I’m going to keep it pretty simple this week. I’d like to check in on category leaders to help figure out who the best specialists might be this season. There’s a lot of value sitting out in the free agent pool just waiting for you to stream it. Adding and rotating through these category specialists applies in roto leagues when you notice individual categories in which you stand to gain a few points. But, this information will probably help the most in head-to-head leagues where you should be swapping out at least a couple players each week (assuming you can) to customize and maximize your stats in a way that nets you the most category wins against your opponent.
“So… you’re just pasting an NBA stat leaders’ page?” Nope. I’m only going to feature players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. Italicized players are owned in less than 25%. For shooting percentages, I’m using Basketball Monster’s values that are weighted for volume. Next week, I’ll do sorta the opposite and list the punt specialists (value rankings with each individual category removed), as well as the rankings according to some other helpful stat combinations. I’ll leave out the flukey or injured players to save you some time here, as well.
(Through 11/13)
Points
15.8 – Jordan Clarkson
14.8 – E’Twaun Moore
14.3 – Dwyane Wade
13.8 – Terrence Ross
13.2 – Rodney Hood
12.1 – Kelly Oubre Jr.
12.1 – Malik Monk
12.0 – Collin Sexton
11.4 – Cedi Osman
11.4 – Allonzo Trier
Rebounds
8.7 – Al-Farouq Aminu
8.3 – Noah Vonleh
6.5 – Ersan Ilyasova
6.4 – Tyson Chandler
6.1 – Pau Gasol
5.9 – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5.8 – Bam Adebayo
5.6 – Alex Len
5.5 – P.J. Tucker
5.4 – Cody Zeller
Assists
5.8 – J.J. Barea
5.3 – Derrick White
4.6 – D.J. Augustin
4.5 – Ryan Arcidiacono
4.4 – Fred VanVleet
4.3 – Marcus Smart
4.2 – Patrick Beverley
4.2 – Evan Turner
4.2 – Tony Parker
4.2 – Justise Winslow
4.0 – Monte Morris
Threes
2.7 – Wayne Ellington
2.4 – P.J. Tucker
2.3 – Terrence Ross
1.9 – Patty Mills
1.9 – Malik Monk
1.8 – Reggie Bullock
1.8 – D.J. Augustin
1.7 – Landry Shamet
1.7 – Alex Abrines
1.7 – Dwyane Wade
1.7 – Darius Miller
1.7 – Langston Galloway
Steals
1.4 – Jerian Grant
1.4 – P.J. Tucker
1.4 – DeAndre’ Bembry
1.3 – Derrick White
1.3 – Marcus Smart
1.2 – Frank Ntilikina
1.2 – Justise Winslow
1.2 – Mikal Bridges
1.1 – Tyler Johnson
1.1 – Tyus Jones
Blocks
1.8 – Mitchell Robinson
1.5 – Maxi Kleber
1.3 – Nerlens Noel
1.3 – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
1.2 – Zach Collins
1.1 – Jordan Bell
1.0 – Marvin Williams
1.0 – Pau Gasol
1.0 – Alex Len
Field Goal %
56.3 – E’Twaun Moore
76.6 – Damian Jones
64.2 – Dwight Powell
58.8 – Cody Zeller
63.6 – Kevon Looney
56.6 – Zach Collins
63.6 – Mitchell Robinson
61.2 – Nerlens Noel
Free Throw %
97.0 – Jeff Green
86.8 – Allonzo Trier
90.3 – Cody Zeller
84.6 – Al-Farouq Aminu
81.4 – Kelly Oubre
85.0 – Jonas Jerebko
84.2 – Ersan Ilyasova
83.3 – Terrence Ross
82.4 – Langston Galloway
82.4 – Monte Morris
This week’s classic fantasy line:
How does a player averaging 9.7 points and 11.3 rebounds and shooting under 45% finish as the 11th most valuable fantasy player in the league (if anyone had been playing 9-category fantasy bball in 1984)? Simple. He blocks 5.6 shots per game without missing a game. I give you 7′ 4″, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year and blocks specialist, Mark Eaton’s 1984-85 season:
