As the 2012 NBA playoffs heat up I want to continue giving my readers some advice on keepers for next year's fantasy season. If you want to read more of my keeper breakdowns go to the NBA section on our homepage and find my articles listed under "Alex's Basketball Articles" just above the poll section. Today I will be breaking down two underrated small forwards. Rudy Gay from Memphis and Danny Granger from Indiana.
Rudy Gay vs. Danny Granger
Rudy Gay, 25 years old, had somewhat of a down season last year but still finished as a top 5 small forward. He hit a career low 31.2% from downtown and 45.5% from the field as a whole which was significantly down from the past 2 seasons. He didn't get to the line as often, 4 FT attempts per game in 2012, compared to 4.6 attempts over the past 3 seasons. He did manage 19 points, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and a career best 6.4 rebounds per game. I am a firm believer in Rudy Gay to be a breakout star next season. I think he has finally figured it out and just needs to put everything together. Once he ups his efficiency, Rudy could put up a slash line close to 25/7/3 and 1 block per game. He also offers solid steals and I could see him having over 130 thefts next year. I think that he will be a mid third round draft pick that will challenge top 20 numbers.
Danny Granger, like Gay, had a down season. Granger actually put up terrible numbers compared to what he had over the past 3 years entering 2012. Danny average 18.7 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1 steal per game this past year. Granger shot a career low from the field at 41.6% despite still having a great 3 point clip of 38.1%. Granger has seen a decrease in points per game every season since his breakout 2009 season (25.8 points per game). He has played a career low in minutes since he became a full time starter (33.3 minutes per game in 2012). He had the lowest amount of free throw attempts since his rookie season and although Granger's career appears to be on a downturn but he still offers solid value depending where you draft him. He is projected as a mid fourth round draft pick for next season. I would not take him there but if he is available anytime after the 55th selection I'd love his potential value on my team. A few players I would rather have on my team than Granger would be: Gay, Danilo Gallinari, Andre Iguodala, Gerald Wallace, and Tyreke Evans.
In short, I would prefer to have Gay on my team next year and I would be extremely weary of Granger next year. If you want to discuss this more feel free to hit me on twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
Rudy Gay vs. Danny Granger
Rudy Gay, 25 years old, had somewhat of a down season last year but still finished as a top 5 small forward. He hit a career low 31.2% from downtown and 45.5% from the field as a whole which was significantly down from the past 2 seasons. He didn't get to the line as often, 4 FT attempts per game in 2012, compared to 4.6 attempts over the past 3 seasons. He did manage 19 points, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and a career best 6.4 rebounds per game. I am a firm believer in Rudy Gay to be a breakout star next season. I think he has finally figured it out and just needs to put everything together. Once he ups his efficiency, Rudy could put up a slash line close to 25/7/3 and 1 block per game. He also offers solid steals and I could see him having over 130 thefts next year. I think that he will be a mid third round draft pick that will challenge top 20 numbers.
Danny Granger, like Gay, had a down season. Granger actually put up terrible numbers compared to what he had over the past 3 years entering 2012. Danny average 18.7 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1 steal per game this past year. Granger shot a career low from the field at 41.6% despite still having a great 3 point clip of 38.1%. Granger has seen a decrease in points per game every season since his breakout 2009 season (25.8 points per game). He has played a career low in minutes since he became a full time starter (33.3 minutes per game in 2012). He had the lowest amount of free throw attempts since his rookie season and although Granger's career appears to be on a downturn but he still offers solid value depending where you draft him. He is projected as a mid fourth round draft pick for next season. I would not take him there but if he is available anytime after the 55th selection I'd love his potential value on my team. A few players I would rather have on my team than Granger would be: Gay, Danilo Gallinari, Andre Iguodala, Gerald Wallace, and Tyreke Evans.
In short, I would prefer to have Gay on my team next year and I would be extremely weary of Granger next year. If you want to discuss this more feel free to hit me on twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
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