Build A Fantasy NBA Team To See Who Will Take Home The Championship
- by Andrew Brethauer
- – on
- in Sports
The NBA season is in full swing for the 2018-19 season and already, the first question on the top of every NBA fans mind is, who is going to win the NBA championship this season. The last four seasons have seen the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers battle in the final, with Golden State winning three of them, but with LeBron James gone from Cleveland and in Los Angeles now, there isn’t a chance NBA Fans will see a fifth series between the two teams again.
And that isn’t a bad thing, as there are some amazing teams in the NBA in both the Western and Eastern Conference and the NBA is waiting for some new teams to finally make the championship final. And with so many great players all across the NBA, it’s a toss-up to see who will make the NBA Finals this season and take home the championship trophy. So start by picking the best players across the league and build a fantasy team to see who would win the NBA Championship this season, based on the players selected. It will be a tough choice to narrow down a select few great players for a fantasy team, but in the end, it’s all about the championship and putting the best team together to win it.
Stephen Curry?
Stephen Curry has helped lead the Golden State Warriors to four consecutive NBA Finals, winning three of them, all against the Cavaliers, while also winning two NBA MVP awards in 2015 and 2016. He is arguably one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and is known to hit three-point shots from incredibly far distances.
LeBron James?
The King, LeBron James has won three NBA Championships, four MVP awards and is a three time MVP of the NBA Finals and may be the greatest player to ever play the game, as he has reached the NBA Finals eight consecutive times, nine times in total. If any team wants to make a championship push, start by adding James.
Russell Westbrook?
Russell Westbrook has been one of the best in the league, earning MVP honors in 2017, while he also led the league in scoring in 2015 and 2017. Westbrook was the fourth overall pick of the then, Seattle SuperSonics, before they moved to Oklahoma City and since then, has been a mainstay leader on a team that has seen its fair share of superstars come and go.
James Harden?
James Harden is one of the best shooters in the NBA, as well as one of the best players, having already won a league MVP award, which he did last season. He has been to one NBA Finals with Oklahoma City, but now he leads the Houston Rockets. He averaged over 30 points this past season and has an Olympic gold medal.
Kyrie Irving?
Kyrie Irving was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011 and became one of the big through that would help turn the franchise around fast and help them appear in four consecutive NBA Finals. Irving would be on the 2016 championship team that ended Cleveland’s drought of championships.
DeAndre Jordon?
DeAndre Jordon is not only a great big player to have under the net, but also one of the most accurate shooters in the league, as he currently holds the NBA record for the best career field goal percentage with 67.4%. That makes a versatile player on all sides of the court, perfect for multiple situations.
LaMarcus Aldridge?
LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the finest power forwards in the NBA with already has a signature shot, which is his fadeaway jump shot that has helped him get to the All-Star team six times. He’s already a six-time All-Star after being selected second overall in 2006 by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Joel Embiid?
Joel Embiid was drafted in 2014 with the third overall pick, but the young man already has an All-Star selection under his belt, making him a possible franchise player, which is something every team needs, especially one who is a defensive specialist and looking to win themselves a championship in a high scoring final.
Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a former 15th overall pick in 2013 has already improved a lot since joining the league, earning two All-Star selections. He comes with an awesome nickname as well, as he is known around the league as the Greek Freak. Nothing freakish about a two-time All-Star who was named Most Improved back in 2017.
Kevin Durant?
Kevin Durant was already one of the league’s best players before he joined the Golden State Warriors, which caused a lot of controversy in the league as he made them a Super Team. But since then, he has helped the Warriors win back-to-back NBA champions, and has been the NBA Finals MVP for both of those victories.
Lonzo Ball?
Lonzo Ball was the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his rookie season in Los Angeles, Ball played in just 52 games in his first season, averaging 10.2 points a game. With Ball comes his family and his dad LaVar, who prompts the families ‘Big Baller Brand’.
Dirk Nowitzki?
In need of a franchise player to take you to the finals? Look at Dirk Nowitzki, who brought his team all the way to the NBA Finals in 2011 and won it against a Big-Three led LeBron James team. He earned the NBA Finals MVP that year as well and has one more run in him to try and get his second ring.
DeMar DeRozan?
DeMar DeRozan has been a four-time All-Star, and helped lead the Raptors to the top of the Eastern Conference. He was also a member of the USA men’s basketball team that won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. His trade during the off season brought a lot of attention his way, as he loved his former team and didn’t want to leave.
Kawhi Leonard?
Kawhi Leonard is a defensive specialist and many say, the best defensive player in the league. Defence, as they say, wins championships. So, if your team is in need of perhaps the best defender in the league, Leonard would be a great addition, as he already has an NBA Championship and NBA Finals MVP to his name already.
DeMarcus Cousins?
DeMarcus Cousins may have had to deal with some injuries last season, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still have game. Maybe the rest of the NBA didn’t want to take a chance on him, but he is still one of the best centers in the game, a four-time All-Star and a Gold Medalist with Team USA from the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Chris Paul?
Chris Paul is a player any championship team would love as he already is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, playing against the top players on the world stage. Sure, he is still looking for his first NBA Championships, but the nine-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year is hungry to finish off with an NBA ring.
Anthony Davis?
Anthony Davis was the first overall pick in 2012 and is turning into a franchise player that can’t be missed out on. First overall picks is where you find franchise players, or you trade for them early on. Davis has already played himself to Olympic Gold on Team USA in 2016.
Pau Gasol?
Pau Gasol comes with plenty of experience and knows how to win a championship. He has already won two NBA Championships when he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, winning in back-to-back years in 2009 and 2010. He also can train the rookies as he was the Rookie of the Year in 2002.
Ben Simmons?
Ben Simmons was the Rookie of the Year last season as the former 2016 first overall pick lived up to the hype and averaged over 33 minutes and 15.8 points per game in his first season. Not bad for his first season in what is helping turn a franchise around in the city of brotherly love.
Jayson Tatum?
Jayson Tatum would be on the list of great rookie basketball players any championship team would love to have, as the former third overall pick in 2017 made the All-Rookie team on the back of a 13.9 points per game rookie season and 18.5 points per game in the playoffs.
Steven Adams?
Steven Adams was a rookie who came in right away and was an impact player and starter for Oklahoma City. Adams has started 323 of his 387 games, averaging 13.9 points per game. Not bad for a man from New Zealand who has been thrust into the spotlight on one of the league’s most dominating teams.
Draymond Green?
Draymond Green isn’t the biggest name on the team in Golden State, but has played in four straight NBA Finals and has won three NBA championships and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017. He’s not the scorer the team needs, but the defensive specialist they rely on.
Brandon Ingram?
Brandon Ingram is a young player who continues to improve every season and even more now with the King on his time. He was selected second overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and in his first season he earned an All-Rookie Team select and averaged 12.2 points per game. He upped it to 16.1 the next season.
Eric Gordon?
Eric Gordon is a player who doesn’t start the game, but rather is the perfect sixth man, the one off the bench, who has earned a reputation for being a great support player, as he has won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award in 2017, and who is a prolific three-point shooter.
Jrue Holiday?
Jrue Holiday is a true starting player who has already experienced being traded in his career, as he was drafted by Philadelphia in 2009 and now plays in New Orleans. In five seasons with the Pelicans, he’s averaged 14.9 points per game and is helping to turn the Pelicans into a contender in the NBA.
Rudy Gay?
Rudy Gay was drafted eighth overall by Houston in 2006 and the traded the next day to Memphis. He proved Houston should have kept him as he made the All-Rookie team that season. In 14 seasons in the NBA, he averages 17.9 points per game, which has only got better as he has got older.
Paul George?
Paul George has had an interesting run in the NBA, as the five time All-Star has also been named the league’s Most Improved player back in 2013, while also earning Defensive Team honors three different times In his first season in Oklahoma City after seven in Indiana, he averaged 21.9 points per game, adding to their amazing scoring.
Markelle Fultz?
Markelle Fultz may have had to deal with injuries, but he’s still one of the best prospect players in the NBA. The former first overall pick in 2017 will add to any young core of players and he isn’t a miss out player just because of a little set back.
Eric Bledsoe?
Eric Bledsoe has been traded his fair share of times, but is still a great player, averaging 17.7 points per game after joining his third team. He struggled with the Los Angeles Clippers, but now in Milwaukee, he’s a big reason the Bucks are thinking NBA Championship this season and not high draft pick.
Kyle Lowry?
Kyle Lowry has helped bring the Toronto Raptors back to the top in the Eastern Conference and since joining Toronto, he has been a constant All-Star, having been named to the team four straight years. His career average is 14.4 points per game, but in Toronto, he is much higher than that, with his best being over 20.
Al Horford?
Al Horford was a great college basketball player when he won back-to-back National Championships. Now he would want to win the NBA Finals and add that ring to his collection or special trophies. College sometimes doesn’t equal pros, but in Al Horford’s case, he’s the real deal player in Boston.
Ray Allen?
Ray Allen brings to the table tons of leadership to any young team as he has won two NBA Championships, is a 10-time All-Star selection and would be the perfect role model for a young rookie core. He might be near the end of his time in the NBA, but there is no denying he still has elite level talent.
Andre Robinson?
Andre Robinson, who was selected 26th overall by Minnesota in 2013 and then sent the same day to Oklahoma City, has turned into a great defensive player. With the team already having plenty of lights out shooters and the ability to score at will, Robinson has found a great spot as the defensive specialist.
Klay Thompson?
Klay Thompson may not be the biggest name on the Golden State Warriors but is still one of the most impressive players on the court. With Golden State, he has won three NBA Championships over the last four seasons and averaged over 20 points a game while doing it on a powerhouse team.
Rajon Rondo?
Every team needs some leadership and a player that has got them to the big game and knows how to win. Rajon Rondo has that experience as Rondo is a two time NBA Champion, as well as a steals leader and four-time All-Star. He may be nearing the end of his career, but he can still pass it on to other players.
Carmelo Anthony?
Carmelo Anthony has a stat line that will always make him a threat on any team, even as he gets older in the league. There are only six players who can say they have scored 24,000 points, over 6,000 rebounds, 2,500 assists, 1,000 steals and 1,000 three-point field goals made.
Luka Doncic?
Luka Doncic is one of the best international players in the league, as he played most of his professional basketball over in Europe before getting drafted to the NBA. The former EuroLeague Champion in 2018 was also the MVP in that league as well before coming to the NBA last season.
Blake Griffin?
Blake Griffin is a former first overall pick and Rookie of the Year who originally was with the Los Angeles Clippers. He was known for his thunderous dunks to the rim and an ability to break open a game on his own. It’s why he’s made the All-Star team and wowed fans with his dunks, winning the Slam Dunk contest in his rookie season.
Tony Parker?
Tony Parker has plenty of experience to add to any team he plays for as he is a four-time NBA Championship, winning them all with San Antonio as a member of their Super Team. He’s also been named an All-Star six times and was the NBA Finals MVP in 2007.
Dario Saric?
Dario Saric is the former 12th overall pick in 2014 was named to the All-Rookie team and is a Croatian League MVP. In 2017 he was named to the All-Rookie team, but it’s his European play that gets him name recognition, as he was the league MVP, Final Four MVP and leading scorer in the Adriatic League in 2014.
John Henson?
Milwaukee went after their hometown kid in John Henson in the draft and watch the former 14th overall pick become one of the best off the bench players in the game. That’s what anyone would expect from a player who is playing for the team they grew up cheering for as a kid.
Jonas Valančiūnas?
Jonas Valančiūnas is a seven-foot center, a giant player at his position, so he easily stands out on the court when it comes to good big men in the NBA. The former fifth overall pick made the All-Rookie second team and has a 8.5 rebound and 11.7 points per game average.
Marcus Smart?
Marcus Smart is a great off the bench player to have, as the starters have to come out of the game eventually. Smart, the former sixth overall pick in 2014, averages 10 points per game so far in two seasons is such a reliable option and can easily take over the starting role as he grows into the team.
Khris Middleton?
Khris Middleton was drafted second overall, by the Detroit Pistons, but was traded right away to Milwaukee in 2013, where he has grown into a starter and averages 20.1 points per game. He has started to become a dominating player, having averaged over 20 points per game last season with Milwaukee.
Andrew Wiggins?
Andrew Wiggins was the first overall pick in 2014, becoming just the second person from Canada to ever be selected first overall. But he was traded before he could even play with his original team, as he was sent packing from Cleveland to Minnesota before he even had a chance to get on the court in Cleveland.
Dennis Schroder?
Dennis Schroder is another example of a player who came from outside the United States to make his mark in basketball before coming to the NBA. Schroder is one of the best players to come from Germany, where he has averaged 19.4 points per game as a starter before being drafted by Oklahoma City.
Chris Bosh?
Chris Bosh was the fourth overall pick of the Toronto Raptors in 2003, where he was a five-time All-Star. But it was his move to Miami, however, where he got plenty of success with Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, as the Heat won two NBA Champions with the big-three, as Bosh was part of the first, super team.
Donovan Mitchell?
Donovan Mitchell was the 13th selection in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, and was named to the All-Rookie Team after his first season where he put up 20.5 points per game, while starting 71 games that season. He also won the NBA Slam Dunk Competition as a rookie, showing off some impressive skills.
Ricky Rubio?
Ricky Rubio was selected fifth overall by Minnesota where he played his first six seasons, averaging around 10 points per game. He was on the All-Rookie team in 2012, and has earned plenty of championships back in his home country of Spain, where he was the 2010 EuroLeague champion, as well as the Spanish League champion in 2011.
Marcus Morris?
Marcus Morris was the 14th overall pick in 2011 and stands at 6-foot-9. He has been around the league, playing for four teams in eight season, but is starting to become a force under the rim, as he has averaged over 10 points a game the last four seasons, as well as a 4.4 rebounds per game in that span.
