This is and was the easiest top 10 list to compile, the only name some may be surprised at is Anthony Randolph who will establish himself as a elite fantasy option by the end of this year. Any of you who read Box Score Boxing would already know that.

Amare Stoudemire - Amare could in all likelihood regain the form he showed in the final months of the 07-08 season when he was the most valuable fantasy player averaging 26+ points per game. He will be seriously pushed for this top spot by 5 out of the 10 names on this list, but has the talent, system and point guard to stave them off for his seeming final season in Phoenix.

Chris Bosh - Chris Bosh is primed to take it to another level for his fantasy owners as he promises to see a higher FG%, Rebound total and assist total, all of which will exponentially increase his already 1^st round fantasy status. With new team-mates in town Bosh should see better shots and more assist opportunities. Chris Bosh has never played on a NBA team this talented.

Josh Smith - Josh Smith is one of our favourite fantasy STUDS, but he will not go until the second round of your draft and after Dirk who is two spots down on our ranking. However if he can stop taking so many threes and focus on what he is good at Josh Smith will revive his borderline 1^st rounder status. He will challenge for the league lead in blocks while providing consistent scoring around 16 a game and 7+ rebounds. Draft with the confidence knowing that wherever you pick him will not be a reach.

Elton Brand - EB, this former fantasy first rounder never seemed to fit in with Philly last year, and now has no PG to get him the ball in the post. This will become a AI2-Brand combo that will put fear in the hearts of all opposing head coaches once they get their chemistry issues cleared up. Getting him in the 2^nd or after will be larceny if he can manage to stay healthy this season.

Dirk Nowitzki - Dirk has got some more help in Shawn Marion. However Shawn Marion will also be demanding shots easing some of the scoring load from the shoulders of Dirk and the other Mavs players. While this is good for the Mavs, this is not good for owners of Dirk or Josh Howard as there will be less shots to go around.

Tim Duncan - Duncan is a consistent 20-10 player and he is listed so low?? Yes. The fact of the matter is Pops likes to rest Duncan periodically during the season and often during the stretch run in the NBA, which just happens to be Fantasy Basketball’s playoffs.   As long as you understand this going in you can expect Duncan to produce like the top 15 player that he is….when he plays.

Kevin Garnett - Another strong bet not to play a full season and be rested in many games, the Celtics may look to play it safe with KG now that they have Sheed in town. With KG and Sheed on the floor together it is an instant championship and no one, I repeat, no one should be worried how Sheed and KG will work together on the floor.  KG and Sheed both have strong Alpha personalities but are ‘real’ friends off the court so this is a marriage made in heaven for C’s fans.

Anthony Randolph - The future is now for Anthony Randolph. He somehow manoeuvred his way out of Nellie’s dog house and into the starting line-up and prominently showed the world why he was a lottery pick. Its not everyday lottery big men pan out, but when they do, the NBA takes notice. Anthony Randolph is the latest big man to earn his stripes coming from the Chris Bosh mould, but the fact of the matter is besides being a good shooter Randolph actually has the potential to make more of an impact on the defensive end and thus to fantasy rosters.

Zach Randolph - Zach Randolph is Memphis.  I am not sure what to make of this anymore, with Iverson and Randolph in town, this team can win now. Pre-Iverson Randolph would have got his 19 and 9 and they would have missed the playoffs by a long shot. Now there may be too few shots to go around and it is hard to predict anyone’s role besides Z-Bo who is a perennial 18 and 9 guy given the requisite minutes. The only thing is he does not contribute anywhere else besides TO’s, having the odious distinction of belonging to the “more-turnovers-than-steals-blocks-and-assists club.

Antawn Jamison - Antwan Jamison. Never a sexy pick. Always solid. Always consistent. Simply put, you know what you are getting from Jamison, which is about 18-19 ppg, 8.5-9.5 rpg, 1.5 3pg, 1.5 spg, 450 fg%. Draft with the confidence that he will outproduce some of the names drafted before him, he always does.