How to win your fantasy basketball league

Fantasy basketball keys.

• 1

  Know your league settings. You need to make sure you are clear on how the scoring works with your league. Since every league is slightly different, it's important to be familiar with the rules. Does your league count 3-pointers separately from points? Do turnovers count negatively? It is all important to tailoring your draft strategy.

• 2

  Prepare for the draft. You should read mock drafts online, look at strategy articles, and make a cheat sheet for yourself of what players you definitely want to draft and who you need to avoid.

• 3

  Draft a lineup. In other words, don't draft several players of one position and neglect other positions. It doesn't make sense to have three point guards and no center.

• 4

  During the draft, realize that you can't get through a draft by selecting only all-stars. Eventually, the talent pool begins to dwindle. This is where your pre-draft preparation comes in handy. You need to be prepared with some "sleeper" picks, players who you think might have a surprisingly good season. You also need to know who to avoid, or the players who will be "busts".

• 5

  After the draft is over, take a look at the free agent market. Is there anybody that the league forgot to draft? Did anyone slip through the cracks? Did you draft someone who is already hurt? See if you can improve your team with the addition of anyone in the free agent pool. Figure out where you need help (do you have enough 3-point shooters? Do you have any good rebounders?).

• 6

  Ad the season goes on, stay active. The key to winning these leagues is making sure to change your lineup regularly, adding people who have been playing well and making trades to improve and balance your team.