Team Fats
PG: Magic Johnson 1985-86 - 18.8p, 5.9r, 12.6a, 1st team All NBA, All-Star
SG: Ray Allen 2008-09 - 18.2p, 3.5r, 2.8a, 41% from 3, 199 3s made, All-Star
SF: Michael Cooper 1986-87 - 10.5p, 4.5a, 38.5% from 3, DPOY, 1st team All-Defense
PF: Karl Malone 1996-97 - 27.4p, 9.9r, 4.5a, NBA MVP, 1st team All-NBA, 1st team All-Defense, All Star
C: Moses Malone 1982-83 - 24.5p, 15.3r, 2.0b, NBA MVP, Finals MVP, 1st team All-NBA, 1st team All-Defense, All Star
G: Manu Ginobili 2007-08 - 19.5p, 4.8r, 4.5a, 40.1% from 3, 156 3s made, 6th MotY, All-Star
G: Otis Birdsong 1980-81 - 24.6p, 3.6r, 3.3a, 1.2s, 54%FG, 2nd team All-NBA, All-Star
F: Tracy Murray 1995-96 - 16.2p, 4.3r, 42% from 3
F: Larry Johnson 1991-92 - 19.2p, 11.0r, 3.6a, 49%FG, Rookie of the Year
C: Andrew Bogut 2014-15 - 6.3p, 8.1r, 2.7a, 1.7b, 56%FG, 2nd team All-Defense
Util: George Hill 2012-13 - 14.2p, 3.7r, 4.7a, 37% from 3
Util: Andre Roberson 2015-16 - 4.8p, 3.6r
Util: Udonis Haslem 2013-14 - 3.8p, 3.8r
On offense everything runs thru Magic, the greatest point guard/point forward in NBA history and the undisputed king of the fast break. After rebounds Magic will push the ball up the floor as quickly as possible looking for transition points featuring 1997 NBA MVP Karl "the Mailman" Malone, one of the greatest fast break finishers in NBA history, Larry Johnson, the high flying rookie from UNLV or spot up shooters like Ray Allen and Tracy Murry. In the halfcourt, Karl Malone will operate in the high post, featuring his passing, while Magic and 1983 NBA MVP Moses Malone look to operate in the post and Ray and Cooper spot up for 3 in the corners. Moses will punish even the biggest of teams on the offensive glass as the greatest offensive rebounder in NBA history.
Defensively the starting lineup features 3 1st team All Defense players in Karl Malone, Moses Malone and 1987 defensive player of the year, Michael Cooper. Cooper will usually guard the opposing point guard, unless his stellar defense is needed to shut down a wing. This allows Magic to matchup on a bigger opponent. Karl and Moses will shut down the paint on defense. This team will have no trouble on the defensive glass with Moses, Karl and Magic all grabbing their fair share of rebounds.
Off the bench, 2008 6th man of the year, Manu Ginobili will take over playmaking duties when Magic is off the floor. This allows high scoring Otis Birdsong to function as the scoring guard. If a stronger defender is needed, George Hill can easily step in and provide a strong backcourt defender who can knock down 3s and run the offense. The 2nd unit will look to rebound and run as much as the starters, with deadly finishers like 1992 Rookie of the Year, Larry Johnson and Manu. Sharpshooter Tracy Murray and Manu provide plenty of spacing for a scoring machine like Birdsong to get into the lane and hit his array of floaters and pull up jumpers. 2015 2nd team All Defense, Andrew Bogut anchors the bench defensively and also adds another playmaker in the halfcourt, where he and Manu will hook up on numerous backdoor cuts. Roberson give the team another long defender who can cover any of the leagues premier offensive wings.
While this team wants to push the pace and score in the open court, its also a very balanced team on both sides of the floor, with a good mix of size, shooting, rebounding, defense and great passers all over the floor. There are selfless, high basketball IQ, low maintenance, NBA champions all of the floor. No egos, no troublemakers, just guys that know how to win on the biggest stage (plus Karl) - Magic, Moses, Manu, Allen, Cooper, Bogut - all NBA champions and even guys like LJ with NCAA championships.
So much balance allows the team to play many styles, such as:
Fast Break: Magic, Ray, Manu, LJ, Karl
Bully Ball: Magic, Cooper, LJ, Karl, Moses
Defense: Hill, Cooper, Roberson, Karl, Moses (Bogut)
Spacing: Manu, Ray, Murray, LJ, Magic or even smaller Hill, Ray, Manu, Murray, Magic or throw Cooper in for anyone for more defense, but maintaining 3pt shooters
Buckets: Magic, Birdsong, Ray (Manu), Karl, Moses
Team Flip
Description
Lets be honest I didn't give a flying **** about picking this team's bench. The effort just wasn't there. But the hate that this team has received completely unwarranted. All yall are haters basically. Somebody said this was a team of boneheads. I disagree completely. James Harden in 11-12 was a 6th man - not a bonehead at all. He was the best sixth man in the league and accepted his role with grace. His efficiency was off the charts and I'm going to lean on him heavily. Dwight in 06-07 wasn't a headcase. He was young, ran the floor like a gazelle and could jump out of the gym. I think with Howard and Harden I have two of the most hilariously underrated players in the game today because of recency bias. Everybody forgets how great Howard was and everybody just ignores how good Harden is because they don't like him. We are going to use the haters as motivation.
Now lets get to the bread and butter of my team which is the Nash-Garnett partnership of death. If any of you boneheads think you can guard that pick and roll you've got a screw loose. Nash is the ultimate teammate and facilitator - you could make a completely legitimate argument that he's the best facilitator of all time. That's what he's going to do on this team. We are going to run the floor like gazelles with Nash the puppet master pulling the strings. Like puppet-gazelles. The oops from Nash to Howard and Vince Carter. I mean, do I even have to put it into words? I've got a diamond-cutter just thinking about it. We are going to run and run and run with the first unit. Garnett has more heart than anybody in the league. He is our leader and captain and he will bring us together and ensure that we NEVER fail to bring 100% effort. He and Nash offset any bonehead or laziness potential of this team. You just can't be a lazy player and play with Garnett. He brings everybody up.
The basic plan because I didn't give a **** about the later picks is that Howard or Garnett is going to be on the floor at almost all times as my defensive anchor, while Nash or Harden is going to be on the floor at almost all times as my primary ball-handler and facilitator. Smits and Brevin Knight will get spot minutes in relief of those guys but I basically plan on staggering those guys as much as possible and just running though my other skillful wing-fowards Walter Davis and Joe Bryant (his son is Kobe there's no way he sucks). Davis is basically my 6th man scorer off the bench. I will also in some games to use him as a 3 and start Carter at the 2 depending on matchups. I would bring Harden off the bench in that case. Rick Fox and Steve Kerr are solid role players - both champs and both incredibly good-looking and personable. They will sell tickets. Kerr can coach the team if need be. Arroyo and Foster are turds, not figuring into the rotation at all. Honestly I hope Foster slips and falls so I can collect his retirement insurance. I don't know the first thing about Arroyo.
Team Flip
G: Steve Nash (05-06; NBA MVP, All NBA First team, 18.8 ppg - 10.5 apg - 4.2 rpg, 51%/42%/92%)
G: James Harden (11-12; Sixth Man of the Year, 16.8 ppg - 3.7 apg - 4.1 rpg, 49%/39%/85%)
F: Vince Carter (99-00; 3rd team all-nba, 25.7 ppg - 3.9 apg - 5.8 rpg - 46.5%/40%/79%)
F: Kevin Garnett (03-04; NBA MVP, 1st team all-nba and defense, 24.2 ppg - 5.0 apg - 13.9 rpg - 2.2blk 50%/26%/79%)
C: Dwight Howard (06-07; all-star, 17.6 ppg - 1.9 apg - 12.3 rpg - 1.9 blk - 9.7 win shares mostly from defense)
G: Steve Kerr (95-96; Coach of the year, champion, 51.5% on 3's)
G: Brevin Knight (04-05; 2nd team all-bobcat, 10.1 ppg - 9.0 apg - 2.6 reb - 2 spg - only 2 TO - cant shoot 3s)
G: Carlos Arroyo (03-04; 12.6 ppg - 5.0 apt - .441/.325/.804 - 12th man irrelevant basically)
F: Walter Davis (77-78; All-nba 2nd team, Rookie of the year, 24.2 ppg - 3.4 apt - 6.0 rpg - .526/no 3pt/.830)
F: Rick Fox (97-98; 12 ppg - 3.4 apg - 4.4 rpg - wikipedia lists him as an actor rather than a basketball player)
F: Joe "Jellybean" Bryant (81-82; 11.8 ppg - 2.5 apg - 3.7 rpg - Kobe's dad basically - 49% from the field)
C: Jeff Foster (03-04; literally have to google "Jeff Foster basketball" for him to come up - 6.1 ppg - 7.4 rpg)
C: Rik Smits (93-94; The Dunking Dutchman, 15.7 ppg - 2.0 apg - 6.2 rpg, .534 from the field - .79 from the line)
All-NBA: Kevin Garnett 03-04
Closer: Steve Nash 05-06
Stone Hands: Dwight Howard
Southpaw: James Harden 2011-2012
Stop Shooting: Vince Carter 99-00
Rookie: Walter Davis 1977-78
Hoosier: Rick Fox 1997-98
Champ Bench: Steve Kerr 1995-96
SD/KC - Joe bryant 81-82
White Stiff: Jeff Foster 2003-04
Expansion: Brevin Knight 04/05
Invisible: Carlos Arroyo - 03-04 Hack: Rick Smits 1993-94
Team Amcoolio
Description
Lots of rings among my team, high BBIQ, shooting, and hard nosed defense. I have a consistent duo in Kobe and Duncan, both defensive cornerstones; 48 minutes of incredible PG play (Stockton and 1993 Price, both ridiculously good shooters, Stockton a legendary passer and thief); Two really great goons (McHale and Laimbeer) to throw the other team off balance, and an athletic demon off the bench at C that will destroy many backup centers in this league (Gilmore). Versatility is key; I can play in any era. Laimbeer can shoot really well and from deep if I need to play the 2016 Warriors.
Weaknesses: I am going to ask a lot of Klay and Kobe defensively. I really wanted a defensive oriented backup SF, but the two I zeroed in on were sniped in the six or so picks before me. As a result I have to play Turkoglu more minutes than I would like, but I don't feel too bad looking at other people's benches. I probably should have went with McGrady over Gilmore, but I knew backup C would be a weakness for others.
Starting Five
PG: John Stockton (1992; Dream Team, All-Star, 2nd team all NBA, 2nd team all Defense, 15.8 ppg, 13.7 apg, 3.0 spg, 50/40/84 %)
SG: Klay Thompson (2014; 18.4 ppg, 41% 3PT (223 made 3's, 2nd in NBA behind Curry), 3.1 rpg, 2.2 apg)
SG/SF: Kobe Bryant (2008; NBA MVP, All-Star, 1st team all NBA, 1st team all Defense, 28.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.8 spg)
PF: Kevin McHale (1984; All-Star, 6th MOTY 18.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg. 55% FG)
PF/C: Tim Duncan (1998; All-Star, 1st team all NBA, 2nd team all Defense, Rookie of the Year, 21.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 2.9 apg, 55% FG)
Bench Rotation
PG: Mark Price (1993; All Star, All-NBA 1st Team, 18.2 ppg, 8.0 apg, 48% FG, 41% 3PT 94.8% FT
SG: Dell Curry (1989; 11.9 ppg, 50% FG, 34% 3PT, 87% FT)
SF/PF: Hedo Turkoglu (2004; 9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 1.9 apg, 42% 3PT)
PF/C: Bill Laimbeer (1990; NBA Champion, 12.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1 bpg, 51/36/85%)
C: Artis Gilmore (1978; All-Star, 2nd team all Defense, 22.9 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 2.2 bpg, and 3.2 apg)
End of Bench
PG/SG: Reggie Theus (1985; 16.4 ppg, 8.0 apg, 3.3 rpg, 48%)
SF/PF: Leon Powe (2007; 4.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
PF/C: Theo Ratliff (2006; 4.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg)
Stockton (30) / Price (18)
Thompson (30) / Bryant (12) / Curry (6)
Bryant (26) / Turkoglu (18) / Thompson (4)
McHale (22) / Laimbeer (12) / Duncan (14)
Duncan (20) / Gilmore (24) / Laimbeer (4)
Standard Rotations:
Stockton/Thompson/Bryant/McHale/Duncan (Starting Lineup)
Price/Thompson/Turkoglu/Laimbeer/Gilmore (End of 1st Quarter)
Price/Bryant/Turkoglu/McHale/Gilmore (Mid 2nd Quarter)
Stockton/Curry/Bryant/McHale/Duncan (End of Half)
Stockton/Thompson/Bryant/McHale/Duncan (Start 2nd Half lineup)
Price/Bryant/Turkoglu/Laimbeer/Gilmore (End of 3rd Quarter)
Stockton/Thompson/Turkoglu/Duncan/Gilmore (Mid 4th lineup)
Stockton/Thompson/Bryant/Duncan/Laimbeer (End of Game)
Team Lamar
Style of Play
The two things that probably characterize my team the best are that I have a rather athletic and mobile group of guys. And that they are capable passers (a factor you probably are tired of reading if you have paid attention to my write-ups). That's why I believe they should be given the freedom to play, the thing some coaches unwittingly take away from their teams. We will play up-tempo and won't be restricted to some slow and long offensive sets. Just as point guards can grab the defensive rebound and run, Hill, Mullin, McGinnis, McGrady, Reid and Kukoc have the green light to do it.
In half-court it's motion offense. We don't want to stand around and do isolations, we want to connect and find that passing chemistry. The way the team is built, it should be fun for everyone involved. And once the first pick-and-roll is run and the defense starts to slowly break, we have the pieces to keep putting pressure on it - every following kick out is going to a player who can keep driving and passing. I'm not calling Chris Mullin's Fade the D'Antoni Suns. After all we do need to respect Hakeem and his craving for post ups, it can't be fast breaks galore. We're not shooting with seven seconds or less after giving up baskets. But it's certainly a team which moves fast, which passes, which runs quirky pick-and-rolls (not just GP - Hakeem, the T-Mac - Mullin PnRs) and which is hard to defend against. Hakeem post ups (and GP's, if it's a small PG on him) with shooters around him are the most static sets you'll see us play.
Team Chris Mullin's Fade
Starting Five
PG: Gary Payton 1999-00 - 24.2PPG, 6.5RPG, 8.9APG, 1.9SPG, 177 3s (league leader), All-Defense 1st, All-NBA 1st.
SG: Grant Hill 1994-95 - 19.9PPG, 6.4RPG, 5.0APG, 1.8SPG, 0.9BPG, All-Star, ROY.
SF: Chris Mullin 1989-90 - 25.1PPG, 5.9RPG, 4.1APG, 1.6SPG, .372 3P%, All-NBA 3rd.
PF: George McGinnis 1976-77 - 21.4PPG, 11.5RPG, 3.8APG, 2.1SPG, All-NBA 2nd.
C: Hakeem Olajuwon 1989-90 - 24.3PPG, 14.0RPG, 2.9APG, 2.1SPG, 4.6BPG, All-Defense 1st, All-NBA 2nd.
Bench:
PG: World B. Free 1979-80 - 30.2PPG, 3.5RPG, 4.2APG, All-Star.
G/F: Tracy McGrady 2003-04 - 28.0PPG, 6.0RPG, 5.5APG, 174 3s (.339 3P%), All-NBA 2nd (role depends on match-up).
G/F: Robert Reid 1988-89 - 14.7PPG, 3.7RPG, 1.9APG
PF: Toni Kukoc 2001-02 - 9.9PPG, 3.7RPG, 3.6APG
C: Jack Sikma 1987-88 - 16.5PPG, 8.6RPG, 3.4APG, .922 FT.
Depth:
UTIL: Jason Terry 2010-11 – 15.8PPG, 4.1APG
UTIL: Manute Bol 1989-90 - 1.9PPG, 3.7RPG, 3.2BPG
UTIl: Danny Fortson 2004-05 - 7.5PPG, 5.6RPG, 4.3PF in 16.9MPG
Rotation:
I don't think I can put specific numbers on it without seeing the opponent. A lot of it depends on defensive assignments. Hakeem is a pretty nice option to have as a rim protector but I don't want him to do all the lifting alone. Payton will guard the best perimeter player up to about the 6'6 guys (and won't be spent since we have other ball handlers). If there are some 6'8 forwards to worry about, Grant Hill gets the assignment (McGinnis can do some bruising as well for a few minutes, if it's LeBron or someone). Yet when the wing spots aren't the ones to be worried about, T-Mac will start with Mullin.
The guys 2 through 4 are the ones whose playing time is the most flexible, depending on the aforementioned defensive adjustments and the size of the opponents. If the match-up allows it, Kukoc's minutes will take a dip as three wing lineups will be my way of small ball.
Minute Distribution:
Payton (34) / Free (14)
Hill (27) / McGrady (21)
Mullin (28) / Reid (14) / McGrady (6)
McGinnis (33) / Kukoc (12) / Reid (3)
Olajuwon (36) / Sikma (12)
Kukoc pretty much falls out of the rotation and GH-TM-CM minutes increase if we can play smaller. McGrady starts if SF isn't the biggest threat.
Team Gatz
Gatz' Team
Conley/Abdul-Rauf
Hayward/Westbrook
Durant/Iggy/Winslow
Dirk/Tom Chambers/Jokic
Shaq/Okafor
This team is pretty bonkers. My starting lineup is loaded with offensive firepower along with four plus defenders. We also have a great defensive bench with guys like Iggy who can come in and guard the likes of Lebron and MJ.
We plan to run a 4 out 1 in style offense. How exactly do you stop Durant/Shaq PnRs when you have knockdown shooters at every other position? Not only can every starter (except Shaq) shoot the 3 but they are all great passers for their positions. Our ability to drive and kick will be unparalleled. No defense wants to be forced to guard any of Durant, Dirk, or Shaq 1 on 1. With this lineup they will have to.
Defensively this team can hold up against anyone. Again four members of our starting lineup are good to great defenders. We will be bigger than any team we match up against.
Conley 6’3
Hayward 6’8
Durant 6’10
Dirk 7’
Shaq 7’1
Also 06-07 Dirk wasn’t the turnstile he is now. He still had athleticism along with great basketball IQ. Also we have Iggy serving as a defensive stopper. He's the perfect guy to throw on some of these legendary offensive players. Also his ability to hit an open 3 is a huge huge plus compared to guys like Tony Allen.
Arguably our best attribute in comparison to other teams is our bench unit. We’ve talked to Westbrook’s people and told him we’d be more than willing to give him a ceremonious starting job but he’d be playing most of his minutes with the bench unit. I love Mark Price but how does he plan on stopping Westbrook from getting into the paint? Can Jake Sikma really protect the rim from him? Especially when he was 3 pt threats like Abdul-Rauf and a floor spreader like Jokic around him?
Overall, this team is destined for greatness. There’s a great balance of offense and defense. High usage guys and great utility guys. Our rosters is malleable and can compete in a number of ways. I don’t see how this team does wouldn’t win with it’s combination of offensive weapons, defensive stoppers, and overall basketball IQ.
Team ESaL
STARTERS
PG STEPH CURRY 13-14- 24.0 PPG / 8.5 APG / 4.3 RPG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG / 47.1 FG% 17.7 FGA / 42.4 3P% 7.9 3PA
- ALL STAR / 2ND TEAM ALL NBA
- ALL STAR / 3RD TEAM ALL NBA
- ALL STAR / 1ST TEAM DEFENSE / 1ST TEAM ALL NBA / DPOY
- 1ST TEAM DEFENSE
- SCORING LEADER / ALL STAR / 2ND TEAM DEFENSE / 2ND TEAM ALL NBA
BENCH
G D STOUDAMIRE 95-96- 19.0 PPG / 9.3 APG / 4.0 RPG / 1.4 SPG / 0.3 BPG / 42.6 FG% 16.1 FGA / 39.5 3P% 4.8 3PA
- ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- 3 POINT PERCENTAGE LEADER
- ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- THE REASON LEBRON JAMES WON CHAMPIONSHIPS
- 3RD TEAM ALL NBA
- ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- NOT THE REASON TIM DUNCAN WON CHAMPIONSHIPS
- NOT THE REASON JORDAN OR DUNCAN WON CHAMPIONSHIPS
STYLE OF PLAY
The goal from the start was to be able to create a lot of options. The way to do that was to get guys that can play and guard multiple spots and also finding guys with different skills and repertoires that can play together.
On offense we are gonna run a ball movement offense with constant screening and motion and space everyone out. Think the Warriors of this year. Rodman isn't a shooter, but I can substitute our guys in his place if anything gets on offense. I want him in for what I can do on defense. Rodman will mostly be a screener, cutter, baseline guy on offense and really to clean up the missed threes to get us extra offensive possessions. Offense will be run through the PG and both of mine have the shooting and passing ability to control that. A lot of high screens from the centers, PnRs with deadly shooters all over the court. With 6 or 7 guys on the team shooting over 40% from three it is going to cause a lot of stress on opposing defenses to stay in their spot and really communicate with all the screening and movement on offense. At times I can have 4 and 5 guys on the court that are knock down shooters. We will push the pace to get defenses in mismatches, but find the perfect shot on offense by causing chaos. We will play with pace, but we won't look for the first shot, it will be the perfect shot.
On defense we will switch switch switch. It helps to have the greatest perimeter defender ever and 2 more DPOY to do it. We will play physical and we will swarm the ball ad suffocate off of it. I only have one defender in the starting lineup that is only average. The rest are elite or very good. Leonard will guard the best wing player, which even includes PG. Pierce will take the next best. If we can hide Curry we will, but that will be tough. Rodman can guard 3.5 positions just like Leonard. Robinson can switch and handle his own on smaller players with his athleticism. We have the ability to guard basically anybody and any style. We can guard small lineups with our starters and some bench guys and we can even guard twin tower lineups by putting Towns in with Robinson.
The goal on defense is just to give body blow after body blow. Get in the opponents kitchen and never leave it. Invade it and make breakfast in bed for their girl. Be physical. Be quick. Be multiple. And make offenses work and when their work doesn't work capitalize on their frustration.
The goal on offense is to land hay maker after hay maker. Bombs away with the ability to get boards and be physical down low. Shoot the lights out. 3>2. And I believe I have the best shooting out of anyone. Play good defense on us, but one mistake and it kills you.
Nothing is more demoralizing than to work so hard on offense and still not be able to run your offense and get physically beat up and then switch ends and watch 3s splash over and over again. I'm hoping to do a lot of this.
We can put in lineups to shoot the lights out and other lineups to beat you up down in the post. We can guard small and big lineups and not miss a beat. I've got a team that can do almost anything on both ends of the court, and that allows to adapt in anyway possible if Plan A isn't working on certain nights.
Team Diop
Gana's Team Diop
Starters:
C) Kareem Abdul Jabbar 1978-79 1st team all NBA, first team all defense. 23.8 pts, 12.8rebs, 5.4 assists, 4 blks, 1 steal.
Pf) Chris Bosh 2009-10 Allstar, 24 pts, 10.8 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1 blk
Sf) Larry Bird 1984-1985 NBA MVP, 1st team all NBA, 28.7 pts, 10.5 rebs, 6.6 assists, 1.6 blks, 1.2 steals.
Sg) Dwyane Wade 2006-07 All NBA 3rd team, 27.4 pts, 7.5 assists, 4.7 rebs, 2.1 steals, 1.2 blks,
Pg) Chris Paul 2005-06 Rookie of the year, 16.1 pts, 7.8 assists, 5.1 rebs, 2.2 steals. Becoming the 2nd ever rookie to lead the NBA with total steals.
Bench:
F: Dominique Wilkins 1983-84
C: Vlade Divac 2002-03
F: Gerald Wallace 2004-05
G: Shaun Livingston 2014-2015
G: Nick Van Exel 2002-03
Pf:Kermit Washington 1979-79
Sg:Tony Allen 2004-05
Sg:Jim Jackson 2004-05
Any team that has prime Bird and Kareem is pretty much ridiculous. You surround those 2 with OK role players and you're probably going to win a championship with their elite offence and defence.
The starting 5 all play defence. Bird was 1st team all defence just the year before and this was the year pre back injury where he still moved freely. Wade was 2nd team all defence the season prior, while the pesky Paul lead the league in steals. This team will pressure you.
Offensively I want a lot of ball and player movement, Chris Paul will have his opportunity to create, especially off missed shots and fast break opportunities otherwise the offence will run through Kareem and Bird. The starting 5 is full of willing and creative passers and all capable shooters. The shot carts for those years (apart from Kareem's couldn't find his) show that they all attempted 3's and were good from mid range. They are a great mix of shooting, post score and slashing.
The bench gives the coach many options to adjust to the play. Need a scoring boost or want to add some athleticism? Throw in the 24 year old Hall of famer Nique Wilkins. Rookie Paul is looking a little over whelmed? throw in the veteran Nick Van Exal who can play both guard spots and showed in that finals series that he is never overwhelmed and will fight no matter the odds. Livingston gives you an extra point guard who gives a different look with his height, while the veteran Jim Jackson was a good scorer with an excellent 3pt shot who could be added with Nick Van Exel if spacing is required. If defence becomes vital, like someone brings Westbrook off the bench to try and bully my bench I can throw in Tony Allen to clamp down a player, Crash to be everywhere defensively or Kermit Washington to bully players inside and play his dependable role of Kareem's muscle man. Divac is a smart, savvy veteran centre who reliably gives you a bit of everything.
The team could show many different looks:
Fast break: CP, Wade, Crash, Nique, Kareem or Bosh
Shoot n spread: Nick, Jackson, Bird, Bosh, Divac
Defence: Wade, Allen, Crash, Kermit, Jabbar
The options are endless but really the team is going to be lead by Bird and Kareem who will demand that this team win.
Team Ian
The offense of my starting unit heavily features Jordan and Kemp. If either of the two gets checked, Kidd can facilitate the offense and get Battier and Mourning involved. Defensively, all of the starters, especially the wings, are capable defenders. The primary task of Mourning on my team is to anchor the defense and collar the rebounds. Battier may be a little bit old already but he is still a good defender and is a very smart player.
As for the second unit, the offense centers on Iverson. Hornacek may be playing a little bit out of position as the point guard but he has shown when he was in Philadelphia that he can hold that position. I needed a big (or bigger) guard to pair with AI to help cover for him on the defensive end and I think Hornacek is capable of that. I do not find the need to have a true point guard on my second unit since I already have Odom who can orchestrate the offense. Posey is there primarily to defend the opposing team’s best player and provide some perimeter scoring since AI can kick it out to him if the latter cannot score on the lane. Ostertag, like Mourning, will be the defensive anchor in this unit and can rough up the opposing team's big men.
The main weakness of my team is the lack of ceiling. This team may have a hard time when up against a bigger team or a team with more skilled big men.
Starting Unit:
G: Jason Kidd - 2001-02 - 14.7 PPG, 9.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 7.3 RPG
G: Michael Jordan - 1992-93 - 32.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.8 SPG
F: Shane Battier - 2012-13 - 6.6 PPG, 43 3P%
F: Shawn Kemp - 1995-96 - 19.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG
C: Alonzo Mourning 1992-93 - 21 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.5 BPG
Second Unit:
G: Jeff Hornacek - 1999-00 - 12.4 PPG, 2.6 APG
G: Allen Iverson - 2003-04 - 26.4 PPG, 6.8 APG, 2.4 SPG
F: James Posey - 2007-08 - 7.4 PPG, 38 3P%
F: Lamar Odom - 2009-10 - 10.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.3 APG
C: Greg Ostertag - 1996-97 - 11.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3 BPG
Third Stringers:
F: Scott Wedman - 1980-81 - 19 PPG, 5.3 RPG
F: Amir Johnson - 2008-09 - 3.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG
C: Primoz Brezec 2004-05 - 13 PPG, 7.4 RPG
Team Yosemite
PG: Fat Lever (1987-88 season, All Defense 2nd Team, 18.9 ppg, 47.3% FG, 8.1 rbds, 7.8 ast, 2.7 stl)
SG: Reggie Miller (1995-96 season, All NBA 3rd Team, 21.1 ppg, 41.0% 3PT on 5.4 3PTAs, 62.5% TS, 2.8 boards, 3.3 ast, 1.0 stl)
SF: Peja Stojakovic (2003-04 season, All NBA 2nd Team, 24.2 ppg, 43.3% 3PT on 6.8 3PTAs, 92.7% FT, 62.4% TS, 6.3 rbds, 2.1 ast, 1.3 stl)
PF: LeBron James (2012-13 season, MVP, Finals MVP, All Defense 1st Team, 26.8 ppg, 56.8% FG, 40.8% 3PT, 8.0 rbds, 7.3 ast)
C: Mark Eaton (1984-85 season, DPOY, 9.7 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 5.6 bpg)
Backup G: Patty Mills (2013-14 season, 10.2 ppg in just 18.9 mpg, 43.5% 3PT on 3.9 3PTAs, 2.1 rbds, 1.8 ast, 0.8 stl)
Backup G: Bruce Bowen (2005-06 season, All Defense 1st Team, 7.5 ppg, 42.4% 3PT on 3.0 3PTAs, 3.1 rbds, 1.4 ast, 1.0 stl)
Backup F: Blake Griffin (2011-12 season, ROY, All Star, 22.5 pts, 50.6% FG, 11.4 rbds, 3.6 ast)
Backup F: Anthony Mason (1996-97 season, 16.2 ppg, 52.5% FG, 11.4 rbds, 5.7 ast)
Backup C: Brad Miller (2003-04 season, 14.1 ppg, 10.3 rbds, 4.3 ast, 1.2 ast)
UTIL: Larry Drew (1982-83 season, 20.2 ppg, 49.2% FG, 8.1 ast, 1.7 stl)
UTIL: Kelly Tripucka (1988-89 season, 22.6 ppg, 3.8 rbds, 3.2 ast)
UTIL: Pat Cummings (1984-85 season, 15.8 ppg, 51.4% FG, 8.2 rbd)
My starting lineup features three players that were either DPOY or All Defense. My lineup also features three shooters who shot over 40% from three on high volume. But let's be real - this team is built around LeBron. Peja, Reggie, Fat, Eaton - they all know that LeBron is steering this ship. Our team will be opportunistic on the break but is very confident in playing our half court sets. Peja and Reggie have the shooting ability to spread the floor for LeBron to put pressure on defenses, but also have the size to screen for LeBron and work PNP actions. I also like the idea of running PNR actions with Fat Lever and LeBron, with Peja and Reggie in the corners spreading the floor for kickouts. Fat Lever himself is very capable of creating off the dribble for himself and for setting up our shooters, which will allow LeBron to play off the ball.
I also really like my bench, even though I envision playing my starting lineup big minutes. Patty Mills can get plugged in situationally as a spark plug three point shooter, and Bowen will get minutes at SG and SF to keep our wings fresh and apply pressure defensively. Eaton will likely play the fewest minutes among my starting lineup, but the second string C will depend on our opponent. Brad Miller will get a good chunck of those minutes, but I envision playing small with Mason, Blake, and LeBron all seeing minutes at C.
If Eaton gets jammed up in the PNR with more mobile bigs, I can plug in Brad Miller, who has the lateral speed and defensive awareness to better defend the PNR and will also contribute to our ball movement. If LeBron is wearing down by banging with stronger PFs, I can plug in Anthony Mason and slide LeBron up. I can also plug in Blake at PF and let him get out on the break and make plays with his athleticism.
If I need to go into lockdown defense mode, I can play Fat Lever at PG, Bruce Bowen at SG, LeBron James at SF, Anthony Mason at PF, and Mark Eaton at C, giving me four All Defense level defenders along with my underrated enforcer in Anthony Mason.
What I'm most irrationally excited about with this team is the possibility of going small and using LeBron at C and Peja at PF. I would pull in Patty Mills at PG, Bruce Bowen at SG, Reggie at SF, Peja at PF, and LeBron at C. That gives me 5 players on the floor who shoot over 40% from three, with three of them shooting over 42% from three.
Team Batum
STARTERS
All of my starters were all-star
Isiah Thomas 1983-84
All-NBA First Team
4 RPG, 11.1 APG, 2.5 SPG, 21.3 PPG
Mitch Richmond 1993-94
All-NBA Second Team
3.7 RPG, 4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 23.4 PPG (0.407 3P%)
Scottie Pippen 1995-96
All-NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team
6.4 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 19.4 PPG (0.374 3p%)
Draymond Green 2015-16
All-NBA Second Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team
9.5 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 14 PPG (0.388 3p%)
Dave Cowens 1977-78
14 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 18.6 PPG
BENCH
Damian Lillard 2012-13
Rookie of The Year
3.1 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 19 PPG (0.368 3p% on 6.1 attempts)
John Salmons 2007-08
4.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 12.5 PPG
Rick Barry 1977-78
5.5 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.9 SPG, 23.1 PPG
Bobby Jones 1982-83
NBA Sixth Man of The Year, NBA All-Defensive First Team
4.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 9.0 PPG
Bill Walton 1982-83
9.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.6 BPG, 14.1 PPG
DEPTH
Kurt Rambis 1988-89
9.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 11.1 PPG
Vladimir Radmanovic 2007-8
3.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 8.4 PPG (0.406 3p%)
Jaren Jackson 1997-98
2.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 07 SPG, 8.8 PPG (0.377 3p%)
My team doesn't have a dominant player like MJ, KAJ, Magic, Lebron , or Shaq (yeah yeah i know, except Rick Barry lol). That's not a weakness, that's more a strength in my opinion. Every player on my starting line up knows their role within the team (most of them weren't a first option on their teams), no stat-padder on my team, no defensive liability on my starting lineups, i have all around players at 3 position (SF, PF, C) and they (Pippen, Green, and Cowens) were very versatile to defend almost any position.
On offense you'll see a lot of fast break because even my Center could run like a gazelle, you'll see a lot of ball movement because every player on my team was a willing passer, you'll see a lot of slashing and 3 pointer because of the free space made by my frontcourt players (Green with his 3p and Cowens with his outside jumper). In crunch time i can rely on Isiah Thomas or Richmond, both of them are clutch.
Lillard will play as a scoring guard off the bench, while Barry will be the point forward, I also could use Bill Walton if i need some minutes of better rim protection and low post scoring. Bobby Jones, Kurt Rambis and John Salmons will provide some minutes of hard nose defense, rebounding, and hustling. Radz and Jackson will rarely see some minutes of play except i need more 3p threat to spread the floor.
Last thing to be said is when you have 2 or more ball-dominant players on your starting 5, that's are recipe of disaster. It may look good on paper or on your fantasy team, but in reality, it just won't work.
Sorry for the delay, i had a lot of things to be done these last few days.
Picks By Round
Round 1
1. Ian - Michael Jordan - All NBA
2. Diop - Larry Bird - Hoosier
3. Fats - Magic Johnson - Stone Hands
4. YB - Lebron James - All NBA
5. Lamar - Hakeem Olajuwon - Stone Hands
6. Flip - Steve Nash - Closer
7. Coolio - Kobe Bryant - Stone Hands
8. ESAL - David Robinson - Southpaw
9. Gatz - Shaq O'Neal - Rookie
10. BtG - Scottie Pippen - Stone Hands
Round 2
1. Btg - Isiah Thomas - Hoosier
2. Gatz - Kevin Durant - Stop Shooting
3. ESAL - Steph Curry - Stone Hands
4. Coolio - Tim Duncan - Rookie
5. Flip - Kevin Garnett - All NBA
6. Lamar - Chris Mullin - Southpaw
7. YB - Peja Stojakovic - Closer
8. Fats - Karl Malone - Stop Shooting
9. Diop - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - All NBA
10. Ian - Jason Kidd - Stone Hands
Round 3
1. Btg - Bill Walton - Forgotten Cities
2. Gatz - Dirk Nowitzki - All NBA
3. ESaL - Paul Pierce - Stop Shooting
4. Coolio - John Stockton - All NBA
5. Flip - Dwight Howard - Stone Hands
6. Lamar - Grant Hill - Rookie
7. YB - Reggie Miller - Stop Shooting
8. Fats - Ray Allen - Closer
9. Diop - Dwyane Wade - Stone Hands
10. Ian - Allen Iverson - Stop Shooting
Round 4
1. Ian - Shawn Kemp - Hoosier
2. Diop - Chris Paul - Rookie
3. Fats - Mani Ginobili - Southpaw
4. YB - Fat Lever - Stone Hands
5. Lamar - Gary Payton All-NBA
6. Flip - Vince Carter - Stop Shooting
7. Coolio - Kevin McHale - Champ Bench
8. ESAL - Dennis Rodman - Champ Bench
9. Gatz - Mike Conley - Southpaw
10. BtG - Mitch Richmond - Stop Shooting
Round 5
1. BtG - Dave Cowans - Southpaw
2. Gatz - Gordon Hayward - Hoosier
3. ESaL - Karl Anthony Towns - Rookie
4. Coolio - Artis Gilmore - Southpaw
5. Flip - James Harden - Southpaw
6. Lamar - Tracy McGrady - Stop Shooting
7. YB - Mark Eaton - Big White Spliff
8. Fats - Michael Cooper - Champ Bench
9. Diop - Chris Bosh - Southpaw
10. Ian - Lamar Odom - Southpaw
Round 6
1. Ian - Alonzo Mourning - Rookie
2. Diop - Dominique Wilkins - Stop Shooting
3. Fats - Moses Malone - All NBA
4. YB - Anthony Mason - Southpaw
5. Lamar - George McGinnis - Hoosier
6. Flip - Walter Davis - Rookie
7. Coolio - Mark Price - Closer
8. ESaL - Kyle Korver - Closer
9. Gatz - Justise Winslow - Invisible
10. BtG - Bobby Jones - Champ Bench
Round 7
1. BtG - Rick Barry - Closer
2. Gatz - Andre Iguodala - Champ Bench
3. ESaL - Terry Cummings - Forgotten
4. Coolio - Bill Laimbeer - Hoosier
5. Flip - Steve Kerr - Champ Bench
6. Lamar - World B. Free - Forgotten
7. YB - Bruce Bowen, invisible
8. Fats - Otis birdsong. Forgotten
9. Diop - Tony Allen - Hack
10. Ian - Shane Battier - Invisble
Round 8
1. Ian - James Posey - Champ Bench
2. Diop - Gerald Wallace - Expansion
3. Fats - Larry Johnson - Rookie
4. YB - Blake Griffin - Rookie
5. Lamar - Jack Sikma - Closer
6. Flip - Rick Fox - Hoosier
7. Coolio - Dell Curry - Expansion
8. ESaL - Damon Stoudamire - Expansion
9. Gatz - Emeka Okafor - Expansion
10. BtG - Vlad Radmanovic - White Stiff
Round 9
1. BtG - Draymond Green - All NBA
2. Gatz - Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf - Closer
3. ESaL - James Jones - Invisible
4. Coolio - Reggie Theus - Forgotten
5. Flip - Rick Smits - Hack
6. Lamar - Robert Reid - Expansion
7. YB - Brad Miller - Hoosier
8. Fats - Andrew Bogut - White Stiff
9. Diop - Nick Van Exel - Invisible
10. Ian - Jeff Hornacek - Closer
Round 10
1. Ian - Greg Ostertag - White Stiff
2. Diop - Vlade Divac - White Stiff
3. Fats - Tracy Murray - Expansion
4. YB - Patty Mills - Championship Bench
5. Lamar - Toni Kukoc - White Stiff
6. Flip - Brevin Knight - Expansion
7. Coolio -Hedo Turkoglu - White Stiff
8. ESaL - Matt Bonner - White Stiff
9. Gatz - Nikola Jokic - White Stiff
10. BtG - John Salmons - Invisible
Round 11
1. BtG - Jaren Jackson - Hack
2. Gatz - Tom Chambers - Forgotten
3. ESaL - Zach Randolph - Hoosier
4. Coolio - Klay Thompson - Stop Shooting
5. Flip - Jeff Foster - White Stiff
6. Lamar - Jason Terry - Champ Bench
7. YB - Kelly Tripucka - Expansion
8. Fats - Andre Roberson - Invisible
9. Diop - Shaun Livingston - Champ Bench
10. Ian - Scott Wedman - Forgotten
Round 12
1. Ian - Primoz Brezec - Expansion
2. Diop - Kermit Washington - Forgotten
3. Fats - Udonis Haslem - Hack
4. YB - Larry Drew - Forgotten
5. Lamar - Manute Bol - Invisible
6. Flip - Joe Bryant - Forgotten cities
7. Coolio - Leon Powe - Hack
8. ESaL - Will Perdue - Hack
9. Gatz - Rick Carlisle - Hack
10. BtG - Kurt Rambis - Expansion
Round 13
1. BtG - Damian Lillard - Rookie
2. Gatz - Russell Westbrook - Stone Hands
3. ESaL - Kawhi Leonard - All NBA
4. Coolio - Theo Ratlif - Invisble
5. Flip - Carlos Arroyo - Invisible
6. Lamar - Danny Fortson - Hack
7. YB - Pat Cummings - Hack
8. Fats - George Hill - Hoosier
9. Diop - Jim Jackson - Closer
10. Ian - Amir Johnson - Hack
Picks By Team
-Ian-
All-NBA: Michael Jordan, 1992-93
Closer: Jeff Hornacek 1999-00
Stone Hands: Jason Kidd 2001-02
Southpaw: Lamar Odom 2009-10
Stop Shooting: Allen Iverson 2003-04
Rookie: Alonzo Mourning 1992-93
Hoosier: Shawn Kemp 1995-96
Champ Bench: James Posey 2007-08
SD/KC: Scott Wedman 1980-91
White Stiff: Greg Ostertag 1996-97
Expansion: Primoz Brezec 2004-05
Invisible: Shane Battier 2012-13
Hack: Amir Johnson, 2008-09
Diop
All-NBA: Kareem Abdul Jabaar 1978-79
Closer: Jim Jackson 2004-05
Stone Hands: Dwyane Wade 2006-07
Southpaw : Chris Bosh 2009-10
Stop Shooting: Dominique Wilkins 1983-84
Rookie: Chris Paul 2005-06
Hoosier: Larry Bird, 1984-1985
Champ Bench - Shaun Livingston 2014-2015
SD/KC: Kermit Washington 1979-79
White Stiff: Vlade Divac 2002-03
Expansion: Gerald Wallace 2004-05
Invisible: Nick Van Exel 2002-03
Hack: Tony Allen 2004-05
fatlever
All-NBA: Moses Malone 1982-83
Closer: Ray Allen 2008-09
Stone Hands: Magic Johnson 1985-86
Southpaw: Manu Ginobili - 2007-08
Stop Shooting: Karl Malone 1996-97
Rookie: Larry Johnson 1991-92
Hoosier: George Hill 2012-13
Champ Bench: Michael Cooper 1986-87
SD/KC: Otis birdsong. 1980-81
White Stiff: Andrew Bogut 2014-15
Expansion: Tracy Murray 1995-96
Invisible: Andre Roberson 2014-15
Hack: Udonis Haslem 2013-14
yosemiteben
All-NBA: LeBron James 2012-13
Closer: Peja Stojakovic 2003-04
Stone Hands: Fat Lever, 1987-88
Southpaw: Anthony Mason, 1996-97
Stop Shooting: Reggie Miller 1995-96
Rookie: Blake Griffin 2010-11
Hoosier: Brad Miller, 2003-04
Champ Bench: Patty Mills, 2013-14
SD/KC: Larry Drew 1982-83
White Stiff: Mark Eaton, 1984-85
Expansion: Kelly Tripucka 1988-89
Invisible: Bruce Bowen, 2005-06
Hack: Pat Cummings 1984-85
LamarMatic7
All-NBA: Gary Payton 1999-00
Closer: Jack Sikma 1987-88
Stone Hands: Hakeem Olajuwon 89-90
Southpaw: Chris Mullin 89-90
Stop Shooting: Tracy McGrady 2003-04
Rookie: Grant Hill 1994-95
Hoosier: George McGinnis 1976-77
Champ Bench: Jason Terry 2010-11
SD/KC: World B. Free - 79/80
White Stiff: Toni Kukoc 2001-02
Expansion: Robert Reid 1988-89
Invisible: Manute Bol 1989-90
Hack: Danny Fortson 2004-05
Flip Murray
All-NBA: Kevin Garnett 03-04
Closer: Steve Nash 05-06
Stone Hands: Dwight Howard
Southpaw: James Harden 2011-2012
Stop Shooting: Vince Carter 99-00
Rookie: Walter Davis 1977-78
Hoosier: Rick Fox 1997-98
Champ Bench: Steve Kerr 1995-96
SD/KC - Joe bryant 81-82
White Stiff: Jeff Foster 2003-04
Expansion: Brevin Knight 04/05
Invisible: Carlos Arroyo - 03-04 Hack: Rick Smits 1993-94
amcoolio
All-NBA: John Stockton 1991-92
Closer: Mark Price 1992-93
Stone Hands: Kobe Bryant 2007-2008
Southpaw: Artis Gilmore 77-78
Stop Shooting: Klay Thompson 2013-14
Rookie: Tim Duncan 97-98
Hoosier: Bill Laimbeer 1989-90
Champ Bench - Kevin McHale 1983-84
SD/KC: Reggie Theus 1984-85
White Stiff: Hedo Turkoglu 2003-04
Expansion: Dell Curry 1988-89
Invisible: Theo Ratliff 2005-06
Hack - Leon Powe 2006-2007
EwingSweatsALot
All-NBA: Kawhi Leonard 2015-16
Closer: Kyle Korver 2014-15
Stone Hands: Steph Curry 2013-2014
Southpaw: David Robinson 1993-94
Stop Shooting: Paul Pierce 2001-02
Rookie: Karl Anthony Towns 2015-16
Hoosier: Zach Randolph 2010-11
Champ Bench: Dennis Rodman 1988-89
SD/KC: Terry Cummings 1982-83
White Stiff: Matt Bonner 2008-09
Expansion: Damon Stoudamire 1995-96
Invisible: James Jones 2010-11
Hack - Will Perdue 91-92
James Gatz
All-NBA: Dirk Nowitzki 2006-07
Closer: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 1995-96
Stone Hands: Russell Westbrook 2015-16
Southpaw: Mike Conley 2012-13
Stop Shooting: Kevin Durant 2009-2010
Rookie: Shaq O'Neal 1992-93
Hoosier: Gordon Hayward 2014-15
Champ Bench: Andre Iguodala 2014-15
SD/KC: Tom Chambers 1981-82
White Stiff: Nikola Jokic 2015-2016
Expansion: Emeka Okafor 2004-05
Invisible: Justise Winslow 2015-16
Hack - Rick Carlisle - 1987-1988
BatumtheGlue
All-NBA: Draymond Green 2015-16
Closer: Rick Barry 1977-78
Stone Hands: Scottie Pippen 1995-1996
Southpaw: Dave Cowens 1977-78
Stop Shooting: Mitch Richmond 1993-94
Rookie: Damian Lillard 2012-13
Hoosier: Isiah Thomas 1983-84
Champ Bench: Bobby Jones 1982-83
SD/KC: Bill Walton 1982-83
White Stiff: Vlad Radmanovic
Expansion: Kurt Rambis 1988-89
Invisible: John Salmons 2007-08
Hack: Jaren Jackson 1997-98
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