Interview with DraftKings Showcase Champion: RollTideChamps
We were lucky to get some time to talk with the most recent Grinder to take down a $50,000 prize, RollTideChamps. Not only did Josh win, he took down the title vs. the likes of headChopper, PrimeTime420, DinkPiece, McJester & more …that is no easy task. RollTideChamps pulled off the championship in typical Crimson Tide fashion, and here is what he told us after the big score:
How long have you been playing daily fantasy, and how did you get started playing?
I have been playing DFS for about a full year now. I started playing NFL on Draftstreet here and there in 2012, but from the 2013 MLB season to now I consistently play on most sites.
How did you qualify for the DK Showcase Final 40? – Were you going all out to qualify?
It was definitely a goal of mine to make into such elite field. I secured two tickets on February 9th. The interesting thing about it is that I qualified with two different rosters. I was not expecting two tickets that day.
You were impressively able to score two tickets to the Final 40. What were your thoughts and strategies heading into the Final 40? How much overlap was there between your two lineups?
Heading into the Final 40 and having two squads I was able to load up on the Orlando/Philly game with one of my tickets and fade it with the other. There was a 3 minute stretch early in the third quarter of that game that got me into the top 10. James Anderson and Hollis Thompson hit two threes each in that span.
So, now you’re down to one lineup remaining in a stacked field in the Final 10. Did the quality of opponents in the finals effect your lineup decisions in anyway?
No not really. These are players that you see most days in DFS in some form or another. Doubting yourself in a competition like this is a recipe for disaster.
What was your general lineup plan heading in? Who were you targeting/avoiding?
My plan was to take bargain players in the Kings/Lakers game and to fade Gasol and Thomas. I knew there would be a ton of overlap with those two and I wanted to free up some cap room by not taking them. I really thought Bazemore, D. Williams, and W. Johnson could produce the same for a much better price. I was in the clubhouse with the lead after Curry and Irving posted monster triple doubles. I believe I was the only one in the field with K. Leonard and M. Morris. I made “risky” plays there which paid off that night.
How did you like the format of the DK Showcase? How would you rank this format versus live qualifiers like the FFFC or PBC and versus huge-prize tournaments open to anyone like the DFBBC?
I liked the format. It was really a true test considering the steps and the quality of players. It is another goal of mine to get into one of the live finals, even though it was such a nail bitter that around the 4th quarter of the late games I had to change it from sports to MTV on the big screen.
How does a $50,000 score affect your amount and style of play moving forward in Daily Fantasy? – Do you plan on making any big purchases or doing anything with the money?
I think it will allow be to get into more head to head matchups, and allow me to play multiple entries in some of the major qualifiers coming up.
On the RotoGrinders SiriusXM show you mentioned that you still consider yourself relatively new. I think that gigs up now. – What advice would you give to up-and-coming new Grinders that want to rise up and hit a big GPP score like you did?
Obviously research is a key to success. There is such a wealth of knowledge on RotoGrinders that you have to take advantage of that. More importantly though is the ability to play with no fear, and to trust your instincts. In a 100 person GPP game there is no difference between getting 60th or 100th, both are still a loss. So don’t be afraid to take chances.