Fantasy Basketball 2008-2009: Five Breakout Players

1. Devin Harris PG - Take advantage of the Jason Kidd to Dallas trade by drafting this third year speedster. After moving to New Jersey last year, Harris saw increased in his minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and 3 point shooting. Expect the assists to rise even more in the upcoming season with the addition of young targets Yi Jianlian and Brooke Lopez in the post. The departure of Richard Jefferson and the aging of Vince Carter should also expand Devin's scoring game, allowing him to utilize his solid slashing and perimeter skills. Expect Harris' minutes to rise four or five minutes per game, to about 37 or 38, and a slight increase in the 1.4 steals and 3.3 rebounds averaged last year. Come draft day, take this point guard ahead of bigger names such as Jason Terry, Andre Miller, and Mike Bibby
2008-2009 Prediction- 17.0 PPG, 4.1 REB, 6.9 AST, 1.8 STL, 1.5 3PTS

2. Joe Johnson PG,SG - Although last season was somewhat of a down year overall for Johnson, he was outstanding down the stretch. In the last 10 games of the regular season (not including the last two, in which he rested), Johnson averaged 25.8 points, 7.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 three point makes per game. It seems that the addition of Mike Bibby has vaulted Johnson to fantasy stardom and don't expect it to stop. In many mock drafts you will see Johnson being taken behind names such as Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, and Ron Artest, but in your draft, don't let that happen
2008-2009 Prediction- 24.5 PPG, 4.5 REB, 6.3 AST, 1.2 STL, 2.5 3PTS

3. Rudy Gay SG,SF,PF - With the absence of Pau Gasol from a depleted Memphis team, Gay should be just about the only source of scoring for the Grizzlies. A healthy Mike Conley will improve Gay's offense with his above-average penetration skills, and rookie O.J Mayo should be a great complement on the wing, especially in the transition game. Also, with perimeter ace Mike Miller leaving for Minnesota, expect Gay to improve upon an already solid 1.7 treys per game. Although he played 37 minutes per game last year, expect that number to rise to around 40 or 41, which should help improve his overall game. Look for Gay's defensive and rebounding stats to rise because of the lack of good big men in Memphis. Big men Marc Gasol and Darko Milicic are hardly forces defensively, so expect Rudy to pick up the slack down low. At 6-9, an athletic Gay should be able to average close to 2 blocks and 8 rebounds a game. If this player is still on the table after 20 picks, please take him, and expect to see stats similar to an old school Tracy McGrady, except with defense too.
2008-2009 Prediction- 24.3 PPG, 7.9 REB, 1.9 AST, 1.8 BLK, 1.1 STL, 2.2 3PTS

4. David West PF - Even after being one of the most consistent big men in the NBA last year, David West is still very underrated. All of his numbers have gently risen in each of his three years with the Hornets, and don't expect the trend to stop. Last year, West added a new weapon to his 20 point, 9 rebound arsenal, 1.3 blocks per game. The 4.6 shots he attempted from the free throw line, 85 percent of them makes, won't hurt your team either, especially coming from a big man. In 12 playoff games last year, seven of which came against a tough San Antonio defense, West became the Hornets go-to scorer and didn't score under double digits once. West's defensive improvement was also obvious in the postseason, as he posted 5 games with three or more blocks. If a choice arises come draft day between West or Duncan, take the former, and reap the benefits.
2008-2009 Prediction- 21.5 PPG, 9.7 REB, 2.5 AST, 1.7 BLK, 86.0 FT%

5. Andrew Bynum C - We all got a glimpse of the tremendous upside this young man has last year in LA. With season averages of 13 points, 10 boards, and 2 blocks per game, Bynum was a solid center when he was on the court. However, looking at his final 10 games before being injured, Bynum was absolutely elite, with averages of 17.7 PPG, 10.6 REBs, and 2.1 BLKS, while shooting an unbelievable 72.4 percent from the floor while playing about 32 minutes per game. If these number continue in the upcoming season, Bynum will be a top 20 overall player. Don't worry too much about the addition of Gasol to the lineup, Bynum will still get close to 30 minutes a game, if not more, and will still get his touches. Remember: this young man has not even reached his 21st birthday yet, and will be improving every game, making him a force on your team at the end of the year.
2008-2009 Prediction- 16.2 PPG, 11.8 REB, 2.0 AST, 2.7 BLK, 66 FG%