It seems not long ago that Kobe Bryant was winning his first Shaq-less title and that Phil Jackson was carving his name in the annals of coaching greatness as the Lakers defeated the Magic in the NBA Finals, yet the pro hoops season and fantasy basketball drafts are quickly approaching.

Here is a quick position-by-position glance at the upcoming NBA fantasy campaign.

• Guard Rankings: 1. Chris Paul, Hornets; 2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers; 3. Dwyane Wade, Heat; 4. Chauncy Billups, Nuggets; 5. Deron Williams, Jazz; 6. Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers; 7. Joe Johnson, Hawks; 8. Jose Calderon, Raptors; 9. Devin Harris, Nets; 10. Steve Nash, Suns.

11. Eric Gordon, Clippers; 12. Jason Kidd, Mavericks; 13. Tony Parker, Spurs; 14. Derrick Rose, Bulls; 15. Rajon Rondo, Celtics; 16. Manu Ginobili, Spurs; 17. Vince Carter, Magic; 18. Ben Gordon, Pistons; 19. Kevin Martin, Kings; 20. Baron Davis, Clippers.

Potential Breakouts: Aaron Brooks, Rockets; Courtney Lee, Nets. Brooks should thrive while Tracy McGrady sits out the first two months (or more) of the season with an injury. Lee was an important cog for the Eastern Conference champion Magic last year; now he will be one of the Nets' most integral offensive options with Kidd and Carter in other digs.

Potential Sleepers: Tyreke Evans, Sacramento. The rookie from Memphis is likely to get a large share of playing time for the rebuilding Kings. He can score, rebound and pass well.

Potential Busts: Gilbert Arenas, Wizards; Allen Iverson, Grizzlies. Arenas is no doubt a top-10 guard when he is healthy. Unfortunately, he has not been healthy in years and poses a major risk to any owner interested in drafting him. Iverson is simply a way to draw attendance in Memphis. His injured hamstring is simply a harbinger of a bad season for a deteriorating player.

• Forward Rankings: 1. LeBron James, Cavaliers; 2. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks; 3. Chris Bosh, Raptors; 4. Amare' Stoudemire, Suns; 5. Danny Granger, Pacers; 6. Kevin Durant, Thunder; 7. Tim Duncan, Spurs; 8. Pau Gasol, Lakers; 9. Kevin Garnett, Celtics; 10. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets.

11. Carlos Boozer, Jazz; 12. Rudy Gay, Grizzlies; 13. David West, Hornets; 14. David Lee, Knicks; 15. Zach Randolph, Grizzlies; 16. Josh Howard, Mavericks; 17. Caron Butler, Wizards; 18. Stephen Jackson, Warriors; 19. Andre Iguodala, 76ers; 20. Paul Pierce, Celtics.

Potential Breakouts: Al Thornton, Clippers; Thaddeus Young, 76ers. Thornton poured in 16.8 per game as a sophomore in 2008-09, and he will likely progress as a solid scorer. Young developed well last season and looks to increase his role in the Philadelphia offense.

Potential Sleeper: Jason Thompson, Kings. A second-year man out of Rider, Thompson, like Evans, is apt to be one of the few bright spots for Sacramento. Expect increases over his 11.1 and 7.4 point and rebounding averages from a season ago.

Potential Bust: Elton Brand, 76ers. Another player who cannot seem to stay healthy, Brand always seems to disappoint. Owners should focus more on his recent past than his All-Star years.

• Center Rankings: 1. Dwight Howard, Magic; 2. Al Jefferson, Timberwolves; 3. Brook Lopez, Nets; 4. Andrea Bargnani, Raptors; 5. Mehmet Okur, Jazz; 6. Nene Hilario, Nuggets; 7. Andris Biedrins, Warriors; 8. Andrew Bynum, Lakers; 9. Andrew Bogut, Bucks; 10. Brad Miller, Bulls.

Potential Breakout: Greg Oden, Trail Blazers. Oden played a major role for the Blazers down the stretch. Fully recovered from a serious knee injury, Oden is a quality mid-to-late round selection.

Potential Sleeper: Marc Gasol, Grizzlies. Overshadowed by his more famous brother, Marc Gasol quietly put up good numbers (13 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg) for Memphis last season.

Potential Bust: Jermaine O'Neal, Heat. A one-time must-have, O'Neal has been decreasingly productive over each of the last few seasons. He is nothing more than a fantasy backup now.