Ayrton Oneill
Fantasy basketball is a game in which players build imaginary basketball teams and earn points based on the performance of their chosen players in real-world games. The fantasy basketball season typically follows the NBA's regular season schedule, with playoffs beginning with about a month left in the NBA season. Fantasy basketball players need to keep track of NBA starting lineups, player stats, and other insights to make informed decisions about their fantasy teams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fantasy basketball season | Follows the NBA's regular season schedule |
| Fantasy basketball season dates | 22 October 2020 - 13 April 2021 |
| Fantasy basketball playoffs | Begin with roughly one month left in the NBA season |
| Waivers | Shorthand for the fantasy basketball waiver wire, where players who have been cut from a team can be found |
| UTIL | Abbreviation for "Utility", referring to a roster spot that can be filled by a player of any position |
| "Buy low" | Term for when a player is acquired when their value is low |
| Mock draft | A simulated draft to prepare for a real fantasy draft |
| Cheat sheet | Tool used during the draft process to aid in team-building |
| Head-to-head scoring system | Counts wins and losses for individual team matchups, usually on a weekly basis |
| Bust | Term for a player who falls short of expectations and produces significantly less |
| Stashing | Adding a player to your team with the intent of holding them for the future, e.g. injured players or rookies |
| Commissioner | The person in charge of organizing the league and ensuring smooth operations |
| Starting lineup research | Key stats include minutes, usage rate, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals |
| NBA starters | A common choice, but backups can be important too, especially athletic Small Forwards |
| Daily Fantasy Basketball | Top model picks and value plays are available on DraftKings and FanDuel |
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What You'll Learn
Fantasy basketball season typically follows the NBA's schedule
The fantasy basketball season typically aligns with the NBA's schedule, which runs from October through to April. For example, the 2023-24 Fantasy Basketball season on Yahoo Fantasy Basketball followed the NBA's regular season schedule, beginning on October 22, 2024, and ending on April 13, 2025.
The fantasy basketball playoffs usually commence when there is approximately one month left of the NBA season. However, the precise start date of the playoffs is somewhat arbitrary and can vary.
By following the NBA schedule, fantasy basketball participants can draft players and create their fantasy teams based on real-world NBA rosters and lineups. This allows fantasy players to make informed decisions by considering factors such as playing time, matchups, injuries, and player performance.
Staying up to date with the NBA season provides valuable insights for fantasy basketball team management. Understanding the performance and potential of players in the NBA can inform strategies for drafting, trading, and stashing players in fantasy basketball. Therefore, keeping a close eye on the NBA schedule and performance analytics is crucial for success in fantasy basketball.
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Cheat sheets are a useful tool for the draft process
Cheat sheets are an incredibly useful tool for the draft process in fantasy basketball. They are structured as a ranking of the top players and can be used to aid in team-building. Cheat sheets can take many forms, from player profiles and mock drafts to expert pre-draft content, such as sleepers, breakouts, and rookie rankings. For example, ESPN offers a cheat sheet with player rankings, draft tips, and a schedule grid to help you select players who will play extra games during the fantasy playoffs.
One of the key benefits of cheat sheets is their ability to provide a comprehensive overview of the player landscape. They offer concise summaries of what to expect from players in the coming season, including brief recaps of their previous performances. This information is invaluable when deciding which players to draft onto your team.
Additionally, cheat sheets can be a great way to prepare for different draft strategies. Whether you're participating in a standard or auction draft, cheat sheets can provide insights into player values and potential trades. They can also help you identify "sleepers" -- players who are generally undervalued but have significant upside potential.
The waiver wire is another important aspect of the draft process. It refers to the group of players who are not currently signed to a fantasy roster, essentially creating a free agency pool. Cheat sheets can help you keep track of the waiver wire and identify players who may be worth adding to your team.
Overall, cheat sheets are a valuable resource for anyone participating in fantasy basketball. They provide a wealth of information and strategies to help you make informed decisions during the draft process and build a strong team. By utilizing cheat sheets effectively, you can gain a competitive edge and increase your chances of success in the fantasy basketball league.
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Waivers and the waiver wire
The waiver wire is a group of players who are not currently signed to a fantasy roster. When more than one team requests a player on waivers, the player goes to the team with the better waiver position (closest to "1"). The team that receives the player is then changed to the lowest priority, and all other teams move up a position.
Players not on a fantasy roster will be placed on waivers and locked in with a "Claim" status at the start of their team's first game of the day. Players dropped by an owner reside on waivers for a minimum of 48 hours before clearing. After this time, the player is assigned to a team if a claim was made, or they enter the free-agent pool. Unclaimed players not acquired during the waiver period become free agents and can be picked up on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are a number of strategies to consider when using the waiver wire. A sleeper is a term used to describe players who are generally undervalued but carry significant upside. A buy low player is one who is acquired when their value is low. RotoWire.com provides a comprehensive guide to waiver wire strategies, and mock drafts can also be useful preparation for real drafts.
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Mock drafts and real drafts
During the mock draft process, participants can employ various strategies to optimise their team's composition. One approach is to target specific positions, such as a point guard (PG) or small forward (SF). For example, when choosing a PG, owners might look for players who are excellent distributors of the ball and possess strong shooting abilities, like Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers. When it comes to SFs, athleticism becomes a crucial factor, as these players often see the most minutes in each lineup.
Another strategy is to focus on players who are expected to have a significant impact in the upcoming season. This involves analysing player outlooks, which offer a summary of their anticipated performance, including a recap of their previous season. Owners can also refer to cheat sheets, which rank the top players and provide valuable insights during the draft process. Additionally, considering the average number of minutes played by each selected player is essential, as it directly influences the number of points, assists, and rebounds they can contribute to the team.
While mock drafts are essential for preparation, the real drafts are where fantasy basketball teams come to life. Real drafts can follow different structures, such as a standard snake draft or an auction draft. In a snake draft, the order of player selection alternates between rounds, giving each owner a chance at an early pick. Auction drafts, on the other hand, involve bidding on players, allowing owners to directly acquire their preferred choices. The choice between a snake draft and an auction draft depends on the league's format and the owners' preferences.
Whether it's a mock draft or a real draft, keeping up with the latest NBA starting lineups is crucial. Daily lineup projections provide valuable insights into which players are likely to get the most playing time, helping owners make more strategic decisions. By staying informed about injuries, matchups, and player performance, owners can maximise their chances of success in the fantasy basketball season ahead.
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Head-to-head scoring system
The Head-to-Head scoring system is one of the standard scoring formats available for fantasy basketball leagues. It is the most common type of head-to-head play and is similar to how fantasy football is played.
In the Head-to-Head scoring system, teams are pitted against each other in a win/loss format, instead of accruing points cumulatively over the course of the season. Each scoring period, team totals are accumulated and a win, loss, or tie is assigned based on the matchup results. For example, in a 10-category league, the final score could be 6-3-1, with 6 being the number of categories won, 3 being the number of categories lost, and 1 being the number of tied categories. The winner of each scoring period is determined by which team accumulates the most fantasy points or wins the most categories.
The Head-to-Head scoring system allows you to select the number of statistical categories you want to include. These categories can include points, rebounds, and assists, with each category being assigned a specific point value. For example, in the NBA's standard fantasy points scoring system, points are worth 1.0 fantasy points, rebounds are worth 1.2 fantasy points, and assists are worth 1.5 fantasy points.
The Head-to-Head scoring system typically operates on a weekly basis, with team schedules and playoffs available for league creators who want them. Additionally, the league creator can set the Home Team wins as a tiebreaker, ensuring that the home team wins any tied categories.
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Frequently asked questions
The fantasy basketball season follows the National Basketball Association's (NBA) regular season schedule, which usually runs from late October through to mid-April. The fantasy basketball playoffs typically begin with roughly one month remaining in the NBA season.
It's a good idea to start preparing for the fantasy basketball season a few months in advance. This will give you enough time to research player stats and performance from the previous season, and make informed decisions about your fantasy team.
The fantasy basketball season usually lasts around the same time as the NBA season, which is typically around six months long, running from October to April.
