Fantasy Basketball: 5 Best Fantasy Basketball Players Ever

By Dave Fuqua | Jun 13, 2015

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner

Michael Jordan

unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

5 Best Fantasy Basketball Players Ever

Sometimes I wonder what fantasy basketball would have been like in the older age of basketball. I wonder what it would have been like to own Michael Jordan in a dynasty or keeper league and how impossible it would have been to make a trade to acquire him. I think about Larry Bird or Hakeem Olajuwon and how much fun fantasy basketball would have been in those days.

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So with that thought I decided that I would like to put together the five best fantasy basketball players ever. I will assume that these numbers are for standard leagues with standard size teams. I will also use the player’s best season available for our statistics. Since this is a fantasy team I will not necessarily use your typical five starting positions. This is basically a representation of the five best fantasy basketball players that I would have ever wanted to own.

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Guard – Michael Jordan: Michael Jordan is easily one of the best basketball players to ever grace the game. He is of course just one of many who have worn the moniker of greatest in the game, but during the 1988 season Jordan averaged 32.5 points with 8.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds. Jordan also pitched in 2.9 steals with .9 blocks per game. He was literally everywhere adn making plays on both ends of the court.

Jordan was one of the most exciting players to watch and one of my favorite players of all-time. If ever there was a fantasy basketball player that I would want to have owned it is Michael Jordan. Could you imagine what it would have taken to trade for Jordan? I can tell you that he would not have even been on the market in my leagues.

Next: Who Is Next On The List?

Hakeem Olajuwon – Center: Hakeem Olajuwon had several great seasons for the Houston Rockets. His game was beautiful to watch and he had some of the prettiest post moves that you will ever see. His defense was impeccable as well. I am not sure which of his seasons that I like the best either the ’89 or the ’92 season. Basically ‘The Dream’ averaged around 25 points 13 rebounds and 4 blocked shots a game.

Olajuwon would have been the perfect centerpiece for any fantasy team and would have easily been a top two or three fantasy pick in any league.

Next: Let's Find Another Player For Our Team

Larry Bird – Forward: Almost everyone loves Larry Bird or at least respects him. He was certainly one of the hardest working players ever in the NBA. Bird is one of those players that few people around NBA circles ever just out and out hate. You will find a lot of hate for other player like Jordan and others, but not many people have much hate for Larry Bird.

Maybe people just respect how hard he had to work as he was one of the greats who seemed to not be gifted with the height or athleticism as some of the other all-time greats that will grace this list and others like it.

Next: Who Is Next On The List?

Oscar Robertson – Guard: Oscar Robertson had one of the greatest statistical seasons in basketball history ever. Robertson averaged 30.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.3 assists per game. I mean wow! That is simply incredible to have averaged a triple-double for an entire season.

I realize that basketball is a different game now than it was then, but with the rarity of triple-doubles now it is truly a phenomenal season. I believe that this season will stand alone as a feat that will never be accomplished again.

Next: Who Is Our Last Member Of This Team?

David Robinson – Center: Robinson was one of the best centers in the game. He is also the perfect piece to round out our best ever fantasy team. His 1990 season was one of his best-ever season where he averaged 25.6 points, 13 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.5 assists, and 3.9 blocks per game.

Sometimes it is hard to believe that he played alongside Tim Duncan in Duncan’s early days, but what an incredible force to have had jamming up your front-court. This would have been a great team to have on the court for any fantasy basketball season. Originally it was all kept by hand which would have been extremely tough, but became really popular with the internet in the ’90s.

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