By: Tommy Beer Last Updated: 9/26/10 1:45 PM ET | 330 times read
Scoring a few sleepers on Draft Day is a key ingredient to any successful fantasy season. Anybody can recommend the Durants, Kobes, and Wades of the world, but finding players that out-perform their average draft position is essential if you hope to compete for a title. Below is a rundown of the top sleeper candidates for the 2010-2011 NBA season.
First, let's examine some players that haven't received much national attention or any significant hype. Highlight these names and target them as late-round steals. These picks, towards the end of the draft, are vital to creating the depth that championship fantasy squads are made of…
Amir Johnson – Toronto Raptors: Many feel that Johnson has always had the talent to make a significant impact, but was never given a proper opportunity. Well, now it appears that Amir will get his chance to turn potential into reality. After losing Chris Bosh to the Miami HEAT, the Raptors inked Johnson to a hefty $34 million contract. If you look at Johnson's career per-36 minute averages there is a lot to like: 11.1 points (on 60% shooting), 9.9 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 2.4 blocks. With Bosh in South Beach (and rookie Ed Davis now dealing with a significant knee injury) we can safely assume Johnson will certainly set a career high in minutes played this season (avoiding foul trouble will also be key) – which should translate into career-bests in offensive and defensive categories as well.
Scoring a few sleepers on Draft Day is a key ingredient to any successful fantasy season. Anybody can recommend the Durants, Kobes, and Wades of the world, but finding players that out-perform their average draft position is essential if you hope to compete for a title. Below is a rundown of the top sleeper candidates for the 2010-2011 NBA season.
First, let's examine some players that haven't received much national attention or any significant hype. Highlight these names and target them as late-round steals. These picks, towards the end of the draft, are vital to creating the depth that championship fantasy squads are made of…
Amir Johnson – Toronto Raptors: Many feel that Johnson has always had the talent to make a significant impact, but was never given a proper opportunity. Well, now it appears that Amir will get his chance to turn potential into reality. After losing Chris Bosh to the Miami HEAT, the Raptors inked Johnson to a hefty $34 million contract. If you look at Johnson's career per-36 minute averages there is a lot to like: 11.1 points (on 60% shooting), 9.9 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 2.4 blocks. With Bosh in South Beach (and rookie Ed Davis now dealing with a significant knee injury) we can safely assume Johnson will certainly set a career high in minutes played this season (avoiding foul trouble will also be key) – which should translate into career-bests in offensive and defensive categories as well.
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