Pau Gasol edged out Dwight Howard as the the No.1 fantasy center in the league.
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
If not for the fact that he is a horrible free throw shooter, Dwight Howard would be the best center in fantasy basketball. Unfortunately, when you take 816 free throws (second most in the NBA behind Kevin Durant) but hit just 59.2% of them, you single-handedly kill your fantasy owner's chances in the category.
And with Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (2008-09 TSN Fantasy Player of the Year) proficient across-the-board, the Spaniard edges out Howard for the award as the No.1 fantasy center in the league. Gasol improved his rebounding totals despite the presence of Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom in the Lakers lineup and continued to pour in more than 18 ppg. Add in his solid passing ability (3.4 apg) and his ability to hit shots from the floor (53.6%) and the free throw line (79.0%) and you have this year's best fantasy center.
As an eighth-round selection (ADP 88), Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut was a great value. The Melbourne, Australia native and former No.1 overall draft pick is starting to blossom into a full-blown star. He raised his scoring average more than four points this season while continuing to post double-digit rebounds. He was also second to Howard in blocks-per-game (2.5). These numbers make him the 2009-10 TSN Best Bargain Award winner for centers.
After putting together the best season of his career, Minnesota center Al Jefferson was expected to continue to improve to superstar fantasy status in 2009-10. Unfortunately, that didn't happen primarily due to injury. Although he played in 76 of 82 games following a torn ACL in his right knee at the end of 2009, Jefferson was never 100% healthy this season. He suffered an Achilles injury in October which caused him to start the year slowly. There was also trade talk and a DWI during the season that may have distracted him. All that added up to a disappointing statistical year in which his points-per-game dropped from 23.1 to 17.1 and his rebounds fell from 11.0 rpg to just 9.3. Given his end of the first round selection (ADP of 12), that's simply not enough production and Jefferson "wins" this year's Most Disappointing center award.
