First Month Report Card: Top 20 Centers in Fantasy Basketball

Categorized as: Author: Erik, Fantasy Basketball
Posted on: January 25th, 2012

Using GMTR’s Player Rater, here are the Top 20 centers for fantasy basketball from December 25, 2011 to January 25, 2012. These rankings are based on competition using nine categories (PTS, REB, AST, STL, BLK. FG%, FT%, TO), for Head-to-Head leagues.

1. Marc Gasol (0.97) – The “more power than finesse” version of his older brother Pau, Marc is doing it all in fantasy and doing it well. He should continue to be dominant while Zach Randolph is injured. I projected this leap to happen last season. Oh well, better late than never. Right?
2. Andrea Bargnani (0.86) – He delivers the best small forward numbers at the center position in the league. Our rater seems to like that unique and quirky mix.
3. Al Jefferson (0.83) – He made a fantasy comeback last season and it looks like he and Paul Millsap have inherited and taken ownership of the Jazz. After Gasol, Al-Jeff has had the best all-around “true big man” game so far.
4. Marcin Gortat (0.76) – To think he used to back up that guy at #7 in ORL. Gortat has now gained entrance into the Elite Center echelon. Too much?
5. Spencer Hawes (0.72) – He started off strong, but is already getting hampered by injuries. His reliability remains in question for fantasy.
6. Tyson Chandler (0.72) – The Mavs are missing him, but the Knicks were willing to pay. Owners are getting their draft day money’s worth so far.
7. Dwight Howard (0.69) – In a world where Basketball didn’t include free throws, he’d be Superman. Ah such fantasies…
8. Al Horford (0.6) – This just goes to show how much of a shame it is that we’re missing him for the rest of the fantasy season. Get well soon, Al!
9. Andrew Bogut (0.59) – Rebounds and blocks are down from last season. A hectic season may take its toll on this injury prone stud.
10. Samuel Dalembert (0.57) – He’s found a new home in Houston and has found renewed fantasy relevance. As long as they’re thin at C, he’ll continue to shine.
11. Roy Hibbert (0.5) – We’re liking his improvement in scoring and rebounding. Free-throw shooting and more TOs, not so much. Consistency will be the key to his improvement.
12. JaVale McGee (0.47) – Maturity is still an issue and apparently so is the Wizards as a whole. He’s still a solid source for REB, BLK, and STL.
13. Andrew Bynum (0.45) – Andrew and Pau are currently being overshadowed by Kobe 3.0. He’s also learning new system under Mike Brown.
14. DeAndre Jordan (0.42) – He currently leads the league in BPG (3.2) and should still improve as he gets used to his expanded role with the Clippers.
15. Anderson Varejao (0.34) – He’s anchoring what little Cleveland has of a front court, and his stats are making for a nice bounce-back season for him.
16. DeMarcus Cousins (0.34) – He’s got issues. He’s a headcase and a brat. But you can get passed that when you’re loving his improvement in the counting categories this season.
17. Nene Hilario (0.29) – For Nene it’s all a matter of being able to stay healthy enough to be productive. God knows the Nuggets need him in the paint.
18. Marcus Camby (0.19) – Seemingly immortal. Still injury-prone. Surprisingly more fantasy relevant than projected.
19. Joakim Noah (0.18) – Carlos Boozer has adjusted to joining the Bulls. Is there not enough space in the paint for both of them? Noah’s been a big disappointment so far.
20. Emeka Okafor (0.15) – In the maelstrom that is Monty Williams’ roster shuffling in the frontcourt, thankfully Meka’s role has remained unchallenged.

Top 20 in other positions: PG, SG, SF, PF

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Tags: Al Jefferson, Anderson Varejao, Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bogut, Andrew Bynum, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, Marc Gasol, Marcin Gortat, Nene Hilario, Roy Hihbbert, Samuel Dalembert, Spencer Hawes, Tyson Chandler