With everything that has happened in pro basketball since the first game’s opening tip, it is hard to believe that we passed the mid point of the NBA season. However, that is exactly what we did last week as the league keeps chugging along. We at Belly Up Sports thought it would be a great idea to take a look at some of the players that are deserving of award recognition. Please join with us as we pass out some fantasy basketball midseason awards.

Most Valuable Fantasy Player

Nikola Jokic, Center, Denver Nuggets

There is little question that the most valuable fantasy player at the season midpoint is Nikola Jokic. He is putting together a season that is almost unprecedented for a center. Just look at the fact that Jokic is currently tied with Wilt Chamberlain for the highest per game assist average for a center in NBA history. Further, Jokic is averaging 27.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game.

Additionally, Jokic is shooting an incredible 56.4 percent from the field, 38.1% from three and 85.8% from the foul line. Jokic is eighth in points, seventh in rebounds and fourth in assists in the NBA. No other player provides the all around game that Jokic does. That is super impressive for a big man that is a true center. Once more, Jokic has played in all 27 of Denver’s games while averaging 35.9 minutes per night. Unlike some other stars in the league, there are no worries of load management with Jokic.

Still not convinced? As of this writing, Jokic is currently first in ESPN leagues in fantasy points with 1643. In second place is the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic with 1468, Giannis Antetokounmpo in third with 1462 and the Warriors’ Stephen Curry fourth with 1409. The fantasy lead for Jokic is over 100 points. With all of this in mind, there can be no doubt that Jokic takes home the MVP on this fantasy basketball midseason awards edition.

Best Fantasy Guard

Stephen Curry, Point Guard, Golden State Warriors

It’s true that Doncic has a slight lead in fantasy points over Stephen Curry (see above). Even so, Curry is the selection at fantasy guard. It was a close and tough call, but Curry takes it. The reason? Curry has been the more consistent player than Doncic since the season began. Curry is averaging 30.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 33.7 minutes per game. While Doncic has been an offensive juggernaut of late, he has hit less than 30% of his three point shots in 13 games, including hitting none in five of them.

By contrast, Curry has hit less than 30% from distance in just six games and only once since January 12th. Curry is shooting an amazing 49.9% from the field, including 43.6% from three and 93.3% from the line. Even more impressive coming off an injury plagued 2019-2020 season, Curry has played in all 28 Golden State games. Further, he has scored more than 30 points in six of his last eight games, including 40 and 57 point performances. He has scored over 30 in 14 contests and failed to score at least 20 in only four games all season and none since January 27th.

As stated, it was a call almost too close to make, but Curry takes it as the best fantasy guard thus far this season.

Best Fantasy Forward

LeBron James, Small Forward, Los Angeles Lakers

Of course, it is known that LeBron James plays many, if not all, of the positions on a basketball court. However, ESPN lists him first as a small forward and that is where he will be placed for this discussion. The most amazing aspect of the season so far is the amount of time that James has spent on the court. As this is being written, James has played 1005 minutes. Only four players have more minutes. On the season, James is averaging 25.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists. He has scored 1432 fantasy points, which is fourth in ESPN leagues.

There were probably many managers that passed on James in the first round of fantasy drafts. This was because they figured he would sit a few games and have his minutes heavily monitored. As he is getting older and the Lakers won the championship just a few short months ago, this seemed to be a reasonable assumption. However, any such prediction was wildly inaccurate. As pointed out above, James is pilling up the minutes and has played in all of the Lakers’ 29 games.

James knows his body and he wouldn’t be playing all these minutes if he thought it would be a problem. It may be hard to fathom, but James might be even more valuable the next few weeks. That is evident after the announcement that fellow superstar Anthony Davis will miss two to three weeks due to a strained calf and an Achilles aggravation. Those fortunate to draft James can be confident his performance will continue at a high level the rest of the season. He clearly is the best forward on this fantasy basketball midseason awards edition.

Best Fantasy Center

See Nikola Jokic above

Best Fantasy Rookie

LaMelo Ball, Point Guard, Charlotte Hornets

Without question, the 2020 NBA rookie class has not produced much in the way of star players, In fact, there are only seven rookies in the entire class that are averaging double digits in points. Even so, there is one that so far has stood out from the pack. That player is LaMelo Ball. The Hornets installed him as their starting point guard from the beginning and Ball has played in all 28 games. He is averaging 14.6 points, which is second among rookies to Anthony Edwards.

In addition, Ball leads all first year players in rebounding (6.2) and assists (6.1) per game. It is most impressive that a point guard is first in rebounds, but that is exactly what Ball is doing. Further, Ball is a good shooter, averaging 43.7% from the field, 35.4% from three and 79.7% from the line. Ball has become a consistent scorer, as he has at least 17 points in eight of his last nine games.

Not surprisingly, Ball leads all rookies in fantasy points with 980 in ESPN leagues. Add it all together, and Ball is the clear choice as top fantasy rookie performer at the midway point of the season.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy basketball midseason awards edition! As always, I welcome all input and suggestions on who should have made the list and who should not have from my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news! And please remember, be safe out there in all of this winter weather!