By Answerman

The Answerman has been in fantasy leagues since a time when people would argue "Who would you build a team around, Penny Hardaway or Shaq?" and some would answer "Penny". He is here to answer all your fantasy questions.

Win in the End writes:

My yahoo league contains 16 teams head to head. leader is far from me, I can't catch him. I'm in 3rd, 2nd is close, he's won 4 games more. Both Dikembe and Olowokandi are injured so I decided to add rebounders and blockers.

My biggest problem is fg percentage and steal, rebounds, & blocks. A Walkers sucks right now, but I believe in him. I wont trade Iverson, he is my fav. player. Some of my player's Walker, Iverson, and Tinsley's fg% are really bad, also their ft %.

If Mutombo and Olowokandi are healthy, my rebound and block problem will be solved.

Conclusion

I want to win the title, but how can I improve my team.

Dear Win:

Don't worry about the standings right now. Focus on the end-game. It seems that 3rd place in a 16 team league will cruise you into the playoffs. Once in the playoffs anything can happen. Its one of the dangers and bonuses of head-to-head fantasy. Playoffs are always the last 3-4 weeks of the season, which are never representative of the previous 20.

I won a league entering the playoffs in 6th place. My bad-team players starting shooting the lights out because they were suddenly given a green light and the good players on other teams (Webber) were playing less and resting for the real playoffs.

Get guys who will be in tight playoff races at the end of the season. Get players on teams like Orlando (Gooden will board and Giricek will score), Washington, Phoenix (Williams), Houston (GRice), Boston (Bremer).

Try to stay away from bad teams. Can get VERY lucky or VERY screwed. Bad teams become even more unpredictable. Though Ricky Davis won a league last year with his end-season play, the guy who picked up J.Crawford thinking he'd get big minutes for the sunk Bulls, lost in the 1st round

Also, look which teams have the most games in the last few weeks. I know Philly has a bunch.

Its like a having a successful date. You must always stay focussed on the endgame Set things up in advance so you have to be invited back up. Secure parking in front of her building when you pick her up and leave the car there (taking taxis around town) so it isn't "more convenient" to just drop her off; or ask if you can leave your bag/jacket/hat, etc. at her place when you pick her up. She'll never say "no" and you have to go back up to retrieve it.

If you are counting on a) your looks/personality; or b) a fumbled "Can I just come up for a glass of water/use your bathroom"; to get a desired ending, you'll probably be working on your team later that night.

Remember - stay focussed on the end game at all times.

Any fantasy question, write Answerman@insidehoops.net


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