Madness Draft - Semi - Dr Positivity vs JimmyPlopper*

[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. Once the writeups are posted, I will add a poll, and the team with the most votes after 24 hours will advance. EACH MANAGER SHOULD ALSO VOTE FOR THEIR OWN TEAM IN THE POLL - IF YOU FAIL TO DO THIS, YOU ARE SIMPLY GIVING AWAY A VOTE. If the votes are tied, we will decide the matchup via AI vote.

You are not required to state or explain your vote, but you are free to comment in the thread if you want to.

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).

[Dr Positivity]

PG: John Wall (2015: 14.8 FGA)
SG: Devin Booker (2021: 19.2 FGA)
SF: Robert Horry (1995: 8.4 FGA)
PF: Charles Barkley (1990: 14.9 FGA)
C: Bam Adebayo (2020: 11.0 FGA)

PG: Tyus Jones (2018: 4.0 FGA)
SG/SF: Steve Smith (2000: 11.0 FGA)
C: Buck Williams (1997: 4.4 FGA)

87.7/ 88

PG: John Wall (38) / Tyus Jones (10)
SG: Devin Booker (38) / Steve Smith (10)
SF: Robert Horry (22) / Steve Smith (26)
PF: Charles Barkley (38) / Robert Horry (10)
C: Bam Adebayo (38) / Buck Williams (10)

GL Jimmy

Defensive matchups: Wall on Kyrie, Booker on Spree, Horry on Prince, Barkley on Gordon, Bam on Hakeem.

- Bam is a pretty great matchup against Hakeem, and without floor spacing PF it will make it more difficult for him. Wall can also do a solid job on Kyrie. I believe we have the backcourt advantage when considering Booker is arguably better than 2015 Kyrie and Wall is both a better fit and player beside him than 96 Spree.

- This isn't 1st team All NBA Spree, he is 19ppg in 39mpg on .527 TS% and 32% from 3 on a shortened line. We're not that worried about him.

- We have the bench advantage as Smith is the difference maker over his best bench player Williams, and while Brad Davis may be an underrated pick, Tyus can keep up with him well enough and old Buck providing some value banging on Hakeem.

[JimmyPlopper]

Kyrie Irving (26) / Brad Davis (22)
Latrell Sprewell (38) / Kyrie Irving (10)
Tayshaun Prince (36) / Grant Williams (12)
Aaron Gordon (34) / Grant Williams (14)
Hakeem Olajuwon (40) / Jaylin Williams (8)

87.6/88 FGA/G



Really looking forward to this matchup—Dr. Positivity built a super tough and disciplined team. The backcourt duo of Wall and Booker brings speed and scoring punch, and I think Bam is one of the better options you could have to make life difficult for Hakeem. That said, I like the balance my team brings on both ends—Kyrie and Spree give me reliable shot creation, and with Hakeem anchoring the defense alongside versatile, switchable wings like Prince and Gordon, we’re aiming to disrupt offensive rhythm and capitalize in transition. I know Dr. Positivity's team will challenge us with their physicality, smart bench pieces like Steve Smith, and the versatility of someone like Horry, so I’m expecting a competitive and well-coached battle. No matter how it goes, much respect to the build—should be a great one.

[durantbird]

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Matchup is open, Dr and JP please vote for yourselves

[JimmyPlopper]

Steve Smith should be drafted more IMO

[JimmyPlopper]

Circling back to Steve Smith, my reasoning for thinking he should be chosen more:
1) Consistent multifaceted scorer when healthy - triple threat on offense - pass, drive, or shoot.
2) His size was a major advantage for his position at SG where he had plenty of quickness and agility to hold down the spot.
3) His passing in particular seems to be an underrated aspect of his game. Very capable of handling secondary ballhandling duties
4) Great teammate, steady contributor, courageous player who didn't thrive too much on ego
5) Moderate level of FGA/G even during his peak, allowing you to build a solid team around him

his defense is moderate

[Dr Positivity]

Circling back to Steve Smith, my reasoning for thinking he should be chosen more:
1) Consistent multifaceted scorer when healthy - triple threat on offense - pass, drive, or shoot.
2) His size was a major advantage for his position at SG where he had plenty of quickness and agility to hold down the spot.
3) His passing in particular seems to be an underrated aspect of his game. Very capable of handling secondary ballhandling duties
4) Great teammate, steady contributor, courageous player who didn't thrive too much on ego
5) Moderate level of FGA/G even during his peak, allowing you to build a solid team around him

his defense is moderate

I think people either want cheaper role player starter or a more clear star. However you can argue Smith for 11 FGA could be as good a deal as Middleton for 14.9 FGA. Personally drafting the latter has never worked for me.

[Laimbeer]

Also not having a defensive rep hurts Smith.

[durantbird]

JimmyPlopper advances