With no MLB contest tonight at DraftKings — see my Wild Card picks here tomorrow — our focus returns to the hardcourt. The fantasy department at Sheridan Hoops has doubled in size for the preseason, as my colleague Jeff Nichols has agreed to contribute to our Draft Prep series this month.
Longtime readers will remember Jeff, my nemesis in both baseball and basketball Head-to-Head keeper formats, even tougher in Roto. His statistical analysis and my more subjective approach have each had their moments; players we both like do particularly well.
Starting this week, Jeff will break down NBA positional values, point out players whose roles have changed for better or worse and recommend players to target and avoid in your drafts.
A lot of sports fans are traditionalists when it comes to fantasy. While the season-long challenge is different from daily play, they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the same research, analytical skills and hunches that prevail in the long run can be quite profitable in daily play — especially early in the season.
Constantly adjusting your preseason player evaluations and staying on top of breaking news is part of a daily routine. For me, that’s checking results, watching a little video and scanning Twitter with the first coffee. When I’m awake and better informed, it’s time to consider daily play.
All that knowledge a strong fantasy manager has will help identify players with a good chance to outperform their salaries. The best players can be prohibitively expensive. For example, if LeBron James costs $12.5K (a quarter of the $50K cap) only a triple-double makes him a bargain. Plus you’ll need production from someone cheap ($4-5K) at another position.
Sometimes the way to go is eight affordable guys with favorable matchups. Or you can stack five or six players from one team. It’s like assembling a jigsaw puzzle to fit in the most talent at the best prices. And it’s never the same twice.
For many of us, there’s nothing like a live draft with a group of friends and/or foes. The entire season depends on that one day. It’s exciting and fun, whether your league is for bragging rights or a $200 entry fee.
A DFS lineup is similar to a draft, every day. Pick the best 8-man team you can under the cap; roster positions are PG, SG, SF, PF, C, G, F, and UTIL.
It’s a 1-Day Points league:
- Point = +1 PT
- Made 3pt. shot = +0.5 PTs
- Rebound = +1.25 PTs
- Assist = +1.5 PTs
- Steal = +2 PTs
- Block = +2 PTs
- Turnover = -0.5 PTs
- Double-Double = +1.5PTs
- Triple-Double = +3PTs
I’m not trying to turn pro at this enjoyable hobby with occasional rewards. You don’t have to play in the giant contests with $1,000,000 top prizes; there are 3-man, 5-man, 10-man and many other sizes to choose from. Nor do you have to finish first — the consolation prizes really add up. In 50-50 play, the top half of the field all win exactly the same amount.
That variety of formats will fit any budget. There are free games, and entry fees as low as 25 cents, $1, $2, $5 and up into the thousands for high rollers. For your first 50 paid contests in any sport, you can play only against other beginners.
For the next three weeks, we’ll help you prepare for kind of draft, including October 27 NBA contests at DraftKings. LBJ in Chicago and Anthony Davis vs. Stephen Curry? I’m leaning Stars-and-Scrubs already.
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Until basketball returns, we’re offering baseball tips on weekdays. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.