To be successful in Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP) leagues, it takes a different strategy than head-to-head (H2H), double-up (DUP) or even 3man leagues. In smaller leagues the main goal is to create a team with the most projected fantasy points possible. This team, based on your opinions would have the best chance of finishing above average.

In a GPP, finishing slightly above average is no different from finishing dead last. In both cases you lose your entry-fee and get no prize. So, you need to make the team with the highest likelihood to finish in the top 10%, or maybe even 1%. Maximize your upside, not just your value. When all else is equal (or even close to equal) you should choose the guy with MORE risk when building a team for a GPP. Here is an example...

Monta Ellis (Guard/Warriors)

Last 10: 21.3PPG., 4.8 APG., 2.2 SPG.

Ellis is a guard that's capable of going off at any time when drafting him as one of your starters. The 26-year-old guard has been able to improve his overall game, alongside new head coach Mark Jackson. Monta is dishing out a career-high, 6.3 assists a night this season and is coming off a 48-point outburst against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Look for Ellis' scoring numbers to rise in the next few games, with the team facing a few cupcake defenses in Denver, Houston and Phoenix.

Anyone who plays NBA leagues on DraftStreet knows that fair value in salary cap leagues will have you paying about $500 per fantasy point. Some refer to this as "2x"... If a guy costs $10,000 and he gets you 20 fantasy points then he got you "2x" and you're on pace for 200. But, the multiplication ends here. From here on out it is all addition when looking for value. Some people look to get 2.5x because then they are on pace for 250 fantasy points, which is usually a winning score, but this isn't the stock market. You can't just buy one player and collect a return on that investment. You need to buy exactly 8 players and make the most of a $100k budget. This is why you need to tweak your equation; instead of 2.5x, you need to look for 2x+y, and I'd say y = 5. Then you're on pace for 240. Maybe you want to make y = 7 and shoot for 256, it's all the same.

Let me illustrate my point. Many people would agree that Jeremy Lin was the best value pick of this season on Monday when he scored 34 fpts for a price of about $3,500. They look at this as a "10x" return. I look at it as 2x+27. Since you need to get production out of 7 other players, I view this pick as a +27 pick. You're much more likely on pace for 227(2x+27) than 1,000(10x). Would you rather get 25 fpts from a $5k guy or 80 fpts from a $20k guy? 5x vs 4x... but 2x+15 vs 2x+40. Without question I take the 80 fpts for $20k.

Stats and analysis is based off the last 10 games played. (Feb. 23, 2012)

Obvious Leaders: LeBron James (MIA), Kobe Bryant (LAL) & Dwight Howard (ORL)

Sleepers

Kemba Walker (G/CHA) -- 11.1 ppg., 3.2 apg., 3.1 rpg.