2024-25 East Cross Standings Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - durantbird** vs Larry Russell

[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).

[durantbird]

Damian Lillard 25' - 17.1
Eddie Jones 01' - 13.8
LeBron James 13' - 17.8
Al Horford 16' - 12.8
Dwight Howard 10' - 10.2

Shane Battier 12' - 4.5
OG Anunoby 20' - 8.2
Chris Andersen 13' - 3.0

87.4/88

Damian Lillard 36 / LeBron James 12
Eddie Jones 36 / Shane Battier 12
LeBron James 26 / OG Anunoby 16 / Shane Battier 6
Al Horford 38 / OG Anunoby 10
Dwight Howard 38 / Chris Andersen 10

vs

PG: White (38) / Seth (10)
SG: Allen (38) / Seth (10)
SF: Leonard (38) / Grant Will (10)
PF: Pierce (38) / Grant Will (10)
C: Mourning (38) / Biyombo (10)

Matchup
- Defensive assignments: Lillard vs White, EJ vs Allen, LBJ vs Kawhi, Horford vs Pierce, Dwight vs Mourning.
- Eddie Jones, LeBron, Battier, and Anunoby give us a versatile group of defenders to rotate on Allen, Kawhi, and Pierce. Horford’s strong footwork and IQ make him well-suited to contain Pierce’s methodical scoring style, especially in isolations. On the other end, Allen is likely to struggle defensively against any of our perimeter options, and Pierce faces a tough physical battle against Horford.
- We hold a clear playmaking advantage with LeBron, Lillard, and Horford all capable of initiating offense and keeping the ball moving. In contrast, LR relies more on isolation-heavy play. White is a solid secondary creator, but he’s not on the same level and will also have his hands full defensively against Lillard.
- Interior matchup leans in our favor: prime Dwight should have the physical edge over Charlotte-era Mourning, especially on the glass and in rim protection.
- Depth is another strong point for us — Battier, Anunoby, and Andersen bring defense, IQ, and fit seamlessly into our scheme. In contrast, LR’s bench of 2025 Seth Curry, Grant Williams, and Charlotte Biyombo offers limited impact, on both ends.
- Our team is built to maximize Miami LeBron — surrounded by shooting, versatile defenders, and multiple playmakers, he can dominate without having to do it all himself.

[Larry_Russell]

PG: Derrick White (2023-24) 11.5
15.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 5.2apg, 1spg, 1.2bpg, 39.5% on 6.8-3pta
DPOY-8, DEF-2

SG: Ray Allen (2000-01) 16
22ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.6apg, 1.5spg, 43.5% on 5.7-3pta
MVP-11, NBA-3, AS

SF: Kawhi Leonard (2018-19) 18.8
26.6ppg, 7.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.8spg, 0.5bpg, 37% on 5-3pta
FMVP, MVP-9, DPOY-6, NBA-2, DEF-2, AS

PF: Paul Pierce (2007-08) 13.7
19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.5apg, 1.3spg, 0.5bpg, 39.5% on 4.6-3pta
FMVP, MVP-14, NBA-3, AS

C: Alonzo Mourning (1994-95) 14.3
21.3ppg, 10rpg, 1.5apg, 0.6spg, 3bpg
DPOY-6, AS

PG/SG: Seth Curry (2024-25) 5
6.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 1apg, 0.5spg, 45.6% on 2.7-3pta


SF/PF: Grant Williams (2021-22) 5.6
7.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1apg, 0.5spg, 0.7bpg, 41% on 3.5-3pta


C: Bismack Biyombo (2014-15) 3
4.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 0.3apg, 0.3spg, 1.5bpg



PG: White (38) / Curry (10)
SG: Allen (38) / Curry (10)
SF: Leonard (38) / Williams (10)
PF: Pierce (38) / Williams (10)
C: Mourning (38) / Biyombo (10)

87.9/88

Defense - Straight up

I have pretty ridiculous defense. Its really nice and versatile.

White, all defense, DPPOY votegetter will take on Lillard and his starting to decrease season of this past year. I like this. White matches size, speed and has elite ability to not only block shots, but get steals as well.

Allen takes on the 3rd option Jones. I am not too worried about this because this is the physical PEAK of Allen and its past peak eddie jones. I will be fine here.

Kawhi takes on Lebron. Great matchup both sides of the court.

Pierce takes on Horford. This is pre floor spacing Al Horford. He is going to clog up the floor with Dwight. Pierce will be fine enough as even though he gives up a little size, he will have Mourning close by because Howard isnt spreading out the floor

Mourning, He was always a defensive force, averaging 3 blocks per game. Howard does not have the size to overpower Mourning

Bench defense is servicable>excellent

Offensively I still cook.

3 great scorers in Allen, Kawhi, Pierce with White spreading the floor and setting guys up. Mourning gives me my low post presence and screen setting.

Every guys I have is a creator offensively and all can set the table for their teammate. I have 4 guys in the starting lineup that can bring the ball up the floor.

Off the bench I have some long bombers and a rim runner


I firmly believe my defense is better, and I have more offensive weapons with a superior fit.

[durantbird]

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Matchup is open. LR please vote for yourself

[durantbird]

durantbird wins, GG Larry

[Larry_Russell]

Just happy to be in the finals again.

Liked my team a bunch in this one, fell a little short.