First mock draft of the season for a 12-team, nine-cat head-to-head league unfolds as Josh Lloyd tests a third-round reversal, builds a raw-but-ambitious roster, and weighs the constant tension between elite per-game upside and long-term risk. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lands early, becoming the anchor in a guard-forward build while Nikola Jokic and Luka Dončić hover in the top four—though the host signals flexibility depending on schedule and matchup dynamics.

Attention shifts to the playoff calendar: no two-game finals in most weeks, with some teams sporting heavy two-game weeks in round one and up to five in the finals. That prompts strategic chatter about balancing positions, streaming late-round centers, and punting certain stats to maximize value. The session doubles as a live exploration of board dynamics, expected ADP drift, and what a truly balanced, adaptable squad looks like across formats.

Throughout, the host stresses that projections meet variance in head-to-head formats, and that the mock is a learning tool rather than a real draft. Feedback from listeners and future schedule-breakdown shows are teased as essential pieces to refine builds for Yahoo, ESPN, and Fantrax alike. It’s a playful, analytical kickoff to a year of evolving fantasy basketball strategy.