Same pick pairs draft SF2 - Laimbeer vs LA Bird

[Dr Positivity]

Here is a quick list of what you need in your writeup.

1. Specific years for each player on your team
2. Rotations and minutes for each player
3. Reasoning as to why your team will win and/or why people should vote for you.

Do not vote in this thread until both managers have submitted their writeups.

If writeups aren't posted within 24 hours, we will vote solely based on the players they have drafted (and any rotations they have posted on roster page).

First to 4 votes wins, if there isn't a winner 24 hours after both write-ups are in the first to 3 votes wins

[Laimbeer]

2008 Chris Paul (16.1 ) - Second in MVP, led league in assists and steals, 36.9% on 3.1 3PA
2007 Dirk Nowitzki (17.2 ) - Most Valuable Player, led league in W/S, 41.6% on 2.2 3PA
2015 Jimmy Butler (14.0) - All star, All-D, second highest W/S and VORP of career, 37.8% on 3.0 3PA
1995 Dikembe Mutombo (7.7) - Defensive Player of the Year, led league in blks, DPBM, 55.6 FG%
2014 James Harden (16.5 ) - Fifth in MVP, 25.4 pts/6.1 ast on 61.8% TS, 36.6% on 6.6 3PA
2017 Andre Iguodola (5.5) - Highest W/S per 48 of career, 36.2% on 2.3 3PA
1991 Nate McMillan (3.9) - 3-D player, 9.3 ast per 36, 35.4% on 0.6 3PA
1983 Marvin Webster (4.0) - 82 games/18.0 MPG on playoff team, 10.8 rebs/3.2 blks per 36, 50.8% FG

84.9/85

Dikembe Mutombo (38) / Marvin Webster (10)
Dirk Nowitzki (38) / Andre Iguodola (10)
Jimmy Butler (36) / Andre Iguodola (12)
James Harden (38) / Nate McMillan (10)
Chris Paul (38) / Nate McMillan (10)

Good luck, LA Bird.

A super charged version of the Houston Rockets. This is peak Paul with Harden and MVP Dirk. Loads of shooting and playmaking ability.

On defense, Deke and Webster provide 48 minutes of elite rim protection while Iggy, Butler, McMillan and Paul can be spotted against all types of threats.

Match-up specific:

Important to note Bird is using Boston KG and Allen. Still excellent, but not quite the players they were at their peak earlier in their career. Bird has no back-up center , which leaves KG stretched to 38 minutes (he only played 32.8 MPG in 2008) and 10 of his minutes will be at center.

Defensively, we're in pretty good shape. Dirk was in his MVP season and a decent defensive player at this point facing a slightly past prime KG who's just playing 28 minutes at forward - 12 of which Iggy could cover. Deke and Webster provide 48 minutes of elite rim protection. Iggy for 22 minutes and Nate for 20 give us a lot of minutes to spot up on hot hands.

Offensively, KG will be consumed covering Dirk and will spend a slice of his time in the pivot, as mentioned. Harden should thrive against Allen at this point, while Hornets Paul will do his thing. Despite Moses making all-D, I can't put him on a level with Deke in that department.

[LA Bird]

Starters
C: 1983 Moses Malone (25/15/2). MVP, FMVP, All NBA 1st, All Defense 1st
PF: 2008 Kevin Garnett (19/9/3). DPOY, All NBA 1st, All Defense 1st
SF: 1997 Grant Hill (21/9/7). All NBA 1st
SG: 2008 Ray Allen (17/4/3). All Star
PG: 1995 John Stockton (15/3/12). All NBA 1st, All Defense 2nd, 45% from 3

Bench
F: 2010 Ron Artest (11/4/3). 36% from 3
F: 1993 Rodney McCray (4/3/1). 40% from 3
G: 2003 Raja Bell (3/2/1). 41% from 3

Rotation
C: Moses (38) / Garnett (10)
PF: Garnett (28) / Artest (20)
SF: Hill (28) / McCray (10) / Artest (10)
SG: Allen (38) / Bell (10)
PG: Stockton (38) / Hill (10)

Writeup
Good luck, Laimbeer.
• Garnett and Allen won the 2008 title with a 9+ SRS team and were one of the most dominant defenses in the modern era. Also, KG played 38 minutes per game during the playoffs so criticizing season selection for these two doesn't really make much sense
• Both 2014 Harden and 2015 Butler were not as good offensively as they would later become, especially as passers. Harden's improved passing is what primarily drives Houston's offense and without it, he is not a great fit next to early Paul and Butler
• 2007 Dirk still had problems with wing defenders (see his postseason performance against Matt Barnes). Artest with his strength and physicality is great defense against Dirk along with DPOY Garnett
• On offense, we will specifically target Harden and Dirk who are weakpoints in Laimbeer's defense. We'll run Ray Allen off plenty of screens since we have some great screeners and Harden is a poor off ball defender. We can attack Dirk with some PnR to force Mutombo to come over and help, freeing peak Moses for easy offensive boards and putbacks which he is the GOAT at

[Fadeaway_J]

Although KG is a great individual counter, working in tandem with a backcourt of that calibre will make Dirk much more difficult to lock in on defensively. I think that trio will consistently be able to generate good looks over the course of a series. Harden's inattentiveness will be exposed by Allen, but with KG occupied by Dirk I don't see Allen having too good of a time at the other end. Bird's bench also isn't at the level of Laimbeer's.

Vote: Laimbeer

[euroleague]

I think 14 Harden isn’t enough to make up for Grant Hill. Harden/Dwight got crushed by the Blazers. Moses/Hill Are like a worse version of Erving/Moses here, with perfectly fitting 1-4. 3 top 3 players in MVP voting is also a lot of talent. Mutombo is great, but Moses will get most of his points since he has to cover Harden/Dirk.

Vote LA Bird

[Dr Positivity]

[8on]

Defensively, LA has a clear advantage. Offensively, I couldn’t ask more from Laimbeer. I don’t think Moses up the difference in firepower.

vote: Laimbeer

[Jon_3232]

I’m with fade in reasoning. Like Laimbeers bench much better too.

Vote Laimbeer

[Fadeaway_J]

3-1 Laimbeer

[Dr Positivity]

I think with Laimbeer using 14 Harden, Stockton, Allen, Hill can keep up with or surpass his perimeter and they fit together great, while Bird has the stronger frontcourt. Laimbeer has the better bench but 91 McMillan is a little worse

Vote LA Bird

[Dr Positivity]

[Dr Positivity]

Laimbeer advances