How To Play Fantasy Basketball
Tutorial - Playing Fantasy Basketball
This fantasy basketball tutorial is aimed at new players, who are lost in a complicated, impenetrable world of knowledgeable, skillful fantasy basketball managers. I know it seems like if you don't know how to play fantasy basketball, you'll never figure it out, but given preparation, confidence, luck, and know-how, you can be a fantasy basketball success. Learning how to play is step 1.
Here is an eight step tutorial for how to play in your first season.
1. Learn about the NBA
Fantasy basketball is based on the NBA. You probably already understand basketball. Maybe you're a casual fan of a certain team. Or maybe you've watched NBA games your whole life and wondered what it would be like to run your own team. Whatever the reason, make sure you're familiar with the NBA before diving into a fantasy league.
Fantasy basketball concentrates on combinations of ten statistics: Points, rebounds, and assists are the most commonly used. Other leagues add blocks, steals, field goal percentages, free throw percentages, three-point field goals made, turnovers, and even oddball stats like fouls. If you understand these stats, and if you understand how different NBA positions earn these stats, you're ready to join a fantasy basketball league.
2. Prepare for your fantasy basketball draft
The fantasy basketball draft is when you choose your roster for the season. Fantasy basketball drafts are usually live, either on the Internet or in person, huddled around computers. Gather paperwork that will help you create the kind of roster you're looking for.
Buy fantasy basketball magazines, stay up to date on fantasy basketball advice websites, watch fantasy sports news on ESPN, and participate in mock drafts. When draft day comes, understand how your draft position (the order in which you pick) affects the roster you WANT to have and how it affects the roster you'll end up with.
Pick first, and you've got rights to a stud like Chris Paul or LeBron James, while giving up solid middle to late first round picks who could earn you big points if the big guys get injured. If you pick late, you could miss out on the elite player that could push you toward the championship.
Draft preparation is crucial to understanding how to play fantasy basketball.
3. Draft day
The worst rookie mistake you can make is missing the draft. If you aren't there, your selections will be made by the computer, and you don't want that.
No fantasy basketball manager who slept through the draft has ever finished better than last place.
The second worst mistake you can make is getting drunk at the draft. Sure, everyone likes to have the cold beverage of their choice at their side, or maybe a nice glass of single malt scotch.
And don't try to draft when you're high, either. Remember going to the grocery store in college after smoking a joint and buying nothing but Cheetos and Mountain Dew?
Fantasy basketball drafts are the same way.
The third worst mistake you can make is to draft players just because you like them. Your opinion of a player has nothing to do with his ability to score you good fantasy points during the season.
4. Research your roster
Now that you've drafted a roster, get to know your players. Read past seasons' stats, look at box scores and replays of preseason games, ask around your fantasy league (most guys will be more than willing to help to some degree), and pick up a few more fantasy basketball related periodicals.
Going to experts for help is okay, but doing the work yourself is more valuable.
Maybe you're short on big men. Figure out a roster alignment that will keep you rich in rebounds and other big man stats without having to sacrifice too much to trade.
Maybe your roster seems injury prone. Be quick on the draw with backups and free agents.
Understanding your roster will help you learn how to play fantasy basketball. In fact, it will put you at the head of your class. Most fantasy basketball managers coast through their fantasy basketball season on a solid draft. You can do better.
5. Befriend your opponents
Making nice with your league opponents could be the difference between a good season and a championship season. Don't buy the guy flowers, and don't tell him his wife is hot. Do tell him his second draft pick was right on the money. Do suggest that his roster has a lot of "staying power".
Befriending your opponents helps you make necessary trades later in the season. Being a gooch to your opponents will only get your trade requests ignored.
6. Adjust your roster when needed
Go ahead. Start that sleeper who's been sitting on your bench for weeks. Often I have hopes for a starting player only to see him perform about like a Pee Wee Leaguer (Andrew Bynum...Marcus Camby...).
Go ahead. Toss your secret sleeper pick in at that position. Having faith in the players on your backup roster can salvage a poor first few weeks in your fantasy basketball season.
Don't be afraid of trading either.
7. Make trades with other fantasy managers
In an injury heavy season, fantasy basketball will see more trades than an elementary school cafeteria. Just because you failed to draft a guy that you had your eyes on all summer doesn't mean you won't eventually own him. You may have to lose some immediate "fantasy value" (a few less average points per week) but trade for a guy who seems to be on the rise.
Don't be afraid to make trades. Trading players is half the fun of fantasy sports.
8. Have fun
If you're not having fun, you shouldn't be playing. Learning how to play fantasy basketball means learning how to have fun reading box scores and making fake trades. The guys who play half a season of fantasy basketball only to quit halfway through are the guys who never learned to have fun.
If you follow these eight steps, you'll be well on your way to understanding how to play fantasy basketball. But don't play in my leagues. I prefer to play against guys with no skills and bad attitudes. They're easier to beat.