Doug B
Footballguy
Not really -- was away from my desk for a bit. Then got sniped on Randolph.Doug taking his time on this one. He's been in the thread the whole time he's been on the clock.
Not really -- was away from my desk for a bit. Then got sniped on Randolph.Doug taking his time on this one. He's been in the thread the whole time he's been on the clock.
It really is amazing. He was also seen as draft disappointment, if not full bust for the first few years of his career. I think partially that was because he grew into his role, but I think the NBA kind of grew into his skill set as well. He's a hard worker that made himself into a better NBA player and a passable defender, but he was also drafted the same year as Steve Novak. If Novak was drafted today (a guy that hit 43% of his NBA threes at almost 7 feet tall), I suspect the new NBA would have found rotation minutes for him even through he was a laughable defender. The Harden Rockets and Curry Warriors changed the way the three pointer was viewed.It's pretty cool how he went from one of the most hated players ever at Duke to one of the coolest, most respected guys in the NBA.
Because I'm an idiot, I picked him in like the 8th round last time. But, he is basically the 90s/00s version of Conley. Always very good amongst his peers, but never really one of the best. Did a lot of things well few things poorly, other than fit his alien self into a human body.14.05: PG Sam Cassell, 2000s
Cassell was the plucky second-unit PG for the Rockets' title squads as a young player. He left Houston to become a starter in New Jersey for a season, and then a solid 4-season run in Milwaukee where he bloomed into a steady 19-4-7 guy. Later made the All-Star team with the Timberwolves at age 34.
@Mister CIA
You promised not to take my guy if I didn't take yours....and now you go back to 90's PG. Damn you.File under Bold Move Cotton. I'm going to pair another PG with Gary Payton in my 90s backcourt, which will be on FIRE.File under SG on the Google doc.
14.06 - Rod Strickland, SG 90s
We'll see what the judges have to say.
ObligatoryYou promised not to take my guy if I didn't take yours....and now you go back to 90's PG. Damn you.
Damn, I saw this right after I posted. Next time I will follow this strategy. hahaha@Gally let’s make sure to use all our clock for the rest of draft. Stretch this out so we can get to see a playoff run from Mitchell and Booker factored in![]()
Why was he 26 as a rookie? Even if he was Mormon or something and went on a two year mission, he's crazy old. Was he like Lennie from Of Mice and Men and he was held back 4 times in middle school?14.08 Mark Eaton – C 1980s
In today’s game he’d be a starter that played limited minutes and would have trouble staying on the court against the very best teams, but this particular draft selection is for the 1980s team. A time when the Berlin Wall fell, pastel colors were fashionable (unlike the current Miami Heat mix alternate jerseys), and a 7’4”, 275 lb mountain of a man could single-handedly destroy an opponent’s offense. That man was Mark Eaton.
The Jazz team that constantly won are rightfully remembered for the historic Stockton to Malone combo, but what gets left out of that story is the other end of the court. The side where Mark Eaton loomed - where opposing players went to the land of inefficient offense. Eaton ended the decade with an All-NBA nod and left the time that Stranger Things recalls so fondly with 4 block titles, 5 All-Defensive Honors, and 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Other notes I enjoyed:
- Eaton played in 79 games in 1986-87. That was the lowest number of games he played in any season during the decade. The best ability is availability.
- In 1984-85 Eaton averaged 5.56 blocks per game, more than double the league's second ranked blocker (Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon with 2.68 blocks per game)
- He became the first player to block 10 shots in a playoff game when he did so against Hakeem later that season.
- Eaton is currently the NBA's all-time leader in blocks per game, with a career average of 3.50.
he was just that slowWhy was he 26 as a rookie? Even if he was Mormon or something and went on a two year mission, he's crazy old. Was he like Lennie from Of Mice and Men and he was held back 4 times in middle school?
Just read up on it on wiki. He apparently didn't go to college out of HS, but became a mechanic for three years, then got talked into going to a Juco and playing there. Then he went to UCLA, but didn't play hardly at all, but was still drafted because he was tall. Apparently Wilt told him what to focus on (blocking shots, rebounding and passing to guards) and it changed the trajectory of his career after he was drafted.Why was he 26 as a rookie? Even if he was Mormon or something and went on a two year mission, he's crazy old. Was he like Lennie from Of Mice and Men and he was held back 4 times in middle school?
It's actually kind of a crazy story. Made me respect him even more.Why was he 26 as a rookie? Even if he was Mormon or something and went on a two year mission, he's crazy old. Was he like Lennie from Of Mice and Men and he was held back 4 times in middle school?
You know a fast mechanic?he was just that slow
Was on my short list for my 00s team. He could guard the best 2-4 and just camp out in the corner and make 40% of his wide open threes. When I looked him up yesterday, I was really surprised to see how highly his advanced stats all rated, even though I remember that being the whole theory of why he was so valuable to the Rockets. Morey basically kept that same theory going after Battier left with a few other players.14.09 Shane Battier, SF 00s
wikkid's NBA player stories >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> tim's NBA player storiesI grew up in the same neighborhood as Mark Eaton- two streets down from him. Didn’t know him though.
Yeah - there's a reason Michael Lewis wrote his piece on Battier. The dude was incredible. Just one of those guys you play with whose teams always seem to win and you know he's why but can't point to the exact reasons.Was on my short list for my 00s team. He could guard the best 2-4 and just camp out in the corner and make 40% of his wide open threes. When I looked him up yesterday, I was really surprised to see how highly his advanced stats all rated, even though I remember that being the whole theory of why he was so valuable to the Rockets. Morey basically kept that same theory going after Battier left with a few other players.
I'm not sure Morey will ultimately get the credit he deserves for shaping the NBA (for better or worse) over the last decade plus.
GREEDY!!! Then you slot him at shooting guard?!?! YYYAAARG!!File under Bold Move Cotton. I'm going to pair another PG with Gary Payton in my 90s backcourt, which will be on FIRE.File under SG on the Google doc.
14.06 - Rod Strickland, SG 90s
We'll see what the judges have to say.
#### so close. I guess I should have took him over Booker. It seemed like some of the 60s guys were slipping through the cracks. Great pick. I literally have no backup plan now.14.10 - Guy Rodgers, PG, 1960's
4× NBA All-Star (1963, 1964, 1966, 1967)
2× NBA assists leader (1963, 1967)
Inducted into the HOF in 2014
In the 66-67 season, Rodgers averaged a bonkers 18 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds.
i had my 60s PG early or he would have been gone five rds ago.14.10 - Guy Rodgers, PG, 1960's
4× NBA All-Star (1963, 1964, 1966, 1967)
2× NBA assists leader (1963, 1967)
Inducted into the HOF in 2014
In the 66-67 season, Rodgers averaged a bonkers 18 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds.
Knowing this makes my heart grow 3 sizes.#### so close. I guess I should have took him over Booker. It seemed like some of the 60s guys were slipping through the cracks. Great pick. I literally have no backup plan now.
That makes two of us#### so close. I guess I should have took him over Booker. It seemed like some of the 60s guys were slipping through the cracks. Great pick. I literally have no backup plan now.
Love that player. Those Blazers teams were among my favorites to watch. Porter/Drexler/Kersey/Buck/Duckworth with Ainge & Cliff Robinson off the bench.14.11 PG Terry Porter, 90s
2x All-Star
Career: 12.2ppg, 5.6apg, 1.2 spg, .518 eFG
Peak: 16.7ppg, 8.1apg, 1.7spg, .523eFG
17th all-time in assists
Jamaal "Silk" Wilkes - SF 1980's@Jayrod This is probably my favorite player of all time. You owe Silk a write up.
LOL I thought you did it againJamaal "Silk" Wilkes - SF 1980's
Silk was the son of a Baptist Minister, growing up in California where his number was retired by 2 different high schools. He then played his college ball at UCLA alongside Bill Walton where they completed 2 undefeated seasons and he was a 2-time all-American. Legendary coach John Wooden had this to say about Wilkes when asked once to describe his ideal player. “I would have the player be a good student, polite, courteous, a good team player, a good defensive player and rebounder, a good inside player and outside shooter,” Wooden told the New York Post in 1985. “Why not just take Jamaal Wilkes and let it go at that.”
He was drafted 11th by Golden State in 1974 where he won rookie of the year (over Walton) and won the first of his 4 NBA titles alongside Rick Barry. After the next 2 years of disappointment in Golden State, he signed as a free agent with the LA Lakers where he soon became an integral part of the Showtime Lakers and 3 NBA championships. Though he would eventually lose his spot to Worthy after getting injured, he was a great teammate and contributor throughout his career. Before there were "glue guys" there was Jamaal Wilkes.
Hall of Famer, 4x NBA Champion, ROY, 2x All-Defensive & 3x All-star
This sounds like the most generic white guy name possible for somebody born in the 30s or 40s.... And, he's black. At least all the racist Philadelphians (that kind of a redundant statement, isn't it... just kidding philly folks) that were listening on the radio weren't triggered.14.10 - Guy Rodgers, PG, 1960's
4× NBA All-Star (1963, 1964, 1966, 1967)
2× NBA assists leader (1963, 1967)
Inducted into the HOF in 2014
In the 66-67 season, Rodgers averaged a bonkers 18 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds.
He was one of the last in the league to raise his hand when he committed a foul, voluntarily. People who started watching the NBA after 1990 probably have no idea of what I'm talking about.Jamaal "Silk" Wilkes - SF 1980's
Silk was the son of a Baptist Minister, growing up in California where his number was retired by 2 different high schools. He then played his college ball at UCLA alongside Bill Walton where they completed 2 undefeated seasons and he was a 2-time all-American. Legendary coach John Wooden had this to say about Wilkes when asked once to describe his ideal player. “I would have the player be a good student, polite, courteous, a good team player, a good defensive player and rebounder, a good inside player and outside shooter,” Wooden told the New York Post in 1985. “Why not just take Jamaal Wilkes and let it go at that.”
He was drafted 11th by Golden State in 1974 where he won rookie of the year (over Walton) and won the first of his 4 NBA titles alongside Rick Barry. After the next 2 years of disappointment in Golden State, he signed as a free agent with the LA Lakers where he soon became an integral part of the Showtime Lakers and 3 NBA championships. Though he would eventually lose his spot to Worthy after getting injured, he was a great teammate and contributor throughout his career. Before there were "glue guys" there was Jamaal Wilkes.
Hall of Famer, 4x NBA Champion, ROY, 2x All-Defensive & 3x All-star
his mechanic lived down the street from a really tall guy who looked like a basketball player but wasnt...Jamaal "Silk" Wilkes - SF 1980's
Silk was the son of a Baptist Minister, growing up in California where his number was retired by 2 different high schools. He then played his college ball at UCLA alongside Bill Walton where they completed 2 undefeated seasons and he was a 2-time all-American. Legendary coach John Wooden had this to say about Wilkes when asked once to describe his ideal player. “I would have the player be a good student, polite, courteous, a good team player, a good defensive player and rebounder, a good inside player and outside shooter,” Wooden told the New York Post in 1985. “Why not just take Jamaal Wilkes and let it go at that.”
He was drafted 11th by Golden State in 1974 where he won rookie of the year (over Walton) and won the first of his 4 NBA titles alongside Rick Barry. After the next 2 years of disappointment in Golden State, he signed as a free agent with the LA Lakers where he soon became an integral part of the Showtime Lakers and 3 NBA championships. Though he would eventually lose his spot to Worthy after getting injured, he was a great teammate and contributor throughout his career. Before there were "glue guys" there was Jamaal Wilkes.
Hall of Famer, 4x NBA Champion, ROY, 2x All-Defensive & 3x All-star
I think he was 2nd in assists several seasons behind Oscar as well.This sounds like the most generic white guy name possible for somebody born in the 30s or 40s.... And, he's black. At least all the racist Philadelphians (that kind of a redundant statement, isn't it... just kidding philly folks) that were listening on the radio weren't triggered.
Think I'll wait to argue this until the end. We'll just say that I disagree, strongly.Our 2000s decade champion team is now finally complete, in my opinion (all-NBA/all-defense selections - they all have more all-stars, except Battier)
Chauncey Billups (3/2)
Tracy McGrady (7/0)
Shane Battier (0/2)
Dirk Nowitzki (12/0)
Ben Wallace (5/6)
Dirk is really your only hole on defense, and 2000s Dirk graded out ok, before he hit old-man stage in the 10s. This squad has multiple Finals MVPs, a full-year MVP, multiple rebounding titles, multiple scoring titles, multiple DPOY awards, blocks title, and a most improved player award.
Offense:
Dirk and McGrady might be two of the 3 best players in the NBA to get a bucket if you needed it (Kobe, obviously the third) without having trouble getting to a decent shot. Billups is a fantastic shooter (flirted with 50-40-90 for his career), Battier a great shooter, and Dirk one of the greatest shooters of all time (also near a 50-40-90 career mark). Ben Wallace doesn't need to do anything but screen and crash offensive boards, McGrady can be the primary initiator often with Billups spacing instead of playing on ball (he flexed a ton to SG, so easy peasy).
Defense:
Ben Wallace is one of two players every to get Defensive Player of the Year 4 times. Dirk is one of the low-key best defensive rebounders of the decade. Chauncey and Battier also showed up on all-defensive teams. McGrady will hide on the weakest perimeter player and harass with length, and Dirk will take the worse big guy. Good luck.
Competition:
The two teams which are going to challenge in the 2000s are anchored by Kobe and "offensive rebounders" on one side and Shaq/Garnett on the other.
Battier/McGrady/Billups might be the greatest Kobe-stopping backcourt that can still actually play offense out there. No offense to our boy EY, but we'll be leaving 3 guys open basically always, and still being ok with helping off Marbury as well. Kobe's gonna have to shoot 81 times to get to 30 points against this squad, and with Dirk and Ben Wallace on the glass, I don't see Marion, Brand, or Kirilenko being an issue.
Dirk is extremely familiar with Garnett, and got the better of him a number of times. Ben Wallace destroyed Shaq in the 2004 finals. Harassing him into turnovers, outrebounded him in 3/5 games, forced him into foul trouble, and held him below his playoff points averages from throughout. Allen/Kidd will be much more trouble, and this battle would be a dogfight. In the end, I think we do enough to survive...but that game would be incredible. I think Battier ends up on Kidd and Billups chases Ray Allen around while McGrady gets to rest against Bowen and dig the post if needed. I'm much more confident in Dirk and McGrady getting their points than I am in Garnett and Shaq getting theirs.
We shall see!!!!!!!!!!!!
after we put up the peach baskets, we'd watch him play by candlelight til the Germans attackedOk I sort of had a backup plan, he’s just not as fun as Guy. Maybe a better regarded player though, I’m not sure. Wikkid could probably tell us more as I’m left to go off of articles and stats.
14.12 Slater Martin PG 60s
7x All Star, 5x All NBA, 5x NBA Champ
Diminutive at 5’10” but was noted as a ferocious and physical defender. His claim to fame was making the great Mikan, Mikkelsen and [redacted] front court all gel together. That’s a perfect complement for my 60s team and it’s trio of front court stars.
@Jayrod
LOL I know you weren’t old enough to have seen him play. Meant more that he was at least in range where maybe he was discussed and you would know people who had seen play. Did anyone give a #### about the 50s guys in the 60s or was that ancient history pretty quickly?after we put up the peach baskets, we'd watch him play by candlelight til the Germans attacked
I knew you were old, but dayum!after we put up the peach baskets, we'd watch him play by candlelight til the Germans attacked
now that you mention it, i dont remember old farts talking sports in depth except boxingLOL I know you weren’t old enough to have seen him play. Meant more that he was at least in range where maybe he was discussed and you would know people who had seen play. Did anyone give a #### about the 50s guys in the 60s or was that ancient history pretty quickly?
FAKE NEWS YA'LL!! Even Shane Battier's own mother doesn't think he's a great shooter!Our 2000s decade champion team is now finally complete, in my opinion (all-NBA/all-defense selections - they all have more all-stars, except Battier)
Chauncey Billups (3/2)
Tracy McGrady (7/0)
Shane Battier (0/2)
Dirk Nowitzki (12/0)
Ben Wallace (5/6)
Offense:
Dirk and McGrady might be two of the 3 best players in the NBA to get a bucket if you needed it (Kobe, obviously the third) without having trouble getting to a decent shot. Billups is a fantastic shooter (flirted with 50-40-90 for his career), Battier a great shooter, and Dirk one of the greatest shooters of all time (also near a 50-40-90 career mark). Ben Wallace doesn't need to do anything but screen and crash offensive boards, McGrady can be the primary initiator often with Billups spacing instead of playing on ball (he flexed a ton to SG, so easy peasy).