How to Win at Fantasy Basketball like a Winner

Categorized as: Diatribes, Fantasy Basketball
Posted on: October 31st, 2006

Hours before the start of the 2006 NBA season, I just wanted to wish all those fantasy teams out there good luck. Well, everyone except the other guys in my leagues. I’m sure they’ll understand.

And remember, if you want to be a winner like me, just follow these few easy steps to fantasy greatness.*

1. Know your league: Unlike some other fantasy sports, the variety of fantasy basketball leagues and scoring categories is astounding. It’s vitally important to know your league’s setup. Is it head to head, rotisserie, or points-based? Daily changes or weekly? What are the scoring categories? Is there a limit on the number of games per position? And what are the positions in the league? One center, two, three? The value of any given player is dependent on all these factors.

2. Draft well and the rest is easy: Whoops, a little late for that. Onto…

2.5. Trade well and the rest is easy: Some people love it, others not so much. But trading is an important part of the game and a way to get up on the competition, just make sure you know how to do it correctly. Here is a great article on trading. My two cents – beware of the guy who only offers 2-for-1 deals and dammit, don’t trade for a guy because he was on fire during week 1.

3. Wavers: Unless you’re unbelievably lucky or don’t give a crap about your suck-ass team, chances are you’re going to have to work wavers throughout the season. I don’t advise being the guy who hangs out in the league immediately after the games wrap up and adds and drops guys 5 times a day. Instead, watch for trends and injuries and pick roles players that fit with your team. Or temporarily add a guy who has 5 games during the upcoming week (although make sure he can play a little – Eddie Griffin – I’m looking in your direction). And don’t be afraid to drop guys who aren’t performing – after you’ve given them a chance to suck of course.

4. Injuries always last twice as long as is first reported: I wouldn’t be in a rush to get back on the court either if I was sitting on a guaranteed 50+ million dollars.

5. Don’t be the guy who abandons his team by January: Isiah Thomas is taking responsibility for his mess, be a man and take responsibility for yours.

6. STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY.

* Results not typical and definitely not guaranteed.

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