If you’re new to fantasy hoops, you might not understand how fantasy value is equated. Obviously, if you’re in a points-based league (leagues that have every stat converted to a point value), it’s pretty simple. There is a bit of a factor of position scarcity, but most of each player’s value lies in how many fantasy points per game each guy posts. Easy.
However, it’s a little more complicated in Roto-style leagues, which includes head-to-head categories format. If you play nine-category fantasy leagues, you’re focusing on points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, 3-pointers, turnovers, field goal percentage AND free throw percentage. Those stats are all equal and no stat is more important than the other. You need to pay attention to every category just as much as the other. Not doing so will result in a sub-par team unless you’re knowingly flopping on a single category to strengthen the other eight categories — this is called punting and is addressed in our Draft Guide by Ryan Knaus. Not a words guy? Here’s a graphical representation:
Hey, the points are super flashy with their neat-o gradient shading, but in actuality they are worth the same portion of the pie. The bottom line here is that you shouldn’t be looking at one category more than another one. You need to look at how a player can contribute in more ways than one and not focus on the scoring. After reading this column, I’m hoping it’ll help you out in that regard.
Before we get to the fantasy side of things, it helps to know some league averages for players and/or teams. I’m more of an advanced stats guy, so I threw some of that stuff on there, too.
Mr. Average
Hey, so what does a straight-up average player look like on a stat sheet? Well, here ya go:
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 216 pounds
Age: 27
Points per game: 9.6
Rebounds per game: 3.8
Assists per game: 1.6
Steals per game: 0.7
Blocks per game: 0.3
Three-pointers per game: 0.76
Field goal attempts per game: 7.68
Free throw attempts per game: 2.0
Field goal percentage: 44.9
Free throw percentage: 75.0
Three-point percentage: 35.0
Usage Rate: 20
Total rebounding rate: 10
Effective field goal percentage: 49.6
Field goal percentage at the rim: 60.1
Field goal percentage in the paint outside of restricted area: 39.2
Field goal percentage on mid-range shots: 39.6
Pace: 93.9
OK, so those averages above are a little flawed for fantasy because not every guy has fantasy value. Therefore, those averages are pulled down by the garbage-time guys. If you’re into advanced stats like me, you’ll want to keep those numbers in mind towards the bottom.
Moving on, how about this? Let’s take a look at what an average fantasy player puts up in a standard-style league:
Points per game: 13.8
Rebounds per game: 5.6
Assists per game: 3.0
Steals per game: 1.0
Blocks per game: 0.7
3-pointers per game: 1.0
Free throw percentage: 77.4
Field goal percentage: 46.3
Turnovers per game: 1.8
This made-up player doesn’t dominate anywhere. I mean, who you draft a guy who puts up a 14-6-3 line? Well, you should. Basically, those players would have elite value as long as they’re at least average in the other categories. If you checked out Ryan’s across-the-board column, he can explain it more in depth.
Switching to the defensive side, blocks are absolute gold. As you’ll see above, the average fantasy player is blocking just 0.7 shots per game. That means guys like Anthony Davis (2.1), Rudy Gobert (2.2), DeAndre Jordan (2.2) and Hassan Whiteside (3.7!!) are all three times more valuable in that category than that averages guy — that’s more than league-leading Stephen Curry and his steals. Of course, you probably know that DJ’s awful free throw shooting negates that output.
In an actual NBA game, the most points wins. Many people watching games may have been conditioned to think points are the most important thing in fantasy basketball. That’s simply not true and every fantasy owners should look at every stat relevant to success, especially on Roto-style leagues.
Happy drafting!
