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Sex.  Money.  Power.  Forwards.  Yes, it’s time to tier up the PF, who I’m sure are having plenty of sex and have plenty of money out there… Just ask Larry Sanders!  A lot of your PF are also going to have that sweet, sweet C of eligibility as well, making fantasy teams – especially in Yahoo/RCLs – pretty easy to manage on the front line.  No more reaching for Joel Przybilla!  Or Primoz Brezec!  Ah, memory lane…  Overall ranks come from Razzball’s top 200 for 2014-15 Fantasy Basketball, and below are this year’s PF broken down into tiers (PF as determined by Yahoo position eligibility since 2014-15 RCL Basketball is on Yahoo), along with my mini-blurb and Slim’s projection:

The “Front-Running MVPs of the NBA” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
11Kevin Durant, OKCSF, PFLess expected than an M. Night Shyamalan twist – apparently his next movie is called “Labor of Love”. The twist? Bruce Willis is actually Kevin Love. And is an alien.
Slim’s Proj:.505/.880/2.2/31.0/7.6/5.0/1.3/0.8/3.5 :38
22Anthony 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
34LeBron James, CLESF, PFDisappearing blocks, regressing boards – especially with Love joining – and arguably the best supporting cast with the best PG he’s played with. Less rock for King!
Slim’s Proj:.550/.750/1.3/25.0/6.4/5.9/1.6/0.4/3.2 :38

The “I’m stoked to get Ibaka Late in the First Round and Pass on Melo Even Though No One Else Seems To!” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
47Serge 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
58Kevin 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
611Carmelo Anthony, NYKSF, PFI don’t expect the career highs in boards and blocks to carry over to 14-15, but will be the same elite scorer for Phil J’s triangle.
Slim’s Proj:.455/.830/2.2/27.0/6.8/3.5/1.0/0.5/2.6 :38

The “Ridiculous, Unrelenting, You’ll-Get-Swept-Up-in-it-Too Run on Big Men” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
712DeMarcus 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
813Paul 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
914Al 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
1015LaMarcus 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
1116Al 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
1217Dirk 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
1318Blake 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 Think in My First Update of the Rankings I’m Moving Bosh and Drummond Up” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
1428Chris 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
1529Nikola 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
1633Joakim 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
1734Rudy Gay, SACSF, PFThe high TOs from a F are annoying, but he’s reliable and durable for what he is.
Slim’s Proj:.445/.790/0.7/19.0/5.5/2.8/1.3/0.6/2.8 :34
1836Andre 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 “I Can’t Believe I Didn’t Get Favors OR Noel in My First RCL Draft!” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
1940Chandler Parsons, DALSF, PFImmediately makes me a Mavs fan, but still in a high-powered offense and won’t vault too much in value. I’m hoping his ADP is a round lower.
Slim’s Proj:.470/.750/1.7/15.5/5.6/3.9/1.2/0.4/1.8 :36
2041Derrick 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
2149Pau 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
2251Nerlens 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
2353Tim 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
2454Dwight 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
2555Thaddeus Young, MINSF, PFMove to Minnesota will hurt his offense, but out-of-position steals help cement his fairly high-floor.
Slim’s Proj:.460/.710/0.9/16.5/6.0/2.1/1.7/0.5/2.0 :34

The “Mostly Boring Vets, Except the Always Exciting Manimal!” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
2659David 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
2762Ryan 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
2868Luol Deng, MIASF, PFI see a good resurgence in Miami, was having a really big year in Chicago before being awful post-trade. He fits better in South Beach.
Slim’s Proj:.430/.770/0.9/16.0/5.4/2.6/1.0/0.2/1.5 :34
2972Kenneth Faried, DENPFSlim has him two rounds earlier, I just don’t see enough consistency beyond Pts/Reb. Bad FT% doesn’t help either despite post-ASB improvements. Don’t overreach based on USA play.
Slim’s Proj:.540/.700/0/19.0/10.4/1.6/1.1/0.9/2.3 :32
3074David West, INDPFSomebody has to score for the Pacers, and West was so underrated last year with a 46th overall finish. Should be an easy value target in the mids.
Slim’s Proj:.480/.790/0/15.5/7.2/2.8/0.8/0.8/1.9 :30
3275Josh Smith, DETSF, PFThis rank is hoping Stan Van Gundy gets through to him and Smith improves the terrible %s and TOs. If he becomes a sixth man, I think he can maintain big Stl/Blk numbers even in reduced minutes.
Slim’s Proj:.430/.560/0.7/15.0/6.6/3.1/1.2/1.4/2.4 :32
3377Greg 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

The “Time to Reach for Your Sleepers – Do You Know the Muppet Man?!?!??!” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
3483Larry 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
3584Markieff 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
3685Channing 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
3791Terrence Jones, HOUSF, PFTremendous breakout last year that should have no issue carrying over. I don’t know why he’s so much lower in other ranks.
Slim’s Proj:.520/.630/0.6/14.0/7.6/1.3/0.9/1.4/1.1 :30
3892Zach 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
3993Taj 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
40101John 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

The “There’s Still Some Sleeper and Consistency Value for Your Last Pick” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
41104Spencer 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
42108Jared 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
43109DeMarre Carroll, ATLSF, PFWas a much better player after Horford injury so I won’t reach for value he gave in 13-14.
Slim’s Proj:.465/.770/1.3/11.0/5.6/1.8/1.4/0.3/1.1 :32
44110Tobias Harris, ORLSF, PFAcquisition of Frye and selection of Gordon shows non-committal approach, still such a fantasy-friendly player that if he gets the run could surprise.
Slim’s Proj:.475/.800/0.8/17.0/7.2/1.4/1.0/0.6/1.4 :30
45111Paul Pierce, WASSF, PFAge obviously up there, and the Wiz are loaded at SF. A healthy, big-minute season would make this way wrong, but I’m hedging against it.
Slim’s Proj:.440/.820/1.4/13.0/4.4/2.2/1.0/0.3/2.0 :28
46114Amir 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
47116Josh 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
48117Jordan 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
49123Mason 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
50125Anderson 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
51126Nene 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
52131Omer 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
53134Andrea 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
54136Miles 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 “I Hope I’m Only Dabbling this Low if I’m in a Deep League or Have a Sleeper I’m Reaching For in the Last Round” Tier:

PF RANKTOTAL RANKPLAYER, TEAMPOSNOTE
55142Brandan 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
56146Marcus Morris, PHOPFSome minutes are opened up with Frye gone, will be a surprising bottom-end contributor with treys from a PF.
Slim’s Proj:.445/.750/1.5/11.0/4.3/1.3/1.0/0.3/1.3 :26
57148Ersan Ilyasova, MILSF, PFLooked downright awful last year, but was top 50 in 12-13 and came into last year with a bum ankle. Won’t be me seeing if he can bounce back though…
Slim’s Proj:.430/.820/0.5/11.5/6.1/1.1/0.7/0.2/1.0 :24
58154Mirza Teletovic, BKNSF, PFHuge vacancy of minutes with only grandpa-KG there at the 4, per-36 averaged 3.5 treys last year.
Slim’s Proj:.430/.710/2.2/11.5/4.1/1.0/0.5/0.4/0.9 :24
59162Marvin Williams, CHASF, PFOff his best per-36 season, by far his best perimeter output, and should get big minutes.
Slim’s Proj:.440/.780/1.2/8.5/4.7/1.1/0.7/0.4/0.8 :24
60167Boris 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
61170Khris Middleton, MILSF, PFFinished 75th last year in total value, was durable for 82 games, is versatile enough to play backup to the 2, 3 and 4.
Slim’s Proj:.450/.830/0.7/8.0/2.9/1.3/0.9/0.2/0.9 :24
62171James Johnson, TORSF, PFListed as a SF reserve could make him really interesting since Terrence Ross is a question mark at best as a starter, per-36s last year were redonk.
Slim’s Proj:.450/.730/0.3/7.5/4.2/1.8/0.9/1.0/1.3 :20
63172Chris 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
64174Carlos 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
65179Kris 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
66181Ryan Kelly, LALPFEven though there’s a ton of depth at PF on the Lakers, he’s the only one that can stretch the floor.
Slim’s Proj:.430/.820/0.7/7.5/3.4/1.5/0.5/0.6/0.8 :18
67184Luis 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
68187Jason 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
69192Hollis Thompson, PHISF, PFTreys and steals upside if he indeed starts, right now is lightly penciled in.
Slim’s Proj:.450/.740/1.3/8.0/3.6/1.3/0.9/0.2/1.1 :28
70193Mike Scott, ATLPFCan back up the 3 and 4, might take some injuries to really hit on upside, but deep ball threat should keep him usable in deep leagues all year.
Slim’s Proj:.470/.780/1.0/11.0/3.8/1.1/0.5/0.1/1.2 :22
71194Jeff Adrien, HOUSF, PFPost-ASB was 10.5/7.6/1.1/0.6/0.8 in only 24:25 MPG last year – with little 3/4 depth in Houston, could play those minutes again in 14-15.
Slim’s Proj:.490/.660/0/9.5/7.1/ 0.8/0.6/0.7/1.1 :22
72197Donatas Motiejunas, HOUSF, PFEven though he’s not listed as a C on Yahoo, is the only C behind Dwight and could be a sneaky value for out-of-position treys.
Slim’s Proj:.440/.620/0.5/8.0/4.9/0.8/0.5/0.4/1.2 :20
73199Julius Randle, LALPFAnother Laker I’m passing on, has to fend off a lot of guys for minutes and is only a scorer/boarder.
Slim’s Proj:.460/.700/0/12.0/7.3/1.2/0.5/0.6/2.2 :26

 

Hopefully my ranks don’t make you go “PFfffffft!”  As in, have flatulence I guess… With 73 guys in my top 200 PF eligible, I think I’ll throw out a gander that PF is the deepest position this year.  In my RCL draft I got Markieff and Henson late, with both being my favorite late round picks.  I hope you like how we did the position breakdown this year, as always shoot your thoughts below and happy PFfffffff-ting!