RealGM

Premise: You're the GM of an NBA Franchise. Rather than current college and international players, the player universe consists of current players in the NBA (e.g., LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, etc.).

Rules: Open to anyone, please make your selection and provide a description (brief, long, or indifferent) about why you are taking the selected player (e.g., best player available, franchise cornerstone at a key position, pivotal role player, etc.).

This thread will begin with Round 1 (and continue until we tire of it). If you need the draft order (which is by current NBA record), here is a link: http://espn.go.com/nba/standings?group=1 (note: Cleveland picks first, Minnesota picks second, and by record, the Spurs pick last). Finally, only one team pick per reply.

On the Clock...

With that said, the Cleveland Cavaliers are on the clock, and will also be picking first in "Round 2" and every other new "Round." Happy picking!

Cleveland picks Lebron. No explanation needed. Interesting concept BTW.

1) Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron James (the only real and obvious choice) ...

The Minnesota Timberwolves are now on the clock!

Minny picks Dwight. imho, the 2nd best player in the league right now and expected to be for a good while.

Cleveland Cavaliers - Lebron James
Minnesota Timberwolves - Dwight Howard

The Washington Wizards are now on the clock!

Washington picks Derrick Rose.

Do I have to wait for illiguy?

Sacremento picks Kevin Durant. Best combination of talent/youth available.

dyukcs, of course not. I was just trying to bring some sort of order to the thread. Great work, guys ... keep the picks coming!

1) Cleveland - L. James
2) Minnesota - D. Howard
3) Washington - D. Rose
4) Sacramento - K. Durant

Toronto is on the clock.

Optimism Prime wrote:Washington picks Derrick Rose.

Out of curiosity, why Rose over Durant? Not questioning it, just want to know your thought process here.

Positional scarcity. A young PG who's getting MVP consideration is, IMO, a more valuable building block than a high-volume SF.

And I love Durant--but to build for the future, I'll take Rose. Easier to build around a stud PG.

Can the lakers play pretend that they have a 1st rounder!?

Yes, the Lakers pick 28th in each round (by regular season/playoff seeding record).

Round 1:

1) Cleveland - L. James
2) Minnesota - D. Howard
3) Washington - D. Rose
4) Sacramento - K. Durant
5) Toronto --> ON THE CLOCK
6) LA Clippers
7) New Jersey
8) Golden State
9) Detroit
10) Utah
11) Milwaukee
12) Phoenix
13) Charlotte
14) Houston
15) Indiana
16) Memphis
17) New York
18) New Orleans
19) Philadelphia
20) Portland
21) Atlanta
22) Denver
23) Orlando
24) Oklahoma City
25) Dallas
26) Boston
27) Miami
28) LA Lakers
29) Chicago
30) San Antonio

Toronto-Paul

young perennial all star PG, still seems to be recovering from injury but when healthy arguably the best player in the league and even in his current state an excellent player

Round 1:

1) Cleveland - L. James
2) Minnesota - D. Howard
3) Washington - D. Rose
4) Sacramento - K. Durant
5) Toronto - C. Paul
6) LA Clippers --> ON THE CLOCK
7) New Jersey
8) Golden State
9) Detroit
10) Utah
11) Milwaukee
12) Phoenix
13) Charlotte
14) Houston
15) Indiana
16) Memphis
17) New York
18) New Orleans
19) Philadelphia
20) Portland
21) Atlanta
22) Denver
23) Orlando
24) Oklahoma City
25) Dallas
26) Boston
27) Miami
28) LA Lakers
29) Chicago
30) San Antonio

The Clippers pick Kobe Bryant. (if i can, i'm kind of a new poster around here )

Simply the biggest winner in the league, and the best player i can take. Was a close decision between him and Wade but Kobe will offer more to the team based on leadership, clutchness and will to win.

Clippers select Blake Griffin

21 year old rookie and already an All-Star, 'nuff said.

Round 1:

1) Cleveland - L. James
2) Minnesota - D. Howard
3) Washington - D. Rose
4) Sacramento - K. Durant
5) Toronto - C. Paul
6) LA Clippers - K. Bryant
7) New Jersey --> ON THE CLOCK
8) Golden State
9) Detroit
10) Utah
11) Milwaukee
12) Phoenix
13) Charlotte
14) Houston
15) Indiana
16) Memphis
17) New York
18) New Orleans
19) Philadelphia
20) Portland
21) Atlanta
22) Denver
23) Orlando
24) Oklahoma City
25) Dallas
26) Boston
27) Miami
28) LA Lakers
29) Chicago
30) San Antonio

Note: Blake Griffin is still on the board.

New Jersey selects Amare Stoudemire. Young, proven, probably the best big left. Passed on Deron because there are so many points.

Round 1:

1) Cleveland - L. James
2) Minnesota - D. Howard
3) Washington - D. Rose
4) Sacramento - K. Durant
5) Toronto - C. Paul
6) LA Clippers - K. Bryant
7) New Jersey - A. Stoudemire
8) Golden State --> ON THE CLOCK
9) Detroit
10) Utah
11) Milwaukee
12) Phoenix
13) Charlotte
14) Houston
15) Indiana
16) Memphis
17) New York
18) New Orleans
19) Philadelphia
20) Portland
21) Atlanta
22) Denver
23) Orlando
24) Oklahoma City
25) Dallas
26) Boston
27) Miami
28) LA Lakers
29) Chicago
30) San Antonio