1) Know your league settings. This is the easiest
and most important way to get ahead. Run the statistics
for your league and compare positions. If a league is
skewed to favor Guards with a lot of assists you need
to know that and adjust your picks accordingly. This
will also help you to make your OWN list of players
and a) place less emphasis on the magazines subjective
picks (which although more and more they are gearing
them toward specific leagues, can still bear little
resemblence to how players should be ranked according
to your league's point values) and, b) help you to not
get skewed so much by your own emotions and attachments.
2) Just to emphasize something again that was mentioned
in point 1. Focus on the numbers. Analyze the statistics.
This helps strip away the emotions and subjectivety.
More often than not the numbers are always the safest
way to pick.
3) Be prepared for the draft. Depending on the number
of teams in your league and which positions are skewed
is important. But also, don’t try anything too quirky
in your first 3 or 4 picks. Be sure to pick big name
superstar caliber players with those picks.
4) If there is a big drop-off in a position after a
certain number, make sure to pick a player or 2 before
the drop-off and come back to other positions later
that are more “stacked”.
5) Getting the draft right is extremely important.
Stay focused and scan for opportunities. A good pick
late in the draft can go a long way. Compare different
rankings around the web. Have a depth chart or cheatsheet
ready. Cross off names as they are picked. You can win
a league just on your draft. The hours spent before
the draft can save you a season of tough decision making.
6) Just another reminder. If and when possible stick
to the numbers. Don’t get emotional. Pick and trade
by the numbers as much as possible.
(7) Check for roster changes. A players stats are
going to be affected by any changes. But don't presume
additions to the roster will hurt a player. Sometimes
they might even help. |
