Beating Yahoo!’s NBA High Score: 24 picks for ‘25

Vegas, age twenty-four.

I was still young enough to believe a weekend with friends could tilt probability. We packed two cars: half respectable adults, half Dungeons & Dragons refugees who thought a social life came with initiative rolls.

We hit the casino floor like a bowling team entering Mordor with a group rate. Somewhere between the slots and the buffet, one of our nerd ambassadors—Derek—confessed he didn’t know how to play craps.

I used to deal craps, so I start explaining, “Seven or eleven, you win. Two, three, twelve, you crap out. Anything else becomes the point. Roll it again before a seven and you live to tell the tale.”

He’s nodding hard, gears turning, and then he says it.

“So… you’re rolling 2D6, then?”

And that was it. I had to grab a column to stay upright. The posse loses all composure — uncontrollable laughter. I’m wheezing, trying not to die between an roulette table and a wedding party from Fresno.

“Derek,” I gasped, “the rest of humanity just calls them dice.”

That’s when it hit me — whether it’s craps, fantasy basketball, career choices or marriage, we may think we’re playing chess — but it’s 2D6 all the way down. The question isn’t whether you’re lucky — it’s whether you understand the odds before you throw.

Yahoo’s Fantasy NBA High Score

Yahoo rewired its fantasy engine again, turning the old nine-category grind into a points league on Adderol — by default.

Efficiency is out, chaos is in.

We tried to torture a statistical model out of our computers. Grok took one look at our malformed questions and committed suicide by dividing by zero. Then we opened Excel, only to watch Clippy pour gasoline and light a match.

So here we are — powered by a slide rule, beer goggles, and irrational confidence. Join us for 120 Proof’s High Score Top 24 — your first two rounds are on us.

THE NEW RULES

Yahoo blew up its own math. The old nine-category grind is gone — replaced by NBA High Score, a points league that rewards volume over virtue and only counts each player’s best game each week.

Every player contributes only their single highest score to your weekly total. You’re not managing lineups anymore — you’re chasing explosions. No more averages and ratios; just raw output and regret.

EVERY STAT BECOMES POINTS:

Points +1
Three-pointers +4
Rebounds +1.2
Assists +1.5
Steals +3
Blocks +2
Turnovers −0.5
Missed FG −0.4
Missed FT −0.2

Efficiency? Cute, but irrelevant. Misses barely sting. Chuckers are kings.

Two guards, three frontcourt, one flex, and a bench that actually matters.

And because only your best game counts, one night off won’t kill you. Load management just became a lifestyle. So bring on Kawhi — if you’re feeling the sauce.

1. Nikola Jokić

Denver Nuggets, C, Age 29

36.7 MIN, .576 FG, .800 FT, 2.0 3PM, 29.6 PTS, 12.7 REB, 10.2 AST, 1.8 STL, 0.6 BLK, 3.3 TO

Expected Availability: 89% — Despite having the fitness ethic of my dad, he still shows up like it’s happy hour.

120 Proof High Score: 843

There’s a theory Jokić was sent here not to play basketball but to test the rest of us for hubris. He lumbers like a man carrying invisible groceries, yet every trip downcourt ends in transcendence. MPJ’s off to the Nets, so Nikola’s got one fewer set of hands in the cookie jar and one more excuse to pass to himself.

Usage should match last season. The Nuggets will rise and fall around his pace, which is roughly “Sunday stroll after buffet.” Even when he’s tired, he’s better than your guy fresh off load management. Under Yahoo’s new, default High Score system, Jokic breaks it in half. Counting stats, rebounds, assists—he fills the page like a confessional. Efficiency guys lose points in this format; Jokic just keeps stealing their lunch.

2. Luka Dončić – PG/SF

Los Angeles Lakers, PG/SG, Age 25

35.4 MIN, .450 FG, .782 FT, 3.5 3PM, 28.2 PTS, 8.2 REB, 7.7 AST, 1.8 STL, 0.4 BLK, 3.6 TO

Expected Availability: 87% — Misses a few nights for Oktoberfest.

120 Proof High Score: 756

Luka traded barbecue for beachfront and immediately made Hollywood look slow. He’s running LeBron’s old offense with Ayton setting screens and Marcus Smart yelling encouragement like a disappointed uncle.

We docked him a sip for sharing touches with Bron, but it hardly matters. He could average 30-10-10 in a sensory-deprivation tank. High Score inflates his myth: triple-doubles are currency here, and Luka prints his own money. Just don’t ask him to run back on defense; that’s for the interns.

3. Victor Wembanyama

San Antonio Spurs, PF/C, Age 21

33.2 MIN, .476 FG, .836 FT, 3.1 3PM, 24.3 PTS, 11.0 REB, 3.7 AST, 1.1 STL, 3.8 BLK, 3.2 TO

Expected Availability: 75% — He’s still young enough to bounce instead of bruise.

120 Proof High Score: 569

Not since the Napoleonic wars have the French been so successful in invading enemy territory. The defense can build the wall, but here comes the trebuchet, and maybe a trey bucket. And the team is finally trying to put some pieces around him, adding De’Aaron Fox to the backcourt while doubling down on the Stephon Castle experiment.

We bumped his minutes this season as he grows into his prime. High Score was built for him. Blocks, boards, points, turnovers—it’s all spectacle. He’s the future, and the future doesn’t care about your field‑goal percentage.

4. Jalen Williams

Oklahoma City Thunder, SG/SF, Age 23

32.4 MIN, .484 FG, .789 FT, 1.8 3PM, 21.6 PTS, 5.3 REB, 5.1 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.7 BLK, 2.2 TO

Expected Availability: 92% — Plays like a guy who doesn’t realize rest days are real.

120 Proof High Score: 332

He’s the quiet killer in OKC’s youth cult — never loud, always efficient, annoyingly adult for 23. While Shai draws poetry reviews and Chet breaks physics, Jalen just keeps collecting solid lines like he’s saving receipts.

We bumped his usage; more maturity, more touches, same smirk. The Thunder trust him like accountants trust calculators. High Score smiles on versatility, and he checks every box. You won’t brag about drafting him, but you will about winning your league.

5. Jalen Johnson

Atlanta Hawks, SF/PF, Age 24

35.7 MIN, .500 FG, .746 FT, 1.2 3PM, 18.9 PTS, 10.0 REB, 5.0 AST, 1.6 STL, 1.0 BLK, 2.9 TO

Expected Availability: 94% — Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down.

120 Proof High Score: 320

Jalen finally escaped Trae Young’s gravitational pull. With Collins gone, there’s oxygen in Atlanta again, and Johnson’s breathing all of it. He plays like he’s trying to convince the league he’s not just “that other Jalen.”

We bumped his minutes. He rebounds like Rodman on Red Bull, passes, defends, and occasionally looks like he’s inventing a new sport on the fly. High Score loves Swiss Army forwards. Nobody’s drafting him for flash, but he’ll quietly bankroll your season.

6. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander

Oklahoma City Thunder, PG, Age 26

34.2 MIN, .519 FG, .898 FT, 2.1 3PM, 32.7 PTS, 5.0 REB, 6.4 AST, 1.7 STL, 1.0 BLK, 2.4 TO

Expected Availability: 80% — he’s still playing more than your therapist listens.

120 Proof High Score: 283

Shai doesn’t sprint anymore—he commands. Every dribble is an order of operations; every hesitation, a warning shot. The Finals MVP carried Oklahoma City from “cute upstart” to “holy hell they did it,” and he did it without ever raising his voice. He moves like a man who knows the league will eventually come to him, so why rush? Thirty-two points a night, shot efficiency that could make a metronome jealous, and just enough deflections to remind you that defense isn’t optional. He doesn’t bark, doesn’t dance, doesn’t tweet. He simply decides the outcome, one glide at a time.

High Score was practically built in his image. Points drive the engine, and he leads the league in them. Then layer on the bonuses—threes worth four, steals worth three, blocks worth two—and the man’s stat line reads like a cheat code. His efficiency isn’t a luxury, it’s compounding interest. In a system that worships volume, Shai gives you quantity and quality in the same breath.

7. Jalen Brunson

New York Knicks, PG, Age 28

35.4 MIN, .488 FG, .821 FT, 2.3 3PM, 26.0 PTS, 2.9 REB, 7.3 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.1 BLK, 2.5 TO

Expected Availability: 94% — Shows up like rent’s due.

120 Proof High Score: 222

Brunson runs Madison Square Garden like it’s his living room, except the furniture all costs millions and occasionally bursts into tears. With KAT in town, he finally has a pick-and-pop partner who won’t combust mid-possession.

We bumped his minutes because Thibodeau’s idea of rest is a glare. The man plays 40 a night and still looks like he’s deciding where to get dinner. High Score’s neutral on him—he’s efficient, steady, too well-adjusted for this chaos. Think of him as fantasy bourbon: consistent, a little expensive, absolutely necessary.

8. Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors, PG, Age 36

32.2 MIN, .448 FG, .933 FT, 4.4 3PM, 24.5 PTS, 4.4 REB, 6.0 AST, 1.1 STL, 0.4 BLK, 2.9 TO

Expected Availability: 75% — Expect a couple of scheduled absences and one mysterious week off labeled “soreness.”

120 Proof High Score: 173

Curry is basketball’s version of a recurring miracle — physics says he shouldn’t still be doing this, yet he keeps trashing egos from 30 feet. Golden State’s dynasty might be on its farewell tour, but the offense still orbits around his motion and gravity. Chris Paul is gone, Klay’s legs are gone, and Steve Kerr’s patience with the small-ball revolution might be next, but Steph’s still the one detonating defenses.

Under High Score, Curry shines: the three-pointers are weighted gold (+4), assists add sweetener, and missed shots barely sting. He’s not quite the top-five metronome he was, but every time he goes nuclear — 8 threes, 40 points, zero shame — he’s the archetype this new system was built for.

9. Tyrese Maxey

Philadelphia 76ers, SG/PG, Age 24

37.7 MIN, .437 FG, .879 FT, 3.1 3PM, 26.3 PTS, 3.3 REB, 6.1 AST, 1.8 STL, 0.4 BLK, 2.4 TO

Expected Availability: 87% — Optimism on caffeine. Shows up, runs forever, and smiles through shin splints.

120 Proof High Score: 153

Maxey plays like someone told him the court was closing in five minutes. Every possession’s a jailbreak, and the kid’s holding the keys. Harden’s ghost is gone, and Philly finally looks like it belongs to him and Embiid—assuming Joel’s knees remember the plan.

We bumped his usage because nobody in Philly can tell him not to. The man grins through bad spacing like a golden retriever spying Beggin’ Strips. In High Score, he’s a quiet winner: points, assists, and hustle stack up nicely. He’s what happens when joy learns to dribble.

10. Karl-Anthony Towns

New York Knicks, PF/C, Age 29

35.0 MIN, .526 FG, .829 FT, 2.0 3PM, 24.4 PTS, 12.8 REB, 3.1 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.7 BLK, 2.7 TO

Expected Availability: 68% — New York is louder, bigger, and less forgiving than Minnesota. Perfect fit.

120 Proof High Score: 133

Towns moved east away from the expectations of Anthony Edwards and found the demands of MSG’s faithful instead. Sharing the floor with Brunson, Bridges, and OG means fewer post-ups and more catch-and-shoots. He’ll score cleaner, rebound less, and roll his eyes just as hard.

We dialed back his minutes — new city, new spotlight, same ankles. High Score treats him kindly: 20-plus points, double-digit boards, and steady threes keep the math in his favor. He’s not the engine anymore, but he’s still the part that makes the car sound expensive.

11. Myles Turner

Milwaukee Bucks, C, Age 29

31.2 MIN, .496 FG, .772 FT, 2.1 3PM, 17.3 PTS, 7.2 REB, 1.6 AST, 0.7 STL, 2.2 BLK, 1.8 TO

Expected Availability: 76% — One of the few bigs who hasn’t fallen apart like an IKEA chair.

120 Proof High Score: 129

The Bucks swapped out Brook Lopez for a younger, springier rim deterrent. Turner steps into the same role—protect the paint, drag a defender to the arc, and hope Giannis and Dame remember to pass once in a while. Driving into his space still feels hopeless, and his jumper still makes defenses nervous.

We kept his usage steady: same job, louder arena. Milwaukee didn’t bring in Myles to ask him to carry the regular season — they’d rather see the team still playing in May and June. Still, High Score loves his balance—threes, points, and blocks all pay dividends while turnovers barely sting. In roto he’s steady protein; here, he’s the shrimp cocktail that comes with the steak.

12. Evan Mobley

Cleveland Cavaliers, PF/C, Age 23

33.4 MIN, .567 FG, .695 FT, 0.5 3PM, 16.0 PTS, 9.4 REB, 3.2 AST, 0.8 STL, 1.7 BLK, 1.9 TO

Expected Availability: 85% — Still built like a coat hanger, but it’s working.

120 Proof High Score: 128

Mobley remains the NBA’s quietest prodigy. He blocks shots you never saw coming, then disappears for a quarter like he’s reading existential poetry. With Kenny Atkinson replacing JB Bickerstaff, Cleveland’s offense finally looks ready to breathe — more pace, more spacing, more oxygen for Mobley to grow into his role.

We nudged his minutes modestly. He’s still flanked by Garland and Mitchell, but Atkinson’s system should drag him closer to the paint and the box score. Expect more touches, more movement, and the occasional reminder that patience pays off. High Score still underrates him a touch — efficiency dependency and modest scoring volume limit the spikes — but the blocks, boards, and all-around competence stack beautifully. Think minimalist jazz: low volume, high taste, and never for casual listeners.

13. James Harden

Los Angeles Clippers, SG/PG, Age 35

35.3 MIN, .410 FG, .874 FT, 3.0 3PM, 22.8 PTS, 5.8 REB, 8.7 AST, 1.5 STL, 0.7 BLK, 4.3 TO

Expected Availability: 74% — At this point his hamstring has its own player option.

120 Proof High Score: 127

The Clippers are setting records this year — not for pace, but for mileage. With Chris Paul helping run point, Brook Lopez anchoring the middle, and Harden splitting possessions with Kawhi, this roster has the combined age of a U.S. Senate subcommittee. The Intuit Dome isn’t an arena; it’s an independent living community playing Cocoon on 8K wraparound screens.

Harden’s game has aged into pure craft — a dribble, a pause, a foul he negotiated personally with the referee’s union. He no longer beats defenders so much as hypnotizes them into making business decisions.

We kept his minutes steady, but you can set your watch by his maintenance days. He’ll still pile up points and assists whenever the joints cooperate. High Score was built for players like him — all volume, no shame, and some forgiveness for load management. Turnovers barely scratch the surface, and efficiency penalties might as well be tax write-offs. In roto he’s a hangover; in High Score, he’s top-shelf liquor.

14. Domantas Sabonis

Sacramento Kings, PF/C, Age 28

36.2 MIN, .594 FG, .708 FT, 0.4 3PM, 19.6 PTS, 13.5 REB, 8.4 AST, 0.8 STL, 0.5 BLK, 3.2 TO

Expected Availability: 90% — He plays like a tractor engine that refuses to die and smells faintly of Lithuanian diesel.

120 Proof High Score: 125

Sabonis shows up every night like it’s harvest season. He’s the league’s only All-Star who looks like he could change your oil between quarters. With De’Aaron Fox gone and Zach LaVine in his place, the Kings have traded velocity for vanity. The ball runs through Sabonis now — not just the offense, but the identity.

We bumped his usage; this is his operation in full. He’ll anchor, distribute, and occasionally wonder why Doug McDermott is still open in the corner. He’s fantasy’s most reliable heavy machinery — loud, durable, and somehow still efficient enough to power a playoff push. High Score doesn’t always reward the blue-collar types, but his counting stats are industrial strength. Boards, assists, and points stack up like grain silos. You don’t draft him for flair; you draft him to make your spreadsheet blush and your opponents question their work ethic.

15. Anthony Edwards

Minnesota Timberwolves, SG/SF, Age 23

36.3 MIN, .447 FG, .837 FT, 4.1 3PM, 27.6 PTS, 5.7 REB, 4.5 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.6 BLK, 3.2 TO

Expected Availability: 100% — He’s ready to suit up for game 83 too.

120 Proof High Score: 117.59

Randle arrived in the KAT trade, which means Ant finally has a power forward who shoots like he’s mad at the rim. That’s good for spacing and bad for everyone’s shot selection. Edwards doesn’t care. He’s playing like the league’s main character and he’s right.

We nudged his usage up because Randle can rebound but can’t steal a spotlight. Ant’s still the headline act and the pyrotechnics crew. High Score adores high-usage scorers who don’t apologize. He’s the guy you draft when you want to feel young and reckless again.

16. Chet Holmgren

Oklahoma City Thunder, PF/C, Age 22

31.8 MIN, .541 FG, .792 FT, 1.7 3PM, 17.4 PTS, 8.2 REB, 2.5 AST, 0.8 STL, 2.5 BLK, 2.0 TO

Expected Availability: 71% — Looks like Slenderman but blocks shots like Dikembe in a Geiko ad.

120 Proof High Score: 101.01

Chet’s body says “fragile,” his box score says “Armageddon.” He contests shots from zip codes Wemby can’t see and treats rebounds like art projects. The Thunder’s stock keeps rising like they invented the air fryer that compliments your cooking.

We bumped his minutes slightly; more bulk, more trust, less panic. The rivalry with Wemby is becoming religion, and every game’s a sermon on wingspan. High Score loves his variety: blocks, threes, chaos. Just don’t watch him land — it ruins the illusion.

17. LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers, SF/PF, Age 40

34.9 MIN, .513 FG, .782 FT, 2.1 3PM, 24.4 PTS, 7.8 REB, 8.2 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.6 BLK, 3.7 TO

Expected Availability: 63% — Recovering from sciatica flare-up won’t stop him from pulling every string in the building

120 Proof High Score: 82

Despite being 40 and medically classified as “historic landmark,” LeBron’s still the guy Jeanie Buss calls before pressing any button. There’s zero percent chance she traded AD for Luka without checking if the King approved. He did — and now he’s coaching the most unpredictable duo since tequila and regret.

We eased his usage slightly; sharing the floor with Luka means fewer hero possessions, but he’ll still close every big game. The new dynamic with Ayton adds another body in the paint and one fewer excuse. High Score gives him that veteran discount: rebounding, assists, threes, turnovers — he’s a stat buffet. The minutes might taper, but he’s still the league’s best GM disguised as a small forward.

18. Anthony Davis

Dallas Mavericks, PF/C, Age 31

33.5 MIN, .516 FG, .775 FT, 0.7 3PM, 24.7 PTS, 11.6 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.2 STL, 2.2 BLK, 2.2 TO

Expected Availability: 68% — Once a Laker, now Luka’s bodyguard; let’s hope he brought bubble wrap.

120 Proof High Score: 74

Dallas’s new owner traded Luka for a glass chandelier with a unibrow that goes horizontal on the floor faster than Tara Reid. The trade made no sense, which in Dallas counts as a tradition. But give him this—when he’s upright, Anthony Davis turns the lane into a panic room.

The Mavericks handed him the keys to the frontcourt and told him not to crash the franchise. He’s running more post touches, cleaning every rebound like it owes him money, and quietly enjoying being the adult in the room. We bumped his touches because, for once, there’s no Luka to wave him off. High Score’s not always kind to big men who block more shots than tweets, but AD’s box score is still an avalanche. Draft him, light a candle for his ankles, and enjoy the nightly sermon on verticality.

19. Kevin Durant

Houston Rockets, SF/PF, Age 36

36.5 MIN, .527 FG, .839 FT, 2.6 3PM, 26.6 PTS, 6.0 REB, 4.2 AST, 0.8 STL, 1.2 BLK, 3.1 TO

Expected Availability: 60% — The legs are ancient scrolls held together with hope and KT tape.

120 Proof High Score: 67

Durant packed up the desert and brought his mid-range gospel to Houston, where every player under 26 thinks gravity is optional. He’s the old wolf in a rave. Sengun’s touch-passing and Jalen Green’s tunnel vision guarantee Durant all the open looks he can drink.

We bumped his usage — this team has no hierarchy and doesn’t believe in therapy. If the hamstrings cooperate, he’ll be a one-man scoring correction. High Score loves the gaudy stuff — points, threes, blocks — and KD still fills the margins like he’s editing his own Wikipedia page.

20. Cade Cunningham

Detroit Pistons, PG/SG, Age 23

35.0 MIN, .469 FG, .846 FT, 2.1 3PM, 26.1 PTS, 6.1 REB, 9.1 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.8 BLK, 4.4 TO

Expected Availability: 72% — He’s the only reason to watch Detroit that doesn’t involve Ford recalls.

120 Proof High Score: 66

Cade’s been the lighthouse in a fog of bad drafts and worse management. Every possession starts with him, ends with him, or dies trying. The Pistons still lose like clockwork, but his numbers don’t care about the scoreboard.

We gave him a small bump — the depth chart is more suggestion than obstacle. If Jaden Ivey ever passes the ball, the state might hold a parade. High Score feeds off high-usage creators who ignore field-goal percentage shame. Cade’s fantasy value is all calories, no nutrients — and that’s delicious.

21. Donovan Mitchell

Cleveland Cavaliers, SG/PG, Age 28

31.4 MIN, .443 FG, .823 FT, 3.3 3PM, 24.0 PTS, 4.5 REB, 5.0 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.2 BLK, 2.1 TO

Expected Availability: 77% — Left ankle sprain looked worse than it was; tougher than the Jazz give him credit for.

120 Proof High Score: 44.09

Mitchell’s become the Cavs’ panic button and their insurance policy at once. Every possession looks like he’s late for something important. His shot diet’s still chaos cuisine, but Cleveland keeps feeding him.

We bumped his minutes; the backcourt belongs to him until someone else figures out what spacing means. His usage will live high because Garland’s content to vibe and Mobley’s still learning verbs. High Score boosts him for the raw scoring and steals. He’s a fantasy espresso shot — short, strong, and mildly stressful.

22. Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks, PG, Age 26

36.0 MIN, .411 FG, .875 FT, 2.9 3PM, 24.2 PTS, 3.1 REB, 11.6 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.2 BLK, 4.7 TO

Expected Availability: 89% — We bumped his usage now that Murray and his hairline moved to New Orleans.

120 Proof High Score: 21

Murray’s gone to New Orleans, leaving Trae the undisputed monarch of shot creation and self-pity. Quinn Snyder still coaches like he’s mainlining espresso, and Trae still plays like the caffeine hit halfway through.

We bumped his minutes a hair; the touches are endless and the defense optional. He’ll keep breaking assist records nobody remembers. High Score treats him kindly — turnovers hurt, points and dimes outweigh the noise, and getting dunked on doesn’t count against you. Draft him, just don’t watch the visiting team’s House of Highlights reel.

23. Devin Booker

Phoenix Suns, SG/PG, Age 28

37.3 MIN, .461 FG, .894 FT, 2.4 3PM, 25.6 PTS, 4.1 REB, 7.1 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.2 BLK, 2.9 TO

Expected Availability: 85% — Durant and Beal both demanded trades to join him; how long until he demands one to leave?

120 Proof High Score: 10

KD and Beal both taught the master class on How to Get Out of Dodge With a Max Contract. Negotiate the extension, say all the right things about “unfinished business,” then one day start using words like direction and fit until the front office packs your bags for you. Booker’s pretending he didn’t take notes, but he was sitting in the front row with a highlighter.

For now, he’s still in Phoenix — the lone gunman surrounded by tumbleweeds and half-paid buyouts. The Suns’ supporting cast looks like a group chat that forgot to draft a center. He’ll score because he has to; he’ll stay because he wants to prove he’s better than his mentors. We raised his minutes — who else is shooting? He’ll pour in points, rack up assists out of sheer boredom, and quietly lead the league in existential sighs.

24. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks, PF, Age 30

34.2 MIN, .601 FG, .617 FT, 0.2 3PM, 30.4 PTS, 11.9 REB, 6.5 AST, 0.9 STL, 1.2 BLK, 3.1 TO

Expected Availability: 81% — Still dominant, still laughing in Greek, and still shooting free throws that make the coaching staff smoke in the tunnel.

120 Proof High Score: [DOES NOT COMPUTE]

Our model tried to grade him and blue-screened halfway through. The math just wasn’t built for this kind of violence. Giannis now plays beside Turner instead of Lopez, which means he can spend more time dunking and less time pretending he’s a small forward. The Bucks’ half-court sets remain a Greek tragedy — dramatic, unstoppable, and often poorly lit.

We adjusted for age and chaos, but High Score doesn’t know what to do with a player who exists entirely in defiance of math. You don’t analyze Giannis — you survive him.

THE KING IS DEAD… LONG LIVE THE KING!

And now, a brief pause to raise a glass to the other half of the room — the ones who looked at Yahoo’s new High Score circus and quietly turned their backs to the noise. The ones who said, “Fun experiment, boys, but I’m staying where the math still behaves.”

The world outside is losing its mind — drones swarm overhead, robots are angling for our jobs, and the only thing bombing harder than Eastern Europe is Jared Leto starring in another Tron.

But not here. Not in our leagues. Out there, everything updates itself — the cars, the Playstation controller, even the people. In here, we still set our own lineups. We still curse at box scores rather than suffer another dopamine-fueled app offering engineered addiction.

So here’s to you, the purists — the ones thumbing your nose at change, shutting down any talk of a points league that’ll be a foregone conclusion by January. Here’s to the managers who limp into spring covered in injury reports, who still believe that a couple of lucky breaks as an eight-seed in single elimination count as glory.

You don’t need algorithms or new rules. You just need one hot week in March and a reason to care again.

And out of respect for this sacred order, we tortured the math one more time — not for High Score glory, but to deliver our Top 24 tuned for Head-to-Head salvation:

120 Proof Head-to-Head Score (9-Cat)

Rank	Player	Team	Pos	120 Proof Head-to-Head Score
1	Nikola Jokić	DEN	C	486.2
2	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	OKC	PG/SG	314.7
3	Tyrese Haliburton	IND	PG	282.4
4	Luka Dončić	LAL	PG/SF	275.1
5	Victor Wembanyama	SAS	PF/C	267.9
6	Tyrese Maxey	PHI	PG/SG	262.3
7	Anthony Edwards	MIN	SG/SF	254.6
8	Jalen Brunson	NYK	PG	248.2
9	Domantas Sabonis	SAC	C	243.0
10	Anthony Davis	DAL	PF/C	238.8
11	Devin Booker	PHX	SG/PG	236.7
12	Donovan Mitchell	CLE	SG/PG	233.5
13	Trae Young	ATL	PG	231.4
14	Jalen Williams	OKC	SG/SF	228.9
15	Karl-Anthony Towns	NYK	PF/C	227.2
16	Evan Mobley	CLE	PF/C	226.1
17	Chet Holmgren	OKC	C	225.8
18	Myles Turner	MIL	C	223.5
19	Cade Cunningham	DET	PG/SG	222.7
20	Giannis Antetokounmpo	MIL	PF	220.3
21	Kevin Durant	HOU	SF/PF	218.4
22	Jalen Johnson	ATL	SF/PF	217.6
23	LeBron James	LAL	SF/PF	216.9
24	Devin Vassell	SAS	SG/SF	215.2

(values normalized for 70-game fantasy season)

Closing Time

If this experiment works, we’ll be back at season’s end to gloat and pretend it was all inevitable. If it doesn’t, we know what happens when you divide by zero.

Here’s to algorithms, accidents, and the brave fools who still think they can predict basketball.

About the 120 Proof High Score Methodology

The 120 Proof High Score model starts where most fantasy systems stop — not with raw totals, but with availability. Each player’s last five seasons are weighted toward recency to capture how often they actually suit up, then multiplied by a Flex Adjustment that accounts for growth, decline, and team context. That number becomes the foundation for everything else.

Per-game z-scores are calculated for each of the nine standard categories, then scaled to reflect how High Score values production — rewarding counting stats, efficiency, and impact over replacement. Those weighted category z-scores are summed, and the player’s total is adjusted by their final availability score to produce the High Score Value.

For comparison, we also translate those same z-scores into the 9-Cat Head-to-Head format. In that model, we skip the High Score scaling and instead apply a governor that caps each stat’s total contribution — since no single category can win a week outright.

Both formats share the same spine: five years of data, transparent weighting, and an insistence that context matters. One measures how much a player gives you. The other, how often.

Todd / 120 Proof Ball

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