We’ve already spotlighted the Point Guard, Shooting Guard and Small Forward Sleepers, here are five Power Forwards to target in your drafts…
1. Tyrus Thomas, Chicago Bulls
Let’s be honest, Tyrus Thomas hasn’t started his NBA career off on the right foot, but at 22, the potential is very much still there. With a new coach in town, Vinny Del Negro, now is the perfect time. This is very much a “make or break” year for Tyrus’s development. Tyrus has a play style that, given the playing time, could result in very similar numbers to fantasy-stud, Shawn Marion. If Tyrus gets 25 minutes a game this season he will likely be a top 100 player. Imagine what numbers he can rack up if he’s on the court for 30+ minutes a night, endless potential.
Currently owned in 48% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 133+
2008-09 Prediction:
27.1 Mins, 11.0 Pts, 2.1 Asts, 7.4 Rebs, 1.2 Stls, 1.7 Blk, 1.7 TOs
2. David Lee, New York Knicks
David Lee has put up some solid stats over the past two seasons as a Knick, but has only started 41 of those games. In those 41 games, Lee has posted 12.9 points and 10.7 Rebounds while shooting 59% from the field. Those numbers put him in the same category as Andris Biedrins, a top 55 player. Throw in a new run-and-gun offense, entering his 4th year in the NBA, and at a prime age of 25 and you’ve got all the fixings for a career year.
Currently owned in 93% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 76
2008-09 Prediction:
33.9 Mins, 13.4 Pts, 1.7 Asts, 10.1 Rebs, 1.0 Stls, 0.7 Blk, 1.4 TOs
3. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks
Many has Charlie V pegged for a breakout season last year, but first round pick, Yi Jianlian put a damper on that. Villanueva went from starter to bench player overnight, playing only 20 minutes a night before the All-Star game. The team didn’t benefit from Charlie starting (8-23 as a starter), Villanueva took the opportunity to show he can still fill a stat sheet. With the addition of another great scorer, Richard Jefferson, you can expect Charlie V to be crashing the boards as a source of rebounds and easy put-backs. Although Charlie is now the 3rd sourceon offense, we can expect his best overall fantasy season of his young career.
Currently owned in 85% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 108
2008-09 Prediction:
31.3 Mins, 15.5 Pts, 8.5 Rebs, 1.4 Asts, 0.7 Stls, 0.7 Blk, 1.8 TOs
4. Amir Johnson, Detroit Pistons
Amir was a well-kept super sleeper until recently when he was handed the starting Power Forward job. This put a spotlight on Amir, but he’s still not getting the love he deserves (owned in only 17% of yahoo leagues). Amir was drafted out of high school three years ago, so he is still very early in the development stages. At the young age of 21, Johnson has yet to tap into his full potential. To get a glimpse of what this freak athlete can do, take a look at what he did on December 4th last year. Playing against Atlanta on this day, Amir swatted 5 shots in 8 minutes of play! Imagine what kind of numbers Amir will put up this season, now that the starting job is his.
Currently owned in 17% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 133+
2008-09 Prediction:
24.0 Mins, 9.3 Pts, 5.0 Rebs, 2.1 Asts, 1.0 Stls, 1.7 Blk, 1.3 TOs
5. Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats
Sean May has had a lot of troubles staying healthy early in his career. In three seasons, he’s only played 58 games. Last October he made the decision to have microfracture surgery. This year we will find out if that surgery served a purpose and actally helps May stay healthy for a full season. If he does stay healthy, he has the same potential as a player such as David Lee. Seeing that he is only owned in 5% of Yahoo! Leagues, it is likely you can take a chance on this upside machine in the last round of your draft.
Currently owned in 5% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 133+
2008-09 Prediction:
26.8 Mins, 13.5 Pts, 7.4 Rebs, 2.1 Asts, 0.7 Stls, 0.7 Blk, 1.5 TOs
Check out these related posts:
Point Guard Sleepers
Shooting Guard Sleepers
Small Forward Sleepers
Center Sleepers
image courtesy of NBA.com, via CCS
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