Fantasy Basketball Player Rankings & Projections
2010 Shooting Guard Preseason Preview
Joe Johnson
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7. O.J. Mayo - Atlanta
Former USC guard O.J. Mayo was a beam of light on a mediocre Grizzlies
team, scoring 18.5 ppg in his rookie season. Drafted third overall,
Mayo proved that his potential is limitless as he matures. His 44%
from the field, and 38% from 3-pt are excellent for a player of
his youth. Mayo will blossom into a breed of shooting guard that
ranks among the elite. Unlike other star shooting guards, Mayo will
do his damage with his outside stroke - something he already has
developed, and will continue to in upcoming years. For a keeper
league, Mayo could rank as a very high pick that should pay dividends
instantly.
2009 Statistics:
18.5 Pts - 3.8 Reb - 3.2 Ast
2010 Projection: 21.2
Pts - 4.1 Reb - 3.7 Ast
8. Monta Ellis - Golden State
Monta Ellis is another young guard that has the talent to make
him one of the league's best players - but his health is his main
concern. Ellis tore a ligament in his ankle last year that limited
him to just 25 games. When he did take the court, his performance
was still sub-par. But looking at Monta Ellis' glory season of 2008,
there is proof that he can grow as a guard. After shooting 53% in
'08, Ellis is one of the best mid-range shooters in the league,
although he lacks a perimeter shot. The offensive weapons around
him are scarce, but the up-tempo chaotic offense of Golden State
should help Ellis rack up more points and assists in 2010.
2009 Statistics:
19.0 Pts - 4.3 Reb - 3.7 Ast
2010 Projection: 20.2
Pts - 4.8 Reb - 3.8 Ast
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9. Ray Allen - Boston
Ray Allen might be a name to watch out for in 2010. It's not to
say that Ray Allen isn't one of the best guards in the league -
he clearly is. His two seasons of the Celtics have represented his
two worst scoring seasons since 1999. Allen's shooting
percentages
are higher, but with a star-studded line up in Boston, Ray doesn't
need to constantly produce. He may be the purest 3-point shooter
in the league too, but he won't see enough action to be a solid
fantasy starter. If you are late in drafting a shooting guard, Allen
promises to be a good filler, but don't even think about ranking
this guy amongst the top five SGs in terms of fantasy value.
2009 Statistics:
18.2 Pts - 3.5 Reb - 2.8 Ast
2010 Projection: 17.7
Pts - 3.6 Reb - 2.5 Ast
10. Ben Gordon - San Antonio
Ben Gordon never had a problem in Chicago when
there was an overload of guards on the roster - we don't foresee
it being any different with Gordon in Detroit. Quietly, Gordon
is one of the league's top perimeter shooters. Over five seasons
in Chicago, his career 3-pt percentage is 41.5%, and he has never
had a year below 40. Gordon doesn't have the skill set to be a
force on the defensive glass or giving out assists in the backcourt,
but he more than makes up for it. Gordon should have no problem
adjusting to the Detroit offense; he's a lock for a second consecutive
season averaging 20+ ppg. If your league tends to favor high shooting
percentages, Gordon's value is even greater (Career: 43% FG, 41%
3-PT, 86% FT).
2009 Statistics:
20.7 Pts - 3.5 Reb - 3.4 Ast
2010 Projection: 20.7
Pts - 3.4 Reb - 4.2 Ast
Best of the Rest
Jason Richardson - Phoenix
Michael Redd - Milwaukee
Manu Ginobli - San Antonio
Jason Terry - Dallas
