Yahoo Sports Position Primer: Small Forward
Position Primers: PG | SG | SF | PF | C
This is the third in a series of fantasy basketball position primers in preparation for the 2008-09 season. In the five primers, we will examine the statistical production fantasy owners should expect in general from players at each position, discuss a general draft strategy for each, and break down players by tiers.
Average Stats
Note: The stat averages listed below are the combined averages of the top 25 players at the position in season-ending "Rank" from each of the past three seasons.
POS | FG% | FGA | FT% | FTA | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | Rank |
SF | .466 | 1095 | .789 | 373 | 1.33 | 18.6 | 6.3 | 3.2 | 1.26 | 0.72 | 2.1 | 34 |
Great overall numbers should be your expectations when you draft SF, even though the position doesn't lead in any single statistical category. One thing SF does lead in is average rank, thanks to either a second place (3PTM, PTS, STL) or third place (FG%, FT%, REB, AST, BLK, TO) finish in every stat.
Draft Strategy
Even if you don't use a first round pick on a SF, there's a decent chance you'll have rostered two or three by the time the mid-rounds arrive. Early ADP numbers have 18 players with SF eligibility in the top 50, tops at any position, and you can go 30 deep at the position and still be looking at fantasy players on whom you should place fairly serious expectations for production. You'll find the single-greatest range in contributions from the SF position, as well – you've got big-time offense from Rashard Lewis, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant; you can load up on the defensive stats by way of Josh Smith, Rudy Gay, and Gerald Wallace; or you can go the across-the-board route via Caron Butler, Vince Carter, and Ron Artest.
The rankings (below) are based on the nine Yahoo! default categories (FG%, FT%, 3PTM, PTS, REB, AST, STL, BLK, TO), with the general assumption that you are trying to win and/or be competitive in each of the nine categories.
TIER 1 | 07-08 | Bias | Notes |
6 | h2h | Imagine how far ahead of everyone he'd be if he could make his free throws | |
14 | Won't be back to Phoenix prime, but expect top 10 line on this edition of Heat | ||
Caron Butler | 34 | Per-game numbers rank among a select few, but full season has eluded him | |
12 | He's the man with O'Neal out of town; post-break numbers were silly | ||
TIER 2 | 07-08 | Bias | Notes |
Rashard Lewis | 13 | roto | Elite combination of offense and efficiency has made him a roto force |
Josh Smith | 19 | h2h | Line is among game's most unique; efficiency challenges play better in h2h |
11 | Much-improved %'s buoyed rank; he'll only repeat if that doesn't change | ||
27 | He's already near the upper escelon and Brand's presence will only help | ||
18 | Doesn't need to score 20-plus any more, but overall line didn't suffer | ||
Rudy Gay | 24 | Gets some help in Mayo, but still something of an island of talent on Grizz | |
Vince Carter | 30 | Appears very motivated at this point, and we all know it's up to him | |
23 | roto | Crazy-good combination of volume stats (PTS, REB, 3PTM) and low TO | |
Carmelo Anthony | 33 | h2h | Absolute gold in no-TO leagues; hard to find more guaranteed offense |
TIER 3 | 07-08 | Bias | Notes |
Ron Artest | 69 | Per-game stats are fantastic; value pick here if he can play 75ish games | |
36 | Full scope of game was finally on display and his situation hasn't changed | ||
20 | roto | Team's system sure suits him; be sure to monitor status reports (tendinitis) | |
65 | Top-tier offensive contributor has upside from here; down season in 07-08 | ||
Gerald Wallace | 72 | Hard to find balance between stat potential and health concerns; X-factor | |
Kevin Durant | 63 | Love the offensive talent, but I'm not banking on 9-cat contributions (yet) | |
40 | Could emerge as more of a ball-handler in offense; will put up numbers | ||
78 | Role and subsequent fantasy impact figure to be roughly the same | ||
77 | Has to stay healthy, but figures to flourish in wide-open GSW offense | ||
51 | Upside remains, he just seems less likely to reach it at this point | ||
112 | Looks like serious bargain after tumultuous season; Rank of 18 in 06-07 | ||
54 | Will score plenty in his new digs, but where did the D stats go? (REB, STL) | ||
TIER 4 | 07-08 | Bias | Notes |
- | Multi-cat game projects to be a great fit alongside Wade and Marion | ||
55 | h2h | Plentiful overall line will be offset with single-largest FG% detriment | |
39 | roto | Amazing 0.8 TO last season and plenty of 3PTM, but marginal in most areas | |
50 | Peak three-year averages (16/8, 1.7 STL, 3 BLK) now sound like a fairy tale | ||
127 | h2h | Where's T-Mac? with health already in question, fairly far down the ranks | |
TIER 5 | 07-08 | Bias | Notes |
89 | Artest's departure opens up a consistent significant role | ||
76 | Will play multiple positions and see consistent minutes, even as a reserve | ||
46 | roto | Cumulative 9-cat roto impact dwarfs what he brings in other settings | |
160 | Starting spot is his to lose; as much upside as you'll find at this point | ||
53 | roto | Roto glue guy sneaky-good contributor, but potential for timeshare | |
88 | roto | Low-risk, reasonable reward pick since he's looking at around 30 mpg again | |
49 | roto | Roto legend dealing with Artest's arrival and foot issues, but still worth a pick | |
134 | Hard to get too excited due to spot in pecking order, but can do some things | ||
86 | Will his game ever expand to more than a few points and some boards? | ||
TIER 6 | 07-08 | Bias | Notes |
169 | His skills play in the Suns' system, and there is potential for him to start | ||
59 | Inconsistent and role is TBD, but you won't find more STL this late | ||
60 | May move to bench as team wants to limit regular season minutes | ||
91 | Crowded depth chart, but Ricky always finds a way to produce in fantasy | ||
96 | Has regressed in fantasy; fairly boring pick without much upside | ||
102 | A great fit for the Hornets, but his game doesn't always transfer to fantasy | ||
157 | Should approach career high in minutes, but low-priority in team offense | ||
220 | Has a chance to carve out consistent role, but nothing will be handed to him | ||
123 | Talented offensive player but scope of opportunity doesn't look huge | ||
180 | Showed some promise as a rookie, but also issues in all things efficiency | ||
107 | Per-48 stats have him among 'most likely to succeed' in starting role | ||
204 | Serious BLK sleeper could be looking at a starting gig; boom/bust pick | ||
TIER 7 | 07-08 | Bias | Notes |
212 | Didn't accomplish much with reasonable rookie minutes; not expecting leap | ||
125 | Ever-intriguing potential but once again coming off bench for deep squad | ||
121 | Nothing has changed about his role or in terms of expected production | ||
293 | D'Antoni has been talking him up, and that's reason enough to target him | ||
110 | Looking at expanded role and team will need all offense all the time | ||
143 | Makes some threes, but that's it; seems to only serve to hold Outlaw back |
07-08: season-ending Yahoo! rank (default 9-cat cumulative value)
BIAS: Notes when a player's 9-cat line is more favorable in roto or h2h leagues; if blank, the player's overall impact is relatively even in both
