The RotoEvil Challenge
October 19, 2008 by Evil E
Do you want some of this? Then step up and take the RotoEvil Challenge. The idea behind this challenge is pretty simple: let’s find out who the best fantasy hoops managers really are.
For the inaugural season, there will be 14 total teams and the entry fee is $125 per person (secured by LeagueSafe). While I’m going to invite as many prominent basketball writers/ fantasy hoops sites as I can, I am also going to reserve 4 spots for “Joe Public,” because they deserve a chance to compete as well.
How is it a challenge? Well, if my team finishes in the bottom 4 of the standings, I will throw up to $750 extra into the pot to be spread amongst the winners. So if you’re interested in playing in a highly competitive & very unique fantasy basketball league, then keep reading.
1. Overview
The 2008-09 RotoEvil Challenge will consist of 14 teams/ owners/ managers trying to build the best fantasy basketball team that they possibly can. The winner will be determined by using two different scoring systems: 1) 8-category Roto and 2) Total Points using John Hollinger’s Game Scores formula. There will be just ONE draft, but each owner’s roster will be loaded into TWO separate leagues. By using 8-cat Roto scoring, we maintain the Rotisserie traditions of fantasy sports. By using the Game Scores Total Points system, we get a more accurate representation of a players’ “real life” value. Each scoring system will be weighted equally to calculate the final standings.
To prevent collusion and ensure a level playing field, there will be no trading allowed. In addition, each team will be limited to 35 free agent/waiver acquisitions for the entire season, for EACH league. Since the Roto league and the Points league will be managed separately, owners are allowed (and encouraged) to make different pickups for each squad.
By using these rules, each manager’s drafting and management skills will be put to the test. We’ll get to see which managers do the best job of drafting breakout players and value picks, we’ll get to see how the same rosters at the beginning of the season evolve depending on the scoring format, we’ll find out which NBA players produce the best balance of statistics, and hopefully, we’ll crown a TRUE fantasy hoops champion at the end of the ‘08-09 season. At least, that is the goal of this challenge.
2. League Manager & The Draft
We will use ESPN as our league manager, and there will be separate leagues for each scoring format (invites to be sent out shortly). There will be ONE live serpentine draft on Sunday evening, October 26th (exact time to be determined). Since the draft order plays such an important role, owners will be given the chance to CHOOSE their preferred draft positions.
A) Determining the Draft Order
Once the 14 teams/owners are decided, we will determine the draft order. To do this fairly, we will use the “Fantasy Draft Order Generator” tool. It acts like an automatic lottery, and it sends an email out to all owners with the randomly generated draft order. However, the order that it generates will simply be the order that we use to determine which draft spot each owner wants. For example, let’s say the tool assigns the #1 pick to Team #6 and the #2 pick to Team #14. So owner #6 will get to choose any draft spot that he wants. After his selection is made, owner #14 will get to choose his draft spot next, and then on down the line until the 1st round draft order is determined. This method allows more owners to get draft spots that they like, while decreasing the chances of someone getting a spot that they loathe.
B) Draft Style and Duration
The RotoEvil Challenge draft will last for 14 rounds and go in serpentine fashion (#1-14 in Round 1 and all odd numbered rounds, #14-1 in Round 2 and all even numbered rounds). In the future, I will consider switching to an auction style draft, but for ‘08-09, we’ll do a “normal” draft.
3. Roster Requirements
All owners will have a minimum of 14 players and a maximum of 15 players at all times. Each team’s roster will consist of 10 starters + 4 bench players + 1 spot for injured reserve.
A) Starting Lineup Requirements
Starting lineups will consist of:
- 1 Point Guard
- 1 Shooting Guard
- 1 Small Forward
- 1 Power Forward
- 1 Center
- 1 Guard (PG or SG)
- 1 Swingman (SG or SF)
- 1 Big Man (PF or C)
- 2 Utility (any position)
B) Injured Reserve
Each team is allowed one IR spot for injured players. Apparently, ESPN will have a list of “IR-Eligible” players, and you will only be allowed to move these players into your IR spot.
C) Position Eligibility
We will use ESPN’s position eligibility lists, so please refer to them if you have any questions.
4. Scoring System #1: 8-category Roto
One scoring system that we will use is the more traditional Rotisserie format, where each team accumulates stats in 8 categories, with each category being weighted equally. First place in each category will be worth 14 points, second place will be worth 13 points, and on down to 1 point for last place in each category. The 8 categories include: Total Points, Total Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Blocked Shots, Three-Pointers Made, Field Goal Percentage, and Free Throw Percentage. Each team’s Roto score is determined by adding up their points in each category, with a maximum of 112 total Roto points.
While I love the balance and history (the first ever “Rotisserie League” used a 4×4 Roto format for baseball) behind 8-cat Roto leagues, I do NOT support the use of 9-cat Roto scoring for fantasy hoops. I’m not going to argue this, but just consider that Dwight Howard, one of the most dominant players alive today, was NOT considered a Top 75 player using 9-cat Roto scoring last season. I have a problem with that, and you should too. Which is why I’ve added a second scoring system…
5. Scoring System #2: Total Points using Game Scores
Many people who are critical of fantasy sports are quick to point out that the traditional scoring methods do not do a good job of accurately reflecting each player’s “real life” value. I agree with this statement, which is why I’m trying to improve the way we view and play fantasy basketball (this is just the inaugural season, but more improvements will be made each year).
Most basketball fans are familiar with John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER), and many consider it a valuable tool for measuring a player’s “real life” contributions. However, Hollinger also has a Game Scores formula which was “designed to be a convenient way to evaluate single-game performances.” I’m surprised that more people don’t talk about this formula, but I’ve decided to use it as my second scoring system. Before I post the formula, let’s take a look at the Top 30 players from last season using per game Game Scores.
1. LeBron James
2. Chris Paul
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Amare Stoudemire
5. Allen Iverson
6. Dirk Nowitzki
7. Chris Bosh
8. Carmelo Anthony
9. Dwight Howard
10. Dwyane Wade
11. Baron Davis
12. Yao Ming
13. Kevin Garnett
14. Deron Williams
15. Caron Butler
16. Carlos Boozer
17. Tim Duncan
18. Kevin Martin
19. Al Jefferson
20. Pau Gasol
21. Steve Nash
22. Vince Carter23. Antawn Jamison
24. Monta Ellis
25. Andre Iguodala
26. Chauncey Billups
27. Manu Ginobili
28. David West
29. Shawn Marion
30. Joe Johnson
I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a fairly accurate representation of who the Top 30 players in the league were last season. If you look at the Top 14 Americans listed (throwing out Dirk & Yao), you’ll see that 9 of them represented Team USA this past summer in the Olympics. I’d say that’s a pretty good ratio. Notice who’s missing? Marcus Camby was a Top 10 fantasy player under 9-cat Roto scoring last season, but using the Game Scores formula, he didn’t even come close to sniffing the Top 30 (he ranked #55, which is much closer to his “real life” ranking). And doesn’t it make sense to use a scoring system where Dwight Howard ranks in the Top 10 as opposed to not even cracking the Top 75?
A) Game Scores Formula
Under scoring system #2, fantasy points are scored using the “game scores” formula. This is NOT a Head-to-Head points league with playoffs. This is a TOTAL points league, so the winning team is whoever has the most total points at the end of the season. The formula is as follows:
- Point Scored: +1 point
- FG Made: +.4 points
- FG Attempted: -.7 points
- FT Made: +.4 points
- FT Attempted: -.4 points
- Off. Rebound: +.7 points
- Def. Rebound: +.3 points
- Assist: +.7 points
- Steal: +1 point
- Block: +.7 points
- Turnover: -1 point
- Personal Foul: -.4 points
In general, the scale on Game Scores works something like this:
50+ = A historic performance.
40-49.9 = One of the best games of the entire season.
30-39.9 = Probably the best performance in the league that night.
20-29.9 = Probable player of the game selection.
15-19.9 = A Very strong effort.
12-14.9 = Reasonably solid performance.
8-11.9 = Average.
5-7.9 = Subpar game or didn’t see many minutes.
0-4.9 = Poor game or used very sparingly.
<0 = Packing his bags for Yakima.
Click here for a list of the Top 100 Game Scores since 1986-87
In his Pro Basketball Forecast book, Hollinger explains that “this system is less accurate than the PER,” but that it is “an easier system for people to use while looking at the box scores over breakfast.” I agree with this statement wholeheartedly, except that I normally don’t wait until breakfast. By using a points system in CONJUNCTION with 8-cat Roto scoring, we get a nice balance between “fantasy” value and “real life” value.
6. Calculating the Final Standings
For the RotoEvil Challenge, the Final Standings are calculated by weighting each scoring system equally and then adding up the final scores. For a simplified example, let’s say that there are two teams who are head and shoulders above everyone else at the end of the season.
Team “Good” finishes 1st in the Points league with 11,500 total points, and finishes 2nd in the Roto league with 85 total points. Meanwhile, Team “Evil” finishes 2nd in the Points league with 11,000 total points, and finishes 1st in the Roto league with 88 total points.
Since Team Good won the Points league, his “Points Score” would be set to 88 (the winning Roto league score). To calculate the “Points Score” for Team Evil, you would simply divide his 11,000 points by the winning score of 11,500 points = .9565, then multiply by 88 (the winning “Points Score”) = 84.17. Both scores are then added together to determine the Final Standings.
Team Good: 85 Roto points + 88 Points Score = 173
Team Evil: 88 Roto points + 84.17 Points Score = 172.17
Team Good wins!
7. No Trades or Keepers
A) No Trading
If you’re in a keeper league with friends, I fully support the use of trades. But if you’re playing with strangers for money, I believe in a “no trading” rule to ensure a level playing field and to minimize the possibility of collusion. I also can’t stand lowball trade offers, and there’s nothing more annoying than two owners spending several hours to come up with and agree upon a fair trade that benefits both parties, only to see the trade vetoed at the click of a button. So there’s no trading in the RotoEvil Challenge, and for further fairness, we will also adhere to ESPN’s list of “undroppable players.”
B) No Keepers
I would love to create a competitive keeper league that uses an auction draft and has escalating salaries for your keepers, and there’s a possibility that this 3rd league could be added to the RotoEvil Challenge in the future, but for now, it will have to wait. But if you would like to join a league like this, please contact me to discuss further details.
8. Lineup Changes & Games Played
A) Lineup Submission
The RotoEvil Challenge allows for DAILY lineup changes in both leagues. I’ve set the slots to “lock individually at scheduled gametime,” which means that owners can move players between bench and active slots until the scheduled start time.
B) Maximum # of Games Played
There is NO LIMIT to the number of games that your team can play. I know what you’re thinking: with no limit to the # of games played and daily lineup changes, owners can shuffle players in and out to maximize their team’s statistics. Well, not quite…
9. Free Agent Acquisitions
I’m used to playing in leagues with a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), where you have a limited amount of money to bid on free agents every week. While this method can be quite nerve-wracking, I think it’s the ideal way to deal with free agents. Unfortunately, ESPN does not offer this setting, so we will use the “normal” waiver wire system.
A) Free Agent/Waiver Acquisition Limit
Each team (in each league) is allowed a maximum of 35 pickups for the entire season. This equates to about one and a half transactions per week, so owners will want to use their acquisitions wisely. I would like to reiterate that while each owner is going to start the “Roto league” and the “Points league” with the same roster, they are allowed to make different acquisitions for each of their teams. I think it will be very interesting to see how these rosters evolve, and how different (or similar) they look at the end of the season.
B) Waiver Period & System
The waiver period has been set to 2 days. When players are dropped, they will immediately be placed on waivers. During the 2 day waiver period, all owners will be able to make a claim on the player. After waivers are processed, the team that claimed the player will be moved to the last waiver position.
10. Entry Fees
The entry fee for the 2008-09 RotoEvil Challenge is $125 USD per team. I believe this is high enough to create decent prizes and scare off the pretenders, without being TOO much. If the first season goes well, and the competition is fierce and people are hungry for more, the entry fee will go up next year. NO, I am not exempt from the entry fee, and YES, your money is safe.
A) League Safe Security
All entry fees will be collected, stored, and dispersed by LeagueSafe.com. LeagueSafe is a new company that was founded by the same man who started Fanball back in 1993, and he’s also the Chairman of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. Click here to see how LeagueSafe works. Basically, all owners will send secure payments either via credit card or E-check (bank account), LeagueSafe’s partner bank will hold the entry fees during the season, and then they’ll disperse the funds via E-check, paper check, or Prepaid Visa card at the end.
B) Entry Fee Due Date
Ideally, we will have a finalized list of the 14 owners competing in this years RotoEvil Challenge by Wednesday evening 10/22, and then all entry fees will be due by Thursday evening. This will allow us to select the draft order on Friday, giving everyone ample time to prepare for the draft on Sunday evening.
11. Prize Breakdown
14 teams x $125 entry fee = $1,750 total pot
A) Overall Prizes
1st place overall = $1,000
2nd place overall = $400
3rd place overall = $150
B) Prizes for the Points League
For the Points League, the season’s highest weekly score will get a prize, and there will also be 4 “weekly period” prizes. So if a team is out of the overall race at the end of the year, they can still win some money back.
Highest Weekly Score for the season = $100
Highest score for Weeks 1-6 = $25
Highest score for Weeks 7-12 = $25
Highest score for Weeks 13-18 = $25
Highest score for Weeks 19-25 = $25
C) Meet the Challenge BONUS Prizes
I don’t call myself an expert, but I’m willing to take on ANYONE, which is something that few “experts” are willing to do. And even tho this combined scoring method is just as new to me as it is to you, I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is. So at the end of the season, if my team is in the bottom 4 of the Overall Standings, I will throw extra money into the pot for the winners. So if I finish in…
11th place = I throw in $125.
All of it goes to the 4th place finisher so they get their money back.
12th place = I throw in $250 and the pot grows to $2,000.
4th place gets their money back, 3rd place gets an extra $50, 2nd place gets an extra $50, and the highest weekly score prize gets bumped up to $125.
13th place = I throw in $500 and the pot grows to $2,250.
4th place gets their money back, 3rd place gets an extra $75, 2nd place gets an extra $100, 1st place gets an extra $100, and the highest weekly score prize gets bumped up to $200.
14th place = I throw in $750 and the pot grows to $2,500.
4th place gets $150, 3rd place gets an extra $100, 2nd place gets an extra $150, 1st place gets an extra $200, and the highest weekly score prize gets bumped up to $250.
(Note: I’ve never finished last in a fantasy league, and I never intend to).
So who’s up to the challenge???
CHALLENGE HIM! Aight?
Related posts:
- RotoE’s Draft Masters Challenge If you love fantasy basketball and are looking for a unique money league,...
If you have any questions, or if you’re feeling up to the challenge, please post here or send me an email using the contact form at the top of the page.
Sign-ups will most likely be on a first come, first serve basis, but in case there’s high demand, I will have to select which 13 owners are in. So please share some thoughts on why you’d like to join.
The draft is on Sunday the 26th, so let’s try to get 14 people signed up by Thursday at the latest. I’m looking forward to this, and I hope you are too. Thanks.
Evil,
This is such a refreshing change from the fantasy norm. Outside of the national championships I can’t recall seeing such an intriguing concept to find out the true fantasy champion of the season. I think most industry insiders would be hard pressed as well to find such a challenge. It is nice to see you put your expertise on the line and open a challenge to the experts and fantasy public alike. I hope some other fantasy experts are willing to put themselves and their reputation on the line like you have. Consider me the first to sign-up.
Alright Craig, you’re in! Glad you like the idea. 12 spots left.
Evil, I would love a spot and I think I’m deserving. I live and breathe fantasy basketball and in the 5 years of me playing in a total of 6 leagues I have (2) #1 finishes, (2) number 2 finishes and the lowest spot I’ve ever finished is 5th. And that was in a year my team was destroyed by injury. I am an avid poster and I put a ton of energy into making leagues fun. I am a Chicagoan and I have suffered thru 33 years of the Bears never investing in a quarterback, The Bulls forcing Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and Phil to disband after they had just 3peated and I have also had the luxury of watching 4+ years of Scott Skiles play the likes of Adrian Griffin and Malik Allen over Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah….I’ve seen the Bulls give away Tyson Chandler for an expiring contract we never used. I’ve seen us give away Tim Thomas and JR smith for peanuts b/c Skiles didn’t like their tattoos and most importantly I’ve seen a coach with a career winning % of .528 sqander the majority of my opportunities to confidently talk smack to people from other cities. Damn it Evil, I’ve suffered. If you won’t help me to gain a glimmer of enjoyment in my life who will???? And to top it off, I just convinced my wife to take my son for a few hours to my grandparents house so I could play 2k8 on x-box live, which I haven’t played in weeks and I get a mofo MTU Error !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Evil if you don’t let me in I will feel like I got, “knocked the f-out!”
How could I deny you from your glimmer of enjoyment? Nice track record as well. You’re in luxuryjones.
So who will be the first “industry guy” to sign up?
Let me in evil! I’m at work now so I don’t have long but dumb and dumber needs to be in this league
i am excited about the upcoming season for many reasons and this is why i should be considered…..
1. for what ists worth in the 3 h2h histakes FOOTBALL leagues i am 20-1….not bad so my luck is bound to change for hoops!!!
2. you gotta love my team name…” RT for 3″
3. no matter how good or bad i am i am always active to the end which of course leads to a balanced league!!!
4. i am one of the better players in the country at fantasy baseball!!
5. yes, i have fantasy sports issues!!
6. i am already signed up for 2 leagues and have drawn picks 8 and 9 and want a beter pick….DAMNIT!!
7. RT for 3 wants to inflict financial pain on rotoevil
8. i am not afraid of you wiseguys!!!
9. “i have nowhere else to go!!” in a richard gere voice
for the reasons listed above please consider RT for 3 because i will rain them on YOU!!!!
No trades, no 9-cat = not the way traditional fantasy players play the game. This in no way will show the balance you wish to achieve between old school and a metric based scoring system.
I’d love to play, but the traditional half must actually be played the way it is in real life, regardless of your reservations.
The number one reason I should be in this league is that I am from Illinois and have been a Chicago sports fan all my life, and could not disagree more with luxuryjones thoughts about the Bulls. Furthermore I am a PS3 gamer and thankfully have no clue what a MTU Error is.
Bring it on luxuryjones I am ready to prove that I am the best fantasy sports manager in all of Illinois.
And Evil as you know I have been working on a fantasy football website that could only benefit from the cred I would get by winning this league.
Pinot – “This in no way will show the balance you wish to achieve”
Uh huh. Keep talking. I’m sure there are thousands of free Yahoo leagues that you can play in that will better suit your needs.
Everyone else – I appreciate the interest. For the draft time, I’m thinking of setting it at 6pm PST (9pm EST) on Sunday night, 10/26. Please verify that this time works for you.
works for me…i must go practice raining on peoples parades!!! RT ffffffffooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr 3333333333333333!!!
I want in. A chance to beat Mr. Evil? How can I pass that up? Can’t wait to see what “experts” want to get in. Probably too scared to lose to average Joes. Or Joe the plumber.
Count me in, and that draft time works out great for me. Can’t wait to get into a real league instead of the easy CBS sportsline ones that past couple of years.
As for my expertise. I have watched and played fantasy basketball since 1990. Have I won every year? No. Have I been competitive? Yes. My favorite team is the Bucks, and I am a season ticket holder so you would have to let me have Bogut and Redd.
The Time works E let me know if I got a spot.
If it’s not too late, I ‘d like in. I’m not a fantasy expert but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last week. Actually, big fantasy player, but never can seem to get in a good NBA league, all my friends are NFL an MLB guys. Love the Hollinger angle, Sunday night works for me.
OK – As of Wednesday morning, 11 people have expressed interest in joining the RotoEvil Challenge league. Here’s the current list:
1. Me
2. Craig – Spain
3. LuxuryJones/LaRon – Chicago
4. dumber/Shawn – Chicago
5. RT/Rick – ?
6. Eric T – Milwaukee
7. Leigh – Australia
8. Mike P – ?
9. agger643 – ?
10. Joe – DraftExpress.com
11. Andre – Rotowire.com
12. Carl – Fantasybasketballjedi.com
13. ?
14. ?
Backups: ?
I’m waiting for confirmations from Joe and Andre, but I would love to have both on board. Joe is the assistant director of scouting for DraftExpress.com and Andre is the lead NBA writer for Rotowire.com if I’m not mistaken. I’m glad so many readers are up to the challenge, but I would like to get at least 2 or 3 more guys who write for fantasy hoops sites. A bunch of them are out there, but few have responded.
So let’s try to fill out the league today with a few more signups, and we’ll need backups as well in case someone drops out. If that happens, I will send league invites out to everyone later today and open up LeagueSafe for entry fee payments. If 14 teams have paid by Thursday evening, then we’ll determine the draft order on Friday.
Who else wants in?
Eric
I would love a chance to be in your league. I was in the NFBBC with you last year, I had the team nashed potatoes and finished just out of the money in 4th place. I’m from New Jersey if you need a place to put where I hail from. I will be in your draft this saturday as well.
please let me know
thanks
Lou
I would really like in if possible. I’ve been dominating fantasy basketball leagues in the shadows for too long so it would be nice to take the competition up a few notches. As you can see from my name, NBA is in my blood as a son of an NBA legend. I’ve got 35 brothers and sisters to provide for so winning that cash will be a top priority. Additionally I’ve already spent way too much time on my draft spreadsheet to only be in the one league that I’m in and I look forward to tweaking it to accomodate this crazy (but cool) scoring format. I play with stats for a living (unfortunetly in the insurance arena and not sports) but I’d love this challenge if given the opportunity. If there isn’t any room left that’s cool and good luck to everyone who’s in. Let me know.
Hey E.
I definitely think combining the two formulas is a great idea (I think we discussed it in one of your Monday’s chats last year)… There is no doubt the daily lineup changes is the most fair way to go; however it also implies a lot of commitment (in case you want to be competitive)… respectively that means playing in this type of league is way more time consuming compared to participating in a league with weekly changes… in my humble opinion it is very difficult to be competitive if you do not put some time every single day and that is not easy for working professionals… It is very tempting to participate in your league (if approved
) because let say I am planning to put almost the same amount in CBS platinum league, which has considerably lower prizes but al least it has weekly lineup changes…
On another note I am curious about the draft results, the teams, the outcome etc… Do you intend to share the lineups and the standing from time to time…?
Hey Damian,
Deciding between daily and weekly changes was definitely the hardest decision. In fact, if anyone else prefers switching to the weekly format, I’ll go ahead and make that change, because I’m a little worried about daily as well.
It just really sucks when one of your guys gets hurt on Monday. Or worse yet, when you start someone who’s “questionable” one week and they don’t play at all, so you bench them for the next week because they’re still questionable, and then they come back and win player of the week honors. I shit you not, that happened to me with Gerald Wallace a couple years ago. I need the bang your head on the wall smiley now.
So chime in if you would rather have weekly changes. And perhaps if that change is made, maybe we should set a max # of games played for one of the leagues? For example, keep the points league with no limit, but set the Roto league to an 82 game max, that way your team can handle a few Monday injuries without falling too far behind.
“As you can see from my name, NBA is in my blood as a son of an NBA legend. I’ve got 35 brothers and sisters to provide for so winning that cash will be a top priority.”
Hey Lou – So you know about my site too, eh? The NFBBC is gonna be tough this year, as no fewer than 7 people have already bought my guide.
Oh yeah, league updates will definitely be posted on the site and whatnot. Please chime in about the daily vs. weekly thing people!
Evil, I’m from Connecticut. Keep us posted. Thanks
Eric
I enjoyed your site for half a season before I realized you were in my league. My friend Craig brought it to my attention. Let me know about this league if there’s a spot. I’m going to Atlantic City until Friday, but I can definitely pay on friday when I get back. What pick do you have for the NFBBC on saturday? I’m picking 7, which I’m happy with.
RT(aka RoundTrippers, RapTors and now RT for 3!) and Rick is one person from delaware
Email and invites sent to the first 14 owners. A couple of people may drop out, so if anyone else is interested, please let me know ASAP so we have a couple of backups.
The live Draft has been set for Sunday, October 26th at 8:45pm EST.
E – I can’t believe you left me off the list!!
any chance of getting another league together? I might be able to get you a few owners…
Did you see Bill Simmons new article, Evil? “The King of All Fantasy Previews”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081024
Check out what he says on Chris Paul and Kobe. He has evidence for his assertions pertaining to both players, but I’m not so sure he’s right. Where do you see Chris Paul going? And do you see Kobe fading this year?
Looks like I missed out on this one. I am looking for something exactly like this league and would like to respond to the challenge next season if you do this again. My name is Larry Yocum and I currently write for http://www.rototimes and fanball and also post as The Czar in most fantasy sports forums where the username is availble. I am a basketball junkie that is currently seeking help for my addiction, or to feed it with a league opportunity like this one.
Take care,
Larry Y.
Pete – Join the message board and start posting. There’s been some talk about starting up an auction keeper league. Just for fun this year, and then adding an entry fee next year perhaps. No chance in drafting before the opener anyway, so no rush.
Andrew – That link doesn’t work. I saw the headline a few days ago but still haven’t clicked on it. I’m trying to avoid other people’s stuff to keep my ideas fresh. Not sure what he says about Paul and Kobe, but anyone who’s in a league that uses FT% and still passes on CP3 at #1 is being risky and dare I say foolish. I’m projecting some of Kobe’s stats to fall, but he could shoot a career-best from the field to make up for it.
Larry – Yeah, that’s too bad. I would have welcomed you into the league, because only a few “industry guys” were willing to play. We drafted last night, and I’ll be posting the results of that draft (and my others) over the next week. When you need your fantasy hoops fix, make sure you stop by.
Well, he mentioned the 1000 game stat: how every player, at the 1000 game mark, begins his steady decline. I guess it pertains only to games played, not age, or Simmons is truly an idiot. But I hate Simmons. And the Red Sox.
I assume it doesn’t matter that Kobe just turned 30. Apparently it’s one of the most steadfast stats in the books.
And yeah, he didn’t like Paul. That’s what I was curious about. I’ve gotten out of following stats the way I used to, and I’ve gotten as far from fantasy sports as I can. It’s not that I spend my time on more practical hobbies, it’s just that after 3 seasons, everything about it turned me off (I do admit: it has made most laymen more careful- and therefore better- observers of basketball). So I was wondering if that was accurate or not. I asked Cameron, too, and he thought Paul was the only legitimate alternative to LeBron at #1, although he’d probably take LeBron in most leagues.
Anyways, what’s your email again? If I ever want to buy that draft thing or any future installments for Cammie, can I just paypal you the $18 (that’s the correct amount?) He’s comfortable on his own, but I think he would benefit from it, and I like to see him win. I think Cameron got a bit of respect for that thing last night. Ted didn’t draft like a total fucking smacktard for the first time in five years. He actually had the best draft last night in their league. Cam, Treston and John Rickey all agreed that Ted had the strongest team. So props.
And that headline about how Isiah Thomas tried to kill himself? I almost ruptured my spleen. Oh, that’s good comedy.
He’s always been a douche.