The Dingo 69: #51 - #43

Here in full is the third installment in The Dingo's list of the top 69 fantasy basketball players for the 2014-2015 season. 

51. Monta Ellis, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks

I polished off a delicious Slam Magazine feature on Monta on a recent cross country flight. The guy LOVES Dallas. LOVES a double-decker Cubano sandwich with a side of Coach Carlisle fries and sweet pickles. He feels happy and revved up and holy shit is this the YEAR OF THE MAVS?? Absolutely not! But hey, who cares, Monta is pumped! And ready to shoot and pick and roll the Western Conference to death. Could provide great value.

50. Gordon Hayward, SF, Utah Jazz

Someone has GOT to score points on this team. And it well could be this guy! Fresh off a contract which will give him absolutely no incentive to perform (except perhaps guilt?), Hayward heads up a sad-ass Jazz outfit with his oddball collection of floaters and generally nice-guy play. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Gordon take over a game with his lack of aggression and airy, high-risk mid-range jumpers. Of course, the Dingo will probably pick him up seeing as I’ll be watching all 82 games of Dante’s Debut Season: Survivor Outback Edition. So you should too.

49. Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets

Are the Nets still in the NBA? The team has followed up one of the biggest (and ultimately underwhelming) offseasons with one of absolutely no note, aside from the Jason Kidd debacle. And Brook Lopez’s return! Your fantasy team needs at least ONE big man with foot problems this year. Look, think of the upside - people will worry (probably unnecessarily) about recurring injury problems for Brook, and you’ll pick up potentially one of the best bangers on the board for a low low price. Get in now while they buying is good!

Update: Brook has a soft tissue injury to the same foot. Do not draft Brook Lopez.

48. Jabari Parker, SF, Milwaukee Bucks

Will he be the highest ranked fantasy rook of 2014? MAYBE. Regardless, I like what Chef Kidd is cooking in Milwaukee right now. He’s taken a recipe for bland stew, a dish which has underwhelmed restaurant patrons for consecutive years, skimmed some of the fat from the top of the pot (O.J. Mayo we PRAY), a little fenugreek seasoning (GIANNIS), STIRRED UNTIL SHIT IS REALLY MELTING (Larry Sanders!) and then finish with some fresh BABY SPINACH (JP) to complete the dish! Voila!

47. David West, PF, Indiana Pacers

The only guy worth a damn on the Pacers towards the end of last season, West is the guy who I believe stands to benefit the most in fantasy from Paul George’s (possibly) season-ending injury. The banger has an electric mid-range jumper (if there is such a thing), plus had to step up and bang plenty of boards when Roy Boy went on his Emotional Walkabout late last year. Only thing going against him are Papa Time and injuries—Vogel has said he’ll limit his minutes—but expect the Pacers’ stuttering offense to channel through the big man for long sections this year.

Update: He’s also injured. These old bangers, man! Can’t even make it through the preseason!

46. Isaiah Thomas, PG, Phoenix Suns

The Dingo jumped on the IT2 train very early last year, drafting him when many were lucky enough to grab him two or three weeks into the season off the waiver wire (I will ALWAYS reach for a little man: FACT). He’s landed in a somewhat dicey situation this year from a fantasy perspective, but expect him to get plenty of minutes in Phoenix as the Suns rotate him through with Dragic and Bledsoe. The team is going to put up plenty of points, and IT2 has the potential to be in the thick of it.

45. Kenneth Faried, PF, Denver Nuggets

The Manimal just got better and better as last season went on, finishing the year with an average of almost 14 points and 9 bangs a game. Expect him to up those stats significantly this year in a Denver team I think has a chance to SHINE LIKE A CRAZY DIAMOND. Kenneth is gonna channel his Team USA energy, make his moms proud and crank the heat up to Super High in the Colorado kitchen. Prepare to be on double-double watch every fourth night.  

44. Rajon Rondo, PG, Boston Celtics

I know, he hurt his hand in the shower (NOT the trampoline center he visited earlier in the day, all you conspiracy theorists out there!), but when fit towards the end of last season, Rondo proved his fantasy value hasn’t slipped despite all the boo-boos. Coming back to the game with an improved 3-point shot that didn’t impact his assist numbers, be prepared to take a stash-and-dash approach with this one, who could also be traded or hurt himself all over again before the season is out.

43. Pau Gasol, PF, Chicago Bulls

This pick terrifies me. Saying Pau is due for a big season after so many years and so many injuries with a new team, new format, new coach and new cold climate (he’s old!) provides enough what-ifs to put you off the balletic banger. But he’s the piece the Bulls need, and if he gets it right, if, if, if...sigh. Do what you want. Every fantasy team needs an old banged-up banger to hold it together. Just don’t double down on them.