By Answerman

Seasons are ending all over fantasy land. I am loathe to do an "awards" column. It doesn't help or interest anyone to tell you that Duncan, Kobe, & Garnett are great. They are. They were all drafted early and this year and will be drafted early next year.

Rather, I want to give an honorable mention to some other guys. The real key to fantasy victory - complimentary players.

In a categorical league, the secret to winning is to attain dominance in a few categories and maintain competitiveness in others. To try to get overall balance you will be overwhelmed by specialty teams.

You decide your best categories by the "stars" you draft (if you draft Duncan you are a rebounding/shot blocking team, if you draft Kidd, you are a passing/stealing team).

Some believe, incorrectly, that once you draft a big guy, the best compliment is a small guy. The best compliment for a big guy, is another rebounder. A guard who rebounds to establish rebounding as YOUR category.

In other words - you either want guards who rebound/block or forwards/centers who assist/steal to compliment your enhance your star's categories.

The guys I am awarding are all guys who were picked sometime after the 6th round and played AT LEAST 75 games. Any small-time player playing less than 75 is doing more harm than good.

Guards:
Bonzi Wells averages 5.2 rebounds; Jason Richardson 4.6; Gilbert Arenas 4.7; Morris Peterson 4.4.

But the most valuable "other" guard to compliment a big team is Shane Battier. He averaged 4.5 rebounds and a guard-high 1.1 blocks.

Forwards:
Shane Battier, again, averaged 3.9 assists. Cliff Robinson averaged 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals.

The most valuable "other" forward to compliment a small team is none other than Karl Malone. Sad that he is now an "other" player, but he averaged 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals. If he plays next year, please show some respect and draft him before the 5th.

Centers:
Pretty much any center who does anything is valuable. Brad Miller is barely an "other" guy anymore but he averaged 2.7 assists and .9 steals.

But the most valuable "other" center to compliment a small team is Nene Hilario, who averaged an amazing 1.6 steals. Congrats to this guy who might not even make the all-rookie team.

Answerman's All-Other Guy team
G: Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier
F: Karl Malone and Cliff Robinson
C: Nene Hilario.

Please understand, these guys will not carry a team, but they will make you great in a category you are trying to build.

1 more thing. The real key to drafting. Get laid the night before. Gives it a different perspective.

-Answerman

Any questions write answerman@insidehoops.net


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