Fantasy is not restricted to the stat junkies of the NBA fandom. Not every player plops down on the couch Wednesday night to start tracking shot charts and assist-to-turnover rates; most are too busy with the events of everyday life. It stands to reason that a little luck comes into play as well as knowledge.

Some days, bad luck will ruin even the strongest of plans, and anyone not prepared for this kind of situation will plummet in the rankings. Players’ value adjusts with things like trades, free agent signings, new depth charts and poor personal etiquette (Nate Robinson, I’m looking at you!).

The most prominent of the “good-idea-gone-horribly-wrong” predicaments is the threat of major injury. Some rosters have as many as five players, roughly a third of the typical roster, missing some serious playing time. The question these poor souls face is what to do to compete both now and down the road. Here are a few ideas to ponder.

Drop injured players until they return.
It’s always a little risky, but dropping guys with zero value for a few relevant stats ensures that you don’t fall too far behind. This is time-intensive because you have to keep an eye on your keeper and be ready to pick him up if it looks like he gets close to returning. Other players may reach for your stud, so this is probably my least favorite answer to the injury question.

Pick up the reserves teams play in place of injured stars.
Hey, it’s what teams pay them for, right? When a big name goes down with injury, that usually opens a large hole for young or unproven players to step in and make their mark. Check the bench for role players who fit the role their predecessors filled. Also, watch the other regular rotation players to step up and fill in the numbers left open by injury. Always a good idea, this is your best bet to keep your team going.

Work a trade.
Some players will jump at the chance to trade time for value, potentially making this a win-win. Offering an injured star as incentive to swing a multiplayer swap is not what any player hopes for going into the season, but staying competitive all season is more important. Two-for-one trades work pretty well here, offering an injured player and a decent producer for a top-quality replacement.

Living off the wire
Turning your roster into a revolving door rarely works, but when it does, the benefits of stronger schedules churns out massive stats. This is the most methodical and time-consuming, because this relies on continually checking schedules and watching depth charts. To figure this out, try to pick up enough consistent players who see at least four games for the week, and come Sunday start over again.

None of these ideas are as good as having a healthy contributor, but the absolute worst idea is to do nothing. Leaving the roster alone will most likely churn out the best numbers after the injury, but by then there may not be enough time to recoup the losses.

Keep an eye on the waiver wire, and don’t be afraid to make a move if it presents itself. Keep an eye out for more Fantasy info, and don’t get discouraged. Good luck and happy gaming!

Players to watch:

Allen Iverson
The Answer just re-upped with the 76ers, and will most likely see heavy use with both of Philly’s point guards shelved on the injured list. A.I. has a history of piling on the stats, and has roughly eight weeks to prove he can still do it.

Michael Redd
Redd has been in a seemingly constant state of limbo between barely healthy and not-quite-injured, but there are two things I know to be true. First, Milwaukee is looking to rebuild and could easily ship Redd elsewhere in the coming months. Second, Redd is one of the hardest-working players around, and will be ready to prove his worth to his new suitors. Keep an eye on him down the road.

Ryan Gomes
The tweener forward is quietly making a name for himself in Minnesota, putting together a streak of solid performances on both ends over his last five outings. Known for defensive prowess and oddball stat boosts, Gomes has shown he can put the peach in the bucket, tallying 21.3 points per game last week, and should hold minutes as a solid contributor even with the return of Kevin Love. Speaking of which …

Kevin Love
Love has bounced back from a broken hand with considerable numbers, picking up right where he left off a year ago. Hand and arm injuries are notorious for tweaking with a player’s shot, but Love is still scoring at a solid pace while contributing in boards, shooting percentage, blocks and assists.

Vladimir Radmonovic/Anthony Randolph
Despite coach Nelson’s ever-changing rotation, the front line is now relied on for even more in Golden State. After several injuries, the Warriors are turning to the remaining front line to balance the attack with Monta Ellis. Also of note, Nellie is at home on this road trip with pneumonia, so watch their stat lines and see who comes out on top. The winner should contribute solid numbers.

Eric Gordon
Just returning from injury, Gordon should add some offensive punch to Clipper-land, especially with Baron Davis flanking him on the wing. The second-year guard also has a nose for picking up steals and has shown a penchant for assists along with a ridiculous free throw percentage. Consider picking him up if your guard play needs work.