Any Most Valuable Player award is debatable, but there are factors that most candidates have in common. For real-life, it’s about team success combined with gaudy statistics and a few “signature moments” thrown in for narrative purposes. Most of the time it seems the award goes to the best player on the best team, defining value as just that: best of the best.
For fantasy basketball it’s a bit different.
Sure, statistics still play a huge role, and end up factoring in the most when it comes to picking who the most valuable player in fantasy is. Value in fantasy as it relates to individual players has a direct correlation to their statistics, because that is the basis of the game.
By this definition, James Harden of the Houston Rockets is your Fantasy Basketball MVP with averages of 27 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 2.6 three-pointers per game; that’s about as well rounded as stat lines come.
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The case for Draymond Green takes a different approach.
His averages of 11.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 1.4 three-pointers per game are nice, and equally as well rounded as Harden’s despite his lower offensive output. After thoughts that either his production or opportunity (due to David Lee‘s return) would run out, Green has dispelled both concerns en route to a career year.
He looks like he will sustain his current value the rest of the way, but what makes him a possible Fantasy Basketball MVP?
Draymond Green’s biggest claim for value is based on his return on investment.
For example, James Harden held an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 6.1 on ESPN.com, placing him as a middle-of-the-first-round selection. On the other hand, Green held an ADP of 119.1, and in many leagues went undrafted. Based on the production compared to where the player was selected, Green becomes the far more valuable selection, even if he’s still outpaced by Harden overall.
Of course, there’s many factors that could be considered: positional scarcity, the categories of any particular league format, and ultimately what happens the rest of the season. But, at the midpoint of the regular season, Draymond Green has certainly entered the Fantasy Basketball MVP discussion.
Four Players To Pick Up
Hassan Whiteside, Center, Miami Heat – This one is the most obvious on the list, but he’s still owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues. He’s going to get a ton of run at center for the Heat, who desperately crave size to put next to Chris Bosh. Before a dud against the Kings on Friday, he had scored in double-figures in every game he played in 2015, and posted 3 double-doubles. Even if he suddenly crumbles back to earth, he should get enough playing time to stay relevant as a blocks specialist.
Rudy Gobert, Center, Utah Jazz – It’s possible that Gobert was not available on the waiver wire when Enes Kanter was injured, but has now been dropped back into free agency. If you’ve got a roster spot to burn, consider Gobert, who looks a whole lot better at center for the Jazz than the inconsistent Kanter. He’s got huge upside in terms of what he brings to the table for blocks, and he could see more run as the Jazz try to figure out exactly what they have in him going forward. He’s a stash, but the potential blocks make him a decent play right now.
Evan Turner, Shooting Guard / Small Forward, Boston Celtics – For whatever reason, Turner has found himself as the primary ballhandler on a NBA team once again, and that means he’s a factor in fantasy basketball. He still can’t shoot, so he’s not netting owners solid percentages or three-pointers from his position, but he’s racking up assists and can rebound fairly well. The Celtics have waved multiple white flags on this season, so it’s not out of the question that Turner maintains this role for awhile despite Marcus Smart‘s presence.
Mason Plumlee, Center, Brooklyn Nets – Plumlee is owned in nearly 60 percent of ESPN.com leagues, but now is the time to either pick up or trade for the Nets center. Brooklyn seems hell-bent on trading Brook Lopez (they are currently “waiting for value,” a.k.a., praying for a bidding war), which would open the door for Plumlee to dominate the minutes at center. He’s already shown what he can do when he’s given the reigns, and should be a useful player in all formats if he’s in possession of the majority of the minutes.