RADIO
This past Sunday, RotoBaller's team of NBA junkies experts got together and got down to business. Eight writers joined up with four regular fantasy players off of Yahoo! and Reddit to tackle a standard 9-category head-to-head league draft.
Here are the players, in order of draft slot:
Just Having Fun - a Yahoo! user
Team Pop Socks - a Yahoo! user
Pierre Camus (@pfunk00) - RotoBaller
Trevor Crippen (@TeachTrevor) - RotoBaller
Gurminder Singh (@Gindy101) - RotoBaller
Vladimir De Wet (@vladewet) - RotoBaller
Brad Leibfried (@Leibfried6) - RotoBaller
Adam Ginsburg (@aginz3) - RotoBaller
Jake Finnen - RotoBaller
Kawhi so Kawaii - a Reddit user
Flu Game 97 - a Yahoo! user
Arkeno Greenaway (@FantasyKeno) - RotoBaller
Later in the week, our writers will talk in depth about their strategies in the draft. For now, let's take a look at the results.
All position eligibility based on Yahoo! fantasy leagues. League scoring is based on standard 9 categories (points, rebounds, assists, threes, steals, blocks, FG%, FT%, turnovers).
RotoBaller Writers' League Draft Recap
| Round 1 | Player | Team |
| 1 | Kevin Durant (GS - SF,PF) | Just Having Fun |
| 2 | Russell Westbrook (OKC - PG) | Pop Socks |
| 3 | Stephen Curry (GS - PG,SG) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 4 | James Harden (Hou - SG,SF) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 5 | Karl-Anthony Towns (Min - C) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 6 | Anthony Davis (NO - PF,C) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 7 | Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil - PG,SG,SF) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 8 | LeBron James (Cle - SF,PF) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 9 | Paul George (Ind - SF,PF) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 10 | Kawhi Leonard (SA - SG,SF) | Groovy Tony |
| 11 | Chris Paul (LAC - PG) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 12 | Damian Lillard (Por - PG) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
In our first mock draft of the season there were several surprises across the draft. To start the draft Kevin Durant was a surprise pick at the top. Although he is a spectacular player, Russell Westbrook and James harden simply have too much upside in a H2H league.
| Round 2 | ||
| 13 | Kyle Lowry (Tor - PG) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
| 14 | DeMarcus Cousins (Sac - PF,C) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 15 | Hassan Whiteside (Mia - C) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 16 | John Wall (Was - PG) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 17 | Jimmy Butler (Chi - SG,SF) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 18 | Paul Millsap (Atl - PF,C) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 19 | Kyrie Irving (Cle - PG,SG) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 20 | Eric Bledsoe (Pho - PG,SG) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 21 | Carmelo Anthony (NY - SF,PF) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 22 | Al Horford (Bos - PF,C) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 23 | Klay Thompson (GS - SG,SF) | Pop Socks |
| 24 | LaMarcus Aldridge (SA - PF,C) | Just Having Fun |
The top of round two also produced a shocker with Kyle Lowry going 13th overall. The argument can be made that PG is extremely shallow this season. Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge also fell despite their solid play.
| Round 3 | ||
| 25 | Draymond Green (GS - SF,PF) | Just Having Fun |
| 26 | Brook Lopez (Bkn - C) | Pop Socks |
| 27 | Kristaps Porzingis (NY - PF,C) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 28 | Kemba Walker (Cha - PG) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 29 | Blake Griffin (LAC - PF,C) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 30 | C.J. McCollum (Por - PG,SG) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 31 | Victor Oladipo (OKC - PG,SG) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 32 | Derrick Favors (Uta - PF,C) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 33 | Isaiah Thomas (Bos - PG) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 34 | Andre Drummond (Det - PF,C) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 35 | Serge Ibaka (Orl - PF,C) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 36 | DeAndre Jordan (LAC - C) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
The run of big men started with second year star Porzingis. Pierre's selection started the run of centers with big upside but can also hurt you as Jordan and Drummond do with free throws.
| Round 4 | ||
| 37 | Reggie Jackson (Det - PG,SG) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
| 38 | Kevin Love (Cle - PF,C) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 39 | Jonas Valanciunas (Tor - C) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 40 | Nikola Vucevic (Orl - PF,C) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 41 | Andrew Wiggins (Min - SG,SF) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 42 | Nikola Jokic (Den - C) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 43 | DeMar DeRozan (Tor - SG,SF) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 44 | Rajon Rondo (Chi - PG) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 45 | Ricky Rubio (Min - PG) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 46 | Marcin Gortat (Was - C) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 47 | Tobias Harris (Det - SF,PF) | Pop Socks |
| 48 | Mike Conley (Mem - PG) | Just Having Fun |
Rubio was the surprise pick of this round as he is is elite in assists and steals, however is sorely lacking across the board. In a roto league he will fall further down the draft board but in H2H you can make up for his deficiences.
| Round 5 | ||
| 49 | Jeff Teague (Ind - PG) | Just Having Fun |
| 50 | Gordon Hayward (Uta - SG,SF) | Pop Socks |
| 51 | Trevor Ariza (Hou - SG,SF) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 52 | Dirk Nowitzki (Dal - PF,C) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 53 | Gorgui Dieng (Min - PF,C) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 54 | Rudy Gobert (Uta - C) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 55 | Dennis Schroder (Atl - PG) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 56 | Marc Gasol (Mem - C) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 57 | Greg Monroe (Mil - PF,C) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 58 | D'Angelo Russell (LAL - PG) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 59 | Nicolas Batum (Cha - SG,SF) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 60 | Ben Simmons (Phi - SF,PF) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
The number one pick jumped off the board at pick 60 which was earlier than most expected. Simmons could pay off that in a big way or struggle with shooting and be a bit of a detriment.
| Round 6 | ||
| 61 | Chandler Parsons (Mem - SF,PF) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
| 62 | Bradley Beal (Was - SG) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 63 | Zach LaVine (Min - PG,SG) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 64 | Goran Dragic (Mia - PG,SG) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 65 | Jabari Parker (Mil - SF,PF) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 66 | Pau Gasol (SA - PF,C) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 67 | Dwight Howard (Atl - PF,C) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 68 | Darren Collison (Sac - PG) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 69 | Ryan Anderson (Hou - PF,C) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 70 | Brandon Knight (Pho - PG,SG) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 71 | Nikola Mirotic (Chi - SF,PF) | Pop Socks |
| 72 | Dwyane Wade (Chi - PG,SG) | Just Having Fun |
Round six was all about the veterans. Dragic, Gasol, and Wade are not in the prime of their careers but are solid players that great to have in all fantasy leagues.
| Round 7 | ||
| 73 | Jrue Holiday (NO - PG) | Just Having Fun |
| 74 | Myles Turner (Ind - PF,C) | Pop Socks |
| 75 | Thaddeus Young (Ind - SF,PF) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 76 | Jeremy Lin (Bkn - PG,SG) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 77 | Harrison Barnes (Dal - SF,PF) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 78 | Rudy Gay (Sac - SF,PF) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 79 | Nerlens Noel (Phi - PF,C) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 80 | Danilo Gallinari (Den - SF) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 81 | Emmanuel Mudiay (Den - PG) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 82 | Evan Fournier (Orl - SG,SF) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 83 | Kenneth Faried (Den - PF,C) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 84 | J.J. Redick (LAC - SG) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
In the exact opposite tone of round six, round seven was all about gambling on players. Turner, Noel and Mudiay could breakout while Fournier, Lin, and Barnes could see a boost in stats due to new roles on their new teams.
| Round 8 | ||
| 85 | Rodney Hood (Uta - SG,SF) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
| 86 | Devin Booker (Pho - SG) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 87 | Jae Crowder (Bos - SF,PF) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 88 | Joakim Noah (NY - PF,C) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 89 | Jahlil Okafor (Phi - C) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 90 | Avery Bradley (Bos - PG,SG) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 91 | Derrick Rose (NY - PG) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 92 | Gary Harris (Den - SG) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 93 | Aaron Gordon (Orl - SF,PF) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 94 | Kyle Korver (Atl - SG,SF) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 95 | Jordan Clarkson (LAL - PG,SG) | Pop Socks |
| 96 | Zach Randolph (Mem - PF,C) | Just Having Fun |
Jordan Clarkson jumps off the page in round eight. Most experts are touting D'Angelo Russell as the huge beneficiary of the retirement of Kobe Bryant. However, Clarkson should see as big of a boost at a lower price.
| Round 9 | ||
| 97 | George Hill (Uta - PG,SG) | Just Having Fun |
| 98 | Steven Adams (OKC - C) | Pop Socks |
| 99 | DeMarre Carroll (Tor - SF,PF) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 100 | Robert Covington (Phi - SF,PF) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 101 | Tim Frazier (NO - PG) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 102 | Robin Lopez (Chi - C) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 103 | Wesley Matthews (Dal - SG,SF) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 104 | Elfrid Payton (Orl - PG) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 105 | Julius Randle (LAL - PF) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 106 | Kent Bazemore (Atl - SG,SF) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 107 | Otto Porter (Was - SF) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 108 | Jusuf Nurkic (Den - C) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
Trevor took a chance on Covington in round nine as he was punting FG%. Covington was a top 40 player for parts of last year so by pick 100 it was solid value.
| Round 10 | ||
| 109 | Clint Capela (Hou - PF,C) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
| 110 | Buddy Hield (NO - SG) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 111 | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Bkn - SG,SF) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 112 | Bojan Bogdanovic (Bkn - SG,SF) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 113 | Brandon Ingram (LAL - SF) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 114 | Deron Williams (Dal - PG) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 115 | Bismack Biyombo (Orl - PF,C) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 116 | Willie Cauley-Stein (Sac - PF,C) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 117 | Marcus Smart (Bos - PG) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 118 | Ersan Ilyasova (OKC - SF,PF) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 119 | Thon Maker (Mil - PF) | Pop Socks |
| 120 | Enes Kanter (OKC - C) | Just Having Fun |
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was the surprise pick of this round. Ranked a few hundred spots below his draft position of 111, he should see a nice spike in minutes due to Brooklyn's lack of wing players.
| Round 11 | ||
| 121 | Jared Sullinger (Tor - PF,C) | Just Having Fun |
| 122 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Det - SG) | Pop Socks |
| 123 | Monta Ellis (Ind - PG,SG) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 124 | Markieff Morris (Was - PF,C) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 125 | Justise Winslow (Mia - SF,PF) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 126 | Joel Embiid (Phi - C) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 127 | Mason Plumlee (Por - PF,C) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 128 | Patrick Beverley (Hou - PG,SG) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 129 | Will Barton (Den - SG,SF) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 130 | Marvin Williams (Cha - SF,PF) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 131 | Danny Green (SA - SG,SF) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 132 | Matthew Dellavedova (Mil - PG,SG) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
By this time in the draft it was all about team building. Solid vet's such as Plumlee and Beverly will not wow you but provide a solid base. Meanwhile, young players like Winslow and Embiid could provide a late round boost to specific categories.
| Round 12 | ||
| 133 | Al-Farouq Aminu (Por - SF,PF) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
| 134 | Luol Deng (LAL - SF,PF) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 135 | Eric Gordon (Hou - SG) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 136 | Alex Len (Pho - PF,C) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 137 | Jamal Murray (Den - SG) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 138 | Kris Dunn (Min - PG) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 139 | Marcus Morris (Det - SF,PF) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 140 | Derrick Williams (Mia - SF,PF) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 141 | Evan Turner (Por - SG,SF) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 142 | Dion Waiters (Mia - SG,SF) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 143 | Timofey Mozgov (LAL - C) | Pop Socks |
| 144 | Josh Richardson (Mia - SG,SF) | Just Having Fun |
Interesting picks at 142 and 144 as there is a debate who will fill in Dwyane Wade's scoring hole. Richardson was the likely candidate but underwent knee surgery and will miss a few weeks. Waiters was signed to provide scoring punch and has never been shy about hoisting up shots.
| Round 13 | ||
| 145 | Tyreke Evans (NO - PG,SG) | Just Having Fun |
| 146 | Patty Mills (SA - PG) | Pop Socks |
| 147 | Chris Bosh (Mia - PF,C) | Pierre Camus - RotoBaller |
| 148 | Stanley Johnson (Det - SG,SF) | Trevor Crippen - RotoBaller |
| 149 | Jamal Crawford (LAC - SG,SF) | Gurminder Singh - RotoBaller |
| 150 | Tristan Thompson (Cle - PF,C) | Vladimir De Wet - RotoBaller |
| 151 | Mario Hezonja (Orl - SG) | Brad Leibfried - RotoBaller |
| 152 | Sean Kilpatrick (Bkn - SG) | Adam Ginsburg - RotoBaller |
| 153 | Omri Casspi (Sac - SF,PF) | Jake Finnen - RotoBaller |
| 154 | Mirza Teletovic (Mil - SF,PF) | Kawhi so Kawaii |
| 155 | Iman Shumpert (Cle - SG,SF) | FLU GAME 97 |
| 156 | Jaylen Brown (Bos - SF) | Arkeno Greenaway - RotoBaller |
In the last round of drafts it is generally a wise idea to take high upside plays that can be dropped. If Chris Bosh happens to be cleared he is a huge steal, while Teletovic could see an bigger role with the injury to Khris Middleton.
