starting from scratch draft (12th pick)

asdfgh · Post #1 » by **asdfgh** » Sat Jul 2, 2011 11:27 pm

Assuming that all teams' rosters were cleared and there was a draft with the Spurs having the twelfth pick, who would you guys pick? The following players would be unavailable.

Chicago: Rose
Portland: James
Cleveland: Howard
Dallas: Durant
Miami: Griffin
New York: Wall
Utah: Wade
LA Lakers: Deron Williams
Orlando: Paul
Golden State: Anthony
Boston: Bryant
San Antonio: ?

Post #2 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 4:37 am

San Antonio selects: Kevin Love!!

Why?: Because it seems no one will vote otherwise.

co_laper · Post #3 » by **co_laper** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 7:27 am

I would vote for LMA. He's from Texas. He's young enough to be build around.

If I go the veteran route, I'll probably take Pau Gasol. He's got spanish roots. That'll be a huge thing with the Spanish community in San Antonio. And he's probably the closest thing to a Tim Duncan right now when looking at his skillset. Problem is that he's already 31 years old.

I'm not convinced with Kevin Love or Amare Stoudamire as a franchise player. They both look better as the 2nd option IMO.

Also depends on whether you factor in contract situations. Aldridge has a very cap friendly contract. IF you do, I think I have to go with LMA.

asdfgh · Post #4 » by **asdfgh** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 7:32 am

No contracts should not be a factor.

co_laper · Post #5 » by **co_laper** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 7:45 am

Does age factor?

I think Pau Gasol > LMA.

But if age factor, LMA > Gasol

Donald Kaufman · Post #6 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 12:24 pm

I second the Aldridge pick. We've seen what happens when you build around a young Pau - no wins in the playoffs - so what use is he as a 31 yo 1st option?

co_laper · Post #7 » by **co_laper** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 6:00 pm

It'll depend on who else is on the team.

But right now I can't recall anything Gasol can do that Aldridge do better.

Gasol's bigger, better post up player, better scorer, better rebounder, better shotblocker, better defensive player, better passer. Aldridge maybe a better shooter, but Gasol is a very good shooter himself.

I mean, let's say we have this Spurs team, and we switch Duncan to Gasol or Aldridge. I have to say we're better with Gasol than with Aldridge. He's just a more skilled (albeit older) than Aldridge.

asdfgh · Post #8 » by **asdfgh** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 6:38 pm

Yeah age should factor into the decision

Donald Kaufman · Post #9 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 11:24 pm

I don't know why no one's picking Dirk. Yeah, he's 32, but he just had another amazing season and he finally put it together in the playoffs. I'd take 5 more years of him as he is and build around that as opposed to certain mediocrity that having Aldridge or Gasol as a number one option would provide.

Dirk's had no major injuries, is primarily a jump shooter meaning there is little wear and tear on his body, so he can sustain this level of play until he's 35 at least. I'll take competing for titles for the next half decade over first and second round exits with those other two as the main man.

co_laper · Post #10 » by **co_laper** » Mon Jul 4, 2011 2:16 am

To be precise, Dirk is 33, Gasol is 30. They both just had their birthdays in June.

I admire and respect Dirk's game, but I find it hard to build around him. Dirk is an awesome scorer but he lacks production on the defensive end with low rebounding and shotblocking numbers.

Plus, if this is for NBA 2k games, Dirk's ratings always sucks. He'll always have low defensive ratings (rebound, shotblocking, steals, defensive awareness) and low athleticism (strength, quickness, speed, dunking). That's why his game ratings never do him justice. I just played in a sim league and had the 13th pick. The top 11 guys are picked just like yours did, but not in the same order. My 12th guy picked Amare Stoudamire. I chose LaMarcus Aldridge. Contracts are taken into account in that league. Dirk fell into the late teens. As fantasy franchise builders, guys like Love, Gasol, Westbrook, and Rondo has more value unless you're named Kobe Bryant whose value goes beyond his production on the floor. He brings in money like no other.

Donald Kaufman · Post #11 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Mon Jul 4, 2011 4:26 am

You find it hard to build around a guy that just won a title with Jason Terry as the next best player?

co_laper · Post #12 » by **co_laper** » Mon Jul 4, 2011 5:58 am

Hm... Wrong word to use. I find it hardER to build around Dirk.

Donald Kaufman · Post #13 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Mon Jul 4, 2011 9:30 am

They built a decent team around Gasol when he was in Memphis - Battier, Wells, Jason Williams, Posey etc - and they couldn't even win a single playoff game. And that's when he was younger and more worthy of being built around. He's got a good rep now because he's won a couple of rings, but he wasn't the best player on either of those teams.

At least LMA has the upside of youth, relatively speaking compared to Pau at least.

We might have to agree to disagree. Dirk is surrounded by spare parts, decent spot up shooters and glorified role players and he still won. Like I said, he's getting on a bit but shows no signs of wear and tear and now he's a proven winner. I'm surprised he didn't go top 10 TBH.