This article is part of our NBA Weekly Player Rankings series.
This is our weekly cheat sheet based on each player's projected output and number of games. It assumes an eight-category league with the following categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, three-pointers made, free-throw percentage and field-goal percentage.
These are my rankings. They do not necessarily correspond with the RotoWire cheat sheet or our projections for the season. I use both as a rough guide, but I primarily factor in number of games played for the week, current player trends and pertinent information about the team (injuries, time share situations, etc). The Weekly Rankings take into account all the NBA action through Saturday night's games. We will try to update the rankings with any breaking news that happens on Sunday in the comments below, but in most cases, any injuries, lineup changes, etc. that happen on Sunday won't be accounted for on the Weekly Rankings until the following week.
Week 1:
| October 29th - November 3rd
|
| Four Games: | LAL, MIA, ORL |
| Three Games: | ATL, BKN, BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MEM, MIL, MIN, NO, NYK, OKC, PHI, PHO, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR, UTA, WAS |
| Two Games: | DEN |
One Game:
| NONE
|
POINT GUARDS
| | Rank | Player | Eligible | Team | Games | Comment |
| 1 | Chris Paul | [PG] | LAC | 3 | |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | [PG,SG] | GSW | 3 | Are ankle issues behind him? Played in 78 games last season and averaged 22.9 points, 6.9 assists, 3.5 threes and 1.6 steals. |
| 3 | Kyrie Ivring | [PG] | CLE | 3 | |
| 4 | Derrick Rose | [PG] | CHI | 3 | Will he return to pre-injury form? (averaged 21.8 points, 7.9 assists and 1.4 threes in 2011-12) |
| 5 | John Wall | [PG] | WAS | 3 | Averaged 20.7 points, 7.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals after the All-Star break last year. |
| 6 | Damian Lillard | [PG] | POR | 3 | |
| 7 | Mike Conley | [PG] | MEM | 3 | Averaged career highs in points (14.6), steals (2.2) and 3's made per game (1.3) last year. |
| 8 | Ricky Rubio | [PG] | MIN | 3 | Looks to be fully healed from ACL tear two years ago. Averaged 12.9 points, 8.0 assists and 2.9 steals after the All-Star break last year. |
| 9 | Tony Parker | [PG] | SAS | 3 | |
| 10 | Kemba Walker | [PG] | CHA | 3 | |
| 11 | Jrue Holiday | [PG] | NO | 3 | |
| 12 | Eric Bledsoe | [PG,SG] | PHO | 3 | Multi-category contributor that averaged 14.2 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks in twelve starts for the Clippers last year. |
| 13 | Deron Williams * | [PG] | BKN | 3 | Day-to-day (ankle). Missed most of the preseason with ankle issues. |
| 14 | Steve Nash | [PG] | LAL | 4 | |
| 15 | Jameer Nelson | [PG] | ORL | 4 | |
| 16 | Mario Chalmers | [PG] | MIA | 4 | |
| 17 | Jose Calderon | [PG] | DAL | 3 | |
| 18 | Goran Dragic | [PG] | PHO | 3 | Averaged 7.4 assists last year but production could decrease with Bledsoe in the backcourt. |
| 19 | Jeff Teague | [PG] | ATL | 3 | |
| 20 | Kyle Lowry | [PG] | TOR | 3 | Down year last year but still contributed across multiple categories (11.6 points, 6.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 threes). |
| 21 | Raymond Felton | [PG,SG] | NYK | 3 | |
| 22 | Brandon Knight | [PG,SG] | MIL | 3 | |
| 23 | George Hill | [PG,SG] | IND | 3 | Only averaged 4.7 assists last year. |
| 24 | Reggie Jackson | [PG] | OKC | 3 | Solid play while Russell Westbrook (knee) is out. |
| 25 | Ty Lawson | [PG] | DEN | 2 | |
| 26 | Michael Carter-Williams | [PG] | PHI | 3 | |
| 27 | Jarrett Jack | [PG,SG] | CLE | 3 | Good handcuff for the oft-injured Kyrie Irving. |
| 28 | Jeremy Lin | [PG] | HOU | 3 | Could be in timeshare with Patrick Beverley. |
| 29 | Greivis Vasquez | [PG,SG] | SAC | 3 | |
| 30 | Isaiah Thomas | [PG] | SAC | 3 | |
| 31 | Mo Williams | [PG,SG] | POR | 3 | |
| 32 | Avery Bradley | [PG,SG] | BOS | 3 | |
| 33 | Will Bynum | [PG] | DET | 3 | Decent plug and play this week with Brandon Jennings out. |
| 34 | Patrick Beverley | [PG] | HOU | 3 | |
35
| John Lucas III
| [PG]
| UTA
| 3
| Likely starter at point guard with Trey Burke (hand) out.
|
SHOOTING GUARDS
| | Rank | Player | Eligible | Team | Games | Comment |
| 1 | Dwyane Wade | [PG,SG] | MIA | 4 | |
| 2 | James Harden | [SG,SF] | HOU | 3 | |
| 3 | Paul George | [SG,SF] | IND | 3 | Averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.2 threes last year. |
| 4 | Monta Ellis | [PG,SG] | DAL | 3 | |
| 5 | Klay Thompson | [SG,SF] | GSW | 3 | |
| 6 | Bradley Beal | [SG] | WAS | 3 | Looks ready to break out after strong preseason. Averaged 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 threes after the All-Star break last year. |
| 7 | O.J. Mayo | [SG] | MIL | 3 | |
| 8 | DeMar DeRozan | [SG,SF] | TOR | 3 | |
| 9 | Kevin Martin | [SG] | MIN | 3 | |
| 10 | Victor Oladipo | [SG] | ORL | 4 | Flashed solid all-around game in the pre-season. Should see 30+ minutes a night behind Jameer Nelson and Aaron Afflalo. |
| 11 | Aaron Afflalo | [SG,SF] | ORL | 4 | |
| 12 | Tyreke Evans * | [SG,SF] | NO | 3 | Day-to-day (ankle). |
| 13 | Wesley Matthews | [SG,SF] | POR | 3 | |
| 14 | Joe Johnson | [SG,SF] | BKN | 3 | 16.3 ppg last year were lowest since 2002. |
| 15 | Gerald Henderson | [SG,SF] | CHA | 3 | |
| 16 | Jamal Crawford | [PG,SG] | LAC | 3 | Averaged 16.5 points, 2.0 threes and 1.0 steals in 29 minutes last year but production could decrease a bit with J.J. Redick in the mix for minutes. |
| 17 | Eric Gordon | [SG] | NO | 3 | |
| 18 | Manu Ginobili | [SG,SF] | SAS | 3 | |
| 19 | Nick Young | [SG,SF] | LAL | 4 | Should be decent source for points and 3's while Kobe Bryant (Achilles) is out. |
| 20 | Ray Allen | [SG] | MIA | 4 | |
| 21 | Danny Green | [SG,SF] | SAS | 3 | |
| 22 | Lance Stephenson | [SG] | IND | 3 | Should see bump in minutes and production this week if Danny Granger (calf) misses time. |
| 23 | Alec Burks | [PG,SG] | UTA | 3 | Should see bump in production with Trey Burke (hand) out. |
| 24 | Dion Waiters | [SG] | CLE | 3 | |
| 25 | Marcus Thornton | [SG] | SAC | 3 | |
| 26 | Jordan Crawford | [PG,SG] | BOS | 3 | |
| 27 | Iman Shumpert | [PG,SG] | NYK | 3 | Should see solid minutes this week with J.R. Smith out (suspension). |
| 28 | James Anderson | [SG,SF] | PHI | 3 | Averaged 13.8 points and 2.4 threes in preseason. Could be opening night starter at shooting guard. |
| 29 | Steve Blake | [PG,SG] | LAL | 4 | Could start at shooting guard this week with Kobe Bryant (Achilles) out. |
| 30 | J.J. Redick | [SG] | LAC | 3 | |
| 31 | Vince Carter | [SG] | DAL | 3 | |
| 32 | Mike Miller | [SG,SF] | MEM | 3 | |
| 33 | Marco Belinelli | [SG] | SAS | 3 | |
| 34 | Thabo Sefolosha | [SG,SF] | OKC | 3 | |
35
| Rodney Stuckey *
| [PG,SG]
| DET
| 3
| Day-to-day (thumb).
|
SMALL FORWARDS
| | Rank | Player | Eligible | Team | Games | Comment |
| 1 | LeBron James | [SF,PF] | MIA | 4 | |
| 2 | Kevin Durant | [SF] | OKC | 3 | |
| 3 | Carmelo Anthony | [SF,PF] | NYK | 3 | |
| 4 | Nicolas Batum | [SG,SF] | POR | 3 | Stat sheet stuffer averaged 14.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.3 threes, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals last year. |
| 5 | Tobias Harris | [SF,PF] | ORL | 4 | Averaging 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 threes after the All-Star break last year. |
| 6 | Kawhi Leonard | [SG,SF] | SAS | 3 | Averaged 14.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals after All-Star break last year. Should have bigger role in offense this season. |
| 7 | Rudy Gay | [SF,PF] | TOR | 3 | |
| 8 | Gordon Hayward | [SG,SF] | UTA | 3 | Could be #1 scoring option for the Jazz with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap gone. Averaged 14.1 points and 1.4 threes in 29 minutes last year. |
| 9 | Jeff Green | [SF,PF] | BOS | 3 | Averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals in 34 minutes after the All-Star break last year. |
| 10 | Andre Iguodala | [SG,SF] | GSW | 3 | |
| 11 | Luol Deng | [SF] | CHI | 3 | |
| 12 | Evan Turner | [SG,SF] | PHI | 3 | Averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steals after the All-Star break last year. |
| 13 | Chandler Parsons | [SF,PF] | HOU | 3 | |
| 14 | Jimmy Butler | [SG,SF] | CHI | 3 | |
| 15 | Paul Pierce | [SF] | BKN | 3 | |
| 16 | Kyle Korver | [SG,SF] | ATL | 3 | Averaged 11.4 points, 2.7 threes and 1.0 steals as a starter last year. |
| 17 | Gerald Wallace | [SF,PF] | BOS | 3 | |
| 18 | Caron Butler | [SF] | MIL | 3 | |
| 19 | Moe Harkless | [SF] | ORL | 4 | |
| 20 | Shawn Marion | [SF,PF] | DAL | 3 | |
| 21 | Harrison Barnes | [SF] | GSW | 3 | |
| 22 | Shawne Williams | [SF,PF] | LAL | 4 | Could be decent source for points and 3's this week as likely starter at small forward. |
| 23 | Andrei Kirilenko | [SF,PF] | BKN | 3 | |
| 24 | Tayshaun Prince | [SF,PF] | MEM | 3 | |
| 25 | Wilson Chandler * | [SG,SF] | DEN | 2 | Day-to-day (hamstring). |
| 26 | Tony Allen | [SG,SF] | MEM | 3 | |
| 27 | Martell Webster | [SG,SF] | WAS | 3 | |
| 28 | Trevor Ariza | [SF] | WAS | 3 | |
| 29 | Danny Granger * | [SF,PF] | IND | 3 | Day-to-day (calf). |
| 30 | Mike Dunleavy | [SG,SF] | CHI | 3 | |
| 31 | Metta World Peace | [SF,PF] | NYK | 3 | |
| 32 | DeMarre Carroll | [SF,PF] | ATL | 3 | |
| 33 | Carlos Delfino | [SG,SF] | MIL | 3 | |
| 34 | Jared Dudley | [SG,SF] | LAC | 3 | |
35
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
| [SF]
| CHA
| 3
|
|
POWER FORWARDS
| | Rank | Player | Eligible | Team | Games | Comment |
| 1 | Pau Gasol | [PF,C] | LAL | 4 | |
| 2 | Kevin Love | [PF,C] | MIN | 3 | |
| 3 | LaMarcus Aldridge | [PF,C] | POR | 3 | |
| 4 | Serge Ibaka | [PF,C] | OKC | 3 | |
| 5 | Anthony Davis | [PF] | NO | 3 | Dominant preseason (21.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.1 bpg ). Looks to be primed for a big year if he can stay healthy. |
| 6 | David Lee | [PF,C] | GSW | 3 | |
| 7 | Blake Griffin | [PF,C] | LAC | 3 | |
| 8 | Tim Duncan | [PF,C] | SAS | 3 | Turned back the clock last year (17.8 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.7 bpg) but can he do it again? |
| 9 | Josh Smith | [SF,PF] | DET | 3 | Blocks and boards could go down a bit playing alongside Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. |
| 10 | Dirk Nowitzki | [PF] | DAL | 3 | |
| 11 | Paul Millsap | [PF] | ATL | 3 | |
| 12 | Thaddeus Young | [SF,PF] | PHI | 3 | |
| 13 | Derrick Favors | [PF,C] | UTA | 3 | Averaged 10.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in eight starts last year. Should see as many minutes as he can handle with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap gone. |
| 14 | Zach Randolph | [PF,C] | MEM | 3 | |
| 15 | Carlos Boozer | [PF,C] | CHI | 3 | |
| 16 | David West | [PF] | IND | 3 | |
| 17 | Ryan Anderson | [PF,C] | NO | 3 | |
| 18 | Kevin Garnett | [PF,C] | BKN | 3 | |
| 19 | Tristan Thompson | [PF,C] | CLE | 3 | Averaged 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds last year but production could decrease with the new additions to the Cavs frontcourt (Varejao, Bennett). |
| 20 | Taj Gibson | [PF] | CHI | 3 | Solid plug and play if Joakim Noah can't go this week. Averaged 16.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in five starts last year. |
| 21 | Nene | [PF,C] | WAS | 3 | |
| 22 | Kris Humphries | [PF] | BOS | 3 | |
| 23 | Andrea Bargnani | [PF,C] | NYK | 3 | |
| 24 | Ersan Ilyasova * | [PF] | MIL | 3 | Day-to-day (ankle). Questionable to play this week. |
| 25 | Patrick Patterson | [PF] | SAC | 3 | Could be decent source for 3's from the power forward position. |
| 26 | Luis Scola | [PF,C] | IND | 3 | |
| 27 | Elton Brand | [PF,C] | ATL | 3 | |
| 28 | Jason Thompson | [PF,C] | SAC | 3 | Looks to be in timeshare with Patrick Patterson. |
| 29 | Andrew Nicholson | [PF] | ORL | 4 | |
| 30 | John Henson | [PF,C] | MIL | 3 | Should see extra minutes if Ersan Ilyasova (ankle) is out this week. |
| 31 | Kenneth Faried | [PF] | DEN | 2 | |
| 32 | Jared Sullinger | [PF] | BOS | 3 | |
| 33 | Jordan Hill | [PF,C] | LAL | 4 | |
| 34 | Derrick Williams | [SF,PF] | MIN | 3 | |
35
| Markieff Morris
| [PF]
| PHO
| 3
| Will only play two games this week (suspension).
|
CENTERS
| | Rank | Player | Eligible | Team | Games | Comment |
| 1 | Nikola Vucevic | [PF,C] | ORL | 4 | Averaged 14.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals after the All-Star break last season. |
| 2 | Chris Bosh | [PF,C] | MIA | 4 | |
| 3 | Marc Gasol | [C] | MEM | 3 | |
| 4 | Al Jefferson | [PF,C] | CHA | 3 | |
| 5 | Dwight Howard | [C] | HOU | 3 | |
| 6 | Roy Hibbert | [C] | IND | 3 | |
| 7 | Larry Sanders | [PF,C] | MIL | 3 | Averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season. |
| 8 | Al Horford | [PF,C] | ATL | 3 | |
| 9 | Brook Lopez | [C] | BKN | 3 | |
| 10 | DeMarcus Cousins | [PF,C] | SAC | 3 | |
| 11 | Greg Monroe | [C] | DET | 3 | Production could drop this year with Andre Drummond and Josh Smith starting with Monroe on the frontline for the Pistons. |
| 12 | Jonas Valanciunas | [C] | TOR | 3 | Averaged 11.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 27 minutes after All-Star break last year. |
| 13 | Nikola Pekovic | [C] | MIN | 3 | Averaged 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds last year but production could decrease this year with Kevin Love healthy. |
| 14 | Spencer Hawes | [C] | PHI | 3 | Should see as many minutes as he can handle for the Sixers this year. Averaged 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks last year. |
| 15 | Andre Drummond | [PF,C] | DET | 3 | Averaged 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in only 21 minutes last year. |
| 16 | Enes Kanter | [C] | UTA | 3 | Small sample size but averaged 20.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in two starts last year. Should see 30+ minutes as starting center for the Jazz. |
| 17 | Tyson Chandler | [C] | NYK | 3 | |
| 18 | Amir Johnson | [PF,C] | TOR | 3 | |
| 19 | Andrew Bogut | [C] | GSW | 3 | |
| 20 | Marcin Gortat | [C] | WAS | 3 | |
| 21 | Robin Lopez | [C] | POR | 3 | |
| 22 | DeAndre Jordan | [C] | LAC | 3 | |
| 23 | Anderson Varejao | [PF,C] | CLE | 3 | |
| 24 | Samuel Dalembert | [C] | DAL | 3 | |
| 25 | Chris Kaman | [PF,C] | LAL | 4 | |
| 26 | JaVale McGee | [C] | DEN | 2 | Averaged 9.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in only eighteen minutes per game last year. Should see around thirty minutes a game this year as a starter. |
| 27 | Tiago Splitter | [C] | SAS | 3 | |
| 28 | Cody Zeller | [PF,C] | CHA | 3 | |
| 29 | Joakim Noah * | [PF,C] | CHI | 3 | Day-to-day (groin). Could miss some time this week. |
| 30 | Brandon Bass | [PF,C] | BOS | 3 | |
| 31 | Kelly Olynyk | [C] | BOS | 3 | |
| 32 | Omer Asik | [C] | HOU | 3 | Averaged 10.1 points and 11.7 rebounds last year but production will most likely go way down with Dwight Howard starting at center. |
| 33 | Bismack Biyombo | [PF,C] | CHA | 3 | |
| 34 | J.J. Hickson | [PF,C] | DEN | 2 | |
35
| Miles Plumlee
| [PF,C]
| PHO
| 3
| Could be opening starter at center with Marcin Gortat traded to Washington and Alex Len (ankle) likely out.
|
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