The Top 130
Note: Brian McKitish's top 130 players are ranked for their fantasy value from this point forward in the 2011-12 NBA season. Previous rank is indicated in parentheses.
1. LeBron James, SF, MIA (2)
2. Kevin Durant, SF, OKC (1)
3. Chris Paul, PG, LAC (3)
4. Dwyane Wade, SG, MIA (5)
5. Russell Westbrook, PG, OKC (6)
6. Josh Smith, PF/SF, ATL (7)
7. Carmelo Anthony, SF/PF, NY (27)
8. Deron Williams, PG, NJ (8)
9. Al Jefferson, C/PF, UTAH (9)
10. Paul Millsap, PF, UTAH (12)
11. Pau Gasol, PF/C, LAL (13)
12. Andrew Bynum, C, LAL (15)
13. DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, SAC (10)
14. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, DAL (16)
15. Goran Dragic, PG, HOU (42)
16. Blake Griffin, PF, LAC (20)
17. Rudy Gay, SF, MEM (29)
18. Monta Ellis, PG/SG, GS (44)
19. Danny Granger, SF, IND (25)
20. Klay Thompson, SG, GS (43)
21. Brandon Jennings, PG, MIL (39)
22. Marcin Gortat, C, PHO (21)
23. John Wall, PG, WSH (23)
24. Serge Ibaka, C/PF, OKC (35)
25. Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS (22)
26. James Harden, SG, OKC (28)
27. Paul Pierce, SF/SG, BOS (24)
28. Ty Lawson, PG/SG, DEN (26)
29. Steve Nash, PG, PHO (33)
30. Greg Monroe, PF/C, DET (32)
31. Tony Parker, PG, SA (41)
32. Kevin Garnett, PF/C, BOS (30)
33. Derrick Rose, PG, CHI (18)
34. Roy Hibbert, C, IND (37)
35. Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF, MIL (38)
36. Joe Johnson, SG/SF, ATL (36)
37. Joakim Noah, C/PF, CHI (45)
38. Jordan Crawford, SG, WSH (46)
39. Andre Iguodala, SF/SG, PHI (47)
40. Chris Bosh, PF/C, MIA (55)
41. Marcus Thornton, SG, SAC (103)
42. Kris Humphries, PF, NJ (48)
43. Mike Conley, PG, MEM (50)
44. Greivis Vasquez, PG, NO (NR)
45. Tim Duncan, PF/C, SA (66)
46. Carlos Boozer, PF, CHI (52)
47. Jose Juan Barea, PG, MIN (61)
48. Kevin Seraphin, PF/C, WSH (118)
49. Manu Ginobili, SG, SA (57)
50. Brandon Rush, SG, GS (113)
51. Ramon Sessions, PG, LAL (53)
52. Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, UTAH (71)
53. Danilo Gallinari, SF/PF, DEN (64)
54. Marc Gasol, C, MEM (19)
55. Eric Gordon, SG, NO (56)
56. Tyreke Evans, PG/SG/SF, SAC (49)
57. Wesley Matthews, SG/SF, POR (58)
58. Tyson Chandler, C, NY (59)
59. Raymond Felton, PG, POR (60)
60. Jason Terry, SG, DAL (65)
61. Arron Afflalo, SG, DEN (72)
62. Ryan Anderson, PF, ORL (101)
63. Jrue Holiday, PG, PHI (76)
64. Isaiah Thomas, PG, SAC (67)
65. Nikola Pekovic, C, MIN (69)
66. Jeff Teague, PG, ATL (70)
67. Drew Gooden, PF, MIL (73)
68. Channing Frye, PF/C, PHO (75)
69. Nate Robinson, PG/SG, GS (123)
70. Antawn Jamison, PF, CLE (78)
71. Luol Deng, SF, CHI (54)
72.Nene, C/PF, WSH (79)
73. Jamal Crawford, SG/PG, POR (NR)
74. Paul George, SF/SG, IND (62)
75. Kemba Walker, PG, CHA (68)
76. Luis Scola, PF, HOU (80)
77. Nicolas Batum, SF/SG, POR (40)
78. Chris Kaman, C, NO (81)
79. Elton Brand, PF, PHI (82)
80. Zach Randolph, PF, MEM (83)
81. Evan Turner, SG, PHI (85)
82. J.J. Hickson, PF/C, POR (NR)
83. DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, TOR (84)
84. Jose Calderon, PG, TOR (51)
85. Lou Williams, PG/SG, PHI (92)
86. Anthony Randolph, PF, MIN (NR)
87. JaVale McGee, C, DEN (86)
88. Amare Stoudemire, C/PF, NY (98)
89. Rodney Stuckey, PG/SG, DET (87)
90. Kobe Bryant, SG, LAL (34)
91. Brandon Knight, PG/SG, DET (88)
92. Al Harrington, PF, DEN (89)
93. O.J. Mayo, SG, MEM (111)
94. Glen Davis, PF, ORL (NR)
95. Marcus Camby, C/PF, HOU (90)
96. Kyle Lowry, PG, HOU (91)
97. George Hill, PG/SG, IND (NR)
98. Randy Foye, SG/PG, LAC (93)
99. Jameer Nelson, PG, ORL (94)
100. Devin Harris, PG, UTAH (96)
101. David West, PF, IND (95)
102. Gerald Henderson, SG, CHA (97)
103. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC (99)
104. Byron Mullens, C/PF, CHA (74)
105. Iman Shumpert, PG/SG, NY (100)
106. Dorell Wright, SF, GS (NR)
107. Mario Chalmers, PG, MIA (117)
108. Spencer Hawes, C, PHI (121)
109.Mike Dunleavy, SG/SF, MIL (102)
110. Jason Thompson, PF, SAC (104)
111. Thaddeus Young, SF/PF, PHI (122)
112. Gerald Green, SG/SF, NJ (NR)
113. Jared Dudley, SF/SG, PHO (105)
114. Kyrie Irving, PG, CLE (106)
115. Ray Allen, SG, BOS (77)
116. Gerald Wallace, SF/PF, NJ (31)
117. Alonzo Gee, SG/SF, CLE (108)
118. Kenneth Faried, PF, DEN (110)
119. Derrick Williams, PF, MIN (NR)
120. Andre Miller, PG, DEN (112)
121. Donald Sloan, PG, CLE (NR)
122. Michael Beasley, SF/PF, MIN (NR)
123. Caron Butler, SF, LAC (115)
124. Brandon Bass, PF, BOS (129)
125. Charles Jenkins, PG, GS (116)
126. Zaza Pachulia, C, ATL (119)
127. Tayshaun Prince, SF, DET (120)
128. Lester Hudson, SG, CLE (NR)
129. James Johnson, SF/PF, TOR (124)
130. J.R. Smith, SG/SF, NY (125)
As we head into the final scoring period of the season, you will notice a big shakeup in the weekly Top 130. Since we have only a week and a half remaining, games played will be a major factor in determining player values. Neil Tardy does a great job of breaking down the weekly schedules in the Fantasy Forecaster column, but for your convenience, I have listed the games remaining for each team here as well.
Games remaining by team
5: Celtics, Mavericks, Lakers, Timberwolves, Nets, Trail Blazers, Kings, Raptors, Jazz
6: Hawks, Bulls, Nuggets, Pistons, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Bucks, Hornets, Knicks, Thunder, Magic, Suns, Wizards
7: Bobcats, Cavaliers, Warriors, Heat, Sixers
8: Spurs
Games played won't be the only factor playing into the major shifts in the Top 130 this week. Injuries to big-name players such as Kevin Love, Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge and David Lee have opened the door for multiple fringe players to make a big impact over the final scoring period. Let's take a look at some unheralded players who should help down the stretch:
Greivis Vasquez, PG, New Orleans Hornets: Vasquez will be the starting point guard in New Orleans the rest of the way now that Jarrett Jack has been shut down for the remainder of the season. Vasquez is a gritty point guard who can be a highly effective assist man for fantasy leaguers. Averaging 12.2 points, 6.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 3-pointers in 20 starts for the Hornets, Vasquez is a must add in fantasy leagues.
Nate Robinson, PG, Golden State Warriors: Last week, I discussed Charles Jenkins, but it's been Robinson who's the more productive fantasy point guard in Golden State in recent action. Both Robinson and Jenkins will be inconsistent due to the time share, but Nate is putting up 17.4 points, 6.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.2 3-pointers in 26.6 minutes over his past five contests. Robinson should be owned by anyone in need of points, assists and 3-pointers despite his inconsistent tendencies, especially now that the Warriors will be looking for more offense in Lee's absence.
George Hill, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers: Hill has had low-end fantasy value during stretches this season, but he has stepped up nicely as Darren Collison nurses a groin injury. Averaging 15.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 3-pointers in three starts for Collison, Hill will remain valuable for as long as Collison is out.
Donald Sloan, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers: Sloan isn't as popular a pickup as teammate Lester Hudson, but his spot in the Cavaliers rotation might be more secure. After exploding in three consecutive games last week, Hudson saw only 19 minutes of action Friday and again Saturday. The lack of minutes makes Hudson's fantasy value questionable going forward. Meanwhile, Sloan has averaged 6.5 assists in 31.8 minutes per game over his past six. He won't help you anywhere else, but he should be considered if you're in a tight race for assists this late in the season. Of course, neither Sloan nor Hudson will be used as much if Kyrie Irving returns.
Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, New Orleans Hornets: Aminu has quietly replaced the injured Trevor Ariza in the Hornets starting lineup, and while he hasn't done much offensively, he's been a quality option for his steals and blocks. Averaging 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.4 blocks over his past five games, Aminu should be considered a sneaky pickup candidate for owners in deeper leagues that need a boost in steals and blocks.
Anthony Randolph, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves: We've probably all already been there, done that with Randolph at some point over the past three seasons, but here's a fun fact about the talented but extremely inconsistent 22-year old: In 21 career games played in the month of April, he averages 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. It seems that every year this kid gets an opportunity for extended minutes at the end of the season, and every year he produces at a high level when given ample playing time. So with Love out of action and the Wolves giving Randolph additional run, it's no surprise that Randolph hasn't disappointed, with 22 points, 8.7 boards and 3 blocks in 30.7 minutes per game over his past three contests. Considering that Love likely won't return to action the rest of the way, Randolph needs to be owned in all formats even if you don't believe in his long-term potential.
J.J. Hickson, PF, Portland Trail Blazers: Hickson hasn't been as effective as the Orlando Magic's Glen Davis, but he's a similar talent, averaging 13.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over his past five games. With Aldridge out, Hickson is a must add despite the Blazers' poor schedule the rest of the way.
Spencer Hawes, C, Philadelphia Sixers: Hawes has bounced in and out of the Top 130 for most of the season thanks to various injuries, but he's looking like a much more attractive fantasy option now that's he healthy and with seven games on the docket in the final scoring period. Averaging 9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game over his past five contests, Hawes should be considered by anyone in need of blocks this late in the season.