Fake expansion draft

[Bwelc679]

Imagine the NBA calls you tomorrow and gifts you the general manager position for a new NBA Franchise in Vegas. The thing about this franchise is that its team is reset each year so you only have one chance to win a title. You are gifted players from the past at their absolute peaks for this one season exercise. You can only choose one player from each 4 man group to make up your roster of an Eight man rotation and compete for the title next year. Choose wisely.....

Superstar: Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Brandon Roy or Tracy Mcgrady

Center: Rik Smits, Joakim Noah, Vlade Divac or Raef Lafrentz

Power Forward: Clifford Robinson, Larry Johnson, Rodney Rodgers or Tom Gugliota

Small Forward: Glen Robinson, Sean Elliott, Wally Szczerbiak or Brent Barry

Shooting Guard: Dale Ellis, Michael Redd, Allan Houston or JJ Redick

Point Guard: Terry Porter, Baron Davis, Rod Strickland or Sam Cassell

Utility Big: Antonio Mcdyss, Donyell Marshall, Bill Lambieer or Keith Van Horn

Utility Small: Raja Bell, Goran Dragic, Ron Harper, Jeremy Lin



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[rk2023]

Superstar: Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Brandon Roy or Tracy Mcgrady

Center: Rik Smits, Joakim Noah, Vlade Divac or Raef Lafrentz

Power Forward: Clifford Robinson, Larry Johnson, Rodney Rodgers or Tom Gugliota

Small Forward: Glen Robinson, Sean Elliott, Wally Szczerbiak or Brent Barry

Shooting Guard: Dale Ellis, Michael Redd, Allan Houston or JJ Redick

Point Guard: Terry Porter, Baron Davis, Rod Strickland or Sam Cassell

Utility Big: Antonio Mcdyss, Donyell Marshall, Bill Lambieer or Keith Van Horn

Utility Small: Raja Bell, Goran Dragic, Ron Harper, Jeremy Lin

Superstar: Tracy
Center: Noah
PF: Johnson
SF: Elliott
Point: Porter
SG: Redick
Utility Big: Laimbeer
Utility Small: Harper

Feel the most confident about the Porter/Tracy/Noah Picks. That should be a very solid big three to build around. I like Harper’s track record as a winning role player a ton too, could be a great swing factor here.

[wojoaderge]

star - Hill
C - Noah
PF - Johnson
SF - Szczerbiak
SG - Redd
PG - Porter
UB - McDyess
US - Harper

[durantbird]

Porter Ellis Tracy Cliffy Noah; Harper Elliott Laimbeer

[onedayattatime]

I think these are pretty easy calls. Considering this is peak, McGrady, Noah, and Porter seem to be no-brainers. After that, I like Clifford Robinson (actually, his 33-year-old season seems great for this team), Barry, and Laimbeer. I'm a little torn between Harper and Bell, but I feel like the 3&D of Raja Bell is the safe bet for this team.

[scrabbarista]

Kind of shocked no one's taken Dragic, who I'd consider to be the easiest of the eight picks.

[Bwelc679]

While I can understand the T-Mac love (his age 23 season is one of the greatest regular seasons ever) I am surprised nobody is giving any love to Penny who at age 23 brought his team to the finals and played incredibly well. I know, I know, he had Shaq but Penny was incredible in those playoffs and also happened to beat Michael Jordan in between his reign of two three peats. Then of course, he was even better his age 24 season but ran into the 72-10 Bulls and despite giving Scottie and MJ problems, he couldn't stop MJ on his way to ring number 4.
I am loving all the love given out to my boy Terry Porter and I am assuming the depth at point guard was a reason to go with Tmac over Penny however I think Penny would play fine next to Porter and this would actually unlock some of his offball value as an excellent cutter and post player. I am a huge Porter guy (went of my tiny College in Stevens Point Wisconsin) so I won't complain there but I also have a lot of love for both Baron Davis (07) and Sam Cassell (04). I understand why Baron is a turn off to some with his poor shooting numbers but when locked in he is a legit bowling ball that is extremely difficult to stop one v one and has incredible hands as a man to man to defender. 04 Sam Cassell was Second team All NBA and had multiple 40 point playoff games (so did Porter I know). Sam was a cold blooded killer who I truly believe would have helped deliver KG's first title that year if it wasn't for his injury. I would love to see him bully current point guards with his savvy play and footwork. That mid range is butter.
I think Uncle Cliffy is the best bet at the 4 and you could also play him at the 5 with his defensive versatility (All NBA defensive team in 2000) with legit 3 point range. I love Larry Johnson and I believe he could have been something special if not for that back injury so if I went that route his age 23 season when he was still grabbing double digit boards while giving you over 20 a game wouldn't be a bad choice. He certainly wasn't as unstoppable or as efficient as Zion but he was similar in some way when he was in close range he could put muscle you for easy buckets and he was a MUCH better rebounder than Zion and I believe a better defender as well.
I think I go with Mcdyss as my backup big with his elite athleticism before his injury as well. Then for my back up guard it's a tough call between Goran Dragic and Raja Bell. Goran is an excellent scorer and the most talented one in that group but Raja is the ultimate role player and would give me an elite perimeter defender with over 40% 3point shooting. I would probably go with Raja for this reason. Peak Ron Harper is actually probably as talented as Goran but I don't think his game is as tailor made for this era.

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