The GIST’s Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide to Fantasy Basketball

Understanding Fantasy Basketball

🏀 What is Fantasy Basketball?

Fantasy basketball lets you build and manage a roster of real-life NBA players, earning points based on their actual game performances. Think points, rebounds, assists, and steals—it’s all fair game.

Key Terms to Know:

• Roster: Your team of NBA stars.

• Draft: The all-important event where you choose your players.

• Waiver Wire: Where undrafted and dropped players hang out, waiting to get picked up by savvy GMs (like you).

• Lineup: The players you start each week to rack up points.

⛹️ Joining a League

League Types:

• Redraft: Fresh start every season. Perfect for newbies.

• Keeper: Hold onto a few core players each season.

• Dynasty: Keep your entire roster year after year—only for the most committed GMs.

If you’re playing in a points league, players earn points for every stat they tally. Pro tip: Focus on versatile players who can stuff the stat sheet—think stars who rack up points and contribute across categories like rebounds, assists, and steals.

Setting Up Your League

• Platform: ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper are all fan favorites.

• League Size: Standard leagues have 10-12 teams.

• Draft Type: Snake draft (common) or auction draft (advanced).

In a Snake Draft, draft order alternates each round. Meanwhile, an Auction Draft lets you bid on players with a set budget where you have to manage your (virtual) backroll.

📋 Preparing for Draft Day

Research and Rankings: Before your draft, scope out player rankings on popular platforms like ESPN and Yahoo. Better yet, run a couple of mock drafts to sharpen your skills and build your strategy.

Draft Flow:

• Early Rounds: Lock down top-tier guards and versatile forwards. The Luka Doncics and Giannis Antetokounmpos (pronounced ah-det-tuh-KOOM-poh) of the world are fantasy gold—they'll fill up the box score night after night.

• Middle Rounds: Look for value picks and young players on the verge of a breakout (think guys like Tyrese Haliburton or Desmond Bane).

• Late Rounds: Swing for the fences with high-upside rookies or role players who could see expanded minutes.

🏆 Building Your Winning Team

Understanding Positions:

• Point Guard (PG): Your playmaker. Look for PGs who rack up assists and steals, like Stephen Curry or LaMelo Ball.

• Shooting Guard (SG): Your scorers. They’ll light it up from three and pile up points (Devin Booker, anyone?).

• Forward (SF/PF): Versatile players who can do it all—score, rebound, and defend. Think LeBron James or Jayson Tatum.

• Center (C): The big man who dominates the paint with rebounds, blocks, and points. Nikola Jokić is an obvious top pick here

• Flex (G/F): Some leagues have this wildcard spot—fill it with the best player available.

Draft Advice:

• Grab Guards Early: Elite guards can carry your team, so don’t wait too long to pick them up.

• Balance Your Squad: Look for players who contribute across multiple categories. A high-volume scorer might seem tempting, but someone who also racks up rebounds, assists, and steals is key. Don’t put all your eggs in one stats basket.

• Beware of Injuries: Keep an eye on injury-prone players. Sure, Kawhi Leonard’s great…when he plays.

👨‍💻 Roster Management 101

• Setting Your Lineup: You’ll want to keep a close eye on injuries and rest days (aka load management). Always start your stars, but be flexible with your lineup each week based on matchups and minutes.

• Waiver Wire: Stay sharp—great players can emerge throughout the season, and the waiver wire is where you’ll find them. Pick up undrafted gems and stream players—pick them up for just a few games with key matchups—with favorable matchups for the week.

• Pro Tip: Keep your eye on young players who are stepping up due to injuries on their teams. They can become unexpected stars and give you a serious advantage in close matchups.

🔢 Maximizing Points Throughout the Season

Keep tabs on NBA news, injuries, and rotation changes. Knowing who’s on fire and who’s hitting a slump can be the difference between a win and a loss. Follow reliable sources like ESPN, NBA Twitter, and our very own newsletter.

• Staying Informed: Keep up with the latest NBA news and injuries—knowing which stars are sitting out or heating up can make all the difference.

• Expert Analysis: Listen to podcasts, follow analysts on Twitter, and read up on matchups. It’s not just about talent—it’s about timing, too.

👀 This Season’s Must-Watch Players

Looking for this season’s fantasy studs? You can’t go wrong with Nikola Jokić, who is as reliable as they come with his triple-double potential. Rookies like Victor Wembanyama (yes, the hype is real) and Scoot Henderson are also worth a late-round pick if you’re feeling risky.

Keep an eye on breakout candidates like Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards, who could take their games—and your fantasy team—to new heights this season.

😏 The GIST’s Special Sauce

Fantasy basketball isn’t just about the stats—it’s about community, competition, and having fun. Here’s how to make the most of the experience:

• Listen to Our Podcast: Get basketball news and plenty of laughs from our team.

• Follow Us on Social: Stay connected with our latest takes and join the conversation with fellow fans.

Fantasy basketball is all about the hustle, the hype, and the heart. Whether you’re chasing the championship or just in it for the fun, with these tips, you’ll be ready to dominate the season like a true baller. Let’s go, GISTers! 🏀💪