RADIO
As the tip off of the 2014-15 NBA season draws closer, we will be providing fantasy basketball rankings, sleepers and draft strategy analysis. Let's take some time to focus on the top 5 forwards for your fantasy basketball drafts.
These Names Will Come Off The Board Early On Draft Day
LeBron James (CLE)
![By Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA (LeBron James) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://dev.rotoballer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/lebron-james-nba-fantasy-basketball-forward-rankings-150x150.jpg)
James has migrated back to his hometown in Cleveland this year, and with that comes a new supporting cast.
While there might be a brief adjustment period as the players get acquainted with each other, the four-time MVP's stock remains sky high.
LeBron's unrivaled ability to get to the rim led to his career-high .567 field goal percentage last season and no other player in the NBA averaged better than 27.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. He also averaged more than 1.5 threes and steals last season. The only red flag for LeBron is the career-low 26 blocks he recorded in 2013-14.
Anthony Davis (NOP)
Davis displayed tremendous improvement in his second NBA season, as he was one of only five players in the league to average more than 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in 2013-14. He posted an NBA leading 2.8 blocks per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field, nearly 80 percent from the charity stripe and chipping in 1.3 steals per game, which are excellent contributions for a big man.
The knock on Davis has been his health, as he has yet to play more than 67 games in a season. However, he is the focal point of the Pelicans' offense, as well as one of the best defensive players in the league. If he can manage to stay on the court for 82 games, Davis could be in line for a ridiculous season. Dial him up as a top-five overall selection on draft day.
Kevin Durant (OKC) - Fractured Right Foot / Out Until Early December
Durant could have officially supplanted LeBron James as not only the best forward in fantasy hoops but also the unquestioned top overall selection in drafts this season, but his recent foot injury has now put a damper on that potential development. The reigning MVP averaged 32.0 points per game last season to lead the NBA in scoring, finishing nearly five points per game ahead of Carmelo Anthony in second place. He was also one of only seven forwards to average more than 5.0 assists per game.
Last season, Durant recorded career-highs in points, threes and assists. Along with his elite shooting percentages, he also averages better than a steal and a block per game for his career. Trailing only his teammate Russell Westbrook, Durant came in second in the league in usage rate while ranking first in PER. There is simply no one on the planet that can top his across-the-board production, and it is scary to think this guy is only getting better.
Kevin Love (CLE)
The Black Eyed Peas famously asked the question, Where Is The Love? Well, he is now in Cleveland along with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to form the league’s newest Big Three. Love was pretty much the whole show during his tenure in Minnesota, and there are some concerns that there may not be enough balls to go around in Cleveland to justify his high price tag on draft day. However, Love possesses a unique skill set that is hard to come by in fantasy basketball.
Love was an absolute beast last season, finishing in the top-five in the NBA in points and rebounds, and just outside the top-five in three-pointers made. In fact, he set career-highs in points, threes, assists and steals last season. It is feasible that he loses a couple of points off his scoring average from a year ago, but otherwise his value should remain unchanged. Love is not the greatest defender, and does carry some injury risk, but he is still well worth a late first-round selection in fantasy drafts.
Carmelo Anthony (NYK)
Anthony is one of the premier forwards in the NBA today, as he is a perennial threat to lead the league in scoring. Last year, he posted career-highs in three-pointers made as well as rebounds. The last couple of seasons, by necessity, Melo has been chucking up shots in mass quantities, as the cast of players around him has been injured or subpar at best. This year the Knicks have made some upgrades.
The addition of Jose Calderon should allow Anthony to get some better shots and thus improve his efficiency. He will be the focal point in the Knicks' new triangle offense and could flourish in that role this season. The seven-time All-Star should not last past the first round in most upcoming fantasy drafts.
