The Fig Cap: “Hey, D, you got a little mustard on your chin… yeah, right here.  Maybe you should stop eating, chubby, and concentrate a little more on these rankings.”

When you think of a shooting guard, you think jumpers, dunks, and basically, a lot of points being scored.  While all of that is true, in a fantasy basketball sense, you want players who do more than simply score and add to one to three categories.  And when you look at the top shooting guards, you’ll find that they contribute in several categories.  Surprisingly, the top guys in the two-guard game drop a lot of dimes, but maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising because basketball is a team game.  For your reading pleasure, the top shooting guards who will help your team win the fantasy game.

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: Much respect to Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, and even Shawn Marion (for those of you in the know), but to me, Bryant is not only the number one shooting guard in fantasyland, but also number one overall and I don’t even have to think hard about it, which is good because I can’t spare the brain cells.  In any case, we all know about the talent, the offseason controversy, and the stated goal of bringing another NBA champonship to Los Angeles.  While I don’t think Kobe can bring another title to L.A. considering the current personnel and strong Western Conference, I believe he will play an integral part in winning fantasy basketball championships.  Check the three-year trends in shooting and you will notice an increase from season-to-season - FG%: 43.3 to 45.0 to 46.3; FT%: 81.6 to 85.0 to 86.9.  Bryant actually improving?  Yup!  Add the 30+ points, five boards, five dimes (yes, Bryant passes), two treys, and about 1.5 steals a game and you have yourself a player to seriously consider going first overall.

2. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat: Wade only played 51 games last season, but when he got some burn on the court, he torched his opponents and lit the twine on fire.  Wade had career bests in points per game (27.4), assists (7.5), steals (2.1), and accuracy from the charity stripe (80.8%).  Too bad he had to miss 31 games because, otherwise, Flash would have arguably been a top three overall pick this season.  As of this writing there is some concern about Wade missing time to begin the season, so keep an ear to the ground. If all is well and you take Wade in the middle or latter end of the first round, Wade is going to give you solid value by outperforming his draft position.  Yes, such a thing can happen in the first round!  But, look out for any injury news, which will be the key to where you grab Flash.

3. Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets: The question arises, but maybe it’s just me, “Will Vince Carter now get ‘fat’ after signing a lucrative long-term deal with the Nets?”  I think it’s a legitimate question to consider as there is no questioning VC’s skills and athleticism, but it’s his passion for the game that one has to think about when looking to draft Carter.  Was last season a contract-year push?  Or can/will VC throw up 25 points, six boards, five assists, two triples and very good percentages again this upcoming season?  Well, considering that the Nets should contend this season, even with revamped division rival Boston Celtics adding KG and Ray Allen while keeping Paul Pierce, Carter should continue to bring his “A” game, but probably produce a little less with the return of Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic, both of whom missed significant tme last season. Look for VC to still contribute across the statistical board and earn the third spot ranking here..

4. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets: McGrady played 71 games last season, which was comforting since he only played 47 the previous season and when T-Mac was on the hardwood, he continued to snap the nets (24.6 ppg), but also hooked up his teammates.  McGrady dished out a career-best 6.5 assists per contest and considering new head coach Rick Adelman’s motion offense, you can probably expect more of the same.  The offense will be exciting this season and the Rockets will probably sneak up on teams the way the Utah Jazz did last season.  Along with Yao Ming, T-Mac will be right at the forefront of the offense and a little more considering the amount of times McGrady will have the rock in his hands.  Don’t be surprised if he challenges Wade for the number two spot on this list by the end of the season.

5. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics: Last season, Allen averaged a career-high 26.4 ppg and coming into this season it’s a safe bet that that scoring average will remain his career-high.  All apologies to Allen’s basketball mojo, but on Allen’s new team, he will not be “the man” every night because he won’t have to be.  And, really, isn’t that a good thing? Afterall, a man needs to rest every now and then, especially those with 11 seasons with the League.  Even with the presence of two other All-Star caliber players in Garnett and Pierce, Allen is still going to get his and score - just not getting his stroke off as much as he did with his former team, last season’s sad Seattle SuperSonics.  Allen should find himself open a lot more, however, since the defense will have to defend KG in the post and Pierce all over the court, both of whom are more than able to kick out to an open Allen.  He may not be the super stud he used to be, but he’s far from going out to pasture. Expect about 20 points, three treys, and excellent percentages every night Allen struts to the floor.

6. Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks: Is Redd destined to always follow Ray Allen?  When it was no longer Allen’s team in Milwaukee, it became Redd’s.  In a lot of rankings throughout the past few seasons, Redd has always followed Allen as he does here.  In any case, it’s not too crazy that this happens because if you really think about it, Redd is the left-handed shooting version of Allen.  They’re sort of like the Tomax and Xamot of basketball.  In any case, Redd is more than capable of holding his own.  In his seven years in the League, Redd’s scoring average has increased each season: 2.2, 11.5, 15.1, 21.7, 23.0, 25.4, and last season’s 26.7 ppg.  Last season, Redd missed 29 games due to injury and when he went down the Bucks’ season went down as well.  Redd is an obvious important factor in the Bucks’ offense and will continue to be.  Thanks to that shooting stroke of his, Redd will give his owners very good percentages (45.3 FG% and 85.0 FT% for his career) and about two three-pointers made per contest.  However, don’t think Redd can’t get down with the defensive stats.  As his 1.2 steals per game average the past two seasons indicates, he can not only drain rocks, he can rip them too.  Redd played well during this past summer’s FIBA Americas Tournament, so don’t worry about him coming back from injury.  He’s good… just like any open jumper he takes.

7. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: Johnson might be one of the more underrated talents in the league, along with teammate Josh Smith, thanks in part to playing in the ATL.  Look at J.J.’s numbers from last season and it’s hard to deny the truth – 25.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.1 3PTM, 47.1 FG% - Johnson is good.  Really good.  He’ll be coming back from a calf injury, but all reports have him fully recovered, so have confidence in drafting the versatile guard around the third or fourth round as he’ll produce in several categories to a significant degree.  And just like Redd, Johnson has increased his scoring average each of his seven seasons he’s been in the NBA: 6.3, 9.6, 9.8, 16.7, 17.1, 20.2, and 25.0.  Even with the Hawks’ additions of highly-touted rookies Al Horford and Acie Law (finally drafted the much-needed point guard!) this offseason, continue to expect Johnson to have the pill in his hands to make things happen.

8. Jason Richardson, Charlotte Bobcats: Richardson goes from The Yay Area with the Warriors to the M.J. Area with the Bobcats where NBA legend Michael Jordan is running things.  Can J-Rich revert back to his 21+ points per game ways as he did before last season’s injury-riddled campaign when he “only” averaged 16.0 per?  He’s going to get every chance to that’s for sure!  Coming over from the West Coast to Carolina by trade, Richardson is expected to be the main scorer and go-to guy for the young Bobcats team.  J-Rich can stroke it from behind the arch (2.2 3PTM during 06-07; 2.4 3PTM during 05-06), rattle rims (former NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner), clean the glass (5.4 rpg for his six-year career, which is excellent for a guard) and drop a few dimes.  Unfortunately, J-Rich isn’t great from the line (career 69.2 FT%), but he won’t kill your team.  Playing alongside point guard Raymond Felton, Richardson will get the ball in his spots, as well as some space to work as Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor will surely attract opposing defenders’ attention.  Look for a huge bounceback season from J-Rich and reap the rewards.

9. Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings: Martin’s 20-point scoring average last
season had breakout all over it, but it wasn’t all that surprising when you consider Martin’s production the previous season in February when Peja Stojakovic was injured with the Kings and Martin was draining buckets, averaging 16.6 points in 11 games.  Speaking of draining buckets, look at Martin’s proficiency from the floor (47.3%) and at the line (84.4%) and you have to dig Martin’s shooting ability and the “pick-up” he gives your fantasy team in those categories, especially if you have a player like Baron Davis (career 41.1 FG%) or Tyson Chandler (career 60.2 FT%) for example.  Martin’s solid 1.6 triples and 1.2 steals prove that he can significantly contribute in several categories and is a great two-guard to grab after all of the studs are gone off the draft board.

10. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers: The reigning Rookie of the Year
played like a veteran in the latter half of last season posting 18.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.3 3PTM, 1.1 spg while shooting 48.5% from the field and 81.5% from the charity stripe after the All-Star break.  However, look a little deeper at his scoring and field goal percentage starting in January, Roy’s first full month of play for the season, and ending in April: Points - 16.6, 17.2, 18.4, 21.2; FG% - 44.5, 45.3, 46.6, 52.6.  It’s fairly obvious that Roy is getting comfortable in the League, so expect an improvement his sophomore season because once again the Blazers will rely heavily on Roy along with fellow second-year player, LaMarcus Aldridge.

The Best of the Rest:
11. Ricky Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves
12. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
13. Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies
14. Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks
15. Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
16. Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls
17. Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
18. Raja Bell, Phoenix Suns
19. Cutino Mobley, Los Angeles Clippers
20. Jamal Crawford, New York Knicks

Addendum

Other Positional Rankings:

Point Guard Rankings

Shooting Guard Rankings

Small Forward Rankings

Power Forward Rankings

Center Rankings