Degree of Sepration Draft RD1 Flaco* -V- jimmyplopper

[Larry_Russell]

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. Please ensure you give a rationale for your vote; votes with no explanation will not be counted.

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 their roster page).

**First to 3 votes advances.**

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[JimmyPlopper]

Picks:
1: Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019) - MVP, 1st Team All-Defense, DPOY2, All Star
2: Jrue Holiday (2024) - 2nd Team All-Defense, DPOY6, NBA Champion
3: Jayson Tatum (2024) - 1st Team All-NBA, MVP6, All-Star, NBA Champion
4: Kyrie Irving (2015) - 3rd Team All-NBA, All-Star
5: Al Horford (2018) - 2nd Team All-Defense, DPOY5, All-Star
6: Thabo Sefolosha (2019) - 43.6% 3P PCT, 3&D
7: Kyle Korver (2010) - 53.6% 3P, 62.0% TS
8: Andrei Kirilenko (2007) - 2.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG, DPOY13

Depth Chart
Irving (38) / Holiday (10)
Holiday (28) / Sefolosha (14) / Korver (6)
Tatum (33) / Korver (15)
Giannis (27) / Tatum (6) / Kirilenko (15)
Horford (36) / Giannis (12)

FGA Budget
1: Giannis Antetokounmpo: 17.3
2: Jrue Holiday: 10.0
3: Jayson Tatum: 19.3
4: Kyrie Irving: 16.5
5: Al Horford: 10.5
6: Thabo Sefolosha: 3.0
7: Kyle Korver: 5.4
8: Andrei Kirilenko: 6.0

88/88



My team has superior versatility, elite defense, and floor spacing. Giannis anchors the unit as an MVP-level player and Defensive Player of the Year, capable of dominating both ends of the court. Paired with Jrue Holiday, who is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, they would disrupt any offensive flow of flac's team. Jayson Tatum adds a dynamic scoring threat with a strong two-way presence, allowing the team to excel in transition, switch on defense, and attack mismatches relentlessly.

My team also boasts a balance of high-level shooting and defense. This spacing would limit the effectiveness of Joel Embiid and Kevin Garnett’s rim protection, as they would be pulled out of the paint. Meanwhile, the presence of Kyrie Irving ensures that you have a dynamic offensive creator who can break down defenses and finish in clutch moments.

While flac's team has strong defensive pieces in Bruce Bowen, James Posey, and a prime Kevin Garnett, they lack the overall offensive firepower and spacing that my team possesses. Harden and Embiid may find individual success, but the defensive prowess of Giannis, Jrue, and Horford would stifle their effectiveness. With my team's depth, elite defenders, and excellent spacing, we would control both ends of the floor, making it tough for the opposition to find any consistent rhythm.

[flaco]

Best of luck, Jimmy!



Rotations
PG: James Harden (36) / George Hill (12)
SG: Bruce Bowen (36) / George Hill (12)
SF: Paul George (36) / James Posey (12)
PF: Kevin Garnett (36) / James Posey (12)
C: Joel Embiid (36) / Matt Bonner (12)

Offense
Option 1A is the Harden-KG PnR/PnP. They should have perfect synergy. Harden is unguardable as a lead PnR ball handler. KG is possibly the best roll man in basketball history. Harden sets up KG and vice versa. Option 1B is Embiid either creating his own shot or being set up by Harden in the PnP/PnR. Paul George is the ultimate 4th banana. He would thrive feeding off the gravity of 3 MVPs, but he can also put the ball on the floor and create his own shot if given the opportunity. Everybody else spreads the floor including my backup Center who's a volume 3pt shooter.

Defense
Embiid drops. He has the size and strength to slow Giannis down. KG roams. He has the mobility to both contest Horford's 3s and occasionaly provide help D in the paint vs Giannis. Bowen is my POA defender. He's one of the best on-ball defenders in NBA history. Wing D should be strong with plenty of switchable defenders on the roster. Paul George led the league in DWS in his selected season. He should be able to slow Tatum down. Harden pre-switches and peels off to the corners. All teams have a shooter lurking in the corners. Harden's job is to contest the corner 3. If his opponent attacks him off the dribble, Embiid got his back in the paint while KG provides further cover as a free safety.

FGA
2008 Kevin Garnett 13.9
2008 James Posey 5.6
2013 Paul George 14.9
2018 James Harden 20.1
2021 Joel Embiid 17.6
2020 George Hill 6.4
2004 Bruce Bowen 6.1
2013 Matt Bonner 3.4

Total: 88.0

[ardee]

Vote: JimmyPlopper

Again, two loaded teams, but in this case it simply comes down to the fact that Jimmy has more guys I trust to consistently bring it in the Playoffs. Flaco's big 3, Harden, KG and Embiid, all have a track record of underperforming in big Playoff situations. This isn't a Skip Bayless take, they are all incredible players, but at this level you need to find something to separate the two sides and this is it, especially while being covered by elite defenders like Holiday, Tatum, Giannis and Horford.

[Fadeaway_J]

Honestly, I think both sets of stars have some offensive weaknesses that have been shown up in postseason situations. On these stacked teams, those flaws aren't as damaging as defenses can't just load up on them like they do in real life. I think flaco's core has a higher offensive ceiling in this setting, and I also give him a moderate defensive advantage due to the Embiid-KG-PG frontcourt.

Vote: flaco

[Larry_Russell]

Im going to vote Jimmy plopper here, back and forth though.

I think Jrue is a fantastic cover for Harden. I think that and Horford being, traditionally, absolute kryptonite for Embiid is the determining factors here.

[durantbird]

Agree with Fade.

Vote flaco

[Larry_Russell]

Tied 2-2, need a tiebreaker

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[Dr Positivity]

Too much of a talent advantage for flaco for me, and I still don't love Kyrie as main ballhandler on teams this level. Vote flaco.

[Larry_Russell]

Flaco Advances

[JimmyPlopper]

Gg flac