Daily Fantasy Basketball 2014: Best NBA FanDuel, DraftKings Lineup for Christmas
I love my family. Really do. I'm sure you love yours as well. Well, actually, I don't know you; it's totally possible you despise them.
But regardless of whether you love them, loathe them or something in between, the holiday season can get a little tiresome. On Thanksgiving, it's all smiles, hugs, great food and camaraderie at first before the day wears on and the thing you're really thankful for is you all live in different states. Come Christmas, the smiles are still there and backed by presents, but you notice the happiness fades a little earlier. One subtle dig at the dinner table turns to nightfall, and by the time you're driving home it's OH MY GOD HOW AM I RELATED TO THESE PEOPLE?
There is probably a terrible parody Twitter account like @famprobz that talks all about these things.
Luckily, sports provide the saving grace that can offer little reprieves from the family monotony. Thanksgiving has long been an NFL holiday, while the NBA's ever-expanding Christmas slate will take you all the way from dinner to December 26. And with the proliferation of one-day fantasy games in 2014, there should be a number of avenues by which you can blow off steam.
Of course, that only works if you're good at one-day games. Watching money siphon out of your bank account after opening an Applebee's gift card for the 12th straight year from Aunt Susan isn't any way to lower your blood pressure. With that in mind, here's a quick look at how to fill out your fantasy lineup so you can leave Christmas with a smile.
| PG | Derrick Rose | LAL@Chi | $6,900 |
| SG | Kobe Bryant | LAL@Chi | $9,500 |
| SF | Harrison Barnes | GS@LAC | $5,100 |
| PF | Pau Gasol | LAL@Chi | $9,000 |
| C | Marcin Gortat | Was@NY | $6,800 |
| G | J.J. Redick | GS@LAC | $4,700 |
| F | Paul Pierce | Was@NY | $5,000 |
| UTIL | Tony Parker | OKC@SA | $3,000 |
| PG | Derrick Rose | LAL@Chi | $7,100 |
| PG | Tony Parker | OKC@SA | $6,400 |
| SG | Kobe Bryant | LAL@Chi | $8,900 |
| SG | J.J. Redick | GS@LAC | $5,200 |
| SF | Harrison Barnes | GS@LAC | $5,300 |
| SF | Paul Pierce | Was@NY | $5,400 |
| PF | Pau Gasol | LAL@Chi | $8,700 |
| PF | Amar'e Stoudemire | Was@NY | $6,400 |
| C | Marcin Gortat | Was@NY | $6,600 |
Point Guards
Similarity: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Rose's three-point jumper is still broken, but he's starting to round into form everywhere else. He's scored 54 points in 60 minutes over the last two games since returning from an illness-related absence, shooting 22-of-36 from the field. The free-throw rate is a little lower than you'd prefer, and Rose's assist numbers have been bad as he looks to attack, but there's plenty of reason for hope in Chicago.
Another reason for hope: The Lakers come to town on Christmas. While not nearly as dreadful as they were in November, the Lakers are still the NBA's worst defensive team by a significant margin. Their perimeter defense is akin to playing NBA 2K15 on rookie. Rose might not be able to hit many long-range shots, but he won't have to with the Lakers rolling the purple and gold carpet to the rim.
Listed at a good price, Rose is a no-brainer.
Similarity: Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
By the time you're reading this, it's possible DraftKings has come to their senses and raised Parker's price. If so, all the sad face emojis to you. For everyone else who got in at the ground floor—at which time Parker was listed for the $3,000 minimum—congratulations. You've just won some money.
Parker doesn't have the benefit of playing a leaky defensive team, and he's not prone to all-out bursts of production that win one-day leagues. But given his price in DraftKings and his relatively low cost in FanDuel (no doubt spurred by his recent injuries), there isn't much analysis needed.
Shooting Guard
Similarity: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Speaking of no analysis needed. Kobe Bryant on Christmas. Yeah, sure, I know he's dealing with some fatigue issues and sat out Tuesday night against Golden State.
But I repeat: Kobe Bryant. On Christmas. On an awful Lakers team. In Chicago. Home of Jordan. The dude he just passed on the all-time scoring list. On national television. There is NOOOOOOOTHING keeping Kobe away from playing in this game, and there is less than nothing keeping him away from jacking up enough shots to make is final line look huge.
You could give me Kobe vs. the world right now and I'd take Kobe. That's how much faith I have in Christmas Kobe.
Similarity: J.J. Redick, Los Angeles Clippers
Redick is quietly having the most efficient three-point-shooting season of his career and has been red-hot in December, averaging 17.8 points on 52.3 percent shooting overall and 51.3 percent from deep. He's been the absolute perfect version of the player the Clippers envisioned when acquiring him last summer.
Only once all month has he been held below 10 points, and he's doubled that number six times. The Clippers and Warriors continue their blood feud Thursday night. The last time these teams met, Redick attempted only six shots in a 121-104 loss. Odds are the Clippers will be in a better position if they allow him to double that number.
Small Forward
Similarity: Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are adjusting to David Lee's return, which makes everything a bit murky on a night-to-night basis. Steve Kerr is attempting to integrate Lee without detracting from the league's best team of the first two months while managing the egos of players used to getting extended run.
It's not easy. That said, it doesn't appear Kerr has any plans to significantly alter Barnes' playing time. He's stayed in the starting lineup, and while he's not performed at a high offensive level, has been getting enough minutes one would assume his numbers will have a positive regression.
From a one-day perspective: dude's cheap at an all-or-nothing position.
Similarity: Paul Pierce, Washington Wizards
Pierce, despite his advanced age and acceptance of his background role in Washington, still loves high-profile moments. He scored 44 points in a home-and-home against the Celtics, provided opening night when some came into the season doubting him and poured 17 points on the Knicks the first time Washington took the court at Madison Square Garden.
Something would feel amiss if Pierce didn't have a throwback outing on Christmas. And even if he doesn't, Pierce remains an effective stat filler who is rarely held to single-digit point totals. Adding Barnes and Pierce at small forward should allow you to splash elsewhere.
Power Forward
Similarity: Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
I'm slowly realizing this piece is outing me as a sucker for Christmas narratives. Kobe, Pierce and Gasol were at least in part chosen because of the backgrounds to their respective games. As someone who typically thinks analytically, these slow realizations came as a surprise.
Guess what: DOOOON'T CAAAARE. Sticking with my guns here. Gasol playing his first game against the Lakers against that anemic rim protection? Count. Me. In. If Pau's points and assists don't add up to at least 30 on Sunday, I'll wear a diaper for all of 2015*.
*I am lying.
FanDuel: Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
Stoudemire should be back in the lineup after sitting the last two games, which is good news for anyone needing a mid-cost boost. Before the weekend rest, Stoudemire had put up 30 FanDuel points in five of his last seven games. While still a glaring minus offensively, a rejuvenated Amar'e has been one of the few success stories for the Knicks this season.
Center
Similarity: Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
Because picture Marcin Gortat in a Santa hat and try not to smile. Enjoy the games, everyone.
Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter
