How to Score Points in Fantasy Basketball

Fantasy basketball is a competition between friends or co-workers who draft actual players for their fantasy teams. Most often, fantasy basketball leagues are NBA-based, but college basketball fantasy leagues are becoming more popular. Once drafted, player performance in actual games translates into stats for fantasy managers. Teams are then rated in a standings format comparing each of the mangers. Scoring formats vary by league, but picking the right players and staying on top of the various categories are keys to scoring points in fantasy basketball.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine what categories your league uses to tally stats for your team's point total. Many leagues compile league rankings by using eight statistical categories -- field-goal percentage, three pointers, free-throw percentage, rebounds, assists, steals, blocked shots and total points. The commissioner assigns a value to each category based on the number of teams in the league. For example, in a 10-team league, 10 points would be awarded to the manager who has the highest number in a specific category, down to one point to the manager with the lowest number in that category. The steps are repeated for other statistical categories to give each manager a total number of points. Those points determine the fantasy league's overall standings.

    • 2

      Research the real-life players that help you score high points in the various categories used in your league. For example, a fantasy basketball team may have one center, one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward and one power forward to start each day. Rosters may also have between five and seven bench players who can play one or more of those positions. Draft backup players for every position, but keep in mind the skills they possess. A player who scores a lot of points, but has poor shooting percentages, does not rebound well or pass the ball may not be as good a fit for your team. But look more toward good all-around players that score points, pick up a lot of assists and steals and is a good shooter from the field and the free-throw line.

    • 3

      Monitor the standings and make changes to your team accordingly. For example, if you see that you are doing well in rebounding and blocked shots, but poorly in steals and assists, see if you can make a trade with a fellow manager who needs rebounding and blocked shots, but can spare some steals and rebounding. Watch the waiver, too. Players who come back from injury or are rookies with no track record at the beginning of the season can be picked up and potentially increase your team's overall point total.