Popularized by Green Bay Packer legend Vince Lombardi, the mantra “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” has characterized the competitive athletic landscape for as long as I can remember. As an extension of real sports, the philosophy applies to fantasy basketball as well, where egos and intellects clash in daily combative matchups.
Not mentioned in this statement is the notion that winning in fantasy basketball also involves setting your lineup every day. While I may have forgotten to set my lineup on more than one occasion (in addition to forgetting about the waiver wire period as I tried to reclaim Harrison Barnes after accidentally dropping him), all the top teams in the RCL basketball league’s have one thing in common: they didn’t do either of those things! Congrats on being more functional humans than me!
While I can easily blame my incredibly busy social life for these fantasy lapses in judgement (I swear I have friends. Fine, I don’t believe me either), week 1 is an interesting pivot point for fantasy owners as the most least successful teams look for a clean slate to either reaffirm or redeem their previous performance.
As the season slowly unfolds, the first week tests the attentiveness and preparation of fantasy owners with the strongest rising to the top of the rankings.
That being said, you can check out how your teams stacked up in week 1 in the 2015-16 RCL Master Standings Table table. Here’s how the action went down in the first regular season week across our 22 RCL Leagues:
JB’s Random Commenter League – RJ occupies the number one spot after a solid 6-2-1 week. Also quick shout out to The Big Fundamentals for his 13 moves in the first 10 days of NBA competition, tied for the most across all RCL leagues, showing us that fantasy fundamentals are just as important as basketball ones!
Slim’s RCL – Hungry Hungry Hippos, Buck Wild, and Cronos’s Team are all currently tied at the top of the standings after each won their respective week one matchup 6-3. Although Hungry Hungry Hippos decision to drop JR Smith in favor of TJ McConnell is rational and well-thought out, it doesn’t make it any easier for me to see Smith hit the waiver wire.
Adam’s RCL – Claiming the number one spot in the master standings, Walkers Wingmen have yet to lose a category going 8-0-1 this past week. With a matchup against the second place Oh My Bosh, we’ll see if the Wingmen can continue their momentum heading into week 2.
Kap vs. Razzball – Akron Lebrons (7-1-1) has a slight lead over DK Razzball! (7-2-0) for control of first place.
Khang’s RCL – With the number one spot after week one, it’s safe to assume that Nick is Razzy (8-1-0) did not steal his name from the similarly-named film award. Also bonus points for owning 3 Milwaukee Bucks!
Stanley’s RCL – Also currently at 8-1-0, Yao Know What I Ming may have the best name of all time. Can anyone come up with a punnier moniker?
Drew’s Premier Razzball League – Bearsloths, Triangle Offense, and form a f@cking wall! are all tied for the top spot at 6-3-0. With 3 more teams tied at 5-4-0, week 2 may begin to separate the best from the rest.
Al’s RCL – By far the most competitive RCL after week 1 with the Sydney Kings, Death Row Records, Kurt Rambis’ Goggles, Acton Panthers, and Bearsloths all tied at 6-3-0. Not entirely sure of the statistical likelihood, but somehow, these five teams do not play each other in week 2.
Phil’s RCL – The (presumably) aptly named Rob’s Team leads in the standings at 7-2-0 while Joaquin on Water leads in my heart with an incredibly punny name.
Sock Puppet RCL – mark lamb’s Team and alligno are both tied for first place at 7-2-0, but with a tough matchup against He Caman Went (6-3-0), week 2 will certainly be a tough test for mark lamb’s team.
The Pete Nice Challenge RCL – Smokin’ Fine Cubans and Hop Heads both occupy the top spot in the standings after posting a 8-2-0 mark last week. Fun fact: Smokin’ Fine Cubans does not own a single Dallas Maverick!
Slim’s other RCL – Khang’s decent team more than lived up to it’s titular implications after a 7-2-0 record, tying him with Prestige Worldwide. With Prestige Worldwide hoping to become the first word in fantasy basketball, selecting the reigning MVP to lead your squad is a good first step.
London RCL – Alvin Robertson looked like a true RCL contender after posting 8-0-1 record in week 1 tonight. However, after not starting a point guard and power forward last night, please learn from my mistakes and reclaim your fantasy greatness!
Adam’s League #2! – Apologies to Boston Celtics fans, but Marcus Isn’t Smart (7-2-0) cruised to a the top of the standings after week 1.
Khang’s RCL – Part Deux – Captivating the excitement behind one of the most galvanizing period’s in recent NBA history, LINSANITY is currently tied with Just Like Kobe for the top spot in the standings at 7-2-0.
JB vs. Slim – Illustrating a showcase of excellent scouting and drafting, the bat0sai is currently tied for the number one spot with an 8-1-0 record, despite not making a single roster addition! However, Mr Green Beens (8-1-0) is also making a claim to be the top dog in the league. However, if Charged Up doesn’t change their name to “Back to Back” at some point during the year, it will be disappointing to say the least.
RCL is my hot hot _____ – SBC is currently in first at 6-2-1 but Banana Boat (6-3-0) is clearly the most threatening team in the league considering the team name is spelled entirely with emojis. I consider myself to be iPhone literate and that took me a minute to understand. Well played…
ATOWN RCL – James’s Supurb Team finished the week with an 8-1-0 record, allowing him to keep his name for another week.
JB’s surprise RCL – Surprise! I actually can’t view the page. JB really got me on that one… [editor’s note – even sometimes the best of us can forget to make the league publicly viewable! Fixed for next week]
EmasculatingHoopsLozengesRCL – In a four-way tie for first place, Brian’s Team, tuvshinbayar’s Team, Slimbo, and Damon Stoudamire are all tied for first place with a .667 winning percentage. Also, apparently 6-3-0 and 5-2-2 have the same winning percentage!
Charlie’s RCL – Brixton Guns are 7-2-0. I’m really bad, and I play them this week. I hate everything.
Kap vs. Razzball Round 2 – Ben’s Best Team finishes the week at 6-2-2, good enough for first place in our final RCL league!
Thanks again for playing in 14-15 RCLs and good luck to your squads in Week 2!
