The Keys to Fantasy Basketball

Fantasy Basketball

I know. I know. We just got started with the NFL season. But basketball season is just around the corner, and believe it or not, fantasy basketball leagues are going to be drafting sooner than you think.

When drafting players in fantasy basketball, the thought process is a lot simpler than fantasy football. In fantasy football, you have to consider things like schedules and the other players around the actual player you want to pick. However, in fantasy basketball, there is a lot less emphasis on a player’s schedule and his teammates. The only thing you really have to consider in fantasy basketball is the talent lever of the player you want to draft.

However, accessing a player’s talent level does not come as natural to some drafters as it does to others. In fantasy basketball, you must not only address a player’s all-star votes, or his incredible popularity in the NBA. However, you must consider a player’s ability to do different things, and take into account a player’s all around athletic prowess. Players different capabilities are what amasses to his fantasy value.

Here is the order in which you should consider a player’s different talents when trying to reckon his overall fantasy worthiness.

Rebounds – Rebounds count for a lot in fantasy basketball. And they are much more dependable than points. Think about some of the top fantasy performers from the 05-06 season;
ShawnMarion
,
EltonBrand
,
KevinGarnett
, Dirk Nowitzki and
PaulPierce
. They are all incredibly consistent rebounders and they are all in the top 10 of most fantasy basketball leagues. So when drafting in the earlier rounds, do not consider anyone who is not a consistent rebounder.

Points – This is the more obvious category to consider. Clearly, scorers are big time point producers in fantasy basketball. There are no top 10 fantasy basketball players to draft who are not 20+ point scorers, except for
SteveNash
of course. The most important thing to consider when drafting a scorer is whether or not he is capable at doing other things on the court. If he just a pure scorer, there is probably another scorer who can score just a many (or similar) points and can at least rebound or set up other players.

FG % – For those leagues who use field goal percentage (and most do in some form or another), this stat can really make or break your roster. Drafting a bunch of players that do not shoot well will certainly cost you valuable points every week. And good shooters can get you points that end up determining your victory each match. However, the “drafting good shooters advice” has an asterisk beside it. If a player scores a lot of points, then his poor field goal percentage can be nullified by the points he scores. Take
AllenIverson
and Kobe Bryant for example. Both of them are going to hurt you in the FG% category, but their ability to score points overcomes that and makes them both top 15 fantasy basketball players.

Defense (steals and blocks) – These categories often go overlooked when players draft in their fantasy basketball leagues, but compared to stats like Assists, FT%, 3-pointers and turnovers, these two stats combined are much more important. If you can find a player who is capable of doing both of these well, and who is not an offensive liability, than he can be a perfect early pick. Consider this,
ShawnMarion
,
EltonBrand
and KG himself, all fit into this category and are top 10 fantasy basketball selections.

Based on these criteria, here are your top fantasy basketball selections for the upcoming season:

1.
ShawnMarion
– Most productive all around player in the league

2.
Kobe
Bryant – The best scorer in the league, and plays good all-around basketball

3.
EltonBrand
– A great defender who fills up the net with a high shooting percentage

4.
LebronJames
– A great all around player, no fantasy weaknesses

5.
KevinGarnett
– Another all-around player who is a top notch rebounder

6. Gilbert Arenas – A great scorer who can play defense and pass

7.
SteveNash
– He will pile up the assists, and he is most accurate NBA guard

8. Dirk Nowitzki – A big time rebounder and scorer

9.
DwyaneWade
– Could work on rebounding, but does everything else

10.
JasonKidd
– He can pass, rebound and score? What a steal!