2009-2010 Fantasy Basketball: Top 10 Power Fowards to Draft

Over the years the Power Forward position in the NBA has evolved. No longer are NBA power forwards one dimensional players whose main contribution is to rebound while leaving the scoring to others on the team. Today's Power Forwards are a vital component of any Fantasy Basketball Team, who is equally apt at shooting a three-pointer as grab a rebound. Here then are the top 10 Power Forwards to go after in this year's Fantasy Basketball Draft.

Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks)

After 839 games in the league, Nowitzki remains the best Power Forward in Fantasy Basketball. Dirk can shoot from long range, hit his foul shots, rebound, pass and block shots, in short he can contribute in every Fantasy Basketball category. Last season in 81 games Nowitzki averaged 25.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and ranked high in the league in both free throw and three-point shooting. Come Draft time, there will be sexier picks than Nowitzki, but few will give you the same output. Nowitzki is well worth your first round pick.

Tim Duncan (Spurs)

Few Power Forwards are in Duncan's company in NBA history, though his value in Fantasy Basketball is diminished a little bit by his poor free throw shooting, and limited shooting range. Still, Duncan puts up numbers in all other categories and he will help in scoring, rebounding, block shots and assists. Last season Duncan averaged 19.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 block shots per game. This year his numbers should be close to the same, though after being in the league since 1997 he may be starting to slip a bit. Is he still worth a first round pick? Probably, if not, he will be gone by round two.

Pau Gasol (Lakers)

Gasol was one of the major reasons the Lakers won an NBA title last season. Though not quite in Nowitzki's company, Gasol can still contribute across the board in Fantasy Basketball. Steady as they come over the past five seasons, Gasol is always good for 18-19 points, 8-9 rebounds, and 3-4 assists per game. He will also get you a fair share of blocks, and he always makes a high percentage of shots. Rest assured that in any Fantasy Basketball Draft, this 7 foot Spaniard will be gone by the 3^rd round.

David West (Hornets)

Over the past three seasons few Power Forwards have put up numbers to rival David West. Last season West averaged 39 minutes, 21.0 points, and 8.5 rebounds per game, and there is no reason to believe his numbers will suffer any this season. As an added bonus David will also help you from the foul line, and will pick up a block or two along the way. At this point, his Fantasy Basketball upside is higher than Kevin Garnett's.

Kevin Garnett (Celtics)

Injuries and age may have started to slow down one of the NBA's greatest players. Last season Garnett was limited to 57 games and his playing time was down to 31 minutes a game, which directly affected his numbers. No longer good for 20 points and 10 rebounds a night, Garnett should be able to bounce back this season and average 17-18 points and 9 rebounds a game. Along with that, he will get you a block and a few assists a game as well. No longer a sure first round pick, Garnett will nevertheless be a good contributor to any Fantasy Basketball team.

LaMarcus Aldridge (Blazers)

Based on his performance the last two seasons, Aldridge should have been the first pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Last season the former Texas player averaged 18.2 points and 7.5 points per game, and those numbers should begin to inch their way higher in the next few seasons to come. Aldridge will also aid your team with the occasional block shot and assist. In a keeper league, LaMarcus is a good investment.

Josh Smith (Hawks)

After missing most of November last year to injury, Smith's numbers dipped considerably despite averaging the same amount of playing time he has in the past. Which Smith turns up this year remains to be seen, though on the low side, Smith will still get you 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game. If he is able to get back to his 2006-2007 form his numbers will go a bit higher. On a side note, Smith can also help you from beyond the arc, but he will hurt you at the foul line.

Troy Murphy (Pacers)

Murphy enjoyed a career year in 2008-09, averaging 14.3 points and 11.8 rebounds a game, while shooting 45% from beyond the arc. Murphy will help you in all shooting categories while throwing in a lot of rebounds, and as such should be consider as one of the best Power Forward options in Fantasy Basketball. This year there is no reason to believe that Murphy won't be a 14-10 man again, and he makes for a solid pick in rounds 3-5.

Anthony Randolph (Warriors)

If you are looking for a potential sleeper pick, then Randolph is your man. A rookie last year who averaged only 17 minutes per game for the season, Randolph started receiving substantial playing time in April, and in 9 games over the season's last month, Randolph got 4 double-doubles. This year look for Randolph's numbers to take a giant leap forward, and for the Sophomore to average 14-15 points and 8-9 rebounds over the course of the 2009-2010 season.

Al Harrington (Knicks)

It took a while for this former high school first round draft pick to develop his game, but last season Harrington delivered with a career year. Averaging 35 minutes a game, and hitting on 36% of his three pointer, Harrington ended the season averaging a career high 20.7 points per game. Having said that, Harrington will only get you 6 rebounds a game, and he will only block the occasional shot. Overall Harrington is a middle round pick at best.

Statistical Source:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/stats/