The Next Multi-Category Monster

KG, Bron and Shawn Marion have pretty much written the book on blowing up in every possible category. To a lesser extent, guys like Josh Smith, Josh Howard and Gerald Wallace are also perfecting the art of going after the hallowed quadruple or quintuple double. And everyone in Fantasy Sports froths at the mouth for guys like that. Guys who can give you the 1, 1 & 1 (a steal, block and 3 per game) on top of points, boards and dimes. I, for instance, was so keen on getting one of those guys, that I drafted Josh Smith 3rd round in a 10 team fantasy league. I picked him ahead of Rashard Lewis, Michael Redd, Lamar Odom and some other class players. And despite his slow start, I'd do it again. Which leads to the question, who's next? Is there anyone in this year's draft class who could blossom into the kind of multi category studler that will get drafted unnecessarily high next year? Only 1, and it's not Brandon Roy. Don't get me wrong, Roy's a lock for rookie of the year, but the most intriguing rook so far has been Rudy Gay.
He's been mightily inconsistent, but he's still the only rookie averaging a steal and a block per game, in just over 20 minutes a night. In fact he's got blocks in 10 straight, and he's exploiting the mismatches he gets playing at the 2 or 3 spot exactly the same way Josh Smith and Gerald Wallace do it. I wouldn't be surprised to see him kick it up a notch by the end of this year to the 6-10 rebound range with 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. His offense is starting to come around, and I expect a perimeter game will develop with it. But for now he's just a 6"9' guy playing D like he's 8 feet tall. And you have to love that.

Progs: Late round draft next season that will pay huge dividends. I'd be pleased to see his game develop into a more physical version of Josh Howard. With the rebuilding happening in Memphis, I'd be shocked if he isn't doing 30+ minutes a night by the All Star break.