Participating in fantasy basketball is tricky stuff. There are many factors to consider that could make for a daunting task. To list all of the situations we are sure to encounter, starting with choosing a team name to giving our address, so the commish can send us our winnings would be a column in itself. Simplifying these tasks and decisions are paramount in succeeding and accomplishing the ultimate goal, winning a championship. We are determined here at Baller Mind Frame to eliminate mistakes by other publications and websites that cloud our decision-making and lessen the thought process involved. Yes, KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid – and read here weekly for all the help you need to succeed.
There are many leagues that vary their scoring categories. For most scoring leagues there are nine categories: points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals, blocks, three pointers made, and turnovers. If your league counts these nine categories then consider yourself lucky you are reading this column.
Compiling a squad that will vault you to the top of all the nine categories is certainly a monumental challenge. What if we were able to say, eliminate one of those scoring categories and only have to consider eight of them. Would that help? My answer is a resounding, yes!
So which one can we safely take away? All of the nine categories contribute in a positive manner except one. Some even help in two. For instance, scoring a basket helps in two (points and FG%). Hitting from long range contributes in three (points, FG%, 3PTM)! Obviously, we won’t be recommending not to pay close attention to those very important statistics.
The one category we are unequivocally stating you never ever consider when deciding a player’s value are turnovers! It is the one category I try and try hard to finish last in. In fact, think of them as apple turnovers, a tasty delight to satisfy your team’s sweet tooth. We’ll tell you why it’s a good thing, but first, let’s take a look at the league leaders in those yummy little pastries from last year:
Deron Williams, John Wall, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook, Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Ricky Rubio, Kyrie Irving, Monta Ellis… do I need to continue?
I don’t know about you, but those are the names of the players that I want on my team. They win you leagues, not lose them. Compile a few of those players on your squad and you are in business. Those players may sink you to the bottom of the turnover category, but they will in turn give you plenty of production and everything else that you need.
As I mentioned in an earlier column from Runnin’ The Weave, playing time equals production. Well what else equals production is having the rock in your hands. Sure turning the ball over is not pretty, but the bottom line is simple: if you are turning the ball over a lot, it means you have the ball in your hands a lot. The best players on teams are counted on by coaches and their teammates to make plays, so those players get the ball and get it often. You want those guys!
Quote of the Week: “I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, ‘Of course not.’ I said, ‘Well, I think you stink.’ And he gave me a technical. You can’t trust ’em.” – from the late great head coach Jim Valvano
You can contact and find me on Twitter @aka_MR_FANTASY or e-mail me at [email protected].
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