By Jeff Andriesse
Rotowhine.com Editor
Oct. 21, 2008

Point guard is looking like the most valuable fantasy position heading into the 2008-09 season. The guys who dribble the ball up and run a team’s offense are naturally major contributors. You’ll get assists, but you better get a few other categories out of your No. 1 PG. The options dwindle quickly. Point guards who don’t hit 3-pointers, shoot poorly at the line or lack steals are liabilities unless they are starting at the tail end of your lineup. Prepare accordingly.

Rules: Rotisserie scoring, eight categories (see projections). Injury risk calculated into each ranking. Certain hybrids not ranked here; consult your league’s positional rules before making your final cheat sheets.

1. Chris Paul, NOH
Arguably the top fantasy player going into the season, Paul will dominate steals like no other player dominates any category. Don’t underestimate this. He’s a monster in assists who does everything else well for his position. You can’t go wrong.
2008-09 Projections: 20.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 11.3 APG, 1.1 3PG, 2.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 47.0 FG%, 85.8 FT%

2. Allen Iverson, DEN
Iverson was phenomenal last year and will have free reign again in a fantasy-friendly offense. Age and injury risk are a concern but a minor one. He may also get traded if the Nugs struggle.
2008-09 Projections: 25.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.0 3PG, 1.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 44.8 FG%, 80.1 FT%

3. Steve Nash, PHX
Plenty of reasons not to take Nash - age, new coach, possible limiting of his minutes - but his stats are too superb in a roto format to pass up.
2008-09 Projections: 17.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 11.4 APG, 2.0 3PG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 50.0 FG%, 91.3 FT%

4. Deron Williams, UTA
Ankle injury will keep him out for a few games, but Williams is an elite player who should be considered at the end of the first round in any format.
2008-09 Projections: 19.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 10.5 APG, 1.2 3PG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 48.9 FG%, 80.0 FT%

5. Baron Davis, LAC
Davis played 82 games last year, paving the way for a black man to be elected president. Flying cars are next.
2008-09 Projections: 20.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 7.8 APG, 2.1 3PG, 2.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 41.7 FG%, 73.6 FT%

6. Jose Calderon, TOR
His situation is too good to be true. Jermaine O’Neal is his new teammate, though, the equivalent of seeing a black cat.
2008-09 Projections: 13.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.1 3PG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 49.5 FG%, 88.2 FT%

7. Chauncey Billups, DET
Billups is sliding but he’s the best bet left. His free-throw shooting keeps him a No. 1 point guard, for now.
2008-09 Projections: 15.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.6 3PG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 43.3 FG%, 90.0 FT%

8. Jason Kidd, DAL
Still capable, but an obvious candidate for bustability.
2008-09 Projections: 10.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 8.6 APG, 1.2 3PG, 1.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 42.0 FG%, 86.6 FT%

9. Andre Miller, PHI
Beware a drop in points for Miller, but he’s a solid choice in a contract year on an improved team.
2008-09 Projections: 14.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 7.8 APG, 0.1 3PG, 1.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 44.7 FG%, 73.9 FT%

10. Devin Harris, NJN
Harris will have ample opportunity to become an elite fantasy player this season. Those of us who have been disappointed in the past might be a little too giddy this preseason. Relax and enjoy good, not great, stats.
2008-09 Projections: 15.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.6 3FG, 1.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 45.8 FG%, 81.4 FT%

11. Tony Parker, SAS
With Ginobili out and probably limited for much of the season, Parker is going to have a great offensive season if he can stay healthy. If only he hit threes.
2008-09 Projections: 19.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 6.3 APG, 0.2 3FG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 48.6 FG%, 74.5 FT%

12. T.J. Ford, IND
Ford may split with Jarrett Jack, but he should play a lot more than he did last season. If he’s mentally ready, Indiana could end up being a terrific spot for Ford, and he’ll see a rise in assists.
2008-09 Projections: 14.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, 0.5 3FG, 1.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 44.9 FG%, 84.5 FT%

13. Randy Foye, MIN
Foye is more of a shooting guard than a playmaker, but the ball is his to create with regardless, and he has good offensive players around him.
2008-09 Projections: 15.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.4 3FG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 43.7 FG%, 87.7 FT%

14. Rajon Rondo, BOS
His minutes will climb, and his confidence should already be off the charts. His elders will rest and he’ll take that next step. Free throw shooting needs to improve.
2008-09 Projections: 11.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.2 APG, 0.2 3FG, 2.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 47.9 FG%, 69.0 FT%

15. Mike Bibby, ATL
Draft Bibby late for threes and quality free throw numbers. He’s past his prime though and an afterthought in this Atlanta offense.
2008-09 Projections: 13.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.8 3PG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 42.0 FG%, 85.4 FT%

16. Mo Williams, MIL
Let someone else grab Williams based on last year’s numbers. He’s a Cav now, meaning LeBron devours his strengths.
2008-09 Projections: 14.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.3 3PG, 1.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 44.0 FG%, 86.0 FT%

17. Beno Udrih, SAC
I’m not so sure Udrih is a great fantasy player, but he’ll at least have the chance to play, and play a lot.
2008-09 Projections: 13.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.1 3FG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 44.5 FG%, 85.3 FT%

18. Jason Terry, DAL
Terry will play often this year even though he’s tailing off. Kidd has no real backup. Expect a nice season from Terry but he’ll kill you in assists.
2008-09 Projections: 16.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.9 3FG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 47.0 FG%, 81.7 FT%

19. Derrick Rose, CHI
It’s looking more and more like Rose will play 30-plus minutes a game. That’s what he needs to make a fantasy impact, and the second half is when we’ll see his numbers blossom.
2008-09 Projections: 11.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.4 3FG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 42.6 FG%, 71.5 FT%

20. Kirk Hinrich, CHI
Hinrich will split time at the one and the two, and you have to hope that he at least secures 35 minutes per game. But Ben Gordon is still around, as is Larry Hughes and the rising Thabo Sefolosha. I’m feeling like Rose will play no matter what, and Hinrich’s numbers will be cut into. Rose is the upside pick.
2008-09 Projections: 12.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.0 3FG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 42.2 FG%, 84.8 FT%

The Next 10
21. Raymond Felton, CHA
22. Marcus Williams, GSW
23. Monta Ellis, GSW
24. Earl Watson, OKC
25. Mike Conley, MEM
26. Ramon Sessions, MIL
27. Chris Duhon, NYK
28. Luke Ridnour, MIL
29. Louis Williams, PHI
30. Nate Robinson, NYK