After each month of the NBA season we will compile our NBA All-Fantasy teams comprised of the top fantasy performers at each position along with a few honorable mentions that might break into the starting lineup next month.
The month of March highlighted the parity and level of quality fantasy performers in the Western Conference. How about this for stiff competition, All-world Kobe Bryant didn’t make the cut as a top-performer for the month. It’s not like he had a bad month, but he did miss three games due to injury and in the ultra-competitive West that is all it takes to open the door for a up and comer to fill your spot.
One could almost compile an equally impressive starting-five of guys who just missed out on being top-dogs in their position. Bryant wasn’t the only well-known who didn’t make the cut; Blake Griffin and David Lee both narrowly missed out on this month’s All-Fantasy squad.
The player rankings used are from eDraft.com and reflect total fantasy points accumulated by the player during the month of February.
Here is the March edition of the NBA All-Fantasy Team for the Eastern Conference.
Russell Westbrook - Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook had a solid month of March as he performed up to his season averages in all categories. In looking at the month, Westbrook only had two games with double-digit assist totals which is a bit concerning given that he has Kevin Durant on the court. Westbrook certainly could have had a much better month as his shooting stroke seemed to have left him. He went five consecutive games without connecting on a three-point attempt; this didn’t seem to deter him as he still chucked up 18 attempts. Westbrook did finish up the month on a high-note as he posted a triple-double against Milwaukee. From a fantasy perspective Westbrook did everything he was asked of, from an on-court perspective there are causes for concern as the Thunder ready for the playoffs.
Stephen Curry - Guard, Golden State Warriors
Curry capitalized on a hot-shooting month to leap-frog Kobe Bryant in terms of fantasy production. March was a great month to own Curry in your fantasy league. He posted 24.9 ppg, 7.5 apg, 4.0 rpg and 1.3 steals per game. March was only the second month during the season where Curry shot a higher percentage from the field than from beyond the arc. This goes to speak to Curry’s sharp-shooting range as he normals shoots a higher percentage from three-point range than anywhere else on the court. When watching Curry shoot, it makes you wonder if he even has a range or if it’s just anywhere across the center line. Or as evidenced by this trick shot, he doesn’t even need to be on the court to see an opening to let it fly.
Kevin Durant - Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant makes yet another appearance on the All-Fantasy squad. Similarly to LeBron James, Durant has been the top-performing forward since the season tipped off. March was a solid month as he posted 27.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.4 blocks per and 1.3 steals per game. These numbers are fairly typical of Durant’s season production and he didn’t really have any monster games during March; he did score thirty or more points on seven occasions, but no double-doubles during the month.
LaMarcus Aldridge - Forward, Portland Trailblazers
Despite missing four games at the end of the month, Aldridge still managed to be a top fantasy performer. His March stats are impressive as he averaged a double-double with 22.0 ppg and 10.1 rpg. Aldridge has been consistent throughout the season and has been on the All-Fantasy squad in months prior. A very reliable fantasy option at the forward spot who has been able to stay relatively healthy throughout the season.
Dwight Howard - Center, Los Angeles Lakers
Howard had his best month by far in March; he posted double-digit rebounding numbers every game. He averaged 17.9 ppg, 15.2 rpg and 2.9 blocks per game. If these numbers had been season averages I doubt the Lakers would be only clinging to a playoff spot. This is the kind of fantasy production most general managers expected when they picked Howard off the board, too bad he is finally finding his motivation to contribute so late in the season.
Honorable Mentions:
Chris Paul - Guard, Los Angeles Clippers
It is pretty clear that as goes Chris Paul so goes the Los Angeles Clippers. Even with Paul having a stellar month of March he could only propel the Clippers to a .500 record. Paul had his best statistical month of the season as went off for 19.4 ppg, 10.1 apg, 4.4 rpg and 2.3 steals per game. Paul narrowly missed out on the starting-five as Curry was a marginally better fantasy option.
Tim Duncan - Forward, San Antonio Spurs
Duncan is showing that he has a lot left in the tank, at 36-years old many people thought Duncan was in decline; he proved them wrong as he had a dominating month of March for the Spurs. Like Chris Paul, Duncan too had his best statistical month of the season with 20.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg 3.1 apg and 2.8 blocks per game averages. Duncan found the ideal time to hit his stride as the Spurs are readying themselves for a playoff run.
Marc Gasol - Center, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol is making his first appearance on the All-Fantasy squad here as he had a solid month. He wasn’t spectacular, nor did he have any off-the-charts amazing games, but he did raise his scoring average to 17.2 ppg while still rebounding at a 7.1 average. Just a solid all-around month for Gasol to make the fantasy owners happy. I’m not expecting Gasol to make a repeat showing on next months team as his numbers were fairly pedestrian and he could easily be overtaken in terms of fantasy value.