Amanda Knapp
Fantasy basketball is a game in which participants act as managers and build a team of real-world players to score points based on their statistical performance. While most fantasy basketball leagues use traditional stats as scoring categories, advanced stats can be useful for research purposes and are becoming increasingly popular. Advanced stats give participants the ability to look beyond the box score and maximize their roster decisions. They can be used to evaluate trades, identify breakout players, and determine when a player's shooting is harmful to their team. While there is no one way to determine if a trade is beneficial, advanced stats can provide insight and help identify undervalued players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advanced stats usage | Advanced stats can be used for research purposes, and some platforms like Yahoo Fantasy Plus offer them. However, most fantasy leagues use traditional stats for scoring. |
| Advanced stats examples | Usage Rate (USG%), Offensive Rating (ORTG), Defensive Rating (DRTG), Player Efficiency Rating (PER), Total Rebound Percentage (TRB%), True Shooting Percentage (TS%), Win Shares (WS), Plus-Minus, and many more. |
| Scoring systems | Head-to-head (H2H) counts wins and losses for individual team matchups, usually weekly. Points systems can be implemented in various ways, and some find quantifying stats for basketball to be challenging. |
| Advanced stats benefits | Advanced stats can help identify players who are efficient with limited opportunities, and they provide a broader view of a player's contributions. They can also help identify specialists, such as through Assist, Block, and Steal Percentages. |
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What You'll Learn
- Advanced stats can be used to evaluate trades and identify undervalued players
- Plus-minus can indicate potential playing time for bench players
- True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is a more accurate calculation of a player's shooting
- Rebounding is key and can be found late in drafts
- Advanced stats can be used for research, but traditional stats are used for scoring
Advanced stats can be used to evaluate trades and identify undervalued players
Some popular advanced stats include Usage Rate (USG%), which estimates the number of team possessions used by a player, taking into account their impact on the game. Offensive Rating (ORTG) and Defensive Rating (DRTG) assess a player's performance at either end of the court. Player Efficiency Rating (PER) measures a player's contribution relative to others, while Total Rebound Percentage (TRB%) focuses on rebounding skills. Win Shares (WS) indicates how a player's performance contributes to their team's wins. Adjusted Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is another valuable stat, especially for 3-point shooters, as it measures field goal percentage while accounting for the higher value of 3-point shots.
These advanced stats can help identify undervalued players, or "sleepers," who may have a significant impact on your team. For example, a player with a high Plus-Minus rating may not have impressive individual stats, but they help their team win when they're on the floor. This could indicate a player who is due for increased playing time, potentially improving their individual stats and overall value.
When evaluating trades, it's important to consider multiple factors. First, assess your roster and league standing to identify areas where you need improvement. Advanced stats can help you target specific categories where you need help. Additionally, consider the risk of injuries; acquiring an injury-prone player, even if they are superior, could negatively impact your team if they miss games.
Fantasy basketball trade analyzers, such as those offered by FantasySP.com and HashtagBasketball.com, can be valuable tools. These analyzers provide trade ratings, player ratings, and projections to help you make informed decisions about potential trades.
By utilizing advanced stats and trade evaluation tools, you can make strategic decisions to improve your fantasy basketball team's performance and increase your chances of success.
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Plus-minus can indicate potential playing time for bench players
Plus-minus is a statistic used to measure a player's impact on the game. It is calculated by looking at the difference between a team's total scoring and that of their opponents when a certain player is in the game. A high plus-minus indicates that a player is helping their team win, even if their individual stats are not impressive.
In fantasy basketball, plus-minus can be an indicator of potential playing time for bench players. If a player has a high plus-minus, it suggests that they are contributing positively to their team's performance when they are on the floor, even if they are not putting up big numbers themselves. This could lead to increased playing time for that player, as coaches may recognise their value to the team.
For example, a player with a high assist rate may not score many points themselves, but they are still contributing to the team's success by setting up their teammates. This could be an important factor for fantasy basketball players to consider when scouting backup players who may be in line for more playing time. By looking at the plus-minus statistic, they can identify players who are making an impact, even if their traditional stats don't stand out.
While plus-minus can be a useful indicator, it is important to consider other factors as well when evaluating players for fantasy basketball. Traditional stats like points, rebounds, and assists are still the most common scoring categories in fantasy leagues. Additionally, advanced stats like usage rate, offensive and defensive ratings, and player efficiency rating can also provide valuable insights. By considering a combination of traditional and advanced stats, fantasy basketball players can make more informed decisions about their rosters and lineups.
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True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is a more accurate calculation of a player's shooting
Advanced stats are not commonly used in fantasy basketball leagues, which tend to rely on traditional stats as scoring categories. However, advanced stats can be useful for research purposes and can help uncover hidden value in players. One such advanced stat is True Shooting Percentage (TS%), which is a more accurate calculation of a player's shooting efficiency than field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point field goal percentage taken individually.
TS% gives you an idea of how efficiently a player is producing points per shot, including free throw attempts. It is calculated using the formula: Points Scored / (Field Goal Attempts + (0.44 x FTA)). The 0.44 coefficient accounts for the rare occasions when a single free throw is awarded, as in and-1s and technicals.
TS% is a valuable metric in fantasy basketball because it gives managers a clearer way to gauge how a player is performing from the floor in totality. For example, a player with a high field goal percentage may be hurting your team if they have a low free throw percentage, or vice versa. By considering TS%, managers can identify players who are efficiently producing points per shot, even if they are struggling in one of the percentage-based categories.
Additionally, TS% can help managers make more informed decisions when evaluating trades or acquiring new players. By considering TS%, managers can uncover hidden value in players who may be undervalued by traditional stats alone. This can give managers an edge in building a competitive roster.
In summary, while advanced stats like TS% are not commonly used for scoring in fantasy basketball leagues, they can be powerful tools for research and player evaluation. TS%, in particular, provides a more accurate assessment of a player's shooting efficiency and can help managers make more informed decisions to improve their roster.
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Rebounding is key and can be found late in drafts
When it comes to fantasy basketball, rebounding is a key element for any team and can often be found late in drafts. Rebounding is the only category available to players on both ends of the floor, meaning there are more opportunities for lower-ranked players to provide value, regardless of court time. While the top 10 or so rebounders tend to remain consistent from year to year, there are always several big men who emerge early in the season as reliable rebounders. As big men get injured, their backups usually step in and provide a decent number of rebounds.
When preparing for drafts, it is important to identify players who are poised to outperform their rank. Several big men can be found late in the draft to boost your team's success. For example, in the 2019-2020 season, Davis was a perennial candidate for serious rebounds, continuing to haul in rebounds at an elite level despite his bench role. He was likely to be available on waivers and could provide short-term boosts when needed. Similarly, Zubac, who provides solid percentages across the floor, was going to be available in the final rounds of most drafts. While his ceiling was not the highest, his playing time should result in a solid floor.
In the 2022 season, Clarke was expected to provide good rebounding and defensive stats for the Grizzlies. Barrett, who stayed with the Knicks, is an underrated scorer that will contribute across the board as the focal point of the offense. In summary, rebounding is a crucial aspect of fantasy basketball, and there are often valuable rebounders available late in the drafts, so keep an eye out for players who can outperform their rank and boost your team's success.
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Advanced stats can be used for research, but traditional stats are used for scoring
While most fantasy basketball leagues use traditional stats as scoring categories, advanced stats can be used for research purposes to gain an edge over opponents. Advanced stats provide a more complete picture of a player or team, allowing for a more accurate evaluation of a player's skill and production. They can be used to identify players who are undervalued or have yet to blossom into stars, as well as to determine when a player's shooting is harmful to their team.
Traditional stats such as points, rebounds, and assists are commonly used as scoring categories in fantasy basketball leagues. Points are typically the most important, followed by rebounds and then assists. This scoring system is often used in conjunction with a head-to-head format, where wins and losses are counted for individual team matchups on a weekly basis. This format allows fantasy players to easily identify plays that affect their fantasy score.
Advanced stats, on the other hand, are used for research and analysis to make more informed decisions about drafting and lineup selection. Some popular advanced stats include Usage Rate (USG%), which measures the percentage of team plays or possessions that involve a specific player; Effective Shooting Percentage (eFG%), which takes into account the higher value of 3-point field goals; True Shooting Percentage (TS%), which provides a more accurate calculation of a player's shooting by considering field goals, free throws, and three-pointers; and Player Efficiency Rating (PER), which measures a player's total contributions.
Other advanced stats include Assist Percentage, which estimates the percentage of teammate field goals assisted by a player; Block Percentage, which calculates the percentage of opponent field goal attempts blocked; and Steal Percentage, which estimates the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal. These stats can be used to identify specialists in each category and pair well with usage rate for evaluating players. Additionally, fantasy managers can consider a team's pace factor, which indicates the average number of possessions gained per game, to maximize the fantasy points of their roster.
While advanced stats offer valuable insights, they should be used alongside traditional stats for a comprehensive understanding. Fantasy basketball managers need to stay informed about the latest information and utilize the available tools, such as those provided by Yahoo Fantasy Plus and other websites, to gain a competitive advantage.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular advanced stats in fantasy basketball include Usage Rate (USG%), Offensive Rating (ORTG), Defensive Rating (DRTG), Player Efficiency Rating (PER), Total Rebound Percentage (TRB%), True Shooting Percentage (TS%), and Win Shares (WS).
Advanced stats give you a more complete picture of a player or team, providing insight that can inform your opinion and strategy. They allow you to look beyond the box score and traditional stat categories to make more informed decisions about your draft and lineup.
Advanced stats for fantasy basketball can be found on various websites, including Yahoo Fantasy Plus, ESPN, and NBA.com. These websites provide access to a wide range of statistics that can help you evaluate players and make strategic decisions for your fantasy team.
