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).
24.5 ppg, 15.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 2.0 bpg, .501 FG%, .761 FT%, .578 TS% - Led the NBA in rpg, PER (25.1), ORB%, TRB%, WS (15.1), WS/48 (.248) - NBA Champion - NBA MVP - NBA Finals MVP - NBA All-Star - All-NBA First Team - All-Defensive First Team
PF - Rashard Lewis (2008-09)
Spoiler:
17.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.6 bpg, .439 FG%, .397 3P%, .836 FT%, 220 3P (2.8 pg), .580 TS% - Led the NBA in 3P - NBA All-Star
35.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 3.2 spg, 1.6 bpg, .535 FG%, .132 3P%, .841 FT%, .605 TS% - Led the NBA in ppg, spg, PER (31.7), OWS (15.2), WS (21.2), WS/48 (.308), OBPM (8.8), DBPM (4.2), BPM (13.0), VORP (12.5) - NBA MVP - Defensive Player of the Year - NBA All-Star - All-NBA First Team - All-Defensive First Team
PG - Chauncey Billups (2008-09)
Spoiler:
17.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.2 bpg, .418 FG%, .408 3P%, .913 FT%, 162 3P (2.1 pg), .592 TS% - NBA All-Star - All-NBA Third Team
Bench F - Anthony Mason (1994-95)
Spoiler:
9.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.3 bpg, .566 FG%, .641 FT%, .599 TS% - Sixth Man of the Year
Rotations C - Malone (40), Mason (8) PF - Lewis (30), Mason (18) SF - Battier (30), Dudley (10), Lewis (8) SG - Jordan (40), Battier (6), Wright (2) PG - Billups (37), Wright (11)
FGA Per Player
Spoiler:
Michael Jordan - 24.4 [1] Chauncey Billups - 12.4 [3] Shane Battier - 5.9 [7] Moses Malone - 16.7 [5] Delon Wright - 3.5 [4] Rashard Lewis - 13.8 [2] Anthony Mason - 6.6 [8] Jared Dudley - 4.1 [6]
Total: 87.4/88.0
Obviously, this team revolves around the MJ-Moses pairing, and in particular the insane pressure they put on the rim. We've made them even more deadly in this regard by surrounding them with shooters like Billups and Lewis, who are able to not only match the volume three-point of Korver and DDV, but are also All-Stars who can create their own shot independently. Battier rounds out the starting five as the ultimate 3-and-D glue guy. SMOY Mase leads the second unit, with Wright and Dudley filling in the blanks as savvy vets who defend and hit the open shot. Defensively, we have no particular weak spots, with our wing pairing of MJ and Battier being the main draw.
Matchup - Defensive assignments will be straight up. Battier starts on Barry, but MJ will switch onto him for stretches. - Our backcourt makes for a tough matchup here, as I don't think 2021 Danny Green is the level of on-ball defender to be the primary guy on MJ. Walt would be the alternative, but then I would say Green trying to contain an All-NBA level PG is also problematic. - Lewis as a volume three-point bomber plays a key role here, as it significantly impacts Draymond's ability to be a roaming help defender.
PG: Walt Frazier (1970) - 12.8 FGA/G SG: Danny Green (2021) - 7.9 FGA/G SF: Rick Barry (1971) - 19.4 FGA/G PF: Draymond Green (2017) - 8.6 FGA/G C: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971) - 19.1 FGA/G B1: Kenny Smith (1995) - 7.3 FGA/G B2: Tree Rollins (1983) - 6.4 FGA/G B3: JaMychal Green (2021) - 6.4 FGA/G 87.7/88
Walt Frazier (38) / Kenny Smith (10) Danny Green (25) / Kenny Smith (23) Rick Barry (40) / Danny Green (8) Draymond Green (38) / JaMychal Green (10) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38) / Tree Rollins (10)
Positional Matchups:
PG: Walt Frazier vs. Chauncey Billups
Edge: Walt Frazier Frazier's 1970 season was elite on both ends. He was an exceptional playmaker and defender, capable of controlling the tempo and locking down Billups. Billups is a clutch performer and solid defender, but Frazier's ability to generate steals and create offense makes him the better all-around player. I should focus on exploiting Billups’ defense and pushing the pace to challenge him on both ends.
SG: Danny Green vs. Michael Jordan
Edge: Michael Jordan No one can stop prime Jordan, but Danny Green's length, defensive acumen, and three-point shooting can help offset some of MJ's impact. Green should focus on sticking to Jordan as much as possible, forcing him into contested shots, and spacing the floor on offense to pull Jordan away from defensive help.
SF: Rick Barry vs. Shane Battier
Edge: Rick Barry Barry’s elite scoring and offensive creativity should give me a clear advantage here. While Battier is an outstanding perimeter defender, Barry’s quick release and ability to score at all three levels make him difficult to contain. I’ll need Barry to take advantage of his volume scoring to outpace Battier's defensive impact. Barry will be my primary offensive weapon.
PF: Draymond Green vs. Rashard Lewis
Edge: Draymond Green Draymond’s defense, passing, and versatility give me the edge here. He can neutralize Lewis' three-point shooting by closing out quickly and also disrupt Fade's flow with his playmaking on offense. I’ll take advantage of Draymond's defensive abilities to guard multiple positions, potentially switching onto Jordan or Billups when necessary.
C: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Moses Malone
Edge: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
This is an epic matchup, but Kareem in 1971 was arguably at the height of his powers, with his unstoppable skyhook and superb defense. Malone is a rebounding machine and will be tough on the boards, but Kareem’s offensive arsenal gives me the edge. Kareem should focus on dominating in the post and using his length to alter Malone’s shots. Bench Matchups:
Kenny Smith vs. Delon Wright
Smith offers more scoring punch than Wright, but Wright’s defense could give him trouble. I’ll want Smith to focus on pushing the pace in transition and taking advantage of any space he’s given for open threes.
Tree Rollins vs. Anthony Mason
Mason is tough and physical, but Rollins is an elite rim protector. Rollins needs to focus on defense and rebounding, while Mason will try to muscle his way into the paint.
JaMychal Green vs. Jared Dudley
Both are role players, but JaMychal Green’s athleticism and energy could give me an advantage. He’ll need to be aggressive on the boards and provide solid spacing with his ability to hit outside shots.
Strategy to Win: Pound the Paint with Kareem: Fade’s team is solid defensively on the perimeter, but Moses Malone will have a tough time defending Kareem’s skyhook. I’ll run the offense through Kareem in the post, forcing Fade’s team to collapse and opening up shooters like Danny Green and Rick Barry.
Utilize Draymond’s Playmaking: Draymond Green can be a key facilitator, especially in transition. His ability to switch defensively and playmake from the forward spot will be crucial. I’ll run pick-and-rolls with him and Kareem to exploit mismatches.
Neutralize Jordan: Although Jordan will get his points, I’ll focus on making him work hard for every shot. I’ll throw different looks at him—Danny Green, Draymond, and Frazier—while trying to wear him down with physical defense.
Push the Tempo: With Walt Frazier at the helm and Kenny Smith off the bench, I’ll look to play fast and keep Fade’s defense on their heels. Frazier should look to create early offense to prevent Malone and Jordan from setting up defensively.
Spacing and Shooting: Rick Barry and Danny Green provide excellent spacing. I’ll use this to my advantage by forcing Fade’s defense to cover more ground. I’ll set screens to free up my shooters and keep the ball moving to find open shots.
Overall: My team’s edge lies in its balance of defense and scoring, especially with Kareem and Barry as dominant scorers and Draymond anchoring the defense. If I can control the boards, neutralize Jordan’s effectiveness, and exploit my inside-out game with Kareem and Barry, I should have a strong chance to win this matchup. Not to mention - on an individual basis, I win most if not all of the 1 to 1 matchups aside from shooting guard. My advantage in the entire frontcourt and at point guard should help guide us to victory.
Good luck Fade
Some truths are spoken for closure. Others are recognized privately for peace.
Close final, but I think the Draymond+Kareem defensive frontcourt will make life very difficult for the MJ+Moses pairing. Yes, I know Lewis will be spacing Draymond out, but Jimmy has a few different switchable defenders that can cover as needed (aka if Draymond gets more time on MJ, Danny Green would do alright on Lewis).
While I like Fade's team, I generally prefer Jimmy's. Frazier+Barry+Kareem as 3 legitimate offensive hubs, and Draymond as the ultimate glue guy.
Pretty much agree with wack. Jimmy has the better trio, and while he has some defensive issues, Rashard Moses isn't the defensive frontcourt you'd want against Kareem either.
