Amanda Knapp
Fantasy basketball is a game in which players build and manage a roster of real-life NBA players, earning points based on their actual game performances. To start a fantasy basketball league, you'll need to decide on a platform, such as ESPN or Yahoo, and create a league, choosing a league name, the number of teams, scoring preference, draft preference, and draft time and date. You'll also need to determine whether you want to create a League Manager League or a Standard League. Once your league is set up, you can start researching players and building your roster through a draft. Throughout the season, you'll need to manage your roster, making lineup changes and adding or dropping players as needed to optimize your point scoring.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | Standard leagues have 10-12 teams. |
| Scoring format | H2H categories, points leagues, 8-cat, 9-cat, and rotisserie formats are some of the options. |
| Draft type | Snake draft, auction draft, salary draft, or live online draft. |
| Draft time | Select from the available time slots. |
| Draft date | Select from the available dates. |
| Research and rankings | Scope out player rankings on platforms like ESPN and Yahoo. |
| Mock drafts | Run a few mock drafts to sharpen your skills and build your strategy. |
| Early rounds | Lock down top-tier guards and versatile forwards. |
| Middle rounds | Look for value picks and young players on the verge of a breakout. |
| Late rounds | Choose high-upside rookies or role players who could see expanded minutes. |
| Lineup changes | Make all the moves before 7 PM Eastern or by the tip time for each individual game. |
| Waiver wire | Stay alert for great undrafted players who emerge throughout the season. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a platform: e.g. ESPN, Yahoo, or Fantrax
When choosing a platform for your fantasy basketball league, there are several popular options to consider, each with its own unique features and advantages. Here's an overview of three of the most commonly used platforms: ESPN, Yahoo, and Fantrax.
ESPN: ESPN is a popular choice for fantasy basketball leagues and offers a user-friendly interface that is generally regarded as more intuitive than Yahoo and Fantrax. It is commonly used for points leagues and allows users to create League Manager Leagues or Standard Leagues. In a League Manager League, the league manager has access to tools to control various aspects of the league, such as draft settings, the number of teams, schedules, and scoring adjustments. Standard Leagues follow standard ESPN rules and offer different draft types, such as Salary Cap, Live Online "Snake" Draft, or Autopick Draft. However, some users have reported issues with new players not being added promptly.
Yahoo: Yahoo is another widely used platform for fantasy basketball and is often chosen for redraft leagues. It has a large user base and a competitive environment. While the interface is considered so-so by some users, it offers customization options. Yahoo also provides default rankings for players, which can be useful for new players.
Fantrax: Fantrax is a platform that is highly customizable and flexible, making it a popular choice for fantasy basketball enthusiasts who want to have more control over their league settings. It allows for more teams than other platforms and offers a wide range of options. However, the interface can be overwhelming for some users, as it may be difficult to navigate all the available choices. Fantrax also provides player rankings, which sometimes differ significantly from those of other sites.
When deciding between these platforms, consider factors such as user-friendliness, customization options, league type (points vs. categories), and the availability of default rankings. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that best aligns with your league's preferences and requirements.
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League type: standard or manager-controlled
When creating a fantasy basketball league, you will need to decide whether to make it a standard or manager-controlled league. Here are some things to consider when making this decision:
Standard League
In a standard league, the rules and settings are predetermined by the platform you are using, such as ESPN or Yahoo. Standard leagues typically follow a set of basic rules and scoring systems that are common across all leagues on that platform. For example, ESPN offers a standard league option that follows their standard rules, draft type, and draft date. Standard rosters on ESPN include one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward, one center, one guard, one forward, three utility spots, and three bench spots. However, these rosters can be adjusted to your preference. Standard leagues are usually open to anyone who wishes to join, and members are expected to veto or protest any unfair or collusive trades throughout the season.
Manager-Controlled League
A manager-controlled league, also known as a League Manager (LM) League, gives more control to the league creator and other team managers. In an LM League, the league manager can customize various aspects of the league, such as draft settings, the number of teams, regular-season and playoff schedules, and scoring adjustments. LM Leagues are typically private and invite-only. As a league manager, you will be responsible for handling conduct, communication, and fair play issues that arise. It's important to establish clear rules and guidelines to ensure a fun and competitive environment for all participants.
When deciding between a standard or manager-controlled league, consider the level of customization and control you desire. A standard league offers a straightforward option with predetermined rules, while a manager-controlled league allows for more flexibility and personalization. Choose the option that best fits your preferences and the level of involvement you want from your league members.
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Scoring format: categories or points
Fantasy basketball scoring can be done using two main formats: points leagues and category leagues. In points leagues, each statistical category is assigned a point value, and each player's points are added up to produce a final score over a given period, typically one week. Points leagues disregard how players accrue fantasy stats and are similar to the way fantasy football is played. The most common settings in fantasy basketball are nine-category leagues with rotisserie scoring. In a nine-category league, the goal is to win more statistical categories than your opponent. Each week, the totals of each stat category are accumulated, and your team is awarded a win, loss, or tie.
In a points league, the more points you rack up, the better your team does. Points leagues are gaining popularity due to their similarities to fantasy football and the influx of new users trying fantasy basketball for the first time. The best players vary depending on the scoring format. Scorers who provide little outside of getting buckets are often downgraded in a category league but retain their value in a points league.
In a category league, each statistical category is worth a specific amount of fantasy points, and players accumulate fantasy points as they play in their NBA games. The goal is for your roster to score more points than the other teams in the league. In a nine-category league, the goal is to build a well-rounded roster with players who complement each other and have a wide array of skill sets so your team performs well across multiple categories.
Some players are more valuable in one league format than the other. For example, players like Andre Drummond, Russell Westbrook, and Ben Simmons are typically more valuable in points formats as their elite counting stats translate directly into "fantasy points." In contrast, in a category league, their value would be affected by their poor shooting, which would negatively impact their field goal and free-throw percentages. On the other hand, three-point specialists are more valuable in category formats since the category is weighted individually, whereas, in points formats, it is simply lumped in with points.
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Draft type: snake, salary cap, or auction
Snake, salary cap, and auction drafts are the three most common types of fantasy basketball drafts. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to choose the right one for your league.
Snake drafts are the most common type of draft, where managers select players in a serpentine order, with the manager who picks first in one round picking last in the next. This type of draft is simple and easy to follow, making it a good choice for casual players or leagues with less experienced players. However, it can limit creativity and make it difficult to acquire top-tier players.
Salary cap drafts, such as those offered by ESPN, give each manager a set budget to build their roster. This format allows for more flexibility and the ability to acquire multiple top-tier players. However, it requires more strategy and player valuation, as well as careful management of your budget.
Auction drafts are similar to salary cap drafts in that they allow managers to bid on players and acquire those they really want. This format is considered more engaging and fair, as it gives everyone a chance to get the players they desire. However, it may not cater well to casual players who don't want to put in the time and effort to research and strategize.
When choosing a draft type, consider the level of experience and engagement of your league members. Snake drafts are simple and accessible, while salary cap and auction drafts offer more flexibility and strategy but require more time and effort. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what will make the league most enjoyable for all participants.
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Research and rankings: player scouting and mock drafts
Research and player scouting are key to gaining an edge in your fantasy basketball league. This is where you can establish a strategy and find those hidden gems that will give you an advantage over your opponents.
There are several ways to go about this. Firstly, you can use mock drafts as a way to prepare. These are practice drafts that allow you to get a feel for the player selection process and see which players are available in each round. This is a great way to familiarise yourself with the player pool and make informed decisions on draft day. You can also use mock drafts to test different strategies and see how your team might perform.
Another important aspect is player rankings. There are various rankings available online, such as the ESPN Fantasy Basketball draft guide, which provides rankings for different league types, including Head-to-Head (H2H) points and categories leagues, as well as Roto and category leagues. These rankings can give you a good idea of which players are expected to perform well and help you identify potential targets for your team. It's worth checking out multiple sources for rankings, as they can vary depending on the scoring system and league settings.
In addition to mock drafts and rankings, scouting individual players is crucial. This involves digging deeper into player statistics, performance analysis, and expert opinions. Look for players who are expected to break out or exceed expectations, as they can provide great value for your team. Keep an eye on players who are performing well but may be flying under the radar. Websites like ESPN and Yahoo offer a wealth of information on player stats and projections, helping you make informed decisions.
Don't be afraid to use your own judgment and go against the grain. Sometimes, trusting your instincts and taking a calculated risk on certain players can pay off. It's a balance between following the experts' advice and making your own assessments based on your league's dynamics and your team's needs.
Lastly, stay up to date with the latest news and updates. Keep an eye on player injuries, trades, and suspensions, as these can impact a player's performance and availability. Being responsive to new information will help you make necessary adjustments to your team and stay ahead of the competition.
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Frequently asked questions
First, decide on a platform. Popular options include ESPN and Yahoo. Then, determine the number of players in your league and the scoring format. Common formats include H2H categories, points leagues, and snake drafts. Once you've decided on the rules, it's time to research players and start drafting your team.
A standard league usually consists of 10-12 teams. However, you can start with a smaller number of players and gradually increase the league size over time.
The H2H categories or points leagues are good options for beginners as they are not too complicated and allow for a lot of nuances and strategies. The simple "snake draft" approach is also prevalent among newcomers.
There are various draft guides available, such as the Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit, which offers detailed player profiles, projections, and rankings. You can also scope out player rankings on popular platforms like ESPN and Yahoo or run mock drafts to sharpen your skills.
For daily lineup changes, you typically have until 7 PM Eastern Time on Monday to make changes for the upcoming game week. Keep in mind that players in other time zones will have different deadlines. It's important to stay up to date with injury reports to ensure your lineup is fully active.
