The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone** vs durantbird

Moderators: Snakebites, MadNESS, Fadeaway_J

Which team wins?

Poll ended at Fri May 16, 2025 4:45 pm

wackbone
4
50%
durantbird
4
50%
 
Total votes: 8

durantbird
General Manager
Posts: 9,356
And1: 1,851
Joined: Nov 30, 2019

The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone** vs durantbird 

Post#1 » by durantbird » Thu May 15, 2025 9:31 am

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. Once the writeups are posted, I will add a poll, and the team with the most votes after 24 hours will advance. EACH MANAGER SHOULD ALSO VOTE FOR THEIR OWN TEAM IN THE POLL - IF YOU FAIL TO DO THIS, YOU ARE SIMPLY GIVING AWAY A VOTE. If the votes are tied, we will decide the matchup via AI vote.

You are not required to state or explain your vote, but you are free to comment in the thread if you want to.

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).

wackbone wrote:

durantbird
General Manager
Posts: 9,356
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Joined: Nov 30, 2019

Re: The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone vs durantbird 

Post#2 » by durantbird » Thu May 15, 2025 9:54 am

Image
Image

PG: Terry Porter 91' - 11.7
SG: Shai Gilgeous Alexander 25' - 21.8
SF: Trevor Ariza 13' - 8.1
PF: Charles Barkley 90' - 14.9
C: Al Horford 16' - 12.8

Bench: Kirk Hinrich 09' - 8.2
Bench: Nicolas Batum 24' - 4.3
Bench: Tyson Chandler 12' - 5.7

Rotation:
PG: Terry Porter 38 / Shai Gilgeous Alexander 10
SG: Shai Gilgeous Alexander 28 / Kirk Hinrich 20
SF: Trevor Ariza 30 / Nicolas Batum 18
PF: Charles Barkley 38 / Al Horford 10
C: Al Horford 26 / Tyson Chandler 22

87.5/88

Vs

Walt Frazier (38) / Charlie Ward (10)
Joe Dumars (36) / Charlie Ward (12)
Kevin Durant (20) / Lu Dort (28)
PJ Tucker (20) / Kevin Durant (18) / Serge Ibaka (10)
Willis Reed (38) / Serge Ibaka (10)

Matchup
- Defensive assignments: Porter vs Frazier, SGA vs Dumars, Ariza/Batum vs Durant, Barkley vs Ibaka/Tucker, Horford/Chandler vs Reed.
- We match up perfectly defensively. Ariza and Batum give us two elite options against Durant, with Horford also being able to guard him for stretches. Porter SGA Hinrich are elite backcourt defenders against Frazier and Dumars, with Horford both being able to guard Reed and pull him from the paint at the same time.
- SGA Barkley form one of the best inside outside combos in the draft, and two of the best three players in the series. Porter and Horford slot in perfectly as third and fourth options.
- With the way wack's rotation is built, it's inevitable for Durant to log heavy minutes guarding Barkley, which can be a mismatch.
- wack has a nice bench but ours is even better, Chandler and Hinrich might be the two bench pieces.
- We match up perfectly, and with two of the three best players and some factors like Reed being dragged away from the paint by Horford, we have the advantage.
wackbone
RealGM
Posts: 12,041
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Joined: Jan 05, 2017

Re: The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone vs durantbird 

Post#3 » by wackbone » Thu May 15, 2025 1:18 pm

durantbird wrote:Rotation:
PG: Terry Porter 38 / Shai Gilgeous Alexander 10
SG: Shai Gilgeous Alexander 28 / Kirk Hinrich 20
SF: Trevor Ariza 32 / Nicolas Batum 18
PF: Charles Barkley 38 / Al Horford 10
C: Al Horford 26 / Tyson Chandler 22

Heyyo! I'm doing my writeup now, and this is a completely inconsequential thing, but just FYI your SF minutes add up to 50.
wackbone
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Re: The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone vs durantbird 

Post#4 » by wackbone » Thu May 15, 2025 1:33 pm

Kevin Durant - 2013 - 17.7 FGA - 2nd in MVP, 50/40/90, 41.6 3P% on 4.1 att
Willis Reed - 1970 - (17.1x0.85) 14.5 FGA - MVP, All-Def 1st
Joe Dumars - 1990 - 14.1 FGA - All-NBA 3rd, 3rd in DPOY
Walt Frazier - 1970 - (15.0x0.85) 12.8 FGA - 4th in MVP, All-Def 1st
Lu Dort - 2025 - 8.4 FGA - 41.2 3P% on 5.8 att, Likely All-Def
Serge Ibaka - 2012 - 7.4 FGA - 2nd in DPOY, 3.7 bpg (led league)
PJ Tucker - 2019 - 6.4 FGA - 37.7 3P% on 4.7 att
Charlie Ward - 2000 - 6.2 FGA - 38.6 3P% on 3.7 att
Total: 87.5/88 FGA

Rotations:
Walt Frazier (38) / Charlie Ward (10)
Joe Dumars (36) / Lu Dort (12)
Kevin Durant (38) / Lu Dort (10)
Serge Ibaka (20) / PJ Tucker (28)
Willis Reed (38) / Serge Ibaka (10)

Writeup:

Fantastic Finals matchup, best of luck db.

Defensively we will start with Frazier on Porter, Dumars/Dort/Frazier on SGA, KD on Ariza/Batum, Ibaka/Tucker on Barkley, and Reed on Horford/Chandler.

I think this is actually the absolute best we have matched up all tournament. Frazier, Dumars, and Dort make for an elite defensive backcourt to guard SGA. Ibaka, Tucker, and Reed make for an elite defensive frontcourt to guard Barkley. All-Def 1st Reed won't be the primary assignment on Barkley but there will certainly be minutes of Tucker on Horford and Reed on Barkley. Horford at this stage isn't yet a reliable outside shooter, as he was in his first season shooting 3s at volume and was only 34.4%. And Chandler plays almost half of the game anyways. KD rests on Ariza/2024 Batum. He will never guard Barkley.

I really like db's team, but I think mine is just a bit better. SGA+Barkley is a fantastic big 2 but we have 3 elite defenders for both of them. Everyone else fits well around them but lack a bit of UMPH. Meanwhile I have a legitimate big 3 with MVP Reed, 2nd in MVP KD, and 4th in MVP Frazier, all of whom operate in their own space. Frazier is a much better 3rd man than Porter and Dumars is a much better 4th man than Horford. And I also have a well-fitting supporting cast with Ward/Dort/Tucker/Ibaka, all of whom offer legit two way value.
durantbird
General Manager
Posts: 9,356
And1: 1,851
Joined: Nov 30, 2019

Re: The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone vs durantbird 

Post#5 » by durantbird » Thu May 15, 2025 4:47 pm

Stan wrote:...

Laimbeer wrote:...

Fadeaway_J wrote:...

wackbone wrote:...

iamgine wrote:...

GeorgeMarcus wrote:...

durantbird wrote:...

ReggiesKnicks wrote:...

MadNess wrote:...

Dr Positivity wrote:...

Larry_Russell wrote:...


Voting is open, wackbone please vote for yourself
durantbird
General Manager
Posts: 9,356
And1: 1,851
Joined: Nov 30, 2019

Re: The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone vs durantbird 

Post#6 » by durantbird » Fri May 16, 2025 5:10 pm

ChatGPT vote wackbone - wackbone wins
https://chatgpt.com/share/68276ed8-ddc8-800a-9e35-69702280751a
Spoiler:
This hypothetical seven-game series between durantbird and wackbone features two well-constructed teams with distinct strengths and strategies. Let's analyze the matchup to determine which team holds the advantage.


---

Team Overviews

durantbird's Team:

Star Duo: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2024-25) and Charles Barkley (1989-90)

Supporting Cast: Terry Porter (1990-91), Al Horford (2015-16), Trevor Ariza (2013-14)

Bench: Kirk Hinrich (2008-09), Nicolas Batum (2023-24), Tyson Chandler (2011-12)


wackbone's Team:

Star Trio: Kevin Durant (2012-13), Willis Reed (1969-70), Walt Frazier (1969-70)

Supporting Cast: Joe Dumars (1989-90), Serge Ibaka (2011-12), P.J. Tucker (2018-19), Lu Dort (2024-25), Charlie Ward (1999-2000)



---

Key Matchups

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Defensive Backcourt

SGA's 2024-25 season was stellar, averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, leading the league in scoring. However, wackbone counters with a formidable defensive backcourt: Walt Frazier, Joe Dumars, and Lu Dort. Frazier and Dumars were both All-Defensive First Team selections in 1969-70 and 1989-90, respectively, while Dort is a modern defensive specialist. This trio could collectively limit SGA's efficiency and scoring output.

2. Charles Barkley vs. Frontcourt Defenders

Barkley, in the 1989-90 season, averaged 25.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He faces a rotation of Serge Ibaka, P.J. Tucker, and Willis Reed. Ibaka led the league in blocks in 2011-12, Tucker is known for his physical defense, and Reed was the 1969-70 MVP and All-Defensive First Team. While Barkley would still be productive, this trio could mitigate his impact.

3. Kevin Durant vs. Ariza/Batum

Durant's 2012-13 season saw him average 28.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, with a 51.0% field goal percentage. Trevor Ariza and Nicolas Batum are capable defenders, but Durant's offensive prowess and size advantage would likely allow him to excel in this matchup.

4. Frontcourt Battle: Horford/Chandler vs. Reed

Al Horford's 2015-16 season included averages of 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Tyson Chandler, in 2011-12, was the Defensive Player of the Year. They face Willis Reed, who averaged 21.7 points and 13.9 rebounds per game in 1969-70. Reed's combination of scoring and rebounding would pose challenges, but Horford's spacing and Chandler's defense could help neutralize his impact.


---

Bench Contributions

durantbird's Bench:

Kirk Hinrich (2008-09): Averaged 9.9 points and 3.9 assists per game.

Nicolas Batum (2023-24): Contributed 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

Tyson Chandler (2011-12): Provided elite rim protection and rebounding.


wackbone's Bench:

Lu Dort (2024-25): Averaged 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, known for perimeter defense.

P.J. Tucker (2018-19): Contributed 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, offering toughness and corner three-point shooting.

Charlie Ward (1999-2000): Provided steady playmaking and defense.


Both benches offer valuable contributions, but wackbone's bench provides more defensive versatility and shooting.


---

Conclusion

While durantbird's team features a dynamic duo in SGA and Barkley, wackbone's team boasts a more balanced attack with a formidable star trio in Durant, Reed, and Frazier, complemented by a strong defensive supporting cast. The defensive capabilities of wackbone's backcourt could limit SGA's effectiveness, and Durant's scoring prowess would be challenging to contain.

Prediction: wackbone wins the series in seven games (4-3), leveraging superior defensive matchups and a more balanced offensive attack.
wackbone
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Posts: 12,041
And1: 3,707
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Re: The Dusty Banner Draft - CHAMPIONSHIP - wackbone** vs durantbird 

Post#7 » by wackbone » Fri May 16, 2025 7:57 pm

Man, this change to using ChatGPT has worked out great for me lol

GG db! Happy to get the win

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