Anti-fantasy Player of 2010-11: Kevin Garnett

After the first 2 weeks of the 2010-11 season, Kevin Garnett is the top anti-fantasy player in the NBA.  An anti-fantasy player is someone who is critical to the team’s success, but provides limited individual statistical value.

There was a time when the ‘Big Ticket’ was the first player taken in fantasy basketball drafts. As a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Garnett averaged 20.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.4 steals. Upon joining the Celtics in 2007, KG’s averages lowered for the greater good of the championship team. This was followed by a season-ending knee injury that kept him out of the 2008-09 playoffs.

Last year Garnett’s numbers took a drive, as his per game averages in blocks fell below 1 per game for the first time in his 15 year career. Similarly, his points and rebounds averages were at their lowest level since his rookie year in 1995-96.  More disconcerting was the fact that aspects of his game that we had become accustomed to seemed to be fading as he uncharacteristically missed dunks and showed signs of lateral deficiencies on defense. In the Celtics 2007-08 championship year, Garnett outplayed Pau Gasol.  Last year’s finals were the complete opposite as Gasol’s domination seemed to signify the passing of the Power Forward torch. Pau Gasol became the new Kevin Garnett.

This year, it appears that KG has regained his swagger, throwing down more alley-hoops from Rondo and returning to the elite class of double-double big men (averaging at least 10 points and 10 rebounds per game).  Perhaps it was the bitter defeat in last year’s NBA finals or perhaps he is now fully recovered from his knee injury from two years ago, but there has been an overall resurgence in KG.  More importantly, his strong offensive and defensive presence has translated into wins, something missing for the Celtics in the beginning of last season.  Right now they sit atop the Eastern Conference standings and although Ronda is their most valuable player, Garnett is the critical anchor on defense.

Unfortunately, from a fantasy perspective, his overall fantasy production has declined this season. Returning to the double-double is where the improvements from last year stop. If you look deeper, Kevin Garnett has had a career low in blocks, assists, and field goal percentage.  He is averaging 1.9 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting an underwhelming 47% from the field. Combine this with the fact that he is averaging the highest number of turnovers since becoming a Celtic, and the former Mr. Efficiency has become a 2-category player – points and rebounds.  He has averaged an impressive 1.6 steals per game thus far, but based on the last few years and the fact that he is not getting any quicker, this will likely flatten out to 1 steal per game by season end.

Right now, KG is the ultimate reality player, critical to his team winning without providing the versatile stats that once made him the top fantasy player on the planet.

Stay tuned for the Top Anti-Reality winner.

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

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