29 replies to this topic

[terribleswedes]

As someone who doesn't have years and years of experience, the bad advice is especially problematic. The biggest example for me this year is Isaiah Thomas. They were so rigid in their belief in this kid (and don't get me wrong, he's talented) that they became downright propagandists about him. There were a lot of indicators from the beat writers that Sacramento as a franchise was in love with Aaron Brooks, but they dismissed every account suggesting Brooks could start as foolish claptrap. Even as all the anecdotal evidence pointed to the strong possibility of a time share, they told everyone to ignore it, Isaiah will be just fine (with the occasional "we're midly concerned, but Isaiah should still be drafted super-high" caveat). So even though I thought about drafting Damian Lillard over Isaiah, I went with the authority that told me Isaiah would be terrific no matter what.

Short of it is, you have to trust your own judgment even if they're giving you the hard sell. Lesson learned. Still like the site and recaps and forums.

[markdash]

This might sound ridiculous, but these blurbs would be a LOT better if the writers didn't play fantasy basketball. The big problem is that the writers are people just like you and me, and as a result carry a lot of the same biases and prejudices that we do. I can tell you that if I were writing blurbs, I would slag Eric Gordon because I drafted him last year and he burned me real bad. The same is true for these writers and guys like Andrew Bogut, who, if you believe the blurbs, has a hobby of running over people's grandmas and is also a white supremacist.

Analysis should be performed by people without a vested interest and/or personal history with the players being analyzed.

[brockpapersizer]

They do this a lot with most sports, but basketball has been egregious this year. I wish they had to sign off on who writes each blurb to give some accountability.  For those that do fantasy baseball, I need not tell you how they were just wrong about every closer situation at the beginning of last year.


Also, why does Steven Alexander write for rotoworld? Has he ever made good predictions?   I follow him on Twitter and he's just the epitome of a horrible fantasy analyst who doesn't know what to do. All he does is talk about his teams and is incredibly reactionary. Remember when Anthony Randolph was his boy and he would reach for him in every mock that year?

He owned Carmello last year and I remember the tweet "I will never own Carmello again".  I hate it when stupid people on this board say dumb generalities like that. Every player is worth owning at the right price and when that many people are frustrated with them, they generally become a bargain.

Hopefully he didnt pass on Carmello in too many leagues this year. Great advice dude.  This is like the main fantasy hoops guy here too it seems.

I know I know... I don't have to listen to him. Believe me, I don't and haven't for a very long. I'm just utterly confused as to why any would.


Rotoworld is a great site, but could make some huge improvements and actually be good for fantasy enthusiasts.

Kudos for this thread.

Edited by brockpapersizer, 22 November 2012 - 02:07 PM.

[Pusherman]

imdebaser, on 22 November 2012 - 10:48 AM, said:

The burbs isn't too bad as long as you don't take it as gospel. Most of us have played fantasy long enough that we don't need "expert" to tell us who is a must add and who isn't. The only issue I have is the bias towards certain teams. It's obvious the guys writing the burbs do not like Keith Smart and takes every opportunity to bash the guy. Even after beating the Lakers last night, they still take petty cheap shots at him.

The Lakers were tired and stagnant last night. If that game was repeated 10 times, I really doubt the Kings would come out ahead more than twice. Marcus Thornton isn't going to carry the load night in and night out. Additionally, Keith Smart is starting Brooks over Thomas despite ample evidence last season that Isaiah can produce. This is just one of many reasons Smart is such an easy target for RW's writers.

[nickalero99]

Travis Burten, on 22 November 2012 - 11:23 AM, said:

The forums help me more than the actual site.

These forums help me more than ANY actual site.  I will echo the sentiment that the blurbs are not generally high quality.  I read them because it gets my wheels churning as to how the news impacts how I react, but frequently I disagree and do as I think because I pay for my team not them.  Making any move because RW (or any other site) told you to is bad policy.  The forums tend to have some great guys as well as a big enough mix that the bias gets balanced out.

I've been playing for longer than I'd care to admit and I'd bet that a lot of people here have as well.  Great opportunity for newer players to mix in and pick the minds of a lot of players rather than just one (blurbs).  Not only that, but I feel as if some of the guys on the forums are better than some "experts."  Give me a Code of Hammurabi, Rico381, or MarkDash (I'm missing a bunch of great guys) basketball post over any "expert" I read.  Same goes with a large number of guys on our forums with other sports.  Some of these guys are GOOD.  They watch the games and run the numbers and have their own opinions.

The beauty of RW has always been that before the social media days you could come here and figure out what happened before it came out on the mainstream media sources.  It's still true, but less of an advantage for those who can use twitter and beat writers well.  May be embarrassing, but I lost a lot of good banter when the forums were down and really missed them.  Makes me more thankful to have them!

[imonabov]

Brand had a nice game on Saturday but is posting borderline value in 14-team leagues, which just isn't cutting it when he's an injury prone player staring at Dirk Nowitzki's eventual return. We're fine with cutting him for a hot free agent. Nov 13 - 3:44 AM


Rick Carlisle said before the game he's ready to play Chris Kaman and Brand together going forward, and Brand looked much better tonight. Brand's minutes have been a concern up to this point, but it finally looks like Carlisle is ready to turn him loose, making him worth a close look if he's floating on your league's waiver wire. Nov 15 - 1:33 AM



Brand is a borderline play right now in 12-14 team leagues, and it looks like Wednesday's double-double was the exception rather than the rule. We wouldn't rule out further improved play next to Chris Kaman, but betting on it is another story. Nov 16 - 11:10 PM

Brand did well in the time that he played, but it looks like Rick Carlisle isn't comfortable playing him consistent minutes. Feel free to drop him in 12-14 team formats. Nov 20 - 2:55 AM


Kidd's one field goal was a three, but as you can see his margin for error is basically non-existent. Owners can do better in 12-14 team leagues. Nov 5 - 10:43 PM

Kidd has been putting up some big numbers even though he isn't running the offense as much. Kidd's 2.2 steals per game and 1.8 3-pointers will certainly make him worth owning in most formats. As usual, don't expect much scoring and his assists aren't going to be there either. Nov 15 - 11:04 PM

While the three points is ugly, J-Kidd basically filled it up in every other category. This is nothing new for the Cal Bear and he should continue to provide plenty of fantasy stats in his 25 minutes per game. Nov 20 - 10:46 PM

Stuckey is a prime example of not letting the season's first few weeks get you too high or too low. He needs to be owned in all formats. Nov 13 - 12:55 AM

Kyle Singler played well in a start on Wednesday and Stuckey volunteered to slide into a reserve role, but it's uncertain how long the switch might last. Owners may want to hold Stuckey out one more game, especially since he hasn't scored double-digit points in consecutive games yet this season. Nov 16 - 2:35 PM

It feels like we're making excuses for Stuckey, but he looked lifeless and it's fair to wonder if the flu had him down. Still, it has been a disastrous start and the Pistons could have been sending a message to him by bringing him off the bench. Whatever the case may be, we wouldn't blame owners for dropping him in 10-12 team leagues, but it would be a relative upset if he doesn't turn things around at some point. Nov 17 - 12:52 AM

Stuckey is showing up on way too many waiver wires in standard formats. Unless he face-plants he's going to provide low-end value with some upside, too. Stuckey should be owned in most formats. Nov 21 - 10:16 PM

[tazdingo]

Maybe they should get guys from non-NBA cities to write the blurbs.

On a side note, you can't always rely on all the posters in here as well since there always be homers for certain teams. I've seen homers for LA, Washington, Indiana, Portland, Seattle & other teams here before post about how in love they are with a player just because the guy is from their city but it sometimes doesn't pan out. It's really about analyzing each team, player, coach and the situation each player can get.

[nickalero99]

Another thing worth mentioning from my time as a mod of the site, I do know the blurbs are written by different people with, of course, different opinions.  I think Brand is fodder.  You think he's worth a flier.  We are both fairly knowledgeable.  RW posting both of our opinions in blurbs=contradictions.  Us stating those opinions=good dialogue.  Yet another reason to stop reading after the facts and tune into the forums.

[crooklyn dodgers]

The best part about Rotoworld is the advice. I play in a competitive money league but people still inevitably listen to some of the baseless opinions they provide and that only helps me. A discerning fantasy basketballer should read Rotoworld for the prompt updates.. Not advice

[djbigf]

Mcova23, on 22 November 2012 - 06:09 AM, said:

There are no experts. You should have known that to begin with

real talk

anyone who pays for "expert FFL advice" is a fool.