Now that we’re safely into the second rounds of fantasy basketball playoffs (unless you’re in a points based league), it’s time for a quick recap of this season.

Sleepers of the year

1. Hedo Turkoglu – He-do good, real good. Who would have thought that he would blossom this late in his career, especially considering the arrival of Rashard Lewis?
2. Monta Ellis – A new superstar has been born, and he shoots 53%.
3. Mike Dunleavy – The Man in the Iron Mask excelled as a Pacer and capitalized on his opportunities with injuries to Jermaine and Jamaal.
4. Rudy Gay – In just his second year, Gay was a #26 best fantasy basketball player. Has a shot to win most improved.
5. Chris Kaman – With Brand out, Kaman was simply a fantasy beast.
6. Jose Calderon – Solid FG% and FT%, assists machine, and you probably got him off the waivers. What a great deal.
7. Ronnie Brewer – Started out hot with a ton of steals. Ended up as a very decent fantasy player with high FG%, low turnovers and fouls, and random 3’s.
8. Jamario Moon – Nice surprise from an ex-Harlem Globetrotter. Gave you 3’s, steals, blocks, and boards.
9. Kenyon Martin – Most people were surprised to even see him play. K-mart definitely has a fantasy friendly game.

Busts of the year (due to injury or poor performance)

1. Gilbert Arenas – Ouch. What a waste of a first round fantasy pick.
2. Yao Ming – Let’s hope he doesn’t have an injury plagued career.
3. Elton Brand – Despite starting the season as an inactive player, lots of fantasy owners hoped and prayed that he would come back in time. It’s probably too late.
4. Dwayne Wade – He disappointed not just fantasy owners, but also the entire city of Miami.
5. Shawn Marion – Usually the #1 fantasy player every year was boggled by Grant Hill’s presence on the Suns, and a back injury as a Heat player.
6. Kevin Garnett – Usually the #2 or #3 fantasy player missed quite a few games to recover from his injury since the Celtics have a stronghold on the Eastern Conference.
7. Andrei Kirilenko – Too lanky and fragile to be the fantasy force that he once was. It’s a shame.
8. Kirk Hinrich – Horrible performance, just when you thought he was getting better.

Fantasy players of the year

1. Chris Paul – He earns the title of best point guard in the league and best fantasy player this year.
2. Amare Stoudemire – Despite micro-fracture surgery, Amare outperformed KG, Marion, and a handful of fantasy studs to take the #2 slot as the best fantasy player this year.