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Playoffs not going so well? Way out of it in a Rotisserie league? That's alright. Don't worry. There's always next year.
In order to avoid becoming the Chicago Cubs of your Fantasy hoops league, however, you'll want to start thinking about next year right now.
The 2007-08 regular season is winding to a close, but it's never too early to start thinking about the 2008-09 campaign. In order to help give Fantasy owners a jump start, we're breaking down the scenario for keeper leagues -- one of the benefits of playing in CBSSports.com commissioner leagues.
This week, we're taking a look at the cream of the crop. The best of the best. We've broken down the top 10 keepers at guard, forward and center for owners in leagues that allow any player to be kept. From LeBron James on down, the dynasty starts with these players.
TOP-10 KEEPER GUARDS
1. Chris Paul, Hornets
2008-09 Age: 23
NBA Seasons: 3
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 21.6 ppg, 11.4 apg, 3.9 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 2.7 steals, 0.1 blocks, 1.2 three-pointers, 49.8 field-goal percentage, 85.9 free-throw percentage
Analysis: Talk about a third-year breakout. Paul and Kobe Bryant have gone back and forth all season as the top two most productive guards in Fantasy. Considering his age, the scary thing is that he's only going to get better. He gets the nod over Kobe because of the overall combination of points and assists. The overall production ends up being very similar when considering Bryant's scoring, assists and points, but youth prevails here.
2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
2008-09 Age: 30
NBA Seasons: 12
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 28.3 ppg, 5.3 apg, 6.2 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 1.9 steals, 0.5 blocks, 1.7 three-pointers, 46.1 field-goal percentage, 84.1 free-throw percentage
Analysis: Don't cry too hard for Kobe. He dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 on this list through no fault of his own, just the emergence of Paul. He's still Fantasy guard No. 1-b. He's a better scorer and rebounder than Paul and his assists actually aren't bad for a more mature Kobe. He's just as productive as Paul, but he's seven years older.
3. Deron Williams, Jazz
2008-09 Age: 24
NBA Seasons: 3
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 19.3 ppg, 10.4 apg, 3.0 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 1.1 steals, 0.3 blocks, 0.9 three-pointers, 51.1 field-goal percentage, 79.6 free-throw percentage
Analysis: If Kobe is Fantasy guard No. 1-b, Williams is fairly close becoming 1-b. He's also in the third-year breakout group along with Paul, so there's something to be said for considering him over Kobe even with the age difference. He's going to average 10-plus assists throughout his career and will be a rare 20-and-10 guard in Fantasy. Rotisserie owners would like to see him improve his free-throw percentage, but overall he has improved in each of his first three seasons.
4. Allen Iverson, Nuggets
2008-09 Age: 33
NBA Seasons: 12
Free agent: Early termination option June
2007-08 stats: 26.6 ppg, 7.3 apg, 2.9 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 1.9 steals, 0.1 bpg, 1.1 three-pointers, 45.6 field-goal percentage, 82.0 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's likely to re-up with the Nuggets, having become quite comfortable there both on and off the court. That means Fantasy owners should expect more of the same from him. He hasn't averaged under 25 points since the 1997-98 season, his second in the league, and he's averaged seven dimes to go with that in each of his last four seasons. He's going to be entering his 13th NBA season, which is the only negative with him.
5. Steve Nash, Suns
2008-09 Age: 35
NBA Seasons: 12
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 17.5 ppg, 11.2 apg, 3.4 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 0.6 steals, 0.7 blocks, 2.2 three-pointers, 51.8 field-goal percentage, 90.4 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's been No. 1 or 2 on this list in the past few years, but has been surpassed by the young duo of Paul and Williams. Once again, though, it is more of an age thing than anything else. Nash still provides better assist totals than any guard in Fantasy and his field-goal percentage, three-point shooting and free-throw percentage make him a stud in Rotisserie leagues. He hasn't averaged a steal per game since 2004-05, though.
6. Baron Davis, Warriors
2008-09 Age: 29
NBA Seasons: 9
Free agent: Early termination option in June
2007-08 stats: 22.3 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.7 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 2.4 steals, 0.5 blocks, 2.1 three-pointers, 43.2 field-goal percentage, 74.0 free-throw percentage
Analysis: There is some debate as to whether he should go ahead of Dwyane Wade, but he is coming off a better season and appears to have shaken his injury-plagued past. Of course, it also helped that he was a free-agent to be this season. A case could be made for either, but the tiebreaker here are the extra assists, the steals and the three-pointers. If he re-signs with the Warriors, as expected, he'll be in a great system for offensive production for as long as Don Nelson remains as coach.
7. Dwyane Wade, Heat
2008-09 Age: 27
NBA Seasons: 5
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 24.6 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.2 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, 0.4 three-pointers, 46.9 field-goal percentage, 75.8 free-throw percentage
Analysis: There are some injury concerns with him, especially considering his gritty style of play. But the numbers are tough to ignore. He can provide 25-plus ppg on a regular basis when he's fully healthy. He got off to a slow start this season while recovering from knee surgery and his numbers tailed off in the second half of the season when the team was in complete disarray. He did prove to be over his knee injury as the season wore on and don't be too alarmed by the fact he was shut down early this season. The team didn't want to risk injury to its star player in a lost cause. If anything, it will prove fruitful next season when he's as fresh as he's been in years. At 27, he should be entering the prime of his career and will be an elite Fantasy guard for several years to come.
8. Andre Iguodala, 76ers
2008-09 Age: 25
NBA Seasons: 4
Free agent: Restricted in June
2007-08 stats: 19.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.6 apg
Rotisserie facts: 2.1 steals, 0.7 blocks, 1.1 three-pointers, 45.5 field-goal percentage, 73.1 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's sligible at both guard and forward, which is obviously a plus. His scoring has risen in each season and he should crack the 20-point barrier in 2008-09. He's proven to be a very durable player and is a Rotisserie beast with the points, rebounds, assists, steals and threes he provides. The shooting percentages need to improve, but that's going to come in time for him. He'll be entering his second full season as the unquestioned go-to guy and should only improve. Don't worry about the free agent status. The Sixers aren't letting him go anywhere and will match any offer he gets.
9. Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers
2008-09 Age: 24
NBA Seasons: 2
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 19.5 ppg, 5.8 apg, 4.9 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks, 0.9 three-pointers, 45.1 field-goal percentage, 76.1 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He is the premier third-year breakout candidate for 2008-09, which is scary considering his numbers this season. His assist numbers could actually increase over the course of his career because the Blazers would like to see him handle the ball more in a Dwyane Wade-type role where he's a point-shooting guard. He could see a rise to even seven or eight dimes next year with Greg Oden expected to be healthy and LaMarcus Aldridge also entering his third season. He could be next year's Deron Williams, which would put him in the top-five of this list next year.
10. Joe Johnson, Hawks
2008-09 Age: 27
NBA Seasons: 7
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 21.6 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.6 rpg
Rotisserie facts: 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks, 2.1 three-pointers, 42.4 field-goal percentage, 85.2 free-throw percentage
Analysis: Anyone worried that his scoring numbers would dip upon the arrival of Mike Bibby -- another scoring option -- was put at ease when his numbers actually improved in March. He averaged 18.5 ppg in February and has averaged 26.4 ppg in March alongside his new point guard. Perhaps that's a sign of things to come next season when they'll play their first full season together.
TOP-10 KEEPER FORWARDS
1. LeBron James, Cavaliers
2008-09 Age: 24
NBA Seasons: 5
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 30.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 7.3 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks, 1.6 three-pointers, 48.6 field-goal percentage, 71.5 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's pretty good, this guy. The No. 1 overall producer in Fantasy is obviously a no-brainer in leagues in which he's eligible to be kept, but it would be nice to see him improve upon his center-like free-throw percentage. His three-point shooting could also stand a big improvement, believe it or not.
2. Al Jefferson, Timberwolves
2008-09 Age: 24
NBA Seasons: 4
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 21.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 1.5 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.9 steals, 1.5 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 50.2 field-goal percentage, 71.8 free-throw percentage
Analysis: Forget for a moment that he's center eligible. He's replaced Kevin Garnett in more ways than one in Minnesota and in Fantasy. It's not a totally crazy idea. While Garnett does average better assist numbers, Jefferson has averaged more points, rebounds and blocks than K.G. this season and while Jefferson is only going to improve, Garnett has hit a ceiling and stands to see a similar cap in numbers next season while playing alongside Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Meet Jefferson, the next Big Ticket. Now, remember he's center eligible.
3. Amare Stoudemire, Suns
2008-09 Age: 26
NBA Seasons: 6
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 24.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.4 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.8 steals, 2.2 blocks, 0.1 three-pointers, 58.2 field-goal percentage, 79.9 free-throw percentage
Analysis: Having him back at his more natural power forward position is a big deal for him and he appears to be more comfortable as a scorer there while not suffering much in the rebounding numbers. He probably won't crack 20-and-10, but 28-and-9 is a distinct possibility next season. That's what he's been averaging since the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal in Arizona and could be a sneak preview at his numbers in a full season playing alongside the Big Diesel. Oh, and he's also center eligible.
4. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
2008-09 Age: 32
NBA Seasons: 13
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 18.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.4 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.4 steals, 1.2 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 53.4 field-goal percentage, 79.0 free-throw percentage
Analysis: As anticipated, his numbers have declined in his first season playing with two stars next to him. He's averaging under 20 points and under 10 rebounds for the first time in 10 seasons and that's likely to be the case again next season. Ironically, his assist numbers have also dipped under four for the first time since the 1996-97 season despite the added talent around him. But it also hasn't helped that he's seeing his 33.8 minutes, his lowest total since his rookie season. A lot of that has to do with all the blowout wins the C's have had this year. He's not done, far from it. But Fantasy owners will have to adjust their expectations in his current environment.
5. Carlos Boozer, Jazz
2008-09 Age: 27
NBA Seasons: 6
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 21.5 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 2.8 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.3 steals, 0.4 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 53.6 field-goal percentage, 77.1 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's been a monster in each of his last two seasons with the Jazz and is one of only five players who average over 20 points and 10 rebounds in the league. He's done it in back-to-back seasons and also provides great field-goal percentage. It's a toss up between he and Dirk Nowitzki, but the younger player wins out in a keeper scenario.
6. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
2008-09 Age: 30
NBA Seasons: 10
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 23.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.6 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks, 0.9 three-pointers, 47.8 field-goal percentage, 87.8 free-throw percentage
Analysis: His three-point shooting and free-throw numbers set him apart from most big men, which is a big plus in Rotisserie formats. The scoring is up there with Stoudemire, but with fewer rebounds and blocks. Playing a full season with Jason Kidd should only help his scoring numbers increase and he could approach 25 points in 2008-09 as a result. For the most part, he's been a durable player. The recent knee and ankle injury he sustained has been the biggest problem he's ever had to face.
7. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
2008-09 Age: 24
NBA Seasons: 5
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 25.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.4 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks, 0.7 three-pointers, 48.0 field-goal percentage, 80.0 free-throw percentage
Analysis: It's almost a toss-up between 'Melo and Dirk, but Nowitzki gets the benefit of the doubt at this stage. What 'Melo has is more upside considering he'll be entering the prime of his career while Dirk has practically maxed out. The numbers are very similiar.
8. Shawn Marion, Heat
2008-09 Age: 30
NBA Seasons: 9
Free agent: Early termination option in June
2007-08 stats: 15.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.2 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.9 steals, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 three-pointers, 50.8 field-goal percentage, 70.7 free-throw percentage
Analysis: For years, he's been near the top of most Rotisserie-league lists for his overall contributions. Now, his value is very much in flux. He has a player option this summer, but is unlikely to take it because he's not going to get as much money as he'd like on the open market this summer. That means he'll likely be back in Miami. The Heat have a very solid chance of having the first overall pick in this summer's draft, which could net them a player like Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley -- a similar player to Marion. It will be intersting to see how three power forwards like Marion, Beasley and Udonis Haslem co-exist. With Wade and Beasley around, it's hard to see Marion's scoring get back to 17-20 ppg it was in Phoenix and the rebounds could also take a hit. He's no bum, but is another player who Fantasy owners will have to re-consider. His overall numbers just don't add up to the other names anymore.
9. Tim Duncan, Spurs
2008-09 Age: 32
NBA Seasons: 11
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 19.6 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.8 steals, 1.9 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 49.7 field-goal percentage, 73.3 free-throw percentage
Analysis: The Big Fundamental is getting dangerously close to the breaking point, but he's got at least a couple of seasons around 20-and-10 still left in the tank. He's been able to play through bumps and bruises in the past and should provide more of the same.
10. Elton Brand, Clippers
2008-09 Age: 30
NBA Seasons: 9
Free agent: Early termination option in June
2006-07 stats: 20.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.9 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.0 steals, 2.2 blocks, 0.1 three-pointers, 53.3 field-goal percentage, 76.1 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's yet to play a minute this season due to an Achilles' injury, but should be back to 100 percent in 2008-09. Where he'll play next season is up to him, considering he as a player option, but the most likely scenario is that he comes back with the Clippers for at least another year to up his value and look like he's repaying the team for his missed season. That should translate to numbers similiar to his 2006-07 totals, making him an elite No. 1 Fantasy forward once again in 2008-09. He edges out the likes of Chris Bosh and Antawn Jamison.
TOP-10 KEEPER CENTERS
1. Dwight Howard, Magic
2008-09 Age: 23
NBA Seasons: 4
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 21.1 ppg, 14.4 rpg, 1.3 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.0 steals, 2.3 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 52.0 field-goal percentage, 67.1 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's almost the perfect Fantasy center. If only he could shoot three-pointers and up his free-throw percentage a little. He will be just 23 years of age, though, which is ridiculous when you consider what he's already accomplished. He broke the 20-point barrier in scoring for the first time in his career and he could improve upon that next year, although we wouldn't count on him approaching 25 points anytime soon. How does 23-and-14 sound? That could be Howard in 2008-09.
2. Al Jefferson, Timberwolves
2008-09 Age: 24
NBA Seasons: 4
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 21.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 1.5 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.9 steals, 1.5 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 50.2 field-goal percentage, 71.8 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's No. 2 here also. The numbers are strikingly similar to those of Howard, minus three boards per game. He may close the gap a bit in 2008-09, but there's no shame in being No. 2.
3. Amare Stoudemire, Suns
2008-09 Age: 26
NBA Seasons: 6
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 24.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.4 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.8 steals, 2.2 blocks, 0.1 three-pointers, 58.2 field-goal percentage, 79.9 free-throw percentage
Analysis: Hey, this is like a re-run of the forward rankings so far. Sub-25-year-old man-child at No.1, then Jefferson and Stoudemire at Nos. 2 and 3. In all seriousness, Amare figures to be the highest-scoring center in the league, but falls short in the rebounding area and likely won't be a 20-and-10 player with Shaq around.
4. Yao Ming, Rockets
2008-09 Age: 28
NBA Seasons: 6
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 22.0 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.3 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.5 steals, 2.0 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 50.7 field-goal percentage, 85.0 free-throw percentage
Analysis: If he could guarantee even 70 games, he'd probably be ranked higher than Stoudemire. The problem is he hasn't played over 57 games in any of his last three seasons and appears to have the bones of a 90-year old.
5. Pau Gasol, Lakers
2008-09 Age: 27
NBA Seasons: 7
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 18.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, 0.1 three-pointers, 52.5 field-goal percentage, 81.0 free-throw percentage
Analysis: We'll get a chance to see how he will co-exist with Andrew Bynum in the low post during this season's playoffs, but there should be enough points and rebounds to go around between Gasol, Bynum and Lamar Odom. Expect a possible decline in points and rebounds next season, but 17-and-7 would still make him an elite Fantasy center considering his other numbers.
6. Chris Kaman, Clippers
2008-09 Age: 26
NBA Seasons: 5
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 16.0 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 1.9 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.6 steals, 2.9 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 47.8 field-goal percentage, 75.1 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's enjoyed a breakout season after taking a step back in 2006-07, but a lot of that has to do with the absence of Elton Brand. He averaged just 10.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg last season with Brand around, but he blames a misdiagnois of Attention-Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with his troubles last season. He learned in the offseason that he does not have ADHD and has been taking medication that has helped him focus. Expect him to be somewhere in the middle of those numbers if Brand returns to the Clippers as expected.
7. Andrew Bynum, Lakers
2008-09 Age: 21
NBA Seasons: 3
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 13.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.1
Rotisserie facts: 0.3 steals, 2.1 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 63.6 field-goal percentage, 69.5 free-throw percentage
Analysis: Prior to suffering a knee injury this season, he was proving team brass right for not trading him last season in a proposed deal to acquire Jason Kidd. As mentioned above, the playoffs will go a long way in determining if he can still put up numbers alongside Gasol and Odom. He should be able to put up consistent double-doubles -- even in a worst-case scenario -- and will continue to improve.
8. Tyson Chandler, Hornets
2008-09 Age: 26
NBA Seasons: 7
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 11.6 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 1.1 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.5 steals, 1.1 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 49.7 field-goal percentage, 59.3 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He's become a double-double machine and is a great center in both Head-to-Head and Rotisserie because of his combination of points and rebounds. The shooting percentages could stand a bit of an improvement, which could come since he's only 26.
9. Marcus Camby, Nuggets
2008-09 Age: 35
NBA Seasons: 12
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 9.3 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 3.1 apg
Rotisserie facts: 1.1 steals, 3.8 blocks, 0.1 three-pointers, 45.0 field-goal percentage, 69.6 free-throw percentage
Analysis: He'd be higher up this list if he wasn't an injury-risk 35-year-old. His overall production makes up for a lack of real scoring numbers and he remains productive in both Rotisserie and Head-to-Head thanks to the rebounds, blocks, assists and steals.
10. Andrew Bogut, Bucks
2008-09 Age: 24
NBA Seasons: 3
Free agent: No
2007-08 stats: 13.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.5 apg
Rotisserie facts: 0.8 steals, 1.7 blocks, 0.0 three-pointers, 53.3 field-goal percentage, 62.9 free-throw percentage
Analysis: His numbers have slightly increased in each of his three seasons, so a 15-and-10 season could be on the horizon in 2008-09. Add that to his field-goal percentage, and that leaves a very promising Fantasy center.
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