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Your force in the middle.  The Center.  Or Centre, if you’re a British reader… “Those Americans are so pompous!”  I actually like Centre, seems more regal.  And why I like Fantasy Basketball!  It’s the biggest sport worldwide, and I know from some of the loyal commenters we’re helping fantasy owners on the global scale.  Take that Jay and Razzball Football!  We’re trying to start a workplace rivalry…  So back to Cs this year, as I mentioned in the PF Tiers, more than I can ever remember there are PF that are C eligible.  No need to reach for the C eligibility.  The C&C Music Factory is redundant!  Overall ranks come from Razzball’s top 200 for 2014-15 Fantasy Basketball, and below are this year’s C broken down into tiers (C as determined by Yahoo position eligibility since 2014-15 RCL Basketball is on Yahoo), along with my mini-blurb and Slim’s projection:

The “I’m Hoping to End Up with the Brow on as Many Teams as Possible” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
12Anthony Davis, NOPPF, CVery legit chance of going 20/10 with a rainbow line. Well, we can dream and he could be really close. As close as his brows!
Slim’s Proj:.510/.780/0.4/23.5/9.8/1.8/1.5/3.0/1.9 :38

The “I’m Reach-Around-Ing for Ibaka Yet Again This Year!” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
27Serge Ibaka, OKCPF, CIblocka! Plus he should take another baby step forward in FG%, Pts, treys… There’s really nothing not to like.
Slim’s Proj:.525/.770/0.6/17.0/9.3/1.2/0.5/3.0/1.5 :34
38Kevin Love, CLEPF, CWith LeBron and Varejao cutting into his boards, Kyrie will also slash his points and treys. Still a multi-cat contributor, but not the top-5 stud while in Minny.
Slim’s Proj:.465/.820/2.3/21.0/11.2/2.6/0.7/0.4/2.1 :36

The “Ridiculous, I’m Gonna Get Caught Up in the Crossfire Run on Big Men” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
412DeMarcus Cousins, SACPF, CFinally put it all together last year, and should once again set a career mark in scoring with IT2 replaced by Collison.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.740/0/24.0/12.0/3.0/1.6/1.3/3.5 :34
513Paul Millsap, ATLPF, CA bit of a reach, but his best month of scoring/treys in 13-14 was with Horford on the court, and will continue to develop the perimeter game with Horford establishing the paint.
Slim’s Proj:.465/.740/1.0/19.0/8.7/3.1/1.8/1.0/2.5 :36
614Al Horford, ATLPF, CWas having a career season until the pec injury. Same argument as Millsap – another perimeter threat will help Horford down low.
Slim’s Proj:.540/.720/0/18.0/8.9/3.0/1.0/1.3/2.2 :34
715LaMarcus Aldridge, PORPF, CThe FG% from a big is no fun, but a sneaky multi-cat contributor.
Slim’s Proj:.455/.810/0/22.0/9.8/2.5/0.9/0.9/1.9 :36
816Al Jefferson, CHAPF, CHad an unreal run in the second half of 13-14, going 25.2/11.4/2.3/1/1 from Jan. 14 to the end of the year. Plantar fascia seems to be a non-issue.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.730/0/20.0/10.0/2.0/1.0/1.0/1.7 :34
917Dirk Nowitzki, DALPF, CThe age is the question, but I don’t see much of a fall off. That said, boards are trending down.
Slim’s Proj:.475/.880/1.4/21.0/6.2/2.6/0.9/0.6/1.5 :34
1018Blake Griffin, LACPF, CA breakout last year, I think he replicates his 13-14. But why in the name of Mutumbo can this guy not block more shots?!
Slim’s Proj:.530/.720/0/24.0/9.4/4.0/1.2/0.6/2.7 :36

The “I’m Going to Plagiarize my PF Tiers and Call This the ‘I’m Moving Bosh and Drummond Up in my Overall Ranks'” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
1128Chris Bosh, MIAPF, CLeBron gone gives the perennial high-floor option a high-ceiling as well. Expansion of a perimeter game and more shots his way should yield another top-30 season.
Slim’s Proj:.495/.820/0.7/18.0/7.4/2.2/0.9/1.0/1.9 :34
1229Nikola Vucevic, ORLPF, CHas always been underrated, should have another 1+ 5-cat line with his minutes bouncing back up and terrific %s.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.770/0/16.0/11.8/1.9/1.0/1.0/2.0 :34
1332Marc Gasol, MEMC19th overall player final two months, and that’s after recovering from a bad MCL sprain. Started slow under the Joerger regime, I’m stoked if Gasol falls to me here.
Slim’s Proj:.480/.780/0/15.0/7.8/3.8/1.0/1.4/1.9 :34
1433Joakim Noah, CHIPF, CHad a career season without Rose, obvious regression to hit and lengthy track record of lingering injuries scares me.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.740/0/12.0/10.4/3.8/1.2/1.6/2.1 :34
1536Andre Drummond, DETPF, CStan Van Gundy to emphasis rotations for defensive efficiency, FT% could have him losing some late minutes, but the output was mammothian last year and should be again in 14-15. A lot of people are reaching, but I’m not getting him close to top 20.
Slim’s Proj:.600/.440/0/14.5/12.9/0.5/1.4/1.7/1.5 :34

The “Shopping for Party Favors at Party City!” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
1641Derrick Favors, UTAPF, CSo, so underrated. Shot 52.2% from the field last year, and with a terrible supporting cast, was creating his own post opportunities. Played only 30 MPG last year, will get expanded if he can cut down the fouls and boost the board and blocks.
Slim’s Proj:.505/.690/0/16.0/9.6/1.4/1.1/1.8/2.0 :34
1742DeAndre Jordan, LACCPlayed 3 minutes less a game post-ASB, and getting benched late is a worry for me. No way he plays 35 per in 14-15. I think we see more hack-a-Dre.
Slim’s Proj:.650/.440/0/9.5/11.7/0.8/0.9/2.1/1.3 :32
1847Brook Lopez, BKNCWas 12th overall in per-game value in a short 13-14 sample, injury-risk still a big concern, but upside is tremendous.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.790/0/18.0/6.0/1.0/0.5/1.6/1.7 :30
1949Pau Gasol, CHIPF, CFG% should jump back up on a better team, out-of-position dimes are huge, chips in blocks still as well… Not much to not like other than injury risk.
Slim’s Proj:.500/.750/0/16.0/8.4/2.9/0.4/1.3/1.8 :30
2051Nerlens Noel, PHIPF, CThis should put him on all of my teams. Immense upside, more polished offensive game than he gets credit for – the probable minutes limitation does make it a gamble.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.680/0/10.5/7.4/1.3/1.5/2.6/1.9 :28
2152Marcin Gortat, WASCHuge season in Wizards debut, should have no problem having a comparable encore.
Slim’s Proj:.545/.680/0/13.0/9.4/1.5/0.5/1.4/1.5 :32
2253Tim Duncan, SASPF, CDespite losing minutes and a racking up a couple DNPs, finished top-40 last year.
Slim’s Proj:.480/.740/0/14.0/8.9/2.5/0.5/1.5/1.8 :28
2354Dwight Howard, HOUPF, CFT shooting kills him in 9-cat, would be near elite in non-FT/non-TO leagues. Ultimate league settings-variable pick.
Slim’s Proj:.580/.550/0/18.0/11.9/1.6/0.9/1.9/2.9 :34
2459David Lee, GSWPF, CBoring Pts/Reb guy, solid %s and high-floor keep him top-60.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.780/0/17.0/8.9/2.4/0.7/0.3/2.1 :30
2562Ryan Anderson, NOPPF, COut-of-position treys with virtually no TOs makes him a good pair with the bigger name PGs, while spinal injury last year is scary, I think he’ll bounce back and be healthy.
Slim’s Proj:.430/.850/2.4/15.0/6.2/1.0/0.4/0.3/0.9 :28

The “I’m Gonna Slam Robin Lopez for Being Terrible at Basketball No Matter What the Stats Say!” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
2673Robin Lopez, PORCPlayed 82 games past two years, and low TOs help the overall seasonal-ranking. I probably should be higher, but just can’t get over how not great at basketball he is…
Slim’s Proj:.540/.810/0/11.0/8.6/0.8/0.4/1.6/1.0 :32
2777Greg Monroe, DETPF, CJennings and Smoove and their inefficiencies hurt his 13-14 campaign, Stan Van should help make the team efficient again and Monroe can bounce back.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.680/0/16.5/9.6/2.4/1.2/0.7/1.8 :34
2882Nikola Pekovic, MINCSlightly empty Pts/Reb/FG%, and does have some injury risk, but a stalwart while in there.
Slim’s Proj:.530/.740/0/17.0/8.7/1.0/0.6/0.6/1.7 :30
2983Larry Sanders, MILPF, CSo hard to rank, so hard to like as a person, but upside is still there and his contract means he’s going to at least get a shot. Henson might start, however Sanders was still a monster in 12-13 at 27 MPG. I’m not reaching; that said, not explicitly passing either.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.560/0/9.0/8.1/1.1/0.9/2.3/1.2 :28
3084Markieff Morris, PHOPF, CPer-36 26/11.3/3.4/1.6/1.4 with 0.8 treys a game last year, and looking at a role close to those minutes. Sleeper patrol!
Slim’s Proj:.480/.790/0.8/17.0/6.8/2.2/1.0/0.9/2.2 :34
3185Channing Frye, ORLPF, CHis former teammate is going to be an out-of-position ThrAGNOF king in Orlando where no one else is a perimeter threat.
Slim’s Proj:.430/.810/2.0/11.0/5.6/1.2/0.7/0.8/1.0 :30
3286Jonas Valanciunas, TORCVastly improved post-ASB, especially with FG% from 50 to 58, and maybe had some sophomore-slump-itis or an injury most of last year. Upside to bounce back, but I can’t reach after being burnt last year.
Slim’s Proj:.540/.780/0/13.5/9.0/0.8/0.4/1.1/1.8 :30

The “Collection of Mostly Boring Vets Except the Sweet, Sweet Upside of the Muppet Man!” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
3392Zach Randolph, MEMPF, CConsistency! And Pts/Reb! And that’s it…
Slim’s Proj:.465/.750/0/16.0/9.4/2.3/0.7/0.3/2.1 :32
3493Taj Gibson, CHIPF, CDurable, and even as a 6th man should get to 30 minutes especially behind brittle bigs. Underrated blocker.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.730/0/14.0/7.2/1.2/0.5/1.5/1.8 :30
35101John Henson, MILPF, CEarly news is he’ll get the first shot to start, and in 23 starts last year 13.3/8.5/2/0.5/2. Poor man’s FT-punt big! If news hold he starts, will move 10-20 up.
Slim’s Proj:.530/.530/0/12.0/7.9/1.7/ 0.7/1.7/1.7 :28
36102Andrew Bogut, GSWCAlways ends up ranked higher than you’d expect, but always ends up as hurt as you’d expect…
Slim’s Proj:.570/.450/0/7.5/9.5/1.6/0.6/1.6/1.4 :26
37104Spencer Hawes, LACPF, CA revelation last year, should still get must-own minutes as Clips’ 6th man.
Slim’s Proj:.465/.770/1.4/11.5/7.4/2.3/0.4/1.0/1.7 :28
38106Tyson Chandler, DALCReturn to Dallas will solidify a nice late Reb/Blk contribution.
Slim’s Proj:.600/.660/0/8.0/9.4/1.0/0.6/1.1/1.2 :30
39108Jared Sullinger, BOSPF, C13.9/9/1.8/0.5/0.8 with 0.8 treys in 44 starts last year, in 29:33 a game. Markieff Morris-lite.
Slim’s Proj:.440/.780/1.0/15.0/8.4/1.8/0.6/0.7/1.9 :30

The “I’m Avoiding Roy Hibbert and Hoping to Scoop Up Plumlee in a Ton of Leagues” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
40114Amir Johnson, TORPF, CLingering ankle issue and Raptors PF depth scare me.
Slim’s Proj:.560/.680/0.3/12.0/7.6/1.6/0.9/1.4/1.7 :30
41116Josh McRoberts, MIAPF, CShould repeat 13-14 numbers – overall value last year inflated a bit by low TO. Solid plug-n-play for across the board stats.
Slim’s Proj:.440/.730/1.3/10.0/5.6/3.9/0.8/0.6/1.1 :30
42117Jordan Hill, LALPF, C13/8.9/0.8/0.5/1.1 in 32 starts last year, but still in under 25 minutes a game. Per-36s look great, needs the conistsnt run.
Slim’s Proj:.530/.720/0/14.0/8.3/0.9/0.7/1.4/1.6 :28
43118Roy Hibbert, INDCI’m not touching Hibbert unless he falls way down and I need blocks.
Slim’s Proj:.450/.760/0/12.0/7.1/1.3/0.4/2.1/1.9 :28
44123Mason Plumlee, BKNPF, CCould shoot way up for me if news is encouraging on his 14-15 role, per-36s in rookie year were very solid.
Slim’s Proj:.550/.650/0/13.5/8.3/1.3/1.0/1.2/2.1 :28
45125Anderson Varejao, CLEPF, CBig rebounds and not too much else in a sub-30 MPG role, does sneak in a steal a game for you from a big.
Slim’s Proj:.500/.670/0/8.0/9.2/2.0/1.0/0.6/1.1 :26
46126Nene Hilario, WASPF, CWorth a reach if punting FT or TO, would be higher if he wasn’t so old and injury prone.
Slim’s Proj:.500/.660/0/13.0/5.8/2.6/1.1/0.8/1.9 :28
47131Omer Asik, NOPPF, CBeyond boards and a block a game, doesn’t do too much and won’t get huge minutes. FT drain a bugaboo too.
Slim’s Proj:.540/.600/0/9.0/10.2/0.5/0.5/1.2/1.8 :28
48134Andrea Bargnani, NYKPF, C13.7/5.3/1.1/0.3/1.3 with 0.7 treys and only 1.3 TOs in 23 starts last year, and a good fit for the Triangle offense. There’s upside there, even if it’s hard to believe…
Slim’s Proj:.430/.820/0.8/13.0/4.6/0.9/0.4/0.8/1.4 :28
49136Miles Plumlee, PHOPF, CCompletely fell off when the calendar turned to 2014, but for a late source of blocks, Frye let go will open up more minutes.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.580/0/9.0/8.0/ 0.6/0.6/1.2/1.4 :26

The “There’s Actually a Lot of Upside Options with your Last Pick for Blocks Like McGee, Wright and Gobert” Tier:

C RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
50142Brandan Wright, DALPF, CNot too much depth behind Dirk and Tyson, and both are way up there in age giving Wright a shot at more than expected minutes.
Slim’s Proj:.600/.700/0/10.5/4.9/0.7/0.7/1.1/0.8 :22
51149Enes Kanter, UTACTerrible on defense and was much better against second units. Youth and opportunity still remain for some late boarding upside.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.740/0/13.0/7.6/1.0/0.4/0.6/1.9 :28
52155JaVale McGee, DENCBlocks upside still there, will have to compete for minutes.
Slim’s Proj:.530/.590/0/10.0/6.8/0.5/0.5/1.7/1.5 :24
53158Henry Sims, PHIC13.1/7.7/2/0.9/0.4 with only 1.4 TO in final 19 games last year, and should start for most of the year until Embiid is 100% ready.
Slim’s Proj:.500/.750/0/12.0/7.2/1.8/0.9/0.5/1.4 :28
54159Steven Adams, OKCCAll the upside in the world for his career, not going to score much, but board, steals and blocks upside.
Slim’s Proj:.540/.620/0/7.0/7.1/ 0.8/0.7/1.0/1.3 :24
55164Alex Len, PHOCWith no one else behind Mason Plumlee, who really fell off last year, the former #5 pick could be a really interesting off-the-radar surprise.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.660/0/5.5/5.1/ 0.6/0.2/0.8/1.2 :18
56167Boris Diaw, SASPF, CLate source of out-of-position assists, giving you 2.8 a game last year from a center.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.720/0.5/8.5/4.1/2.8/0.6/0.4/1.5 :24
57168Gorgui Dieng, MINCI usually don’t rank guys with so low upside for minutes this high, but he was so good late last year that he’s a must-own in deeper leagues if he gets a shot should/when Pek gets hurt.
Slim’s Proj:.510/.680/0/7.5/7.6/ 0.9/0.6/0.9/1.1 :20
58172Chris Andersen, MIAPF, CA surprise value last year, should have similar numbers with maybe a few extra minutes.
Slim’s Proj:.560/.680/0/7.0/6.6/0.2/0.5/1.7/0.9 :22
59173Samuel Dalembert, NYKCI think Jason Smith is going to steal more minutes than you’d expect, still some late blocks upside.
Slim’s Proj:.560/.750/0/9.0/7.9/0.7/0.6/1.3/1.3 :24
60174Carlos Boozer, LALPF, CEven though he only scores and boards, starting minutes should be there.
Slim’s Proj:.480/.730/0/14.0/8.5/1.7/0.7/0.3/2.1 :28
61175Timofey Mozgov, DENCMcGee to reclaim some minutes, Mozgov is the boring one of the pair.
Slim’s Proj:.530/.750/0/8.5/6.2/0.7/0.3/1.2/1.5 :20
62179Kris Humphries, WASPF, CBackup PF/C minutes galore, with both guys ahead of him old and injury-prone. Solid when given run last year.
Slim’s Proj:.500/.800/0/10.0/6.6/1.0/0.5/1.0/1.0 :24
63184Luis Scola, INDPF, CHibbert could continue to be awful, Mahinmi is hurt, there’s just no depth on that front line.
Slim’s Proj:.470/.750/0/8.0/5.2/1.2/0.3/0.2/1.4 :20
64185Kelly Olynyk, BOSCA decent NBA player, but not a good starter and will be stuck in a minutes logjam.
Slim’s Proj:.480/.810/0.8/12.0/7.1/2.7/0.5/0.5/1.9 :28
65187Jason Smith, NYKPF, CLate-round flyer for some boards and a block, should see some decent minutes behind Dalembert.
Slim’s Proj:.460/.770/0/8.0/4.8/0.6/0.3/0.9/0.9 :20
66188Rudy Gobert, UTACMonsieur Elbow! Blocks upside and the only C option behind the terrible Enes Kanter give him some upside, always in foul trouble and can’t hit FT hurts him though.
Slim’s Proj:.560/.580/0/5.0/7.2/0.3/0.3/1.5/1.3 :20
67191Tiago Splitter, SASCNo upside, but hits all cats for a roster-filler in deep leagues.
Slim’s Proj:.540/.710/0/9.0/6.2/1.5/0.6/0.6/1.2 :22

 

Wow, so as I mentioned in the title of that last tier, tons of names for upside blocks late… Gobert, Mozgov, Dalembert, McGee, Dieng, Andersen, Wright… Might be a little bit of an overrated stat this year, even though it won’t sway my Ibaka love!  Can’t discount the emerging perimeter game and % consistency… I hope you like how we did the position breakdown this year, as always shoot your thoughts below and happy Centre-drafting!