NBA Fantasy Basketball: Where to draft LA Clippers' stars
The 2016-17 NBA regular season is almost upon us, so here’s a fantasy basketball preview and a look at where you should draft the LA Clippers’ top players.
Dec 16, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Bucks 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With the start of the 2016-17 NBA regular season just a few days away, most fantasy basketball leagues are holding their drafts this weekend. Four of the LA Clippers‘ starting five are ranked in ESPN’s top 100 fantasy players this year, making them must owns in all ten team leagues.
Let’s look at the rankings for our Clippers players and determine where, and if, you should target them. The rankings are based on ten team, 8-cat, roto leagues, utilizing a snake draft.
Chris Paul
For the past few years, Chris Paul has been a top-five fantasy pick in almost every league. He’s an elite source of steals and assists, he scores well, and hits 1.6 threes per game. His shooting percentages are spectacular (especially free throw at 89.6 percent last season), and his turnovers are exceptional for a point guard at just 2.6 a game.
The key to winning in fantasy is maximizing the value of your draft picks. In past years I’ve avoided CP3 because he hasn’t been a great value pick. He’s a fantasy stud, but a reach for a top-five pick.
This year, ESPN has Paul ranked as their 8th fantasy player. If you find yourself with one of the last two picks in the first round, and CP3 is available, I would snatch him up.
The end of the first round has a lot of value this year. Guys like LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins, and Anthony Davis will be available. A turnaround of CP3 and any one of those guys is just plain nasty.
Paul is a great value at the end of the first round, and that should be where you look to draft him.
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin is another player I’ve avoided in previous years. I’ve questioned his value in the second round. He’s a solid source of points and rebounds, but his below average defensive stats have always been a concern for me.
This year, ESPN has Griffin ranked 25th, putting him right in the middle of the third round.
I would take Griffin in the third round in a heart beat. ESPN has predicted that Blake’s stats this year will be virtually identical to last years, though I just don’t see that happening.
Blake has looked unreal in the preseason. We should see a bump in his points per game, especially with Doc Rivers looking to stagger him and Paul to lead the bench as the commanding scorer at times, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him average over 10 rebounds a game this year.
Blake is a solid value pick anywhere in the third round, but especially late. There is also a lack of power forward talent late in this year’s draft.
I highly recommend targeting a PF in your first four picks, and you could do a lot worse than Blake in round three.
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) celebrates after a play during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers won 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
DeAndre Jordan
ESPN has DeAndre Jordan ranked as their 37th fantasy player. He falls right in the middle of the center belt, as I call it. Between players 35-45 on ESPN’s fantasy list, there are eight centers! This might be a good spot to target one.
In this group you have guys like Jordan, the Marc and Pau Gasol, Andre Drummond, and Nikola Vucevic. Some really solid fantasy players.
Of this group I would target Drummond. He has a chance to be one of the NBA’s fantasy superstars because of the new rule change to limit fouling poor free throw shooters. This rule change will affect DJ as well.
DeAndre could be inline for a career year after a great showing with Team USA and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this summer. Targeting him in round four would be a solid value pick, but I would only take DJ if Drummond is already off the board. Even with the rule change, both players will be a drag on your free throw. If that is an area of concern, Vucevic is a great value pick in round five.
Oct 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard JJ Redick (4) dribbles up the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 104-78. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
J.J Redick
More from Clipperholics
J.J. Redick is ranked 85th by ESPN. He’s not the sexiest pick, and a lot of fantasy owners like to swing for the fences with their last two picks. But you would be wise to draft J.J. if he is available in the 9th round.
He’s almost a guaranteed 16 points and two and 2.5 threes per game. His percentages are ridiculously good after leading the NBA in three-point percentage at 47.5 last season (he’ll probably drop off slightly, but he’ll still be exceptionally high again), and he offers great late value at a position (shooting guard) where that is hard to find.
Other players to consider
Jamal Crawford is ranked 129th by ESPN. You know what you are going to get with the three-time Sixth Man of the Year: scoring, threes, and little else. He’s worth a look in 12 team leagues with your last pick.
Austin Rivers is a player you might want to put on your watch list. Rivers could be in line for a breakout season after last year’s playoffs.
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This is the year to target LA Clippers’ players in fantasy basketball. They offer great value, and that is the key to winning your NBA fantasy league. Good luck with your drafting, and as always… Go Clippers!
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