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. Please ensure you give a rationale for your vote; votes with no explanation will not be counted.
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).
11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.1 bpg, .473 FG%, .312 3P%, .768 FT%, 53 3P (0.7 pg), .549 TS% - Sixth Man of the Year
G - George Hill (2019-20)
Spoiler:
9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.1 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.1 bpg, .516 FG%, .460 3P%, .842 FT%, 81 3P (1.4 pg), .659 TS% - Led the NBA in 3P%
Rotations C - Jokic (40), Andersen (8) PF - Marion (38), Battier (6), Andersen (4) SF - Battier (30), Thompson (10), McKie (8) SG - Thompson (28), McKie (15), Hill (5) PG - Lillard (38), Hill (10)
FGA Per Player
Spoiler:
Nikola Jokic - 14.8 Klay Thompson - 16.2 Shawn Marion - 13.4 Shane Battier - 6.2 George Hill - 6.4 Damian Lillard - 17.5 Aaron Mckie - 9.4 Chris Andersen - 3.8
Total: 87.7/88.0
We've taken a similar approach to the real-life Nuggets in building around Jokic, with a dynamic lead guard who can also play off ball some, and lots of shooting and defensive versatility across the roster. Marion is pretty much a rich man's Gordon, and Battier/Klay are significant upgrades on the KCP/MPJ archetypes at the wing spots. Dame's off-the-dribble game and deep shooting make him a deadly pick-and-roll/handoff partner with Jokic. Marion will thrive off Jokic's passing, both as a cutter in the halfcourt and catching outlets in transition. Klay and Marion slot in perfectly as third/fourth options who don't need the ball. Hill and SMOY McKie bring additional shooting, defense, and secondary creation off the bench. While we won't play at a high pace overall, we have some great transition weapons in Dame, Klay, and Marion, plus Jokic as an outlet passer, so when we do run our efficiency should be sky high. Defensively, the wing rotation of Klay, Battier, Marion, McKie, and Hill is rock solid, helping to mitigate Dame's flaws on that end. Birdman gives us elite shot-blocking and rim-running for a few minutes a night.
Matchup - We will start out with Dame on Jrue, Klay on Wade, Battier on Smith, Marion on Giannis, and Jokic on Ibaka. Battier will see time on Giannis as well. Having two strong but mobile forwards who are also excellent help defenders is a solid counter to Giannis. - Jokic being the best offensive player in the series, we feel like Klay and Marion as third and fourth options is enough of an advantage to offset Wade's superiority over Dame as a #2. Jrue's record as a third offensive option has been very shaky over the last few years, and it was only in a smaller role with the Celtics that he was able to maintain his regular season effectiveness in the playoffs. Beyond him, there isn't really anyone who's going to stress us defensively. - Our bench is stronger with SMOY McKie and Hill providing a lot more juice in the backcourt compared to DiVincenzo and Thabo.
Offensive Strategy In my lineup, I’ve focused on creating a balanced combination of offensive firepower and defensive versatility. At point guard, I have Jrue Holiday, who brings elite playmaking and defensive skills, paired with Dwyane Wade’s explosive scoring and leadership. This duo allows for dynamic ball movement and the ability to create our own shots, optimizing our offensive opportunities. I love how Wade’s versatility lets me interchange positions at shooting guard and small forward, which maximizes our matchup advantages and keeps the defense guessing.
Defensive Matchups Defensively, my strategy hinges on versatility and length. I plan to have Giannis Antetokounmpo primarily matched up against Shawn Marion to counteract his athleticism and scoring ability. I’ll have Serge Ibaka taking on Nikola Jokic, focusing on disrupting his passing and shot-making with his shot-blocking prowess. Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday will apply pressure on Damian Lillard, leveraging his defensive skills to limit Lillard's scoring opportunities, and Dwyane Wade will help contain Klay Thompson with his quickness and experience. Our ability to switch on screens will frustrate opponents, making it hard for them to find scoring opportunities while maintaining strong perimeter defense.
Transition Game My frontcourt features Giannis, whose ability to dominate in the paint is enhanced by Ibaka’s shot-blocking and floor-spacing. Giannis can drive and kick to shooters like Steve Smith and Donte DiVincenzo, both of whom can stretch the floor with their shooting. I also have Bo Outlaw bringing a gritty defensive presence, while Thabo Sefolosha adds versatility and perimeter defense. With an emphasis on perimeter defense and fast break scoring, my team is designed to stifle opposing offenses while efficiently converting defense into offense, giving us a strong chance of success against your formidable lineup, Fade.
PG: Jrue Holiday (38) / Dwyane Wade (10) SG: Dwyane Wade (28) / Donte DiVincenzo (20) SF: Steve Smith (22) / Thabo Sefolosha (18) / Donte DiVincenzo (8) PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo (26) / Bo Outlaw (12) / Steve Smith (10) C: Serge Ibaka (36) / Giannis (12)
Wade and Giannis are clearly superior to Jokic and this version of Lillard in terms of individual talents, but this is a battle of so so fit versus perfect synergy. Even with how Lillard looked this year, both him AND peak Klay around Jokic should be an offensive delight. On the other hand, I'm not sure about how Giannis will fit with a non spacing guard like Wade as another dominant offensive engine. Added to this is using Spurs Smith as a starter level rotation guy, and Bucks DiVincenco which wasn't as impactful as today - as sixth man, I just have more faith in the pieces Fade put together as a whole.
As the opposite of the Stan/Jon matchup, this time fit wins over talent. Wade is not the right guy to pair with Giannis, and I don't think Jimmy has enough shooting to make up for it. Fade's offense, meanwhile, will run like a finely tuned engine ala 2014 Spurs.
