Top 30 Fantasy Centers

Cato is number 21, and the comment is not so nice. I am surprised to see Brad Miller so low.....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news/20011020/fantasy.html

Rotisserie By The Numbers: The Top 30 Centers
October 20, 2001

By Craig Rondinone
SportsTicker Staff Writer

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY (TICKER) -- Didn't the Lakers just repeat as NBA champions a couple weeks ago?

That is what it feels like, but in reality, the Shaq and Kobe show ended their successful 2000-01 tour in June. And after a short time of being distracted by baseball, football and hockey, fantasy basketball owners have to get back to work. The regular season starts in less than two weeks.

Center is to fantasy basketball what catcher is to fantasy baseball: the hardest position to find quality performers. If you can grab a center that can give you double digits in points and close to double digits in rebounds every game, you have done well.

Here are the top 30 centers heading into the 2001-02 campaign, with the man who should be drafted No. 1 in every fantasy league in the universe topping the list:

1. Shaquille O' Neal, Lakers: If this man does not go first overall in your fantasy draft, then the owner passing on him should think about taking up another hobby, like tiddlywinks or basket weaving. He is the most dominant player at a position that has no dominant players. He was first in the NBA in field-goal percentage, third in scoring and rebounding and fourth in blocked shots. His sickest stat? He led all centers by averaging 28.7 points per game. The next closest center averaged half that.

2. Alonzo Mourning, Heat: Do not pay attention to his 2000-01 numbers. They are misleading because there were some games he saw limited minutes and he was working his way back from his kidney problems. If he can play in 65-70 games this season, he is definitely the second-best center. But he is a tremendous fantasy risk because he could have a setback with his health at any time.

3. David Robinson, Spurs: "The Admiral" does not put up the numbers he did during his glory days, but he will give you a little bit of everything. You could do a lot worse than 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks a game.

4. Dikembe Mutombo, 76ers: The NBA's best defensive player led the league in rebounding last season with 13.5 per game and was fifth in blocks. The key with him might be his scoring. He averaged over two points more per contest after being traded to the Sixers.

5. Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers: The other O'Neal is playing out of position with the Pacers, but that means he can use his speed and quickness to outplay the older, slower centers in the league. But don't get me wrong, he is powerful and strong. He should take it up a notch this season and average a double-double.

6. Marcus Camby, Knicks: The man needs a little more fiber and calcium in his diet because he is perpetually injured. If he ever stayed healthy for 75 games, he could jump all the way to No. 3 on this list.

7. Vlade Divac, Kings: Mr. Consistent is always good for somewhere around 12 points and eight rebounds per game for a season. He is also a superb passer. He was second among centers in assists last season, trailing only Shaq.

8. Elden Campbell, Hornets: Sometimes he brings his "A" game and sometimes he brings his "D" game. Guessing which one he will bring every night is a tough chore for fantasy owners. He is still good for 13 points and eight boards a game, however.

9. Marc Jackson, Warriors: Jackson is as happy to be back in Golden State as I would be if I got sent to Siberia. ESPN.com must not believe Golden State matched Houston's offer sheet. They have Jackson listed on Houston on their site. He would have easily won Rookie of the Year last season if a groin injury did not limit him to 48 games last season.

10. Theo Ratliff, Hawks: He was the numero uno shot-swatter in the NBA last season, averaging a tidy 3.74 per game. His improved offensive skills made him a fantasy force in 2000-01, but how will he do on a new team and coming back from such a serious wrist injury?

The rest of the top 30:

11. Raef LaFrentz, Nuggets: Although the numbers for this youngster are nice, he did not show any great improvement last season.

12. Hakeem Olajuwon, Raptors: His health and his age are definitely reasons to be concerned, but going to a new team might give him new life.

13. Michael Olowokandi, Clippers: One of these days he will start scoring to go along with his decent rebound and block totals, right? Well, won't he?

14. Ben Wallace, Pistons: He is the Dennis Rodman of fantasy basketball, minus the piercings and all of the troublemaking. He was second in the NBA in rebounding (thanks to all of those Jerry Stackhouse misses). He does nothing else.

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cavaliers: He has averaged over 13 points per game for his short career, but he has only played in 29 games in the past two seasons.

16. Dale Davis, Trail Blazers: Will probably shift to center now that it looks like Arvydas Sabonis is not returning. This will not help him score more.

17. Shawn Bradley, Mavericks: This gangly fellow is good for some boards, some blocks and some technical fouls.

18. Patrick Ewing, Magic: Ewing can only be played in small doses in this late stage of his career. If Orlando uses him right, he will have a decent season.

19. Jahidi White, Wizards: Love that name, love that big body, and love the fact that Michael Jordan could help turn him into the sleeper at this position.

20. Calvin Booth, Sonics: He could lead the league in blocks now that he will be a full-time starter. Just do not expect more than seven points per game.

21. Kelvin Cato, Rockets: Someone has to be the center for the Rockets.

22. Bryant Reeves, Grizzlies: "Big Country" might be in big trouble for playing time if Memphis uses Lorenzen Wright more at center than at power forward.

23. Nazr Mohammed, Hawks: One big month does not make him Wilt Chamberlain. Ratliff will cut into his minutes as well. But Mohammed has a nice upside.

24. Brad Miller, Bulls: This unknown quantity averaged almost nine points and eight rebounds a game last season. The Bulls will want to work in Eddy Curry at center.

25. John Amaechi, Jazz: Amaechi has a much better shooting touch than Greg Ostertag but is limited in other areas.

26. Vitaly Potapenko, Celtics: He is about as good as Tony Battie. That is not saying much.

27. Keon Clark, Raptors: Will see plenty of time knowing Olajuwon's health history.

28. Todd MacCulloch, Nets: He got $33 million, not bad for someone who averaged 4.1 points per game last season. Well, he did only play in 9.5 minutes per game. I wonder why. Hey, the Nets have always been good recognizing talent at center. Look at Jim McIlvaine.

29. Ervin Johnson, Bucks: I know, I know. No magic here. I have heard the joke a billion times.

30. Erick Dampier, Warriors: Looked great two years ago. That's no help now.

Next week: Rating the forwards.

 

Our old namesake is at #12.......I think that might be right. But Elden Campbell seems too high to me.

Does anyone else think Campbell could have been an elite center is he cared to be? I always thought skillwise and sizewise he was top 5, but his attitude seems lackluster.