ESPN Fantasy Rankings: Who's Wrong?

by Visionary1 on Oct 3, 2008 11:53 AM PDT

I don't think this has been discussed anywhere, but the ESPN annual FANTASY basketball rankings are out, here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/basketball/fba/story?page=nbadk2k9_top190

I took a look at 3 team's player rankings, and found the following:

Blazers World Champs Fakers

42 BRoy 9 KG 3 K0bIe

59 Greg Oden 23 Pierce 30 Pau Gasol ???

69 LAMA 64 Allen 45 Odom

116 Rudy 85 Rondo 55 Bynum

139 Bayless 164 Perkins 160 Fisher

146 Blake 169 Tony Allen?? 170 Farmer

148 Outlaw

Some comments:

1) Yes, these are FANTASY rankings, so except for blocked shots, defense doesn’t matter (why KG is probably #9). Team defense, heart, etc. don’t factor in.

2) Forever, you’ve needed 3 superstars to win in the NBA. We’re certainly in the mix with our top 3, although you have to give the nod to the other two teams, at least based on these ratings..

3) Who here would rather have Pau Gasol over anybody on the Blazers? Me neither…

4) We have DEPTH. (Duh) Our second unit should destroy the opposition on a nightly basis, at least in the regular season. Both the C’s and Fakers have a noticeable drop off after #4, and in fact we have 7 guys better than their 5th.

5) Other notables: Rose #95, Beasley #65, which would make Oden their projected ROY, with the Blazers having (as I’ve been saying all along) 3 of the top 5 rookies this year!

6) Whither Martell?

But what I really want to hear your thoughts on is the answer to this question: Who’s Wrong?

Are our “homer” expectations REALLY out of line?

Or, even given high praise in the national press, is the rest of the country still sleeping on this potential juggernaut?

Because if you were to give me these rankings without the team names on them, I’d say that team “A” is deep, but needs true superstars (at least one top 10 guy, and 3 top 50) to make a run…

So, who’s wrong? Us, or ESPN?

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Comments

I would rather have Pau Gasol over a bunch of people on the Blazers.

Channing Frye, Ike DIogu, Steven Hill, Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, and Shavlik Randolph all come to mind.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Oct 3, 2008 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

I'd rather have Pau Gasol ...

on the Blazers over LaMarcus Aldridge, too.

by AK1984 on Oct 3, 2008 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

your nuts

Paul will never win anything in the NBA. LMA was better than him last year, and he will be by far better than him this year.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 3, 2008 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

"LMA was better than him last year"

Based on what?

by inroywetrust on Oct 3, 2008 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

we had that discussion before

let’s just call them a draw, because statistically speaking they are a draw in head to head.

by NWfan on Oct 3, 2008 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions

statistically speaking only says so much...

If you had the choice to trade LMA for Gasol today, straight up, I think you would have to be crazy to take it, While the idea of a solid spanish trio would be pretty cool and Gasol in a proven NBA all-star, the potential and work ethic of LMA are way too much to pass up. I have high expectations for the guy this year.

"Great Oden's raven!" - Ron Burgandy

by danevan on Oct 4, 2008 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

lma was not better than pau last year. look at what happened to the lakers once pau joined the team. the man is underrated and is solid. lma has more potential…but even then pau is currently a better player.

by Philthyanimal on Oct 3, 2008 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions

"Paul will never win anything in the NBA."

I know, not even the Western Conference Finals. Paul Davis might be a loser, but with Elton Brand gone it’s not like the Clippers were going to do much anyway.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Oct 3, 2008 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Notwithstanding statistics, ...

Pau Gasol is the perfect second option on a championship contender, while LaMarcus Aldridge is the perfect third option on a championship contender. Gasol is also a serviceable first option on a low-end playoff team, which was noted during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies.

by AK1984 on Oct 3, 2008 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Laker fans?

I’d rather have laker fans not make comments at all. You can say you’re not a laker fan, but it’s obvious you’re not a blazer fan either.

by Caldwell Jones on Oct 3, 2008 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm a Pau Gasol fan, dude.

I desperately wanted the Seattle SuperSonics to acquire him last season, too, but that was obviously a futile pipe dream. As it is, though, I objectively rank players and, more importantly, avoid blindly looking at things through a homeristic lens (i.e., rose-colored glasses).

Last season, Pau Gasol (PER: 21.6; eFG: 53.6; TS: 59.4; On-Court/Off-Court +/- Production: +8.4; Net Points Per 100 Possessions: +9.1; Rebounds Per 36 Minutes: 8.5; Assists Per 36 Minutes: 3.2; Blocks Per 36 Minutes: 1.5) outperformed LaMarcus Aldridge (PER: 18.5; eFG: 48.4; TS: 52.2; On-Court/Off-Court +/- Production: +2.1; Net Points Per 100 Possessions: +3.3; Rebounds Per 36 Minutes: 7.9; Assists Per 36 Minutes: 1.7; Blocks Per 36 Minutes: 1.3)—and that’s that!

It’s not even a close comparison, either; that’s the most amusing thing about this pointless discussion.

by AK1984 on Oct 3, 2008 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Woah, take it easy! let's not say things we will regret later.

The first time I went to a Blazers game was when they played the Bulls in 1992. I have been a lifelong Blazers fan you stupid, stupid, stupid person.

At first I was mad when I saw your comment, but now I realize you must be joking. Try to make sure the irony comes across better or people will just think you’re a huge douche bag. Wait a minute… are you Shavlik Randolph in disguise?

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Oct 3, 2008 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

If Shavlik states he is better than Gasol, KP will fire him immediately

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 3, 2008 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for elaborating.

I just wanted to see if you “fantasy” peeps were emotionally involved. Obviously you are. I’m not going to waste any more time on the rest of your replies. I hope you dont own a real Winchester,
you seem to have some anger issues.

by Caldwell Jones on Oct 3, 2008 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions

You are Shavlik Randolph.

I knew it.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Oct 3, 2008 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Shavlik says:

Your right. How did you know it was really me? You are brilliant.
You shouldn’t be wasting your talents sitting alone on a pleather couch
trying too hard to look hip.
Don’t hold it in little man.

by Caldwell Jones on Oct 3, 2008 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I apologize.

I wrote that last comment with the understanding that you were not going to waste time on the rest of my replies.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Oct 3, 2008 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Good one.

All in good fun. I owe you an apology. I will try my best to stick to b-ball comments only. I get too worked up about anything involving the Lakers. I meant I wasnt going to waste time on the name calling portion of your first reply. -Peace.

by Caldwell Jones on Oct 3, 2008 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I think you misunderstood what 3) was trying to say.

I think Visionary was trying to rhetorically ask if any one of Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, or LMA were preferable to Pau Gasol but messed up the wording so it looked like Visionary was saying that even the Blazers’ 15th man was better than Gasol.

by royroty on Oct 3, 2008 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Nevertheless, ...

Pau Gasol is all-around more productive than LaMarcus Aldridge.

I already proved that earlier in this thread, so there’s no need for me to rehash it here.

by AK1984 on Oct 3, 2008 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Pace is a big factor

The Blazers play slowly, and the Lakers play more quickly. So that’s going to really affect these.

Who’s the most valuable player in Fantasy Baseball? Hanley Ramirez, SS for the Marlins. He’s certainly /really/ good, but there’s a reason you’ve never heard of him. He’s fantasy perfect, not real perfect.

Claire Redfield dunk shot: missed
Claire Redfield Off Rebound (5 REB)
Claire Redfield jump hook shot: made (26 PTS)

by rmcdougall on Oct 3, 2008 1:20 PM PDT reply actions

Ha! People are sleeping on LMA again..

I will snatch him up early like I did last year. He is a steal in the 4th or 5th round….

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Oct 3, 2008 1:41 PM PDT reply actions

I grabbed LMA last year

he’s solid for fantasy, but nothing great. If it’s a 10 team league it would be a reach to take him in the 4th or 5th. 12 team league might be just right for taking Aldridge in the 5th. That is, unless he makes another huge leap in his game.

Devil's Advocate or just argumentative?

by Magnum on Oct 3, 2008 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he’ll make another huge leap in his game this year

by 50backflips on Oct 5, 2008 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Who says anyone's wrong?

I don’t remember anyone saying we were going to be as good as LA or Boston this year. The rankings look reasonable in general. Remember, this is just about the upcoming season, and just about stats. Actually, our depth should bring down the ranking of our top players, because there’s only so many stats to go around.

by pualo on Oct 3, 2008 3:15 PM PDT reply actions

I'm pretty sure one BE fantasy basketball team has formed

but does anyone want to make another one?

Devil's Advocate or just argumentative?

by Magnum on Oct 3, 2008 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

The top players

in fantasy rankings usually are unique in that they perform exceedingly well in a combination of categories that you’ll rarely find in just one player at certain positions.

Sure Chris Paul is great, but would any GM select him over Lebron James? Nevertheless, Paul is #1 on a lot of fantasy rankings because he’s supposed to give you a mammoth advantage in the assist and steals category, while at the same time not having any glaring deficiencies in other categories.

It’s not really an insult for Aldridge to be ranked where he is. The fact of the matter is his team plays at a slow pace, and this year he’ll have to contend with Oden for rebounds, which ought to hurt him in the rebounding category.

If the Portland were to play at a faster pace, his value would increase proportionally. And if he has added the 3 pt shot to his arsenal, then you may be right in that he is being undervalued.

"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."

by ignign*kt on Oct 3, 2008 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

what this guy said

Its not which player is best, but who gets you the best stats. Superman Dwight Howard’s FT% is his kryptonite so much so that you have to punt that category if you draft him. That drops his value a lot! Josh Smith is a statistical machine, but shoots an erratic sub-average FG. His stock is adjusted accordingly. Even LeBron hurt on my team last year with his FT. People like Jose Calderon are great pickups because they don’t hurt you in any category and do pretty well across the board. He was a huge steal last year.

PS: Steals are counted too, not just blocks on the defensive end.

Amare was #1 last year. Like people have said, pace plays into it and how focused the offense is on you does too.

by nima on Oct 3, 2008 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

scratching my head

Are we talking about Chris Paul or Pau Gasol?

Someone wrote Paul when they meant to write Pau and most recently we have a post that focuses on Chris Paul.

As between LMA and PAU, I choose LMA every time. As between Kobe and Roy, I choose Roy every time. As between Chris Paul and Jerryd Bayless, I choose Chris Paul. As between Chris Paul and Roy, I choose…?? Probably Roy because he’s bigger.

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

According to James Kunstler, who writes a well-respected if slightly profane financial blog whose title I cannot repeat here, "The Republicans must be clearly identified as the party that wrecked America... it's hard to imagine the American people giving the clean-up task to the very group that created the mess -- no matter how many cute little faces Sarah Palin can make on TV."

by vavoom on Oct 3, 2008 5:32 PM PDT reply actions