The epic misnomer of the small forward. Giannis Antetokounmpo is almost 7 feet tall! And, well, plays even smaller at SG sometimes! At 6’7 myself, as a SF in the NBA I’d be undersized… And I promise you I’ve never been called undersized! Not even by a spiteful ex! SF is interesting because it’s your Swiss Army knife. There will be a lot of reaching and passing when I’m making my SF picks vs. my top 200 for 2014-15 Fantasy Basketball ranks based on roster comp. You got the ThrAGNOFs, the multi-catters, the %-drainers (cough, Josh Smith) “Enough with the cough usage the past two days, JB!” I’ll put this article in the “Not the Best, but Still Readable” Tier. Below are this year’s SF broken down into tiers (SF as determined by Yahoo position eligibility since 2014-15 RCL Basketball is on Yahoo), along with my mini-blurb and Slim’s projection:
The “Oh, You So SFtudly!” Tier:
| SF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 1 | 1 | Kevin Durant, OKC | SF, PF | Less 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 | |||
| 2 | 4 | LeBron James, CLE | SF, PF | Disappearing blocks, regressing boards – especially with Love about to join – 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 | |||
| 3 | 6 | James Harden, HOU | SG, SF | Started a little rough last year, but with an unbelievable post-ASB slash of 27.7/4.7/7.4/1.9/0.3 shooting 47% from the field with three treys a game, ended up duplicating his 12-13 breakout. Only 24, no Jeremy Lin, I see a new career-high in assists and another elite season. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .450/.860/2.5/26.0/4.9/6.4/1.7/0.4/3.7 :38 | |||
| 4 | 11 | Carmelo Anthony, NYK | SF, PF | I 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 “I’m Gonna Give You More Rainbow Lines than RainbOladipo” Tier:
| SF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 5 | 22 | Kawhi Leonard, SAS | SG, SF | I love Kawhi, so fun to watch, but with Pop and Duncan back, I think the rotations and usage will prove frustrating again. Grab him at the turn in 12ers if he’s there, but I’m not reaching earlier. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .490/.810/1.4/15.0/6.8/2.2/1.9/0.8/1.5 :34 | |||
| 6 | 27 | Nicolas Batum, POR | SG, SF | Safe, reliable, multi-cat goodness. Should replicate 13-14 with relative ease. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .465/.820/2.0/13.5/7.2/5.0/1.0/0.8/2.4 :36 |
The “Don We Now Our Gay [and Other Nice Multi-Cat/ThrAGNOF SF] Apparel” Tier:
| SF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 7 | 34 | Rudy Gay, SAC | SF, PF | The 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 | |||
| 8 | 40 | Chandler Parsons, DAL | SF, PF | Immediately 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 | |||
| 9 | 43 | Jabari Parker, MIL | SF | I’m reaching for the rookie – I think counting stats will be reliable and have a pretty consistent 34ish minute role. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .460/.760/0.7/14.5/7.8/1.0/0.9/0.7/2.8 :30 | |||
| 10 | 48 | Wesley Matthews, POR | SG, SF | Definition of a safe pick, has played in every game in 4 of his 5 seasons, microscopic TOs, a perfect compliment to a high volume TO PG who doesn’t make enough 3s. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.830/2.4/16.0/3.4/2.4/1.1/0.2/1.4 :34 | |||
| 11 | 50 | Gordon Hayward, UTA | SG, SF | His shooting from the field has consistently gone down in more minutes, Exum/Burke are not going to help FG% and TOs. Some slumps are going to be tough to bear, but overall slash should be solid. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.820/1.4/18.0/5.2/5.3/1.4/0.5/2.6 :36 | |||
| 12 | 55 | Thaddeus Young, MIN | SF, PF | Move 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 | |||
| 13 | 57 | Trevor Ariza, HOU | SG, SF | Big breakout in 13-14 minimized with move to Houston, but 3s with low-TOs should yield another solid season. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .450/.770/1.9/13.0/6.1/2.4/1.6/0.3/1.7 :34 | |||
| 14 | 58 | DeMar DeRozan, TOR | SG, SF | For as high-volume a scorer he is, TOs very manageable. Improved his multi-catness (well, former lack thereof) by adding a trey and getting up to 4 dimes a game last year. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.820/0.5/23.0/4.1/3.9/0.9/0.3/2.1 :36 | |||
| 15 | 60 | Klay Thompson, GSW | SG, SF | Poster boy of ThrAGNOF – don’t overpay for high-volume threes and low TOs while he does nothing else special. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .445/.800/2.7/18.0/3.1/2.1/0.9/0.4/1.6 :36 | |||
| 16 | 61 | Andrew Wiggins, MIN | SF | Uncertain role that seems likely to begin off the bench, upside of the second half keeps him a mid-round reach. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.770/0.9/13.5/4.7/1.2/1.2/0.9/2.4 :30 |
The “SF That Will Help My Ratios, and then Josh Smith…” Tier:
| SF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 17 | 67 | Jimmy Butler, CHI | SG, SF | Shot under 40% last year and should see lower scoring with Rose back. Love his real-life game, 13-14 numbers slightly inflated by 38:39 MPG which is likely to go down a bit. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .420/.770/1.3/14.0/5.2/2.7/2.0/0.6/1.5 :36 | |||
| 18 | 68 | Luol Deng, MIA | SF, PF | I 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 | |||
| 19 | 75 | Josh Smith, DET | SF, PF | This 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 | |||
| 20 | 76 | Kyle Korver, ATL | SG, SF | Not reaching for the ThrAGNOF, but another year of big minutes, big treys, and no TOs are in store. Plus he’s got sharp, oh so sharp talons. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .470/.920/2.6/12.0/4.0/3.0/0.9/0.3/1.5 :34 | |||
| 21 | 79 | Tyreke Evans, NOP | SG, SF | While his post-ASB play was astounding, a lot had to do with Jrue Holiday being hurt. He still should be back into a big role as the starting 3. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .450/.770/0.5/17.0/4.8/4.4/1.3/0.4/2.6 :30 | |||
| 22 | 80 | Kevin Martin, MIN | SG, SF | No more Love makes K-Mart the main offensive threat and should hit a bajillion treys. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.890/1.7/19.0/3.0/1.8/1.0/0.1/1.7 :32 | |||
| 23 | 81 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | SG, SF | 1.7:1.7 AST:TO pre-ASB to 2.3:1.5 post showed huge improvement with the ball, going to get a huge starting role, offers upside in all 9 cats. A huge Razzball favorite. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .460/.740/1.0/13.5/6.2/2.4/1.0/1.0/2.2 :32 |
The “Time to Reach for Your Sleepers and Guys You Like Late” Tier:
| SF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 24 | 90 | Arron Afflalo, DEN | SG, SF | Never been a fan, but the Nuggets needed a more consistent wing last year and he’ll be playing with the best PG he’s ever been paired with. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .455/.820/1.7/16.5/3.4/3.3/0.6/0.2/1.9 :34 | |||
| 25 | 91 | Terrence Jones, HOU | SF, PF | Tremendous 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 | |||
| 26 | 95 | Lance Stephenson, CHA | SG, SF | TOs should go down, but so should the boards. Like PBev, nothing exciting but sheer volume should accrue value. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .475/.710/1.2/14.5/7.2/4.2/0.8/0.1/2.6 :36 | |||
| 27 | 96 | Draymond Green, GSW | SF | #OccupyDraymondGreen! A monster last year in a low-minutes role, has a shot to start the 3 with Iggy off the bench. Multi-cat upside all over the place! |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.740/0.9/10.0/6.2/2.7/1.7/0.9/1.4 :28 | |||
| 28 | 99 | Corey Brewer, MIN | SG, SF | Elite steals guy, knows his game and should start again. I think he’s a great athlete and can surprise with nice boards as well with Love gone. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .450/.710/0.6/11.5/2.6/1.6/1.7/0.4/1.3 :30 | |||
| 29 | 105 | Joe Johnson, BKN | SG, SF | Had some big spikes when D-Will got hurt, but D-Will will have some injury stretches again… |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.820/1.8/14.5/3.3/2.9/0.6/0.1/1.6 :32 | |||
| 30 | 109 | DeMarre Carroll, ATL | SF, PF | Was 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 | |||
| 31 | 110 | Tobias Harris, ORL | SF, PF | Acquisition 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 | |||
| 32 | 111 | Paul Pierce, WAS | SF, PF | Age 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 | |||
| 33 | 113 | Danilo Gallinari, DEN | SF | Will be a forgotten name in many draft rooms, still offers a pretty good fantasy line if he’s healthy. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .410/.800/1.6/13.5/4.7/2.2/0.8/0.4/1.4 :28 | |||
| 34 | 119 | Danny Green, SAS | SG, SF | Took off after the ASB, shooting 6% better and upping treys from 1.5 to 2.6. Pop will make him frustrating, but will end up a value. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.800/2.1/10.0/3.3/1.6/0.9/0.8/1.2 :26 | |||
| 35 | 121 | Andre Iguodala, GSW | SG, SF | I think he’s going to lead the second unit, losing the starting job to Draymond, then still has to fend off Barnes for minutes. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .460/.660/0.9/10.0/4.4/3.9/1.3/0.3/1.5 :30 | |||
| 36 | 124 | Jeff Green, BOS | SG, SF | One of the “busts of the year” for 13-14, really nothing indicates he’ll be any better in 14-15. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .425/.800/1.4/15.0/4.5/1.5/0.6/0.6/1.9 :32 |
The “I Really Hope I Only End Up with One of These Guys Or Else I’ll Be Ashamed Like that Time I Stayed at the Bar Too Late and Ended Up in Bed with Swaggy P” Tier:
| SF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 37 | 127 | Manu Ginobili, SAS | SG, SF | Finished 98th in under 23 minutes a game last year, should come close to repeat but game-to-game will be maddening to own. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .450/.840/1.4/12.5/3.1/4.1/0.9/0.2/2.0 :24 | |||
| 38 | 128 | P.J. Tucker, PHO | SG, SF | A little regression in value and minutes likely, already missing three games to suspension and isn’t exactly a special player. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.770/1.0/10.0/6.6/1.7/1.3/0.3/1.3 :30 | |||
| 39 | 130 | J.R. Smith, NYK | SG, SF | Career-high assists last year with horrible Felton at PG, those will go down, treys to regress, never been a JR fan. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .420/.720/2.5/15.5/3.8/2.6/1.0/0.2/1.5 :32 | |||
| 40 | 133 | Gerald Green, PHO | SG, SF | I just don’t see the minutes, and pre-ranks of him top 100 are outrageous. Should hit some treys for you, but not a guy you’ll have on your roster all year. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.830/1.8/12.0/2.4/0.8/0.6/0.2/1.4 :22 | |||
| 41 | 135 | Matt Barnes, LAC | SF | Like McBob, a low upside stat-stuffer late. Big 2nd half aided by no Redick who I think has a big year. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .450/.740/1.2/9.0/4.6/1.8/0.8/0.4/1.1 :26 | |||
| 42 | 140 | Terrence Ross, TOR | SG, SF | Young with upside like the ridiculous 51-pointer, but still raw and lacks in most cats right now. Worth the lottery pick at this point. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.810/2.3/13.0/3.4/1.2/1.0/0.4/1.4 :30 | |||
| 43 | 145 | Marco Belinelli, SAS | SG, SF | A roster filler with no upside, does offer low TOs with more than a trey to fill out your minutes. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.830/1.4/10.5/2.7/2.2/0.6/0.1/1.1 :24 | |||
| 44 | 147 | C.J. Miles, IND | SG, SF | Deep source of treys and steals, especially if he wins the starting 3 role over Solomon Hill. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .420/.810/1.5/12.5/2.7/1.9/1.0/0.3/1.2 :28 | |||
| 45 | 148 | Ersan Ilyasova, MIL | SF, PF | Looked 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 | |||
| 46 | 150 | K.J. McDaniels, PHI | SF | A good shot to take the 3 role, still uncertain minutes though… That said, a block+ from your wing is great upside. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.770/0.8/12.5/5.6/1.4/1.0/1.2/1.7 :30 | |||
| 47 | 151 | Wilson Chandler, DEN | SG, SF | Wasted a big opportunity last year, Gallinari to take a ton of minutes away. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.760/1.6/12.5/4.6/1.7/0.7/0.6/1.2 :28 | |||
| 48 | 154 | Mirza Teletovic, BKN | SF, PF | Huge 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 | |||
| 49 | 156 | Vince Carter, MEM | SG, SF | Three year deal shows commitment, easily could start and play 30 minutes at the 3. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .410/.820/1.7/11.0/3.3/2.4/0.7/0.4/1.3 :24 | |||
| 50 | 160 | Doug McDermott, CHI | SF | Told he’ll need to jack up treys and could start at the 3. Not going to do much besides 3s/Pts though… |
| Slim’s Proj: | .430/.860/1.6/ 9.5/3.2/1.3/0.2/0.1/1.4 :20 | |||
| 51 | 161 | Nick Young, LAL | SG, SF | Sure he was 93rd last year, but hits treys with not too bad TOs (=metrics-friendly) and will get a lot less shots with Kobe back. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .420/.830/1.4/12.5/2.2/1.2/0.6/0.2/1.2 :24 | |||
| 52 | 162 | Marvin Williams, CHA | SF, PF | Off 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 | |||
| 53 | 169 | Rodney Hood, UTA | SF | Sneaky ThrAGNOF upside, the Jazz have a serious lack of other perimeter shooters. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .410/.810/1.2/7.5/3.0/1.2/0.5/0.1/0.9 :20 | |||
| 54 | 170 | Khris Middleton, MIL | SF, PF | Finished 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 | |||
| 55 | 171 | James Johnson, TOR | SF, PF | Listed 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 | |||
| 56 | 176 | Tony Snell, CHI | SG, SF | Like Dieng, one of the select few that I’ll rank high without a decent minutes outlook. I like the talent too much. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .420/.790/1.3/9.0/3.1/2.0/0.7/0.3/0.7 :22 | |||
| 57 | 182 | Evan Turner, BOS | SG, SF | In a minutes crunch on a crowded rotations-based team, but could do something useful. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .420/.760/0.3/7.5/3.1/2.2/0.4/0.1/1.3 :20 | |||
| 58 | 186 | Tony Allen, MEM | SG, SF | A late source of steals and that’s about it, a no-upside deep league play. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .480/.720/0.2/9.5/3.9/1.6/1.4/0.4/1.3 :26 | |||
| 59 | 189 | Iman Shumpert, NYK | SG, SF | Offers you a steal and a trey, and that’s about it. Tough compeition for minutes against emerging Timmay J. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .400/.760/1.1/9.0/3.8/2.3/1.4/0.2/1.1 :28 | |||
| 60 | 190 | Mike Dunleavy, CHI | SG, SF | McDermott (probably) stealing the starting role hurts, as does how good I think Snell is going to be. A role player with no upside. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .440/.820/1.4/10.5/4.1/2.0/0.7/0.4/1.2 :28 | |||
| 61 | 192 | Hollis Thompson, PHI | SF, PF | Treys 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 | |||
| 62 | 194 | Jeff Adrien, HOU | SF, PF | Post-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 | |||
| 63 | 197 | Donatas Motiejunas, HOU | SF, PF | Even 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 | |||
| 64 | 198 | Wes Johnson, LAL | SG, SF | Minutes crunch to take a major toll on his 13-14 breakout numbers. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .420/.780/1.1/8.5/4.1/1.4/0.9/0.8/1.0 :26 | |||
| 65 | 200 | James Ennis, MIA | SF | Heat lack youth and explosiveness at backup wing, summer league sure opened some eyes. |
| Slim’s Proj: | .450/.770/1.0/7.0/3.2/0.9/0.7/0.5/1.1 :20 |
And there’s your SF tiers! I gotta tell ya, the “Reach for your Sleepers” tier has all sorts of names available in the late rounds that have great upside. I love Draymond Green and think Gallinari might be a little under drafted (although he went pretty high in my first RCL draft), then Jeff Green and Tobias Harris are still out there until your final picks if you like them for bounce back upside (me not as much…). I hope you like how we did the position breakdown this year, as always shoot your thoughts below may your SF be SFtudly!
