Christmas Day 2024 Draft - R1 - Fadeaway_J vs MadNess*

[durantbird]

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).

We'll be using a AI vote when a matchup seems stuck. AI vote counts for a single vote.

**First to 3 votes advances**

[Fadeaway_J]

Starters
C - Tyson Chandler (2011-12)

Spoiler:

11.3 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.4 bpg, .679 FG%, .689 FT%, .708 TS%
- Led the NBA in FG%, TS%
- Defensive Player of the Year
- All-NBA Third Team
- All-Defensive Second Team

PF - Anthony Davis (2019-20)

Spoiler:

26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 2.3 bpg, .503 FG%, .333 3P%, .846 FT%, 72 3P (1.2 pg), .610 TS%
- NBA Champion
- NBA All-Star
- All-NBA First Team
- All-Defensive First Team

SF - Kawhi Leonard (2016-17)

Spoiler:

25.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.7 bpg, .485 FG%, .381 3P%, .880 FT%, 147 3P (2.0 pg), .611 TS%
- NBA All-Star
- All-NBA First Team
- All-Defensive First Team

SG - Derrick White (2023-24)

Spoiler:

15.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.2 bpg, .461 FG%, .396 3P%, .901 FT%, 196 3P (2.7 pg), .611 FG%
- NBA Champion
- All-Defensive Second Team

PG - Tyrese Maxey (2023-24)

Spoiler:

25.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.5 bpg, .450 FG%, .373 3P%, .868 FT%, 212 3P (3.0 pg), .573 TS%
- NBA All-Star
- Most Improved Player

Bench
F - Boris Diaw (2012-13)

Spoiler:

5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.4 bpg, .539 FG%, .385 3P%, .723 FT%, .603 TS%

F/G - Andre Iguodala (2018-19)

Spoiler:

5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.8 bpg, .500 FG%, .333 3P%, .652 FT%, 48 3P (0.7 pg), .587 TS%

G - Charlie Ward (1999-00)

Spoiler:

7.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.2 bpg, .423 FG%, .386 3P%, .828 FT%, 102 3P (1.4 pg), .559 TS%

Rotations
C - Chandler (32), Davis (16)
PF - Davis (32), Diaw (16)
SF - Leonard (38), Iguodala (10)
SG - White (36), Iguodala (8), Maxey (4)
PG - Maxey (34), Ward (14)

FGA Per Player

Spoiler:

Kawhi Leonard - 17.7
Tyson Chandler - 5.7
Anthony Davis - 17.7
Andre Iguodala - 4.4
Derrick White - 11.5
Tyrese Maxey - 20.3
Boris Diaw - 4.4
Charlie Ward - 6.2

Total: 87.9/88.0

Our big three of Kawhi, AD, and Maxey does the offensive heavy lifting, with White and Chandler filling in the blanks perfectly. Kawhi is the #1 scorer and can attack in isolation or using his shooting to serve as a screener/spacer for others. AD is one of the GOAT big man finishers. Maxey is explosive off the dribble and keeps defenses honest with the threat of the pullup three. White plays well off the stars with his elite spot-up shooting, but can also create off the dribble for himself and others. Chandler is a monster roll man and offensive rebounder. Ward, Iggy, and Diaw bring a nice mix of playmaking, shooting, and general intelligence to supplement our primary weapons.

Defensively, our frontcourt is the best in this draft, and White is a menace in the backcourt. AD is a big key here as he allows to defend with versatility but is also a dominant drop defender/rim protector, and we can deploy him in a variety of ways since we also have Chandler as a more orthodox backline quarterback. Maxey is the only below-average defender in our entire rotation, and we have more than enough around him to mitigage his weaknesses.

Matchup
- Initial assignments will be Maxey-Allen, White-Kobe, Kawhi-Pierce, AD-Draymond, Chandler-Embiid. We switch any screening action between Kobe, Pierce, and Draymond. Iggy and Kawhi will also guard Kobe at times to keep everyone fresh.
- We'll run a good amount of 1-5 high pick-and-roll with both Chandler and AD. Maxey's ability to come off a screen and bomb it from deep means Embiid can't just stay in drop coverage and has to defend out in space where he's less comfortable.
- Having to navigate constant screens while chasing a speedy guard like Maxey will eat into the energy Kobe has to expend on the offensive end. Considering he'll also be guarded by White/Iggy/Kawhi at different points while being the primary ballhandler, this will be a very demanding series for him physically.

Good luck Ness.

[MadNESS]

PG: Kobe Bryant (40) | Austin Reaves (8) | Ray Allen
SG: Ray Allen (36) | Austin Reaves (12) | Kobe Bryant
SF: Paul Pierce (38) | Austin Reaves (10) | Nic Batum
PF: Draymond Green (30) | Nic Batum (18) | Paul Pierce
Cc: Joel Embiid (36) | Draymond Green (4) | Kevon Looney (8)



Total: 87.9 | 88.0

07’-08’ Kobe Bryant - 20.6 FGA - MVP
16’-17’ Draymond Green - 8.6 FGA - DPOY/CHAMP
07’-08’ Paul Pierce - 13.7 FGA FMVP/CHAMP
20’-21’ Joel Embiid - 17.6 FGA - MVP (2)
10’-11’ Ray Allen - 12.2 FGA All Star
22’-23’ Nic Batum - 4.3 FGA 3 & D
22’-23’ Austin Reaves - 7.7 FGA 6MOTY (7)
20’-21’ Kevon Looney - 3.2 FGA Enforcer

Write up:

GL Fade

Defense -
Plan is to play straight up. Embiid can leave Chandler to float the paint for the most part as Chandler isn’t an offensive threat. Draymond is a a great defender on AD. This is peak Draymond, DPOY. Pierce on Kawhi, with him seeing some Kobe and Batum mixed in there. Ray Allen on White. Kobe on Maxey. We have the Celtics wings, with elite defenders around them in Kobe, Draymond and Embiid. Love the defense we offer.

Offense -
Kobe and or Draymond will bring up the rock, and even Reaves off the bench. With this team team it’s pick your poison. We can bang it inside with Embiid. We can attack the basket with Kobe, Pierce or Reaves. Everyone can shoot. Only non shooter is Looney who plays 8 minutes. Basically no one on Fades team can cheat off their man to help with Embiid, as everyone can shoot. Pick and roll with Kobe and Embiid will be deadly. We will be forcing Tyson Chandler into very tough spots.

Others:

Fade always bashes everyone when they AD at the 4, so he’s getting bashed here as well. In his very words “AD is a 5 not a 4 and he can’t shoot anymore”. This is that version of AD.

I have 2 MVP’s out there.

Fades bench is very weak. This isn’t a reliable version of Iggy. Wards a solid back up guard, but he’s only playing 14 minutes.

Reaves is the best 6th man.

Star power and honestly fit lean my way.

Vote NESS.

[Dr Positivity]

MadNESS has too much of a perimeter talent advantage for me considering Embiid/Draymond is as good a frontcourt, and this is a little too big reliance on Maxey for my liking. Vote MadNESS.

[wackbone]

I think both teams have similar talent levels, with Ness likely having a slight edge in that regard. However I don't love the lack of a true table-setter for Ness. Yes he has several great passers but no one I truly trust to run an offense that maximizes everyone. And in our games that feature teams with several All-Stars, I think that is essential.

Vote: Fadeaway_J

[durantbird]

I agree with Dr P. MadNess has too much of a talent disparity. Lack of PG is an issue but mitigated to some extent by the presence of Draymond.

Vote MadNess

[durantbird]

ChatGPT vote MadNess

MadNess advances

Explanation:

Spoiler:

This matchup is a battle of star power, defense, and offensive synergy. Both teams have unique strengths, but let's break it down.


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Strengths of Fade's Team:

1. Defensive Frontcourt: Anthony Davis and Tyson Chandler form an elite defensive pairing. Davis can handle switches and protect the rim, while Chandler anchors the paint. This will make life difficult for Joel Embiid and slashers like Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce.


2. Elite Two-Way Wings: Kawhi Leonard is the ultimate two-way player, capable of slowing down a star like Kobe while being a primary offensive option. Derrick White provides strong perimeter defense and shooting.


3. Dynamic Scoring Options: Tyrese Maxey adds an explosive guard who can stretch the floor and create off the dribble. Kawhi and AD are excellent finishers, and the offense has solid spacing with Derrick White and Diaw off the bench.


4. Bench Versatility: While Ness critiques Iguodala's reliability, he's still a capable defender and playmaker. Boris Diaw adds high IQ and playmaking, complementing the starters.




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Strengths of Ness's Team:

1. Star Power: Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, and Joel Embiid are all elite offensive players. Kobe is the go-to closer, Pierce is a versatile scorer, and Embiid is a dominant inside force who can stretch the floor.


2. Elite Defense: With Draymond Green as the defensive anchor, this team has great coverage across positions. Kobe, Pierce, and Draymond are all strong defenders, with Embiid as a shot-blocking presence.


3. Offensive Versatility: The team can attack in multiple ways—Kobe and Pierce on the wings, Embiid in the post, and Ray Allen as a lethal shooter. Pick-and-roll actions with Kobe and Embiid will be hard to stop.


4. Depth: Austin Reaves and Nic Batum are impactful role players, and Reaves provides valuable bench scoring and playmaking.




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Key Matchups:

Kawhi Leonard vs. Kobe Bryant: Kawhi is one of the few defenders who can reasonably slow down prime Kobe. However, Kobe's offensive versatility and clutch play will ensure he still gets his points.

Joel Embiid vs. Tyson Chandler: While Chandler is an excellent defender, Embiid's ability to score from the post, mid-range, and beyond the arc gives him the edge.

Anthony Davis vs. Draymond Green: Draymond's physicality and defensive IQ make him a tough matchup for AD. However, AD’s size and athleticism should still allow him to be effective, especially as a rim runner.

Bench Units: Ness has an advantage with Reaves and Batum, who are more impactful than Iguodala and Ward offensively. However, Diaw's playmaking could be a game-changer in certain lineups.



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Offensive and Defensive Schemes:

Fade's Team:

Offense revolves around Kawhi and AD, with Maxey and White providing spacing and supplementary scoring. High pick-and-rolls with Maxey and AD will test Embiid's mobility.

Defensively, they have elite versatility. White, Kawhi, and Iguodala can switch onto Kobe, while AD and Chandler control the paint.


Ness's Team:

Offense features Kobe as the primary creator, supported by Embiid in the post and Pierce as a secondary scorer. Ray Allen provides elite shooting, and Draymond facilitates.

Defensively, Draymond and Embiid anchor the interior while Kobe and Pierce handle perimeter matchups.




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Potential Weaknesses:

Fade's Team:

Maxey's defense could be exploited by Kobe or Pierce.

AD playing the 4 instead of the 5 might limit spacing, as Ness pointed out.

Iguodala and Ward aren’t strong offensive threats.


Ness's Team:

Embiid might struggle defensively in space against AD in pick-and-rolls.

Draymond and Embiid could clog the paint, reducing spacing for Kobe and Pierce to drive.




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Verdict:

This is an incredibly close matchup. The series would likely come down to execution in clutch moments and how well each team's stars perform. Here's the breakdown:

Fade's Advantages: Defensive versatility, Kawhi's two-way dominance, and Maxey's explosiveness. Their team can pressure Kobe and Embiid with strong perimeter defense and force difficult shots.

Ness's Advantages: Star power and offensive firepower. Kobe is the best closer in the series, and Embiid's scoring versatility provides a reliable inside-out presence.


Ultimately, Ness’s team wins in 7 games because of their superior depth and Kobe’s ability to take over in critical moments. While Fade’s defensive schemes are elite, Ness's offense has more reliable scoring options, especially in crunch time.