Fantasy Sports Ethics: Question 2 (Sitting players)

[Roy Hobbs]

In my ongoing series of "ethical" fantasy sports questions, I'm wondering if it's okay to intentionally sit players -- especially on the final day of a playoff series -- to win certain categories, such as turnovers, FG%, FT%, etc.

To be honest, this is something I've done successfully, but it makes me feel a little sleazy.  Philosophically, I feel that managers should play their entire lineups.  However, when philosophy is contrary to winning, winning trumps.  I'd rather sit my entire lineup and win on turnovers, than play my team and potentially lose.  Still, it feels a little dirty...

[furball]

you shouldn't feel dirty.  Fantsy sports is about managing your roster, not just drafting.  If sitting guys is what it takes to win then that's what you do. 

[Steve Weinman]

Yeah, that's definitely okay - especially because even if you're already clinching or too far behind on the positive counting stats, there is a theoretical trade-off since you're sacrificing those by sitting players.

I got no problem with this.

-sw

[LB3533]

As an owner, you should never intentionally play ANYONE if you know if playing that player will hurt your chance's to win.

So, if you have to sit your entire lineup to win a FG% category or a Batting Average Category....then that's well within your discretion.

[JSD]

I don't take issue with sitting players. While it might help you in one area it typically kills you in another.

[Shoot the J]

no problem with sitting players. it's strategy brah! there's also no guarantee that it works for you

[wdleehi]

If it is a stradegy to win, then sitting a player is fine. 

[Fafnir]

I have to chime in with the crowd, as long as your goal is to win sitting players is perfectly okay with me.

[Fan from VT]

100% ethical to sit players in order to win. It presumes you've already done the legwork to lock up enough other categories to guarantee the win.


the "real life" equivalent would be if you were up 3-2 in a 7 game series and were banged up. you only need to win one game to win the series, and you KNOW you'll win if everyone is on 3 days rest. but you only have a 25% chance of winning game 6 banged up, and the lack of rest means only a 25% chance of winning game 7. So you rest your starters and throw game 6, giving yourself the best chance to win the series.

[Donoghus]

Do whatever it takes to win. 

If that means sitting a guy to preserve a category, by all means do it. 

[blake]

I see it as the same thing as sitting Shaq towards the end of a game that will come down to free throws.  In cleveland's case they will have to give up the potential for rebounds and some defense (debatable).  In your case its the same thing.

Ruling:  Let it play.

[guava_wrench]

It is in no way unethical to sit players, unless you are trying to give your opponent extra points to get revenge against another team.

You should always play the lineup that makes sense. To do otherwise would be stupid.

It is usually pretty dumb to not field a complete lineup since percentage stats and negative stats are usually the minority in a fantasy league. In a league with Pts, 3pm, reb, asst, stl, blk, fg%, ft%, and to, you are better off forgetting about TOs, and just trying to accumulate stats. If you have good shooters, great -- you might win the % stats too. If not, sacrifice TOs to get the other stats.

Last time I played fantasy basketball, I was first or second in almost every stat, but dead last in TOs. In fact, TOs weren't even close.

[Chief]

In my football league, we've had guys sit players, the last weeks, to try to get better playoff match ups. It tends to cause a lot of problems. Especially if a team needs that person to win to make the playoffs them-self.

[yall hate]

In my ongoing series of "ethical" fantasy sports questions, I'm wondering if it's okay to intentionally sit players -- especially on the final day of a playoff series -- to win certain categories, such as turnovers, FG%, FT%, etc.

To be honest, this is something I've done successfully, but it makes me feel a little sleazy.  Philosophically, I feel that managers should play their entire lineups.  However, when philosophy is contrary to winning, winning trumps.  I'd rather sit my entire lineup and win on turnovers, than play my team and potentially lose.  Still, it feels a little dirty...

it's totally ok to do...even when it means knocking me out of the playoffs.  jerk

[Roy Hobbs]

In my ongoing series of "ethical" fantasy sports questions, I'm wondering if it's okay to intentionally sit players -- especially on the final day of a playoff series -- to win certain categories, such as turnovers, FG%, FT%, etc.

To be honest, this is something I've done successfully, but it makes me feel a little sleazy.  Philosophically, I feel that managers should play their entire lineups.  However, when philosophy is contrary to winning, winning trumps.  I'd rather sit my entire lineup and win on turnovers, than play my team and potentially lose.  Still, it feels a little dirty...

it's totally ok to do...even when it means knocking me out of the playoffs.  jerk

Haha.  Well, if it makes you feel better, I would have beaten you in steals if I'd fielded a full lineup. 

I won using that strategy in two of my three leagues this week.  I hate winning like that, but I hate losing more.