FFL 2025 - 2026 - Live Draft on Yahoo - 19th of Oct Sunday 3 pm EST

[AlciG]

Nice one buddy... have missed these write-ups

[UcanUwill]

I can't describe how nervous I was reading that, hoping none of my picks made into ''worst picks'', It didn't, but neither did I make best picks, tho I am happy my Avdija and Banchero pick, if Banchero pans out this year, he low key could have MVP numbers.

Very sad I did not quire Sengun, also wanted Yabuselle, if I didnt fall I sleep, maybe I would have stolen him....

[writersblock]

Nice write up. Want to do the same thing for FFDL?

Ha! No can do. I've got no skin in the game in that league

[writersblock]

Spoiler:

We used to have a tradition of someone writing up a ranking of the teams in the league. Sabonis used to be more than willing, but now that he is gone, I thought it might be fun to provide some analysis. I'm happy to provide my 2 cents on the draft. May put in a team ranking, but may not have time. Anyone want to trash these or write your own? Go for it:

Rounds 1-5

Best Picks
20. Steph Curry, 3si Curry still has it in him to be top 10. For him to drop to 20 is insane. This might be more "what was everybody else thinking??" and 3si just got lucky, but the pick could put 3si in the top 3 teams of the league all year. In fact, someone should do an analysis of how many teams with Curry win it all. I'd bet it's pretty high.

31. Tyrese Maxey, Skai I think everyone has Maxey as their "bust out" candidate this year, and I don't even care about the thumb scare in the preseason. This guy is going to be counted on all season to do everything. With Embiid, PG 13 and undoubtedly 3 other guys going on the shelf during the season in Philly, they may even have him call fouls and mop up the floor when someone falls. His ADP is 26 but I bet he ends up top 20 this year. Getting him at 31 is a steal.

93. Zach Edey, Above the Rim. I've watched him play at Purdue. I watched him play Summer League. This guy is a beast. Maybe not top 60 this year, but he's going to outplay this draft spot.

Honorable Mentions
73. Cam Thomas, Kanata

Worst Picks
3. Giannis Atetoullkmlkmlpopo, Misfit Ballers Yes, I goaded him to take Giannis, but no way a guy who has any categorical faults should go top 3. Frostbite's Embiid at 11 was a close second. No way he plays more than 55 games this year.

28. Zion Williamson, Above the Rim From what I've seen, most barely rate him top 50 and the ADP is 46. Sure, he finally played 70 games last year, but his production dropped across the board, meaning he's not playing as hard during the season to save himself for the playoffs. I think that trend continues.

Gutsiest Picks: Risk/Reward Potential
9. Chet Holmgren, Bustle in your Hustle (or whatever...man team names these days). Hats off to getting your guy. Most have Chet outside the top 20. Going 9th may seem insane, but I kind of like it. Of guys making a big jump in their sophomore year, I'd put Chet at the top, just under Wemby.

22. Cade Cunningham, Best Team. I'm actually high on Cade this year, and maybe that means I'm just high, but I like this pick if he stays healthy. I think this is the year he proves himself as a legit team leader. This time next year, I think Cade may be going top 10.

52. Kawhi Leonard, Al's Bottomfeeders Will he even play more than half the season this year? Who knows. If he does, he'll outplay this draft spot. If he doesn't, he's not worth a near top 50 pick. I almost put this in the "worst picks" category, but I was grateful someone else took him so I wouldn't have to consider taking him with my pick in the next round.

Rounds 6-10

Best Picks
170. Jordan Clarkson, Skai. At this point in the draft, it's almost a dart throw, but to see someone like Clarkson, who continues to produce at a respectable rate on a disrespect-able team, last all the way to 170 is crazy. Shrewd move by Skai.

117. Cam Johnson, Ivey League . Look, I'm writing the list, so I get to be one of the top picks, ok? Cam Thomas is getting all the noise, but the other Cam is in line for a major uptick in workload. Could he reach top 100, I hope so. That's why I picked him there.

Worst Picks
103. Klay Thompson, Medo u muvanje I'm really not a believer in a bounce-back year for Klay. I think his best days are behind him, and he's a 3 and D guy without the D. I think you can count on him for a couple 3s a game, which isn't bad, but with the increase in 3s being launched in the NBA, you can count on everyone else for a couple 3s as well. Yahoo has him rated at 127. I think even that may be too high.

105. Khris Middleton, CumSonics. See my comments about Leonard, Kawhi. I just don't think this guy is going to play much this year. Sure 105 isn't much of a risk, but I'd rather have almost every other person drafted that round, except Draymond. And when you have guys like Tyus Jones, Devincenzo, and Cam Johnson on the board, you don't go injury-risk Middleton.

178. Dario Saric, Medo This is late in the draft, but not late enough to take a flyer on a guy that has had more time on the waiver wire the last few seasons in an 18-20 team league than on a team. I don't care where he's playing.

Gutsiest Picks
109. Porzingis, Al's Bottomfeeders. Sure, he's out for a while, and he tends to be out when you need him most. If he's not, he could return top 50 value.

161. Jonathan Isaac, Sly. Kind of peeved Sly took him here. I was hoping to grab him 10 picks later. Super risk reward type play. Maybe more risk than reward though...the guy has had chances, and injuries have plagued him. Does Orlando even fit for his skills anymore? No idea, but this could be a major coup for Sly if it works out.

Honorable mentions:
164. Reed Sheppard, The Man
175. Grady Dick, Istanbul Run n Gun

Rounds 11-14

Best Picks
277. Miles McBride, Werder Kinte. One pick before mine. Seriously. One pick before mine. Why??! Why??! Sorry, I just can't right now. Well-played Werder. I also hate you.

246. Sam Hauser, Sons of Disaster I rode this guy all year long last year, especially at the end of the season when Porzingis was out. He nearly got me the championship. I see no reason he shouldn't get the minutes and numbers he got last year. He may have a couple of off games but his high games are totally worth the wait.

Worst Picks

239. Reggie Jackson, Ham. Holy crap, RJ is still in the league? I had no idea. Also, made this pick based on Ham's admission he did 0 research for this year's draft. Here's to you Ham!


Gutsiest Pick
Look, we're in the 200s, nothing gutsy about taking guys at this point. They're almost all shots in the dark.

Drafting from the Yahoo! Deep League Sleeper article Award
Round 10 picks 3-8 (Dalton Knecht, Simone Fontecchio, Cason Wallace, Kel'el Ware, Matas Buzelis)
Seriously though. Right in order.

Great writeup WB! Thanks for taking the time and doing this

Glad you enjoyed it!

[writersblock]

Nice one buddy... have missed these write-ups

Thanks Al...I may do a write up on the teams, if I can find the time.

[writersblock]

I can't describe how nervous I was reading that, hoping none of my picks made into ''worst picks'', It didn't, but neither did I make best picks, tho I am happy my Avdija and Banchero pick, if Banchero pans out this year, he low key could have MVP numbers.

Very sad I did not quire Sengun, also wanted Yabuselle, if I didnt fall I sleep, maybe I would have stolen him....

Banchero was taken about where he has been and should be, so I didn't think to include him, but Avdija was on my list for a potential gutsy pick.

[UcanUwill]

First week for me was usual loss, 3-6. I thought we could share what is in your opinion best pickup you had, and who maybe the biggest dud so far.

For my team, best pick up so far looks to be Ivica Zubac. On the other hand, Jaden McDaniels is very duddy.

[hamncheese]

For most of week 1, my team was down, but we managed to get a tie. I didn't particularly draft well in the middle rounds and had too many wings. I don't like my Sexton pick for where I drafted him.

[AlciG]

I'm amazed I got a win in week 1. I'm banking on people coming back from injuries in a timely manner to even have a chance this year. Any win I can bag before them returning is sweet

[writersblock]

First week for me was usual loss, 3-6. I thought we could share what is in your opinion best pickup you had, and who maybe the biggest dud so far.

For my team, best pick up so far looks to be Ivica Zubac. On the other hand, Jaden McDaniels is very duddy.

Curse you Ivica Zubac. I would have gotten away with a 7-2 win if it weren't for your meddling scoring late in the game against the Warriors. Only 40 seconds left in the game and I was up by 2 in the points category, and you have to go and get a 3 point play. Lame.

For my side, my picks really sucked this year. I'm never spending the hours I did reading fantasy bball sleeper articles and cheat sheets. What a waste of time for me.

[UcanUwill]

First week for me was usual loss, 3-6. I thought we could share what is in your opinion best pickup you had, and who maybe the biggest dud so far.

For my team, best pick up so far looks to be Ivica Zubac. On the other hand, Jaden McDaniels is very duddy.

Curse you Ivica Zubac. I would have gotten away with a 7-2 win if it weren't for your meddling scoring late in the game against the Warriors. Only 40 seconds left in the game and I was up by 2 in the points category, and you have to go and get a 3 point play. Lame.

If you Had Muscala, yuo could propose a trade, but oh well (sorry...)

As for me, I am into fantasy, but I just do not find that fun to go through that stuff inside out, I just pick guys on a spot based on feel. Thats how I suck, but I don't care, I do it for fun.

[AlciG]

As for me, I am into fantasy, but I just do not find that fun to go through that stuff inside out, I just pick guys on a spot based on feel. Thats how I suck, but I don't care, I do it for fun.

Same goes for me, but maybe that's why I have never won FFL in all these years playing

[writersblock]

As for me, I am into fantasy, but I just do not find that fun to go through that stuff inside out, I just pick guys on a spot based on feel. Thats how I suck, but I don't care, I do it for fun.

Same goes for me, but maybe that's why I have never won FFL in all these years playing

That's how I play too, and I almost won last year...if it weren't for that pesky Gokce. Lots of staying on top of guys who need to be added helped my team last year.

I've always admired guys who have like 0 roster moves all season and still do well. I think I've added more people in a week than Ham usually does all season.

[UcanUwill]

Big blow to my team, but of course bigger blow to Magic and Paulo. Paulo out indefinitely with torn oblique, to be reevaluated in 6 weeks.

[AlciG]

Big blow to my team, but of course bigger blow to Magic and Paulo. Paulo out indefinitely with torn oblique, to be reevaluated in 6 weeks.

Really sucks for the young man. Also really hurts your team... I feel your pain. I hope I start getting some players back, but that was the risk I took.

[UcanUwill]

Big blow to my team, but of course bigger blow to Magic and Paulo. Paulo out indefinitely with torn oblique, to be reevaluated in 6 weeks.

Really sucks for the young man. Also really hurts your team... I feel your pain. I hope I start getting some players back, but that was the risk I took.

I will probably be in last place after this week. Something I just cant figure out about NBA fantasy.

[AlciG]

Big blow to my team, but of course bigger blow to Magic and Paulo. Paulo out indefinitely with torn oblique, to be reevaluated in 6 weeks.

Really sucks for the young man. Also really hurts your team... I feel your pain. I hope I start getting some players back, but that was the risk I took.

I will probably be in last place after this week. Something I just cant figure out about NBA fantasy.

I'm flabbergasted that I'm not near the bottom

[insfo]

Somebody needs to take my spot!

[floppymoose]

year after year my teams suck. and it would be one thing if i was just awful at fantasy sports. i'm not. i play nfl, mlb, nhl, and nba. i'm average at nfl, above average at mlb, above average at nhl, and terrible at nba. The only sport i know anything about as a fan is nba. in mlb and nhl i cant even tell you who is on my fantasy team after the draft, and i still maintain my spot in the top league at work (we do ladder leagues and bottom 3 get relagated and top 3 move up. i'm in top league in mlb and nhl. And it's not like my workmates are bad. i work for yahoo fantasy sports - a lot of the people in these leagues with me are diamond or platinum FELO.)

and i didnt even used to suck at nba. i had a diamond felo rating at one point. but for a long time i've been pretty hopeless, and not just in my realgm leagues. this year haliburton was a guy i targeted in multiple leagues due to my draft position. it seems to just go like that lately.

[writersblock]

I hear ya, Floppy. The sad thing is that Fantasy Basketball is the only sport I play. I usually have a pretty good team most years, but trade myself into oblivion because I like trading so much. Last year, I made 0 trades and was fairly active on the Waiver wire when I had guys go down, and I ended up in the finals, eventually losing to Gokce. (Probably a good thing, since if I had won, I probably would've retired from fantasy).

This year, I think I've built another strong team, but I just got knocked out of first place by Al...who may need to change his team name. My guys may not have performed well this last week, but Al just beat me with almost his entire bench injured. And we're not talking low-level injured guys...he has guys like Kawhi, Smart, Porzingis, one of the Thompson twins, and Nick Richards waiting in the wings to add to an already strong team. I don't want to jump too early here, but the championship this year may be Al's to lose.