Sorry this one is getting out a little late for today’s NBA slate.
I’ve had a sick wife (stomach bug) and 2-year-old daughter (flu) all on the injured reserve with questionable tags for their ability to function. This all started Saturday night, so this MF-er is tired.
Even though I played very low volume last night because of the ongoings at home, I didn’t dodge the Draymond late scratch virus (but I did Gallo), so the money I put in was sunk like many of yours.
If you complain and bitch on Twitter, DraftKings will send you an automated replay about their actual late-swap format (yea, I’ve been one of those people).
What doesn’t get counted, or at least feels like it, is that the feedback isn’t being considered.
I don’t care if you have late swap games, those tournaments and options are absolute trash and all of your users know it, DraftKings.
They need to come up with a solution or a compromise because what they offer isn’t working. The reason I loved DraftKings NBA in the past is because I could late swap. It’s different than FanDuel. If I don’t want to bother with the late-swap worry, I don’t play on FanDuel.
Now with almost know options of late-swap on any of the main sites, I am highly considering moving my bankroll to PlayDraft, where they take players’ feedback and consider them first.
If you drafted Joel Embiid Sunday and lost your PlayDraft contest, you got your money back. They didn’t have to do this, but because of the lackluster regulation of NBA starting lineups and injuries, many got screwed through no one’s fault of their own. PlayDraft made it right anyway. Great marketing and customer service.
So DraftKIngs, how can you remedy this problem that you currently have on your plate?
You can ignore it and continue with your current options, which is what is likely to happen.
Or you can compromise. And here’s that solution…
Allow players to swap only if a player is ruled out at the last minute. Lock all players at first tip of the first game, but if any subsequent players get ruled out in later games, then let us swap with the available unlocked player pool. Yes, this may not provide us with a ton of options, but at least we aren’t taking a zero and raking in the dough for free with busted lineups.
PlayDraft does exactly this, and you should learn to follow in their footsteps.
Now, let’s get on to some picks for tonight’s 8-game slate. Be careful though, there are lots of potential injury news to monitor. Hopefully you don’t get bit twice.
J.J. Barea – PG/SG – Dallas Mavericks – $5,100
Analysis: No DSJ in the lineup, meaning J.J. gets the boost at the point guard position, even if Yogi Ferrell starts (also a solid value option might I add). But we aren’t going to be scared away of any Tony Parker or Patty Mills D. J.J. likes to attack the rim and no one is going to be there to stop him outside of Kawhi Leonard, and I wouldn’t really expect that. In two games this season, Barea has 30+ fantasy points, averaging around 24 minutes. If he can play well and get to 30, this will be a slam dunk even at an elevated price.
Markieff Morris – PF – Washington Wizards – $5,100
Analysis: I will be off this play if John Wall suits up. I am not someone who really ever gets Kieff correct, but he’s coming off a terrible game, so surely he can’t play bad 2 nights in a row and against the Nets no less, who are 3rd overall in fantasy points allowed to PF. Without Wall, Kieff should continue to see a bump in usage. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get into foul trouble early, which seems to be his kryptonite.
Zach Randolph – PF/C – Sacramento Kings – $7,100
Analysis: Bitcoin is not something I want to buy while the ownership percentages are starting to creep up. With Z-Bo, his price is creeping up, but that might detract people away this time around. He’s been lights out since Willie Cauley-Stein hit the shelf. He’s playing an exorbitant amount of minutes and the usage is through the roof. The Suns are No. 1 in fantasy points allowed overall to power forwards this season, it’s a pace up spot and Randolph is shooting almost 20 times per game. The floor is there and the ceiling is still large even at his elevated price.
