2024-25 West Cross Standings - Playin - Laimbeer vs GeorgeMarcus*

[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).

[GeorgeMarcus]

Starting Lineup:
18 Karl-Anthony Towns ~ 14.3 FGA ~ NBA3
99 Karl Malone ~ 16.3 FGA ~ MVP, DEF1
25 Amen Thompson ~ 10.1 FGA ~ Soon-to-be DEF1/DEF2
03 Doug Christie ~ 7.0 FGA ~ DEF1
15 Steph Curry ~ 16.8 FGA ~ MVP, NBA Champion

Bench:
01 PJ Brown ~ 7.0 FGA ~ DEF2
95 Detlef Schrempf ~ 12.2 FGA ~ NBA3
96 Scott Brooks ~ 4.2 FGA

87.9/88 FGA

Rotation:
Towns (33) / Brown (15)
Malone (38) / Brown (10)
Amen (15) / Schrempf (33)
Christie (33) / Amen (15)
Curry (38) / Brooks (10)

Write-Up:
Our team features 2 MVPs, both among the greatest scoring threats the league has ever seen, and both capable of thriving together in the PnR. Having KAT as a tertiary offensive option and All-NBA Schrempf off the bench ensures a variety of offensive potency. Guys like Christie, Brooks and- relative to other bigs- Brown offer spacing for our primary threats to operate more freely. While Amen is no floor spacer, he's an explosive creator who excels in transition and against mismatches, whether they be slower or weaker defenders.

If we count Amen's inevitable bid, our defense is anchored by 4 all-defensive players including 2 perimeter-oriented and 2 post-protecting. KAT is a relative weak spot defensively but benefits from the strength and tenacity of his front court mates, Malone and Brown. KAT generally offsets his defensive limitations with his ability to draw his defender (presumably Duncan?) away from the basket on the other end of the floor. That said, his minutes will be matched with Adams when possible to minimize defensive responsibility.

Specific match-ups:
KAT/Brown --> Duncan
Malone/Brown --> Barkley
Amen/Christie --> George
Christie/Schrempf --> Mikal
Curry --> Jrue

Match-up advantages:
- In 2015, Curry played against Jrue 4x. In those games he averaged 41.5ppg on 69% TS. I have great respect for Jrue but when it comes to prime Curry, one man can only do so much.
- Malone routinely got the better of Barkley in their H2H matchups, and Charles will likely be forced into uncomfortable defensive matchups no matter how it's sliced.
- We have a clear advantage off the bench. While our opponent features some gritty role players, we have the luxury of subbing in a versatile All-NBAer to dictate the the flow of offense when Curry rests, as well as one of the best glue guys to complete our front court rotation. Brooks gets minimal playing time but offers another sharp shooter to keep defenders honest.

Good luck Laimbeer and great building!

[Laimbeer]

Tim Duncan ( 2003 ) 17.2
Charles Barkley ( 1994 ) 18.1
Paul George ( 2020 ) 16.3
Mikal Bridges ( 2022 ) 10.5
Jrue Holiday ( 2015 ) 13.4

Steven Adams ( 2025 ) 3
Luc Mbah a Moute ( 2016 ) 3.0
Alex Caruso ( 2021 ) 5.3

86.8

Tim Duncan (38) / Steven Adams (10)
Charles Barkley (38) / Luc Mbah a Moute (10)
Paul George (38) / Mikal Bridges (10)
Mikal Bridges (30) / Alex Caruso (18)
Jrue Holiday (38) / Alex Caruso (10)

Good luck GM!

We've got a potent offense with a stellar front line of Duncan, George, and Barkley. KAT is not a defensive anchor, nor is he a good cover for Duncan. We can take advantage of that matchup.

Duncan/KAT, George/Malone, Barkley/Thompson, Mikal/Christie, and Jrue/Curry give us solid covers across - no one they can really take advantage of. Elite defensive answers to their best offensive players.

I like our big three a bit more along with the problematic KAT/Duncan match-up.

[durantbird]

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Voting is open. Laimbeer and GM please vote for yourselves

[durantbird]

ChatGPT vote GeorgeMarcus - GeorgeMarcus advances

Spoiler:

This is a tightly contested series between two well-constructed teams, each with distinct advantages. Let’s break it down across key areas before concluding:


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Offense vs Defense Matchups

Curry vs Jrue:
While Jrue is one of the best perimeter defenders, the 2015 data supports the idea that even elite defense can't stop peak Curry. His 41.5 PPG on 69% TS against Jrue is staggering. Advantage: GeorgeMarcus.

Malone vs Barkley:
Historically, Malone had the edge, especially with his ability to operate in the midrange and overpower smaller defenders. Barkley will struggle more defensively here. Advantage: GeorgeMarcus.

KAT vs Duncan:
This is Laimbeer’s biggest edge. KAT is a defensive liability, especially against someone with Duncan's post skills and playoff composure. Towns dragging Duncan out to the perimeter helps mitigate it a bit, but only so much. Big Advantage: Laimbeer.

Bench:
Schrempf gives GeorgeMarcus a major offensive weapon off the bench. Laimbeer has elite defenders in Caruso and Luc, but far less offensive punch. Advantage: GeorgeMarcus.



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Overall Defense

Laimbeer has Duncan, Jrue, Mikal, Caruso, Luc, all high-end defenders. His team is likely the best overall defensive unit here.

GeorgeMarcus counters with Christie, Malone (underrated in team defense), PJ Brown, Amen (projected). Solid, but not quite on Laimbeer's level defensively.


Advantage: Laimbeer.


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Offensive Versatility

GeorgeMarcus offers elite shooting (Curry, KAT, Schrempf), floor spacing, and creative secondary playmakers.

Laimbeer has Duncan and Barkley, but less floor spacing and dynamism when the game slows down.


Advantage: GeorgeMarcus.


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Intangibles & Fit

GeorgeMarcus’s team is better suited to modern basketball: elite shooting, pick-and-roll threats, and a dynamic bench.

Laimbeer’s team is more physical and traditional, with a clear frontcourt advantage but possibly less offensive flexibility.



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Verdict: GeorgeMarcus in 7

Laimbeer's defense, led by Duncan and Jrue, will keep the series competitive, and Duncan’s advantage over Towns is real. But GeorgeMarcus has too much firepower — with Curry as a cheat code, Schrempf punishing bench units, and Malone as a secondary scorer. The offensive spacing and bench depth swing the series his way in a tight, high-level matchup.

Would you like a game-by-game simulation breakdown?