HoopsHype.com Fantasy Basketball

Position Rankings: Shooting Guards
by Ron Chow / October 16, 2006 - Point Guards - Small Forwards - Power Forwards - Centers

If you think about the recent and past winners of the NBA scoring title you will realize that the winner tends to be a shooting guard. As the position states, their key role is to, surprise, shoot. Standard shooting guards contribute in points only. However, there are a few special players that can help you build a fantasy team to dominate. While some others will play integral supporting roles in that domination.

For your viewing pleasure... the top 25 shooting guards in the fantasy game.

(Note: DroppingDimes.com's overall rank in parenthesis)

1. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers (1.00)
80 games; 35.4 ppg; 5.3 rpg; 4.5 apg; 2.3 3ppg; 45.0 FG%; 85.0 FT%; 1.8 spg; 0.4 bpg; 3.1 TO

Kobe had minor knee surgery this past summer, but he should be good to go in time for the regular season. Kobe should be the favorite to win the scoring title again this year, so don’t hesitate to take Kobe within the top 5 picks of your draft regardless of format. And don't think all he does is score... check those assists and rebounding stats.

2. Dwyane Wade, PG/SG, Miami Heat (2.50)
75 games; 27.2 ppg; 5.7 rpg; 6.7 apg; 0.2 3ppg; 49.5 FG%; 78.3 FT%; 2.0 spg; 0.8 bpg; 3.6 TO

All the summer talk about Wade adding a three-point shot to his game is in jeopardy with the injury to his shooting hand. Keep an eye on his status during training camp and if his hand is still a problem, drop him down a spot or two on your cheat lists. Or after looking at the stats, maybe you shouldn't.

3. Ray Allen, SG, Seattle SuperSonics (2.50)
78 games; 25.1 ppg; 4.3 rpg; 3.7 apg; 3.5 3ppg; 45.4 FG%; 90.3 FT%; 1.4 spg; 0.2 bpg; 2.4 TO

Jesus Shuttlesworth is a godsend to standard leagues that count three-pointers made. Ray Allen led the league with 3.5 treys per game last year and should top the league again this season. Allen will also help your team with his solid shooting percentages (FG%, FT% and 3P %).

4. Vince Carter, SG/SF, New Jersey Nets (4.25)
79 games; 24.2 ppg; 5.9 rpg; 4.3 apg; 1.6 3ppg; 43.0 FG%; 79.9 FT%; 1.2 spg; 0.7 bpg; 2.7 TO

Will this be VC’s swan song season with the Nets? Rumors are suggesting that the Magic will make a big push to bring VC back closer to his hometown of Daytona Beach next year when he becomes a free agent. A VC and Dwight Howard combo could be lethal, but there's still some Kidd to Carter comboing to be done.

5. Tracy McGrady, SG/SF, Houston Rockets (5.50)
47 games; 24.4 ppg; 6.5 rpg; 4.8 apg; 1.6 3ppg; 40.6 FG%; 74.7 FT%; 1.3 spg; 0.9 bpg; 2.6 TO

McGrady would be ranked higher if there were not so many lingering questions about his health. T-Mac is still capable of contributing across the board but could be a true draft day dilemma – do you take the chance or not? If T-Mac plays over 70 games, he will be worth the gamble as a pick in the second round. He may even be available in the early third round.

6. Joe Johnson, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks (5.50)
82 games; 20.2 ppg; 4.1 rpg; 6.5 apg; 1.6 3ppg; 45.3 FG%; 79.1 FT%; 1.3 spg; 0.4 bpg; 3.3 TO

Simple Joe will take a hit in his assist average now that Speedy Claxton is in Atlanta. However, take note that Speedy will miss some time during the beginning of the season because of a broken hand. JJ may play some minutes at PG and he will get more assists at the onset of the season. This could make him a classic sell-high candidate early in the season if you can sell his amazing versatility.

7. Jason Richardson, SG, Golden State Warriors (7.50)
75 games; 23.2 ppg; 5.8 rpg; 3.1 apg; 2.4 3ppg; 44.6 FG%; 67.3 FT%; 1.3 spg; 0.5 bpg; 2.2 TO

J-Rich will miss most of training camp because of surgery on his left knee. As a result he could be slow out of the gate as he works himself back into shape. Coach Nellie will demand a better FT% than the 67.3% J-Rich shot last year. Will Richardson accept the challenge and can he repeat last year’s success from beyond the arc?

8. Michael Redd, SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks (7.50)
80 games; 25.4 ppg; 4.3 rpg; 2.9 apg; 2.0 3ppg; 45.0 FG%; 87.7 FT%; 1.2 spg; 0.1 bpg; 2.1 TO

This lefty gunslinger should have a few more open looks from three-point land with the maturation of Andrew Bogut and the addition of Charlie Villanueva. Redd may be singing the blues, however, if the Bucks’ point-guard-by-committee (Mo Williams, Charlie Bell and Steve Blake) cannot get the job done and set Redd up appropriately.

9. Richard Hamilton, SG, Detroit Pistons (9.75)
80 games; 20.1 ppg; 3.2 rpg; 3.4 apg; 0.7 3ppg; 49.1 FG%; 84.5 FT%; 0.7 spg; 0.2 bpg; 2.2 TO

“Phantom of the Opera” look-alike Richard Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring last year. Rip was shooting the three-ball more last year; he made a career high 0.7 treys per game, which is notable for this classic mid-range shooter. While Hamilton may want you to make a nap, don’t sleep on this underrated player in your draft.

10. Manu Ginobili, SG, San Antonio Spurs (10.50)
65 games; 15.1 ppg; 3.5 rpg; 3.6 apg; 1.3 3ppg; 46.2 FG%; 77.8 FT%; 1.6 spg; 0.4 bpg; 1.9 TO

His kamikaze style of play has prevented him playing a full season in the NBA. Fantasy owners will be more relieved if Manu was always in the starting lineup as opposed to on the bench with some sort of nagging injury.

11. Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (11.00)
82 games; 12.3 ppg; 5.9 rpg; 3.1 apg; 0.7 3ppg; 50.0 FG%; 75.4 FT%; 1.7 spg; 0.3 bpg; 1.9 TO

This high flyer was robbed of the slam-dunk title last year. Do you remember the behind the backboard dunk? Iggy will continue his durable ways (played in all 82 games for the past two seasons) and help fantasy teams in steals, points, and rebounds.

12. Larry Hughes, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers (14.00)
36 games; 15.5 ppg; 4.5 rpg; 3.6 apg; 0.8 3ppg; 40.9 FG%; 75.7 FT%; 1.5 spg; 0.6 bpg; 2.8 TO

Hughes has admitted that the broken finger on his right hand that cost him 45 games last year is still not 100 percent. You might want to consider passing on Hughes on draft day if there are no positive reports on his progress during the preseason.

13. Ricky Davis, SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves (14.00)
78 games; 19.4 ppg; 4.5 rpg; 5.1 apg; 0.9 3ppg; 44.8 FG%; 79.7 FT%; 1.2 spg; 0.2 bpg; 2.7 TO

Probably third in the pecking order on offense now that Mike James is in town, Davis has matured since his sham triple-double attempt.

14. Raja Bell, SG, Phoenix Suns (15.00)
79 games; 14.7 ppg; 3.2 rpg; 2.6 apg; 2.5 3ppg; 45.7 FG%; 78.8 FT%; 1.0 spg; 0.3 bpg; 1.1 TO

Raja Bell is recovering from a calf injury, so he might start the season off slow as it will take a couple of weeks before he works himself into game form. He could see more open looks from beyond the arc with Amare Stoudemire back.

15. Brandon Roy, SG, Portland Trail Blazers (15.00)
First year in the NBA

An early favorite for ROY (Rookie of the Year), Roy should get plenty of playing time with the rebuilding Blazers. He could see some time at PG and SF as well. Needs to work on his three-point range if he is to ascend to fantasy stud status.

16. Morris Peterson, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (15.25)
82 games; 16.8 ppg; 4.7 rpg; 2.3 apg; 2.2 3ppg; 43.6 FG%; 82.0 FT%; 1.3 spg; 0.2 bpg; 1.5 TO

MoPete will have a little more competition in camp this year with the additions Anthony Parker and Fred Jones. He will be hard pressed to repeat his 16.8 scoring average from last year.

17. Ben Gordon, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls (18.25)
80 games; 16.9 ppg; 2.7 rpg; 3.0 apg; 2.1 3ppg; 42.2 FG%; 78.7 FT%; 0.9 spg; 0.1 bpg; 2.3 TO

The addition of Thabo Sefolosha may affect Gordon’s minutes this year. Sefolosha brings the size to the two-spot that Scott Skiles has been looking for from that position. Gordon may come off the bench during some games depending on the defensive matchups. He needs to prove to fantasy owners that he is not one-dimensional.

18. Cuttino Mobley, SG, Los Angeles Clippers (18.25)
79 games; 14.8 ppg; 4.3 rpg; 3.0 apg; 1.1 3ppg; 42.6 FG%; 83.9 FT%; 1.2 spg; 0.5 bpg; 1.8 TO

Mobley provided the Clippers the outside shooting presence needed to prevent opponents from constantly double-teaming Elton Brand down low on the blocks. He is also an underrated contributor in rebounds and assists from the two-spot.

19. Randy Foye, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves (18.50)
1st year in the NBA

Despite winning MVP at the Vegas Summer League this past summer, Foye will be hard pressed to find shots in an offense where he is the fourth option behind Kevin Garnett, Mike James and Ricky Davis. It may take a couple of seasons before he becomes a solid contributor to fantasy rosters.

20. Stephen Jackson, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers (19.25)
81 games; 16.4 ppg; 3.9 rpg; 2.8 apg; 1.4 3ppg; 41.1 FG%; 78.6 FT%; 1.3 spg; 0.5 bpg; 2.5 TO

Hanging out with Stephen Jackson would definitely not be boring. S-Jax should be fine for the regular season after a recent incident at a strip club where he got hit by a car. Jackson will have less shots on offense with a healthy Jermaine O’Neal and new addition Al Harrington both in the lineup.

21. Bobby Simmons, SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks (20.25)
75 games; 13.4 ppg; 4.4 rpg; 2.3 apg; 1.4 3ppg; 45.3 FG%; 82.5 FT%; 1.2 spg; 0.3 bpg; 1.6 TO

Bobby’s inaugural season with the Bucks did not pan out as well as expected for fantasy owners after his breakout season with the Clippers the year before. He will be better this year and part of the talented Bucks starting lineup.

22. Eddie Jones, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies (23.25)
75 games; 11.8 ppg; 3.7 rpg; 2.4 apg; 1.8 3ppg; 40.4 FG%; 78.1 FT%; 1.8 spg; 0.4 bpg; 1.2 TO

Eddie Jones is entering his 14th season and is expected to step up in the Grizzlies’ offense with the loss of Pau Gasol until December. Jones can still help fantasy teams in three-pointers and steals.

23. Delonte West, PG/SG, Boston Celtics (24.25)
71 games; 11.8 ppg; 4.1 rpg; 4.6 apg; 1.2 3ppg; 48.7 FG%; 85.2 FT%; 1.2 spg; 0.7 bpg; 1.9 TO

A bad back has bothered West during the early part of training camp. He will be competing with Sebastian Telfair for playing time and may see some time off the bench. Keep a close eye on this situation with Boston’s backcourt. If it looks like West will be coming off the bench, then drop him down accordingly on your cheat lists.

24. Josh Childress, SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks (24.50)
74 games; 10.0 ppg; 5.2 rpg; 1.8 apg; 0.4 3ppg; 55.2 FG%; 76.6 FT%; 1.2 spg; 0.5 bpg; 1.4 TO

The funky shooting motion of Childress proved to be effective as he shot 55.2 percent from the field last year. He looks destined to play the sixth man role again this year. Childress is an underrated contributor in rebounding and steals and can be an asset in these categories from this position.

25. Kevin Martin, SG, Sacramento Kings (24.75)
72 games; 10.8 ppg; 3.6 rpg; 1.4 apg; 0.9 3ppg; 48.0 FG%; 84.7 FT%; 0.8 spg; 0.1 bpg; 1.1 TO

Kevin Martin should benefit the most from the departure of Bonzi Wells. He should have an edge over newcomer John Salmons for the starting SG job. His February averages from last season (16.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 1.7 3pg) showed fantasy owners a glimpse of what he can do while in the starting lineup.

Honorable Mention: Jamal Crawford, New York (27.25), Martell Webster, Portland (30.00).

Ron Chow writes for DroppingDimes.com

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