Instead of breaking down fantasy players in the NFL and NBA, I want to talk about the importance of fantasy to sports fans.
Before I start my rant session, I just want you, the reader, to understand that I’m a stat junkie. Obviously I have my fair share of favorite players, but in terms of fantasy, I look at statistics and performance. I understand it’s easy to pick your favorite players when your drafting a team, but if you want to win you need to let your ego go.
I’m sorry, but if your favorite team is the New York Giants and you love Eli Manning, don’t go out of your way to pick Manning if you can get a player that’s clearly better. I’m not saying Eli isn’t a good quarterback, but having a good fantasy team isn’t always picking your favorite players.
I’ll give you an example: Larry Fitzgerald. I love the veteran receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, but he’s not a very good fantasy player. I’ve had to come to grasps with that over the years. He’s arguably the best overall receiver in reality, but in fantasy, he can tarnish a team. In eight weeks, Fitzgerald has 65 targets with 470 yards and five touchdowns. Those aren’t bad numbers, but his fantasy stat line consists of four double digit-point games and four single digit-point games. That type of inconsistency can pull any fantasy owner’s hair out.
The point I’m trying to make is that fantasy football and basketball is a great way to fall in love with different players and teams. The Sacramento Kings play on the other side of the country, but because I want center DeMarcus Cousins to do well for my fantasy basketball team, I root for them and follow them. I’m not saying you can’t have a favorite player or root for the hometown team, but I’m saying that by playing fantasy the correct way you can grow your knowledge of sports and be open to multiple teams.
I lied.
I’ll actually leave you off with six players to look out for in the NBA and NFL. Watch for these 12 players to improve/maintain their production in the upcoming week.
6 Disciples of Basketball:
1. Anthony Davis, Center for New Orleans Pelicans
2. DeMarcus Cousins, Center for Sacramento Kings
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Power Forward for Dallas Mavericks
4. Rudy Gay, Small Forward for Toronto Raptors
5. Mario Chalmers, Point Guard for Miami Heat
6. Gordon Hayward, Shooting Guard for Utah Jazz
6 Disciples of Football:
1. Matthew Stafford, Quarterback for Detroit Lions
2. Adrian Peterson, Running Back for Minnesota Vikings
3. Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver for Arizona Cardinals
4. Vernon Davis, Tight End for San Francisco 49ers
5. Dan Carpenter, Kicker for Buffalo Bills
6. Seattle Seahawks Defense
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@Lukeoroark
