Fantasy Basketball: The Top 10 Centers to Draft in 2009-2010

Just like in the NBA, Fantasy Basketball centers are at a premium, which means that if one comes your way early in the draft you'll do well to take him. Though injuries have taken their toll on some of the better big men in the league, there are still plenty of centers who can help shore up your team in various categories. Here then are the top ten centers to go after in a 2009-2010 Fantasy Basketball Draft.

1) Dwight Howard (Magic)

Never mind that he did not have a particular good NBA finals against the Lakers, Dwight Howard (aka Superman) is the real deal when it comes to Fantasy Basketball. Last year Howard average 20.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. Though he will hurt you from the foul line, his lifetime shooting percentage of 56.8% from the field can only help. Right now there is no Center in his league when it comes to Fantasy Basketball which may make him a better first round pick then Lebron or Kobe.

2) Emeka Okafor (Bobcats)

Okafor managed to stay healthy for all 82 games once against last year, and it may be that his problems with injuries are in the past. While he may never live up to the hype that made him the 2^nd player chosen in the 2004 NBA Draft, Okafor will be an asset to any Fantasy Basketball team. Last season Emeka averaged over 10 rebounds a game for the 5^th year in a row. He blocked a decent amount of shots (136) and shot well from the field 56.1. What he won't do is get you 20 points a night, pass the ball, or hit free throws.

3) David Lee (Knicks)

David Lee quietly put together an impressive season last year, averaging 16.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game for the Knicks. What's more, Lee will not hurt you from the foul line or the field. The only Fantasy knock against this kid is that at 6-9, he is not going to block many shots for you. He is far from a sexy pick, but he is a solid one.

4) Shaquille O'Neal (Cavaliers)

This sure Hall of Famer had something in the tank last year, and life with Lebron in Cleveland may help motivate the big guy. Still, Shaq has 1,117 regular season games under his belt now, and 30 minutes a night is the best you will get out of him. He will get you 15 points and 8 boards a night and shoot well from the field, and when the mood hits him he may get you an occassional big night, like the 45 points he dropped on Toronto last year. What's not to like here?

5) Andris Biedrins (Warriors)

Watching Biedrins at the foul line it's a treat all its own. The 6-11 Russian has an odd line drive shot that may or may not go in. That aside, what you do get with Biedrins is a truck load of rebounds (11.8 rpg last year), a decent amount of block shots, and good close range shooting that nets him 12 points a night. So if you value rebounds and shooting percentage at the expense of free throws, Biedrins may be the center for you. Just remember that he is also foul prone.

6) Kendrick Perkins (Celtics)

At 6-10, 280 lbs Perkins is a big body that keeps getting more and more playing time each year for Boston. He had monster playoff series against Orlando, and Chicago, and there is no reason why he can't be good for 15 points and 10-12 rebounds a night. Having said that, Kendrick averaged 8.5 points and 8.1 rebounds a game during the regular season last year, adding a career high 150 block shots in the process while shooting 57.7 percent from the field. If you are looking for a mid round pick with a big upside, Perkins is your man.

7) Al Horford (Hawks)

Though he was not a factor in the playoffs, Horford picked up where he left off during his rookie season giving the Hawks a steady 10 or 11 points and 9 rebounds a game. He is young, blocks his fair share of shots, and shoots well enough from both the foul line and the field. Horford is a solid pick who will not hurt your team, though his upside is limited; what you see is what you get.

8) Marcus Camby (Clippers)

Camby may be starting to slow down due to injuries. Last season the amount of shots he blocked were below 3 per game for the first time in 5 years. In fact, Camby went from averaging 3.6 blocks per game to just 2.1. But then again, last season was a tale of two halves for Marcus who had a brilliant November and December before falling to injuries. When healthy he was grabbing 20 rebounds a game and blocking 5 or 6 shots. After his injuries, he was lucky to grab 10 boards a game. Which Camby turns up this season remains to be seen.

9) Marc Gasol (Grizzlies)

The other Gasol had an impressive rookie season for the Grizzlies. Pau's younger brother Marc, is a solid 7-0, 280 lbs center who was putting up some impressive numbers during the second half of the 2008-09 season. In March he dropped 30 points and on Philly while grabbing 13 rebounds, and had a 27 point, 16 rebound performance early in the season. For the year, Gasol averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and those numbers will go up this year. If you are looking for a Sleeper pick with a high ceiling then take a chance on Gasol.

10) Andrea Bargnani (Raptors)

Bargnani is the type of 7 foot Euro-center that will not get you many boards (5.3 rpg last season), but he can shoot from the outside and hits a fair share of three-pointer. He also shots well from the foul line and he may yet improve on his 15.4 points per game from last year. He is worth getting only if you have plenty of help on the boards already.

Coming Back from Injury:

Al Jefferson (Timberwolves)

Jefferson was motoring along to the tune of 23.1 points and 11 rebounds a game when injuries sidelined him last season. If he is healthy, few Fantasy Basketball centers will get you more production. If he can recover from a complete tear to the ACL, then he may return to being a great Fantasy Basketball center. Follow his recovery before betting the house on him

Tyson Chander (Hornets):

When healthy, Chandler will get you buckets of rebounds, but he was healthy for only 45 games last season.

Andrew Bogut (Bucks)

Like Chandler, Bogut will get you 10 points and 10 boards a night when healthy, but he played all of 36 games last season.

Yao Ming (Rockets)

Ming looks to be out the whole year in 2009-2010, and should not be drafted.

Statistical Sources:

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