Don’t end your season with crappy streaming.
by Charles Peach / @Charles_Peach
Last week’s column generated a debate about ‘streaming’ in the comments section. One reader (‘Rico’) wondered why I would condone streaming since “most respectable leagues have rules in place to avoid it.”
I agree with Rico that streaming feels cheap. When unrestricted, streaming allows you to add and drop players on a nightly basis to give you a huge advantage in the amount of games-played. It’s a quantity over quality tactic that reduces the importance of having a strong draft and making meticulous free-agent moves over the course of the season. Where I disagree with Rico is in the number of leagues that actually “have rules in place to avoid it.”
As I mentioned in my response to Rico, “the reason I advise the readers to do it is because, more than likely, somebody in their league will do it and will win because of it. If I were convinced that the majority of fantasy players, or even the majority of people who read this column, have a transaction limit in their leagues then I wouldn’t waste my time on it. But I get the sense that many leagues don’t have limits and there are a lot of people who feel there is nothing wrong with streaming. So, since those people exist, I believe you have to be prepared to defeat them by any means necessary.”
Though I didn’t intend for it, I’m glad the issue surfaced. If you play in a money league, morals will only take you so far. The playoffs can get awfully ruthless and if you sit back while somebody streams away, you just won’t have a chance to win.
Reader ‘Seth’ defended streaming; “[Streaming] is completely fair. If your league doesn’t limit the amount of moves you can make, why not take advantage? Everyone is under the same set of rules, so it’s not cheating by any means.”
Both Rico and Seth make good points. Personally, I would like to see streaming – in its truest sense – abolished. Many leagues, like one I’m in, have a maximum number of moves. Ours is 65, but that’s too high because you can make 20-30 moves during the season and still have plenty of room to stream in the playoffs. In the discussion, readers shared some of their league’s rules. Here’s what I think works best in head-to-head formats (based on Rico’s suggestion):
- 25-30 maximum moves for the season
– No more than three moves per week
And, for rotisserie formats I like what ‘Balltastics2000’ had to share;
- 82 games per position
I plan to lobby for these settings in any league I join next season because I think they are reasonable, fair, and accentuate the finest aspects of fantasy hoops.
Please share your thoughts and ideas on the matter to promote consistency amongst our leagues for next season.
It’s time to discuss the players, available in many leagues, who could help you advance in your playoff battles this week. They are separated by the number of games they are scheduled to play.
FOUR GAMES
Rodrigue Beaubois – Exploded for 40 points, 9 threes, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 30 minutes on Saturday. Yes, it was against the Warriors and it was a blowout but the Mavericks may want to ride the hot hand this week so keep your eye on Beaubois if you need help with threes in your match-up.
Yi Jianlian – He also had a breakout game last week with 31 points, hitting 12 of 16 field goal attempts. He followed that up with a modest 7 points and 8 rebounds the 
following night but it was a blowout in which he played only 17 minutes.
James Singleton – He replaced JaVale McGee in the starting lineup and is averaging 11.7 rebounds through his last six games. He won’t help in many other areas but if you need to be more competitive in rebounding, he’s probably one of the best available options this week.
Ersan Ilyasova – With Carlos Delfino’s immediate status in question, Ilyasova could be helpful this week. He can produce in a number of categories and usually keeps his turnovers down.
Jordan Hill – The rookie has been getting some more tick now that the Rockets are, basically, eliminated from playoff contention. He sat out for a couple of games because of a sprained ankle but returned Saturday to face the Lakers and delivered 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals in 26 minutes.
Jarrett Jack – The Raptors are in a tailspin right now, but Jack has been playing well for them, albeit off the bench. He and Calderon are splitting the point guard duties right down the middle. Jack scored 18 on Sunday, sinking 7 of 8 free throw attempts. He can get you assists, steals, and a few threes. The Warriors visit Toronto this Sunday, so a big game for JJ could be in the cards.
Jared Dudley/Leandro Barbosa – Either of these gentlemen could be useful as the Suns play a quartet of games this week. The points, threes, and steals could be handy.
THREE GAMES
Reggie Williams – It’s a shame he doesn’t play four times this week, but even with three games he could be plenty effecti
ve for you. He finished with 25 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 threes, and only 1 turnover on Sunday. Williams has only played 15 games for the Warriors since being promoted from the D-League and has hit at least 2 threes in 9 of them.
Ronny Turiaf – Back in form after missing 9 games due to a knee injury, he tallied 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 0 turnovers. Also, he didn’t miss going 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 from the stripe.
JJ Redick – Vince Carter left less than two minutes into Sunday’s game against the Nuggets and didn’t return because of a sprained toe. Redick, who had been playing about 20 minutes per game coming into Sunday, was instrumental in the Magic’s victory finishing with 23 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 threes, and 1 turnover in 46 minutes. Although Carter isn’t scheduled to miss another game because of the injury, look for Redick to possibly see a bit more burn.
Jason Kapono – He has quietly made his way into the starting lineup and had himself a nice game in Friday’s win against Atlanta. He finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 threes, and 3 steals.
CJ Miles/Kyle Korver/Wesley Matthews – Although the Jazz play only three times this week, two of them are against the Knicks and Warriors. ‘Nuff said.
Marreese Speights – I think I’ve set a record for Most Unprecedented Marreese Speights References in a single fantasy season. But one of these times it’ll payoff! Speights started in the upset of the Hawks on Friday, got into foul trouble, and finished with only 8 points and 4 rebounds. AND, he only started because Sam Dalembert arrived to the arena late… Alright, fine. I give up. I’ve got nothing to defend picking him up other than I think he SHOULD play more.
RANDOM NOTES
– What is Monta Ellis smoking? Seriously, dude? Kobe number one, then YOU, then LeBron? Alright buddy. Confidence is one thing, this is delusion.
– Speaking of LeBron, is there any chance he doesn’t make it to the Finals this year? I don’t think so. Big Z is back in a Cavs uniform just in time for the Playoffs. More importantly, Shaq has apparently spent the last month wisely, trimming 15-20 pounds while missing games with a broken thumb. It appears he can smell the Finals and a potential Cavs-Lakers showdown.
FANTASY LINE OF THE WEEK
Rodrigue Beaubois (3/27 @GS) 40 points, 15-22 FG, 9 threes, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 turnover
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