It’s time for everyone’s favorite rankings compartmentalization – tiers! In all honesty, I used to kinda shrug off the practice of putting players in tiers. Maybe it’s because I play on Yahoo for the most part and they give virtually every player two positions, or maybe it’s because it’s already a subconscious thing I’m doing with my ranks/draft day strategy. Either way, it ends up being a pretty interesting post to put together! My favorite part is naming the tiers… I feel like when you’re drafting and you see the tier of your upcoming need’s position get dried out, you start to panic. And it’s always with PG! In RCL drafts, PG always becomes a panic button for me. People sniping Elfrid Payton from me, like a bunch of morons! Here’s the top PG for the 2016-17 fantasy basketball season, in tiers:

The “Please God, give me strength! (…and a top 4 pick please…) + Screw Yahoo for changing position eligibility AFTER launching but even before preseason starts on Harden! I ain’t changing all the numbers for this ish!!!” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
1	1	Stephen Curry, GS (28)	PG, SG	My frequently used soundbyte now – Durant is a phenomenal player, Curry is a transcendent player. Curry will also be taking the ball up the court more. 3s with the FG% and the rest of the package keep him #1.
1.5	2	James Harden, HOU (26)	PG, SG, SF	D’Antoni?! Sign me up! TO will be out of control again, but so will the Pts/Ast as well as the flops for FT.
2	3	Russell Westbrook, OKC (27)	PG	Yup, with the contract solidified since I did the original top-10 article, I’m now flipping Westy to my 3rd besty. Crazy USG, will need to punt-TO and either punt or fix FG%.

The “Well, I guess top-8 would be fine so I can get Giannis somewhere… Wait, Giannis is a PG?!” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
3	7	Chris Paul, LAC (31)	PG	After a rough start due in part to some early injuries, finished the bulk of the year going 20.3/4.4/10.5/2.1/0.2 with 2.6 TO and 46.4% shooting with 1.8 treys from hi 17th game on. Another year fully entrenched as a first rounder.
4	8	Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL	PG, SG, SF	Over the last 26 games, Greek Freak went 18.8/8.4/7.5/1.5/1.9. Insanity! Shot 51.5% too. With Middleton gone, it adds more offensive onus on The Alphabet. I think it spells #8 value!

The “Time to find the right pairing of PG next to my first-round pick – – And don’t anyone DARE disparage Kemba as a 2nd rounder!” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
5	13	Kyle Lowry, TOR (30)	PG	Career highs in 3s, FT volume and minutes that have me believing he can be a rock. “Welcome to The Rock!” [in Sean Connery’s voice]
6	14	John Wall, WAS (25)	PG	Slim hates me for having Lowry ahead, these two are pretty close to a coin flip. Not liking the bad FG% for a low-3s guy or the FT trending down last 3 seasons.
7	18	Kemba Walker, CHA (26)	PG	Breakout season from the Huskie, boosted the FG%, boosted the FT volume, and brings a very interesting skill set for only 2ish TO per.
8	19	Damian Lillard, POR (26)	PG	I really hate the lack of steals and the high TO when compared to Kemba. I can make up the other stats on ThrAGNOF!

The “Whew! At least there’s a 3rd round buffer of PG unlike the killer 2nd round and 4th-5th round runs we had last year!” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
9	26	Eric Bledsoe, PHO (26)	PG, SG	Was looking great with my high rank of him last year, but those effin injuries… Risky, but did play 81 games sandwiched between the injury-plagued seasons. Had the meniscus surgery that takes longer to recover from so you can play at peak level, so I still see that big upside there.
10	28	Victor Oladipo, OKC (24)	PG, SG	I’m warming more and more on the player, but I really don’t love this situation. I’m confused as to why changing your running mate from Elfrid Payton to Westbrook is a GOOD thing, and not like OKC is too shabby compared to ORL everywhere else. I don’t trust the 3s and I think he could be overdrafted.
11	29	Kyrie Irving, CLE (24)	PG, SG	Looking at 15-16 seasonal numbers might be a turnoff, but he was eased in off the knee injury. Post-ASB and that final Finals shot is a turn ON though! What can Uncle Drew do for YOU?!
12	31	Isaiah Thomas, BOS (27)	PG	37th overall finish last year, but mostly due to low REB and bad FG%. Makes him a beautiful fit in a punt-FT, if you loaded up on the big boys early.

The “Hey, some consolation options in the 4th round!” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
13	39	C.J. McCollum, POR (24)	PG, SG	Yikes my anti-McCollum 15-16 calls didn’t go well! I don’t know if he has any more upside, unless he can get to 1.5+ steals.
14	44	Ricky Rubio, MIN (25)	PG	Despite having constant critics (both Rubio himself AND to me, for my love for Rubio!) he played 76 games last year and had a top-50 season. Kris Dunn does look awesome, but until the Wolves finally trade Rubio, I think he’s at the end of the top-50 again.
15	46	Goran Dragic, MIA (30)	PG, SG	17.3/4.6/6.7 post-ASB last year, with a lot more upside with Wade gone, despite the metrics not loving his game due to lack of STL/3s. His FG% makes him a great punt-FT fit though. UP – Seeing how drafts are playing out and SOMEONE is punting FT by the 4th round, I am moving him snugly in my top-50.

The “Aight, let’s do it! Let’s go on a PG run!!!” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
16	51	Mike Conley, MEM (28)	PG	Despite my hate on him last year (100% correct too!), I like him at about the same spot in 16-17 with an insane 6.1:1.5 AST:TO last season. Low TO from a PG fits a lot of builds, plus a good wing running mate in Parsons finally.
17	52	Reggie Jackson, DET (26)	PG, SG	Metrics hate him, but only 30:41 MPG last season, getting in StanVan’s doghouse a few times. Will improve in both minutes and total stats.
18	53	Dennis Schroder, ATL (23)	PG	Ich Liebe the German! Were’s Paul?! I need to be sure I spelled that right! Yes, the TO was bad in per-minute terms last year, but he had an offensively inept 2nd unit around him and he was trying to prove he’s a starter. I don’t think they get too out of control. Gonna score and dime like a Blitzkreig!
19	54	Jeff Teague, IND (28)	PG	I know it looks lazy having these two back-to-back, but they’re sooooo close! Teague a little safer and will easily win STL, I just worry about how much rock he gets in that system.
20	55	Elfrid Payton, ORL (22)	PG	Get SKIIIIIILES!!! the F%*# outta here! Skiles even publicly said he didn’t think Elfrid was the PG of the future, and with a new system and a defensive-minded coach, I could see Elfrid getting off the Shelfrid and taking off.
21	58	Brandon Knight, PHO (24)	PG, SG	Apparently this rank still prices me in, but I love the high-output 3s with the AST contribution – easy to miss the 5.1 AST he brings amongst some other warts, mainly FG%…
22	59	D’Angelo Russell, LAL (20)	PG	While I keep calling him D Barksdale for a character in one of the most sophisticated shows ever made, D Russell is anything but. 1.6/3.3/1.2 in 3s/AST/STL in sub-30 minutes as a 19-yr-old is still mad intriguing, especially with no Kobe-USG-suck. Hopefully Russell can keep from doing something stupid.

The “Grab bag of stat-fillers at PG that get shuffled around depending on your team build in the late-mids” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
23	68	Rajon Rondo, CHI (30)	PG	Speaking of needing to punt stuff! Yes, AST and STL were great last year, but expect major hits in dimes next to Wade and Butler. Might be closer to DAL stats than SAC stats…
24	71	Dwyane Wade, CHI (34)	PG, SG	Rondo is a TO-vortex! We might get a little fix there, along with good scoring and some wing dimes. But ya know, for 65 games…
25	72	Zach LaVine, MIN (21)	PG, SG	As a starter, was unreal for 17.3/2.8/3.2/1.1/0.2 in 33 games, including 2.4 treys at an absurd 47.4% clip from the field overall. I don’t know if that % is fully replicable, but heavy treys without killing your FG% should fit some FT punt builds.
26	74	Jeremy Lin, BKN (28)	PG, SG	Had a great 15-16 in FT volume and a career-low TO rate, and joins a team in desperate need of playmaking. And cool hair.
27	75	George Hill, UTA (30)	PG, SG	Provides 5ish dimes with a minuscule TO rate, with just an overall non-killing game in %s and TO. LET ME SEE THAT THONG!
28	78	Darren Collison, SAC (29)	PG	I used to love his fantasy-friendly game as a PG with low TO, but now I hate his character. I originally had him 63 with the legal status of his case still pending, awaiting justice to do its course. He plead guilty. Big suspension coming.
29	80	Avery Bradley, BOS (25)	PG, SG	Career highs in STL, PTS and 3s, with a nice FG% for a high-end ThrAGNOF.
30	81	Jordan Clarkson, LAL (24)	PG, SG	Ugh, a tough whiff last year, but with Kobe’s USG gonzo, I could see him being George Hill-ish this year…
31	88	Monta Ellis, IND (30)	PG, SG	A lot went down, BUT HE’S STILL GETTING PAID ONLY $11 MIL A YEAR! Readers last year get that one… 1.9 STL and 4.7 TO is what you’re drafting here, as any bounceback in scoring is tough to see with this new offense.
32	89	Jrue Holiday, NO (26)	PG	Like Kyrie, Jrue’s 15-16 can’t be analyzed solely on the year-long stats, as we was eased in off the scary injuries. But his final 36 games – over half his season – was 19.8/3.1/3.7/7.3/1.6/0.3. Unfortunately, we wish he and his family the best with their off-the-court news, as he takes an indefinite period of time to be with the people that matter most. Hate to be callous, but in fantasy terms, I don’t think I want to invest in an uncertain amount of stat accrual.
33	94	Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN (20)	PG	Makes the top 200 due to PG runs. Not that they have diarrhea, but you get it. Mudiay did finish 15-16 strong going 16.5/3.8/4.9/0.6/0.4 hitting 1.7 treys and shooting 40.8% (high for him) over the final 22 games, so there’s a little hope for minor-breakout potential.

The “HOLY SHIT! I’m weak as nuts at PG!!!” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
34	102	Derrick Rose, NYK (27)	PG	I had a little optimism he could be a little better than last year… but then his legal issue got more and more publicity, and he just doesn’t sound like a fun guy, guilty or not of a crime. I like to cheer for my fantasy teams, sue me!
35	111	Patrick Beverley, HOU	PG, SG	I know I kinda argued the other way for Ariza, but I love me some D’Antoni for P Bev! If he had any history of making it close to a full season, I might push him to 90ish, but missed games has been a big issue.
36	113	Tyreke Evans, NO (28)	PG, SG	We know the upside when healthy, something he’s not going to be on opening night. I HATE drafting injured guys out of the gate, even if they’re vets. Especially guys with his checkered ankle/knee history.
37	118	Jerryd Bayless, PHI (28)	PG, SG	JB love JB! The Sixers need a PG who can hit treys, and be cool not distrubiting a ton, with a point-F developing like Simmons. Hard to believe Bayless is still only 28… Could easily have a P-Bev-ish season.
38	119	Kris Dunn, MIN (22)	PG	Insane in Summer Ball, going 24/7/3/2/1 shooting 54.3% from the field and getting to the stripe for 15 freebies in only 2 games (due to a concussion). It’s tough to project HUGE playing time, but the counting stats could be sexy in a major combo guard role. %s and TO are an issue though, cough MCW…
39	120	Deron Williams, DAL (32)	PG	Limited upside, low D stats, low FG%, but is a PG who starts in the NBA and had 5.8 AST last season. We obviously can’t expect a full season either.
40	122	Tim Frazier, NO (25)	PG	With Jrue likely out a good stretch at the beginning of the season, Frazier is penciled in as your PG starter. Went 13.1/4.4/7.5/1.4/0.1 over the final 16 games last year! And not even all of that came as a starter! I’m tempering my expectations a tad because we just don’t know the Jrue game played this year.
41	123	Gary Harris, DEN (22)	PG, SG	Numbers without Gallinari went WAY up, and while Gallo is injury-prone and a trade candidate, I think Harris is going to be very blah to open the year.

The “Late round flier” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
42	139	Tony Parker, SA (34)	PG	Interesting note – looks like Parker had his best AST:TO ratio of his career last year: 5.3:1.8. I know he’s old and not going to play a huge MPG or games played, but I found that intriguing as a final AST boost.
43	140	Michael Carter-Williams, MIL (24)	PG	Middleton injury doesn’t change much, although maybe he helps swing a trade to a team needing a PG.
44	146	Tyler Johnson, MIA (24)	PG, SG	I think the plan was always to mainly play him behind Dragic, so I’m not tinkiering his rank with the J-Rich injury. Lovvvvvve TyJo’s game, but I dunno if he’ll play enough to reap the full rewards.
45	153	Marcus Smart, BOS (22)	PG	Seems like there’s some buzz for him to take the next step, but I don’t see that happening until they let him slash instead of shooting 3s. STL in the bank is nice, but meh.

The “Undraftable in 12ers” Tier:

PG RANK	OVERALL RANK	PLAYER, TEAM, AGE	POS	NOTE
46	166	Matthew Dellavedova, MIL (26)	PG, SG	Mehhhh, yeah Middleton news does nothing for me here, maybe an extra 3 attempt happens a game from what we would’ve otherwise expected. Still going to be Giannis running the point.
47	167	Cameron Payne, OKC (22)	PG	The cards keep getting stacked against him! I was actually hoping Westbrook would be moved to make him a MAJOR sleeper PG for me, then they got Dipo, and then he broke his foot. Sounds like he’s on the cusp of being ready for opening night, but I like the upside enough to take a shot on him as a combo G surprise in 20+ MPG off the pine.
48	174	Brandon Jennings, NYK (27)	PG	Played like vintage BJ off the bench with a bad FG% and great AST:TO last year. Rose is an obvious injury risk and possible suspension risk, so a nice stash gamble in deepers.
49	182	Ty Lawson, SAC (28)	PG	I don’t really care how long Collison gets suspended, I don’t think Lawson is that good at basketball anymore after his DISASTROUS 15-16.
50	190	Lou Williams, LAL (29)	PG, SG	Minutes are obviously a question mark, but his FT volume and 3PTM skillset is unique in the streaming class.
51	194	Langston Galloway, NO (24)	PG, SG	Gets an added boost with Jrue’s games played in question, and should be a fixture as a combo guard off the bench. Doesn’t do much stats-wise, but has impressively low TO rates with a few dimes.
52	195	Shaun Livingston, GS (31)	PG, SG	Warriors have pretty light depth at guard, and Livingston can chip in some low-volume stats with low-TO. Nice deep league depth.
53	196	Allen Crabbe, POR (24)	PG, SG	Got really effing rich this offseason! Turner is probably starting and McCollum is going to get his huge run… When are the Blazers gonna get Crabby?!
54	197	Jarrett Jack, ATL (32)	PG, SG	A little surprising he landed somewhere where playing time is so assured, but he should play a nice mentorship role to Schroder. Although he’ll need a German translator like my boy Paul.
55	198	E’Twaun Moore, NO (27)	PG, SG	Another benefactor to the Jrue-hole, and one that got paid. He’ll have some sort of role.