NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley admonished free agent Kevin Durant for leaving Oklahoma City and signing with their playoff rival (Golden State). Aside from taking an easier path to a championship, Barkley said it's bad for the league, continuing a trend that will leave just a handful of competitive teams and a whole lot of inferior ones.
So what does this have to do with fantasy football? Keep reading, friends.
Barkley's comments were focused on professional basketball, but it's probably the best argument I've heard against total points fantasy leagues. While I've always been a fan of them (and preferred them, since the best team always wins over the course of the season), I have to admit that it often creates a few contenders and a lot of also-rans. By midseason there's a Golden State, a Cleveland and a San Antonio. Then there are a bunch of Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Minnesota teams flailing around at the bottom. That takes away a lot of the fun for most owners.
Okay, that's it for basketball references. But you see what I'm saying.
I still like total points, and I like playing in those leagues. But I don't want it to be my only fantasy experience anymore. I've come to enjoy head-to-head leagues, even with their inherent flaws. I like leagues with an expanded playoffs, and some with just four spots. And while I prefer point-per-reception leagues, I've come to enjoy traditional scoring as well.
By week 1, you're going to be locked into whatever leagues you've chosen, and that's it for 2016. But in July? Now's a great time to sit down and look into diversifying your fantasy options. There's too much off-season left to do much work regarding your upcoming roster. The guys you're targeting now might be demoted/injured/released/suspended by the time you draft. Now's not really the time to make any concrete decisions.
But it's a perfect time to map out what you want out of this season. Instead of jumping into whatever open leagues you find along the way (and ending up with a dozen similar leagues that mean nothing to you), take a few minutes and think about some games you might want to try.
If you have a favorite head-to-head draft league that you love, great. But maybe it's time to consider an auction league as well. Maybe a total points league will add a dimension of fun you didn't expect. If you've never played in a keeper league, see if there's an opening in a good one. Some league schedule double-headers each week, some are dynasty leagues, and others start two quarterbacks each week.
I won't even get into the challenge that IDP brings to the table.
There are other factors besides the scoring system or roster. Ever try an eight-team league? Don't knock it until you've tried it. How about a 16-teamer? Have you ever been part of a real, live draft with everyone in the same room? Whatever the format, if you'd like to try it, this is the time to find it.
Don't wait until the last minute, and don't fill up your dance card with a bunch of leagues that don't matter to you. Look into some long-standing, quality leagues that might have an opening. Or you can consider starting one with people you know and trust. Build something from the ground up. That can be fun, too.
Whatever you do, don't scramble to drop or join a bunch of leagues in late August. Get organized now, figure out how you want to play, and find leagues that have those qualities. It's a much better way to spend your time in July.
Is there a specific type of league you'd like to try? Any you'd recommend for someone who wants to try something new? Share your thoughts below: