3-2-1 Draft R1 - lilroddyb vs. wackbone*

[Fadeaway_J]

Larry_Russell will run the voting by using the rotations posted on the roster pages to do an AI query.

[Larry_Russell]

What team would win in a 7 games series
pg: 1991 Terry Porter (38 mins)
sg: 1995 Reggie Miller (38 mins)
sf: 2022 Jimmy Butler (38 mins)
pf: 2024 Jalen Williams (38 mins)
c: 1993 Hakeem Olajuwon (38 mins)
Bench 1: 1998 Hersey Hawkins (30 mins)
Bench 2: 2017 Kyle Anderson (10 mins)
Bench 3: 2012 Nick Collison (10 mins)
versus
pg: 1990 Magic Johnson (38 mins)
sg: 1993 Dan Majerle (36 Mins)
sf: 1997 Grant Hill (38 mins)
pf: 1990 Charles Barkley (38 mins)
c: 2024 Chet Holmgren (28 mins)
Bench 1: 1996 Nate McMillan (22 mins)
Bench 2: 2016 Steven Adams (20 mins)
Bench 3: 2024 Lu Dort (20 mins)
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
This is an intriguing matchup! You’ve created two teams that blend both star power and complementary roles, so breaking it down requires looking at the overall skill sets, matchups, depth, and potential synergies. Let's dive into each key area:

Team 1: 1991 Terry Porter, 1995 Reggie Miller, 2022 Jimmy Butler, 2024 Jalen Williams, 1993 Hakeem Olajuwon
Strengths:

Scoring and Shooting: Reggie Miller and Jimmy Butler bring excellent scoring ability and shot creation, with Reggie as a shooter and Jimmy as an all-around scorer. Hakeem Olajuwon is also capable of putting up big numbers in the post.
Defense: Jimmy Butler is one of the league’s elite defenders, while Hakeem Olajuwon’s defensive prowess as a shot blocker and rebounder would make it difficult for opponents in the paint. Terry Porter is a solid defender as well.
Versatility: This team is well-rounded and can do a little bit of everything. Jimmy Butler’s ability to impact both ends of the floor and facilitate offense makes this team very adaptable. Jalen Williams offers an intriguing wild card as a young player with a mix of scoring and defense.
Bench Depth: Hersey Hawkins is a solid bench scorer, Kyle Anderson provides versatility and playmaking, and Nick Collison adds some grit and rebounding.
Weaknesses:

Size and Strength: While Hakeem Olajuwon provides significant size, this team lacks a dominant physical presence elsewhere, especially at the forward spots (Jimmy Butler is tough but not a physical force like Barkley or Holmgren).
Youth of Jalen Williams: Jalen Williams is an exciting young player, but he’s still developing and may not be as consistent in a playoff series compared to a veteran like Charles Barkley or Magic Johnson.
Team 2: 1990 Magic Johnson, 1993 Dan Majerle, 1997 Grant Hill, 1990 Charles Barkley, 2024 Chet Holmgren
Strengths:

Playmaking and Leadership: Magic Johnson is arguably the best point guard in NBA history and could single-handedly elevate this team with his passing, leadership, and ability to control the pace. He can get anyone involved and is a huge advantage in a 7-game series.
Scoring and Versatility: Grant Hill and Charles Barkley provide a dynamic scoring and rebounding combination. Hill’s all-around playmaking and Barkley’s physical dominance (in his prime) could exploit matchups against Butler and Williams.
Defense: Charles Barkley, while undersized for a power forward, is an incredible rebounder and defender, and Magic Johnson’s size and IQ make him a solid defender in his era. Dan Majerle is also a very good defender on the wing.
Size: Chet Holmgren gives this team a shot-blocker and rim protector who can help space the floor offensively with his shooting touch, though he’s still a rookie and can be pushed around physically.
Weaknesses:

Shooting: While Grant Hill, Magic Johnson, and Barkley can all contribute offensively, none of them are elite shooters, and the team relies heavily on Barkley in the post. If Reggie Miller gets hot, it could be a tough matchup for them.
Lack of Bench Scoring: Outside of Nate McMillan, Steven Adams, and Lu Dort, the bench doesn't offer much scoring punch. They could struggle if the starters get into foul trouble or if the opposing team can exploit the lack of a true bench scorer.
Key Matchups:
Terry Porter vs Magic Johnson: Magic is the superior player here, with his playmaking, size, and leadership elevating the team. Porter will struggle to contain him, and Magic will likely create easy looks for the rest of his team.
Reggie Miller vs Dan Majerle: This is a fantastic shooting duel. Reggie Miller has the edge as a pure shooter, but Majerle’s defense and physicality could limit Miller's space. Still, I’d give Reggie the advantage as he can hit shots off the dribble and off screens.
Jimmy Butler vs Grant Hill: Butler’s defense would be key here, as Hill is an elite all-around player. Hill could score and facilitate, but Butler’s ability to guard multiple positions and shut down opponents in key moments gives him the edge defensively.
Jalen Williams vs Charles Barkley: Jalen Williams is an intriguing young talent, but Barkley’s power, rebounding, and scoring ability would give him the upper hand here. Barkley could physically overpower Williams in the post, especially in crucial late-game moments.
Hakeem Olajuwon vs Chet Holmgren: This is a fascinating matchup, as Hakeem is one of the best centers ever and can dominate both in the post and on defense. Holmgren’s length and shot-blocking ability would allow him to contest Hakeem’s shots, but Olajuwon’s low-post moves and footwork would likely overwhelm Holmgren in a series.
X-Factors:
Hersey Hawkins and Kyle Anderson (Team 1): If Hawkins can get hot and be an efficient scoring option, it would take some pressure off Butler and Miller. Kyle Anderson’s playmaking and size could offer a valuable wrinkle if he’s used effectively as a secondary ball handler.
Steven Adams and Nate McMillan (Team 2): Steven Adams offers some grit, rebounding, and a physical presence that could help neutralize Hakeem in the paint, and McMillan could provide valuable minutes to ease the load on Magic and the other starters.
Prediction:
Team 2 (Magic, Hill, Barkley, etc.) would likely have the edge in a 7-game series. The biggest factors tipping the scale are:
Magic Johnson’s playmaking and ability to elevate everyone on his team would be a key factor. His ability to break down defenses and set up teammates like Barkley and Hill would put a lot of pressure on Team 1’s defense.
Charles Barkley’s physical dominance would be a challenge for Jalen Williams and Jimmy Butler, especially if he gets into a rhythm in the post. Barkley would likely overwhelm them on the glass and in the paint.
The veteran leadership and versatility of Magic, Barkley, Hill, and Majerle give Team 2 a more balanced attack. Their ability to mix high-level playmaking with elite scoring and rebounding could ultimately wear down Team 1.
Hakeem Olajuwon could keep Team 1 competitive, but with Magic controlling the pace and Barkley owning the paint, Team 2 has more ways to win.
In a 7-game series, Team 2 likely wins in 6 or 7 games, as the combination of Magic's leadership, Barkley’s inside presence, and Grant Hill’s all-around play might prove too much for Team 1 to handle consistently.

[Snakebites]

Yeah. I think this is where I draw the line.

The AI doesn’t take fit into account. And that’s an issue for me.

[wackbone]

Yeah. I think this is where I draw the line.

The AI doesn’t take fit into account. And that’s an issue for me.

These were my takeaways:

"Jimmy Butler is tough but not a physical force like Barkley or Holmgren"

I love Chet, but he's far from a physical force lol

"Charles Barkley, while undersized for a power forward, is an incredible rebounder and defender, and Magic Johnson’s size and IQ make him a solid defender in his era."

Saw this as a common thread in matchups - guys who we normally bash for their defense getting praised by the AI.

"Lack of Bench Scoring: Outside of Nate McMillan, Steven Adams, and Lu Dort, the bench doesn't offer much scoring punch."

Those are my only 3 bench players...

"Jalen Williams vs Charles Barkley: Jalen Williams is an intriguing young talent, but Barkley’s power, rebounding, and scoring ability would give him the upper hand here. Barkley could physically overpower Williams in the post, especially in crucial late-game moments.
Hakeem Olajuwon vs Chet Holmgren: This is a fascinating matchup, as Hakeem is one of the best centers ever and can dominate both in the post and on defense. Holmgren’s length and shot-blocking ability would allow him to contest Hakeem’s shots, but Olajuwon’s low-post moves and footwork would likely overwhelm Holmgren in a series."

Seems as though the AI was much more favorable to Chet vs Hakeem than Jalen vs Barkley.

[Snakebites]

Yeah. I think this is where I draw the line.

The AI doesn’t take fit into account. And that’s an issue for me.

These were my takeaways:

"Jimmy Butler is tough but not a physical force like Barkley or Holmgren"

I love Chet, but he's far from a physical force lol

"Charles Barkley, while undersized for a power forward, is an incredible rebounder and defender, and Magic Johnson’s size and IQ make him a solid defender in his era."

Saw this as a common thread in matchups - guys who we normally bash for their defense getting praised by the AI.

"Lack of Bench Scoring: Outside of Nate McMillan, Steven Adams, and Lu Dort, the bench doesn't offer much scoring punch."

Those are my only 3 bench players...

"Jalen Williams vs Charles Barkley: Jalen Williams is an intriguing young talent, but Barkley’s power, rebounding, and scoring ability would give him the upper hand here. Barkley could physically overpower Williams in the post, especially in crucial late-game moments.
Hakeem Olajuwon vs Chet Holmgren: This is a fascinating matchup, as Hakeem is one of the best centers ever and can dominate both in the post and on defense. Holmgren’s length and shot-blocking ability would allow him to contest Hakeem’s shots, but Olajuwon’s low-post moves and footwork would likely overwhelm Holmgren in a series."

Seems as though the AI was much more favorable to Chet vs Hakeem than Jalen vs Barkley.

It does look like your belief that the AI would look favorably on your team were well founded.

[Fadeaway_J]

Wack advances

[Dr Positivity]

On the AI I tested against Roddy having 22 Butler instead of 23 flipped the matchup against him with some of the season combos I was trying. But I don’t know if it would’ve beat wack.

[Fadeaway_J]

Yeah. I think this is where I draw the line.

The AI doesn’t take fit into account. And that’s an issue for me.

Tbh, I've seen plenty of regular votes that don't account enough for fit in my opinion ("Great players will figure it out" etc). I think we should be careful not to forget how wildly opinions can fluctuate even among human voters.