As sports fans, millions of us put their lives on hold and our jobs on the line two, maybe three times each year when we get word from the fantasy commissioner that draft day is near.  Countless hours are painstakingly spent sifting through mock drafts, reading dozens of scouting reports and drawing up our final cheat sheets. 

What is our reward?  A season spent in front of a computer screen with late nights staying up just to catch ESPN’s Trifecta (an hour of rapid-fire programming which can include any three of the following:  NBA Fastbreak, Baseball Tonight, NFL Live, College GameNight or Outside the Lines Nightly). 

Enjoying only the games where “our” players accrue sought after statistics, we forget about the teams we have followed for years, opting instead to ally ourselves with mercenaries, players replaced with each new season.

The more I think about it, the less this feels like any fantasy I’ve ever had.

No, my sports fantasy includes more then just putting together a championship team; I want to be a part of that team.  I want to call the audible at the line, toss the no-hitter, or dismantle the opposing defense with my lethal range.

These larger then life fantasies can only be played out on playgrounds, recreational softball diamonds and our local YMCA’s.  Only in these places can we live the dream that is athletic greatness.  That is why we are here today. 

Individually, only so much can be done with our abilities.  It’s in the draft where wins and losses are decided in the ultimate fantasy sport: pickup basketball.

If ever you find yourself in the roll of General Manager/player at the local Y, there are steps that need to be taken to put together a championship roster, the most important being scouting.

This is a rundown of the types or players you will cross paths with on your road to true fantasy dominance.

Veterans:  Common during the daytime hours, these guys graduated from the oldest-school.  Don’t let the weathered look throw you off track because beneath the natural sweater and winter weight you’ll find deceptive ability.  Adept at moving away from the ball and setting screens, past-their-primers always seem to put themselves in position for an open shot that regularly drops.  Just don’t trust them to handle the ball too often due to the losses of their first, second and third steps.

Shooters:  Useful, but sometimes irritating.  Know when drafting that shooting, and only shooting, is exactly what you’ll get.  This means minimal effort on defense and even less on the boards as these snipers tend to camp near the three-point line.  Expect shooters to score in bunches as they can catch fire at any time, hitting a high percentage of open looks from beyond the arc.  To ensure you draft an actual shooter, as opposed to a player who is merely lethargic, arrive at the gym in time to inspect the all-important ‘shoot-around;’ also beware of prolonged shooting slumps that occasionally follow a hot-streak.

Hustlers:  Not hustlers in the White Men Can’t Jump sense, but rather hustlers in the throw themselves all over the court with no regard for their body sense.  Often undersized, they make up for their lack of top-tier talent with sound fundamentals and a knack for finding different ways to contribute.  Don’t count on this type of player to carry a team, just count on them to do whatever it takes to win.

Rudys:  Similar to hustlers, these players bring a lot of heart, but less game.  A common quality among this group is unrelenting defense, which off the court would be considered a felony.  They are turnovers waiting to happen, however, each one has a specific, always ugly, shot that they will nail 95% of the time.  As unorthodox as it may be, just get them in position to take it.

Big Men:  Using size to their advantage, these ogres believe they can get needlessly physical during games.  They will fight hard on the boards and score on put-backs, but lack the polished post game that would make them a viable threat on the offensive end.  While many are proficient shot blockers, their enormity oftentimes hinders their ability to get back on quickly on defense.

Wannabe Streetballers:  Owners of every And 1 Streetball DVD and plenty of accessories, they repeatedly allow their immense talent to be trumped by their habitual showmanship.  Streetballers are plagued by the need to turn a routine play into a circus act and can be labeled as erratic at best.  These loose-cannons can score with ease, but refuse to do so consistently enough to become a franchise player.

Superstars:  With an unrivaled talent, these rare prodigies can do everything, all while making their teammates better.  Single handedly a player of this nature can make any squad competitive.  It’s when paired with the proper role-players that superstars can take a team to the next level.  They have an uncanny aptitude for shooting, passing, defense and rebounding as well as an undying drive to win.  A superstar is the foundation for any team that wants to control the court.

It is on the court that our true sports fantasies are played out – the  most important aspect of that fantasy being victory.  Teams that win consistently tend to be those that play together: utilizing each individual’s strengths while masking their weaknesses as much as possible.

It is up to each GM to find the combination that best suits winning, whether it is in the fantasy land or real world.  Or both.