HOOPSKLYCE SURVEY QUESTION & RESULTS 12/14/99   HoopsKlyce Survey Would you start a player who excels in a particular category group (Shawn bBradley) over a player who rates higher (Rodney Rogers) overall? This particular subscriber had a weakness in PT, BL, and REB. Note: at the time this question was asked, Bradley ranked 97th and Rogers ranked 84th. Results Bradley 44% Rogers 19% Depends 37% Responses for starting Bradley I would take Bradley over Rogers. Bradley covers a category that few other plays do well in. Rodgers does alot of thinks okay, but you can get his production in these categories from other players. Jeff In roto I think you're better off with guys who excel in a category. So Bradley is more valuable than Rogers. Chris Shawn Bradley (who I just traded for), because you can always get the other categories from other players, but blocks at the level that Bradley gets them are impossible to find. However, if he's weak in those big men categories, sounds like he needs to trade some of his little guys for some big guys (who don't necessarily need to be Shaq, Alonzo, Garnett, Malone or Tim D., but could be low value guys like Dale Davis) Eunu I'd almost surely start Bradley over Rodney Rogers since this is for a rotisserie league. In a roto league, there's a definite place for specialists in "scarce stat" categories like blocks. Despite his #97 ranking, I'd go with Bradley because of the scarcity of the blocks stat. A single dominant player in a scarce stat category has an excellent chance of making a major impact all by himself. I only would NOT start him if his team already is one of the shot-blocking leaders. Woody I would absolutely play Bradley over Rodney Rogers if my weaknesses were PT, BL and REB. Bradley will excel in 2 of these 3 categories and his scoring would not be that far short of Rogers in any particular week. Joe I would definitely play Bradley over Rogers because he is superior in the categories of need, especially blocks. While Rogers may help you slightly overall in all categories, will he really move you up in your league? Playing Bradley should allow you remain competitive in many categories and leap-frog past a couple your opponents in blocks. I would take the sure thing by playing Bradley. Tom   Responses for starting Rogers I would definitely opt for Rogers who provides across the board numbers. Even though Bradley is getting more minutes now, he's not putting up proportionately better numbers. However, Bradley's numbers always improve significantly in the second half of the year. J Polakowski If the specialist is a pure one category player, like Bradley, I'd be nclined to go for the all-around guy, especially if you think the all-around guy has more upside potential. If Rogers gets more playing time now that Marion is banged up, then I think Rogers is the way to go. Also, if the all-around guy contributes even a little (league average would be a good gauge) in the one category that the specialist dominates, then you might be better off with the all-around guy and try to fortify that one category (here it's blocks) from other sources. Bobby Would probably go with Rodney Rogers as he is a more balanced player on the whole. I tend to shy away from one category players like Bradley. Bob At this stage of the game I'd stick with the better all around player...I like to play for all categories until the stretch run and then try to load up on categories I'm weak in (that is if I'm in position to make up ground) so for the time being I'd stick with Rogers, especially with the injury bug in Phoenix right now & Nellie being extremely fickle with minutes in Dallas 35 minutes one night 10 the next.   Responses for "It Depends" Whenever considering this type of situation you must also consider how much higher you can advance in the particular categories in your league in which the weaker overall player has his strengths. For example, if you can move up a few points in blocks while only losing one point in the remaining categories you should go with Bradley. Neal This question can only be answered on a case by case basis. If (projecting the stats over the rest of the season) the subscriber would advance two places and gain two points in the block and rebound category (gross +4 points) while losing only one point each in steals, 3s, and FT% (gross -3) the answer is start Bradley. If the subscriber would advance only one place in blocks and rebounds, the answer would be start Rogers. It depends how tight the standings are in each relative statistical category and what statistics you have an abundance or dearth of. William First I would look at who had more games regardless of the weakness in certain category's. More games always wins out in my decision making. Next would be to look at how far behind you are in categories. If it seems reasonable that Bradley could move you up a least 2 spots in blocks than why not start him? With a guy like Bradley you can move very quickly in specialty categories but probably at the expense of other areas. If I was close in the three other categories mentioned then I would start Rodgers in order to stay close. It all depends on the situation. Given this information I would start Bradley. Besides, when you have a guy like Bradley your team is usually near the top in blocks and then you can trade the big goof to another owner in need of blocks for a better player. Mike If given that choice, my answer would depend on the strengths and weaknesses of my overall score in the league. For example, Bradley would have provided a low points total, but tremendous blocks. I would play Bradley only if it kept me competitive in the blocks category. I would be willing to give up points for blocks since I feel that blocks are harder to come by. On the other hand, if I was strong in blocks (say I also had Mutombo), there is no way I would play Bradley because he probably gives you nothing else. 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