flaco wrote:Snakebites wrote:flaco wrote:In a vacuum, I think the 2021 Mavs were definitely a top 10 core. Thing is, once the first round is complete, we aren't drafting in a vacuum anymore. Fit comes into play as well. Luka requires a very specific build. It feels very restrictive when building around him.
The Sixers supporting cast leaves a lot to be desired. That said, Embiid might have been OP in this pool due to the dearth of talent at the Center position. The only dominant Center is pre-prime Shaq. Chances are the vast majority of teams couldn't have handled Embiid.
Both of the things you mention are ideas I looked into.
The issue with the Mavs is that while Zingis has certainly recouped his value in a big way in Washington and Boston, and he and Luka are a solid fit in theory, they never really had much synergy in practice. The Mavs had more success WITHOUT him the following season. And if you want Zingis you don't get breakout Brunson.
I briefly toyed with the idea of an Embiid team, but KG got the nod for 2004 KG being a better player and him having a star co-pilot. With Embiid the only other starter I'd get out of that for my core would be...Tobias Harris? I don't view him as a guy who should start in this setting. Sixers Green and Thybulle are okay but not needle movers.
I was pretty stunned when Jimmy Butler was taken as a wildcard and not as a pair with Joel though.
Wasn't possible to select Butler as part of the Sixers core because of the ''2 consecutive years'' rule. Butler played for only half a season at Philly. Him and Embiid would have been an amazing duo, that's for sure!
Right. Forgot my own rule in that situation.