I am of course talking about the semi-dorky version of fantasy basketball, and not the kind that involves Sue Bird, Becky Hammon, and Strip-Horse (WNBA - I give you your new marketing plan). Given an invite from Andrew at Empty the Bench and promising that I would not compromise the integrity of the league, I took part in my first fantasy basketball draft last night. And I felt every part of being the n00b.
With all previous experience in fake sports being confined to football, the entire head-to-head scoring across different categories is a bit strange. Kind of like doing a football league where you were competing to beat your opponent in completion %, yards per carry, yards after the catch, rushing yards, etc. instead of just total "points". For anyone as unfamiliar with the fake game as I am, I hope that helps. For any readers who are fantasy basketball experienced, chime in with advice for the season ahead. For everyone, here is my team:
| Round | Player | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (9th pick) | Kevin Garnett | If the Celtics do not get a huge lead in the standings, I would appreciate it - more minutes for KG. |
| 2nd (12th) | Chris Bosh | Chris the used car salesman |
| 3rd | Joe Johnson | Solid across the board. |
| 4th | Jason Richardson | I had to get a Bobcat. Now, I just have to hope that LB does not rein in his 3 point shooting too much. |
| 5th | Mike Dunleavy | I know last year was a career year - but the draft position matched with rankings (and there is still a bit of a man-crush from watching him play at Duke). |
| 6th | Chris Kaman | The sort of German caveman bloomed with Brand out last year. Now, Brand is gone. |
| 7th | Al Horford | This pick got mocked a bit - Big Al got called soft? |
| 8th | Jamal Crawford | A shameless gunner - playing for D'Antoni |
| 9th | Zydrunas Ilgauskas | Whatever you have been doing for your feet, Big Z, keep doing it. |
| 10th | Francisco Garcia | Francisco is fun to say. |
| 11th | Manu Ginobili | I knew I did ok with this pick, because there were a couple of expletives exclaimed in the draft window. |
| 12th | Derrick Rose | Chicago, please trade someone soon. Derrick needs minutes. |
| 13th | Drew Gooden | Decent scorer, good rebounder and free throw shooter. Total space cadet. |
| 14th | Rashad McCants | A shameless gunner - Jamal Crawford but with zero conscience. .17 assists per fga for McCants, while Jamal was at .29. |
| 15th | Shaquille O'Neal | The Big Mouth talks big and plays...big, but really slow. Once moving to Phoenix last year, he missed the first five games with the team, and then only 1 more. |
| 16th | Chris Duhon | Ummm - he does not turn the ball over much? |
| 17th | Tyrus Thomas | A 3rd Bull, I know - All I can is we were ready to be done. |
| 18th | Yi Jianlian | Let's go, Chairman. |
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| tim Says: | ur team looks pretty solid. i hope rose blows up for all ur bulls players' sake. every year i think is going to be the year that tyrus blows up...but its not... this is Yi's year. just u wait and see... | ||
| Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:04 pm |
