Fantasy sports and player value

[rowech]

I know I can't be the only one who has started to wonder how negatively (or positively in some cases) fantasy sports are affecting the image of players in any variety of sports. I'm curious as to guys that have somehow become overrated or underrated because of their fantasy sports contributions being greater/less than what their actual value seems to be.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Vernon Wells?

[Crapshoot]

Its definitely an issue. Take Ryan Howard - he's an average 1b who can't hit lefties. But because he has hit the last few years in a a Philly lineup with the likes of Chase Utely, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and others, his RBI numbers have been artificially inflated, and that's one of the easiest metrics for a fantasy fan to latch onto. On the other hand, Utley has been perhaps the best 2B in baseball the last 7-8 years or so, and yet is probably underrated by the casual fan because his defense isn't quantified, and his secondary skills are where his real value lies.

[jbergey22]

I think since fantasy uses traditional stats it really hasnt changes a lot of the perceptions. People like crapshoot(2 people can play this make up shit game) can judge players on traditional stats and be happy with it.

What has changed everything is the sabermetric(Bill James) more advanced way of looking at baseball stats. It has created the saber vs traditional stats arguments in which neither side is very willing to give ground. The saber people know that Howard is an overated player while the traditional people see his great traditional stats and think he is a great player.

It wasnt fantasy that changed this it was Bill James educating people that werent previously educated on this subject.

After reading the question again I realize it was for all sports. Fantasy football has certainly overrated certain players. In NBA I think it kind of helps people realize how good a player really is since you need players that fill the stat sheet. You realize that great scorers arent always great all around players.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx221/emslj_merlin/Gifs/0002hbqp.gif

[Logan]

I think QBs can end up underrated because of fantasy football. Take a look at any of the websites leading into this season...the common theme was that you must have one of the top 6 QBs (Brees, Rodgers, Brady, Vick, Rivers, Romo - 7 if you include Peyton). Anything beyond that and you're already starting off behind the curve, because by definition and assuming everything holds, those guys are below average starters in a standard 12 team league.

But those same guys are good enough to start for 20-24 teams in the NFL. That's pretty damn good.

[albionmoonlight]

I think that it helps guys in smaller markets. I am sure that Maurice Jones-Drew would not be viewed as highly as he is if it were not for the fact that fantasy football forces people to look at players from all 32 teams equally.

[DanGarion]

Its definitely an issue. Take Ryan Howard - he's an average 1b who can't hit lefties. But because he has hit the last few years in a a Philly lineup with the likes of Chase Utely, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and others, his RBI numbers have been artificially inflated, and that's one of the easiest metrics for a fantasy fan to latch onto. On the other hand, Utley has been perhaps the best 2B in baseball the last 7-8 years or so, and yet is probably underrated by the casual fan because his defense isn't quantified, and his secondary skills are where his real value lies.

Utley is only a 3e4 at 2B, that really isn't that great, he needs to learn how to turn more double plays...

[DanGarion]

I killed this thread when i mentioned Strat-o-Matic attributes... where is this board going?

[jbergey22]

I killed this thread when i mentioned Strat-o-Matic attributes... where is this board going?

I used to love to play this game. Their customer service killed it for me. Used to love Palanco in his early days with a 2 position 2e6 and A hit and run and A bunting attributes.

[Crapshoot]

Utley is only a 3e4 at 2B, that really isn't that great, he needs to learn how to turn more double plays...

I enjoyed the strat reference. :D