Now that we’ve got the fantasy basketball projections and rankings for the Top 25 Point Guards and the Top 25 Shooting Guards in the books, let’s move onto the big boys, the power forwards! How’s that for excitement? You excited, man? I know my Magic 8 Ball is excited, he kept texting me last night asking me when we would be getting together to do the power forwards. Yes, he’s that amazing! Anyways, here are our (his!) rankings and projections for 2012/13. Keep in mind that some of these players are also center eligible but they appear here because their respective team has another player listed as the starting center. Also, as always, the rankings are subject to slight amendment throughout pre-season so check back from time to time just in case! Also, part deux, a reminder that you can use the cool Printer Friendly button at the bottom of each post for you to print out the rankings and projections to read on the toilet, if that’s your thing. By the way, hecmanhoops unofficially endorses Charmin Ultra Strong. Try it, you’ll thank me. Ok, to the power forward rankings and projections! Wheeee.

Updated: October 28

1. Kevin Love – Kevin Love! OMG, OMG, OMG! It’s Kevin Love! I want to make out with him.
Projections: 25.5 ppg/13 rpg/2 apg/.450/.820/.9 spg/140 3s/45 blk/2.2 tov

2. Josh Smith – A little bit of points in my life, a little bit of blocks by my side, a little bit of steals is all I need, come on you know the song, a little bit of boards is what I see, a little bit of threes in the sun, a little bit of assists all night long. J Smoove No. 2! Sing it again if you’d like, it’s fun. Or feel free to sing Al Horford’s back and there’s gonna be trouble, hey la, hey la, Al Horford’s back! I’d expect ever so slight regression but it’s still all good (great!). 
Projections: 17 ppg/9 rpg/3.5 apg/.460/.695/1.3 spg/35 3s/140 blk/2.5 tov

3. Dirk Nowitzki – Dirk Diggler has a bum knee that may require arthroscopic surgery as of this writing so it’s possible he’ll have a slow November. Remind your fellow owners about this right before your draft/auction. Then pounce! You’re so sly.
Projections: 22.5 ppg/7 rpg/2.3 apg/.470/.890/.7 spg/85 3s/50 blk/2 tov

4. LaMarcus Aldridge – Two years ago he made his owner’s hearts go all aflutter. Last year his heart was literally a flutter. Ironic! Anyways, he makes my heart go aflutter. I heart LaMarcus. I could go on and on with heart jokes but I’ll spare you.
Projections: 21.5 ppg/8.3 rpg/2.1 apg/.505/.800/1 spg/0 3s/75 blk/2 tov

6. 5. Pau Gasol – Now that he’s playing with an absolute monster in the front court, circumstantial evidence and my keen detective skills say his numbers can’t help but to take a slight hit. If the stats don’t fit, you must, um, lower your expectations? I know, it doesn’t rhyme but you get my drift..
Projections: 17.5 ppg/9 rpg/3 apg/.530/.795/.6 spg/0 3s/110 blk/2.2 tov

5. 6. David Lee – Others may have Pau Gasol or Blake Griffin here but I like David Lee, I just do and it has nothing to do with the fact that he’s white. I swear.
Projections: 18.5 ppg/9 rpg/3.5 apg/.515/.790/1 spg/0 3s/35 blk/2.3 tov

7. Blake Griffin – Points. Yay! Rebounds. Yay! Assists. Yay! FG. Yay! Steals. Ok! FT. Boo! Blocks. Meh. I count more yays than nays. Don’t be hatin’.
Projections: 22 ppg/11 rpg/3.3 apg/.520/.610/1 spg/0 3s/70 blk/2.5 tov

8. Anthony Davis – Yeah, I know, I know but it’s my ranking, man. Go make your own damn ranking if you don’t like it! Number 8 is clearly optimistic but what kind of ranking would it be if I just conformed? I’m different, I’m unique, I’m special! That’s what my mother keeps telling me anyway. If I must explain myself, this ranking is based on his clear starting role, potential for solid point and board totals, solid FG, a steal per and off the charts block potential. You feel better? Feel free to drop him down to 12th if you’re feeling conservative. Wuss.
Projections: 15.5 ppg/10 rpg/.550/.700/1.2 spg/0 3s/200 blk/2.2 tov

9. Zach Randolph – Hey, nothing wrong with a 20ish/10ish type guy who gets around a steal per game with solid FG and non-killer FT. Zach, you may join my team anytime. Open invitation! Just don’t forget to bring your neck.
Projections: 20.5 ppg/10.5 rpg/2 apg/.490/.760/.9 spg/5 3s/25 blk/2 tov

10. Paul Millsap – Paul Millsap plays games. In reverse order starting from last year: 64 (of 66), 76, 82, 76, 82, 82. You want durable, you got it, son. The dude plays games. He’s also pretty darn good when he plays. Did I mention the dude plays every game and he’s good? Favors schmavors.
Projections: 17 ppg/8.5 rpg/2.5 rpg/.525/.785/1.3 spg/0 3s/75 blk/2 tov

11. Chris Bosh – There’s no getting around the fact that CB is third fiddle in Miami and barring injury to Lebron James (as if!) or Dwyane Wade that won’t change. What does this all mean? He’s capped! That said he’s still pretty darn good.
Projections: 18 ppg/8 rpg/2 apg/.495/.810/.9 spg/10 3s/50 blk/2.1 tov

13. 12 Ryan Anderson -I apologize to Mr. Anderson for ranking him like 165th overall last December. Silly me thought Glen Davis was the starting power forward for Orlando. Oops.
Projections: 16 ppg/7.5 rpg/1 apg/.430/.860/.8 spg/185 3s/33 blk/1.5 tov

14. 13  Serge Ibaka – I have a friend whose nickname was Surge growing up so I can’t help but think of my buddy whenever I think of Serge Ibaka. What made my friend even more unique than Serge Ibaka was the fact that he was born with 12 fingers and 12 toes. Well, long story short, the hospital messed up and cut off the wrong pinky on his left hand so he ended up with a miniature stunted pinky that looks like it’s coming out of the side of his hand. It’s totally freaky. True story. If you’re ever in Myrtle Beach, stop by Molly Darcy’s and ask for Surge, he’ll show you his pinky but you may have to tip him. Oh, and the other Serge? Blocks baby!
Projections: 10.5 ppg/8 rpg/1 apg/.525/.750/.5 spg/0 3s/260 blk/1.5 tov

12. 14. Amar’e Stoudemire – I was watching Sesame Street (no, really I was, that’s what I do for kicks) the other day and Amare and Carmelo Anthony were the special guests. They dunked Elmo! W T F, man? Poor Elmo. Anyways, I like him for a bounce back. He can only do better, right? Right.
Projections: 19 ppg/8.5 rpg/2.5 apg/.515/.785/.9 spg/3 3s/110 blk/2.7 tov

15. Kevin Garnett– If you own KG, I got some smelling salt for you because you’re going to need it to come out of that doze you’re taking while watching him “rack up” his stats. You want slow and steady wins the race, here ya go, Mr. Tortoise.
Projections: 15.5 ppg/8 rpg/2.8 apg/.505/.815/1 spg/0 3s/75 blk/2 tov

16. Ersan Ilyasova - I don’t know how many times I said, “holy $%@#” last season when I saw some of Ersan’s lines. I mean, like, 20/16, 20/12/, 19/15, 17/17 type lines routinely in March and April. With 30+ minutes per you’re looking at a very solid middle round option. Yes, I used “like” where I wasn’t supposed to. Sue me.
Projections: 14.5 ppg/9 rpg/1.5 apg/.500/.790/.7 spg/80 3s/50 blk/1.5 tov

17. Tim Duncan - One of these years Timmy is going to fall off a cliff but it won’t be this year. I suppose Eddy Curry could mistake him for a ham sandwich but I hope not …
Projections: 15 ppg/8.8 rpg/2.3 apg/.500/.700/.7 spg/0 3s/115 blk/1.7 tov

18. Kris Humphries – I may like Kris Humphries a little bit more than other, um, experts but it’s not like I want to marry him or anything, said Kim Kardashian.
Projections: 11 ppg/10.5 rpg/1.5 apg/.485/.740/.6 spg/0 3s/80 blk/1.7 tov

19. Andrea Bargnani – He’s sooo European with these soft numbers. With apologies to, um, no one?
Projections: 20 ppg/5.5 rpg/2 apg/.450/.835/.6 spg/100 3s/65 blk/2.3 tov

20. Kenneth Faried – I’m a pretty big fan. Kenny is a firecracker! Pow! Or something like that. No, but seriously folks, double-double potential with a block and a steal is pretty good stuff! He’ll be higher on this list next year. Fo’ shizzle!
Projections: 12.5 ppg/9.5 rpg/1.5 apg/.560/.670/.9 spg/0 3s/100 blk/1.7 tov >>>>> optimistic but can get there with the minutes

21. Luis Scola – Hola, Luis, this is the Rocket’s GM, we’re going to amnesty you, amigo … Yeah, sure, you pulled that shit with me last year when you said you traded me to New Orleans, you can’t fool me, bud …
Projections: 17 ppg/8.5 rpg/2.5 apg/.500/.755/.6 spg/0 3s/35 blk/2 tov

22. Carlos Boozer – Not to sound like Debbie Downer or anything but he’s really just some points and boards at this point. Toss in FG, I’ll give you FG, too. Oh, and around a steal per. Meh. Useful. I’ll give him useful.
Projections: 16.5 ppg/9 rpg/2.2 apg/.510/.720/.9 spg/0 3s/20 blk/2.5 tov

23. Tristan Thompson - At this point in the rankings good peoples of fantasy hoops land, we’ve arrived at a crossroads. Do you go with the old, wily veteran with limited upside or vibrant, raw rookie who could potentially bust out yet is almost as likely to fall flat on his face? Which one do you think I’m going with?
Projections: 11.5 ppg/8 rpg/1 apg/.455/.622/.6 spg/0 3s/90 blk/2 tov

24. Antawn Jamison – There are a lot of chiefs and not many indians in Lakerland this season but maybe Antaaaawn can find a place as a scoring threat with the second unit. Maybe, maybe not. We’ll see. Yes, we will!
Projections:  12.5 ppg/5.5 rpg/1.5 apg/.440/.725/.8 spg/90 3s/30 blk/1.5 tov

25. David West – West fell off a cliff last year and crushed the hopes and dreams of many a fantasy owner. I don’t know if he will  regress from 12.8 ppg/6.6 rpg but I don’t see much progression either. Sigh. On the plus side, he’s filthy rich!
Projections: 12 ppg/6.5 rpg/2 apg/.500/.825/.8 spg/0 3s/50 blk/2 tov

Others to look for in my Top 200 Overall coming next week, in no particular order at the moment, are Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Jan Vesely, Patrick Patterson, Jason Maxiell, Byron Mullens, Glen Davis and Brandon Bass.

Next up: Top 25 Small Forwards