Picks 1 through 3 can be found here

#4-Kevin Love

44.8 %FG, 82.4% FT, 1.9 3PG, 13.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.3 TO, 0.9 SPG. 0.5 BPG, 26 PPG

This season, Kevin Love truly propelled himself onto the fantasy charts. It’s rare that you see a power-forward who can rebound as well as Dennis Rodman and shoot the three ball as well as Ray Allen. His high free throw numbers are a huge plus considering he’s a center. However his supporting stats are somewhat lacklustre. Not even a steal or block per game means that it will be difficult to build the supporting stats.

His high free throw percentage is great as a big-man but keep in mind that in order to have a dominant advantage in rebounds you’ll have to draft other big men that don’t kill your free-throw percentage. Someone such as Ryan Andersen would make your team truly difficult to beat in three’s and rebounds.

Expect the return of Ricky Rubio to the Timberwolves to be a positive influence for Kevin Love’s numbers. Rubio’s deficiencies on offence and fantastic assists will give Love more open looks without taking away from his offensive game.

#5-Dwight Howard

57.3 %FG, 49.1% FT, 0 3PG, 14.5 RPG, 1.9 APG, 3.2 TO, 1.5 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 20.6 PPG

Dwight Howard… you really screwed yourself over this year. After making your team jump through hoops in order to keep you for a year and then having the world discover that you want your coach fired… Some people even think that his season ending injury was a sham to get out of finishing the season under Stan Van Gundy. You’re just lucky you’re such a fantasy beast.

Howard’s free throw shooting took a huge hit this year. Never known for his excellent free throw shooting, his percentage went down by 10%. Considering he attempts more then 10 free throws a game, he truly kills you in that category. A fantastic supporting cast would include Rajon Rondo, Javale Mcgee, Blake Griffin, and any starting point guard. You’ll pretty much lose turnovers and free throw at every matchup but a healthy lead in points, assists, rebounds, and blocks, and field goal % gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to the rest of your team.

#6-Russell Westbrook

45.7% FG, 82.3 FT%, 0.9 3PG, 4.6 RPG, 5.5 APG, 3.6 TO, 1.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, PPG 23.6

Westbrook’s numbers have both improved and digressed this year. Since his rookie year his field goal %, three’s per game, and point per game have shown steady improvement. His rebound and steals took a bit of a hit this year but what’s most shocking is that his assisting average went down by nearly 3 assists a game.

Westbrook has always been criticized for taking too many shots that should have been given to Kevin Durant but he still maintains a respectable 45.7%. His improved field goal percentage along with the increase in threes nicely tie together the package.

As a point guard who plays with the huge scoring threats of James Harden and Kevin Durant, you would expect his assist numbers to be significantly higher.

You’ll find his numbers are actually quite similar to Kobe Bryant’s and it really is a gamble on who I would take at the 6th or 8th pick but given Kobe’s age and the immeasurable talent ceiling give him the edge.

#7-Dwyane Wade

49.7% FG, 79.1 FT%, 0.3 3PG, 4.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 2.6 TO, 1.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 22.1 PPG

Dwyane Wade is the perfect example of someone who does not really hurt you anywhere when trying to build a team. His high FG% and average FT% are nothing but good, and his all around passing and rebounding game makes him a versatile player.

This year he has averaged a career low in turnovers and tied his career high in terms of blocks. It is always nice to have a 6`4 guard who gets over a block a game. His steals still rank him among the league`s top defenders.

Wade`s downside is his lack of three point shooting. This season he averaged just above 1 three-point attempt per game and because of it his scoring average has taken a significant hit. Although, his minutes per game were a career low and it is good to see that his other numbers remained the same.

Wade has never played a full season. He is a delicate man so be wary that odds are you will not get a full 82 games from him. This season he missed 17 games in a already shortened season so buyer beware of Dwyane Wade`s health.

#8-Kobe Bryant

43.0% FG, 83.8% FT, 1.5 3PG, 5.4 RPG, 4.7 APG, 3.0 TO, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 27.9 PPG

Learn to pass bro.

Your field goal percentage and assists could use some help.

Kobe Bryant has been a gamble for the past few years. You always expect him to fall of the charts given his countless injuries and age. However he never seems to want to drop out of the top 10 picks. Yet he hasn’t failed to disappoint yet.

A solid all-around option it’s surprising to see how far his field goal percentage has dropped recently. Although he still scores at a high clip, it really hurts on those nights when he takes 20 shots and only makes 3 of them. That being said expect standard guard numbers from Kobe (good 3’s and steals) with a good assortment of rebounds and assists.

As always it’s going to be a risk to draft Kobe but the probability of him paying off is often worth the risk.



