RealGM

I have 10th pick in a 10 team, 9 category H2H league. PTS, 3PT, FG%, FT%, DREB, OREB, AST, STL, BLK.

Who would you build your team around with the 10th and 11th picks? Remember that rebounds are split into offensive and defensive, so elite rebounders are more dominant. I've always built my team around Howard and punted free throw %, but I don't think he'll be around.

I'm using ESPN so I'd be looking at these players as options at 10/11.
10. Pau Gasol PF/C LAL
11. Monta Ellis PG/SG GS
12. Dirk Nowitzki PF DAL
13. Amare Stoudemire C/PF NY
14. Stephen Curry PG/SG GS
15. Josh Smith PF/SF ATL
16. Kobe Bryant SG LAL
17. Carmelo Anthony SF NY
18. John Wall PG WAS
19. Al Jefferson C/PF UTAH
20. Al Horford C/PF ATL
21. LaMarcus Aldridge PF/C POR
22. Rudy Gay SF MEM
23. Blake Griffin PF LAC
24. Eric Gordon SG LAC
25. Zach Randolph PF MEM
26. Rajon Rondo PG BOS
27. Kevin Martin SG HOU
28. Andre Iguodala SF/SG PHI
29. Steve Nash PG PHO

I could see a Curry/Amare or Curry/Dirk combo working well together. Rondo/Griffin or Rondo/Josh Smith is something similar to the Dwight Howard strategy, but I'm not sure how it would work out without him. What would you do?

Gasol, Dirk, Curry. No one else is close.

Apathy wrote:Gasol, Dirk, Curry. No one else is close.

Not even Griffin, Amare, Randolph, or JSMoove? Remember that rebounds are split into 2 categories, so a big time rebounder helps in 2 cats.

And I'm definitely leaning toward Curry with one of the picks. Who pairs best with him?

I'd try for Pau then Curry if they're there. Pau has a good chance to be gone given the league set up though.

Does anyone think it would be atrocious to go Griffin/Rondo at 10/11?

Is Westbrook a top 9 pick? If not, I'd take him. He puts up identical numbers to Rose

If Westbrook is a top 9 pick, I'd go with Dirk.

aaa wrote:

Apathy wrote:Gasol, Dirk, Curry. No one else is close.

Not even Griffin, Amare, Randolph, or JSMoove? Remember that rebounds are split into 2 categories, so a big time rebounder helps in 2 cats.

And I'm definitely leaning toward Curry with one of the picks. Who pairs best with him?

My bad, I didn't notice that.

In leagues like these ime you'll be able to get even more value from rebounds being split in two categories in the middle-late rounds with guys like Chandler, Dalembert, etc. I wouldn't be in a hurry to blow your load on rebounders early because you'll be kicking yourself later when you don't have the flexibility to capitalize on even greater value.

Griffin is the only other dude I'd consider, but in the end I have Curry/Gasol rated much higher; they have almost zero chance of not living up to their status, which I don't think is true for the others. Then Dirk.

Edit: I take back what I said on Griffin. Dirk is waaaaay better than Griffin. I'm definitely avoiding Griffin this year.

Apathy wrote:

aaa wrote:

Apathy wrote:Gasol, Dirk, Curry. No one else is close.

Not even Griffin, Amare, Randolph, or JSMoove? Remember that rebounds are split into 2 categories, so a big time rebounder helps in 2 cats.

And I'm definitely leaning toward Curry with one of the picks. Who pairs best with him?

My bad, I didn't notice that.

In leagues like these ime you'll be able to get even more value from rebounds being split in two categories in the middle-late rounds with guys like Chandler, Dalembert, etc. I wouldn't be in a hurry to blow your load on rebounders early because you'll be kicking yourself later when you don't have the flexibility to capitalize on even greater value.

Griffin is the only other dude I'd consider, but in the end I have Curry/Gasol rated much higher; they have almost zero chance of not living up to their status, which I don't think is true for the others. Then Dirk.

I agree that there is a lot of value in the mid to late rounds for rebounding, and I like your take on the situation. Would you consider punting FT% and drafting Griffin/Rondo at 10/11? Bogut would be available at 30/31, possibly at 50/51.

One league i'm in also splits the rebounding cats. My take is draft the 2 best big men, with the first three picks. And a PG at the 4th. There are a lot of PG's in the mid rounds like Devin Harris, Collison, Nelson, etc.
Good scoring, rebounding bigs with the first 2, and then another big who would solidify the big man stats.
If i were you i'd do this:
1st pick: Pau Gasol
2nd pick: Amare Stoudemire
3rd pick: David West / Kevin Garnett / Javale McGee

aaa wrote:Does anyone think it would be atrocious to go Griffin/Rondo at 10/11?

I wouldn't, but there is no way they make it for your next 2 picks. If you draft the right players afterwards, it might not be as bad.

Me personally, I'd go Curry then Dirk.

I never consider punting categories.

But that doesn't mean it's a bad strategy. I just don't have any experience with it, so I'm reluctant to try it. I wouldn't be averse to doing it since it's a H2H league, but I wouldn't think about it without doing some research. Who will be the most valuable guys throughout the draft? If it's going to impact the efficacy of players who would otherwise be great values later in the draft then it's not all that +EV. That's the main reason I've never attempted it.

Curry and Pau Gasol are just a tier above the rest. they're really legit first round studs that give you everything. I would actually even consider Pau Gasol/Al Jeff since this league rewards rebounding (both 10+ reb guys).

I actually don't quite understand why you're so fixated on punting? I can see why if you actually got Dwight Howard to begin with and need to build around him, but you don't. And Rondo actually isn't the best FT% punt guy since he doesn't actually shoot that many of them to hurt anyways. I really don't recommend a punting strategy at your position, it limits your draft picks in the later round as well, not worthwhile at all.

wingpat wrote:Curry and Pau Gasol are just a tier above the rest. they're really legit first round studs that give you everything. I would actually even consider Pau Gasol/Al Jeff since this league rewards rebounding (both 10+ reb guys).

I actually don't quite understand why you're so fixated on punting? I can see why if you actually got Dwight Howard to begin with and need to build around him, but you don't. And Rondo actually isn't the best FT% punt guy since he doesn't actually shoot that many of them to hurt anyways. I really don't recommend a punting strategy at your position, it limits your draft picks in the later round as well, not worthwhile at all.

You make a persuasive argument, you're right that Pau/Curry seems like a much safer combo than anything else I conjured up. They're just not my favorite combo, haha.

What do you think about Curry/Amare or Curry/Dirk?

aaa wrote:They're just not my favorite combo, haha.

Why not?

In any case fantasy basketball should be fun. I also believe you learn more when you make mistakes. If you feel strongly (either for or against) a player, don't pick 'em. It's definitely your team and rooting and having pride for your players plays a part. (In a non-money league, anyway.)