Bankrolls, Blizzards, and Basketball
RotoTrain: Grinder Blog Entry 12/28/2010
About the Writer: Mike T., AKA “rototrain” is a 33 year old fantasy fanatic from New York and plays both daily and yearly fantasy sports. He’s been playing fantasy sports since 1993 before the internet kept track of stats. Mike enjoys all fantasy sports, but focuses mainly on MLB, and NFL. He has recently delved into the world of fantasy basketball. “Rototrain” is a huge Steeler, Islander, and Yankee fan, and in his spare time plays poker. In addition to playing fantasy sports, Mike also loves to play competitive baseball and softball. Mike is currently engaged, and is planning a wedding with his fiance Ashly for this summer._
Bankrolls, Blizzards, and Basketball
What’s worse than driving home from jersey in a blizzard you ask? Driving home from Jersey in a blizzard and having your fiance nag you the whole ride about how you spent all of your “quality time” on Xmas Day staring at the computer cursing some little guy named Nate Robinson. I tried to tell her that I finished in 7th place out 110 and scored 308 points, but she wasn’t having any of that. I even told her that I made some money. “So how much was it worth to ignore my family on the holiday” she says. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that 7th place only paid $35, so, I, um lied and said $200 bucks. Unfortunately, the answer to her question presented a no win situation for a guy like me. If I tell her the truth and say $35, then I am a jerk for wasting Xmas day on fantasy. If I lie to save face and say $200, then I am stuck buying her something with my “winnings.” Maybe it wasn’t heart that I was missing, but instead something that a fixed dog may miss.
Truth be told, she is pretty damn understanding, considering the amount of time I spend staring at NBA live scoring. I annoy myself, so how can I not be annoying her. She even just made me some chocolate chip cookies because she heard me yelling at the television. How could that Michael Vick touchdown pass not count for me?!
Okay, I just had about 10 cookies, and I am feeling better about life. Back to grinding…Nate Robinson didn’t cost me like I he thought he would! I somehow managed to finish 7th in the NBA Xmas Slam! “Dabigu” ended up winning that tourney, thanks to a huge effort from Monta Ellis and Ray Felton. This Felton character seems like a pretty solid nightly play. As I am typing, he already has 7 points versus a stingy Heat defense. Needless to say, I am very happy with where my NBA grinding is taking me. Is it possible that I can make money in NBA? Am I good enough to compete with the likes of Razilla, Rudzia, and Hatorade? Was Lee Harvey really the only gunman? The answer to all three questions, unfortunately, is probably not.
So I spoke last time about sinking my bankroll into the NFL with Drew Brees and Michael Vick leading my teams. Well that didn’t work out very well for me. As you all are probably aware, I lost Vick’s stats as well as Desean, and the Eagle Def at Fanduel due to the unforseen postponement. If I get the stats of those 3 spots, I just may have some money in my account. (Vick just ran for 14 yards on 1st play of game ☹ ) I lost roughly $150 in NFL this week because of some poor picks, but mostly bad luck. I hit on Arian Foster, Mike Williams (TB) and Janikowski, but obviously was hurt badly by my Eagle picks, and the Brees/Colston combo. As it stands now, I am sitting at $29 with $80 wrapped up in NBA tonight and the Wednesday NBA Slam. I am hoping for a top ten finish in the Slam to recoup some of the bankroll, but am not counting on it.
Didn’t get top ten, but 12th isn’t bad. Getting more consistent in NBA! Braskey proved he is not only an NFL maven, but also a baller…Another grinder to worry about now in the NBA games…
I promised last time that I would do less talking and more of the strategy and bankroll stuff. So here it is:
Bankroll as of 12/28/10 (Trying to build bankroll so I don’t have to cash up)
| Sport | Entry Fee | Won/Lost/Place | Date | $ Bankroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | 25 (5) man | Lost | 28-Dec | $29.00 |
| NBA | 25 Heads Up | Lost | 28-Dec | $29.00 |
| NBA | 10 (20) man | Lost | 28-Dec | $29.00 |
| NBA | 10 Wed Slam | 145th 274 pts | 29-Dec | $29.00 |
| NBA | 10 Wed Slam | 12th 321 pts! | 29-Dec | $74.00 |
Slam Strategy (321 points-12th place)
John Wall – Looked like he was very close to a breakout game, and he didn’t disappoint. He is a triple-double waiting to happen!
D.J. Augustin – Coaching change to Silas has really put a surge into his game. Went off for 37 pts.
Nick Young-Awarded starting job, so he seemed like a nice value. Had a huge night.
Stephen Jackson – Again, the change to Paul Silas has done wonders for the Cats. They are running and gunning. Was huge for me and went for 50 points.
Rudy Gay – He is the pick I regret most. I did not like his matchup, yet took him anyway. Randolph stole the show in an amazing game.
LeBron James – Similar to what I said about Gay. Didn’t love LeBron, and Dwyane stole the show.
Kevin Love – Had a great matchup at home and was due for a rebound. He is a double-double every game. Doesn’t get more consistent, so he was the play at PF.
Blake Griffin – Didn’t love the matchup or him being on the road, but this guy is matchup proof. Love and Griffin at the PF spot is the easiest decision I need to make every other day.
Chris Anderson – Birdman was a last minute selection. In a tourney you need to find a value player. Martin and Nene were not playing, so I went with Anderson. He did what I needed and came up with 22 points.
Time to get ready for the NFL this weekend. Could be a very tough weekend to pick a solid team. The grinder who can decipher who will play, and how much they will play, will probably make some money.