An Old Brand Name is Atop the Fantasy Rankings

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After a week and a half, guess who is the top ranked fantasy player in the NBA? Is it Durant? Is it Lebron? Nope. As of October 4^th, 2010 and based on the standard 9 fantasy categories, Elton Brand is number one.

After consecutive injury plagued seasons, Brand was finally healthy last year playing in 76 games, but still averaged very mediocre numbers. This year has been a different story. Through the first 5 games of the season, the former 1^st overall pick has averaged 18 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.8 blocks, while shooting 56% from the field. Yes the steals will flatten out as the season progresses, but there is no reason to believe that his points, rebounds, or blocks will subside. Before his injuries, Brand had averaged 20-10-2 (pts-rebs-blks) over 4 consecutive years between 2003 and 2006.

At 31 years old, there is always a risk that he incurs another lingering injury. But considering his average draft position in Yahoo leagues was 87 (7^th round of a 12 team league), Brand owners faced minimal risk drafting him. After the Pacer-76ers game, Indiana Coach Jim O’Brien admitted that “Brand was a very tough opponent for us…..we couldn’t stop him,” (Yahoo! Sports).

This former Duke Blue Devil has always been one of the most gifted big men with both a solid back-to-the-basket and face-up game. Now that Elton has returned to his old form, teams will likely adjust their defensive strategy when playing the 76ers. If that happens, Brand will exchange his points for assists as he is also an above average passer. Although Spencer Hawes starts at Center and Brand at Power Forward, the 76ers often employ a small lineup featuring Brand as the only true big man. If this lineup continues, Brand should continue to accumulate double digit boards each game.

His age and injury history make him the optimum sell-high candidate, but don’t be surprised if Brand continues to produce at an elite level. He has the skills, team situation, experience, and works as hard as anybody. His plus 2 blocks were so rare yet so consistent during this prime that he was always drafted with the first 2 rounds. This year, if he Keeps his block average above 2, it will alone provide sufficient return on investment to owners that drafted him in the 7^th round.

Written by Win My Fantasy League Senior Writer Justin Hasan (J-Has)

Comment below or e-mail him at JHas@WinMyFantasyLeague.com