or show their defensive prowess in the stat sheets. Others are three point specialists that shoot high percentages from the field and free throw line.
I like to think of Small Forwards as the guy to give the potential shove over the top in many categories. If you can get a superstar Small Forward early in the draft, it is wise to do so. Otherwise, take care of your key target categories first, and then get a guy with numbers that can help you compete in contested categories.
Without further ado, here's a list of the best Small Forwards you can select in your upcoming NBA fantasy draft.
Top Tier
1. LeBron James, Miami Heat, SF - After a slow start, the Miami Heat and LeBron James have picked up the pace and become one of the best teams in the NBA. LeBron's numbers are slightly lower than previous seasons, especially in scoring, because he now shares the floor with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh instead of Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison. LeBron is still a stat monster and one of the best fantasy plays around. He's certainly one of the two exception guys I was talking about earlier.
25.6 ppg, 47.7 FG%, 77.1 FT%, 57 3PM, 7.1 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.46 spg, .44 bpg, 3.78 TO
Points, rebounds, assists, and steals are LeBron's strong suits. He turns the ball over a bit more than you'd like from your 3 spot, and he also is an inconsistent free throw shooter, but you'll take that grinning all day.
2. Kevin Durant, OKC Thunder, SF - KD is really 1b and not 2, but for aesthetics sake, he's number 2. He's also the other exception to the SF rule, mainly because of his scoring ability. Durant is only 22 years old, and he's probably going to lead the league in scoring the next 5 or so years. He gives great production to any fantasy basketball roster at points, free throws, steals, and blocks. Get him if you can.
28.2 ppg, 46.8 FG%, 88.4 FT%, 64 3PM, 6.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.11 spg, 1.0 bpg, 3.21 TO
It would be nice if Durant rebounded the ball a little better and came up with a couple more assists a game, but the points, defense and free throws will make you forget about the rest.
Not Quite Elite
3. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics, SF/SG - Pierce is a warrior. The guy has been a model of consistency throughout his NBA career. He always plays with passion and has such a competitive edge that his production rarely slips. In some leagues, Pierce qualifies for both Small Forward and Shooting Guard. This gives him more value, but either way he's the third best Small Forward to choose in your NBA fantasy draft.
19.1 ppg, 51.4 FG%, 85.9 FT%, 59 3PM, 5.2 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.02 spg, .56 bpg, 1.85 TO
Pierce is the quintessential Small Forward, filling up each category with meaningful contribution. He doesn't turn the ball over much and shoots the ball with efficiency. Being able to play him at two spots is just icing on the cake.
4. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks, SF/PF - The ultra-athletic Smith plays both forward positions in many fantasy leagues. This gives him additional value for his stats, which are so good because he fills up so many categories. I like him better at Small Forward than Power Forward, simply for the reason I like high FG% guys at Power Forward. This guy can be an X-factor on your team, giving you the edge in steals, blocks, rebounds or points. He doesn't excel at any one category, but adds some value almost across the board.
16.0 ppg, 1.8 bpg, 46.4 FG%, 8.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.4 spg, 2.65 TO, 72.7 FT%, 31 3PM
Pair Smith with a combo PF/C with good rebounding numbers and field goal percentage to give your fantasy team much flexibility in the front court.
5. Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies, Small Forward - Rudy Gay has been a fantastic scorer ever since his Uconn days. It's no different in Memphis. Something that has changed in Gay is his defensive ability. In his college days, he seemed to be indifferent on the defensive end. Now, he is a menace with quick hands and shot blocking ability. Gay is another cross-category contributor you like to get out of your Small Forwards.
20.7 ppg, 47.7 FG%, 80.3 FT%, 50 3PM, 6.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.75 spg, 1.13 bpg, 2.55 TO
In addition to this stat pack, Gay is also playing over 40 minutes a game this year. That means he is going to have monster nights on occasion, and see plenty of opportunities to add to these impressive numbers.
The Best of the Rest:
Here are other players that are worth picking up in your NBA fantasy basketball draft. Look for one of these players in middle to late rounds, where they have real value. You'll have to look up their stats on your own.
- Lamar Odom, LA Lakers, PF/SF
- Danny Granger, Indianapolis Pacers, SF
- Wilson Chandler, NY Knicks, SF/SG
- Stephen Jackson, Charlotte Bobcats, SF/SG
- Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz, SF/PF
- Dorrell Wright, GS Warriors, SF
- Wes Matthews, Portland Trailblazers, SF/SG
- Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets, SF
- Michael Beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves, SF/PF
- Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls, SF
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