2016 Scavenger Hunt Draft - ESAL/Gatz wins

Post #461 » by **fatlever** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:06 pm

Honestly, Fat is a damn near perfect PG (really a combo guard) to put next to Lebron. The only knock would be his 3pt shooting, but that was an era where guys just didn't shoot a ton of 3s so who knows what he'd look like today in that regard. I said in the finals that someone like Avery Bradley would be idea to put next to Lebron because he can defend like crazy and play well off the ball. Fat didn't need the ball in his hands to be effective and he surely can defend like Bradley, with lightning quick hands, and an elite nose for the ball. Fat is fantastic playing off the ball because that's what the motion offense in Denver was about, get the ball up the floor, quickly, then pass, cut, move, pass, cut, move. Nobody held the ball very long. Hopefully that can rub off on a sometimes ball stopper like Lebron.

Post #462 » by **fatlever** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:07 pm

I really like that people are putting a lot of thought into their rosters and not just selecting the biggest name or the best stats available.

Post #463 » by **yosemiteben** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:10 pm

For me it came down to two questions - (1) what is more valuable right now, PG or C? (2) can I really pass on Russell Westbrook to pick Fat Lever? I just think he's a perfect fit.

LamarMatic7 · Post #464 » by **LamarMatic7** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:39 pm

I think I'm picking the player Fats thought I would pick in a second..

LamarMatic7 · Post #465 » by **LamarMatic7** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:54 pm

With the 4th pick in the Scavenger Hunt draft I select....

Watch on YouTube

All-NBA - Gary Payton 1999-00. 24.2PPG, 6.5RPG, 8.9APG, 1.9SPG, 177 3s (league leader), All-Defense 1st, All-NBA 1st.

Isiah and Stockton hold up as the best point guards of the 80s and the 90s because of their titles (Isiah) and longevity (Stockton). But I think it's fairly obvious that Gary Payton is the most complete point guard ever and was better than the two of them as far as his skillset is concerned (RE: the 95-96 Sonics - Jazz series).

GP had everything. He had size, he had quickness, he could score one-on-one (in various ways, btw, and is probably the best post-up point guard ever), he could catch-and-shoot, he could distribute, he could defend, etc. The only knock on him is that he was almost like a streetballer on the court. Banter with referees and opponents (and sometimes teammates) was just as time-consuming for him as doing what he's supposed to do was.

But don't get it wrong. Once Kemp spiraled out of control (and robbed GP out of at least one title in his prime) Payton went absolutely berserk in the late 90s and lead blah Sonics rosters to playoff wins. GP did care about winning and he proved that he was a winner. The only problem otherwise is his temper. And I think I have that under control. Chris Mullin and Grant Hill are stand up guys and positive influences. Hakeem did have a dark side to him but my team is good enough for him to concentrate on winning and be the Hakeem of mid-90s. And GP can safely take the spot of the alpha male who does all the trash talking (like Draymond) even if he isn't the best player on the court on a given night. Thus I think I have the biggest concern in regards to Payton covered - the roster fits him.

For the purposes of shooting I select the 1999-00 version of Payton who had at that point shown that he is a reliable knock down 3-point shooter. Perhaps, the 95-96 GP might be a more tempting selection but I don't really need the DPOY Payton here, with Hakeem locking down the paint. Shooting off Hakeem's post ups is more important (GP made the most threes in the league this season on .340%). Besides... It's not like GP ever did it solely thanks to his athleticism. He had the same tenacity and defensive IQ in his early 30s. And I'm still selecting Payton in a season where he was 1st team All-Defense and All-NBA.

PG: Gary Payton 1999-00 - 24.2PPG, 6.5RPG, 8.9APG, 1.9SPG, 177 3s (league leader), All-Defense 1st, All-NBA 1st.
SG: Grant Hill 1994-95 - 19.9PPG, 6.4RPG, 5.0APG, 1.8SPG, 0.9BPG, All-Star, ROY.
SF: Chris Mullin 1989-90 - 25.1PPG, 5.9RPG, 4.1APG, 1.6SPG, .372 3P%, All-NBA 3rd.
PF:
C: Hakeem Olajuwon 1989-90 - 24.3PPG, 14.0RPG, 2.9APG, 2.1SPG, 4.6BPG, All-Defense 1st, All-NBA 2nd.

Bench:

Post #466 » by **fatlever** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:14 pm

I KNEW IT!!!!, Payton was the guy I was sure you were going to pick last time.

Yup, I was hoping to save Payton in the All-NBA category so I could pair him with Magic. Let Payton defend all the PGs and let Magic start at SF and play point foward.

I **** LOVE Payton and I still stand behind him as the PG i'd take of the trio of Stockton, Kidd and Payton... over Nash and Paul as well. I'd only put Magic, Curry and Thomas ahead of Payton on my PG list.

Post #467 » by **fatlever** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:19 pm

Now there are only 3 of us who have not used All NBA - me, ESaL and BtG. A lot of those superstars remaining are only eligible in two categories - All NBA and Rookie (and some not even eligible in Rookie due to 1976 cut-off). I'm happy to wait on that category for a while and still land perhaps my 2nd or 3rd best player late in the draft to fill out any holes in the team or just to strengthen another area.

Post #468 » by **fatlever** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:22 pm

Jesus, the Hakeem/Payton defensive duo is just **** insane. The best defense center of the past 30 years + the best defensive point guard of the past 30 years... in the prime years. Can you imagine trying to run a pick and roll with your pg/c vs those two? Yeah, its not happening.

LamarMatic7 · Post #469 » by **LamarMatic7** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:39 pm

fatlever wrote:I KNEW IT!!!!, Payton was the guy I was sure you were going to pick last time.

Yup, I was hoping to save Payton in the All-NBA category so I could pair him with Magic. Let Payton defend all the PGs and let Magic start at SF and play point foward.

I **** LOVE Payton and I still stand behind him as the PG i'd take of the trio of Stockton, Kidd and Payton... over Nash and Paul as well. I'd only put Magic, Curry and Thomas ahead of Payton on my PG list.

Fuuuck... I didn't know you were so close to taking him. That's the sole reason I let him slide and why I picked Hill. The rest of the people after me didn't have their All-NBA pick and I figured that you wouldn't pair GP with Magic.

Dodged a bullet here.

LamarMatic7 · Post #470 » by **LamarMatic7** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:41 pm

fatlever wrote:Jesus, the Hakeem/Payton defensive duo is just **** insane. The best defense center of the past 30 years + the best defensive point guard of the past 30 years... in the prime years. Can you imagine trying to run a pick and roll with your pg/c vs those two? Yeah, its not happening.

Post #471 » by **fatlever** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:43 pm

I haven't decided if I plan to start Magic at PG or SF or even PF. Pairing him with Payton was just one plan.

SWedd523 · Post #472 » by **SWedd523** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:48 pm

Isiah will always be my favorite and ideal PG, but I have a very difficult time deciding who I'd rather have on my team between him and Payton. I love the fact that they both approached the game with a "**** you I'm going to whoop your ass" mentality that is long gone in today's superstars, but were able to back it up with HOF level play. GP was probably a little nastier overall, but I think Zeke was a little more skilled. You can't really go wrong with either.

The GP/Hakeem pair is scary

EwingSweatsALot · Post #473 » by **EwingSweatsALot** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:50 pm

The more guys that come off the board and the more of these great pairings that are put together. The more I continue to dislike my team haha.

Flip Murray · Post #474 » by **Flip Murray** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:11 pm

oh **** is it mypick?

Flip Murray · Post #475 » by **Flip Murray** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:22 pm

99-2000 Vince Carter - Stop shooting

25.7 - 5.8 - 3.9

46% from the field 40% from 3.

and this

2000 slam dunk champion.

Nash
-----
Carter
Garnett
Howard

EwingSweatsALot · Post #476 » by **EwingSweatsALot** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:33 pm

Nice pickup Flip. I was deciding between him and Pierce for that category. Came down to the very end but I went with Pierce for more defense and rebounding, which you don't need with how you've constructed your team. Good get.

Flip Murray · Post #477 » by **Flip Murray** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:37 pm

EwingSweatsALot wrote:Nice pickup Flip. I was deciding between him and Pierce for that category. Came down to the very end but I went with Pierce for more defense and rebounding, which you don't need with how you've constructed your team. Good get.

Howard and Garnett are rim protectors. I want to give them an opportunity to protect the rim

EwingSweatsALot · Post #478 » by **EwingSweatsALot** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:39 pm

Flip Murray wrote:
EwingSweatsALot wrote:Nice pickup Flip. I was deciding between him and Pierce for that category. Came down to the very end but I went with Pierce for more defense and rebounding, which you don't need with how you've constructed your team. Good get.

Howard and Garnett are rim protectors. I want to give them an opportunity to protect the rim

You could clone 2015-16 Dirk Nowitzki two more times and play him at the other three positions and you'd still protect the rim almost better than anyone.

EwingSweatsALot · Post #479 » by **EwingSweatsALot** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:42 pm

Also Nash/Vince lobs. And Nash/Howard lobs. WOOOOOOOO BOYYY

Post #480 » by **fatlever** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 11:12 pm

Team Flip - AKA Team 2000