Helena Frye
Fantasy basketball is a game in which participants act as managers and build a team of real-life basketball players. Each player is given a certain number of points based on their performance in a category, such as points scored, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. These points are then totalled to give a fantasy score, which can be used to rank players and teams. There are a variety of strategies and tools that can be used to build a successful fantasy basketball team, and the official scoring system is designed to be simple and accessible for casual fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring System | Six-category system |
| Three-Point Field Goals | 3 points |
| Two-Point Field Goals | 2 points |
| Free Throws Made | 1 point |
| Rebounds | 1.2 points |
| Assists | 1.5 points |
| Blocked Shots | 2 points |
| Steals | 2 points or 3 points |
| Turnovers | -1 points |
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Scoring categories
- Field Goals: In basketball, scoring points by making shots is a fundamental aspect of the game. Fantasy basketball often awards points for both two-point and three-point field goals. The standard scoring system assigns two points for a two-point field goal and three points for a three-point field goal.
- Free Throws: When a player is fouled and awarded free throws, their success in making those shots can earn points for your fantasy team. Typically, each free throw made results in one fantasy point.
- Rebounds: Rebounding is a crucial aspect of basketball, and it is also valued in fantasy basketball. Securing a rebound typically awards 1.2 points in fantasy scoring.
- Assists: An assist is credited to a player who passes the ball to a teammate, leading to their scoring opportunity. Assists are important in fantasy basketball, often earning 1.5 points per assist.
- Blocked Shots: A blocked shot occurs when a defensive player legally deflects or blocks a shot attempt by an opponent. In fantasy basketball, blocked shots are often valued at two points each.
- Steals: Steals occur when a defensive player legally gains possession of the ball from an opponent. Steals showcase a player's defensive prowess and are rewarded in fantasy basketball, typically with three points per steal.
- Turnovers: Turnovers represent the loss of possession of the ball by a team. In fantasy basketball, turnovers are usually assigned negative points, with each turnover resulting in minus one point.
It is important to note that the scoring weights mentioned above may vary across different fantasy basketball platforms and leagues. Additionally, some leagues might include other scoring categories or advanced metrics to add more depth to the game.
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Advanced stats
- Plus-minus: This measures a player's impact on the game by looking at the difference between their team's total scoring versus their opponent's when the player is in the game. A high plus-minus suggests a player who helps their team win, even if they don't put up great individual stats. Plus-minus can be an indicator of potential playing time for bench players.
- True Shooting Percentage (TS%): TS% is intended to more accurately calculate a player's shooting than field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point field goal percentage individually. It can be used to identify when a player's shooting is harmful to their team.
- Effective Shooting Percentage (eFG%): eFG% measures field goal percentage while adjusting for the fact that a 3-point field goal is worth one more point than a 2-point field goal. It can be helpful when evaluating fantasy basketball players, as you can see the added value of players with 3-point potential.
- Usage rate: This estimates the number of team possessions used by a player while they are on the floor. It can be used to identify players who are producing with limited opportunities and can help find tomorrow's stars.
- John Hollinger's Player Efficiency Rating (PER): This attempts to combine all of an individual player's positives and negatives and distil them into a useful, definitive number. While the players with the best PERs tend to be the NBA stars, it can still be a valuable tool to identify low-usage players with high ratings.
It is important to note that not all leagues use advanced stats for scoring, and it is up to each individual league and commissioner to decide the scoring system. Additionally, new stats are invented every day, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest information to gain an edge in your fantasy basketball league.
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Draft strategies
Drafting a fantasy basketball team is more of a statistics and optimisation problem than a sports knowledge problem. Here are some strategies to consider when drafting your fantasy basketball team:
Preparation is Key
Before entering a fantasy draft for any sport, it is important to be well-prepared. Familiarise yourself with your league's settings, rules, and scoring system. Most fantasy basketball leagues are typically scored in one of four ways: Roto (or categorical), Head-to-Head Roto, Head-to-Head Points, and Points. Understanding the scoring system will help you determine which players to target during the draft.
Player Evaluation
Evaluate players based on their projected performance and value. Consider their past statistics, current team context, average draft position (ADP), injury history, and the number of categories they can contribute to. Look for players who are flying under the radar and could provide value in the later rounds of the draft.
Position Flexibility
Take into account the positions of the players you are drafting. While basketball positions are flexible, a deep analysis should consider the need for guards, forwards, and centres to ensure a well-rounded team.
Punting Strategy
Decide whether you want to punt specific categories or aim for a well-rounded team. Punting involves sacrificing certain categories to focus on others. For example, you might decide to punt free throw percentage and focus on acquiring players who excel in other areas.
Risk Management
Consider the risk associated with injury-prone players. While players like Joel Embiid or Kawhi Leonard can provide elite-level stats when healthy, they have a history of missing games due to injuries. Decide whether the potential reward outweighs the risk, especially if there are limited injured reserve spots on your roster.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
If you are playing on DFS sites like FanDuel or DraftKings, consider building different lineups based on contest type. For tournaments (GPPs), you might take more risks and target high-ceiling players. For Cash Games, a safer lineup with a higher floor may be more appropriate.
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Trade evaluation
One such metric is a player's trade rating, which is updated daily and is based on their performance across dozens of categories. These categories include points scored, such as three-point field goals, rebounds, assists, blocked shots, steals, and turnovers. Each of these scoring actions is assigned a certain number of points, with three-point field goals and blocked shots typically being worth more than two-point field goals and free throws.
When evaluating a trade, it is important to consider the rules of your league's scoring model and the number of comparable players at each position. For example, a player with high trade value in one league may have lower trade value in another due to differences in scoring categories. Additionally, the availability of comparable players at a specific position can impact a player's trade value. If there are only a few players who can put up similar stats at that position, their trade value increases.
Another factor to consider is each player's projected performance and how they will impact your team. While having well-known players with proven track records is beneficial, the most important consideration is how they will perform in the specific categories your league uses. Therefore, when evaluating a trade, it is crucial to look at the specific scoring categories and projections for each player involved to ensure you are making the best decision for your team.
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Terminology
Fantasy basketball scoring can be calculated using a variety of terms and metrics. Firstly, the league format and scoring system are crucial. The commissioner of a fantasy basketball league decides between a points league and a nine-category league. In a points league, players are sorted and valued based on their fantasy points per game (FPPG), which is their average fantasy points scored. The FPPG is calculated by dividing a player's total fantasy points by the number of games played, indicating their consistency and reliability.
On the other hand, a nine-category league focuses on winning more statistical categories than the opponent. This requires building a well-rounded roster with complementary skill sets. While the specific categories and point values can vary, some common examples include points for field goals, rebounds, three-pointers made, and other statistical achievements.
Other important terms include "cheat sheets," which are tools used during the draft process to aid in team selection and ranking. "Waivers" and the "waiver wire" refer to players who have been cut from a team and are available for acquisition by other teams. "UTIL" represents a roster spot that can be filled by any player, regardless of position. A "bust" is a player who underperforms and falls short of expectations, while a "sleeper" is an undervalued player with significant upside potential.
Additionally, "stashing" refers to adding a player to your team for future use, often due to injury or rookie status. The "IR spot" is the Injured Reserve designation used in some leagues. A "buy low" player is acquired when their value is low, with the hope of future improvement. A "mock draft" is a simulated draft used to prepare for the real selection process. League settings can also be customized with different modes, such as Game-Pick and Lock-In, offering varying levels of risk and roster decision frequency.
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Frequently asked questions
Most fantasy basketball leagues use traditional stats as scoring categories, but advanced stats can be useful for research purposes. The National Basketball Association (NBA) adopted an official six-category fantasy scoring system for the 2017-18 season. This system awards one point for a point scored, 1.2 points for a rebound, 1.5 points for an assist, three points for a steal or block, and minus one point for a turnover.
While most fantasy basketball leagues use traditional stats, some popular advanced stats include offensive efficiency and auction values.
The waiver wire is where players who have been cut from one team can be picked up by another. It refers to the group of players who are not currently signed to a fantasy roster, essentially the free agency pool.
A "sleeper" is a term used to describe a player who is generally undervalued but carries significant upside potential.
