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 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 | 2 | Anthony Davis, NOP | PF, C | Very 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 | |||
| 3 | 4 | LeBron James, CLE | SF, PF | Disappearing 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 RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 4 | 7 | Serge Ibaka, OKC | PF, C | Iblocka! 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 | |||
| 5 | 8 | Kevin Love, CLE | PF, C | With 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 | |||
| 6 | 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 “Ridiculous, Unrelenting, You’ll-Get-Swept-Up-in-it-Too Run on Big Men” Tier:
| PF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 7 | 12 | DeMarcus Cousins, SAC | PF, C | Finally 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 | |||
| 8 | 13 | Paul Millsap, ATL | PF, C | A 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 | |||
| 9 | 14 | Al Horford, ATL | PF, C | Was 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 | |||
| 10 | 15 | LaMarcus Aldridge, POR | PF, C | The 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 | |||
| 11 | 16 | Al Jefferson, CHA | PF, C | Had 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 | |||
| 12 | 17 | Dirk Nowitzki, DAL | PF, C | The 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 | |||
| 13 | 18 | Blake Griffin, LAC | PF, C | A 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 RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 14 | 28 | Chris Bosh, MIA | PF, C | LeBron 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 | |||
| 15 | 29 | Nikola Vucevic, ORL | PF, C | Has 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 | |||
| 16 | 33 | Joakim Noah, CHI | PF, C | Had 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 | |||
| 17 | 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 | |||
| 18 | 36 | Andre Drummond, DET | PF, C | Stan 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 RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 19 | 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 | |||
| 20 | 41 | Derrick Favors, UTA | PF, C | So, 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 | |||
| 21 | 49 | Pau Gasol, CHI | PF, C | FG% 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 | |||
| 22 | 51 | Nerlens Noel, PHI | PF, C | This 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 | |||
| 23 | 53 | Tim Duncan, SAS | PF, C | Despite 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 | |||
| 24 | 54 | Dwight Howard, HOU | PF, C | FT 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 | |||
| 25 | 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 |
The “Mostly Boring Vets, Except the Always Exciting Manimal!” Tier:
| PF RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 26 | 59 | David Lee, GSW | PF, C | Boring 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 | |||
| 27 | 62 | Ryan Anderson, NOP | PF, C | Out-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 | |||
| 28 | 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 | |||
| 29 | 72 | Kenneth Faried, DEN | PF | Slim 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 | |||
| 30 | 74 | David West, IND | PF | Somebody 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 | |||
| 32 | 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 | |||
| 33 | 77 | Greg Monroe, DET | PF, C | Jennings 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 RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 34 | 83 | Larry Sanders, MIL | PF, C | So 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 | |||
| 35 | 84 | Markieff Morris, PHO | PF, C | Per-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 | |||
| 36 | 85 | Channing Frye, ORL | PF, C | His 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 | |||
| 37 | 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 | |||
| 38 | 92 | Zach Randolph, MEM | PF, C | Consistency! 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 | |||
| 39 | 93 | Taj Gibson, CHI | PF, C | Durable, 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 | |||
| 40 | 101 | John Henson, MIL | PF, C | Early 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 RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 41 | 104 | Spencer Hawes, LAC | PF, C | A 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 | |||
| 42 | 108 | Jared Sullinger, BOS | PF, C | 13.9/9/1.8/0.5/0.8 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 | |||
| 43 | 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 | |||
| 44 | 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 | |||
| 45 | 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 | |||
| 46 | 114 | Amir Johnson, TOR | PF, C | Lingering 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 | |||
| 47 | 116 | Josh McRoberts, MIA | PF, C | Should 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 | |||
| 48 | 117 | Jordan Hill, LAL | PF, C | 13/8.9/0.8/0.5/1.1 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 | |||
| 49 | 123 | Mason Plumlee, BKN | PF, C | Could 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 | |||
| 50 | 125 | Anderson Varejao, CLE | PF, C | Big 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 | |||
| 51 | 126 | Nene Hilario, WAS | PF, C | Worth 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 | |||
| 52 | 131 | Omer Asik, NOP | PF, C | Beyond 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 | |||
| 53 | 134 | Andrea Bargnani, NYK | PF, C | 13.7/5.3/1.1/0.3/1.3 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 | |||
| 54 | 136 | Miles Plumlee, PHO | PF, C | Completely 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 RANK | TOTAL RANK | PLAYER, TEAM | POS | NOTE |
| 55 | 142 | Brandan Wright, DAL | PF, C | Not 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 | |||
| 56 | 146 | Marcus Morris, PHO | PF | Some 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 | |||
| 57 | 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 | |||
| 58 | 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 | |||
| 59 | 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 | |||
| 60 | 167 | Boris Diaw, SAS | PF, C | Late 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 | |||
| 61 | 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 | |||
| 62 | 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 | |||
| 63 | 172 | Chris Andersen, MIA | PF, C | A 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 | |||
| 64 | 174 | Carlos Boozer, LAL | PF, C | Even 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 | |||
| 65 | 179 | Kris Humphries, WAS | PF, C | Backup 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 | |||
| 66 | 181 | Ryan Kelly, LAL | PF | Even 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 | |||
| 67 | 184 | Luis Scola, IND | PF, C | Hibbert 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 | |||
| 68 | 187 | Jason Smith, NYK | PF, C | Late-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 | |||
| 69 | 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 | |||
| 70 | 193 | Mike Scott, ATL | PF | Can 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 | |||
| 71 | 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 | |||
| 72 | 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 | |||
| 73 | 199 | Julius Randle, LAL | PF | Another 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!
