NBA Value Meter: Start Your Lakers

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Updated on October 28, 2012 3:53PM EST

NBA VALUE METER - WEEK 1

This is our weekly cheat sheet based on our player's projected output and number of games. It assumes an eight-category roto style 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 Value Meter takes into account games played Monday through Saturday. We will try to update the meter with any breaking news that happens on Sunday, but in most cases, any injuries, lineup changes, etc. that happen on Sunday won't be accounted for on the Value Meter until the following week.

Week 1: October 29th - November 4th

Four Games:	LAL
Three Games:	BOS, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MIA, NO, NYK, OKC, PHO, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR, UTA
Two Games:	ATL, BKN, CHA, MEM, MIL, MIN, ORL, PHI, WAS
One Game:	NONE

Point Guards
Rank	Player	Eligible	Team	Games	Comment
1	Steve Nash	[PG]	LAL	4
2	Chris Paul	[PG]	LAC	3
3	Russell Westbrook	[PG]	OKC	3
4	Kyrie Ivring *	[PG]	CLE	3	Day-to-day (wisdom teeth). Should be ready for opener.
5	Rajon Rondo	[PG]	BOS	3	Led the league

NBA VALUE METER - WEEK 1

Week 1: October 29th - November 4th

Four Games:	LAL
Three Games:	BOS, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MIA, NO, NYK, OKC, PHO, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR, UTA
Two Games:	ATL, BKN, CHA, MEM, MIL, MIN, ORL, PHI, WAS
One Game:	NONE

Point Guards
Rank	Player	Eligible	Team	Games	Comment
1	Steve Nash	[PG]	LAL	4
2	Chris Paul	[PG]	LAC	3
3	Russell Westbrook	[PG]	OKC	3
4	Kyrie Ivring *	[PG]	CLE	3	Day-to-day (wisdom teeth). Should be ready for opener.
5	Rajon Rondo	[PG]	BOS	3	Led the league in assists per game last year (11.7 apg).
6	Goran Dragic	[PG,SG]	PHO	3	Averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 threes in 28 starts last year for Houston.
7	Ty Lawson	[PG]	DEN	3	Could lose some assists playing next to pass-first Andre Iguodala.
8	Tony Parker	[PG]	SAS	3
9	Stephen Curry	[PG,SG]	GSW	3	Great upside but also an injury risk. Only played in 26 games last year and ankle issues flared up again in the preseason.
10	Kyle Lowry	[PG]	TOR	3
11	Deron Williams	[PG]	BKN	2	Day-to-day (ankle). Had cortisone shot but should be ready for the opener.
12	Raymond Felton	[PG]	NYK	3
13	Maurice Williams	[PG,SG]	UTA	3
14	Jeremy Lin	[PG]	HOU	3
15	Damian Lillard	[PG]	POR	3
16	Brandon Jennings	[PG]	MIL	2	Entering a contract year after averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.1 threes last year.
17	Mike Conley, Jr.	[PG]	MEM	2	Finished 2nd in the league in steals per game last year (2.1 spg).
18	Jrue Holiday	[PG]	PHI	2
19	Brandon Knight	[PG]	DET	3
20	Darren Collison	[PG]	DAL	3	Lost his starting job to George Hill last year in Indiana but has the job to himself in Dallas.
21	Greivis Vasquez	[PG,SG]	NO	3	Default starter at PG with Jarrett Jack in Golden State. Averaged 12.0 points, 7.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 26 starts last year.
22	Kirk Hinrich	[PG,SG]	CHI	3	Could be solid long-term play with Derrick Rose (knee) out indefinitely.
23	Mario Chalmers	[PG]	MIA	3
24	Jeff Teague	[PG]	ATL	2
25	Kemba Walker	[PG,SG]	CHA	2
26	Jameer Nelson	[PG]	ORL	2
27	Luke Ridnour	[PG]	MIN	2
28	George Hill *	[PG,SG]	IND	3	Day-to-day (hip) - questionable for opening night
29	Andre Miller	[PG]	DEN	3
30	Isaiah Thomas	[PG]	SAC	3	Could be locked into timeshare with Aaron Brooks.
31	Jose Calderon	[PG]	TOR	3
32	Aaron Brooks	[PG]	SAC	3
33	Jarrett Jack	[PG,SG]	GSW	3	Fantasy owners might want to "handcuff" Jack to Stephen Curry.
34	A.J. Price	[PG]	WAS	2	Starter at point guard while John Wall (knee) is out.
35	Ramon Sessions	[PG,SG]	CHA	2

Shooting Guards
Rank	Player	Eligible	Team	Games	Comment
1	Kobe Bryant	[SG]	LAL	4	Shut down for the last couple of preseason games (foot). Hard to imagine Kobe missing the opener.
2	Dwyane Wade	[SG]	MIA	3
3	James Harden	[SG]	HOU	3	Goes from the #3 option in OKC to the #1 option in Houston.
4	Paul George	[SG]	IND	3	Multi-category contributor averaged 12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 threes last year.
5	Tyreke Evans	[SG,SF]	SAC	3
6	Klay Thompson	[SG,SF]	GSW	3	Averaging 17.0 points, 2.0 threes and 1.0 steals last year after the All-Star break.
7	Wesley Matthews	[SG,SF]	POR	3
8	Rodney Stuckey	[PG,SG]	DET	3	Value goes up if three-pointer becomes consistent part of his game.
9	Marcus Thornton	[SG]	SAC	3	Value could drop slightly if sixth man role is permanent.
10	O.J. Mayo	[SG]	DAL	3	Finally gets a chance to show what he can do as a starter. Averaged 12.6 points, 1.5 threes and 1.1 steals in 28 minutes a game last year as a reserve for Memphis.
11	Kevin Martin	[SG]	OKC	3	Value goes down with trade to OKC. Goes from being top scoring option in Houston to a potential sixth man role.
12	J.R. Smith	[SG]	NYK	3
13	Manu Ginobili	[SG]	SAS	3
14	Monta Ellis	[PG,SG]	MIL	2
15	Joe Johnson	[SG]	BKN	2
16	Gordon Hayward	[SG,SF]	UTA	3	Averaged 14.1 points and 1.1 threes after the All-Star break last year.
17	Jason Terry	[PG,SG]	BOS	3
18	Jared Dudley	[SG,SF]	PHO	3
19	DeMar DeRozan	[SG,SF]	TOR	3
20	Richard Hamilton	[SG,SF]	CHI	3
21	Ray Allen	[SG]	MIA	3
22	Lou Williams	[PG,SG]	ATL	2	Will start the season as sixth man for Atlanta. Averaged 14.9 points and 1.3 threes as sixth man for the Sixers last year.
23	Aaron Afflalo	[SG]	ORL	2
24	Landry Fields	[SG]	TOR	3
25	Jamal Crawford	[PG,SG]	LAC	3
26	Steve Novak	[SG]	NYK	3	Averaged 2.5 threes in 19 minutes last year and could see increased minutes if Knicks go small with Amar'e Stoudemire (knee) out.
27	Danny Green	[SG]	SAS	3
28	Courtney Lee	[SG]	BOS	3
29	Jordan Crawford	[SG]	WAS	2	Field goal percentage is an issue (40% last year), but could be decent source for point and 3's.
30	Tony Allen	[SG]	MEM	2	Could see bump in minutes this season (26 mpg last season) with O.J. Mayo in Dallas.
31	Jason Richardson	[SG,SF]	PHI	2	Could be in timeshare with Nick Young.
32	Jodie Meeks	[SG]	LAL	4
33	Brandon Roy	[SG]	MIN	2
34	Austin Rivers	[PG,SG]	NO	3	Day-to-day (ankle). If healthy, could start at shooting guard this week if Eric Gordon (knee) isn't ready to go.
35	Eric Gordon *	[SG]	NO	3	Day-to-day (knee). Missed all of preseason.

Small Forwards
Rank	Player	Eligible	Team	Games	Comment
1	LeBron James	[SF]	MIA	3
2	Kevin Durant	[SG,SF]	OKC	3
3	Carmelo Anthony	[SF]	NYK	3	Will have to do more with Amar'e Stoudemire (knee) out.
4	Paul Pierce	[SG,SF]	BOS	3
5	Nicolas Batum	[SF]	POR	3	Multi-category contributor averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks last season.
6	Andre Iguodala	[SG,SF]	DEN	3
7	Danilo Gallinari	[SF]	DEN	3
8	Luol Deng	[SG,SF]	CHI	3
9	Michael Beasley	[SF,PF]	PHO	3	Could be the #1 scoring option for the Suns.
10	Rudy Gay	[SG,SF]	MEM	2
11	Gerald Wallace	[SF,PF]	BKN	2
12	Metta World Peace	[SF]	LAL	4
13	Danny Granger	[SF]	IND	3	Knee issues could be a problem all year.
14	Jeff Green	[SF,PF]	BOS	3	Looked great in the preseason, but fantasy value could depend on how many minutes he gets behind Paul Pierce at small forward.
15	Kawhi Leonard	[SG,SF]	SAS	3
16	Chandler Parsons	[SF]	HOU	3	Averaged 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 threes as a starter last year but could be in a timeshare with Carlos Delfino.
17	Marvin Williams	[SF]	UTA	3
18	Shawn Marion	[SF,PF]	DAL	3
19	CJ Miles	[SG,SF]	CLE	3	Could be decent source for 3's and points as starting small forward for the Cavs.
20	Brandon Rush	[SG,SF]	GSW	3	Should get the starting nod but could be in timeshare with Harrison Barnes.
21	Tayshaun Prince	[SF]	DET	3
22	Caron Butler	[SF]	LAC	3
23	Carlos Delfino	[SG,SF]	HOU	3
24	Harrison Barnes	[SF]	GSW	3
25	Wilson Chandler	[SF,PF]	DEN	3
26	Evan Turner	[SG,SF]	PHI	2
27	Hedo Turkoglu	[SF,PF]	ORL	2	Struggled from the field last year (41%), but should be decent source for assists (4.4 apg last year) and 3's (1.7 threes per game last year).
28	Chase Budinger	[SG,SF]	MIN	2	Should see bump in minutes with Kevin Love (broken hand) out.
29	Andrei Kirilenko	[SF]	MIN	2
30	Stephen Jackson	[SG,SF]	SAS	3
31	Mike Miller	[SG,SF]	MIA	3
32	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	[SF]	CHA	2	Will preseason struggles carry over into regular season? Averaged 5.2 points on 32% shooting from the field in eight preseason games.
33	Dorell Wright	[SG,SF]	PHI	2	Coming off nightmare season in Golden State and now stuck in crowded backcourt with Evan Turner, Jason Richardson and Nick Young.
34	Trevor Ariza	[SF]	WAS	2
35	Martell Webster	[SG,SF]	WAS	2

Power Forwards
Rank	Player	Eligible	Team	Games	Comment
1	Pau Gasol	[PF,C]	LAL	4
2	LaMarcus Aldridge	[PF,C]	POR	3
3	Blake Griffin	[PF]	LAC	3
4	Greg Monroe	[PF,C]	DET	3
5	Paul Millsap	[SF,PF]	UTA	3
6	David Lee	[PF]	GSW	3
7	Ryan Anderson	PF	NO	3	Averaged 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 threes last year for Orlando but can he produce without the benefit of Dwight Howard double teams?
8	Carlos Boozer	[PF]	CHI	3
9	Josh Smith	[SF,PF]	ATL	2
10	Antawn Jamison	[PF]	LAL	4
11	Kenneth Faried	[PF]	DEN	3	Rebounding machine averaged 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in only 23 minutes last season.
12	Kevin Garnett	[PF]	BOS	3	Turned back the clock last year (15.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg) but can he do it again at age 36?
13	Tim Duncan	[PF,C]	SAS	3
14	Anthony Davis	[PF,C]	NO	3
15	Luis Scola	[SF,PF]	PHO	3
16	Elton Brand	[PF]	DAL	3	Value goes up with Dirk Nowitzki (knee) out for six weeks. Averaged 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals as a starter last year with the Sixers.
17	Zach Randolph	[PF]	MEM	2
18	Ersan Ilyasova	[SF,PF]	MIL	2	Averaged 13.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 0.9 threes last year.
19	David West	[PF]	IND	3
20	Tristan Thompson	[PF,C]	CLE	3
21	Kris Humphries	[PF]	BKN	2
22	Glen Davis	[PF,C]	ORL	2	Could be the focal point of the Magic frontcourt with D12 in LA. Averaged 15.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals as a starter last year.
23	Byron Mullens	[PF,C]	CHA	2	Averaged over seven 3's attempted in the preseason. Should be locked into starting power forward job in Charlotte.
24	Thaddeus Young	[SF,PF]	PHI	2	Starting at power forward to begin the year.
25	Brandon Bass	[PF]	BOS	3	Could be in timeshare with Jared Sullinger.
26	Derrick Favors	[PF,C]	UTA	3
27	Jared Sullinger	[PF]	BOS	3
28	Markieff Morris	[PF]	PHO	3	Solid all-around game, but could be stuck behind Luis Scola.
29	Jason Thompson	[PF,C]	SAC	3
30	Boris Diaw	[PF,C]	SAS	3
31	Carl Landry	[SF,PF]	GSW	3	Could see increased minutes if Andrew Bogut (ankle) misses time this week.
32	Taj Gibson	[PF]	CHI	3
33	Thomas Robinson	[PF]	SAC	3
34	Jae Crowder	[SF,PF]	DAL	3	Could see bump in minutes this week with Dirk Nowitzki (knee) out and Chris Kaman (calf) questionable. Averaged 11.4 points and 2.1 steals in preseason.
35	Derrick Williams	[SF,PF]	MIN	2

Centers
Rank	Player	Eligible	Team	Games	Comment
1	Dwight Howard	[C]	LAL	4
2	Al Jefferson	[PF,C]	UTA	3
3	DeMarcus Cousins	[C]	SAC	3	Should be a top-five center this year if he can improve his field goal percentage (44.8% last year).
5	Chris Bosh	[PF,C]	MIA	3
4	Serge Ibaka	[PF,C]	OKC	3
6	Roy Hibbert	[C]	IND	3
7	Marcin Gortat	[C]	PHO	3	Put up solid numbers last year(15.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg), but will he be as productive on offense without Steve Nash?
8	Andrea Bargnani	[PF,C]	TOR	3
9	Joakim Noah	[C]	CHI	3
10	Tyson Chandler *	[C]	NYK	3	Day-to-day (knee). Should be ready for the opener.
11	Anderson Varejeo	[PF,C]	CLE	3
12	Omer Asik	[C]	HOU	3	Should be solid source for rebounds and blocks as the starting center for the Rockets.
13	J.J. Hickson	[PF,C]	POR	3
14	Marc Gasol	[C]	MEM	2
15	Al Horford	[PF,C]	ATL	2
16	Brook Lopez	[C]	BKN	2
17	Nikola Pekovic	[C]	MIN	2	Averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds in 35 starts last year.
18	DeAndre Jordan	[C]	LAC	3
19	JaVale McGee	[PF,C]	DEN	3	Could be in timeshare with Kosta Koufos and Timofey Mozgoev, but McGee has the most upside of the three.
20	Robin Lopez	[C]	NO	3
21	Samuel Dalembert	[C]	MIL	2
22	Nikola Vucevic	C	ORL	2	Will start at center for the Magic and could see a bump in minutes this week with Gustavo Ayon (thumb) out.
23	Chris Kaman *	[C]	DAL	3	Day-to-day (calf). Could miss some time this week.
24	Spencer Hawes	[PF,C]	PHI	2	Will come off the bench behind Lavoy Allen but should see plenty of minutes while Andrew Bynum (knee) is out.
25	Andrew Bynum *	[C]	PHI	2	Day-to-day (knee). Did not play at all in the preseason and could miss time this week.
26	Tiago Splitter	[PF,C]	SAS	3
27	Kosta Koufos	[C]	DEN	3
28	Jonas Valanciunas	[C]	TOR	3
29	Kendrick Perkins	[C]	OKC	3
30	Brendan Haywood	[C]	CHA	2
31	Emeka Okafor	[PF,C]	WAS	2
32	Andre Drummond	[C]	DET	3	Could be a decent source for blocks and boards if he gets 25+ minutes a night.
33	Patrick Patterson	[PF,C]	HOU	3
34	Andrew Bogut *	[C]	GSW	3	Day-to-day (ankle). Missed all of the preseason and is a longshot to play this week.
35	Nene *	[PF,C]	WAS	2	Day-to-day (plantar fascitis).