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Fantasy Basketball Predictions: Blazer Guards Edition

By Steven Dewald

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Is your fantasy football team in the gutter?  Are you the laughing stock of your league?  Are you on the receiving end of relentless trash talk?  If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions I have some good news. Fantasy basketball season is almost upon us.  Today we start you on the road to redemption with a preview of Blazer guards that could give you the edge this season.

All predictions are based on ESPN‘s standard ten team head-to-head category standard league.  The stat categories include the following: PTS(points), AST(assists), REB (rebounds), STL(steals), FG%(field goal percentage), FT%(free throw percentage), 3PM(three pointers made), and BLK(blocks).

Oct 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0)

Damian Lillard (PG)

Ranked a solid number nine overall according to ESPN projections, Lillard appears to be ready for big things in the fantasy world this year.  Expect Lillard to be the main scorer and facilitator in the offense.  While having the ball in his hands is nothing new, expect more scoring from him this year as he fills the vacuum left by LaMarcus Aldridge‘s departure.  Usually some doubt creeps up on players who just signed their first big contract, you have nothing to fear from this driven star from Oakland.

Lillard projects to be among league leader in: PTS, 3PM, AST, FT%.  He also won’t kill your FG% as some high volume shooters might.  His STL numbers could be higher, but the good definitely out weighs the bad here. Projection: First Round

2014-15 Stats – FG% .434 / FT% .864 / 3PM 2.4 / REB 4.6 / AST 6.2 / STL 1.2 / BLK 0.3 / PTS 21.0

C.J. McCollum (PG/SG)

McCollum will receive the biggest bump of any Blazer back court player.  Building on a breakout playoff performance, McCollum should have no problem taking the momentum into the 2015/16 season.  It appears as of right now McCollum will serve as sixth man in Rip City this year.  The back up point guard spot is his to lose, and I would still expect him to see plenty of backcourt time with Lillard.  All of this translates to a career year for the 3rd year man.

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McCollum will be a nice way to round out your back court fantasy depth as he provides a low investment option to pump up your 3PM and AST categories.  He is also the clear hand-cuff to Lillard owners, and would see a big value bump in the event of any Blazer back court injury. Projection: Mid to Late Round

2014-15 Stats – FG% .436 / FT% .699 / 3PM 0.9 / REB 1.5 / AST 1.0 / STL 0.7 / BLK 0.1 / PTS 6.8

Gerald Henderson (SG/SF)

Henderson will most likely end up as the teams starting shooting guard after he fully recovers from offseason hip surgery.  He will most likely serve as one of the primary wing defenders alongside Al-Farouq Aminu.  Expect Henderson to get a healthy amount of minutes as he steps into the senior veteran role in the projected starting five.

Sadly, big minutes and defense don’t translate to fantasy basketball stardom.  Henderson doesn’t do one thing exceptionally well from a fantasy basketball stand point.  He might be worth a waiver wire add if the Blazers are heading into a busy week in their schedule.  His guard and forward positional eligibility could also provide some relief if your squad has run into injury trouble.  Projection: Late Round-Undrafted

2014-15 Stats – FG% .437 / FT% .848 / 3PM 0.6 / REB 3.4 / AST 2.6 / STL 0.6 / BLK 0.3 / PTS 12.1

After these three, no one else on the roster has major fantasy value at guard. Granted all that could change via injury or trade.  Frontcourt projections coming soon.