[BAT] - Build-A-Team-Challenge - #1 - Beat the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls!

[Karate Diop]

I'm going to run a series of 5 Build-A-Team challenges on this board and depending on interest will see if it's practical to run a Build-A-Team League after.

The way this will work is that I'll post an opposing team or challenge and it is then up to you to create a roster abiding by the rules and restrictions posted that you think will win in a 7 game series.

After you post your team rotation I will run the rosters through a simulation program* and post the boxscore results from each match.

*(Not NBA 2k or NBA Live)

Challenge:
Build a 12-man roster that can defeat the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls in a 7 game series.

Rules & Restrictions:
- You must create your roster from current NBA players.
- You must have exactly 12 players on your roster.
- You may not select any member of the 2017 NBA Draft.
- You may only have a maximum of 2 players on rookie contracts.
- You may not select LeBron James
- You may only select 1 former MVP winner.
- You may only have 1 player who made first, second, or third-team all NBA in 2017-2018 on your roster. This is in addition to your MVP selection.
- Total team salary may not exceed $100,000,0000 (use salaries from 2018-2019 season)

Judging:
- This is a results based competition. The goal is to beat the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls. In the event that two teams beat the Bulls in the same amount of games point differential and total salary will be used to determine who the winner BAT-C 01 was.


Miscellaneous:
- For salaries please use Shamsports: http://www.shamsports.com/capulator
- Sample Roster Submission:

PG: D'angelo Russell (32) / Spencer Dinwiddie (16) / Caris LeVert (0)
SG: Caris LeVert (28) / Joe Harris (18) / Allen Crabbe (2)
SF: DeMarre Carroll / (22) / Allen Crabbe (26) / Nik Stauskas (0)
PF: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (28) / Quincy Acy (10) / DeMarre Carroll (10)
C: Jarrett Allen (28) / Jahlil Okafor (20) / Timfoey Mozgov (0)

*Number in parenthesis = Number of minutes you want player to play at that position. Total minutes at each position should equal 48.

- There is currently no deadline for submission, but that will changed based on the number of submissions we get. This is open to both Nets and non-Nets board members(!)

[Jersey Generals]

I'm in, but I don't think it's possible. The MVP winner basically destroys the chance, barring getting lucky that Kawhi didn't make the All NBA teams this year, granting you an additional top 10 player on the team chance.

[Prokorov]

i dont think you can. best you can do is a core of kahwi/cousins/wall that doesnt get it done

[Jersey Generals]

The strengths of the 96 Bulls: lock down defense at the 2, 3 and 4 and great overall team defense; great offensive team play with a dominate low post scorer in MJ; a versatile bench.


PG: Darren Collison (30) / Patrick Beverly(16) / Derrick Rose (2)
SG: Klay Thompson (30) / Lou Williams (14) / Derek Rose (4)
SF: Kawhi Leonard (30) / Luc Mbah A Moute (18)
PF: Draymond Green (30) / Larry Nance jr (10)
C: Kristaps Porzingis (30) / DeMarcus Cousins (18) / Javale McGee (0)

Using this as my work space, will edit with my final team as I work.

[MrDollarBills]

this is an interesting challenge. the fact that you can't pick an MVP player and can only have 1 All NBA player on the roster kind of makes this an impossible task though. The 1996 Bulls had three hall of fame level players on their roster at the 2, 3, and 4 and were #1 in both offense and defense.

this is literally a fool's errand unless you expand the criteria. look at the advanced metrics of the 1996 bulls. their output was done prior to the NBA neutering defense and physical play. in all seriousness you aren't beating that team without Lebron James and Kevin Durant being on the same team. hell you may need to expand the criteria to give people access to prime Kobe who was god tier level.

There's a reason why people born before the late 90s and 00s look at people who say they would take Lebron over Jordan like they're crazy.

[Jersey Generals]

Now you can't use Kawhi? lol It's impossible. Kawhi is the cheapest option, so you won't be able to fit enough talent under the salary ceiling.

[MrDollarBills]

The strengths of the 96 Bulls: lock down defense at the 2, 3 and 4 and great overall team defense; great offensive team play with a dominate low post scorer in MJ; a versatile bench.


PG: Darren Collison (30) / Lou Williams (12) / Derrick Rose (6)
SG: Klay Thompson (30) / Lou Williams (14) / Marco Belinelli (4)
SF: Kawhi Leonard (30) / Luc Mbah A Moute (18) / (0)
PF: Draymond Green (30) / Luc Mbah a Moute (10) / David West (0)
C: Rudy Gobert (30) / Javale McGee (18) / (0)

Using this as my work space, will edit with my final team as I work.

You have to drop the no rookie scale player thing, because it can't be done. I'm at 98 million right there with eleven players, two of which have good deals in Collison and Williams. The money the roleplayers get is just too much. I can add Jeremy Lamb in for Klay, who makes 7 million a year and had a higher PER, but that leaves a huge hole in regards to talent.

Bulls had Ron Harper at PG, who was an solid defender as well.

[Karate Diop]

Now you can't use Kawhi? lol It's impossible. Kawhi is the cheapest option, so you won't be able to fit enough talent under the salary ceiling.

I'm working on tweaking things ... Sit tight!

[Karate Diop]

Okay, I think I "finalized" the rules for this challenge.

I'll allow the use of Kawhi, and up to two players on rookie contracts who are not from the 2017 Draft Class (I'm waiting for an update which will give more accurate simmed stats for the 2017 Draft Class)...

[Jersey Generals]

I'll redo it tonight, but you sob, the only real rookie guy I wanted was in the 2017 draft.


Maybe I'll use Kristaps as center, which will save me some 14 million dollars or so, with Cousins as his backup. If I drop Collison, as well, I can up my pricetag for the starting PG spot. But still, I don't see this being successful. There's just too much money in today's game to compete. That Bulls team as just too legit.

[Jersey Generals]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KGSIyjOL18BAKK1CL79WwzGV83C9CpEm/view?usp=sharing

Here is my team:

PG: Darren Collison (30) / Patrick Beverly(16) / Derrick Rose (2)
SG: Klay Thompson (30) / Lou Williams (14) / Derrick Rose (4)
SF: Kawhi Leonard (30) / Luc Mbah A Moute (18)
PF: Draymond Green (30) / Larry Nance jr (10) / Kristaps Porzingis (8)
C: Kristaps Porzingis (24) / DeMarcus Cousins (24) / Javale McGee (0)

Why this team? You are going to have a hard time beating the 2 and 3 spots, so you just have to get the cheapest, best options there, which I feel that I did. With Draymond Green, I feel that you have a good chance of beating Rodman offensively, allowing Collison and Porzingis to add scoring. Basically, the players make too much, so Porzingis and Collison may not be the best options, they are the most valuable options.

In all honesty, this team needs Steph Curry, but there is literally no way to fit him in. Players make too much money these days. Is it the best team that you can field? No, but I think it's the best chance of beating the Bulls.

[Karate Diop]

Since I didn't specify did you use 2017-2018 or 2018-2019 salaries?

I'm going to sim the first game for your and my team (working on it right now) at work tomorrow. I'll post the boxscore ro try and generate more interest...

[Jersey Generals]

I used the 2018-2019 salaries since it allowed me to use Cousins.

[Karate Diop]

Pf minutes don't add to 48!

[Karate Diop]

Despite holding Michel Jordan to a subpar 29.6% from the field Game 1 saw Jersey Generals get absolutely demolished on the boards with the Bulls pulling down 21 offensive rebounds and holdings a +17 overall advantage. Ultimately all those second chance points added up and allowed the Chicago Bulls to come away with the win.

[Karate Diop]

Largely correcting their rebounding woes from Game 1, Jersey Generals countered a vintage Jordan scoring outburst with a three-point explosion which allowed them to come from behind and take control of the game in the 4th.

[Karate Diop]

*Rest of the games will be simmed later.

I'm noticing a few minor boxscore issues in the FG/3PT/FT made and attempt columns... If I pick up on them beforehand I've been manually keying the correct numbers into the excel template where the boxscore is formatted, but rest assured the final scores of the games are not being affected by this.

If you notice anything else that is off let me know... I also have to key in the Q1-Q4 scores manually so chances are I'll forget to do those at some point.

[Jersey Generals]

Basically as I anticipated. Not enough iso scoring and the point is a bad weakness. Good to see my Porzingis idea might pay off, though. I still have it! (even though I haven't worked in a basketball job in 7 **** years )

[Karate Diop]

Basically as I anticipated. Not enough iso scoring and the point is a bad weakness. Good to see my Porzingis idea might pay off, though. I still have it! (even though I haven't worked in a basketball job in 7 **** years )

A crushing defeat in Jersey General's first home game. Rebounding issues and vintage Jordan again spelled doom for the team.

*The top on this one is wrong, Jersey Generals is the home team. Bulls lead the series 3-1.



Buoyed by repeated trips to the line (+14) and strong bench play (41 pts total) Jersey Generals evens the series at 2-2.

[Karate Diop]

An overwhelming first quarter was the difference in this one as Jersey Generals went up 19 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.



Jordan put the KLAMPS on Klay and Draymond continues to struggle... Bulls even the series at 3-3.