Team building game 2013. Now with coaches and a prize that isnt worth your time.

[Kblaze8855]

Ive done this...5-6 times. Most recently in 2011. Always nice to see what ISH comes up with. Some of you have built 4-5 teams each time. Some dont give a damn...both are fine by me.


Changes....


You must make a 12 man roster with a head coach. So you have 13 selections to make. You could take all players tll group 6 and end up with a garbage coach who ruins everything. Or you could start with group 2 and get an all time great coach more likely to bring it together.Up to you....but hopefully this time we get a lot of diversity.You cant get say...Jordan with Phil though because starting with the top level drops you straight...to level 4.

Im making it harder to use the elites each tme just to be a dick.

Id like to stress.....not everyone is ranked by who I think is best...but mostly by who I think ISH would want. For example....I do not thik Reggie is as good as a #2. But some do...so I want to make him hard for them to get.Adrian Dantley didnt do much for me...some of you numbers addicts cant get over 30ppg on 55% shooting. Want him...use a #2 to get him.

Start with a group one you get:

1 from group 1
3 from group 4
4 from group 5
3 from group 6
2 from group 7


Start with group two you get

2 from group 2
1 from group 3
3 from group 4
3 from group 5
2 fom goup 6
2 from group 7

So say you get MJ...jump to 4...you could add Hubie Brown as coach, Iggy to be his Pippen, and Larry Nance. Or get 3 players and move to #5 to find a coach. But before its done...you must use a pick on a coach.


Who has the balls to still take a group one player?


And yes...I know someone is probably listed in two groups after many edits.....I do not give a damn.

Winner(as judged by me) gets an amazon gift card of a to be determined value by email. Might be 10....might be 20. Who knows.





Group 1.


No coach is worth a player on this level so they are not an option at #1


Jordan 87-93
Shaq 94-02
David Robinson(90-96)
Lebron(07-13)
Dirk(06-now)
Oscar robertson(peak)
Karl Malone(whatever you consider his prime)
Bill Walton(Healthy...76-78 form)
Moses Malone(79-83)
Kobe(03-10)
Elgin Baylor pre injury
Doctor J ABA-1981
Kg(prime)
Wilt 76ers
Charles barkley pirme
Russell 60-66
Bird 83-88
Magic 82-90
Kareem 70-80
Hakeem 88-95
Duncan prime
Jerry West prime
Wade 06-2012 healthy

Hard to rank a few of them as tier one...but I know some of you would rank them there.





2.

Coaches:

Red Auerbach
Greg Popovich
Phil Jackson
Pat Riley


Players


Ewing(89-94)
Pippen
Durant(now)
Mcgrady(orlando)
Kidd
Isiah Thomas(prime)
Stockton
Gervin
Rick barry
Kemp
Bernard King(prime...healthy)
Dave cowens
Carmelo
Bob Pettit
Artis gilmore
Alex english
Derrick Rose 11 and 12 healthy
Vince Carter(00-02)
Iverson(2000-2007)
Pierce(prime)
Nash(05-08 mvp..not really argued as the best)
Nate thurmond
Nique
Jerry Lucas
Drexler
Zo
Mchale
Dwight Howard
Adrian Dantley
Tim Hardaway
Grant Hill(95-2000)
Willis Reed
Elvin Hayes
Pau Gasol
Moncrief prime
Kevin Johnson
James worthy prime
Westbrook now
Tony Parker now
Brad Daugherty
Chris Paul
Pistol Pete
Ray Allen
Reggie Miller 90-2000
Bob Mcadoo
Yao Ming
Walt Frazier
Chris Mullin
Penny(94-98)
Wes unseld
Mark Price
Cousy
Connie Hawkins ABA/suns
Deron Williams
Payton
Webber
Parish


3.

Coaches:

Doc Rivers
Jerry Sloan
Don Nelson
Larry Brown
chuck Daly
Rick Carslile
Alex hannum
Lenny wilkins


Players


Brand Clippers
Blake(now)
Aldridge(now)
Boozer Jazz
Arenas(05-09)
Gus Williams
Jerry Stackhouse(2000-2003)
Terry Porter
Earl Monroe
Lenny Wilkens prime Hawks
Derrick Coleman Nets
Manu 05-2010
Chris Bosh 05-2010
Ralph Sampson pre injury Rockets
Dennis Johnson prime
Bob Lanier pistons
Marbury(Nets/suns)
Rondo 09-pre injury
Baron Davis(prime)
Mutombo Nuggets to Philly
Brandon Roy(healthy)
Jamal Mashburn prime
Rasheed(prime)
Vin Baker Bucks
Maurice Lucas prme
James Harden Now
Kyrie now
Sam Jones
Mcdyess(Nuggets)
Larry Johnson(Hornets)
Mark Aguirre Mavs
Dennis Rodman(91-96)
Finley Mavs pre 04
Cassell Nets/Bucks/Minnesota
Joe Johnson Hawks
Mark jackson Knicks/Clippers/Nuggets/Pacers
Mitch Richmond Kings
Dumars pre Hill
Glenn Robinson
Derek harper Mavs
Kevin Love 10-12 healthy
Tom chambers(suns before 92)
Sprewell Warriors and Knicks
Terry Cummings Bucks
Kevin Willis Hawks
David thompson Nuggets pre injury
Ben Wallace(first pistons run)
Jermaine Oneal(prime)
Glen Rice(Charlotte)
Marion(prime)
Al Jefferson
Zach Randolph(now)
Chauncey Billups(03-09)




4.


Coaches:

George Karl
Rick Adleman
Bill sharman
Mike Dantoni
Stan Vangundy
Avery Johnson
Tom Thibodeau
Billy cunningham
Mike Fratello
Hubie Brown
Rudy T
Jeff Van Gundy
Larry Bird
Scott brooks
Spo
Doug Collins



Players

Rudy Gay
Shawn elliot
Odom
Jrue Holiday
Rip Hamilton
Deng
Andre Iguodala
Jalen Rose(Pacers)
Michael Adams(Bullets/Nuggets)
Richard Jefferson
Cedric Ceballos
Vanexel
Calvin Murphy
Mo Cheeks
Brandon Roy healthy prime
Antione walker(prime)
Larry Nance
Antawn Jamison(warriors to Wizards)
Jeff Hornacek
Artest(pacers)
Dale Ellis Sonics
Kenny Anderson(nets)
Josh Smith
Danny Granger
Bynum healthy 2010-2012
Anthony Mason
Detlef
AK47(prime)
Alan Houston
Antawn Jamison
Danny Manning Clippers
Kukoc
Drazen Petrovic
Buck williams
Stephen Jackson prime
Bibby(kings)
Devin Harris(Nets)
Peja(kings)
John Starks
Andrew Toney
Stephon Curry now
Caron Butler(wizards)
Rod Strickland
Jason Richardson(Peak...warriors)
Rik smits
Norm Nixon
Tyson Chandler Mavs
Steve Francis
Shareef Abdur Rahim
Steve Smith
Juwan Howard
Bobby Jones(Nuggets/pre Moses 76ers)
David West
Marcus Camby(prime
Eddie Jones
Gerald wallace(Bobcats)
Vlade(prime)
Seikaly
Bogut
Brook Lopez
Paul George
Marc Gasol
Big Z
Joakim Noah
Jeff Ruland
al Horford
Dan Majerle
Jim Jackson(mavs)



5.

Coaches

Byon Scott
Lawrence Frank
Mike Brown
Mike dunleavy
Scott skiles
Nate Mcmillian
Eddie Jordan
Isiah Thomas
Del harris
Mike Woodson
Flip Saunders




PJ Brown(peak)
Doug Cristie
Hedo(first run with the Magic)
Beasley
Barbosa(suns)
Nate McMillan(sonics pre GP)
john Salmons(Bulls/bucks)
Mo williams(bucks/cavs)
Laphonso Ellis
Thurl bailey
Jason Terry(Mavs)
Paul Millsap
Ricky Pierce
Keith Vanhorn(nets)
Theo Ratliff
Kendall Gill(hornets/nets)
OJ Mayo Now
Darrell Armstrong
Raja Bell(Suns)
Horace grant
Jameer Nelson
Michael Redd
Bob Dandridge
Nene
Okur prime on Jazz
Mark Eaton
Dennis Scott
brian Grant(Blazers)
Emeka
Nick Anderson
Tyson Chandler(hornets to now)
Andre Miller(peak))
Isiah Rider Minnesota
Jamal Crawford
Horry(peak)
Larry Hughes(wizards/Cavs)
Richard Jefferson nets
Mookie blaylock
Cedric Maxwell
Raymond Felton
JR Smith



6

coaches

Vinny Delnegro
PJ carlesimo
Sam Mitchell
Frank Vogel
Terry Porter
Bickerstaff




Players

Bobby Jackson
Korver
Dell Curry
Delonte West
Lindsey Hunter
Kirk Hinrich
Taj Gibson
Channing Frye
Ricky Davis(Cavs and Celtics)
Gortat
Rick Fox
K.Perkins
Aaron Mckie
Jason Willaims(Kings/Memphis)
Cuttino Mobley
Ruben Patterson
Michael cooper
Bruce Bowen
Nate robinson
Steve Blake
Ibaka
Thabo
Diaw(Suns)
Calderon
Carl Landry
Chuck Hayes
Rafer alston
Derrick Fisher
Avery Johnson
Brad Miller Pacers/Kings
James Posey
Al harrington
Mario elie
Tayshaun Prince
Muggsy
Brent Barry
Desmond Mason
Anderson Varejao
Shane Battier
Drew Gooden(Magic/cavs)
Tim Thomas
tony Allen
Aaron Affalo
Chris dudley
Tree rollins
clarence Weatherspoon
Eric snow
Wali Jones
Ben Gordon
Asik
Tyrone Hill
George Lynch
Derek Anderson
Vernon Maxwell rockets
Mcgee


7.

coaches:


Charles Barkley
Kblaze8855
Skip Bayless
Gobb
Jay Leno

Players

Tyrus thomas
Hakim Warrick
Boobie Gibson
Jeff McInnis
Stromile swift
Darko
Smush Parker
chris childs
Mateen Cleaves
Tim Legler
Damon Jones
Tyron Lue(00-02)
Robin Lopez
Eddie House
Earl Watson
Craig Smith
Alvn Williams
Chucky Atkins
Mikki Moore
Larry Sanders
charlie ward
Ramon Sessions
Shawn Bradley
Kurt Rambis
Travis best
vonteego Cummings
Kwame Brown
Jason Kapono
Luke Walton(current)
Sean May(bocats)
Sun Yue
Manute Bol
Steve Novak
Danny Ferry
Mike James
Leon Powe
Anthony Parker
Ike Austin
Mo Pete
George Muresan
Keith Closs
Keon clark
Earl clark





Lets see how bored you are.

[Kblaze8855]

Sample team...not my final team which ill be bored enough tomorrow at work to make....

Starting with #2...

(2)Pop as coach
(2)Ewing as player
(3)Rondo
(4)Dale Ellis
(4)AK47
(4)Alan Houston
(5)Christie
(5)Darrell Armstrong
(5)Mark Eaton
(6)Dell Curry
(6)Battier
(7)Anthony Parker
(7)Chris Childs

Not as talented as it could be but with Pop coaching...its contending

Rondo/Darrell/Curry/Childs
Dale Ellis/Houston
Christie/Battier
Ak47/Battier
Ewing/Eaton

Not really a team id put against the star lineups sure to come but id like to see Pop run small ball with that lineup.

[chazzy]

Gonna make one later.. when are you picking a winner?

[Kblaze8855]

Um.....day the real playoffs start. Bit of a break after the season ends. I expect to be bored enough to read the topic start to finish and judge it fairly.

[ThaRegul8r]

I like team building exercises though I have a different philosophy on team building than most, so I'll most likely participate after I go through the available picks.

And I'm still going to build a team around at least one group 1 player anyway. During the last one that took place during the lockout, you said, "I doubt Magic, Bird, or Duncan even get taken. The only level 1s I see getting picked are Jordan, Hakeem, and Shaq," and I picked someone other than those three just to be original and because no one else would do it. Doing the same thing everyone else would do is boring. I'll have to see what the options are this time and think about it when I have time.

[Kblaze8855]

This tme ill say Doctor J is the not getting picked guy. And I had Drk is both 1 and 2 and couldnt decide....so I left him in #1 to make his fans make a tough call.

[Kblaze8855]

Durant is also hard. He doesnt feel like a tier 1...but hes so tempting as a #2. Durant and Phil Jackson to start? Or Durant and Ewing?

I might have to bump him up.......

[ThaRegul8r]

This tme ill say Doctor J is the not getting picked guy.

I agree, as no one's going to start with him over Jordan, Shaq, LeBron, etc.

I also had a question. One of my projects actually involves team building, and for some I have draft lists of players for roles I want to fill. Would it be possible to select players that are unlisted, but getting the ruling from you which group they would qualify for IYO, or is it just "these are your options, these are your choices?" I don't imagine anyone else would have any unlisted players in mind anyway, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask, as the worst you could say is no.

[Kblaze8855]

suggest a player ill gve him a spot I feel is fair.

[NumberSix]

Bulls should amnesty rose

[ripthekik]

2
Durant
Chris Paul

3
Doc Rivers

4
David West
Luo Deng
Rip Hamilton

5
Milsap
Tyson Chandler
Mo Williams

6
Bruce Bowen
Bobby Jackson

7
Earl Clark
Mike James

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Coach: Larry Bird (4)

Steph Curry (4)/ Kirk Hinrich (6)
Doug Christie (5)/ Michael Cooper (6)
LeBron James (1)/ Hedo Turkoglu (5)/ Shane Battier (6)
Horace Grant (5)/ Earl Clark (7)
Marc Gasol (4)/ Larry Sanders (7)/ Tyson Chandler (5)

Earl Clark wouldn't play too much. Battier/LeBron/Turkoglu would play the 4 at times.

Just did one quickly. Might do another one later.

[daily]

I'm going to go with plan A.

1 from group 1
3 from group 4
4 from group 5
3 from group 6
2 from group 7



Coach: Jeff Van Gundy (4)


Shaq (1) Tyson Chandler, (Mavs (4))
Horace Grant (5) Kurt Rambis (7)

Tayshaun Prince (6) Shane Battier(6)
Horry (5) Hedo (5)

Korver (6) Michael Cooper(6) Eddie House (7)
Steve Francis (4) Andre miller (5)

[(e)]

Group 2: Patrick Ewing, Kevin Durant
Group 3: Kyrie Irving
Group 4: Tom Thibodeau, Paul George, Joakim Noah
Group 5: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Richard Jefferson
Group 6: Ibaka, Kirk Hinrich
Group 7: Larry Sanders, Novak

Coach: Thibs
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Paul George
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Joakim Noah
C: Patrick Ewing

Bench
G: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Kirk Hinrich
F/C: Richard Jefferson, Steve Novak, Ibaka, Larry Sanders

[ThaRegul8r]

suggest a player ill gve him a spot I feel is fair.

I didn't wish to give anyone else any ideas or potentially tip my hand, but as your inbox is full, I can't ask privately.

Gus Williams
Nate McMillan (as a player)
Andrew Toney
Ricky Pierce
Cedric Maxwell
Carl Landry
Craig Smith
Leon Powe
Bobby Jones
Charles Oakley
Jeff Ruland
Thurl Bailey
Bob Dandridge

To name a few off the top of my head who weren't in the last one.

[Kblaze8855]

added

[qrich]

Group 2:
Gregg Popovich
Alonzo Mourning

Group 3:
Elton Brand - Clippers

Group 4:
Jrue Holiday
Eddie Jones
Andre Iguodala

Group 5:
Andre Miller
Jamal Crawford
Theo Ratliff

Group 6:
Thabo Sefelosha
Serge Ibaka

Group 7:
Maurice Peterson
Steve Novak
Craig Smith

Depth Chart:

CE: Alonzo Mourning | Theo Ratliff
PF: Elton Brand | Serge Ibaka | Craig Smith
SF: Andre Iguodala | Thabo Sefelosha | Steve Novak
SG: Eddie Jones | Jamal Crawford | Mo Peterson
PG: Jrue Holiday | Andre Miller

I just love the defense of this team with essentially the entire starting unit. Brand is good for 20 or so a night on 50% shooting. Bench has a nice combination of defense and offense as Ratliff and Ibaka are good shot blockers and Thabo may be the pest perimeter defender in the association. Crawford and Rhino provide the offense while Andre is a savvy vet.

Pop could probably tailor Holiday to play like Parker as well

[troyceps33]

Going with Option B

Group 2:
Chris Paul
Shawn Kemp

Group 3:
Jerry Sloan

Group 4:
Vlade Divac
Toni Kukoc
Paul George

Group 5:
Tyson Chandler
Hedo Turkgolu
Andre Miller

Group 6:
Serge Ibaka
Tony Allen

Group 7:
Ramon Sessions
Earl Clark


Jerry Sloan

Divac/Chandler
Kemp/Ibaka
Kukoc/Turkgolu/Clark
George/Allen
Paul/Miller/Sessions

[Rizko]

pg - Hinrich(6)/Terry(5)
sg - Roy(4)/Cooper(6)/Korver(6)
sf - Detlef(4)/Dandridge(5)/korver(6)/Novak(7)
pf - Horace(5)/Horry(5)/Novak(7)
c - Hakeem(1)/Bradley(7)

Coach: Adleman(4)

IDK if it's the best team, but I like it.

I think this is the first team made with option 1 picks and I kinda just chose Hakeem and went from there. I've always thought that the skill set Hakeem brought would allow him to be just as effective today as he would have been in early times (I don't think players were worse, it's just that the current rules discourage post play and conversely encourage dribble drive play to such a degree that it almost makes it not worth it to start a team with a center and to just get a Tyson Chandler type later IMO).

I know this team doesn't have as many defensive stopper types that most teams of these nature have, but I also think mine would have a better balance overall on offense and defense that a lot of those teams tend to lack. I've noticed a tendency to overrate defense in these drafts and pick a lot of stopper types under (what I presume) the assumption that the offense will take care of itself. I think having a good flowing halfcourt offense helps on the defensive side too. It limits fast break opportunities for the opposition and allows you to establish your halfcourt d.

I've always thought highly of Adleman and think he might have been undervalued in where he was placed. He generally seems to have his teams overachieve and I think he would do well with this team.

I've also think that Hinrich was a good pg to match with a more ball dominate shooting guard (Roy was pretty ball dominate and worked better with Steve Blake as opposed to Andre Miller)

I think Dandridge is a sleeper pick and I almost want to start him over Detlef (Detlef's shooting range is what tilts it his way). I know it cause no one knows about him (I really don't either), but from what I gather he was a good player, maybe like a Loul Deng level perhaps (who was a tier above him)?

I know it's kinda redundant (and prevented me from getting a better back for Hakeem, but hes gonna play like 40+ mins anyway so whatever) I like the idea of having both novak and korver. I think that in limited minutes having two guys on the floor that can drain threes like layups could give teams fits (especially if teamed up with Detlef). A Hakeem-Novak-Detlef-korver-Roy lineup would be hard to defend in spurts, plus Hakeem's are defensive impact is good enough to mitigate the defensive issues that lineup might cause.

[InspiredLebowski]

Stop hating on Reggie! I'll put one together tomorrow sometime.

[32MJ32]

I love these threads. It makes logging on here almost worthwhile. I did two teams, using each method, and didn't use any of the same players twice:

Team 1:
Shaq 1
David West 4
Steph Curry 4
Eddie Jones 4
Byron Scott 5
Kendall Gill 5
JR Smith 5
Horace Grant 5
Brad Miller 6
Bruce Bowen 6
Jason Williams 6
Larry Sanders 7
Ramon Sessions 7

The idea behind this team was to surround Shaq with as much shooting as possible and give him room to destroy his man in single coverage. I was very happy to find Byron Scott a.k.a. The Point Guard Whisperer in Tier 5 as he is just the man to give Steph Curry the right balance of freedom and direction to run the show:

PG Curry/Jason Williams/Sessions
SG Eddie Jones/JR Smith/Bowen
SF Kendall Gill/JR Smith/Bowen
PF David West/Brad Miller/Horace Grant/Sanders
C Shaq/Brad Miller/Sanders

Offensively, there's no one you can leave on the perimeter, with Curry, Eddie and Gill all being threats from long range. David West plays his award winning role as "David West" and works the high post, shooting open 15 footers. If Gill is having one of his brick-laying games, JR Smith is ready and waiting. Jason Williams, while a decent 3 point shooter, is moreso included as a reliable backup who can find all these shooters and push the break. Brad Miller I envisage playing at least 10 minutes per game with Shaq because of his excellent passing from the high post.

Defensively, two of the best ballhawks of all time are at the 2 and 3 - Bowen is around if someone needs to wrestled for a half or kicked in the mouth (he can also pot his trademark corner 3's). Shaq patrols the paint. West, Horace and Sanders are all very good defenders - they can play in Miller's place if the matchup requires it. Sanders in round 7 is a steal.

Sessions included as the backup's backup incase Steph's plasticine ankle gives way. Byron had him playing some good ball in Cleveland in 2011

Team 2:
GP 2
Chris Webber 2
Ben Wallace 3
George Karl 4
Jalen Rose 4
Drazen Petrovic 4
Tyson Chandler 5
Jason Terry 5
Mookie Blaylock 5
Tony Allen 6
Anderson Varejao 6
Robin Lopez 7
Damon Jones 7

No real theme but a bunch of dudes who I could see George Karl getting a ton out of. He's reunited with GP, who is the best two-way point guard I have ever seen. I've intentionally paired him with Webber, who's career was arguably disappointing despite career averages of 21-10, because I think GP is just the man to push him and keep him focused. Rose, his childhood buddy, is on the roster for this reason, too.

PG GP/Mookie/Damon Jones
SG Petrovic/Jason Terry
SF Jalen Rose/Tony Allen
PF Webber/Varejao/Lopez
C Wallace/Chandler/Lopez

Offensively, I see it working similarly to how it did with the 96 Sonics, with GP using his size and skill to bully other point guards. Petrovic, one of the greatest shooters of all time, and Rose (career .355), are the floor spacers. Webber is the focal point inside, working the high and low blocks as a richman's Kemp or Baker on Karl's old Sonics & Bucks teams. Wallace is richman's Kenneth Faried, who Karl has coached into a monster, and Chandler does the same things: rolls hard, dunks lobs. Benchwise, it's a guard's show with Mookie and Terry carrying the load - I'm not thrilled about the bench scoring on this team so I figure the starter's would have to be staggered, to ensure enough firepower was kept on the floor. Varejao, I feel, is underrated as an offensive player, and he could be handy working the P&R with Terry

Defensively, this is a tough group. It's 48 minutes of hell for the opposing PG with GP and Mookie. Wallace, Chandler and Varejao is about the most energetic, tough and mean big man combo I can think of. Rose played for some great Pacer defenses and held his own. There are question marks on Webber, but he has Wallace and Chandler to lean on, and Petro and Terry, which is why Tony Allen is on the team. If someone starts going off, Tony goes in.

Damon Jones and Robin Lopez are both solid players and amusing bench cheerleaders.

[I<3NBA]

1 from group 1: MJ

3 from group 4: Larry Bird
Marc Gasol
Iguodala

4 from group 5: Blaylock
Horry
Doug Christie
Andre Miller

3 from group 6: Asik
Bruce Bowen
Shane Battier

2 from group 7: Steve Novak
Eddie House

Coach: Larry Bird
Starters:
PG Andre Miller
SG MJ
SF Iguodala
PF Shane Battier
C Marc Gasol
Bench: Blaylock, Horry, Christie, Steve Novak, Eddie House, Asik

Larry Bird as a coach is good enough to reach the NBA finals, losing to the MJ-led Bulls. the rest of the roster is composed of players that would complement MJ. hard nosed defenders that can pass and shoot plus shooters like Steve Novak, Eddie House, and Big Shot Rob. a rotation of Marc Gasol and Asik at center is something MJ never had. granted Rodman is better than both. and while Pippen may be irreplaceable, Bowen, Battier, and Christie aren't too shabby themselves. Running the point is Andre Miller and Blaylock.

this team is a defensive powerhouse (the entire roster is a defensive beast) with great passers and shooters, modelled like the positionless team Miami is. aside from Asik and Gasol, most everybody can switch defensive positions with ease.

you telling me MJ won't steamroll any team with this roster? hell, he can even beat any of 3 peat Bulls team even if he went against a version of himself in those teams.

having MJ alone should be enough. but having this team that would destroy defensively and give you matchup nightmares and deadly shooters? lololol.

[Kovach]

John Stockton (2)/ Bobby Jackson(6)/ Chucky Atkins (7)
Dale Ellis (3)/ Michael Cooper (6)/ Bobby Jackson (6)
James Worthy (2)/ Ricky Pierce (5)/ Michael Cooper (6)
Larry Nance (4)/ Horace Grant (5)/ Kurt Rambis (7)
Vlade Divac (4)/ Mark Eaton (5)

Coach: Lenny Wilkins

I love this team. I have James Worthy and Larry Nance to wreak havoc in the post, Dale Ellis and Vlade Divac to open up space and Stockton to orchestrate it all. The best 6th guy of the 80's to provide offensive boost off the bench if needed and some pretty decent defenders and clutch players too. Not to mention a very good coach.

P.S. Kblaze, you forgot Fat Lever, Walter Davis, Orlando Woolridge, Purvis Short, and Paul Westhead as a group 7 coach ;)

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Group 2: Patrick Ewing, Kevin Durant
Group 3: Kyrie Irving
Group 4: Tom Thibodeau, Paul George, Joakim Noah
Group 5: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Richard Jefferson
Group 6: Ibaka, Kirk Hinrich
Group 7: Larry Sanders, Novak

Coach: Thibs
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Paul George
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Joakim Noah
C: Patrick Ewing

Bench
G: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Kirk Hinrich
F/C: Richard Jefferson, Steve Novak, Ibaka, Larry Sanders


I like this team. I was gonna do my second team built around Durant/Ewing as well.

[Aussie Outcast]

Thibs as Coach

Ewing / Nene / Rambis
Larry Nance / Ibaka
Durant / Hedo
Brandon Roy / Jamal Crawford
Steph Curry / Kirk Hinrich / Alvin Williams

Long, Athletic and Versatile Players everywhere.

Can play either slow or fast with this group with a great mix of shooting, passing, size as well as having great rim defenders and a couple of lock down defenders on the perimeter coming off the bench.

Thibs gets alot out of his players and teachers them to play tough as well as together.

[Beatlezz]

(2) Phil Jackson
(2) Kevin Durant

(3) Dennis Rodman

(4) Andrew Bynum
(4) Andre Iguodala
(4) Peja Stojakovic

(5) Andre Miller
(5) Michael Redd
(5) Tyson Chandler

(6) Jason Williams
(6) Aaron Affalo

(7) Larry Sanders
(7) Eddie House

___________________________________________

Head Coach: Phil Jackson

PG: Andre Miller, Jason Williams, Eddie House

SG: Andre Iguodala, Michael Redd, Aaron Afflalo

SF: Kevin Durant, Peja Stojakovic

PF: Dennis Rodman, Larry Sanders

C: Andrew Bynum, Tyson Chandler

[iamgine]

Coach: Rick Adelman (4)

Starters:

Scottie Pippen (2)
Brandon Roy (4)
Kevin Durant (2)
Larry Nance (4)
Dikembe Mutombo (3)

Bench:

Andre Miller (5)
Dell Curry (6)
Michael Cooper (6)
Horace grant (5)
Tyson Chandler (5)

Ramon Sessions (7)
Shawn Bradley (7)

[blacknapalm]

lol @ the jay leno entry. i know you testing us :oldlol:

i went 2nd round first.

gimme:
1) pippen
2) penny

not worried that either these two could be 1st option. i think supporting cast can handle it.

down to:
3) harden (notice all guys can break em down off the dribble and my top two guys are solid perimeter defenders)

4) coach: JVG. need someone to check these guys and i always thought he was underrated

5) m. gasol. imagine this guy in the high post with his passing ability. you could run so many high screens off pippen/penny and this guy would be able to slow down the game w/ a legit post game. pippen/penny/harden could easily handle transition. shit, harden is excellent/elite in transition game this year wanna. throw in pippen and penny? mind you penny could run a halfcourt.

6) paul george. threw in another great defender but he has range. can stretch the court, rebound and pass. super mini lebron but i felt he was a steal at this point.

7) millsap. ultimate team player. great transition for his size. monster rebounder. what every team needs. he'll kick it out and re-run the offense. not even worried about rebounds when i have eaton coming up. all my guards are good offensive reboundrs. i'll throw in eaton just to troll.

8) mark eaton. pretty sure he'll gobble up blocks or take charges.

9) horry. in case my team hasn't beaten you into oblivion, horry will be here to stab you.

10) asik. just another guy to block shots and take charges, not back down. he'll grab plenty of o-reb's to go along the way. oh shit, you have trouble gaining rebounds when we're on offense? lulz.

11) rambis. transition monster. didn't back down. this a really pass first team on offense aside from our defensive rotations. this guy would finish and lay the wood on the opposing end.

good luck. ya, i might not have a traditional center to start, but i have some major fill ins and guys who are ready to run.

[Jasi]

Ok here's my first one.

Option B

2 Durant
2 Reed
3 Manu
4 Thibs
4 Roy
4 AK47
5 Andre Miller
5 Terry
5 Millsap
6 Kendrick
6 Tayshaun
7 Rambis
7 Boobie

I think Dre is a steal in group 5.

Coach: Thibodeau

PG: Andre Miller / JET
SG: Roy / Manu / Boobie
SF: Durant / Tayshaun
PF: AK47 / Millsap / Rambis
C: Reed / Perkins


There's everything there.

[Figlo]

Coach: Byron Scott

Mo Williams/Boobie Gibson
Jordan/terry
Peja/Prince/Novak
J. Smith/Harrington
Vlade/Chandler/C. Hayes

I got athleticism, defense, shooters and versatility. And of course Jordan my team wins thus far

[dunksby]

4)Tom Thibodeau
1)Kareem
4)Jrue Holiday
4)AK47
5)Mookie blaylock
5)Andre Miller
5)Nene
5)Michael Redd
6)Prince
6)Battier
6)Anderson Varejao
7)Anthony Parker
7)Ramon Sessions

Thibodeau
PG: Jrue Holiday/Andre Miller
SG: Mookie Blaylock/Anthony Parker
C: Kareem Abdul Jabbar/Anderson Varejao
PF: Andrei Kirilenko/Nene
SF: Michael Redd (Prime right?)/Prince

ETA: Forgot to include my line up

[Kblaze8855]

Group 2: Patrick Ewing, Kevin Durant
Group 3: Kyrie Irving
Group 4: Tom Thibodeau, Paul George, Joakim Noah
Group 5: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Richard Jefferson
Group 6: Ibaka, Kirk Hinrich
Group 7: Larry Sanders, Novak

Coach: Thibs
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Paul George
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Joakim Noah
C: Patrick Ewing

Bench
G: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Kirk Hinrich
F/C: Richard Jefferson, Steve Novak, Ibaka, Larry Sanders


Tell you what...if we looked at this as a keeperl eague...where they got to grow and gel...that team wins 2-3 rings even with this insane competition. Kyrie/KD/peak 29ppg Ewing with a 6'8'' do it all all star George who is like....24? Noah the "Insult the other teams fanbase and shut down pick and rolls" guy....Kirk off the bench throwing a blanket on guards....OJ and JR the best combo of off the bench scorers you could get....Jefferson in Nets form who would be an insane 9th man....with 2 shot blockers in low enough minutes to not worry about foul trouble....so they are all out on EVERY attempt in the lane? And Novak to help space the floor now and then with Durant on the other wing?

Only weakness is Kyrie possibly getting lit up vs some of these backcourts and finding the balance between Ewing and Durant when Ewing is in "Give me the ball" mode and KD defers too much. Let Ewing settle into 22-25 a game mode...KD takes over in the 4th...with Kyrie more likely to not get in his way than Westbrook with Ewing always an option and Kyrie if the play breaks down?

That team could compete with any team ever in a 7 game series.

Not my sure winner so far for a one year thing...but let Kyrie/George peak with a still prime KD and Ewing in like 92-93 form?

[Reference you dont get]Oh my god...DANGER![/You were born in the 90s]

[Orlando Magic]

Decisions, decisions... this is an excellent thread for officially weeding out and potentially identifying trolls, by the way.

Star players are the building block for any winning team. It is not that they are the only aspect to the winning team... it's just... essentially you've got the equivalent of at least 2 players put into 1 person. I also think I need to start with a coach.

Well, I think coaches are overrated because we've seen some really, really bad coaches win some titles. *Doc Rivers* and lol @ how high he is. However, there are a few coaches that are undeniably great... that being said...

All that in mind... I see some high value in the coaches listed in tier 4 in comparison to the coaches listed in the tiers above them... combine that with my star player premise and I'm going with model A... I'm going to do a B as well and see which I like better.

This thread is going to very difficult for some people to judge solely on primes and completely healthy(I mean that's what we're going on here essentially, right... might be a few exceptions but not enough to list) and not looking at how the players went out or what they are now.

1. Shaquille O'Neal

4. Stan Van Gundy (coach)
4. Ron Artest
4.

As I'm doing this... you have too many SFs in tier 4 and it's pissing me off. Ok **** that I'm going with model B exclusively... skipping down to tier 4 isn't fair. The drop off from your first player to second player is too high no matter who you pick at 1. Basically what we're looking at here and the entire thread is based upon this question... Are you taking 1 guy from tier 1 to build your team around, or are you taking 2 guys from tier 2 AND 1 guy from tier 3. 3 All-Star high quality players > 1 star player without another true star next to him. You need to adjust your picks system in order to even this thread out.

2. Scottie Pippen (the most underrated player ever)
2. Gary Payton

3. Ben Wallace

4. Tom Thibodeau (coach)
4. Andre Iguodala
4. Andrew Bynum

5. Hidayet Turkoglu
5. Darrell Armstrong
5. Theo Ratliff

6. Marcin Gortat
6. Shane Battier

7. Damon Jones
7. Jason Kapono


**** your team. You're not scoring.

[Kblaze8855]

I agree with much of that....even the overratedness of some coaches. But as I said I didnt rank by what id take....I ranked by what I felt ISH would value. Doc has already been taken by a couple people I think.

Also...Shaq and the "Master of Panic" as he called him? Trouble. And I know its unbalanced against starting with tier one...but I meant for it to be hard as hell. First time I did it guys were ending up with like...Kareem and Kobe or something like that. Next time I made it harder and on and on till now...I feel you have to really think to make a great team with a top tier player.

But people still want to try. Im gonna make it even worse next time. I was actually gonna include an owner and some side elements of value like the Suns medical staff(would have been a tier 3 option), the Lakers TV deal, or being in Miami or NY and really think about the long term likelyhood of these teams to prosper but it got too complicated and I figured it would be offputting for people who didnt want to do all that thinking.

[Jasi]

I am curious, what do you think about my selection, Kblaze?
It's a few posts above.

[Orlando Magic]

I agree with much of that....even the overratedness of some coaches. But as I said I didnt rank by what id take....I ranked by what I felt ISH would value. Doc has already been taken by a couple people I think.

Also...Shaq and the "Master of Panic" as he called him? Trouble. And I know its unbalanced against starting with tier one...but I meant for it to be hard as hell. First time I did it guys were ending up with like...Kareem and Kobe or something like that. Next time I made it harder and on and on till now...I feel you have to really think to make a great team with a top tier player.

But people still want to try. Im gonna make it even worse next time. I was actually gonna include an owner and some side elements of value like the Suns medical staff(would have been a tier 3 option), the Lakers TV deal, or being in Miami or NY and really think about the long term likelyhood of these teams to prosper but it got too complicated and I figured it would be offputting for people who didnt want to do all that thinking.

Haha @ owners and medical staffs. Awesome.

[dunksby]

Decisions, decisions... this is an excellent thread for officially weeding out and potentially identifying trolls, by the way.

Star players are the building block for any winning team. It is not that they are the only aspect to the winning team... it's just... essentially you've got the equivalent of at least 2 players put into 1 person. I also think I need to start with a coach.

Well, I think coaches are overrated because we've seen some really, really bad coaches win some titles. *Doc Rivers* and lol @ how high he is. However, there are a few coaches that are undeniably great... that being said...

All that in mind... I see some high value in the coaches listed in tier 4 in comparison to the coaches listed in the tiers above them... combine that with my star player premise and I'm going with model A... I'm going to do a B as well and see which I like better.

This thread is going to very difficult for some people to judge solely on primes and completely healthy(I mean that's what we're going on here essentially, right... might be a few exceptions but not enough to list) and not looking at how the players went out or what they are now.

1. Shaquille O'Neal

4. Stan Van Gundy (coach)
4. Ron Artest
4.

As I'm doing this... you have too many SFs in tier 4 and it's pissing me off. Ok **** that I'm going with model B exclusively... skipping down to tier 4 isn't fair. The drop off from your first player to second player is too high no matter who you pick at 1. Basically what we're looking at here and the entire thread is based upon this question... Are you taking 1 guy from tier 1 to build your team around, or are you taking 2 guys from tier 2 AND 1 guy from tier 3. 3 All-Star high quality players > 1 star player without another true star next to him. You need to adjust your picks system in order to even this thread out.

2. Scottie Pippen (the most underrated player ever)
2. Gary Payton

3. Ben Wallace

4. Tom Thibodeau (coach)
4. Andre Iguodala
4. Andrew Bynum

5. Hidayet Turkoglu
5. Darrell Armstrong
5. Theo Ratliff

6. Marcin Gortat
6. Shane Battier

7. Damon Jones
7. Jason Kapono


**** your team. You're not scoring.
My team would score at will against yours while there is no one on your team who is unguardable.


Thibodeau
PG: Jrue Holiday/Andre Miller
SG: Mookie Blaylock/Anthony Parker
C: Kareem Abdul Jabbar/Anderson Varejao
PF: Andrei Kirilenko/Nene
SF: Michael Redd/Prince

[Orlando Magic]

My team would score at will against yours while there is no one on your team who is unguardable.


Thibodeau
PG: Jrue Holiday/Andre Miller
SG: Mookie Blaylock/Anthony Parker
C: Kareem Abdul Jabbar/Anderson Varejao
PF: Andrei Kirilenko/Nene
SF: Michael Redd/Prince

You're kidding about scoring at will, right?

[Glide2keva]

Went with Option 2.

PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Latrell Sprewell
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Anthony Mason
C: Tyson Chandler

Bench

PG: Jason Terry
SG: Dell Curry
SF: Rick Fox
PF: Horace Grant
C: Robin Lopez
C: Mark Eaton
G/F: Anthony Parker

Coach Phil Jackson.

[KobesFinger]

Option 2

Coach Chuck Daly (3)

Isaiah Thomas (2) Mo Williams (5)
Paul George (4) JR Smith (5)
Kevin Durant (2) Bruce Bowen (6) Steve Novak (7)
David West (4) Taj Gibson (6)
Andrew Bynum (4) Mark Eaton (5) Tyrus Thomas (7)

[Kblaze8855]

Coach: Thibodeau

PG: Andre Miller / JET
SG: Roy / Manu / Boobie
SF: Durant / Tayshaun
PF: AK47 / Millsap / Rambis
C: Reed / Perkins


I think its a team that could do what many of these might not....play together and not have a single ego in the way. Andre Miller doesnt care. Jet will come off the bench and be happy about it. Roy/Manu might want minutes but Manu is selfless and Roy is happy with some ball handling duties even if he isnt leaned on to score. Durant is too unselfish at times but I think Andre would ride him and get him the ball. AK47 does it all. Millsap is a good spark plug...Tay is one of the better "pure" role players who should always be one of the other guys on a contender. Perkins is there to.....scowl and supposedly be a lockerroom presence. Reed im surprised to see but he was a do it all bigman who more than held his own vs some matchups he physically shouldnt have been in(vs Wilt for example). He was also a DPOY type....a leader....a post scorer...mean on the glass. Good jumper. That team could play together out of the gate and not look overmatched vs many team.

I do wonder what they do with one of these Chris Paul/Ewing kinda teams though. Ewing pulls Reed out of the lane....they have nobody who is a big body really...who holds a top tier guard in check? Put Ak/Tay on a swingman perhaps...but I think it would get in trouble late in a big game vs a truly great scorer in the backcourt and lose some of their offense having to put defensive lineups in that couldnt go back at some of these teams on the other end.


Good team though. I like the teams that could actually function more than some of the 7 stars who all want to shoot teams. Though there is a place for them too.

[dunksby]

You're kidding about scoring at will, right?
Almost :D But honestly yours would not withstand a series against my team.

[Glide2keva]

kblaze what do you think of my squad?

[Jasi]

I think its a team that could do what many of these might not....play together and not have a single ego in the way. Andre Miller doesnt care. Jet will come off the bench and be happy about it. Roy/Manu might want minutes but Manu is selfless and Roy is happy with some ball handling duties even if he isnt leaned on to score. Durant is too unselfish at times but I think Andre would ride him and get him the ball. AK47 does it all. Millsap is a good spark plug...Tay is one of the better "pure" role players who should always be one of the other guys on a contender. Perkins is there to.....scowl and supposedly be a lockerroom presence. Reed im surprised to see but he was a do it all bigman who more than held his own vs some matchups he physically shouldnt have been in(vs Wilt for example). He was also a DPOY type....a leader....a post scorer...mean on the glass. Good jumper. That team could play together out of the gate and not look overmatched vs many team.

I do wonder what they do with one of these Chris Paul/Ewing kinda teams though. Ewing pulls Reed out of the lane....they have nobody who is a big body really...who holds a top tier guard in check? Put Ak/Tay on a swingman perhaps...but I think it would get in trouble late in a big game vs a truly great scorer in the backcourt and lose some of their offense having to put defensive lineups in that couldnt go back at some of these teams on the other end.


Good team though. I like the teams that could actually function more than some of the 7 stars who all want to shoot teams. Though there is a place for them too.

:cheers:

Yeah that bolded phrase, that was my goal. You nailed it.

And Willis Reed - while being my favourite Knick ever - is underrated I think. Like you said he wasn't the biggest guy in the paint but he didn't back down from anyone or anything.

As for late game defense, a healthy B-Roy can guard anyone. It is (well, was) one of his biggest credits.
Roy on the star PG/SG or whoever brings the ball up. Manu is definitely not a great on ball defender but he's scrappy as hell in following opponents who want to come off screens and that's what he'd have to do. KD with his long arms we all know is an effective defender on the wing.

[wally_world]

1 from group 1
Hakeem Olajuwon

3 from group 4
Tom Thibodeau
Andrei Kirilenko
Larry Nance

4 from group 5
Doug Christie
Andre Miller
Michael Redd
Mark Eaton

3 from group 6
Bruce Bowen
Anderson Varejao
Bobby Jackson

2 from group 7
Kurt Rambis
Tyronne Lue

Dre / Bobby Jax
Redd / Christie
AK47 / Bowen / Novak
Nance / Varejao / Rambis
Hakeem / Eaton
Coach: Thibs

First and foremost, nobody is scoring on this team. The Dream manning the paint with another versatile defender in Larry Nance (career 2.2bpg, 0.9spg) and Mt Eaton/Varejao off the pine, and AK47/Christie/Bowen/Dre will absolutely lock down the perimeter. Dont forget defensive specialist head coach Thibs.

Offense will be ran through the post. Hakeem/Nance can both go inside and out and their length will be a nightmare to handle. Prime Michael Redd will absolutely burn the opposite team with the bigs drawing all the defensive attention. Dre/AK47 are capable scorers as well. Bobby Jackson is my wildcard, and the rest of the bench have their ways to get their points as well.

It doesnt look like the most talented team on paper, but they can match-up so well with any team. The versatility and defence of my team is just insane.

[Kblaze8855]

Went with Option 2.

PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Latrell Sprewell
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Anthony Mason
C: Tyson Chandler

Bench

PG: Jason Terry
SG: Dell Curry
SF: Rick Fox
PF: Horace Grant
C: Robin Lopez
C: Mark Eaton
G/F: Anthony Parker

Coach Phil Jackson.


I think that you have 7 guys who need to be spoonfed and a lot of ball handlers who have forks. I think they would be great in the actual nba justoff talent of course. But Phil with the triangle? Rose I think takes a while to adjust. Hes been best in a free flowing offense with a lot of responsibility. When the triangle puts the ball in the hands of Rudy and probably even Mason is he as effective off the ball? Guys like Eaton and Tyson are great on defense as stand alone players. When they have to be guarding the type of monsters on some of these teams it limits their helping ability.

I think a team with a bigman you need to guard at all times would hurt them. They have capable defenders....but I feel it would be taking a lot of what would make them special in the league we have. In this super league? I wonder how they adjust. Added to the offensive questionmarks? Id have to see it to really make a call. Rose/Sprewell/Gay in the triangle is a question mark to me.

[fpliii]

Could you add the following:

Calvin Murphy
Lenny Wilkens (player)
Wali Jones
Ralph Sampson
Vernon Maxwell
Bill Sharman (coach)

?

Also, could I pick a guy like young Pistons Rodman or an older Bill Walton/Thurmond (or even Lakers Wilt), or are we restricted to players in their primes?

EDIT: Also Alex Hannum (coach)

[Glide2keva]

I think that you have 7 guys who need to be spoonfed and a lot of ball handlers who have forks. I think they would be great in the actual nba justoff talent of course. But Phil with the triangle? Rose I think takes a while to adjust. Hes been best in a free flowing offense with a lot of responsibility. When the triangle puts the ball in the hands of Rudy and probably even Mason is he as effective off the ball? Guys like Eaton and Tyson are great on defense as stand alone players. When they have to be guarding the type of monsters on some of these teams it limits their helping ability.

I think a team with a bigman you need to guard at all times would hurt them. They have capable defenders....but I feel it would be taking a lot of what would make them special in the league we have. In this super league? I wonder how they adjust. Added to the offensive question marks? Id have to see it to really make a call. Rose/Sprewell/Gay in the triangle is a question mark to me.
Good assessment. I should've factored in the Triangle though. But with a different coach, this is a good team.

[Carbine]

Durant
Ewing

Rodman

Thibs
Noah
Artest

JR Smith
Horry
Andre Miller

Hinrich
Ibaka
Tony Allen

Anthony Parker
Steve Novak

Starters:

C: Prime Ewing
PF: Rodman
SF/SG: Pacers Artest
SF/SG: Durant
PG: Hinrich

Key Bench:

6th man scorer: JR Smith
backup center: Noah
backup pf: Prime Horry
backup pf: Ibaka
backup point: Andre Miller
backup sg: Tony Allen
backup sg/sf: Anthony Parker

Designated shooter: Novak

Why my team is the best:

Dominant inside and outside superstars, surrounded by guys who effect the game without having to score like Rodman, Artest and Hinrich on the starting line up. Some of you might question Hinrich, but for the way the team is built...he is almost a perfect PG for this team. Doesn't need the ball, hits open shots, can shoot, all-world defense....

Coach is Thibs. He runs a tight ship and gets the best out of his team on defense. Give him all of these great defenders at his disposal and it's not even fair.

Noah brings energy off the bench and would be OK with that role. He's about the team and nothing more. JR Smith is an ideal scorer off the bench. Andre Miller in his prime will run an offense great. Tony Allen a lock down perimeter defender off the bench.

Basically, I win.

Better luck next year, folks.

[Kblaze8855]

Could you add the following:

Calvin Murphy
Lenny Wilkens (player)
Wali Jones
Ralph Sampson
Vernon Maxwell
Bill Sharman (coach)

?

Also, could I pick a guy like young Pistons Rodman or an older Bill Walton/Thurmond (or even Lakers Wilt), or are we restricted to players in their primes?

EDIT: Also Alex Hannum (coach)

Added. Far as the players...I think I need to keep it primes. Some guys like Pippen would have 3 tiers if I broke them up. Blazers maybe a 4.....mid to late 90s a 2.....80s to early 90s a 3. I dont mind the complexity but I dont want people having to take all day. I do appreciate that some want more to think about though.

As I said I plan for the next one to be deeper.....right down to choosing what kind of homecourt advantage you have. Fans who dont care or 90s Sonics/2000s Kings/05-08 Warriors fans. At least one assistant coach option. I plan to include college coaches as options....throw John Wooden in there. Perhaps a player/coach option for players I decide have that option. Guys who have done it....Russell, Lenny, Cowens, Dave D, Avery Johnson was damn near player coach on the Mavs at one point and so on), guys who played and went on to coach(many of them), and modern guys who may have approached it(Kidd/Kobe types). Id find a way to make them count fairly to make up for the saved pick....but it takes some thought.

But it would take more knowledge of NBA history than most who just have 5 minutes to blow are gonna have. Not everyone is as obsessed about such things as I am.

Next time im going all out. Maybe this off season.

[fpliii]

Added. Far as the players...I think I need to keep it primes. Some guys like Pippen would have 3 tiers if I broke them up. Blazers maybe a 4.....mid to late 90s a 2.....80s to early 90s a 3. I dont mind the complexity but I dont want people having to take all day. I do appreciate that some want more to think about though.

As I said I plan for the next one to be deeper.....right down to choosing what kind of homecourt advantage you have. Fans who dont care or 90s Sonics/2000s Kings/05-08 Warriors fans. At least one assistant coach option. I plan to include college coaches as options....throw John Wooden in there. Perhaps a player/coach option for players I decide have that option. Guys who have done it....Russell, Lenny, Cowens, Dave D, Avery Johnson was damn near player coach on the Mavs at one point and so on), guys who played and went on to coach(many of them), and modern guys who may have approached it(Kidd/Kobe types). Id find a way to make them count fairly to make up for the saved pick....but it takes some thought.

But it would take more knowledge of NBA history than most who just have 5 minutes to blow are gonna have. Not everyone is as obsessed about such things as I am.

Next time im going all out. Maybe this off season.

Ah okay, sounds good. Thanks for adding the requested players, I'll submit a team when I have a chance.

[Jasi]

Kblaze, I actually had thought to add the assistant coach tweak myself adding you as one, instead of Rambis as 12th man :D

Anyways, your plan is promising. Next step is making a software out of it and selling it as a historic bball manager game :lol

[Kblaze8855]

I decided to make a team that id most enjoy watching....**** winning...


Tim Hardaway
Vince Carter Toronto version
Drazen
Antione Walker
Vlade
Hedo Magic version
Jazz Okur
Robert Horry somewhere around Rockets era
Manu
Kings Brad Miller
Brent Barry
Shawn Bradley
Me as coach with the last pick

Timmy/Manu
Drazen/Barry
VC/Hedo/Horry
Antione(peak...so..late 90s)/Horry/Okur
Vlade/Brad Miller/Bradley

Id have them running like Doug Moe....go .500 and score 124 a game.

[iamgine]

Kblaze, I demand you give an assessment of my team!

Everyone's picking Thibs :lol

[Kblaze8855]

Having thought about it....the team I just made might not make the playoffs in an especially good year of the real life western conference. Not with me at the helm giving guys practices off for having 30 point nights and taking them out to clubs if we hold the other team under 110.

Bit of fun for the more interested ones....


Try to create a team that features all the proper positions....that you feel would NOT make the playoffs if they needed 48 wins in the west.

No just taking 12 centers and having Gobb coach them. Proper positions....worst team.

I'll find some way to reward the worst/best job done at that.....

[Kblaze8855]

Coach: Rick Adelman (4)

Starters:

Scottie Pippen (2)
Brandon Roy (4)
Kevin Durant (2)
Larry Nance (4)
Dikembe Mutombo (3)

Bench:

Andre Miller (5)
Dell Curry (6)
Michael Cooper (6)
Horace grant (5)
Tyson Chandler (5)

Ramon Sessions (7)
Shawn Bradley (7)


Lot of players I like. I have questions though. Adleman....considering that hes had the likes of Drexler/Tmac/Webber/Vlade/Brad Miller as the playmakers on many teams I can see him playing through Pippen...but his high post options are limited. If there at all. Hes got stone hands Mutombo, a fairly nimble but not playmaking Nance..Grant....and Chandler. He could adjust...but my view of his best work is usually with that good motion offense. Lot of pieces...lot of options. Like in Portland and on the Kings and briefly Rockets.

I think he would reduce Durants scoring a bit having him play into the ball movement atmosphere he would bring...making him less effective than usual. Pippen thrives...Durant and he would be a great combo...but Durant I dont think is best in Ricks offense.

Drexler shined yes....but he wasnt a halfcourt guy like Durant often is. Durant runs...but Drexler was like....90% head down coast to coast. Post you up or blow by you if he has to...but he was running sooooooooo much to do what he did.

Roy leading the break? Eh. Miller could...but how much is he playing? Cooper fits Adlemans do everything swingman role...but how much is he playing with Roy/Pippen/Durant?

Id say this is more of a team for a Jeff Vangundy or Larry Brown. Grind it out....limit posessions. Team is talented enough to run...but I dont know if it has the parts to fit together on both ends.

Mutombo lets you run while he waits to see what happens. Id like them more with a bigman they could play through.

Of course they win in the real world.

When its vs these monster teams? Id like to know what kinda offense you had in mind to picture it coming together.

Which of Adlemans teams could you see them playing like?

All I can imagine is trying to squeeze Roy into a Terry Porter role and make a 90s Blazers kinda squad with one Drexler too many.

Its not a bad team. I just dont know what its trying to do.

[dunksby]

Having thought about it....the team I just made might not make the playoffs in an especially good year of the real life western conference. Not with me at the helm giving guys practices off for having 30 point nights and taking them out to clubs if we hold the other team under 110.

Bit of fun for the more interested ones....


Try to create a team that features all the proper positions....that you feel would NOT make the playoffs if they needed 48 wins in the west.

No just taking 12 centers and having Gobb coach them. Proper positions....worst team.

I'll find some way to reward the worst/best job done at that.....
According to the existing formula right?

[Kblaze8855]

Yes.

Its not easy with all that talent...but it can be done. Im pretty sure the Knicks built a team that wouldnt even be possible with our rules talent wise and pulled it off. I think they had Marbury/Francis/Randolph/Crawford at one point and were awful.

Shit the Lakers right now have a 1 and like....3 2s? Maybe 2 and a 3...but either way....they are too talented to make with these rules. And right now I think are in 9th....

[dunksby]

Yes.

Its not easy with all that talent...but it can be done. Im pretty sure the Knicks built a team that wouldnt even be possible with our rules talent wise and pulled it off. I think they had Marbury/Francis/Randolph/Crawford at one point and were awful.

Shit the Lakers right now have a 1 and like....3 2s? Maybe 2 and a 3...but either way....they are too talented to make with these rules. And right now I think are in 9th....
4)Mike Dantoni
1)Wade
4)Rip Hamilton
4)Odom
5)Beasley
5)Emeka
5)Raja Bell
5)Mark Eaton
6)Steve Blake
6)Kyle Korver
6)Taj Gibson
7)Sun Yue
7)Kwame Brown

[kshutts1]

What the hell... kinda bored. I'm taking likely chemistry into account (i.e. Kobe, AI, Melo on the same team would not work well) --

(Group) - Player/Coach - Position I would play them - Reasoning (if applicable)

(4) - Coach Adelman - I had Thibs first.. but after seeing the players I had assembled, I believe that Adelman would be a better fit to utilize their offensive abilities, namely 3p shooting.

(1) - Bill Russell - C - We have all seen what a healthy Tyson Chandler does for a team, as a defensive minded C, now imagine upgrading from Chandler to best defensive player of all time.
(5) Horace Grant - PF - I want someone around Russell that can hit jumpers, without being a weak link on D or rebounding. Add to that, Grant won titles as a starting PF, so he's not some scrub.
(4) - Paul George - SF - Great (though not all time great) defensive player that can also hit 3s, and is blossoming in front of our eyes.
(4) - Allan Houston - SG - ATG 3p shooter
(5) Blaylock - PG - Ridiculous steals/threes combo

Bench:
(5) Jason Terry - G - See below
(5) Michael Redd - G - These two would just rain 3s/points on the opposition. Their sole purpose on this team would be to score, score, score.

(6) Perkins - C - below
(6) Ibaka - PF - Starting frontcourt for a championship favorite now, and I can draft them this late? Perkins may be of little use in today's NBA, but he can guard big Cs straight-up, without help. Ibaka is an elite weak-side shot blocker with a legit jumper.

(6) Michael Cooper - SG/SF - This team needs an elite wing defender, and who better to do that, and come off the bench, than arguably the best bench player/defener of all time? Again... 6?

(7) Tim Legler, Larry Sanders - G, PF - This late in the "draft" I am taking elite talents. Both of these players have elite ability in specific areas. I'd rather go elite in some than good at all.

Conclusion: This team will run and gun, all day, every day. Huge weakness is that they don't have much post scoring... Russell was better at that than people give him credit for, and Grant and Ibaka can score from a front court position, but otherwise this team is hugely reliant on the wing players to provide scoring punch. Without an all-time scoring threat, will they be able to score enough? Will their D be good enough to compensate?

[iamgine]

Lot of players I like. I have questions though. Adleman....considering that hes had the likes of Drexler/Tmac/Webber/Vlade/Brad Miller as the playmakers on many teams I can see him playing through Pippen...but his high post options are limited. If there at all. Hes got stone hands Mutombo, a fairly nimble but not playmaking Nance..Grant....and Chandler. He could adjust...but my view of his best work is usually with that good motion offense. Lot of pieces...lot of options. Like in Portland and on the Kings and briefly Rockets.

I think he would reduce Durants scoring a bit having him play into the ball movement atmosphere he would bring...making him less effective than usual. Pippen thrives...Durant and he would be a great combo...but Durant I dont think is best in Ricks offense.

Drexler shined yes....but he wasnt a halfcourt guy like Durant often is. Durant runs...but Drexler was like....90% head down coast to coast. Post you up or blow by you if he has to...but he was running sooooooooo much to do what he did.

Roy leading the break? Eh. Miller could...but how much is he playing? Cooper fits Adlemans do everything swingman role...but how much is he playing with Roy/Pippen/Durant?

Id say this is more of a team for a Jeff Vangundy or Larry Brown. Grind it out....limit posessions. Team is talented enough to run...but I dont know if it has the parts to fit together on both ends.

Mutombo lets you run while he waits to see what happens. Id like them more with a bigman they could play through.

Of course they win in the real world.

When its vs these monster teams? Id like to know what kinda offense you had in mind to picture it coming together.

Which of Adlemans teams could you see them playing like?

All I can imagine is trying to squeeze Roy into a Terry Porter role and make a 90s Blazers kinda squad with one Drexler too many.

Its not a bad team. I just dont know what its trying to do.
Actually my first draft I was pairing Pippen with Mchale. While replacing Durant and Nance with Love and Marc Gasol.

So it would be:

Starters:

Scottie Pippen (2)
Brandon Roy (4)
Kevin Mchale (2)
Kevin Love (3)
Marc Gasol (4)

Bench:

Andre Miller (5)
Dell Curry (6)
Michael Cooper (6)
Horace grant (5)
Mehmet Okur (5)

Ramon Sessions (7)
Shawn Bradley (7)

Some issues I had with that team. Love being defensive liability. And I thought there was no clear strong 1st option so I thought I needed someone like Durant. But looking at it now, doesn't look that bad. There seems to be enough "strong borderline 1st option" for it to work and certainly all are good enough shooter. Would this team be better?

With either team I picture a lot of mismatches in the offense with opposing PG/SG/SF have to guard either Pippen/Roy/Mchale/Love while Pippen and Mchale could guard opposing PGs and SFs. Well, at least better than the vice versa. I was also thinking of replacing Love with Rodman but then I'd lose some of the mismatch advantage.

[kshutts1]

Actually my first draft I was pairing Pippen with Mchale. While replacing Durant and Nance with Love and Marc Gasol.

So it would be:

Starters:

Scottie Pippen (2)
Brandon Roy (4)
Kevin Mchale (2)
Kevin Love (3)
Marc Gasol (4)

Bench:

Andre Miller (5)
Dell Curry (6)
Michael Cooper (6)
Horace grant (5)
Mehmet Okur (5)

Ramon Sessions (7)
Shawn Bradley (7)

Some issues I had with that team. Love being defensive liability. And I thought there was no clear strong 1st option so I thought I needed someone like Durant. But looking at it now, doesn't look that bad. There seems to be enough "strong borderline 1st option" for it to work and certainly all are good enough shooter. Would this team be better?

With either team I picture a lot of mismatches in the offense with opposing PG/SG/SF have to guard either Pippen/Roy/Mchale/Love while Pippen and Mchale could guard opposing PGs and SFs. Well, at least better than the vice versa. I was also thinking of replacing Love with Rodman but then I'd lose some of the mismatch advantage.

My only real issue with the team is lack of consistent 3p offense. Love and Okur are your 2nd and 3rd best options, behind Curry. Pippen, even though being Bulls all-time leader in 3s made, is streaky. Andre Miller and Ramon Sessions have no 3p shot. I think that trading Brandon Roy for Steph Curry, Allan Houston, Eddie Jones, or someone similarly adept at 3p shooting would improve your team, especially since Roy is not being relied upon to be the primary creator (Pip) or a wing defender.

[TwentyThree]

2
Chris Paul
Durant

3
2005-2010 Bosh

4
Paul George
Mark Gasol
Thibodeau

5
Turkoglu
Mo Williams
Eaton

6
Ibaka
Cooper

7
Eddie House
Novak
Sanders

Paul/House
George/Cooper
Durant/Turkoglu/Novak
Bosh/Ibaka/Sanders
Gasol/Eaton

Coach: Thibodeau


Great thread. I'll probably give it another try later

[Twiens]

C- Shaq(1)
PF- PJ Brown(5)
SF- Ron Artest(4)
SG- Brandon Roy(4)
PG- Andre Miller(5)

Bench-

Serge Ibaka(6)
Robert Horry(5)
Bruce Bowen(6)
Micheal Redd(5)
Derek Fisher(6)

Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol(7) for Shaq to slap around.

No weaknesses, who's beating that team?

Coach- Tom Thibodeau(4)

[IGotACoolStory]

I like this stuff... Let me try:

I'll start with group 1, since there's a reason why you tank for a superstar then extend all your resources around said superstar to keep him happy.

Draft:
Group 1: Bill Walton
Group 4: Anthony Mason, Rick Adleman (coach), Drazen Petrovic
Group 5: Robert Horry, Tyson Chandler, Andre Miller, Horace Grant
Group 6: Tayshaun Prince, Bobby Jackson, Brad Miller
Group 7: Alvin Williams, Jason Kapono

Roster: (not in rotations form)
Bill Walton / Tyson Chandler / Brad Miller
Horace Grant / Robert Horry
Anthony Mason / Tayshaun Prince / Jason Kapono
Drazen Petrovic / Alvin Williams
Andre Miller / Bobby Jackson

Coach Rick Adelman


Honestly, I just wanted to build a team around Bill Walton for fun. He doesn't get enough love and he could legitimately lead a team to a championship without another star. Did it once and was going to do it again, had it not been for injuries.

The point guard position has always been overrated when it comes to rings. Just give me a guy who can defend, distribute, and not make stupid decisions. I feel Andre Miller fills that gap. Then throw in a scoring combo off the bench to give the defense a different look.

Petrovic is my primary perimeter scoring threat and lethal 3pt shooter, which is obviously needed in the starting lineup. He should get tons of looks with the passers, really at the 1, 3, 4, and 5 positions. That is what I was mainly trying to achieve... Team defense with, rebounding, and excellent ball movement. Alvin Williams is just there to watch it happen from the bench... I feel like Prince could play some SG. Obviously a reason why I took Bobby Jax too... Alvin is a good defender, tho. What Petrovic lacks in defense, every other player on the floor can make up for it.

The front court speaks for itself. Not sure why DPOY Chandler is group 5-er, but I'll take it. Threw Horry in there just because... Solid depth with legit 6th men (Jackson, Prince, Miller -- two of which fit within a scheme and 1 as an alpha) and specialist (Kapono, Chandler, Horry) if needed.

As far as why I took Rick Adleman... I just basically tried to rebuild his early 2000 Kings team with better players. There's a stark contrast between Mike Bibby and Andre Miller, but that was to put the focus more on the interior than perimeter scoring. Which, imo, would have made those Kings teams more successful had they done that. The rest is on par, give or take switching the role of a couple positions (Walton more as Webber, Mason more as Christie, Petrovic more as Peja).

[3peated]

1 from group 1
3 from group 4
4 from group 5
3 from group 6
2 from group 7

1) Shaq 94-02
4) Stan Van Gundy
4) bibby (kings)
4) david west
5) jason terry (mavs)
5) jr smith
5) mo williams
5) hedo (first run with magic)
6) gortat
6) tony allen
6) shane battier
7) earl clark
7) smush parker


Yes i understand smush parker is the worst nba player of all time but this way i could gift that sorry sob a ring, i'd put this team up against anyone's

[ThaRegul8r]

What the hell... kinda bored. I'm taking likely chemistry into account (i.e. Kobe, AI, Melo on the same team would not work well) --

(Group) - Player/Coach - Position I would play them - Reasoning (if applicable)

(4) - Coach Adelman - I had Thibs first.. but after seeing the players I had assembled, I believe that Adelman would be a better fit to utilize their offensive abilities, namely 3p shooting.

(1) - Bill Russell - C - We have all seen what a healthy Tyson Chandler does for a team, as a defensive minded C, now imagine upgrading from Chandler to best defensive player of all time.
(5) Horace Grant - PF - I want someone around Russell that can hit jumpers, without being a weak link on D or rebounding. Add to that, Grant won titles as a starting PF, so he's not some scrub.
(4) - Paul George - SF - Great (though not all time great) defensive player that can also hit 3s, and is blossoming in front of our eyes.
(4) - Allan Houston - SG - ATG 3p shooter
(5) Blaylock - PG - Ridiculous steals/threes combo

Bench:
(5) Jason Terry - G - See below
(5) Michael Redd - G - These two would just rain 3s/points on the opposition. Their sole purpose on this team would be to score, score, score.

(6) Perkins - C - below
(6) Ibaka - PF - Starting frontcourt for a championship favorite now, and I can draft them this late? Perkins may be of little use in today's NBA, but he can guard big Cs straight-up, without help. Ibaka is an elite weak-side shot blocker with a legit jumper.

(6) Michael Cooper - SG/SF - This team needs an elite wing defender, and who better to do that, and come off the bench, than arguably the best bench player/defener of all time? Again... 6?

(7) Tim Legler, Larry Sanders - G, PF - This late in the "draft" I am taking elite talents. Both of these players have elite ability in specific areas. I'd rather go elite in some than good at all.

Conclusion: This team will run and gun, all day, every day. Huge weakness is that they don't have much post scoring... Russell was better at that than people give him credit for, and Grant and Ibaka can score from a front court position, but otherwise this team is hugely reliant on the wing players to provide scoring punch. Without an all-time scoring threat, will they be able to score enough? Will their D be good enough to compensate?

I'm surprised someone built around Russell. I figured that with the steeper penalty for choosing a player from tier 1, Russell would be one of the players without any takers.

George is a player I'm considering from the fourth tier. I chose Terry and Ibaka in the 2011 game, and Cooper's on my draft list for Russell as the 7th man/defensive stopper for all the high-scoring wings if he's available.

I have a player in mind for post scoring, but I don't know if he'll be considered good enough with all the competition. I'm taking Thibodeau for the simple fact that as assistant coach with Boston with Garnett, the Celtics were one of the greatest defensive teams of all time. So I would want to see what a Russell-anchored defense coached by Thibodeau would look like, with the two of them working together.

I'm also concerned about not having an all-time scoring option, as it was felt last time that my Russell-centered team didn't have enough scorers to score in such an environment against some of the teams, though it garnered Honorable Mention. In these type of things if seems that one is at a disadvantage without a historic-level scorer, as most people are going to stack their teams with as many as the rules allow. But that makes it more challenging, and also more interesting to try.

[Carbine]

Really, the way this is set up...you would be a fool not to take two from the 2nd and 1 from the 3rd instead of the 1 from the first group and an extra pick in the 4th group.

Nobody in their right mind would take Jordan & Camby over Durant/Ewing/Rodman....

[wally_world]

Dre / Bobby Jax
Redd / Christie
AK47 / Bowen / Novak
Nance / Varejao / Rambis
Hakeem / Eaton
Coach: Thibs

First and foremost, nobody is scoring on this team. The Dream manning the paint with another versatile defender in Larry Nance (career 2.2bpg, 0.9spg) and Mt Eaton/Varejao off the pine, and AK47/Christie/Bowen/Dre will absolutely lock down the perimeter. Dont forget defensive specialist head coach Thibs.

Offense will be ran through the post. Hakeem/Nance can both go inside and out and their length will be a nightmare to handle. Prime Michael Redd will absolutely burn the opposite team with the bigs drawing all the defensive attention. Dre/AK47 are capable scorers as well. Bobby Jackson is my wildcard, and the rest of the bench have their ways to get their points as well.

It doesnt look like the most talented team on paper, but they can match-up so well with any team. The versatility and defence of my team is just insane.

Any comments?

[DatAsh]

Really, the way this is set up...you would be a fool not to take two from the 2nd and 1 from the 3rd instead of the 1 from the first group and an extra pick in the 4th group.

Nobody in their right mind would take Jordan & Camby over Durant/Ewing/Rodman....

Durant and Ewing are arguably too good for that second tier in my opinion, though I doubt they'd ever be picked if he moved them up.

[Buffalobraves]

My Team:

2: Pippen, Durant
3: Rondo
4: Thibodeau, Anthony Mason, Peja
5: McMillian (player), Jamal Crawford, Tyson Chandler
6: Ibaka, Affalo
7: Stro Swift, Robin Lopez

Line-up

Coach: Tom Thibodeau

Rondo / McMillan
Durant / Crawford / Affalo
Pippen / Peja
Mason / Ibaka / Swift
Chandler / Lopez

Why my team would win:
One word: Balance.

I tried to find a bunch of versatile guys who could play in the half court as well as play an up tempo game. I think that this is a tough group of guys who would fit well into Thibodeau's system pretty well and be dedicated to defense the way you have to be when playing for Thibs.

These guys would be able to get steals and finish in transition with defenders like Rondo, Pippen and McMillan off the bench. I chose Mason because of the toughness and strength he would bring to the team. Nobody would be messing with Durant if he had Mason, Pippen, and Rondo on his team (Rondo rivals Kobe for being the toughest player in today's soft NBA IMO).

Chandler would patrol the paint and if Mason were to get posted up on by bigger guys then Ibaka would come in to further solidify the paint. Robin Lopez and Stro Swift seem like concerns for back ups but they wouldn't play a lot- this team would instead switch to a small ball line up and put Pippen or Durant at PF and try to run a little more.

Team would be great in transition..all of these guys are great finishers and most of them can handle in the open court.

Half Court offense would run smoothly. Rondo can pick and roll with Chandler or pick and pop with mason. Imagine Rondo getting penetration and having Durant or Peja to kick to on the wings! Or just have either one of them curling off an Anthony Mason screen? Durant could get his own shot when Rondo sits or you could throw Pippen a post up. If the offense were to ever go stale then you could throw in Crawford as a spark- the guy is amazing offensive player.

Should I have picked someone better than Stro Swift in the 7th tier to be on my team? Probably. Am I keeping him on because the idea on Rondo throwing him lobs just seems too god? Absolutely.

Thanks for doing this Kblaze this is truly an awesome thread...I have spent all night trying out different combinations.

[Brunch@Five]

Coach: George Karl (4)
C: Mutombo (3), Noah (4), Bradley (7)
PF: Horace Grant (5), Horry (5)
SF: Pippen (2), Prince (6), Kapono (7)
SG: Curry (4), Cooper (6)
PG: Payton (2), Terry (5)

somehow wanted to pick Payton and Pippen and build a team around them. Decided that combining them with Karl's swarming/trapping defense and Mutombo down low would be the way to go.
On offense this team has good spacing and is very versatile, despite not a lot of offense coming from my big men. Payton and Pippen can both post up AND run, Steph Curry is already one of the best shooters the game has seen and can create his own shot. All of them can handle the ball and take over playmaking duties.
Grant is one of the prototypical PFs that can bang and operate from the high post. Not my strongest position, but he doesn't have weakness really, provides exactly what you want from your PF.
Off the bench this team provides more devastating defense (Noah, Prince, Cooper) as well as on of the best 6th men of all time that is also clutch as hell (Terry). Noah will play both C and PF.

[bigballer]

Coach- Larry Brown (3)

C- Yao Ming (2)
PF- Horace Grant (5)
SF- Cedric Maxwell (5)
SG- Drazen Petrovic (4)
PG- Walt Frazier (2)

Michael Cooper (6), Larry Nance (4), Mo CHEEKS (4), Mark Eaton (5), Tayshaun prince (6), Mo Pete (7), Chucky Atkins (7)

Thoughts?
Choice of coach adds a lot to the game, i was tempted to go the superstar route but its hard to pick one and then have a less than stellar coach. I think choosing the coach as an afterthought is a mistake, but if you choose a coach first its hard not to pick every player through the filter of who would fit in with his scheme. tricky

[Kovach]

John Stockton (2)/ Bobby Jackson(6)/ Chucky Atkins (7)
Dale Ellis (3)/ Michael Cooper (6)/ Bobby Jackson (6)
James Worthy (2)/ Ricky Pierce (5)/ Michael Cooper (6)
Larry Nance (4)/ Horace Grant (5)/ Kurt Rambis (7)
Vlade Divac (4)/ Mark Eaton (5)

Coach: Lenny Wilkins

What flaws would this team have? Just curious to know what you think :)

[Brunch@Five]

What flaws would this team have? Just curious to know what you think :)

not nearly enough scoring. Worthy is a 2nd option, Stockton is the prototypical pass-first PG, and Dale Ellis can't consitently create his own shot. Defense would be suspect as well IMO.

[BoutPractice]

Give me:

Coach: Rick Adelman

Mo Williams/Kirk Hinrich
Michael Redd/Mike James
Bruce Bowen/Kings Peja
Hedo Turkoglu (run with the Magic)/Anderson Varejao
Prime Hakeem/Mark Eaton

Basic guidelines for me were:
- Go for comparative advantage and compensate for your flaws.
- Think of the frontcourt first. Don't worry too much about point guards when someone else can create shots, and choose shooting guards for their ability to shoot.

[Kovach]

not nearly enough scoring. Worthy is a 2nd option, Stockton is the prototypical pass-first PG, and Dale Ellis can't consitently create his own shot. Defense would be suspect as well IMO.
I actually made the team with Worthy as the 1st option in mind, but I forgot how underrated his scoring ability is. Oh well...

[kshutts1]

I'm surprised someone built around Russell. I figured that with the steeper penalty for choosing a player from tier 1, Russell would be one of the players without any takers.

George is a player I'm considering from the fourth tier. I chose Terry and Ibaka in the 2011 game, and Cooper's on my draft list for Russell as the 7th man/defensive stopper for all the high-scoring wings if he's available.

I have a player in mind for post scoring, but I don't know if he'll be considered good enough with all the competition. I'm taking Thibodeau for the simple fact that as assistant coach with Boston with Garnett, the Celtics were one of the greatest defensive teams of all time. So I would want to see what a Russell-anchored defense coached by Thibodeau would look like, with the two of them working together.

I'm also concerned about not having an all-time scoring option, as it was felt last time that my Russell-centered team didn't have enough scorers to score in such an environment against some of the teams, though it garnered Honorable Mention. In these type of things if seems that one is at a disadvantage without a historic-level scorer, as most people are going to stack their teams with as many as the rules allow. But that makes it more challenging, and also more interesting to try.

It is really hard for me to not pick Kareem over Russell. I consider Kareem to be the greatest C ever (Kareem -- WiltShaqRussell -- Hakeem are top 5). So why pick Russell? I love defense, and most people ignore it, so I wanted to see what would happen. Hard to fill holes, though. And while I don't think my team is obviously better than all the others, I do think that my team would have a healthy shot of winning a 7 game series against any team listed.

And like I mentioned with my coach... really, really hard to not put Thibs as the coach.. but I guess I"m relying on Russell being the "coach" on D, and needed that extra bit of offensive firepower that Adelman would provide.

[kshutts1]

Give me:

Coach: Rick Adelman

Mo Williams/Kirk Hinrich
Michael Redd/Mike James
Bruce Bowen/Kings Peja
Hedo Turkoglu (run with the Magic)/Anderson Varejao
Prime Hakeem/Mark Eaton

Basic guidelines for me were:
- Go for comparative advantage and compensate for your flaws.
- Think of the frontcourt first. Don't worry too much about point guards when someone else can create shots, and choose shooting guards for their ability to shoot.

Sound theory, I just disagree with a lot of your choices. Mo Williams is streaky, as is Mike James. Hedo was pretty solid in Orlando, but without looking at the tier/player lists, I am sure you could find a better option.
I do like that you have strong defensive players, as Bowen can guard wings, Hinrich points, and Varejao and the Cs can obviously guard big men.

[iamgine]

My only real issue with the team is lack of consistent 3p offense. Love and Okur are your 2nd and 3rd best options, behind Curry. Pippen, even though being Bulls all-time leader in 3s made, is streaky. Andre Miller and Ramon Sessions have no 3p shot. I think that trading Brandon Roy for Steph Curry, Allan Houston, Eddie Jones, or someone similarly adept at 3p shooting would improve your team, especially since Roy is not being relied upon to be the primary creator (Pip) or a wing defender.
I don't believe in 3p offense. Good shooters are what's important for spacing. Besides, Broy was a pretty good 3p shooter. If I have to replace him I'd go with Paul George.

[Brunch@Five]

I actually made the team with Worthy as the 1st option in mind, but I forgot how underrated his scoring ability is. Oh well...

Worthy was a great player, didn't win an finals MVP for nothing. However, you must admit that he is not a good choice as the player whose shoulders you're putting the scoring load on every night. He's not proven to be that player. I might think differently about it if his supporting cast had more proven scorers, but Dale Ellis and John Stockton are not going to cut it.

Any takes on my team?


Coach: George Karl (4)
C: Mutombo (3), Noah (4), Bradley (7)
PF: Horace Grant (5), Horry (5)
SF: Pippen (2), Prince (6), Kapono (7)
SG: Curry (4), Cooper (6)
PG: Payton (2), Terry (5)

[Kovach]

Worthy was a great player, didn't win an finals MVP for nothing. However, you must admit that he is not a good choice as the player whose shoulders you're putting the scoring load on every night. He's not proven to be that player.
He wasn't really given a chance tho. By the time Magic retired his legs have given up. Worthy is a specific case, more I watch his games more I'm stunned by what I see. He was just as explosive as Bernard King and had an equally quick release. And in the post he was Hakeem of the forwards.
Anyways, I do not wish to derail this thread any further, thanks for your opinions :cheers:

[BoutPractice]

kshutts1 > I suppose Mo Williams could be replaced by say Raymond Felton or even Jason Terry and Mike James by a Mo Peterson. Neither of them are the most crucial pieces.

Turkoglu's a risky choice, but I think it works out well with Hakeem. Certainly worked out well with Howard, he was one of the main reasons Orlando reached the Finals in 2009.
He's actually a difficult player to replace, in that he can work as a stretch 4 ala Horry but also play a quasi point guard role, allowing me to put in a scoring backcourt. Not many players in the history of the league fit that description.


Note that if you're worried about Turkoglu's defense on 4s, it's also possible to go with a mismatch lineup with Turkoglu at the 3, Hakeem at the 4 and Eaton at the 5, for instance.

[Mboglee]

Group 2

2 from 2
Yao ming
durant

1 from 3
Rodman

3 from 4
Tom thibodeau
Igoudala
Brandon Roy

3 from 5
Micheal Redd
Barbosa
Okur

2 from 6
Jose Calderon
Mcgee

2 from 7
Steve novak
Anthony parker

Coach:Tom hibodeau

Depth Chart
Yao Ming/Mcgee
Rodman/Okur
Durant/Iggy/novak
Brandon Roy/Micheal Redd/Anthony parker
Jose Calderon/Barbosa

Mcgee simply for the highlights
Defense for the 2nd unit could be better but meh, whatever
pretty fun thread, got me out of lurking :D

[(e)]

Tell you what...if we looked at this as a keeperl eague...where they got to grow and gel...that team wins 2-3 rings even with this insane competition. Kyrie/KD/peak 29ppg Ewing with a 6'8'' do it all all star George who is like....24? Noah the "Insult the other teams fanbase and shut down pick and rolls" guy....Kirk off the bench throwing a blanket on guards....OJ and JR the best combo of off the bench scorers you could get....Jefferson in Nets form who would be an insane 9th man....with 2 shot blockers in low enough minutes to not worry about foul trouble....so they are all out on EVERY attempt in the lane? And Novak to help space the floor now and then with Durant on the other wing?

Only weakness is Kyrie possibly getting lit up vs some of these backcourts and finding the balance between Ewing and Durant when Ewing is in "Give me the ball" mode and KD defers too much. Let Ewing settle into 22-25 a game mode...KD takes over in the 4th...with Kyrie more likely to not get in his way than Westbrook with Ewing always an option and Kyrie if the play breaks down?

That team could compete with any team ever in a 7 game series.

Not my sure winner so far for a one year thing...but let Kyrie/George peak with a still prime KD and Ewing in like 92-93 form?

[Reference you dont get]Oh my god...DANGER![/You were born in the 90s]

Thanks for the props.

I like my idea of going with Ewing and KD. I don't think either would get in the way of the other - in fact I think the inside out combo they would provide would be deadly.

The youth with the guards makes the teams potential really have no limits. Kyrie and Paul George are already All Star players, having them as option 3a and 3b is a luxury to say the least. I also think both players have a winning attitude and would put team first, especially realizing the potential this squad would have.

The size of my team alone would be tough for anyone to handle, pair that with the defensive mind of Thibs and it gets really dangerous. There is some great depth off the bench, but I also see that being the only area where egos would get in the way. OJ Mayo - JR Smith pair off the bench could get interesting.

If I were to make one change to the team, I'd likely swap OJ Mayo for Nate McMillian. I feel as the team has plenty of offense, and a guy like McMillian would help the ball move on offense, and be able to provide defense off the bench.

[AndOn3]

Give me....

Coach: Stan Van Gundy (4)

PG: Stephen Curry (4) / Jason Terry (5)
SG: Michael Cooper (6) / J.R. Smith (5) / Bruce Bowen (6)
SF: Ron Artest / Shane Battier (6) / Steve Novak (7)
PF: Larry Nance (4) / Horace Grant (5) / Earl Clark (7)
C: Wilt (1) / Mark Eaton (5)

Offense:
In essence, this is what SVG had in Orlando, except this time with a center 5000000x better than Dwight, and more versatile scoring threats in Artest and Curry. Curry, IMO the greatest shooter we've ever had in this league, will light it up from the perimeter as Wilt diving hard on PnR's creates open scoring opportunities. Larry Nance and Artest were both 20ppg scorers in their primes, and provide other threats so that a defense cannot successfully double the most dominant player ever to play the game. Horace Grant, an integral title piece on the Bulls 1st three-peat, makes an appearance along with the Jet and JR to run pick and rolls and create havoc off the bench. Novak and Clark are reliable backups that will rain it in from outside and provide some energy and spark off the pine.

Defense:
Defensively, you have two DPOY's in the starting lineup and a third probable one in Wilt. In addition, coming off the bench, you have the single-season blocked shots record holder in Mark Eaton, the defensive-savvy and game changing Shane Battier and Bruce Bowen to hold leads until the starters come back in. Defensively, outside of Wilt and Eaton, the team can virtually switch everything and with their length and athleticism, wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Wilt and Nance mask Curry's defensive deficiencies and allow him to leak out on the break for transition opportunities.

[J.Pullicin]

I'm going with Group 2.

Coach: Tom Thibodeau (4)

Starters:
PG: Gary Payton (2)
SG: James Harden (Now) (3)
SF: Scottie Pippen (2)
PF: Serge Ibaka (6)
C: Marc Gasol (4)

Bench:
SG/SF: Paul George (4)
PG/SG: Jason Terry (Mavs) (5)
C: Mehmet Okur (Prime Jazz) (5)
PF: Horace Grant (5)
SG: Arron Afflalo (6)
PF/C: Larry Sanders (7)
SF/PF: Steve Novak (7)

On offense, any of Gary Payton, James Harden, Scottie Pippen, or Marc Gasol can run the show; with any of Payton/Harden/Pippen running pick and rolls/pick and pops with Ibaka or Gasol, Marc or Scottie running the offense through the high post, or post-ups for Gary, Scottie, or Marc - where they pass it to open cutters, or find the open man out of the double-team.

Off the bench are Jason Terry, Arron Afflalo, and Paul George, all of whom shoot the three well, and are able to create their own shots, Horace Grant, who can hit the mid-range jumper and crashes the offensive glass well, Mehmet Okur, a center with excellent three-point shooting ability, Larry Sanders, a very active PF/C, and Steve Novak, who is only out there to shoot 3's and little else.

Defensively, with Gary Payton and Scottie Pippen manning the perimeter, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol defending the interior, and with Thibs at the helm; this team will be quite hard to score on. Even Harden will improve on defense with Coach Thibodeau's scheme and coaching; but if he's having trouble with his assignment, Paul George and/or Arron Afflalo can come in to lock it down. When Payton's out, Jason Terry has to defend the PGs. On the interior, Ibaka and Gasol are very good defenders - man, help, and pick and roll - , and are supplemented with Horace Grant, Larry Sanders, and Mehmet Okur.

[jcsrplumply]

(2) Payton
(2) Paul Pierce
(3) Dennis Rodman
(4) Tom Thibodeau
(4) Paul George
(4) Joakim Noah
(5) Robert Horry
(5) Mark Eaton
(5) J.R. Smith
(6) Tayshaun Prince
(6) Michael Cooper (can't pass this guy up :p)
(7) Kurt Rambis
(7) Manute Bol

PG - Gary Payton/Michael Cooper
SG - Paul George/J.R. Smith
SF - Paul Pierce/Tayshaun Prince
PF - Dennis Rodman/Robert Horry/Kurt Rambis
C - Joakim Noah/Mark Eaton/Manute Bol

[ThaRegul8r]

I've also think that Hinrich was a good pg to match with a more ball dominate shooting guard (Roy was pretty ball dominate and worked better with Steve Blake as opposed to Andre Miller)

This is why I don't get why I've seen people pairing Roy with Miller.

[QUOTE]It

[lucky001]

One from each method:

bird 1
ak47 4
Dale ellis 4
Coach thibbs
Chandler 5
mookie blaylock 5
Theo Ratliff 5
richard jefferson 5
cooper 6
James Posey 6
ibaka 6
Eddie house 7
jason kapono 7

Mookie/Cooper/house
Ellis/Posey/rjeff
ak47/rjeff/Posey/kapono
bird/ibaka/ratliff
chandler/ibaka/ratliff

Coach Thibbs

We'll ride Bird at the 4 for tricky low/high post action as our focal point. Ellis our secondary option with catch and shoot play. Thibbs can work out top level defense with that kind of lineup. AK47 covering the top swingman, or even a 4 a lil quick for Bird. 2nd team D is even tougher.
_________

Option 2

Nash 2
Durant 2
Rasheed 3
Camby 4
Eddie Jones 4
George Karl 4


Redd 5
Laphonso Ellis5
Jr Rider 5
Ben Gordon 6
Okur 6

Stromile 7
Alvin Williams7


Nash/Barbosa/Williams
Ejones/Redd/Gordon
Durant/Rider/Ellis
Sheed/Ellis/Stromile
Camby/Okur/Stromile

George karl drive and kick ball. 4 folks with range + good slashers. Also, nash/sheed nash/durant/ pick and rolls.

On D, a lot of long arms and instincts, more than enough to cover for nash.

Oh, and karl uses the NC connection to keep sheed's head in the game. Victory!

[J.Pullicin]

This time, Group 1.

Coach: Frank Vogel (6) - Since taking over the Pacers from Jim O'Brien in 2011, his teams have clinched a playoff berth in three straight seasons. His teams are great defensively, and have improved on offense.

Starters:
PG: Stephen Curry (4) - Great 3pt. shooter. Can create for himself or others. Can play off-ball. Excellent free-throw shooter.

SG: Raja Bell (Suns) (5) - Great catch-and-shoot 3pt. shooter. Great perimeter defender. Very good free-throw shooter.

SF: Paul George (4) - Very good 3pt. shooter. Can create for himself or others. Can play off-ball. Great perimeter defender. Very good free-throw shooter.

PF: Tim Duncan (prime) (1) - Franchise cornerstone. Great post game. Good passer. Good mid-range jumper. Excellent all-around defender for a big. Great rebounder. Okay free-throw shooter.

C: Mehmet Okur (Prime Jazz) (5) - Great 3pt. shooter for a big. Great free-throw shooter. Okay at everything else.

Bench:
PG: Jason Terry (Mavs) (5) - Great 3pt. shooter. Can create for himself or others. Can play off-ball. Great free-throw shooter.

SG: Michael Redd (5) - Very good scorer. Very good 3pt. shooter. Great free-throw shooter.

SF: Bruce Bowen (6) - Tenacious perimeter defender. Great at corner 3pt. shots.

PF: Serge Ibaka (6) - Great all-around big-man defender. Excellent shot blocker. Very good mid-range shot. Shoots the spot-up 3 on occasion. Good rebounder. Okay free-throw shooter. Athletic.

C: Andrew Bynum (2010-2012 healthy) (4) - Great post game. Great all-around defender for a big. Great rebounder. Okay free-throw shooter. Injury-prone.

SF/PF: Steve Novak (7) - Great 3pt. shooter. Great free-throw shooter.

PF/C: Larry Sanders (7) - Great all-around big-man defender. Excellent shot blocker. Great rebounder. Poor free-throw shooter.

Offense will be PG pick and roll/pop with the bigs and post-ups for Duncan and Bynum. Duncan can run some things from the pinch post. Curry, George, Terry, and Redd can create their own shot if needed.

[Rizko]

This is why I don't get why I've seen people pairing Roy with Miller.

This is what happened in actuality. So I don't get why anyone would deliberately put them together knowing this.

:confusedshrug:

I assume it's a combination of 3 things:

1. A lot of people like having pure points who can run an offense effectively, which has always been Andre Millers strong suit, and without looking at the list I'd imagine that Miller would be one of the best "value picks" for that type of player.

2. People like to pick the most talented players available (and most people associate talent with what you can do with the ball) and just assume chemistry will work.

3. A lot of people might have forgotten that Miller and Roy had issues playing together (I almost did and was going to pick Miller until I thought about it).

Speaking of that, that was actually one of the issues I had with picking Roy. He's always liked having the ball in his hands, but I built this team to run more thru Hakeem and to be more of a ball movement offense, which Roy might have issues with, but I offset that by getting as many players who could effect the game without the ball with there shooting/defense/rebounding/toughness so that Roy would do most of the perimeter play making (iso/pn'r) and Hakeem would do the post/interior play making.

I've always respected your opinion and would appreciate a quick analysis from you on my team. Same with you Kblaze. I don't expect to win, i just picked a team that I thought would work well together.

[Kblaze8855]

I like the Duncan/curry team above. Managed a team with 5-6 all stars with a tier 1.

[qrich]

Bored, just going to go again:

Group 2: Chris Paul & Paul Pierce
Group 3: Elton Brand
Group 4: Andrei Kirilenko, Stephen Curry, Marcus Camby
Group 5: Mike Dunleavy, Andre Miller, Theo Ratliff
Group 6: Cuttino Mobley, Taj Gibson
Group 7: Steve Novak, Craig Smith


Mike Dunleavy led:
Starters: Chris Paul (SG) - Stephen Curry (PG) - Paul Pierce (SG) - Elton Brand (CE) - Marcus Camby

Bench:
6th Man: Andrei Kirilenko (SF/PF/CE)
7th: Andre Miller (PG/SG)
8th: Cuttino Mobley (SG/PG/SF)
9th: Taj Gibson (PF/CE)
10th: Theo Ratliff (CE)
11th: Craig Smith (PF/SF)
12th: Steve Novak (SF/PF)

Versatility and chemistry are the keys here. Starters have Inside/Outside offense along with one of the best points of all time and the Truth. Camby is the garbage guy on offense who gets all of the weakside blocks.

Bench is full of guys who have come off the bench and would cause no chemistry issues as well. Good D with AK, Cat, Theo & Dre. Long range threats in Sure Shot Steve and Cat. Inside scoring with Craig Rhino Smith. Just balanced as well

[chips93]

Bored, just going to go again:

Group 2: Chris Paul & Paul Pierce
Group 3: Elton Brand
Group 4: Andrei Kirilenko, Stephen Curry, Marcus Camby
Group 5: Mike Dunleavy, Andre Miller, Theo Ratliff
Group 6: Cuttino Mobley, Taj Gibson
Group 7: Steve Novak, Craig Smith


Mike Dunleavy led:
Starters: Chris Paul (SG) - Stephen Curry (PG) - Paul Pierce (SG) - Elton Brand (CE) - Marcus Camby

Bench:
6th Man: Andrei Kirilenko (SF/PF/CE)
7th: Andre Miller (PG/SG)
8th: Cuttino Mobley (SG/PG/SF)
9th: Taj Gibson (PF/CE)
10th: Theo Ratliff (CE)
11th: Craig Smith (PF/SF)
12th: Steve Novak (SF/PF)

Versatility and chemistry are the keys here. Starters have Inside/Outside offense along with one of the best points of all time and the Truth. Camby is the garbage guy on offense who gets all of the weakside blocks.

Bench is full of guys who have come off the bench and would cause no chemistry issues as well. Good D with AK, Cat, Theo & Dre. Long range threats in Sure Shot Steve and Cat. Inside scoring with Craig Rhino Smith. Just balanced as well

great team, except that center is denoted by C, not CE

[qrich]

great team, except that center is denoted by C, not CE

Yeah, I know. Just an OCD of mine with the other positions having two letters to note them by and center only one :oldlol:

[Jasi]

Yeah, I know. Just an OCD of mine with the other positions having two letters to note them by and center only one :oldlol:

Then, just think that if you write CE you will have only one position noted by a letter which is not an initial of the word. That's ugly, no?

[(e)]

Did one with the other option..

Group 1: Shaq
Group 4: Noah, Peja, Coach Thibs
Group 5: Andre Miller, Nick Anderson, JR Smith, Okur
Group 6: Kirk Hinrich, Shane Battier, Ibaka
Group 7: Steve Novak, Ramon Sessions

Coach Thibs

PG: Andre Miller/Kirk Hinrich/Sessions

Andre would start, but Kirk would play just as much - and the team would definitely go with a hot handed Kirk over Miller on any given night. Both provide a calmness on the court, and neither cares about their stats - would force feed Shaq.

SG: Nick Anderson/JR Smith/Kirk Hinrich

Nick Anderson provides as a solid starting 2 guard. JR Smith as a deadly scoring weapon off the bench - just another guy to help spread the floor for the big guy. Kirk Hinrich provides combo guard ability to play the 2 if needed.

SF: Peja Stojakovic/Shane Battier/Novak

Peja is a nice fit alongside Shaq, and is probably the one who gains the most from having Shaq inside. Great player to have spread the floor. Shane Battier provides the defense mentality off the bench, but can still help spread the floor. Novak is just a value pick, and another shooter to help spread the floor if needed.

PF: Noah/Ibaka/Okur/Battier/Novak

Noah is a must have after I picked Coach Thibs. Great size for the PF and is a great perimeter defender. Would gobble rebounds, could start a break by himself, and is a GREAT passer. Ibaka provides more size/length/defense off the bench. Okur is another big who can stretch the floor. Battier and Novak just provide more depth/versatility at the 4.

C: Shaq/Okur

I don't really need to justify Shaq lol, but the dominate inside presence that the team is built around. Nobody would get in his way inside, he'd have the paint to himself on offense - and would have guys all over the place to make the defense pay for bringing doubles. Okur provides great depth as well.

[Brunch@Five]

Doing one with tier 1:


Coach: Charles Barkley (7)
C: Tyson Chandler (5), Joakim Noah (4), Brad Miller (6)
PF: Anthony Mason (4), Boris Diaw (6)
SF: Ron Artest (4), Hedo Turkoglu (5)
SG: Michael Jordan (1), Michael Redd (5), Anthony Parker (7)
PG: Mookie Blaylock (5), Avery Johnson (6)


Defense:
This team has incredibly toughness and defense in its starting 5. All 5 made an All-D team in their prime. Everyone from SG and up are tremendous rebounders.
Mookie will hound the opposing teams PG full-court, knowing he has MJ and Artest to play the passing lanes, Mason to deliver hard fouls if necessary and Chandler down low. Swingmen will not see the light with MJ and Artest shutting them down. There also is Joakim Noah off the bench.
Offense:
Michael Jordan, the best scorer of the modern era. Chandler, Mason and Artest to feed off him. Off the bench there is Redd, a 25+ scorers in his prime and Hedo, a point forward that can also hit the outside shot. If you wanna play a more fluent, passing-motion offense, this team can bring in Diaw and/or Miller.
While this team is not strong at the PG position, both Mookie and especially AJ are great playmakers and will fit fine next to MJ. Clearly this is a half-court set-offense team.
Coaching:
This team does not have a coach; Barkley is little more than a mascot, albeit respected by his peers. However, Avery Johnson and Michael Jordan will both act as player-coaches during games. Especially the starting 5 is savvy and has high BBall IQ to absorb the lack of a coach.

Even supposed that talent does not favor my team, it certainly has the toughness, BBall IQ and leadership to go toe-to-toe with any team. Also, it has Michael Jordan.

[wally_world]

Doing one with tier 1:


Coach: Charles Barkley (7)
C: Tyson Chandler (5), Joakim Noah (4), Brad Miller (6)
PF: Anthony Mason (4), Boris Diaw (6)
SF: Ron Artest (4), Hedo Turkoglu (5)
SG: Michael Jordan (1), Michael Redd (5), Anthony Parker (7)
PG: Mookie Blaylock (5), Avery Johnson (6)


Defense:
This team has incredibly toughness and defense in its starting 5. All 5 made an All-D team in their prime. Everyone from SG and up are tremendous rebounders.
Mookie will hound the opposing teams PG full-court, knowing he has MJ and Artest to play the passing lanes, Mason to deliver hard fouls if necessary and Chandler down low. Swingmen will not see the light with MJ and Artest shutting them down. There also is Joakim Noah off the bench.
Offense:
Michael Jordan, the best scorer of the modern era. Chandler, Mason and Artest to feed off him. Off the bench there is Jefferson and Redd, a 25+ scorers in his prime and Hedo, a point forward that can also hit the outside shot. If you wanna play a more fluent, passing-motion offense, this team can bring in Diaw and/or Miller.
While this team is not strong at the PG position, both Mookie and especially AJ are great playmakers and will fit fine next to MJ. Clearly this is a half-court set-offense team.
Coaching:
This team does not have a coach; Barkley is little more than a mascot, albeit respected by his peers. However, Avery Johnson and Michael Jordan will both act as player-coaches during games. Especially the starting 5 is savvy and has high BBall IQ to absorb the lack of a coach.

Even supposed that talent does not favor my team, it certainly has the toughness, BBall IQ and leadership to go toe-to-toe with any team. Also, it has Michael Jordan.

Sick team (if coaches didnt matter alot). I'd actually let Avery coach the team and have Chuck be my backup PF :lol

[Brunch@Five]

Sick team (if coaches didnt matter alot). I'd actually let Avery coach the team and have Chuck be my backup PF :lol

thanks. Avery would certainly be the better coach. Good thing I don't even rely on him to play at all. Mason, Hedo and MJ can easily take over ball-handling duties whenever Mookie if off the floor. Especially with a team playing the triangle or a motion offense. In any case you can just give MJ the ball :oldlol:

[AndOn3]

Kblaze, can you take a look at my earlier team? it's on page six and it's a team based off option one

[Brunch@Five]

despite little feedback, decided to do another one :oldlol:

Coach: Greg Popovich

C: Vlade Divac (4), Tyson Chandler (5)
PF: Rasheed Wallace (3), Robert Horry (5), Larry Sanders (7)
SF: Detlef Schrempf (4), Shane Battier (6)
SG: Drazen Petrovic (4), Dell Curry (6), Anthony Parker (7)
PG: Jason Kidd (2), Mookie Blaylock (5)

This team's x-factor obviously is Rasheed Wallace. But if there is one coach that can get prime Sheed under control, it's Greg Popovich together with a great leader like Jason Kidd. Vlade, Det and Drazen provide that calm European competitiveness that prevents that team from being infected by Sheeds antics.
This team has tremendous BBall IQ to go along with Pops coaching. Although primarily a running team with Kidd at the helm, this team can run Pops compley sets in a half-court offense to perfection.

[qrich]

Going to go and try option 1 now with no feedback on either of my first two sides:

Group 1: Shaq
Group 4: Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko, David West
Group 5: Mike Dunleavy, Maurice Williams, Andre Miller, Jamal Crawford
Group 6: Taj Gibson, Tim Thomas, Marcin Gortat
Group 7: Leon Powe, Mo Peterson

Mike Dunleavy:
PG: Maurice Williams | Andre Miller
SG: Brandon Roy | Jamal Crawford | Mo Peterson
SF: Andrei Kirilenko | Tim Thomas
PF: David West | Taj Gibson | Leon Powe
CE: Shaquille O'Neal | Marcins Gortat


Most dominant ever with three guys to spread the floor in the starting unit and two other good defenders.

[Brunch@Five]

Mike Dunleavy led:
Starters: Chris Paul (SG) - Stephen Curry (PG) - Paul Pierce (SG) - Elton Brand (CE) - Marcus Camby

Bench:
6th Man: Andrei Kirilenko (SF/PF/CE)
7th: Andre Miller (PG/SG)
8th: Cuttino Mobley (SG/PG/SF)
9th: Taj Gibson (PF/CE)
10th: Theo Ratliff (CE)
11th: Craig Smith (PF/SF)
12th: Steve Novak (SF/PF)

Versatility and chemistry are the keys here. Starters have Inside/Outside offense along with one of the best points of all time and the Truth. Camby is the garbage guy on offense who gets all of the weakside blocks.

Bench is full of guys who have come off the bench and would cause no chemistry issues as well. Good D with AK, Cat, Theo & Dre. Long range threats in Sure Shot Steve and Cat. Inside scoring with Craig Rhino Smith. Just balanced as well

I like that team a lot, on offense that is. They will be hard to stop there. Defensively it's above average at best IMO. Neither Camby nor Brand are defensive anchors players like Pierce and Paul need to really be effective on D as well. The bench offers little versatility except for AK47, no one else to really take off the load from the starters. No one you'd really want to play heavy minutes instead of your starters in a given scenario.

This looks more like a regular season team to me, though I might be nitpicking.

[Brunch@Five]

Mike Dunleavy:
PG: Maurice Williams | Andre Miller
SG: Brandon Roy | Jamal Crawford | Mo Peterson
SF: Andrei Kirilenko | Tim Thomas
PF: David West | Taj Gibson | Leon Powe
CE: Shaquille O'Neal | Marcins Gortat


Most dominant ever with three guys to spread the floor in the starting unit and two other good defenders.

That team has a nice set-up. David West is the kind of a PF you want next to Shaq. Roy could play the Kobe 00-01 role to perfection. Kirilenko never is a wrong choice. However, it just feels to me that everyone but Shaq is just a notch too bad to really put this team over the top, compared to other teams that have been put together. This team could also use a consistent outside shooter, rather than Tim Thomas, would I think adds nothing to this team, especially when you put him at SF.

Sorry to be negative in both my feedbacks :cheers:

[J.Pullicin]

Kobe & the "Kobe-stoppers"

Coach: Del Harris (5)

PG: Andre Iguodala (4) / Tony Allen (6) / Smush Parker (7)
SG: Kobe (03-10) (1) / Raja Bell (Suns) (5) / Doug Christie (5)
SF: Tayshaun Prince (6) / Ruben Patterson (6)
PF: Lamar Odom (4) / Horace Grant (5)
C: Andrew Bynum (2010-2012 healthy) (4) / Kwame Brown (7)

In Rotation: Iggy, Kobe, Tayshaun, Lamar, Bynum, Smush, Tony Allen, Raja, Horace Grant, and Kwame.

Del Harris, who held back young Kobe as the first coach of the Shaq-Kobe Era Los Angeles Lakers, is back to stop Kobe once again.

Kobe is surrounded by "Kobe-stoppers", past and present, including self-proclaimed Kobe-stopper himself, Ruben Patterson. Former teammates of Kobe during the "Smush-Kwame" Lakers Era, Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom, and Andrew "Ship his ass out" Bynum are also back to stop Kobe.

This should be a great team defensively, as every perimeter player - sans Kobe - on the team is a Kobe-stopper. Odom is an active defender and Horace, Bynum, and Kwame are great interior defenders.

Can Kobe overcome the odds against more talented, better coached teams?

[Overdrive]

I got two Teams:

Coach: Adelman
C: Shaq
PF: Horace Grant
SF: Detlef
SG: Roy
PG: Andre Miller
Bench: Battier, Ratliff, Ibaka, Horry, Mobley, Rambis, Legler.

Coach: Bird
C: Ewing
PF: LMA
SF: Grant Hill
SG: Eddie Jones
PG: Steph
Bench: Ratliff, Dennis Scott, Horry, Hinrich, Battier, Rambis, Sessions.

The first team is basically Shaq & defensive bigs. Some shooters, one explosive scorer in Roy and a point foward type in Schrempf.

The second is built around Grant Hill's playmaking and Ewing and LMA who both can take it to the post but also shoot the midrange. It was very important to have PGs, who can play off the ball, but can also create plays for others, when Hill rests. Jones receives the perimeter D duties.

[torontobluered]

awesome thread...got me out of lurking to post my team since I put some thought into it :) hoping to hear your thoughts on this kblaze

Coach: Thibs

C: Ewing / Nene
PF: Rodman / Millsap / Sanders
SF: Durant / Prince
SG: Rip Hamilton / JR Smith / Novak
PG: Curry / Afflalo

No real "theme"...just a good mix of offense and defense that can come together and play good ball.

Scoring:
Prime Ewing was a beast, he can give you 30 points any given night. The same goes for Durant obviously. Millsap is very skilled and can get you points inside. Nene and Curry can get you points too if needed. JR is a scoring punch off the bench, Rip and Prince can hold their own offensively too. There are basically no offensive liabilities on this team, since I think offense is more important than defense (though only slightly). Lots of different ways of scoring, would be hard to stop this team from getting 120 a night.

Rebounding:
Rodman. Enough said. Ewing is good on the boards as well. Durant is tall and long and can get boards too if he tries (refer to the beginning of this season). Millsap and Nene get you 10 boards a night easily if they need too. Everyone else is adept too for their positions. Very solid rebounding team.

Defense:
Rodman... one of the greatest defensive players ever - he'll shut down pretty much any front court player. Ewing can play tough defense too. Durant is long and tall, and a pretty decent defender if he tries (probably underrated on this board. Rip Hamilton and Prince are proven excellent defensive players (see 2004 pistons). Afflalo and Sanders are nice too, they can play scrappy D. The team could be excellent defensively, especially with Rodman anchoring and with Thibs coaching.

Shooting/Spacing:
We all know what Durant can do. Novak is great. Rip Hamilton and Prince can shoot. JR isn't bad (though admittedly inconsistent. Curry and Afllalo are solid shooters as well. Spacing and shooting should be great overall.

Chemistry:
Durant is efficient and doesn't need the ball in his hands all the time, can easily share the scoring load with Ewing and defer when necessary. Rodman doesn't need touches, and Rip and Hamilton are unselfish players that can play off the ball. None of the guys off the bench have big egos either. Thibs could get this team to play great team ball.


Pretty sure I win :D

[Owl]

Initial Draft planning (and justification of picks, some team level stuff omitted and put in later
First order of business, if I'm creating an all-star (or semi-all-star) team, I don't want high usage, below average efficiency, high turnover pg.
I want passing, defence, shooting accuracy and range then scoring as a bonus. Frazier, Paul, Stockton, Nash, Payton and Kidd fulfil most of those. Kidd wasn't a great shooter at his apex, Nash was a below average defender and Payton wasn't as controlled or efficient on O as most of the other, peak on O and D at different times and generally seems like a slightly worse version of Frazier.

Of what's left Stockton's the best passer, Frazier the best defender, Paul is the best creator (for himself and others) and has the best advanced stats.
It's tough and probably not popular because it's taking modern over legends but I'm picking Chris Paul.

Next up a big time scorer (again low mistakes / high efficiency required). McGrady, Durant, Gervin and McAdoo all fit the bill. Gervin far too shoddy a defender. McAdoo was tempting but raw numbers are inflated by playing 43mpg, and he can't defend his position if he's a C. For Durant v McGrady the comparison were over more than one year then it's definitely Durant. As I'm interpreting peak as getting the very best version it's a real competition. McGrady proved he could take a higher load than Durant has ever had too, and had significantly fewer miscues, Durant shot significantly better. Durant has an edge on the boards, McGrady in assists. Defense wise both have okay numbers, McGrady might have more upside if he's not being asked to carry such a huge offensive load and can guard 2 positions (sf, sg) wheras Durant can really only defend the 3.

Again very tough, again not popular because McGrady washed out, didn't hold peak level etc, but very marginally I lean McGrady (this is a toss up though).

From pack 3 it was Love, Lanier or Thompson. Stats make Love v Lanier close, but Love has been a poor defender whilst Lanier was apparently able to switch out on forwards and guards as well as clog the middle. If Lanier we need 2 forwards, so a choice of 2 from Mason, Kirilenko, Bobby Jones and Larry Nance. If Thompson McGrady moves to forward center becomes an issue demanding Bynum plus one big forward.
I'll take Lanier, and at their peaks, Nance and Kirilenko (higher peaks plus Mason has some character issues).

Probable Starting 5 and team based logic/analysis
Lanier
Nance
Kirilenko
McGrady
Paul

(Stats below refer to peak year)
4 of 5 shoot 49%+ (and McGrady gets to the line enough to make up, and also this isn't the '03 Magic so with a usage slide he might be around that mark, Kirilenko should should rocket up his fg% and take his ts% even higher if we can minimise the 3 ball from his game), 5 ball hawks (all better than a steal a game), 4 versatile, multi-position defenders. Three shot blockers (plus maybe McGrady if he's got his Toronto legs back with a lesser load). Three elite shot creators, plus two above average ones who did very well off the ball with worse pgs than Chris Paul (Nance 22.5 on .551 from the field with Jay Humphries, Kirilenko 17.3ppg .493 but also .599 ts% with Carlos Arroyo, Keith McLeod, Howard Eisley and Raul Lopez combining to man the point). No black holes (all above 3apg) and mostly low mistake players (Lanier at 3.5 turnovers a game is a slight concern). No late game liabilities (all above 77%+ from the free throw line). The team can run with some elite athletes, or as noted there are shot creators in the halfcourt game. There's flexibility and spacing in the offense because everyone can shoot out to 15+ feet (as noted in the free throw point).

The offense runs firstly through Paul, though McGrady and Lanier will get their shots, with the exterior guys running some pick and roll and pick and pop with Lanier (with the other guard probably in the corner and Nance and AK47 looking at cutting for a dump off or second chance points where possible/appopriate). McGrady especially may get some run with the second unit as a major ball handler and the primary shot creator.

The bullet point logic behind the team
Can't key in on one player, multiple shot creators, no offensive dead weight.
All high % shooters (McGrady possible exception but he should be on this team with lower usage).
Mostly low mistake players (only Lanier high in turnovers).
Everyone plays both ends (McGrady the only relative concern at this point, Lanier at his apex was a good defender, and my hope is McGrady can bring his Toronto D with a lower offensive load, if not there are wings on the bench to come in as stoppers and McGrady can light up other teams 2nd unit).

6th Man
Jeff Hornacek. A deadeye shooter, high IQ, high character guy. Capable of playing the point. Smart, above average defender (good team D). Has an array of shots as well as the deadly 3 ball. Can create his own shot, but also very dangerous off the ball.

Bench
Muresan 7
Grant 5
Battier 6
Elie 6
Blaylock 5

Off the bench it was difficult to pass up top notch scorers like Pierce and Redd (both of whom played the microwave role well in Milwaukee). But I wanted a bench unit, especially on the perimeter, who can change the game through defense (especially for if McGrady were slacking). Blaylock is one of the premier defensive point guards of all time, Battier the fabled "no stats all-star" and king of +/- and Elie the forgotten man who just quietly provided elite shooting and defense for three championship teams. Horace Grant at his apex was integral in directing the Doberman defense of Jordan and Pippen and he could do the same here if the team decides to platoon. Finally big Gheorge provides a big deterrent to would be rim attackers. Platooning here is possible as peak Blaylock and Muresan could create their own shots (and Blaylock was a 3 shooter at his best). But the decision to go with defensive aces who are (mostly) efficient but not as high usage (passed on the likes of Cedric Maxwell or Millsap opting for Grant, and Blaylock instead of Redd or Ricky Pierce) is a consequence of seeing 3 strong shot creators in the first unit so probably one of these will be playing with any semi-platooned, mostly reserve lineup. Blaylock is a touch less controlled than I like my PGs but he’ll probably play with a Hornacek and/or McGrady who can share playmaking responsibilities. As with the first unit I didn’t want any one way players though as noted above defense was a priority so there’s a little less shot creation here but all are accurate from the field, there’s floor spacing, most are willing passer (Big Gheorge could be a black hole, but then he typically got good looks). Also I’ve looked to guys who are willing to take a backseat in terms of the limelight and should be willing to come off the bench (Grant might get a 50:50 split with Nance at PF or close to, so only Blaylock is of any concern there).

With the last pick there was a temptation to go with another defensive force like Bol or Bradley. But I want players who can play both ends of the court, and neither is the rebounder you'd hope for. Sparkplugs like Stromile Swift (and worse versions of him Ty Thomas and Keon Clark) were a vague possibility but I wanted higher character (and b-ball IQ) from a probable end of the bench guy. Kurt Rambis was very tempting, providing hustle, defense, rebounding, high percentage shooting, low mistakes and a great team guy. But I think I've got the PF position covered. I couldn't pass up on a peak Muresan who at his best was per 36 minutes an 18-12 with 3 blocks on 58% from the field guy. Okay you couldn't play him that because of conditioning/health or fouls. But he brings a matchup problem, a 2nd unit shot creator, a two end player and an intimidator. Not bad for a 7th rounder and his fellow bigs (likely Nance or Grant, but also Lanier or Kirilenko) are mobile enough to help cover for and compliment him.

12th Man
Just realised I’ve still got a bench spot left. As chief towel waver plus energy, IQ, rebounds guy I select Kurt Rambis. With Nance and Grant on board Rambis probably only sees garbage time, but he lived with low minutes in LA.

Coach
Del Harris

The coaching choice here is Del Harris. I'm happy to get a coach of his quality this late. A basketball lifer, a defensive guru (who wrote a book on defense) an NBA and Sporting News coach of the year. A strong combination of Xs and Os and fieriness, He leaned towards a slower pace game (which suits us for any hypothetical playoffs we may be in) he could adapt his style depending on the roster (his 61 win '98 Lakers had the highest pace in the league). He was also noted for being superb at preparing his team for opponents.

Feedback is welcomed.

[Owl]

Worst Team
Start with Barkley a devastating scorer and rebounder. But also at worst he could be an inconsistent (lazy) defender, a ball dominator, with a dubious commitment to conditioning and a potentially unstable locker room force. So I want to create a group that brings out the worst in him by taking his shots, shooting badly, defending poorly and behaving like jerks.

Initial Team Plan
Frye, Milicic or Closs
Barkley, Walker,
Elliott, Beasley
Rose, Rider
Crawford, Raymond Felton

Coach: Leno/Bayless/Barkley

Part of me wants to have Barkley player coach, to double down on his frustration, his lack of tact etc. But I don't know if that's in the rules. Then again I also want Leno or Bayless. Leno is possibly more demotivating in terms of picking someone outside of basketball and has less knowledge. But then theoretically he might get his assistants to do the coaching (so I'm ruling Jay out), whilst Bayless is arrogant enough to believe he can coach a team and his lack own lack of tact and shall we say "simple" view of the game. The risk with choosing Bayless is he may (surely must) just be playing a role and so won't coach as the persona "Skip Bayless", the risk of choosing Barkley is he's motivated by coaching himself and is all the more invested. I'm tempted to have them co-coach as has occasionally happened in soccer and Jerry Buss nearly let happen with West and Riley. But that feels like cheating too, putting in two level seven guys.

Elliott is a relatively strong character guy, but fits with the reasonably with the one dimensional scorer motif and I'm hoping the atmosphere can affect him and his confidence to get him into his Detroit form (after which he was described as

[Reggie43]

(2)Patrick Ewing, John Stockton

(3)Jerry Sloan

(4)Dale Ellis, Buck Williams, Brandon Roy

(5)Horace Grant, Michael Redd, Doug Christie

(6)Michael Cooper, Brad Miller

(7)Ramon Sessions, Ike Austin

Coach: Jerry Sloan

C: Ewing, Miller, Austin
PF: Williams, Grant
SF: Ellis, Cooper
SG: Roy, Redd, Christie
PG: Stockton, Sessions

Ewing/Williams manning the paint, an alltime great shooter in Dale Ellis with elite playmaking from John and the scoring prowess of a prime Brandon Roy.
It also has a well balanced bench that has elite defenders, a great shooter and unselfish passers.

I would probably use Doug Christie as a point guard ala Ron Harper on the Bulls to backup Stockton and if it doesnt work I still have a very capable backup in Ramon Sessions.

Was really thinking of getting Isiah Thomas instead of John but was persuaded otherwise by the fact that I already have Jerry Sloan as coach.

[alexd]

from group A
coach : Frank Vogel
blaylock/jason williams
jordan/laphonso ellis/bell
p.george/earl clark
noah/ibaka
m.gasol/mcgee

if jordan could win it with luc longley then he would go bananas with this team :D

from group b
coach : thibodeau
rondo/blaylock/sessions
pippen/jr smith/tony allen
durant/jefferson
noah/ibaka
m.gasol/asnders
the you will never score on us team
blaylock tony allen pippen noah and gasol along with thibs = every game we set record for fewest game ever :D
noah and gasol both are very good passers and post up
pippen will guard anyone who is a threat instead of durant
rondo is teh little general
durant will be like 25~30 ppeg
jr smith will be microwave off the bench
and ibaka with sanders will bring energy from the bench and solid defence

[Kblaze8855]

Kblaze, can you take a look at my earlier team? it's on page six and it's a team based off option one



Coach: Stan Van Gundy (4)

PG: Stephen Curry (4) / Jason Terry (5)
SG: Michael Cooper (6) / J.R. Smith (5) / Bruce Bowen (6)
SF: Ron Artest / Shane Battier (6) / Steve Novak (7)
PF: Larry Nance (4) / Horace Grant (5) / Earl Clark (7)
C: Wilt (1) / Mark Eaton (5)

Im getting the feeling you are building a super up version of Dwights Magic.

Wilt is Dwight on roids...will settle for low shots long as he gets the ball similar to swight....Curry>Jameer Nelson by a lot. Plus terry off the bench? cooper/Bruce/JR all shoot. Artest/Nance/Wilt are a great defensive frontcourt.

Plus shooters who can play the 4....eaton to mop up minutes when Wilt only wants 44.

I happen to know Wilt hated but came to accept the 3....but I dont know if he accepts his team shooting 800. But if he did...he plays Dwight role twice as well.

For all the talk about Wilt not showing this or that...he sure as hell showed more skill than Dwight usually does. Added to that hes a legit 7'1'' and Dwight is what? notch under 6'10''? Wilt is also much heavier...and a great passer which Dwight has yet to become?

I could see them playing spoiler to one of these super talented teams...then getting knocked out when a team has 2 quick guards and Cooper can only guard one o them.

Curry cant keep his ankles in one piece as it is. Id love to see him one on one vs Tim Hardaway with 2 minutes left up 1.

[Jailblazers7]

Cool idea, I'll just make a team as a fun thought experiment.

Group 2: Penny (94-98) and Grant Hill (95-00)
Group 3: Sheed (prime)
Group 4: George Karl, Vlade (prime), Drazen
Group 5: Tyson Chandler (Hornets to now), Cedric Maxwell, Horace Grant
Group 6: Muggsy, Michael Cooper
Group 7: Alvin Williams, Larry Sanders

PG - Penny/Muggsy/Alvin Williams
SG - Drazen/Cooper
SF - Grant Hill/Cedric Maxwell/Anthony Parker
PF - Sheed/Horace Grant/Larry Sanders
C - Vlade/Tyson Chandler

Coach - George Karl

[BrickingStar]

Im getting the feeling you are building a super up version of Dwights Magic.

Wilt is Dwight on roids...will settle for low shots long as he gets the ball similar to swight....Curry>Jameer Nelson by a lot. Plus terry off the bench? cooper/Bruce/JR all shoot. Artest/Nance/Wilt are a great defensive frontcourt.

Plus shooters who can play the 4....eaton to mop up minutes when Wilt only wants 44.

I happen to know Wilt hated but came to accept the 3....but I dont know if he accepts his team shooting 800. But if he did...he plays Dwight role twice as well.

For all the talk about Wilt not showing this or that...he sure as hell showed more skill than Dwight usually does. Added to that hes a legit 7'1'' and Dwight is what? notch under 6'10''? Wilt is also much heavier...and a great passer which Dwight has yet to become?

I could see them playing spoiler to one of these super talented teams...then getting knocked out when a team has 2 quick guards and Cooper can only guard one o them.

Curry cant keep his ankles in one piece as it is. Id love to see him one on one vs Tim Hardaway with 2 minutes left up 1.
:coleman: Dwight isn't on roids?

[pauk]

Lets see, if i got this right... Going with Group #1...

(1)Magic Johnson
(4)George Karl as coach
(4)Drazen Petrovic
(4)Rik Smits
(5)Horace Grant
(5)Allan Houston
(5)Cedric Maxwell
(5)Andre Miller
(6)Mark Eaton
(6)Serge Ibaka
(6)Bruce Bowen
(7)Anthony Parker
(7)Larry Sanders


PG: Magic Johnson / Andre Miller
SG: Drazen Petrovic / Allan Houston / Anthony Parker
SF: Cedric Maxwell / Bruce Bowen
PF: Horace Grant / Serge Ibaka / Larry Sanders
C: Rik Smits / Mark Eaton

Wanted to first go with Option 2, because of my bias for Reggie Miller.... but then i saw a shocking alternative... Drazen Petrovic, him at Tier 4 compared to Reggie at Tier 2..... a player who was at his peak/prime actually even better than Reggie was in every possible way (to bad he died so quick, once he finally tasted the minutes/starting spot he was ready to show the American fans what i mean, as for me i witnessed it all, almost all of the 40 to 112 points he would have every night on mostly jumpshots)..... and Reggie was my favorite NBA player of all time, trust me on this one, infact Reggie has confirmed this a couple of times..... You saved me here Kblaze... :)

This team is stacked & balanced with defense and offense..... and most importantly the offense/players i feel gel in every way, very complementary between each and every player.... I feel confident here. :cheers:

[Kblaze8855]

Ok...Dwight on HGH.

[BoutPractice]

Another attempt just for fun, starting with group 2 this time:

Coach: JVG
Maurice Cheeks/Aaron McKie/Mike James
Drazen Petrovic/Michael Redd
Scottie Pippen/Tayshaun Prince
Chris Bosh/Mehmet Okur
Patrick Ewing/Tyson Chandler/Shawn Bradley

The team has 7 All-Stars, an All-NBA teamer who wasn't an All-Star that season, and a 6th Man of the Year. The very end of rotation players are a 20 ppg, 44% 3pt shooting scorer, a do-it-all forward who was an essential starter in a championship team and a 7-6 freak of nature who can wreak havoc with his shot blocking.

It is very strong defensively, particularly protecting the rim but also on the perimeter. It has height, quickness and athleticism. It has 3 point shooting, post scoring, and ballhandlers who can get to the rim.

[Remix]

Option 1:

Coach: Thibs (4)

PG: Blaylock (5)
SG: Jordan (1)
SF: Deng (4)
PF: Millsap (5)
C: Noah (4)

2nd Unit:
PG: Hinrich (6)
SG: Redd (5)
SF: Bowen (6)
PF: Ibaka (6)
C: Okur (5)

Waterboys:
Session 7
Earl Clark 7

Mookie on the Hawks was a pretty decent 3p shooter to help spread the floor. The offense would be through Jordan with Deng being the 2nd option, Millsap would get a few looks a game and Noah would be the hustle. If the team needed more interior defense Millsap would sub out for Ibaka, need more offense and Redd and Okur could check in.

[ljsbb27]

Coach: Tom Thibodeou

PG: Jrue Holiday, Bobby Jackson

SG: Brandon Roy, Jason Terry, Anthony Parker

SF: Kevin Durant, Tayshaun Prince

PF: Kevin Love, Nene, Earl Clark

C: Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler

[qrich]

Heres my fourth crack at it, out of boredom:

Group 2: Christopher Paul, Alonzo Mourning
Group 3: Elton Brand
Group 4: Stephen Curry, Paul George, Andrei Kirilenko
Group 5: Mike Dunleavy Sr., Andre Miller, Mihael Redd
Group 6: Brad Miller, Shane Battier
Group 7: Eddie House, Robin Lopez

PG: Chris Paul | Andre Miller
SG: Stephen Curry | Michael Redd | Eddie House
SF: Paul George | Shane Battier
PF: Elton Brand | Andrei Kirilenko
CE: Alonzo Mourning | Brad Miller | Robin Lopez
Coach: Mike Dunleavy

Starting unit has amazing defense sans Curry and with Chris Paul spoonfeeding the other four, it should be high scoring. Bench has savvy vets, shooters and defenders. Think its my best so far.

[J.Pullicin]

Group 2 - "Good luck scoring on this team" team

Coach - Tom Thibodeau (4)

Starters
PG: Gary Payton (2)
SG: Joe Dumars (pre-Hill) (3)
SF: Scottie Pippen (2)
PF: Horace Grant (5)
C: Marc Gasol (4)

Bench
PG: Mookie Blaylock (5)
SG: Michael Cooper (6)
SF: Paul George (4)
PF: Serge Ibaka (6)
C: Tyson Chandler (Hornets to now) (5)

SG/SF: Anthony Parker (7)
PF/C: Larry Sanders (7)

This team has three DPotY winners in Payton, Cooper, and Chandler. Horace Grant and Marc Gasol are great interior defenders, and are backed up by Ibaka, Tyson Chandler, and Larry Sanders, also great at defending the interior. In the starting lineup, between Payton, Dumars, and Pippen, there are 21 NBA All-Defensive 1st Team selections and 3 NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team selections.

Off the bench are Mookie, Coop, Paul George, Ibaka, Tyson Chandler, Anthony Parker, and Larry Sanders. All are good to excellent defenders, with Cooper and Chandler being DPotY winners.

[UnbiasedGuy]

Group A

C: Shaq (1) / Asik (6)
Pf: Odom (4) / Taj (6) / Horry (5)
Sf: Paul Millsap (5) / Odom(4) / Horry (5) / Rambis (7)
Sg: Steph Curry (4) / JR Smith (5)/ Novak(7)
Pg: Andre Miller (5) / Tony Allen (6)


Coach: Adelman to keep b1tches in line

Starring the MDE, feat. ridic shooter ever Curry in place of kobe. Curry fills kobe's role really well, being able to make outside shots as well as penetrate and make plays. This is basically the threepeat lakers on super steroids, HGH, german tech, protoss tech, etc. Steph definately would take more of a spot role, with miller handing and point duties.

Starting unit combines for something like (approximated shaq's avg as 28/12/3, using career avg for other 4):

87pts /36 reb/22 ast


The only weakness I can see is that steph curry cant guard shit. When facing the kobe's, lebron's, prime t-mac's of the NBA, would sub Tony Allen for defense and try to slow them down. Could also rotate Asik/Taj in to the 4 for bodies in the paint

Shaq
Asik/Taj
Odom
Curry
Allen

Would be crazy good at masking Curry's only weakness. Offense is never a problem with Shaq and Curry on the court :lol :lol

[J.Pullicin]

Group 1 - "Miami Heat-like" team

Coach: Erik Spoelstra (4)

Starters
PG: Mookie Blaylock (5)
SG: Ricky Pierce (5)
SF: LeBron James (1)
PF: Horace Grant (5)
C: Larry Nance (4)

Bench
PG: Nate McMillan (5)
SG: Drazen Petrovic (4)
SF/PF: Shane Battier (6)
SG/SF: Kyle Korver (6)
PF/C: Serge Ibaka (6)
SF/PF: Steve Novak (7)
PF/C: Larry Sanders (7)

I tried to make this team most like the Miami Heat as they are currently constructed. Erik Spoelstra is the coach, and the roles of LeBron/Wade/Bosh go to LeBron, Ricky Pierce, and Larry Nance, respectively. Blaylock and McMillan play the roles of Chalmers and Cole, Horace Grant is the team's Haslem, Ibaka and Sanders are better than Joel Anthony and Birdman, and the roles of Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Rashard Lewis are played by Drazen Petrovic, Shane Battier, Kyle Korver, and Steve Novak, respectively.

[UnbiasedGuy]

Group 1 - "Miami Heat-like" team

Coach: Erik Spoelstra (4)

Starters
PG: Mookie Blaylock (5)
SG: Ricky Pierce (5)
SF: LeBron James (1)
PF: Horace Grant (5)
C: Larry Nance (4)

Bench
PG: Nate McMillan (5)
SG: Drazen Petrovic (4)
SF/PF: Shane Battier (6)
SG/SF: Kyle Korver (6)
PF/C: Serge Ibaka (6)
SF/PF: Steve Novak (7)
PF/C: Larry Sanders (7)

I tried to make this team most like the Miami Heat as they are currently constructed. Erik Spoelstra is the coach, and the roles of LeBron/Wade/Bosh go to LeBron, Ricky Pierce, and Larry Nance, respectively. Blaylock and McMillan play the roles of Chalmers and Cole, Horace Grant is the team's Haslem, Ibaka and Sanders are better than Joel Anthony and Birdman, and the roles of Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Rashard Lewis are played by Drazen Petrovic, Shane Battier, Kyle Korver, and Steve Novak, respectively.

Youd get destroyed by my team with shaq :lol :lol

[MetsPackers]

#1
1 from group 1
3 from group 4
4 from group 5
3 from group 6
2 from group 7

Shaq 94-02
George Karl
Peja(kings)
Stephon Curry now
Michael Redd
Richard Jefferson nets
Raja Bell(Suns)
Paul Millsap
Asik
Ibaka
Kirk Hinrich
Tyrus thomas
Jason Kapono

Coach: George Karl
PG: Steph Curry / Kirk Hinrich
SG: Michael Redd / Jason Kapono / Raja Bell
SF: Peja (Kings) / Richard Jefferson (Nets)
PF: Serge Ibaka / Paul Millsap
C: Shaq / Omer Asik

I think they win the chip if placed in todays league

[MetsPackers]

Alternate #1 team without Shaq since that's the easy way out:
1 from group 1
3 from group 4
4 from group 5
3 from group 6
2 from group 7

Coach: Tom Thibodeau
PG: Jameer Nelson / Ramon Sessions
SG: Prime Jordan / Steve Novak
SF: Michael Redd / Tayshaun Prince / Hedo Turkoglu
PF: Prime AK47 / Anderson Varajao / Brad Miller
C: Prime Camby / Hornets Chandler

I think they definitely contend, little weak in the backcourt outside of Jordan and Redd but prime Jordan can make up for their deficiences and Turkolgu and Nelson can shoot so they'd be fine.

Option #2
2 from group 2
1 from group 3
3 from group 4
3 from group 5
2 fom goup 6
2 from group 7

Coach: Jeff Van Gundy
PG: Jrue Holiday / Andre Miller (peak)
SG: Steve Francis / Michael Redd / Eddie House
SF: Kevin Durant / Tim Thomas / Earl Clark
PF: Rasheed Wallace / Emeka Okafor
C: Alonzo Mourning / Omer Asik

I actually think this team came out pretty balanced and they would definitely contend. No doubt.

Yes I am very bored

[J.Pullicin]

Group 2

Coach: Rick Adelman (4)

Starters
PG: Terry Porter (3)
SG: Raja Bell (Suns) (5)
SF: Kevin Durant (2)
PF: Pau Gasol (2)
C: Marc Gasol (4)

Bench
PG: Jason Terry (Mavs) (5)
SG: Drazen Petrovic (4)
SF: Shane Battier (6)
PF: Horace Grant (5)
C: Brad Miller (Pacers/Kings) (6)
PG: Mike James (7)
SF: Steve Novak (7)

I believe that this team is perfectly built to run Coach Adelman's Corner Set offense. The Gasol brothers are excellent passers, and everyone on the team can shoot as well as pass. On defense, the team is above-average.

[UnbiasedGuy]

kblaze please do me (slightly homo)

[AndOn3]

Im getting the feeling you are building a super up version of Dwights Magic.

Wilt is Dwight on roids...will settle for low shots long as he gets the ball similar to swight....Curry>Jameer Nelson by a lot. Plus terry off the bench? cooper/Bruce/JR all shoot. Artest/Nance/Wilt are a great defensive frontcourt.

Plus shooters who can play the 4....eaton to mop up minutes when Wilt only wants 44.

I happen to know Wilt hated but came to accept the 3....but I dont know if he accepts his team shooting 800. But if he did...he plays Dwight role twice as well.

For all the talk about Wilt not showing this or that...he sure as hell showed more skill than Dwight usually does. Added to that hes a legit 7'1'' and Dwight is what? notch under 6'10''? Wilt is also much heavier...and a great passer which Dwight has yet to become?

I could see them playing spoiler to one of these super talented teams...then getting knocked out when a team has 2 quick guards and Cooper can only guard one o them.

Curry cant keep his ankles in one piece as it is. Id love to see him one on one vs Tim Hardaway with 2 minutes left up 1.

That's exactly where offense-defense substitutions come in handy. Assuming people start to Hack-A-Wilt when they're inevitably losing and can't stop a combo of interior and perimeter dominance, SVG can throw in Bowen on defense and sub him out whenever necessary. Either way, Curry has proven that he is improving as a defender and can probably be switched off onto the least mobile of the wings, as Artest, Bowen, and Coop can all guard all three positions.

[J.Pullicin]

Group 1

1 from Group 1
3 from Group 4
4 from Group 5
3 from Group 6
2 from Group 7

(1) Shaq 94-02
(4) Stephen Curry
(4) Drazen Petrovic
(4) Andre Iguodala
(5) Coach - Del Harris
(5) Mookie Blaylock
(5) Horace Grant
(5) Mehmet Okur (Prime Jazz)
(6) Michael Cooper
(6) Shane Battier
(6) Serge Ibaka
(7) Mike James
(7) Larry Sanders

Coach - Del Harris

PG: S. Curry / M. Blaylock / M. James
SG: D. Petrovic / A. Iguodala / M. Cooper
SF: A. Iguodala / S. Battier / M. Cooper
PF: H. Grant / S. Ibaka / M. Okur / L. Sanders
CE: S. O'Neal / M. Okur / L. Sanders

[Kblaze8855]

I'll look over all this over the next day or two and decide on a winner.



kblaze please do me (slightly homo)




Group A

C: Shaq (1) / Asik (6)
Pf: Odom (4) / Taj (6) / Horry (5)
Sf: Paul Millsap (5) / Odom(4) / Horry (5) / Rambis (7)
Sg: Steph Curry (4) / JR Smith (5)/ Novak(7)
Pg: Andre Miller (5) / Tony Allen (6)


Coach: Adelman to keep b1tches in line

Starring the MDE, feat. ridic shooter ever Curry in place of kobe. Curry fills kobe's role really well, being able to make outside shots as well as penetrate and make plays. This is basically the threepeat lakers on super steroids, HGH, german tech, protoss tech, etc. Steph definately would take more of a spot role, with miller handing and point duties.

Starting unit combines for something like (approximated shaq's avg as 28/12/3, using career avg for other 4):

87pts /36 reb/22 ast


The only weakness I can see is that steph curry cant guard shit. When facing the kobe's, lebron's, prime t-mac's of the NBA, would sub Tony Allen for defense and try to slow them down. Could also rotate Asik/Taj in to the 4 for bodies in the paint

Shaq
Asik/Taj
Odom
Curry
Allen

Would be crazy good at masking Curry's only weakness. Offense is never a problem with Shaq and Curry on the court :lol :lol

Only problem I see is having an odd frontcourt at times. You either remove offense by putting in Asik/Taj or what....try to play Paul with Odom? Vs some of these teams I could see that being an issue.

[ThaRegul8r]

I still wanted to make a team, so I'll get one in before the deadline.

C: Bill Russell (1) / Larry Sanders (7)
PF: Horace Grant (6) / Paul Millsap (5) / Robert Horry (5) / Larry Sanders (7)
SF: Dale Ellis (4) / Cedric Maxwell (5) / Ricky Pierce (5)
SG: Brandon Roy (4) / Ricky Pierce (5) / Michael Cooper (6)
PG: Kirk Hinrich (6) / Michael Cooper (6) / Chris Childs (7)

Coach: Tom Thibodeau (4)

Tier 4

Thibodeau's the coach purely because seeing what he did with Garnett, I want to see the defensive schemes he'd come up with with the GOAT defensive anchor. Looking at Tier 4, I need scorers. I like Toney, asked for him to be added and then saw he'd be available, but since he wasn't the "#1 option," unfortunately I had to pass, even though I wanted to choose him.

Roy was the #1 option for his team, was Second Team All-NBA behind Kobe and Wade, clutch, and averaged 26.7 a game in the postseason against a Top 5 defensive team in the league, being guarded by the Second Team All-Defense tandem of former DPOY Artest and Battier. So he could score against elite defense. Kobe said Roy was the toughest player in the Western Conference for him to guard, and had no weaknesses in his game.

Dale Ellis was one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, and had the highest peak scoring average of anyone in the tier, averaging 27.5 a game, third in the league behind Jordan (32.5) and Malone (29.1). He actually outscored Jordan 56-39 head-to-head. No, before anyone protests, that isn't to be construed that he was in the same league as Jordan as a player in any way, shape or form, but he could put points on the board, which is what I'm looking for out of this tier. And he could play the 2 or 3, which means he could slide to the 3 with Roy at the 2. Roy plays with the ball in his hand and Ellis plays off-ball, so they'd fit.


Tier 5

Ricky Pierce would play the role of Frank Ramsey, who Russell played with. In 1989-90, Pierce averaged 23 points in 29 minutes off the bench. "Nobody but nobody in the NBA is better at joining a game in progress and supplying instant offense" (Philadelphia Daily News, Feb 20, 1991). That's what I'm looking for. In Roy, Ellis and Pierce, that's three 20-point scorers, and that's the most there can realistically be. Pierce was also clutch. Could also play the 2 or the 3, which means if Roy's handling the ball in crunch time, Pierce and Ellis can both be on the floor with Roy.

Cedric Maxwell's a player I like, and fortunately he's available. He'll be the post-up player, was one of the best inside-outside passers in the game, good defender, good offensive rebounder, was "the glue that brought the Celtics together," and was clutch. Told the Celtics before the deciding Game 7 of the '84 Finals to jump on his back and he'd carry them, then went out and had 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in the deciding game. Could play both the 3 and the 4.

Robert Horry's Robert Horry. 3-point shooter, defender, good in transition, and we all know he's clutch. Can have a crunch time lineup of Roy, Pierce, Ellis and Horry on the floor, with Russell grabbing any offensive rebounds. Keeping in mind there wasn't enough scoring last game, Millsap's there for more scoring off the bench.


Tier 6

As I've said, Roy and Andre Miller actually played together in real life, and it didn't work. So it wouldn't make sense to ignore what actually happened and pretend they'd work here when we already know it won't. Hence Hinrich. He can play defense, hit threes, and Roy can have the ball in his hands. The Blazers were actually interested in Hinrich as a backcourt partner for Roy at one point.

Grant was a key part of the Bulls' first threepeat (http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PUEfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ac8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6332,3372516). He was also an integral part of the Bulls' "Doberman Defense."


The Bulls' six titles were predicated on suffocating halfcourt defense, with Jordan leading what assistant coach John Bach referred to as "the Dobermans."

Jordan and Scottie PIppen could take away a whole side of the court, able to defend on-ball and also get into passing lanes for steals that ignited the Chicago fast break. And power forward Horace Grant's ability able to trap out front and recover in time to get back to his man, combined with the solid rotations of players like Bill Cartwright, allowed Chicago to suffocate opponents in the halfcourt.

Now he gets to play with a dominant defensive 5. Cooper takes the high-scoring wings, is a three-point shooter, transition finisher and backup point guard.

I initially wanted to do one with Magic as well, but I probably won't get it in.

[Kblaze8855]

So...I went to amazon to buy a gift card I could save till I decided who wins...but it looks like I need to put the email in when I buy it. So I have nothing to prove I bought it/intend to....but I will.

Its the offseason so...time to read this long ass topic and pick the contenders. Anyone wants to add one feel free.

[scm5]

Going with option #1

Coach: SVG (4)

C: Shaq (1) / Chandler (5) / Sanders (7)
PF: Okur (5) / Ibaka (6) /
SF: Peja (4) / Prince (6) /
SG: Bell (5) / Cooper (6)
PG: S. Curry (4) / Mayo (5) / Sessions (7)

What SVG with Dwight in Orlando was amazing. Shaq is just about the most dominant force the NBA has seen, but he was also one of the best passing bigmen and a very willing passer.

I basically surrounded Shaq with the best shooters available. The inside out game would be ridiculous with a team like this, Shaq cannot be double teamed.

As for the second unit, you've got some of the best defenders available to switch onto any opponents going off. Michael Cooper could guard 1-3, so ignore Mayo/Sessions. They're just to back up Curry. The best part of this team is that no one is very selfish or hogs up a bunch of shots. Shaq does, but he's one of the most efficient scorers in the league and a willing passer.

If any double comes, these are players that hit their 3's at a clip of 40%+. The spacing would be ridiculous for Shaq.

[Kblaze8855]

Few teams under consideration I can keep in one spot to avoid too much scrolling later:


(2)Patrick Ewing, John Stockton

(3)Jerry Sloan

(4)Dale Ellis, Buck Williams, Brandon Roy

(5)Horace Grant, Michael Redd, Doug Christie

(6)Michael Cooper, Brad Miller

(7)Ramon Sessions, Ike Austin

Coach: Jerry Sloan

C: Ewing, Miller, Austin
PF: Williams, Grant
SF: Ellis, Cooper
SG: Roy, Redd, Christie
PG: Stockton, Sessions



Coach: Frank Vogel (6) - Since taking over the Pacers from Jim O'Brien in 2011, his teams have clinched a playoff berth in three straight seasons. His teams are great defensively, and have improved on offense.

Starters:
PG: Stephen Curry (4) - Great 3pt. shooter. Can create for himself or others. Can play off-ball. Excellent free-throw shooter.

SG: Raja Bell (Suns) (5) - Great catch-and-shoot 3pt. shooter. Great perimeter defender. Very good free-throw shooter.

SF: Paul George (4) - Very good 3pt. shooter. Can create for himself or others. Can play off-ball. Great perimeter defender. Very good free-throw shooter.

PF: Tim Duncan (prime) (1) - Franchise cornerstone. Great post game. Good passer. Good mid-range jumper. Excellent all-around defender for a big. Great rebounder. Okay free-throw shooter.

C: Mehmet Okur (Prime Jazz) (5) - Great 3pt. shooter for a big. Great free-throw shooter. Okay at everything else.

Bench:
PG: Jason Terry (Mavs) (5) - Great 3pt. shooter. Can create for himself or others. Can play off-ball. Great free-throw shooter.

SG: Michael Redd (5) - Very good scorer. Very good 3pt. shooter. Great free-throw shooter.

SF: Bruce Bowen (6) - Tenacious perimeter defender. Great at corner 3pt. shots.

PF: Serge Ibaka (6) - Great all-around big-man defender. Excellent shot blocker. Very good mid-range shot. Shoots the spot-up 3 on occasion. Good rebounder. Okay free-throw shooter. Athletic.

C: Andrew Bynum (2010-2012 healthy) (4) - Great post game. Great all-around defender for a big. Great rebounder. Okay free-throw shooter. Injury-prone.

SF/PF: Steve Novak (7) - Great 3pt. shooter. Great free-throw shooter.

PF/C: Larry Sanders (7) - Great all-around big-man defender. Excellent shot blocker. Great rebounder. Poor free-throw shooter.

Offense will be PG pick and roll/pop with the bigs and post-ups for Duncan and Bynum. Duncan can run some things from the pinch post. Curry, George, Terry, and Redd can create their own shot if needed.


Coach: Bird
C: Ewing
PF: LMA
SF: Grant Hill
SG: Eddie Jones
PG: Steph
Bench: Ratliff, Dennis Scott, Horry, Hinrich, Battier, Rambis, Sessions.


Coach: Thibs

C: Ewing / Nene
PF: Rodman / Millsap / Sanders
SF: Durant / Prince
SG: Rip Hamilton / JR Smith / Novak
PG: Curry / Afflalo


If you found a way to get this team a coach id say they had a shot of only for the hatred they would play with:



Coach: Charles Barkley (7)
C: Tyson Chandler (5), Joakim Noah (4), Brad Miller (6)
PF: Anthony Mason (4), Boris Diaw (6)
SF: Ron Artest (4), Hedo Turkoglu (5)
SG: Michael Jordan (1), Michael Redd (5), Anthony Parker (7)
PG: Mookie Blaylock (5), Avery Johnson (6)


Defense:
This team has incredibly toughness and defense in its starting 5. All 5 made an All-D team in their prime. Everyone from SG and up are tremendous rebounders.
Mookie will hound the opposing teams PG full-court, knowing he has MJ and Artest to play the passing lanes, Mason to deliver hard fouls if necessary and Chandler down low. Swingmen will not see the light with MJ and Artest shutting them down. There also is Joakim Noah off the bench.
Offense:
Michael Jordan, the best scorer of the modern era. Chandler, Mason and Artest to feed off him. Off the bench there is Redd, a 25+ scorers in his prime and Hedo, a point forward that can also hit the outside shot. If you wanna play a more fluent, passing-motion offense, this team can bring in Diaw and/or Miller.
While this team is not strong at the PG position, both Mookie and especially AJ are great playmakers and will fit fine next to MJ. Clearly this is a half-court set-offense team.
Coaching:
This team does not have a coach; Barkley is little more than a mascot, albeit respected by his peers. However, Avery Johnson and Michael Jordan will both act as player-coaches during games. Especially the starting 5 is savvy and has high BBall IQ to absorb the lack of a coach.

Even supposed that talent does not favor my team, it certainly has the toughness, BBall IQ and leadership to go toe-to-toe with any team. Also, it has Michael Jordan.

[Kblaze8855]

Having just remembered this....id have to say the winner is torontobluered with this post:


Coach: Thibs

C: Ewing / Nene
PF: Rodman / Millsap / Sanders
SF: Durant / Prince
SG: Rip Hamilton / JR Smith / Novak
PG: Curry / Afflalo

No real "theme"...just a good mix of offense and defense that can come together and play good ball.

Scoring:
Prime Ewing was a beast, he can give you 30 points any given night. The same goes for Durant obviously. Millsap is very skilled and can get you points inside. Nene and Curry can get you points too if needed. JR is a scoring punch off the bench, Rip and Prince can hold their own offensively too. There are basically no offensive liabilities on this team, since I think offense is more important than defense (though only slightly). Lots of different ways of scoring, would be hard to stop this team from getting 120 a night.

Rebounding:
Rodman. Enough said. Ewing is good on the boards as well. Durant is tall and long and can get boards too if he tries (refer to the beginning of this season). Millsap and Nene get you 10 boards a night easily if they need too. Everyone else is adept too for their positions. Very solid rebounding team.

Defense:
Rodman... one of the greatest defensive players ever - he'll shut down pretty much any front court player. Ewing can play tough defense too. Durant is long and tall, and a pretty decent defender if he tries (probably underrated on this board. Rip Hamilton and Prince are proven excellent defensive players (see 2004 pistons). Afflalo and Sanders are nice too, they can play scrappy D. The team could be excellent defensively, especially with Rodman anchoring and with Thibs coaching.

Shooting/Spacing:
We all know what Durant can do. Novak is great. Rip Hamilton and Prince can shoot. JR isn't bad (though admittedly inconsistent. Curry and Afllalo are solid shooters as well. Spacing and shooting should be great overall.

Chemistry:
Durant is efficient and doesn't need the ball in his hands all the time, can easily share the scoring load with Ewing and defer when necessary. Rodman doesn't need touches, and Rip and Hamilton are unselfish players that can play off the ball. None of the guys off the bench have big egos either. Thibs could get this team to play great team ball.


Pretty sure I win

In the very unlikely event he returns to see this(he has 6 posts ever) the prize will be 3 of my favorite basketball books:

Wilt chamberlain - A view from above

Tipoff - How the 1984 NBa draft changed basketball forever

THe Jordan Rules

Ive read them all too many times to remember. Good to have laying around.


I suspect ill never be called on to deliver but should he pop up...ill pay. If he doesnt it will probably be:




Group 2: Patrick Ewing, Kevin Durant
Group 3: Kyrie Irving
Group 4: Tom Thibodeau, Paul George, Joakim Noah
Group 5: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Richard Jefferson
Group 6: Ibaka, Kirk Hinrich
Group 7: Larry Sanders, Novak

Coach: Thibs
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Paul George
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Joakim Noah
C: Patrick Ewing

Bench
G: OJ Mayo, JR Smith, Kirk Hinrich
F/C: Richard Jefferson, Steve Novak, Ibaka, Larry Sanders

George shot up the rankings this year. Kyrie kinda takes a hit....but Durant/Ewing/George with Noah I suppose at the 4 with Kyrie at the point? They could contend with anyone. And Thibs coaching? 5-6 good shooters?


(e) is the winner if the other guy never shows.