So I spent my weekend prepping up for fantasy drafts.
Inasmuch as I want to just get a random cheat sheet and then copy or print it, I believe the cheat sheets are made by fantasy GMs. Why would a GM broadcast his strategy to the world? Inasmuch as the article is for the noobs and the dudes that just want to go on their laptop and draft with direction, this is also for their opponents whom they are trying to deceive.
I want to deceive people.
With that said, I also want to help.
Also, this is the data I got from the POINTS league I did a season ago.
Sure, you’re going to say “why so-and-so is ranked lower than this other so-and-so” but I factored in the fantasy league regular season as well as the injuries, rest days, buyouts, signings, and tankings leading to the fantasy league playoffs.
So for the 2021-22 NBA fantasy season, these are the names that topped last season.
You probably need to consider these players to either make a case or outright disregard especially if you think about player movements, depth chart, and contract status.
1. Nikola Jokic | Nuggets
2. Russell Westbrook | Lakers
3. Luka Doncic | Mavericks
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks
5. Nikola Vucevic | Bulls
6. Julius Randle | Knicks
7. LeBron James | Lakers
8. James Harden | Nets
9. Stephen Curry | Warriors
10. Jayson Tatum | Celtics
11. Damian Lillard | Trail Blazers
12. Domantas Sabonis | Pacers
13. Joel Embiid | 76ers
14. Zion Williamson | Pelicans
15. Trae Young | Hawks
16. Rudy Gobert | Jazz
17. Karl-Anthony Towns | Timberwolves
18. Jonas Valanciunas | Pelicans
19. De’Aaron Fox | Kings
20. Clint Capela | Hawks
21. Bradley Beal | Wizards
22. Zach LaVine | Bulls
23. Jimmy Butler | Heat
24. Bam Adebayo | Heat
25. Kawhi Leonard | Clippers
26. Chris Paul | Suns
27. Kyrie Irving | Nets
28. DeMar DeRozan | Bulls
29. CJ McCollum | Trail Blazers
30. Devin Booker | Suns
31. Donovan Mitchell | Jazz
32. Jaylen Brown | Celtics
33. Khris Middleton | Bucks
34. Brandon Ingram | Pelicans
35. Anthony Davis | Lakers
36. DeAndre Ayton | Suns
37. Kristaps Porzingis | Mavericks
38. LaMelo Ball | Hornets
39. Enes Kanter | Celtics
40. Pascal Siakam | Raptors
41. Malcolm Brogdon | Pacers
42. Paul George | Clippers
43. Ben Simmons | 76ers
44. Fred VanVleet | Raptors
45. John Collins | Hawks
46. Kevin Durant | Nets
47. Jamal Murray | Nuggets
48. Dejounte Murray | Spurs
49. Tobias Harris | 76ers
50. Christian Wood | Rockets
51. Ja Morant | Grizzlies
52. Jrue Holiday | Bucks
53. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder
54. Gordon Hayward | Hornets
55. Kyle Lowry | Heat
56. Jerami Grant | Pistons
57. Michael Porter Jr. | Nuggets
58. Richaun Holmes | Kings
59. Collin Sexton | Cavaliers
60. Terry Rozier | Hornets
61. Harrison Barnes | Kings
62. RJ Barrett | Knicks
63. Chris Boucher | Raptors
64. Mike Conley | Jazz
65. Andrew Wiggins | Warriors
66. Darius Garland | Cavaliers
67. Jarrett Allen | Cavaliers
68. Caris LeVert | Pacers
69. Draymond Green | Warriors
70. Kevin Porter Jr. | Rockets
71. Mason Plumlee | Hornets
72. TJ McConnell | Pacers
73. Montrezl Harrell | Wizards
74. Norman Powell | Trail Blazers
75. Lonzo Ball | Bulls
76. Jakob Poethl | Spurs
77. Kyle Anderson | Grizzlies
78. Robert Williams III | Celtics
79. Aaron Gordon | Nuggets
80. Larry Nance Jr. | Trail Blazers
81. John Wall | Rockets
82. Thaddeus Young | Spurs
83. Wendell Carter Jr. | Magic
84. Dennis Schroder | Celtics
85. Kelly Oubre Jr. | Hornets
86. Kemba Walker | Knicks
87. Marcus Smart | Celtics
88. Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves
89. Robert Covington | Trail Blazers
90. Serge Ibaka | Clippers
91. Myles Turner | Pacers
92. Bogdan Bogdanovic | Hawks
93. Steven Adams | Grizzlies
94. Jae’sean Tate | Rockets
95. Buddy Hield | Kings
96. Mitchell Robinson | Knicks
97. PJ Washington | Hornets
98. Keldon Johnson | Spurs
99. Victor Oladipo | Heat
100. Ricky Rubio | Cavaliers
Now you can agree or disagree with the names and how they are ranked on this list.
I purposely included the names that seem odd... but could have repercussions to the team he's now in and the team he left. Ricky Rubio for instance left Minnesota for Cleveland after becoming the team's sub starter with D'Angelo Russell struggling due to injury. With his departure, does this mean D-Lo is going to be the team's undisputed top PG, or is there a new playmaker that is going to unseat him?
And what about the entry of Rubio in the Cleveland fold? Kevin Love played his best years with Rubio as his top playmaker. Does this mean, Collin Sexton or Darius Garland are on their way out?
And then, there are many other questions in need of answers.
If your team has little to no representation on the list... does that mean that one of its players is due to break out?
And then, if your favorite team has three or four players on this list, does this mean the stats are going to be restricted?
If there’s one thing cheat sheets are, it’s a way to access your fantasy league’s situation. A normal fantasy season has 20 to 21 weeks of the regular season and three to four weeks of playoff action. Before going to the draft, the fantasy GM must have already determine if he’s going to select the best player in terms of popularity or the best player in terms of fantasy situation.