scoobus
Footballguy
Great post, I might try to do something similar later. I think wikkid also did something like this which I loved too.
I had nobody in the favorite or least favorite pick, seems about right.
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2022 NBA Roster Draft - This draft goes to 12! (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Frostillicus
- Start date
I had nobody in the favorite or least favorite pick, seems about right.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
facook
Footballguy
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Eephus
Footballguy
PG Mike Conley
SG James Harden
SF De'Andre Hunter
PF Robert Covington
C Bam Adebayo
F Franz Wagner
G Dennis Schröder
Big Onyeka Okongwu
Big Kelly Olynyk
PG Rajon Rondo
W Terance Mann
W Reggie Bullock
It's tough to win a popularity contest with a team bulit around James Harden but I'm pretty happy with the way this draft went. I've surrounded Harden and Adebayo with shooters on offense and have populated my front court with a group of long switchable bigs that are the template for a modern NBA defense.
James Harden is going to dominate the ball on offense; the torrent of isos and pick and rolls may not be pretty but they'll be effective. James can still fill it up as well as anyone when he's healthy and happy. Health is guaranteed by the rules and I'm hoping this set of teammates will complement his good and keep his mood on the up and up.
Bam Adebayo is an ideal pick and roll partner. He's a superior finisher but is also adept in finding the open man. Bam sets the tone for my defense full of long, switchable bigs. He'll allow me to control the crunch time matchup game because he can't be played off the floor by any opposing lineup.
Mike Conley will pair with Harden in the backcourt. Conley is accustomed to playing off a ball dominant SG. He can initiate the offense himself or play off-ball while James cooks and provide spacing as a legitimate 3PT threat.
Robert Covington will start at the 4. His offensive role will be minimal. His job is to stretch the defense and hit uncontested 3PT shots. His shot has been up and down the past couple of seasons but I think he'll get better looks when reunited with Harden. He's a decent perimeter defender but he thrives as a rim protector from the weakside and as a fiend in the passing lanes.
De'Andre Hunter brings some youth to the wing. Hunter has been getting starter's minutes in Atlanta and is shooting well since returning from his latest injury. He's hitting over 40% from 3PT this season so should be able to thrive in a low usage role in this offense. Hunter has great size for a wing at 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan which gives me a lot of frontcourt options on defense.
Rookie Franz Wagner is the final part of my three-headed monster at the Forward positions. who brings more on the offensive end than Hunter or Covington. Wagner is tremendously skilled for a player of his size. He's a creative option who can get buckets with the second unit or as a complementary piece with the starters.
Dennis Schröder will be the first guard off the bench. I'll manage Conley's regular season minutes to keep him fresh for the playoffs so Schröder will ostensibly get most of his run at the PG position. But labels at the Guard slots don't matter as much when James Harden is involved. Schröder was at his best in a sixth man role with the Thunder and I envision similar success here.
My reserve big men are Onyeka Okongwu and Kelly Olynyk. Okongwu is a perfect plug and play backup for Adebayo. He's another ultra switchable Nigerian big who can rim run and defend on the perimeter and the post. His current game is sort of like a proto-Adebayo, he's able to do everything Bam does at a slight lower level. They're so similar that there's no way for them to share the floor except for some rare defense-only sets. Olynyk is a change of pace big who can stretch the floor at either the 4 or 5 position on the offense. On the defensive end, Kelly has beautiful long flowing locks. Covington also has experience as a small ball 5 if we want to show that look.
Rajon Rondo is a savvy veteran PG and locker room presence. He won't see many minutes but he can make sure the ball keeps moving during second unit shifts. He's not the defensive stopper he once was but still reads the game well and can use his long arms to disrupt the offense.
Terance Mann and Reggie Bullock are the last two guys on the roster. Mann has a good all-around game to bring some energy off the bench while Bullock is more of a traditional 3 and D player. I won't ask much of them except to match up defensively against smaller wings.
I added up my team's 2021-22 salaries because I'm a nerd. We're at $156,859,975 which puts us about $10M into the luxury tax. I suspect a lot of us will be in the same boat because there weren't a lot of minimum salary guys drafted.
SG James Harden
SF De'Andre Hunter
PF Robert Covington
C Bam Adebayo
F Franz Wagner
G Dennis Schröder
Big Onyeka Okongwu
Big Kelly Olynyk
PG Rajon Rondo
W Terance Mann
W Reggie Bullock
It's tough to win a popularity contest with a team bulit around James Harden but I'm pretty happy with the way this draft went. I've surrounded Harden and Adebayo with shooters on offense and have populated my front court with a group of long switchable bigs that are the template for a modern NBA defense.
James Harden is going to dominate the ball on offense; the torrent of isos and pick and rolls may not be pretty but they'll be effective. James can still fill it up as well as anyone when he's healthy and happy. Health is guaranteed by the rules and I'm hoping this set of teammates will complement his good and keep his mood on the up and up.
Bam Adebayo is an ideal pick and roll partner. He's a superior finisher but is also adept in finding the open man. Bam sets the tone for my defense full of long, switchable bigs. He'll allow me to control the crunch time matchup game because he can't be played off the floor by any opposing lineup.
Mike Conley will pair with Harden in the backcourt. Conley is accustomed to playing off a ball dominant SG. He can initiate the offense himself or play off-ball while James cooks and provide spacing as a legitimate 3PT threat.
Robert Covington will start at the 4. His offensive role will be minimal. His job is to stretch the defense and hit uncontested 3PT shots. His shot has been up and down the past couple of seasons but I think he'll get better looks when reunited with Harden. He's a decent perimeter defender but he thrives as a rim protector from the weakside and as a fiend in the passing lanes.
De'Andre Hunter brings some youth to the wing. Hunter has been getting starter's minutes in Atlanta and is shooting well since returning from his latest injury. He's hitting over 40% from 3PT this season so should be able to thrive in a low usage role in this offense. Hunter has great size for a wing at 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan which gives me a lot of frontcourt options on defense.
Rookie Franz Wagner is the final part of my three-headed monster at the Forward positions. who brings more on the offensive end than Hunter or Covington. Wagner is tremendously skilled for a player of his size. He's a creative option who can get buckets with the second unit or as a complementary piece with the starters.
Dennis Schröder will be the first guard off the bench. I'll manage Conley's regular season minutes to keep him fresh for the playoffs so Schröder will ostensibly get most of his run at the PG position. But labels at the Guard slots don't matter as much when James Harden is involved. Schröder was at his best in a sixth man role with the Thunder and I envision similar success here.
My reserve big men are Onyeka Okongwu and Kelly Olynyk. Okongwu is a perfect plug and play backup for Adebayo. He's another ultra switchable Nigerian big who can rim run and defend on the perimeter and the post. His current game is sort of like a proto-Adebayo, he's able to do everything Bam does at a slight lower level. They're so similar that there's no way for them to share the floor except for some rare defense-only sets. Olynyk is a change of pace big who can stretch the floor at either the 4 or 5 position on the offense. On the defensive end, Kelly has beautiful long flowing locks. Covington also has experience as a small ball 5 if we want to show that look.
Rajon Rondo is a savvy veteran PG and locker room presence. He won't see many minutes but he can make sure the ball keeps moving during second unit shifts. He's not the defensive stopper he once was but still reads the game well and can use his long arms to disrupt the offense.
Terance Mann and Reggie Bullock are the last two guys on the roster. Mann has a good all-around game to bring some energy off the bench while Bullock is more of a traditional 3 and D player. I won't ask much of them except to match up defensively against smaller wings.
I added up my team's 2021-22 salaries because I'm a nerd. We're at $156,859,975 which puts us about $10M into the luxury tax. I suspect a lot of us will be in the same boat because there weren't a lot of minimum salary guys drafted.
scoobus
Footballguy
Just straight ripping off JMon's format...
Favorite/Least favorite pick(s) per round:
1.
Durant- Already mentioned it but I had him at #1, steal at 4.
Luka- I had a clear cut top 7 and he went 8. Looking more like old self as he's playing himself back into shape.
______________________________________________
Jayson Tatum- Want nothing to do with him. Kobe got in his head, and now he thinks he's Kobe. He isn't Kobe.
Demar DeRozan- His game is just so sketchy for the playoffs. Cheap fouls go away, and lack of 3's become bigger problem.
2
Jrue Holiday- Maybe overrating a little based off of Olympics, but so good on D and capable on O, perfect compliment to a star
Jaylen Brown- I'd rather have him than Tatum
SGA- Stats down this year, but he's on that dumpster fire team and I think he can still be a stud.
______________________________________________
Draymond- Very unique player that I don't hate, just really don't like the fit with Gobert.
3
Deandre Ayton- Solid on offense, proven he can be a difference maker in the playoffs on defense against some of the league's best bigs.
____________________________________________________________
Julius Randle- Last season looks like a total outlier
Aaron Gordon- Man, not a third rounder at all. He's.....ok. Great 6th+ rounder (Including this just cause I thought this was spot-on)
I'm losing steam here, top 3 is all you get.
Bonus
Jerami Grant- Stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud. Hope Detroit trades him to a playoff team.
_________________________________________
Darius Bazley- F that guy
Favorite/Least favorite pick(s) per round:
1.
Durant- Already mentioned it but I had him at #1, steal at 4.
Luka- I had a clear cut top 7 and he went 8. Looking more like old self as he's playing himself back into shape.
______________________________________________
Jayson Tatum- Want nothing to do with him. Kobe got in his head, and now he thinks he's Kobe. He isn't Kobe.
Demar DeRozan- His game is just so sketchy for the playoffs. Cheap fouls go away, and lack of 3's become bigger problem.
2
Jrue Holiday- Maybe overrating a little based off of Olympics, but so good on D and capable on O, perfect compliment to a star
Jaylen Brown- I'd rather have him than Tatum
SGA- Stats down this year, but he's on that dumpster fire team and I think he can still be a stud.
______________________________________________
Draymond- Very unique player that I don't hate, just really don't like the fit with Gobert.
3
Deandre Ayton- Solid on offense, proven he can be a difference maker in the playoffs on defense against some of the league's best bigs.
____________________________________________________________
Julius Randle- Last season looks like a total outlier
Aaron Gordon- Man, not a third rounder at all. He's.....ok. Great 6th+ rounder (Including this just cause I thought this was spot-on)
I'm losing steam here, top 3 is all you get.
Bonus
Jerami Grant- Stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud. Hope Detroit trades him to a playoff team.
_________________________________________
Darius Bazley- F that guy
Jayrod
Footballguy
My Best/Worst pick by round:
Rd 1 Best - Jimmy Butler - He should have gone mid round. He is more consistent and a better two-way player than the 5 guys taken before him. I also like him better than AD based on this season. The Heat are in first in the East and he's their best player.
Rd 1 Worst - Damian Lillard - My statistical analysis had him ranked #56 overall. I think he's much more valuable than that, but he's having a terrible year, shooting under 33% from 3 and still plays poor defense.
Rd 2 Best - Darius Garland - nobody really jumped out huge, but I had him ranked above Jrue & LaMelo and he was taken with the last pick of the round.
Rd 2 Worst - Klay Thompson - 2019 Klay and this is a great pick...but we are TWO YEARS removed from that. He's not what he was yet and we don't know what he really will be either. For this season, he's a 4th round pick at best.
Rd 3 Best - Pascal Siakam - I got an all-star level player who is effective in all aspects of the game at a position with few major difference makers in the 3rd round. He's not a superstar, but he is one of the best #2's in the league and has ring to show for it. I had him ranked #22 overall statistically and took him at pick 41.
Rd 3 Worst - Aaron Gordon - He's a solid role player. But that's not what you should be looking for in round 3. Should have gone in round 5.
Rd 4 Best - tie between Robert Williams & Tobias Harris - they are both very good players on playoff caliber teams and I had them ranked in the mid-3rd round.
Rd 4 Worst - Kevin Porter Jr. - He has a huge negative net rating, a negative VORP, a negative BPM and a negative WS total. He actually makes his team worse than an average player and he was taken in the top 80.
Rd 5 Best - Marcus Smart - like wikkid says, he does what no one else can do (which is produce a plus 10-12 point differential without taking a shot). He's also producing offensively at an efficient level more than ever this season. At pick 99 he was a steal.
Rd 5 Worst - Michael Porter Jr. - He's barely played and when he did he was playing poorly. He is a defensive liability and was inefficient offensively. Imagine if he wasn't getting looks from Jokic how bad he would look? Sure, he COULD be great offensively, but you can say that about 100 guys picked after him and he is likely to not play again this season. No way should he have been taken in the first 5 rounds.
Rd 6 Best - Montrezl Harrell - guy is still his hyper-efficient self and provides instant energy and offense off the bench. He is used to that role and will serve his team very well.
Rd 6 Worst - Joe Harris - he is a one trick pony. Yes he is an elite shooter, but his overall game is a net negative. He would have been better suited in the 8th round or later of this draft.
Rd 7 Best - Tyrese Maxey - Have him ranked #51 based on this season. He is a having a very good year on a very good team and is making Simmons expendable. Getting a starting quality PG in the 7th round is robbery. I wish I had waited on PG and taken him at pick 120, but I didn't expect him to make it that long.
Rd 7 Worst - Onyeka Okongwu - there were about 6 centers taken in rounds 8 & 9 that are actually better than him this year. Not terrible, but based on what was available I really dislike this pick.
Rd 8 Best - Al Horford - when I took Vucevic at pick 81, he was the next best Center available at that time and it took until pick 145 for him to get taken. Starting quality PF/C off the bench is a luxury few will have. Heck, he's better than a handful of team's starters at those positions.
Rd 8 Worst - Goran Dragic - similar to Michael Porter Jr above, he has barely played and wasn't setting the world on fire when he was. Picking guys based solely on previous seasons is against the whole purpose of this draft. Dragic is a non-factor in the NBA in 2022 and he isn't even hurt. The Raptors would rather pay him to sit at home.
Rd 9 Best - Grayson Allen - he just fell because everyone dislikes him as a person. He should have gone at least 2 rounds earlier. He is an effective, starting 2 way guard shooting 39% from 3 on a great team and was picked at number 180. Robbery, people...robbery.
Rd 9 Worst - Torrey Craig - He could have easily gone undrafted in this. He is only playing 19 mpg, averaging 6.2/1.1/3.6 and not playing good defense. What was the draw here? Lots of players with at least some positives were on the board and this guy has none.
Rd 10 Best - Terance Mann - He was a difference maker in the playoffs last year and is having a decent year this season. Really good value as an end of the bench scorer.
Rd 10 Worst - tie Boban & Tacko - gimmicky players getting less than 6 minutes per game. Maybe at the end of round 12, but there were still quality backup centers on the board in this round.
Rd 1 Best - Jimmy Butler - He should have gone mid round. He is more consistent and a better two-way player than the 5 guys taken before him. I also like him better than AD based on this season. The Heat are in first in the East and he's their best player.
Rd 1 Worst - Damian Lillard - My statistical analysis had him ranked #56 overall. I think he's much more valuable than that, but he's having a terrible year, shooting under 33% from 3 and still plays poor defense.
Rd 2 Best - Darius Garland - nobody really jumped out huge, but I had him ranked above Jrue & LaMelo and he was taken with the last pick of the round.
Rd 2 Worst - Klay Thompson - 2019 Klay and this is a great pick...but we are TWO YEARS removed from that. He's not what he was yet and we don't know what he really will be either. For this season, he's a 4th round pick at best.
Rd 3 Best - Pascal Siakam - I got an all-star level player who is effective in all aspects of the game at a position with few major difference makers in the 3rd round. He's not a superstar, but he is one of the best #2's in the league and has ring to show for it. I had him ranked #22 overall statistically and took him at pick 41.
Rd 3 Worst - Aaron Gordon - He's a solid role player. But that's not what you should be looking for in round 3. Should have gone in round 5.
Rd 4 Best - tie between Robert Williams & Tobias Harris - they are both very good players on playoff caliber teams and I had them ranked in the mid-3rd round.
Rd 4 Worst - Kevin Porter Jr. - He has a huge negative net rating, a negative VORP, a negative BPM and a negative WS total. He actually makes his team worse than an average player and he was taken in the top 80.
Rd 5 Best - Marcus Smart - like wikkid says, he does what no one else can do (which is produce a plus 10-12 point differential without taking a shot). He's also producing offensively at an efficient level more than ever this season. At pick 99 he was a steal.
Rd 5 Worst - Michael Porter Jr. - He's barely played and when he did he was playing poorly. He is a defensive liability and was inefficient offensively. Imagine if he wasn't getting looks from Jokic how bad he would look? Sure, he COULD be great offensively, but you can say that about 100 guys picked after him and he is likely to not play again this season. No way should he have been taken in the first 5 rounds.
Rd 6 Best - Montrezl Harrell - guy is still his hyper-efficient self and provides instant energy and offense off the bench. He is used to that role and will serve his team very well.
Rd 6 Worst - Joe Harris - he is a one trick pony. Yes he is an elite shooter, but his overall game is a net negative. He would have been better suited in the 8th round or later of this draft.
Rd 7 Best - Tyrese Maxey - Have him ranked #51 based on this season. He is a having a very good year on a very good team and is making Simmons expendable. Getting a starting quality PG in the 7th round is robbery. I wish I had waited on PG and taken him at pick 120, but I didn't expect him to make it that long.
Rd 7 Worst - Onyeka Okongwu - there were about 6 centers taken in rounds 8 & 9 that are actually better than him this year. Not terrible, but based on what was available I really dislike this pick.
Rd 8 Best - Al Horford - when I took Vucevic at pick 81, he was the next best Center available at that time and it took until pick 145 for him to get taken. Starting quality PF/C off the bench is a luxury few will have. Heck, he's better than a handful of team's starters at those positions.
Rd 8 Worst - Goran Dragic - similar to Michael Porter Jr above, he has barely played and wasn't setting the world on fire when he was. Picking guys based solely on previous seasons is against the whole purpose of this draft. Dragic is a non-factor in the NBA in 2022 and he isn't even hurt. The Raptors would rather pay him to sit at home.
Rd 9 Best - Grayson Allen - he just fell because everyone dislikes him as a person. He should have gone at least 2 rounds earlier. He is an effective, starting 2 way guard shooting 39% from 3 on a great team and was picked at number 180. Robbery, people...robbery.
Rd 9 Worst - Torrey Craig - He could have easily gone undrafted in this. He is only playing 19 mpg, averaging 6.2/1.1/3.6 and not playing good defense. What was the draw here? Lots of players with at least some positives were on the board and this guy has none.
Rd 10 Best - Terance Mann - He was a difference maker in the playoffs last year and is having a decent year this season. Really good value as an end of the bench scorer.
Rd 10 Worst - tie Boban & Tacko - gimmicky players getting less than 6 minutes per game. Maybe at the end of round 12, but there were still quality backup centers on the board in this round.
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Instinctive
Footballguy
We've had like 4-5 people go on best/worst picks and only one of mine made anyone's list...KD at #4 overall as best on Scoobus' list.
Just a consistent draft of the 2nd best pick of the round every time I suppose.
Just a consistent draft of the 2nd best pick of the round every time I suppose.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
PG - Luka Doncic
SG - Tyler Herro
SF - Anthony Edwards
PF - Bobby Portis
C - Myles Turner
----------------------------
PG - Tyrese Maxy
SG - Danny Green
SF - Andre iguodala
PF - Chris Boucher
C - Isaiah Stewart
SG - Terence Davis
SF - Wes Matthews
We are going to run, and we are going to score. Luka will obviously be our #1 ball-handler and playmaker, and he has four shooters around him when he drives. Herro and Ant are also more than capable of creating with the ball which will give Luka plenty of opportunity to post-up and create from there.
Perimeter defense on my starting unit is a bit lacking admittedly with Luka and Herro being negatives and Ant being inconsistent at best, but that's why I have two elite rim protectors in Portis and Turner. Not to mention with Danny Green, Andre Iguodala, and Wes Matthews coming on the bench we can always put in some combination of that group to help tighten things up when the situation calls for it.
Elite offense, elite rim-protection, and an elite bench, particularly on defense to shore up the starting unit's only minor deficiency. Best team ever!
SG - Tyler Herro
SF - Anthony Edwards
PF - Bobby Portis
C - Myles Turner
----------------------------
PG - Tyrese Maxy
SG - Danny Green
SF - Andre iguodala
PF - Chris Boucher
C - Isaiah Stewart
SG - Terence Davis
SF - Wes Matthews
We are going to run, and we are going to score. Luka will obviously be our #1 ball-handler and playmaker, and he has four shooters around him when he drives. Herro and Ant are also more than capable of creating with the ball which will give Luka plenty of opportunity to post-up and create from there.
Perimeter defense on my starting unit is a bit lacking admittedly with Luka and Herro being negatives and Ant being inconsistent at best, but that's why I have two elite rim protectors in Portis and Turner. Not to mention with Danny Green, Andre Iguodala, and Wes Matthews coming on the bench we can always put in some combination of that group to help tighten things up when the situation calls for it.
Elite offense, elite rim-protection, and an elite bench, particularly on defense to shore up the starting unit's only minor deficiency. Best team ever!
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Ready for those rankings any time, fellas.
Yo Mama
Footballguy
YO MAMA’S STROKEMASTERS
PG - Kyle Lowry, Monte Morris
SG - Klay Thompson, Caris LeVert
SF - Duncan Robinson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Justin Holiday
PF - Miles Bridges, Danilo Gallinari, Darius Bazley
C - Karl Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson
Starters - This is an offensive juggernaut with elite shooting and versatility. Klay and Robinson flying around the perimeter needing minimal space and time with the ball to hit 3s. KAT and Bridges providing floor spacing in addition to being able to attack the basket with all the space the offense will provide, and even helping to move the ball with their unique skill sets (3.9 and 3.5 assists per game respectively). Running the show and getting the ball to all my scorers is Lowry, a perfect fit to this offense. Defensively, Kyle and Klay can hold their own on the perimeter and my bigs offer some rim protection and activity, but we’re not fooling ourselves - the starters are winning with offense.
Bench - I think I got great plug and play versatility with my bench guys depending on what is needed for matchups. Morris gives me a solid backup point who won’t miss a beat when Lowry sits. Robinson gives me elite rim protection as well as a great rim runner on offense. LeVert is an excellent scorer for my bench unit who can create his own shot. Gallo provides even more shooting as a stretch big. THT, Holiday, and Bazley give me some additional perimeter defense and offensive versatility from various spots on the floor.
PG - Kyle Lowry, Monte Morris
SG - Klay Thompson, Caris LeVert
SF - Duncan Robinson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Justin Holiday
PF - Miles Bridges, Danilo Gallinari, Darius Bazley
C - Karl Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson
Starters - This is an offensive juggernaut with elite shooting and versatility. Klay and Robinson flying around the perimeter needing minimal space and time with the ball to hit 3s. KAT and Bridges providing floor spacing in addition to being able to attack the basket with all the space the offense will provide, and even helping to move the ball with their unique skill sets (3.9 and 3.5 assists per game respectively). Running the show and getting the ball to all my scorers is Lowry, a perfect fit to this offense. Defensively, Kyle and Klay can hold their own on the perimeter and my bigs offer some rim protection and activity, but we’re not fooling ourselves - the starters are winning with offense.
Bench - I think I got great plug and play versatility with my bench guys depending on what is needed for matchups. Morris gives me a solid backup point who won’t miss a beat when Lowry sits. Robinson gives me elite rim protection as well as a great rim runner on offense. LeVert is an excellent scorer for my bench unit who can create his own shot. Gallo provides even more shooting as a stretch big. THT, Holiday, and Bazley give me some additional perimeter defense and offensive versatility from various spots on the floor.
Yo Mama
Footballguy
Eephus
Footballguy
I thought you were talking about Duncan for a second.
"Elite" is the "wingspan" of this draft.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
jvdesigns2002
Footballguy
In brutal honesty—i probably won’t get done with mine until next week Wednesday. The whole valentines week being a jeweler thing, and then Super Bowl Sunday will eat up most of this week for me. Is that too late—or is that cool?
Desert_Power
Footballguy
The team starts with Joel Embiid in the middle. He is currently the betting favorite in the MVP race and is in impeccable form averaging 34.0/10.8/5.1 with 1.5 blocks in January. He has looked quite unstoppable on offense. In the games I’ve watched, teams cannot avoid fouling him in the paint to try and stop him. No slouch on the defensive end either making the All-Defense 2nd team three times. He’s always been a great player when healthy, but he is playing his best basketball yet on pace to many career highs.
My priority was to surround Embiid with great shooting, something that has not exactly been a trademark of the Sixers. I wanted guys who can both take advantage of the attention Embiid draws as well as create their own offense. The rest of the starting lineup is currently scoring 9.2 3-pointers per game on 23.8 attempts. Efficiency and volume. None of these are players you can leave alone.
In the backcourt I have combined Lamelo Ball and Terry Rozier, who already play together in Charlotte. Both guards are capable of running the offense and stroking it from deep. Rozier has found a new level to his offensive game as a shooter since leaving Boston and particularly next to Lamelo (averaging over 3 3-pointers a game the last two years). That’s not surprising because Ball makes everyone around him better.
The second year All Star, Ball, is a high energy and high effort player who has virtually erased his two biggest knocks coming into the league (shooting and defense). His best attribute is passing where he is both creative and audacious. He will attempt passes routinely that most players would never think up. Linking up Embiid with an elite passer (like he used to have in Simmons) is a no brainer and it would be fun as hell to watch.
My next priority was to add players who are versatile enough to defend the best opponents on the perimeter. Andrew Wiggins is starting in the All Star game this year on the back of strong performances doing just that for the Warriors. He is also in the best shooting form of his career averaging 41.5% behind the arc with 58.4% true shooting.
PJ Tucker occupies the other forward spot. We all remember his great defensive battles with Durant in the playoffs last year and it seems like the Heat are drawing the best out of him. He brings championship experience and grit to this team while playing bigger than his size. We don’t need him to do much on offense except hit the open shots. His 46.9% average from deep shows just how capable he is of that.
The first player off the bench I chose was Jae Crowder. The Suns starter is similar in a lot of ways to Tucker as a flexible defender and can give me a boost on the boards. Next was reigning sixth man of the year Jordan Clarkson. Experienced at both guard spots and would be expected to run the offense for the second unit. A player I’ve always liked who can keep the scoring going while others rest.
Al Horford isn’t the offensive weapon he used to be, but still defends at a high level. He is a perfect backup for Embiid in the middle and has experience playing next to him when they were together in Philly. Adds to the flexibility of the squad in case there are bigger lineups that give us trouble.
Every shooter has cold nights, so I brought in Max Strus in the 9th round as my best shooter on the board. He’s quietly become an elite shooter and can score in bunches. I always remember looking him up during a game last year where he hit a few threes in a quick span against Charlotte wondering who the heck he was. He has games like that a lot.
Another Heat player stepping up this year is Caleb Martin who is among the top wing defense option. Looking at RAPTOR tonight, my team actually has the 5th, 6th, 15th, 17th, and 18th SF eligible players when sorted by defensive RAPTOR. Didn’t realize it had worked out that way. The 18th on that list is Garrison Mathews. He’s another guy I was able to grab late because he has really stepped up this year. A bit of an gangly, awkward looking player who gives a lot of effort on the defensive end. He is a good shooter (37.7% from 3 and 62.2% TS) and is tied for 5th in the league in charges drawn total.
Speaking of charges drawn, I added the by far leader in that category in Blake Griffin (1.04 per 36 minutes. Second is Lowry at .56). A true luxury pick who can still play at a high level in spurts.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Overall, I believe I achieved my goal of building a great team around Embiid. There are both shooters and stoppers in the mix. He has the space to dominate inside but won’t have to shoulder the load alone as happened too often to him during the post-season. The players around him are efficient with their opportunities and should be able to thrive despite less usage. The players I’ve added off the bench bring a flexibility to this squad that allow them to matchup several different lineup types. So, we’re going to score a lot and have the defenders to help neutralize other threats. Opposing teams will need some serious firepower to keep up.
I have not done my rankings yet, but this seems like a very strong contender. Most of all it just seems like it would be a ridiculous fun team to watch. A modern NBA offense with a couple of the most entertaining players in the game running it. Fun to imagine a world where Philly actually nailed more picks to build a stronger team like this around Embiid. Plus, I don’t think any other squad managed to pull 3 All-Stars
My priority was to surround Embiid with great shooting, something that has not exactly been a trademark of the Sixers. I wanted guys who can both take advantage of the attention Embiid draws as well as create their own offense. The rest of the starting lineup is currently scoring 9.2 3-pointers per game on 23.8 attempts. Efficiency and volume. None of these are players you can leave alone.
In the backcourt I have combined Lamelo Ball and Terry Rozier, who already play together in Charlotte. Both guards are capable of running the offense and stroking it from deep. Rozier has found a new level to his offensive game as a shooter since leaving Boston and particularly next to Lamelo (averaging over 3 3-pointers a game the last two years). That’s not surprising because Ball makes everyone around him better.
The second year All Star, Ball, is a high energy and high effort player who has virtually erased his two biggest knocks coming into the league (shooting and defense). His best attribute is passing where he is both creative and audacious. He will attempt passes routinely that most players would never think up. Linking up Embiid with an elite passer (like he used to have in Simmons) is a no brainer and it would be fun as hell to watch.
My next priority was to add players who are versatile enough to defend the best opponents on the perimeter. Andrew Wiggins is starting in the All Star game this year on the back of strong performances doing just that for the Warriors. He is also in the best shooting form of his career averaging 41.5% behind the arc with 58.4% true shooting.
PJ Tucker occupies the other forward spot. We all remember his great defensive battles with Durant in the playoffs last year and it seems like the Heat are drawing the best out of him. He brings championship experience and grit to this team while playing bigger than his size. We don’t need him to do much on offense except hit the open shots. His 46.9% average from deep shows just how capable he is of that.
The first player off the bench I chose was Jae Crowder. The Suns starter is similar in a lot of ways to Tucker as a flexible defender and can give me a boost on the boards. Next was reigning sixth man of the year Jordan Clarkson. Experienced at both guard spots and would be expected to run the offense for the second unit. A player I’ve always liked who can keep the scoring going while others rest.
Al Horford isn’t the offensive weapon he used to be, but still defends at a high level. He is a perfect backup for Embiid in the middle and has experience playing next to him when they were together in Philly. Adds to the flexibility of the squad in case there are bigger lineups that give us trouble.
Every shooter has cold nights, so I brought in Max Strus in the 9th round as my best shooter on the board. He’s quietly become an elite shooter and can score in bunches. I always remember looking him up during a game last year where he hit a few threes in a quick span against Charlotte wondering who the heck he was. He has games like that a lot.
Another Heat player stepping up this year is Caleb Martin who is among the top wing defense option. Looking at RAPTOR tonight, my team actually has the 5th, 6th, 15th, 17th, and 18th SF eligible players when sorted by defensive RAPTOR. Didn’t realize it had worked out that way. The 18th on that list is Garrison Mathews. He’s another guy I was able to grab late because he has really stepped up this year. A bit of an gangly, awkward looking player who gives a lot of effort on the defensive end. He is a good shooter (37.7% from 3 and 62.2% TS) and is tied for 5th in the league in charges drawn total.
Speaking of charges drawn, I added the by far leader in that category in Blake Griffin (1.04 per 36 minutes. Second is Lowry at .56). A true luxury pick who can still play at a high level in spurts.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Overall, I believe I achieved my goal of building a great team around Embiid. There are both shooters and stoppers in the mix. He has the space to dominate inside but won’t have to shoulder the load alone as happened too often to him during the post-season. The players around him are efficient with their opportunities and should be able to thrive despite less usage. The players I’ve added off the bench bring a flexibility to this squad that allow them to matchup several different lineup types. So, we’re going to score a lot and have the defenders to help neutralize other threats. Opposing teams will need some serious firepower to keep up.
I have not done my rankings yet, but this seems like a very strong contender. Most of all it just seems like it would be a ridiculous fun team to watch. A modern NBA offense with a couple of the most entertaining players in the game running it. Fun to imagine a world where Philly actually nailed more picks to build a stronger team like this around Embiid. Plus, I don’t think any other squad managed to pull 3 All-Stars
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Finally got my 1st set of rankings!
We had the same #1 and the same #20, so that's nice. He also ranked Scoobus twice so things are going well.
We had the same #1 and the same #20, so that's nice. He also ranked Scoobus twice so things are going well.
Kev4029
Footballguy
I hope you have 20 minutes to spare to read this. Enjoy...
Rotation:
PG: McCollum (32), Curry (10), Dragic (6)
SG: Curry (16), McCollum (4), Harris (22), Hield (6)
SF: Barton (28), Barnes (6), Hield (14)
PF: Green (16), Barnes (26), Ingles (6)
Gobert (32), Green (16)
Team Theory: Offensively, this team will have two very separate personalities. Style #1 with the starters (i.e. Gobert @ C) – PnR the hell out of the other team. McCollum, Barton, Curry, Hield, Dragic, Ingles, and Walker are all fantastic PnR ball handlers and Gobert is the best PnR roll man and on ball screener of this generation. Style #2 with the bench (i.e. Green @ C) – we’ll be playing the beautiful game. ### loads of cutting, off ball screening, shooting, and ball movement. Nobody is at Steph Curry’s level of shooting on the roster, but everybody that will play when Green is at center are significant plus shooters on plus volume and generally all have high BBIQ. We are keeping players in their natural roles with similar usages to what they are in real life, so there won’t be over extended players losing efficiency, or conversely, underutilized players that are getting upset or not using their full skill set.
Defensively, we have the two best defenders in the league in Draymond and Gobert, and some other plus defenders that can keep capably handle tough perimeter matchups (Barnes, Barton, Harris). There are definitely going to be some weak defensive lineups that make it on the court with Gobert and Green, but in late game situations a near other worldly defensively lineup could be rolled out with Harris/Barnes/Green/Gobert.
The starting and closing lineups will be a bit in flux and I still can’t figure it out and I imagine that it will significantly depend on who I’m playing and the game situation. The closing lineup will probably go big with Barnes/Green/Gobert in the front court with McCollum and one of Harris/Barton/Curry in the backcourt depending on matchups (or maybe Harris/Barton/Barnes/Green/Gobert if we need a stop). The starting lineups will more typically be a little smaller with more ball handling (McCollum/Curry/Barton/Green/Gobert).
Center - Rudy Gobert – Key Stats (NBA rank): 18 pp36, 16.7 rp36 (#1), .728 TS% (#1) 137.0 Ortg (#2) 101.4 Drtg (#2)
The most underrated player of this generation, and I don’t mean that as hyperbole. He has constantly been on elite offenses and defenses since 14-15 – the defense people understand (as well as the rebounding… he’s a ####### silly good defensive rebounder), but the offense people don’t since it isn’t his box score stats that benefit. He sets the best screens in the NBA, he has fantastic hands for a big man, he’s very long and very bouncy, one of the better offense rebounders, and never misses near the hoop.
Power Forward - Draymond Green – Key Stats: Per 36 – 9.5 p/9.1 r/8.8 a/1.7 s/1.4 b (nobody has ever reached that stat line), .581 TS%.
The most versatile defender the NBA has seen since Dennis Rodman and he has bounced back to play his best basketball ball of his career or at least since 15-16. Similar to Gobert, people understand how good he is defensively but also helps drive a very good offense as the Warriors lead initiator. The offensive fit with Gobert will take some work and it won’t be ideal for the 16 mpg they will play together, but Green plays most of his minutes next to Kevon Looney who rarely takes jumpers (about 1 every other game at about 25%) and often plays with other non-shooters like Iguodala, JTA, Gary Payton II, and Kuminga.
Small Forward - Will Barton – Key Stats: Per 36 – 17.2p/5.5r/4.6a, 9.5 3pt/100pos (37.5%), .551 TS%, 21.7% USG
A great glue player as he is amazingly somewhere between above average and good at everything on the court. He’s a good three-point shooter that takes a healthy number of threes both off the dribble (2.6/game @ 35.0%) and off catch and shoots (3.6/game @ 39.9%), he’s a very capable ball handler and passer who has often played backup PG for the Nuggets, he’s a plus defender who can credibly guard both SGs and SFs and is money around the hoop with his athleticism and crafty finishes (73.1% at the rim).
Shooting Guard - Seth Curry – Key Stats: Per 36 -15.5p/3.5r/4.2a, 8.0 3pt/100 (40.0%), .603 TS%, 18.6% USG
Steph Curry’s little brother has made himself into a ridiculously useful NBA player and one of the most accurate three-point shooters of all time (#5 all time at 43.7%, a full percentage point ahead of his brother). While he is a better player off ball, he is a capable pick and roll ball handler (84th %ile in efficiency on 5 possessions per game), and driver (only three players in the NBA are more efficient on more drives per game). He’ll mostly play SG, but on guard heavy lineups with Green at C, he’ll play some defacto PG.
Point Guard - CJ McCollum – Key Stats: Per 36 – 21.0p/4.3r/4.6a, 11.2 3pt/100 (38.4%), .532 TS%, 26.3% USG
McCollum is a fantastic shot creator, both inside and outside the arc, like really elite. Not necessarily a skill I like to see overutilized, but he is also possibly the best difficult mid-range shot maker in the NBA which could end up being especially useful with Green and Gobert on the court in late game situations. With the other ball handlers, his role should be fairly similar to Portland, just with more depth of shooters around him.
6th Man (Forward) - Harrison Barnes – Key stats: Per 36: 18.3p/6.5r/2.7a, 7.1 3pt/100 (41.2%), .623 TS%, 19.4% USG
Barnes is probably my 4th best player and will typically close out games and occasionally start, depending on match up. While he’ll never live up to the pre-UNC hype, he has quietly become a very good all around player that is a very good secondary defender, shoots the ####### lights out, can actually dribble a basketball (9.1 drives per game!) and has a Hardenian free throw rate of .498 (this is like 99th percentile for a non-rim running big).
Wing – Buddy Hield – Key Stats: Per 36: 18.1p/5.1r/2.4a, 15.1 3pt/100 (36.8%), .540 TS%, 22.3% USG
Over the last half decade Hield has been the second most prolific three point shooter behind only Steph Curry. He has MADE 3.3 three pointers per game over the last 5 seasons at 40.1%. While certainly not a lead guard (and he won’t be asked to be), he’s a good tertiary ball handler and play maker and is a smart offensive player. Defensively, he’s more meh than terrible. That’s all we need.
Perimeter Stopper – Gary Harris – Key Stats: 8.1 3pt/100 (38.8%)
Harris is an elite defender at the 1 and 2 and a very good defender at the 3. That has been the case for the last 5 years but his shot completely abandoned him after his leg injuries in 2018, 2019, and 2020 but he is back! For what amounts to a defensive specialist, he may not be the best shooter, defender, or ball handler, but he very well may be the best combination of those three.
Backup PG - Goran Dragic
He’ll play a small role game to game, playing 6-10 mpg mostly in the back half of the 1st and 3rd quarters, exclusively with Gobert. He’s great at driving to the basket and putting pressure on the rim, a very good PnR ball handler, a good and willing three point shooter, and gets to the FT line at a very healthy rate. If he sucks, Kemba Walker will get a chance. If Walker also sucks, Curry will play more PG, and Hield and Harris will play a couple more MPG.
Australian - Joe Ingles
His stats have taken a step back this season. Some of that is age regression, some of it is bad luck (his three point shooting especially), and some of it is a reduction of role. What I am confident about – he’s still a uniquely talented point forward with elite BBIQ, a sweet stroke, and the ability to run a second unit offense.
6th String PG – Kemba Walker
When (if?) healthy, he is one of the preeminent pick and roll players in the NBA as he can get all the way to the rim with ease and also shoots maybe more off the dribble threes than anybody else in the NBA other than Harden and Doncic. Let’s just pretend he’s been Lowry or Conley’s backup all season playing 15 mpg.
3rd String Center/Rapper – Plumdog Millionaire
He is a legitimate starting center who at his best runs the court like a gazelle, plays some nifty defense, rebounds at an elite level, and can handle and move the ball like a player much smaller than himself. Other than his Joakim Noah-like jump shot, he is one of the most skilled centers in the league.
Rotation:
PG: McCollum (32), Curry (10), Dragic (6)
SG: Curry (16), McCollum (4), Harris (22), Hield (6)
SF: Barton (28), Barnes (6), Hield (14)
PF: Green (16), Barnes (26), Ingles (6)
Gobert (32), Green (16)Team Theory: Offensively, this team will have two very separate personalities. Style #1 with the starters (i.e. Gobert @ C) – PnR the hell out of the other team. McCollum, Barton, Curry, Hield, Dragic, Ingles, and Walker are all fantastic PnR ball handlers and Gobert is the best PnR roll man and on ball screener of this generation. Style #2 with the bench (i.e. Green @ C) – we’ll be playing the beautiful game. ### loads of cutting, off ball screening, shooting, and ball movement. Nobody is at Steph Curry’s level of shooting on the roster, but everybody that will play when Green is at center are significant plus shooters on plus volume and generally all have high BBIQ. We are keeping players in their natural roles with similar usages to what they are in real life, so there won’t be over extended players losing efficiency, or conversely, underutilized players that are getting upset or not using their full skill set.
Defensively, we have the two best defenders in the league in Draymond and Gobert, and some other plus defenders that can keep capably handle tough perimeter matchups (Barnes, Barton, Harris). There are definitely going to be some weak defensive lineups that make it on the court with Gobert and Green, but in late game situations a near other worldly defensively lineup could be rolled out with Harris/Barnes/Green/Gobert.
The starting and closing lineups will be a bit in flux and I still can’t figure it out and I imagine that it will significantly depend on who I’m playing and the game situation. The closing lineup will probably go big with Barnes/Green/Gobert in the front court with McCollum and one of Harris/Barton/Curry in the backcourt depending on matchups (or maybe Harris/Barton/Barnes/Green/Gobert if we need a stop). The starting lineups will more typically be a little smaller with more ball handling (McCollum/Curry/Barton/Green/Gobert).
Center - Rudy Gobert – Key Stats (NBA rank): 18 pp36, 16.7 rp36 (#1), .728 TS% (#1) 137.0 Ortg (#2) 101.4 Drtg (#2)
The most underrated player of this generation, and I don’t mean that as hyperbole. He has constantly been on elite offenses and defenses since 14-15 – the defense people understand (as well as the rebounding… he’s a ####### silly good defensive rebounder), but the offense people don’t since it isn’t his box score stats that benefit. He sets the best screens in the NBA, he has fantastic hands for a big man, he’s very long and very bouncy, one of the better offense rebounders, and never misses near the hoop.
Power Forward - Draymond Green – Key Stats: Per 36 – 9.5 p/9.1 r/8.8 a/1.7 s/1.4 b (nobody has ever reached that stat line), .581 TS%.
The most versatile defender the NBA has seen since Dennis Rodman and he has bounced back to play his best basketball ball of his career or at least since 15-16. Similar to Gobert, people understand how good he is defensively but also helps drive a very good offense as the Warriors lead initiator. The offensive fit with Gobert will take some work and it won’t be ideal for the 16 mpg they will play together, but Green plays most of his minutes next to Kevon Looney who rarely takes jumpers (about 1 every other game at about 25%) and often plays with other non-shooters like Iguodala, JTA, Gary Payton II, and Kuminga.
Small Forward - Will Barton – Key Stats: Per 36 – 17.2p/5.5r/4.6a, 9.5 3pt/100pos (37.5%), .551 TS%, 21.7% USG
A great glue player as he is amazingly somewhere between above average and good at everything on the court. He’s a good three-point shooter that takes a healthy number of threes both off the dribble (2.6/game @ 35.0%) and off catch and shoots (3.6/game @ 39.9%), he’s a very capable ball handler and passer who has often played backup PG for the Nuggets, he’s a plus defender who can credibly guard both SGs and SFs and is money around the hoop with his athleticism and crafty finishes (73.1% at the rim).
Shooting Guard - Seth Curry – Key Stats: Per 36 -15.5p/3.5r/4.2a, 8.0 3pt/100 (40.0%), .603 TS%, 18.6% USG
Steph Curry’s little brother has made himself into a ridiculously useful NBA player and one of the most accurate three-point shooters of all time (#5 all time at 43.7%, a full percentage point ahead of his brother). While he is a better player off ball, he is a capable pick and roll ball handler (84th %ile in efficiency on 5 possessions per game), and driver (only three players in the NBA are more efficient on more drives per game). He’ll mostly play SG, but on guard heavy lineups with Green at C, he’ll play some defacto PG.
Point Guard - CJ McCollum – Key Stats: Per 36 – 21.0p/4.3r/4.6a, 11.2 3pt/100 (38.4%), .532 TS%, 26.3% USG
McCollum is a fantastic shot creator, both inside and outside the arc, like really elite. Not necessarily a skill I like to see overutilized, but he is also possibly the best difficult mid-range shot maker in the NBA which could end up being especially useful with Green and Gobert on the court in late game situations. With the other ball handlers, his role should be fairly similar to Portland, just with more depth of shooters around him.
6th Man (Forward) - Harrison Barnes – Key stats: Per 36: 18.3p/6.5r/2.7a, 7.1 3pt/100 (41.2%), .623 TS%, 19.4% USG
Barnes is probably my 4th best player and will typically close out games and occasionally start, depending on match up. While he’ll never live up to the pre-UNC hype, he has quietly become a very good all around player that is a very good secondary defender, shoots the ####### lights out, can actually dribble a basketball (9.1 drives per game!) and has a Hardenian free throw rate of .498 (this is like 99th percentile for a non-rim running big).
Wing – Buddy Hield – Key Stats: Per 36: 18.1p/5.1r/2.4a, 15.1 3pt/100 (36.8%), .540 TS%, 22.3% USG
Over the last half decade Hield has been the second most prolific three point shooter behind only Steph Curry. He has MADE 3.3 three pointers per game over the last 5 seasons at 40.1%. While certainly not a lead guard (and he won’t be asked to be), he’s a good tertiary ball handler and play maker and is a smart offensive player. Defensively, he’s more meh than terrible. That’s all we need.
Perimeter Stopper – Gary Harris – Key Stats: 8.1 3pt/100 (38.8%)
Harris is an elite defender at the 1 and 2 and a very good defender at the 3. That has been the case for the last 5 years but his shot completely abandoned him after his leg injuries in 2018, 2019, and 2020 but he is back! For what amounts to a defensive specialist, he may not be the best shooter, defender, or ball handler, but he very well may be the best combination of those three.
Backup PG - Goran Dragic
He’ll play a small role game to game, playing 6-10 mpg mostly in the back half of the 1st and 3rd quarters, exclusively with Gobert. He’s great at driving to the basket and putting pressure on the rim, a very good PnR ball handler, a good and willing three point shooter, and gets to the FT line at a very healthy rate. If he sucks, Kemba Walker will get a chance. If Walker also sucks, Curry will play more PG, and Hield and Harris will play a couple more MPG.
Australian - Joe Ingles
His stats have taken a step back this season. Some of that is age regression, some of it is bad luck (his three point shooting especially), and some of it is a reduction of role. What I am confident about – he’s still a uniquely talented point forward with elite BBIQ, a sweet stroke, and the ability to run a second unit offense.
6th String PG – Kemba Walker
When (if?) healthy, he is one of the preeminent pick and roll players in the NBA as he can get all the way to the rim with ease and also shoots maybe more off the dribble threes than anybody else in the NBA other than Harden and Doncic. Let’s just pretend he’s been Lowry or Conley’s backup all season playing 15 mpg.
3rd String Center/Rapper – Plumdog Millionaire
He is a legitimate starting center who at his best runs the court like a gazelle, plays some nifty defense, rebounds at an elite level, and can handle and move the ball like a player much smaller than himself. Other than his Joakim Noah-like jump shot, he is one of the most skilled centers in the league.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Nice that my 3 All Stars all ended up in Team Durant for the ASG. Will be enjoyable to watch.
Jayrod
Footballguy
I didn't look at a team's rosters, but I did look at who was drafted after them at their position. I get taking a C in the 5th round because you need a starter or going defense over offense, but most of the worst picks were named because that player would have been available 2 rounds later or there were multiple guys behind them that do exactly what they do only better. But like all of this, its just one guys opinion and there are a million ways to skin this cat.
dunfee555
Footballguy
Once I drafted Curry, that locked in a lot of what I needed to do to build this team. The thought process was to surround him with other high IQ players that can shoot, defend and provide some positional flexibility. Curry's ability to warp the defense with his shooting makes everyone else's life easier on offense. Put together an offensive team that is highly efficient and won't waste possessions. Defensively, we have a lot of guys that can guard multiple positions and the flexibility to go big or small and match up with what anyone can throw at us. Will be a mainly drop scheme when Adams or Zubac is in, but can go to a switching scheme with the 2nd unit when Curry is out and Nance is in.
Rotation
Curry 34, Powell 14
Connaughton 28, Heyward 14, Powell 6
Middleton 34, Heyward 14
Gordon 34, Nance 14
Adams 25, Zubac 15, Nance 8
Stephen Curry (2021-22 averages: 25.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.4 apg, .381 3pt%, .590 TS%) - One of the most explosive offensive forces in the game. His shooting scrambles defenses and causes panic whenever he has the ball or comes off a screen. Underrated passer, he can set his teammates up for easy shots. Also has become a much better defender, but still needs to be protected due to his size and lack of elite athleticism.
Khris Middleton (2021-22 averages: 19.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.3 apg, .377 3pt%, .576 TS%) - Really couldn't ask for a better running mate for Curry. Fantastic shooter, who can get his shot off against anyone. Will be able to reliably bail out the offense in late clock situations. Has gotten better every year as a passer. Good multi-position defender.
Aaron Gordon (2021-22 averages: 14.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, .337 3pt%, .602 TS%) - Don't understand the hate for this pick. Not many guys in the league who can legitimately guard 1-4 and still be a threat on offense. One of the best cutters/finishers in the league will feast on all the attention Curry and Middleton get. Reliable passer who will consistently make the right play. A slightly below league average 3 pt shooter, but not a total dud. He fills so many gaps on the team and allows everyone else to slot into their preferred roles.
Pat Connaughton (2021-22 averages: 10.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2apg, .413 3pt%, .636 TS%) - Has developed into an elite shooter and above average defender. Way more athletic that most realize and can guard the bigger 1, 2 & 3's to protect Curry.
Steven Adams (2021-22 averages: 6.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, .557 TS%) - Needed someone to do all the dirty work and provide some size against the behemoths that are rampaging through the league. Will set bone crushing screens for Curry and rebound. And another guy that can be counted on to make the right pass and keep the ball moving.
Gordon Hayward (2021-22 averages: 16.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, .390 3pt%, .571 TS%) - Will be the first guy off the bench and provide smart playmaking and shooting. Can hold up reasonably well on D against secondary threats.
Normal Powell (2021-22 averages: 21 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg, .429 3 pt%, .620 TS%) - Spark plug scorer off the bench. Great shooter and smart passer, will combine with Heyward to provide consistent offense on the 2nd unit. Expect him to be much more consistent on the defensive end now that he's not playing out of position like he was in Portland.
Larry Nance Jr (2021-22 averages: 6.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2 apg, .306 3pt%, .581 TS%) - Drafted him expecting that he would come back from his injury and play better, but now he's out for the year. Hasn't had as much success in 2022 as in 2021. But at his best, is a disruptive multi-position defender that can play as a small-ball 5. The two years before this was a slightly above league average shooter, so could provide a different look from my center spot.
Ivica Zubac (2021-22 averages: 9.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, .685 TS%) - A more skilled offensive option as a true center. Will have some trouble out in space as a defender, but a pretty good rim protector.
T.J. McConnell (2021-22 averages: 8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, .280 3pt%, .536 TS%) - Drafted him to be a pest of a defender on smaller PG's. A non-threat as a scorer, but good passer. Will only play in very specific situations and lineups.
Cedi Osman (2021-22 averages: 10.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, .358 3pt%, .547 TS%) - Incredibly inconsistent player on a year-to-year basis, is having one of his good years. Will provide some size and scoring ability when called upon. Won't be a regular part of the rotation, but won't kill us when he's in.
Mike Muscala (2021-22 averages: 8 ppg, 3 rpg, .5 apg, .429 3pt%, .630 TS%) - Everyone has to have a 3 pt shooting big man buried on their bench somewhere. Can come in and give a completely different look from the center spot if needed.
Rotation
Curry 34, Powell 14
Connaughton 28, Heyward 14, Powell 6
Middleton 34, Heyward 14
Gordon 34, Nance 14
Adams 25, Zubac 15, Nance 8
Stephen Curry (2021-22 averages: 25.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.4 apg, .381 3pt%, .590 TS%) - One of the most explosive offensive forces in the game. His shooting scrambles defenses and causes panic whenever he has the ball or comes off a screen. Underrated passer, he can set his teammates up for easy shots. Also has become a much better defender, but still needs to be protected due to his size and lack of elite athleticism.
Khris Middleton (2021-22 averages: 19.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.3 apg, .377 3pt%, .576 TS%) - Really couldn't ask for a better running mate for Curry. Fantastic shooter, who can get his shot off against anyone. Will be able to reliably bail out the offense in late clock situations. Has gotten better every year as a passer. Good multi-position defender.
Aaron Gordon (2021-22 averages: 14.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, .337 3pt%, .602 TS%) - Don't understand the hate for this pick. Not many guys in the league who can legitimately guard 1-4 and still be a threat on offense. One of the best cutters/finishers in the league will feast on all the attention Curry and Middleton get. Reliable passer who will consistently make the right play. A slightly below league average 3 pt shooter, but not a total dud. He fills so many gaps on the team and allows everyone else to slot into their preferred roles.
Pat Connaughton (2021-22 averages: 10.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2apg, .413 3pt%, .636 TS%) - Has developed into an elite shooter and above average defender. Way more athletic that most realize and can guard the bigger 1, 2 & 3's to protect Curry.
Steven Adams (2021-22 averages: 6.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, .557 TS%) - Needed someone to do all the dirty work and provide some size against the behemoths that are rampaging through the league. Will set bone crushing screens for Curry and rebound. And another guy that can be counted on to make the right pass and keep the ball moving.
Gordon Hayward (2021-22 averages: 16.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, .390 3pt%, .571 TS%) - Will be the first guy off the bench and provide smart playmaking and shooting. Can hold up reasonably well on D against secondary threats.
Normal Powell (2021-22 averages: 21 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg, .429 3 pt%, .620 TS%) - Spark plug scorer off the bench. Great shooter and smart passer, will combine with Heyward to provide consistent offense on the 2nd unit. Expect him to be much more consistent on the defensive end now that he's not playing out of position like he was in Portland.
Larry Nance Jr (2021-22 averages: 6.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2 apg, .306 3pt%, .581 TS%) - Drafted him expecting that he would come back from his injury and play better, but now he's out for the year. Hasn't had as much success in 2022 as in 2021. But at his best, is a disruptive multi-position defender that can play as a small-ball 5. The two years before this was a slightly above league average shooter, so could provide a different look from my center spot.
Ivica Zubac (2021-22 averages: 9.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, .685 TS%) - A more skilled offensive option as a true center. Will have some trouble out in space as a defender, but a pretty good rim protector.
T.J. McConnell (2021-22 averages: 8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, .280 3pt%, .536 TS%) - Drafted him to be a pest of a defender on smaller PG's. A non-threat as a scorer, but good passer. Will only play in very specific situations and lineups.
Cedi Osman (2021-22 averages: 10.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, .358 3pt%, .547 TS%) - Incredibly inconsistent player on a year-to-year basis, is having one of his good years. Will provide some size and scoring ability when called upon. Won't be a regular part of the rotation, but won't kill us when he's in.
Mike Muscala (2021-22 averages: 8 ppg, 3 rpg, .5 apg, .429 3pt%, .630 TS%) - Everyone has to have a 3 pt shooting big man buried on their bench somewhere. Can come in and give a completely different look from the center spot if needed.
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Frostillicus
Footballguy
Let's get some rankings in, nerds.
Instinctive
Footballguy
Instinctive's winning team:
I have the single best player in the world because people didn't like taking him first, second, or third. So that's a great start.
STARTERS:
Guard: Alex Caruso
Wing: Desmond Bane, Royce O'Neale
Wing/Big: Kevin Durant
Big: Jarrett Allen
BENCH:
Defense and Transition: Matisse Thybulle
Shooting: Cody Martin, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Ball handling and scoring juice: Immanuel Quickley
Ball handling and defense: Delon Wright (not gonna see many minutes)
Energy and Scoring Big: Brandon Clarke
Guarding Embiid and Jokic for an extra 6 fouls and leading a defensive bench mob on offense: DeMarcus Cousins
This is the most coherent and effective starting five in our 20-team league. It has the best two-way player in the NBA, who happens to also be the best offensive player in the NBA in Durant as the focal point. It's a guy who wants to play good basketball, which means moving and passing, but then has better ability than anyone in the league's history to get a shot that he wants when he needs to do so.
Durant is flanked by shooting, defense, pick and roll gravity, and tons of flexibility. Durant's ability to handle the ball here is critical, enabling both Caruso and Bane to thrive as secondary creators/off-ball guys (the roles they have been best-suited for in their careers) and defensive stoppers. Royce O'Neale is a lock-down monster who cans threes all over the floor at a 40% clip (as does Bane, by the way. As does KD, by the way).
Jarrett Allen is one of the three best rim protectors in the league right now, in conversation with Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid. He's also perhaps the single best lob threat on the roll in the NBA today, which we can run with KD, Bane, or in a pinch Caruso, as well as Quickley off the bench.
This is the best defensive team of starters, with @JMon348, @trader jake, in the conversation also (sorry @Kev4029 you're top of the next tier for me...a Seth Curry/CJ McCollum/Barton backcourt can't be covered up well enough to break my top three even with Gobert/Draymond).
Coming off the bench, we have a fantastic PnR duo waiting to light up other bench units in Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Clarke (reminds me of J.J. Barea and Brandon Wright back in the day, though Barea>Quickley and Clarke>Wright)
We have five man lineups of:
Lockdown around Durant: Caruso, O'Neale, Thybulle, Durant, Allen
Score at a 140+ ORTG: Bane, Martin, Durant, O'Neale, Clarke/Allen
Cousins and defend: Caruso, Wright, O'Neale, Thybulle, Cousins
Bench mob PnR: Quickley, KCP, Martin, Thybulle, Clarke
Plenty of minutes, enough ballhandling to get us through, enough minutes to throw at the MVP-level big boys, the best player in the league, and a ton of shooting and defense.
I have the single best player in the world because people didn't like taking him first, second, or third. So that's a great start.
STARTERS:
Guard: Alex Caruso
Wing: Desmond Bane, Royce O'Neale
Wing/Big: Kevin Durant
Big: Jarrett Allen
BENCH:
Defense and Transition: Matisse Thybulle
Shooting: Cody Martin, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Ball handling and scoring juice: Immanuel Quickley
Ball handling and defense: Delon Wright (not gonna see many minutes)
Energy and Scoring Big: Brandon Clarke
Guarding Embiid and Jokic for an extra 6 fouls and leading a defensive bench mob on offense: DeMarcus Cousins
This is the most coherent and effective starting five in our 20-team league. It has the best two-way player in the NBA, who happens to also be the best offensive player in the NBA in Durant as the focal point. It's a guy who wants to play good basketball, which means moving and passing, but then has better ability than anyone in the league's history to get a shot that he wants when he needs to do so.
Durant is flanked by shooting, defense, pick and roll gravity, and tons of flexibility. Durant's ability to handle the ball here is critical, enabling both Caruso and Bane to thrive as secondary creators/off-ball guys (the roles they have been best-suited for in their careers) and defensive stoppers. Royce O'Neale is a lock-down monster who cans threes all over the floor at a 40% clip (as does Bane, by the way. As does KD, by the way).
Jarrett Allen is one of the three best rim protectors in the league right now, in conversation with Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid. He's also perhaps the single best lob threat on the roll in the NBA today, which we can run with KD, Bane, or in a pinch Caruso, as well as Quickley off the bench.
This is the best defensive team of starters, with @JMon348, @trader jake, in the conversation also (sorry @Kev4029 you're top of the next tier for me...a Seth Curry/CJ McCollum/Barton backcourt can't be covered up well enough to break my top three even with Gobert/Draymond).
Coming off the bench, we have a fantastic PnR duo waiting to light up other bench units in Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Clarke (reminds me of J.J. Barea and Brandon Wright back in the day, though Barea>Quickley and Clarke>Wright)
We have five man lineups of:
Lockdown around Durant: Caruso, O'Neale, Thybulle, Durant, Allen
Score at a 140+ ORTG: Bane, Martin, Durant, O'Neale, Clarke/Allen
Cousins and defend: Caruso, Wright, O'Neale, Thybulle, Cousins
Bench mob PnR: Quickley, KCP, Martin, Thybulle, Clarke
Plenty of minutes, enough ballhandling to get us through, enough minutes to throw at the MVP-level big boys, the best player in the league, and a ton of shooting and defense.
Instinctive
Footballguy
I sent my rankings in tiers and noticed two things:
1. Tiers fell out pretty clearly to me, but it was really tough to rank within them. Someone is like 14th and could very easily be 9th and I wouldn't argue, for example.
2. Having the best players meant a lot to me. I apparently do not care if all your 6-12 guys are really good bench players if your team is lead by Derozan and Dejounte Murray and Julius Randle, for example (and for the record, the 6-12 guys weren't that good there).
1. Tiers fell out pretty clearly to me, but it was really tough to rank within them. Someone is like 14th and could very easily be 9th and I wouldn't argue, for example.
2. Having the best players meant a lot to me. I apparently do not care if all your 6-12 guys are really good bench players if your team is lead by Derozan and Dejounte Murray and Julius Randle, for example (and for the record, the 6-12 guys weren't that good there).
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Yo Mama
Footballguy
scoobus
Footballguy
Tough for guys drafting in the back half haha, but in general I agree, the NBA is such a star driven league and elite talent for top players matters so much. That's why I went the way I did in the second round with a guy who is not liked by many (and for good reason), but when healthy and eligible to play provides undeniable top-tier talent, which is tough to get at that point in the draft.
I'll try to provide a write-up of my team later, but it won't be as good and detailed as some of you nerds.
Eephus
Footballguy
Of course the team with Durant and a bunch of role players would feel that way.
I'm
trying to figure out his #2 pick
Instinctive
Footballguy
Not watching a lot of NBA this year?I'm
Jarrett Allen...3rd best center in the league. Should have been an All-Star. Cleveland gets no respect.
Only guys taken after him that are causing me second thoughts are Siakam and SGA.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
With 4 rankings in we have a very clear last place team.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Instinctive
Footballguy
Imbiid
Jokic
Allen
Ok Gobert's probably above him. So 4.
Who else would be up there this year? I think he's got a real shot at 3rd team all NBA.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Instinctive
Footballguy
Has he ever been on a winning team his whole career? Does he even know you're supposed to prevent the other team from scoring?
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Just thought it was an interesting comment given Allen was selected at the 7th Center off the board. I think it is a bit of a mess after Gobert though
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Eephus
Footballguy
Please fill out your rotations
@wikkidpissah@Juxtatarot@jvdesigns2002@trader jake@The Gator@PIK95@Doug B@Long Ball Larry@the moops@dawgtrails
If you don't know how I'm sure the commissioner will help you
@wikkidpissah@Juxtatarot@jvdesigns2002@trader jake@The Gator@PIK95@Doug B@Long Ball Larry@the moops@dawgtrails
If you don't know how I'm sure the commissioner will help you
Instinctive
Footballguy
yeah i mean I'm being a little over the top. Like I'd take Davis before him. But I'd rather him than Sabonis, definitely over Bam (that might be worst pick of round 2),Desert_Power said:
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Instinctive
Footballguy
scoobus
Footballguy
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Instinctive
Footballguy
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
I feel like some people are taking the "this year" piece in a somewhat strange way. I personally wasn't thinking of this as some kind of an all-star team recognizing mainly accomplishments from this year. I was drafting based on which players provided the most skill and talent at this point in their careers and assuming that were not injured.
Anyway, I guess this is my explanation:
Starting 5
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Derrick White
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: OG Anunoby
C : Jaren Jackson
Bench
PG: Bones Hyland, Spencer Dinwiddie
SG/SF: Eric Gordon, Chris Duarte
PF/C: Xavier Tillman
C : Daniel Gafford, Nemanja Bjelica
Closing 5 likely sees Eric Gordon slot in for Barnes. Gordon is the first guy off the bench. With these 6 players, we can basically play a 5-out system most of the time, while also having players who can handle and drive. Lillard had a down start to the year, but has generated a top-3 offense in each of the past 3 years. His ball handling and long-range shooting bend the defense, giving Barnes, White and Jackson more room to operate.
Secondarily, Jackson can space at at the 3-point line, generate offense himself with his drive game and post up, scoring at 3 levels. Anunoby can handle the ball a little bit, but really doesn't need to do anything but space out. White can put pressure on the rim, shoot and cut, while Barnes can cut and facilitate from the point, elbow or post whenever needed.
Obviously, Dame is a defensive liability, but that is why it was key to surround him with strong defensive players. Anunoby is arguably the best wing defender in the league, so we can handle virtually any of the best wings. Barnes and Jackson are super-switchable and Jackson provides excellent rim protection, giving us a wonderfully versatile frontcourt to handle basically anything you want to throw at us. White is able to help at the point of attack, though our frontcourt should be able to clean up so many messes regardless.
Sliding in Gordon for Barnes gives us a true 5-out while not sacrificing too much defense, as Gordon can switch 2-4 and has the strength to handle a lot of good wing players.
What do you need in the modern NBA to win in the playoffs? Uber-offensive initiator, rim protection, wing defense, defensive versatility and shooting. We have this across our top 6 players and I think this lineup is balanced and hard for anyone to contend with.
Filling out the bench during the regular season and as needed during the playoffs, the 3 key additional guys are Dinwiddie, Gafford and Duarte.
Dinwiddie can play either guard position and give us shooting and passing. Gafford is a pure rim-running and rim-protecting center to give us key bench minutes against lesser opposing units. Duarte provides us with another very good wing defender who can shoot.
When really necessary, Bones Hyland can be instant offense and give energy when we are just not feeling it. Likewise, Tillman can bring energy and interior defense against bigger lineups. He and JJJ together have a fantastic defensive rating together. Bjelica gives another look with his 3-point shooting and offensive facilitation if we want to just juice the offense if other bigs are in foul trouble.
Most of these players are super scalable and can shoot and defend, so we have great versatility in playoff matchups and few obvious weaknesses to deal with.
Anyway, I guess this is my explanation:
Starting 5
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Derrick White
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: OG Anunoby
C : Jaren Jackson
Bench
PG: Bones Hyland, Spencer Dinwiddie
SG/SF: Eric Gordon, Chris Duarte
PF/C: Xavier Tillman
C : Daniel Gafford, Nemanja Bjelica
Closing 5 likely sees Eric Gordon slot in for Barnes. Gordon is the first guy off the bench. With these 6 players, we can basically play a 5-out system most of the time, while also having players who can handle and drive. Lillard had a down start to the year, but has generated a top-3 offense in each of the past 3 years. His ball handling and long-range shooting bend the defense, giving Barnes, White and Jackson more room to operate.
Secondarily, Jackson can space at at the 3-point line, generate offense himself with his drive game and post up, scoring at 3 levels. Anunoby can handle the ball a little bit, but really doesn't need to do anything but space out. White can put pressure on the rim, shoot and cut, while Barnes can cut and facilitate from the point, elbow or post whenever needed.
Obviously, Dame is a defensive liability, but that is why it was key to surround him with strong defensive players. Anunoby is arguably the best wing defender in the league, so we can handle virtually any of the best wings. Barnes and Jackson are super-switchable and Jackson provides excellent rim protection, giving us a wonderfully versatile frontcourt to handle basically anything you want to throw at us. White is able to help at the point of attack, though our frontcourt should be able to clean up so many messes regardless.
Sliding in Gordon for Barnes gives us a true 5-out while not sacrificing too much defense, as Gordon can switch 2-4 and has the strength to handle a lot of good wing players.
What do you need in the modern NBA to win in the playoffs? Uber-offensive initiator, rim protection, wing defense, defensive versatility and shooting. We have this across our top 6 players and I think this lineup is balanced and hard for anyone to contend with.
Filling out the bench during the regular season and as needed during the playoffs, the 3 key additional guys are Dinwiddie, Gafford and Duarte.
Dinwiddie can play either guard position and give us shooting and passing. Gafford is a pure rim-running and rim-protecting center to give us key bench minutes against lesser opposing units. Duarte provides us with another very good wing defender who can shoot.
When really necessary, Bones Hyland can be instant offense and give energy when we are just not feeling it. Likewise, Tillman can bring energy and interior defense against bigger lineups. He and JJJ together have a fantastic defensive rating together. Bjelica gives another look with his 3-point shooting and offensive facilitation if we want to just juice the offense if other bigs are in foul trouble.
Most of these players are super scalable and can shoot and defend, so we have great versatility in playoff matchups and few obvious weaknesses to deal with.
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