By Answerman

The Answerman has been participating in fantasy leagues since the Dallas Mavericks won less games than the Dallas Cowboys.

I am here to answer all your fantasy questions.

Planning Ahead writes:

Hey u answer man,

All Players want a ring no matter how because its a title man. So there has been some speculation this season, and because one of the Hoopers is on my team I have to ask you straight out:

Do you think Pippen, Payton, and Howard will go to the Lakers so that they can enjoy a Championship year or two?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Dear Planning:

I always say - stay focussed on the end game. You are doing one better, looking beyond the end-game.

First and foremost, I don't yet know where players are going in the offseason. I have ideas, but they are uninformed and have no basis (i.e. Howard is not the rebounder that LA needs, Payton over-handles for the triangle).

However, you do touch upon an important topic, the team a player goes to is almost as important to the player's fantasy value as the actual ability of the player. Different systems produce varying amounts of viable fantasy options.

Its like in football, two years ago everybody needed at least one St. Louis Ram on their roster. Their offense produced numbers for everybody.

Golden State is a very good team for fantasy players (currently sporting 4/5 options).

By contrast, you don't want your players going to the Lakers. Historically Jackson produces two great fantasy players, one fantasy bench player (Grant/Rodman), and a large number of league free agents.

My understanding is that the big free agent teams this offseason will be Denver, Miami, San Antonio, Utah, maybe Detroit. As a result, lets break down where you want players to go.

Denver is an awful source of fantasy players. They currently only have Howard. It's largely because Bdzeldik is a Riley disciple. Feed the post, slow down, keep scores down, play defense, few stats.

Similiarly, Miami seldom produces more than one good fantasy option. Even Miami's hey-day of Hardaway-Mourning-Mashburn, Mourning was the only sure-fire fantasy league starter.

San Antonio is aching for another stat guy. A decent big man will be able to pick up some rebounds and points to justify a fantasy roster spot. An electric scorer elsewhere will waste away there - look at Steve Smith.

For Utah to be a free agent hotbed ("Utah" and "hotbed" in the same sentence - you crack me up Answerman), Stockton and Malone have to leave. Whomever replaces them will get their share of stats.

Detroit, like Denver and Miami, is a defensive team. Other than Ben Wallace, there is not another legitimate fantasy star there. Billups and Rip are decent scorers without much else. No one will become a fantasy star there, its not that kind of team.

Hope this helps you plan for next year.

Finally, a kindly reader suggested foot-rubs to supplement my "How to Watch Playoffs with your Lady" column.

Personally, I can only touch so much foot, but women will put up with anything if foot rubs are involved. It's the same way a guy will go anywhere if women will be there.

Remember, any questions, write the answerman@insidehoops.net


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