Player Tiers: Small Forwards

Categorized as: Author: Patrick, Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball Strategy, Fantasy Draft Cheatsheet 2007
Posted on: October 21st, 2007

I’ve gone through the power forward and center tiers. Now it’s time for the small forwards. As always, you can find the tiers for all positions in the GMTR player tier spreadsheet.

Tier 1
LeBron James (SF) – 4

James is in a small forward league by himself. He finished last season ranked in the 20’s on the player rater, but that was solely due to his horrible free throw percentage. Can he improve that that this year? It’s the only thing holding him back from being the best fantasy player in the league.

Tier 2
Josh Smith (GF) – 16
Andre Iguodala (GF) – 17
Paul Pierce (GF) – 24
Rashard Lewis (SF) – 21
Carmelo Anthony (SF) – 26

A lot of different types of players in this tier. Smith’s percentages are horrible, but he is a rebounding and blocking machine. Iguodala is the man on the Sixers and will be one of the league leaders in steals. Pierce and Anthony are a great source of points, while Lewis averaged 2.5 threes a game last season.

Tier 3
Caron Butler (SF) – 32
Kevin Durant (GF) – 43
Josh Howard (GF) – 47
Ron Artest (SF) – 48
Mike Miller (GF) – 51
Luol Deng (GF) – 52

Much more so than power forwards and centers, the third small forward tier delivers some real studs like Bulter, Howard, Miller, and Deng. Durant is a wildcard, but he’s been basically been given the reigns of the Sonics, so the points, rebounds, and assists should be there for him. Artest is insane and has already been suspended for the first 7 games of the season, but hey, if everything else works out…

Tier 4
Andrei Kirilenko (F) – 66
Danny Granger (F) – 68
Corey Maggette (GF) – 77
Richard Jefferson (SF) – 81
Rudy Gay (GF) – 80

Tier four contains three guys looking to bounce back from off years and two young guys who should take big steps up this season. But only one of these guys gets a free poon card once a year.

Tier 5
Josh Childress (GF) – 79
Tyrus Thomas (F) – 92
Andres Nocioni (F) – 99
Peja Stojakovic (GF) – 100
Morris Peterson (GF) – 101
Tayshaun Prince (SF) – 105
Shane Battier (SF) – 114
Walter Herrmann (F) – 120
Mike Dunleavy (GF) – 131
Marvin Williams (GF) – 133

I put Childress in tier five because he’s not going to be starting this season. He’s always been the type of guy who needs a lot of minutes (35+) to get his. Walter Herrmann was a stud at the end of last season and his stock is rising now that Sean May is done for the season. Peja’s back is still hurting him, but if you’re up for the risk, there is always the chance he could be a top 50 player again. And I like Nocioni this year for some reason that I can’t explain.

Tier 6
Jeff Green (F) – 110
Luke Walton (SF) – 121
Travis Outlaw (F) – 135
Quentin Richardson (GF) – 135
Hedo Turkoglu (GF) – 150
Grant Hill (GF) – 150
Gerald Green (GF) – 157
Matt Harpring (GF) – ND
Jerry Stackhouse (GF) – ND
Ruben Patterson (F) – ND
Matt Barnes (SF) – ND
Adam Morrison (GF) – ND

Someone out of tier six is going to break out this season, but your guess is as good as mine as to who that is going to be. Jeff Green is going to get big minutes on a young Seattle team. Luke Walton racks up the all round stats… when he’s healthy. Travis Outlaw could be a good source of steals, blocks and points, but I don’t think the minutes are going to be there this year. Q-Rich was also good when healthy last year. Dare I mention the name Grant Hill? He’s looked good in the preseason.

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