Fantasy sports and the differences among them

Fantasy Hockey & Basketball vs. Fantasy Football

For awhile now, fantasy hockey and fantasy basketball have gotten a pretty bad rap among fantasy sports. Fantasy football is obviously looked at as the Mecca of all fantasy sports, but I'm here to tell you that it shouldn't be. Sure, fantasy football will most likely continue to be the largest fantasy sport out there. It's kind of like being a Cubs fan, people do it just because other people do it, not because they actually like it or take a vested interest in it. However, fantasy hockey and fantasy basketball require a much different type of commitment, and something fantasy football may not require much of: skill.

In order to fully analyze and dissect the differences between the two different types of fantasy sports (one being fantasy hockey and basketball and the other being fantasy football), one must first understand the fundamentals of each. Fantasy football assigns points for different stats, a player scores a number of those points, all points are totalled, and that is your score. Typically in fantasy hockey and basketball, each stat category is an individual score. The team who wins the most categories wins the match-up for the week. For instance, my players might have scored 22 goals for the week, if my opponents' team has only scored 18, I win the category. I must win the majority of categories to win the week. Now that we understand that, let's take a deeper look into the differences...

Fantasy football

• Draft 'x' amount of players, making sure you have enough players in each position to fill your roster. Be mindful if it's a PPR or not.

• Set your lineup each week, making sure to take out players that are injured or on a bye

• Try to pick up emerging players or back-ups of players who become injured

• Watch a Thursday night game, Sunday games, and a Monday night game

Fantasy hockey & basketball

• Draft 'x' amount of players, making sure you have enough players in each position to fill your roster. Be mindful of scoring categories your league has (could vary extremely based on league).

• Set your lineup, but make sure to watch for late scratches or injuries throughout the week.

• Manage your IR spots, making decisions on who to keep on your IR and who to dump

• Make tactical moves throughout the week to win or hold on to categories like points, goals, rebounds, etc.

• Pick up guys that you've never heard of because they are averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds in the past 5 games

• Watch multiple games every day

If you couldn't see the differences above, let me elaborate. Fantasy football is like taking a shot gun and hunting cows, it takes minimal skill. Some people will like this because there is little involvement needed by the player. Draft your team, set your lineup once a week, make a couple waiver moves. Done. Fantasy hockey and basketball is more like spearfishing for an Ulu, it takes skill, tact, tough management decisions, risky roster moves, research, and of course, more time.

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This is my first season playing stakes leagues in fantasy hockey and fantasy basketball, and I can say without a doubt, that it is more enjoyable than fantasy football. Here's why:

• First off, I get more action, more often. I get to watch Jimmy Howard play goalie for me three times a week. I also get to enjoy watching Anthony "Uni" Davis get a double-double a couple times a week. There's more games, so there's always action.

• The other reason I enjoy playing these two fantasy sports more is that it is more rewarding. Undoubtedly, I have to spend a bit more time playing it, but those small tactical decisions and roster moves I make pay off more often. That, for me, is one of the big reasons I play fantasy sports. I have more control over my team winning or losing. With fantasy football, I trot out a lineup and cross my fingers. Fantasy basketball and fantasy hockey is more interactive on a daily basis.

• The third reason why these two are better than the 'omnipotent' fantasy football, is that the other players in the league are more fun and involved. Since they are serious fans and need to pay attention in order to have a chance to win, they are on the message boards more, there are more polls, more smack talk, and more banter. If I wanted to play something without human interaction, I would just play Fall Out in my basement for months on end.

Believe me, don't believe me, all I can say, is try it. If you have a mediocre or more enjoyment and interest in hockey or basketball, try their respective fantasy games. You'll begin to enjoy it, and you won't look back. Sure, you'll play fantasy football again. For God's sake, you're hooked, so am I, but fantasy hockey and fantasy basketball will be more rewarding than that crude, evil temptress ever was.