ABfor3
04-15-2014, 04:45 PM
The perfect roster
Bradford Doolittle
http://a.espncdn.com//photo/2014/0411/nba_g_lebron01jr_576x324.jpg
ESPN Insider | April 15, 2014
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
LeBron James anchors the 2013-14 season's perfect NBA roster.
Here's a different kind of All-NBA team: One that could actually exist, and probably does if you believe in the theory of the multiverse. To build this team, we're going to consider the actual roles a typical roster needs filled, and we're going to operate under the same salary constraints as an NBA general manager, though in this case we'll let him spend up to the tax apron of $75.7 million. In fact, the roster we've compiled would cost about $75.2 million in 2013-14 salary.
This 14-man All-NBA team not only recognizes some of the best and varied role players who populate the NBA, but also appreciates those who provide fair value in terms of salary. Fit is essential, so the type of players higher on the roster hierarchy will impact the kind of players we slot lower down.
James
Foundation Player: LeBron James
Kevin Durant is the deserved MVP this season, but if we were drafting the NBA from scratch right now, who would the team with the top pick select? The answer to that hypothetical question no longer defaults to James. Nevertheless, you can't surpass a player who has been the best in the game for so long based on one season. Think of it like this: In 1997, Karl Malone outpointed Michael Jordan in the MVP balloting. Did that mean he had surpassed Jordan as the game's best player? That's why James gets the nod.
Love
Running Mate: Kevin Love
Love deserves to be recognized for the expansion of his game this season. He's as lethal as ever from deep, but also has been very good on the block, in passing the ball and as an elite rebounder. As a running mate for James, it's a perfect skill set. Love's 19.8 WARP ranks behind only Durant and James. And, not for nothing, Love's price tag of $14.7 million for this season is appropriate for a second star on a championship roster.
Noah
Third Wheel: Joakim Noah
It's not easy to produce like a max salary player without being a big-time scorer, but that's exactly what Noah has done this season. He's 12th in WARP, but has ranked in the top five since the All-Star break. His defensive RPM (plus-3.78) gives my team a strong defensive backbone. Noah's playmaking ability from the high post fits into any lineup and if he's playing alongside high-powered players like James and Love, his scoring is going to be more efficient. Finally, Noah's $11.1 million salary is perfect for his place on this roster.
Green
Floor Spacer: Danny Green
The San Antonio Spurs have as close to a perfect roster as exists in the NBA, which is why so many rebuilding teams seek to emulate Gregg Popovich's model. Players like Green are a big reason for that. Green not only is an elite catch-and-shoot deep threat who is shooting 42 percent from downtown, he's an excellent wing defender. Green's plus-2.67 defensive RPM is one of the five best in the league among perimeter players getting at least 15 minutes per game.
Beverley
Glue Guy: Patrick Beverley
Few people seemed to realize the magnitude of the blow the Houston Rockets nearly suffered when it appeared that they'd lost Beverley for the season with a knee injury. Beverley leads the Rockets in RPM at plus-4.88, and also has posted 2.8 WARP on the season. His ability to hound opposing star point guards is essential, and while he's not a traditional playmaker, he doesn't need to be on this roster. Nevertheless, Beverley's ability to knock down corner 3s gives him offensive utility. Finally, with a salary of just $788,872, Beverley offers as much bang for the buck as any role player in the league.
Mills
Bench Spark: Patty Mills
Mills has emerged as one of the most explosive bench scorers in the league. He's tied with Manu Ginobili for second on San Antonio by averaging 21.7 points per 40 minutes. He gets that offense within the framework of the system, with an offensive RPM of plus-2.63, and also has positive indicators on the defensive end. As a player who can make plays for himself with the ball in his hands, Mills offers a nice counterpoint to Beverley. And he's cheap, which makes my capologist happy.
Gibson
Energy Big: Taj Gibson
This may be the last year we can consider Gibson an energy big, as he's blossomed into an elite role player this season, one who may occupy a full-time, big-minute job in Chicago next season if Carlos Boozer is amnestied. He can score on the block against smaller 4s, is a solid jump shooter as long as he keeps his volume in check, attacks the glass and outruns most opposing bigs down the floor. He'd be a beast in transition alongside James.
Green
Perimeter Stopper: Draymond Green
Green isn't the best defensive perimeter player on his own team -- that honor goes to Andre Iguodala -- but he makes sure the Golden State Warriors don't suffer much of a drop-off when he comes into the game. Green's plus-3.99 defensive RPM ranks behind only Iguodala among wing defenders, but he also muscles up and plays a lot of stretch 4 for Golden State. He's not a great 3-point shooter by any stretch, but he can get on a streak. That's a lot to work with for a guy on a second-round salary.
Fisher
Floor General: Derek Fisher
This isn't a big role, but every roster needs a veteran who provides capable defense, hits open shots and can help settle a team down when things get frazzled. Fisher has been providing these services since the Nixon administration, and has had a quietly effective season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's shooting 39 percent from deep, and has a fine plus-2.26 defensive RPM.
Korver
Shooting Specialist: Kyle Korver
Korver is a starter these days, but we've splurged for his $6.7 million salary to make sure the game's best shooter is on our roster. Korver is not an elite defender by any stretch, but he's always been better on that end than people think. RPM agrees, giving him a plus-0.71 mark. You can't leave him on an island, but he gives you effort, plays smart and has exceptional hands.
Plumlee
Floor Runner: Mason Plumlee
You want guys who can run with James, and according to Synergy Sports Technologies, Plumlee ranks fifth in the league in points per transition play, minimum of 50 tries. He's super-efficient with a .672 true shooting percentage that leads our roster. Plumlee played so well that the Brooklyn Nets barely skipped a beat late in the season when he filled in for Kevin Garnett. You love a mix of veterans and youth, and Plumlee is working on the rookie salary scale.
Collison
Dirty Worker: Nick Collison
Any team that takes on-/off-court metrics under consideration has to love Collison. He's all intangibles. He's just a tick under replacement level in WARP this season, but has an eye-popping plus-6.34 RPM for the campaign. Folks, that's fifth in the league.
Hope for Future: Cody Zeller
Even win-now teams need developing players, and Zeller has grown into his draft slot as the season has progressed. He wouldn't play a lot on this team, but RPM sees him as already being an NBA defender, and WARP has him over replacement level. It's a great starting point for a 21-year-old.
Collins
Locker Room Guy: Jason Collins
At the end of the roster, intangibles are as important as measurables, even something as advanced as RPM. On a contender, you want a seasoned veteran who can fill a very small on-court role, but also serve as a quasi player-coach in the locker room. When no one wants to talk, he is perched in front of his locker after a tough loss, explaining the mindset of the team in an articulate manner to the press. Collins is the perfect 14th man, because in addition to all that, he defends the post, gives fouls when needed and is one of the premier screeners in the league. Collins, Kurt Thomas, Grant Hill -- these kinds of guys can be a crucial element on a well-rounded roster.
Starting Five looks good but the bench could be betterAnd do they really think Jason Collins can be the ultimate locker room presence? He'll be the reason for the locker room absence in all honesty. This really isn't the perfect roster ..:facepalm ESPN
Bradford Doolittle
http://a.espncdn.com//photo/2014/0411/nba_g_lebron01jr_576x324.jpg
ESPN Insider | April 15, 2014
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
LeBron James anchors the 2013-14 season's perfect NBA roster.
Here's a different kind of All-NBA team: One that could actually exist, and probably does if you believe in the theory of the multiverse. To build this team, we're going to consider the actual roles a typical roster needs filled, and we're going to operate under the same salary constraints as an NBA general manager, though in this case we'll let him spend up to the tax apron of $75.7 million. In fact, the roster we've compiled would cost about $75.2 million in 2013-14 salary.
This 14-man All-NBA team not only recognizes some of the best and varied role players who populate the NBA, but also appreciates those who provide fair value in terms of salary. Fit is essential, so the type of players higher on the roster hierarchy will impact the kind of players we slot lower down.
James
Foundation Player: LeBron James
Kevin Durant is the deserved MVP this season, but if we were drafting the NBA from scratch right now, who would the team with the top pick select? The answer to that hypothetical question no longer defaults to James. Nevertheless, you can't surpass a player who has been the best in the game for so long based on one season. Think of it like this: In 1997, Karl Malone outpointed Michael Jordan in the MVP balloting. Did that mean he had surpassed Jordan as the game's best player? That's why James gets the nod.
Love
Running Mate: Kevin Love
Love deserves to be recognized for the expansion of his game this season. He's as lethal as ever from deep, but also has been very good on the block, in passing the ball and as an elite rebounder. As a running mate for James, it's a perfect skill set. Love's 19.8 WARP ranks behind only Durant and James. And, not for nothing, Love's price tag of $14.7 million for this season is appropriate for a second star on a championship roster.
Noah
Third Wheel: Joakim Noah
It's not easy to produce like a max salary player without being a big-time scorer, but that's exactly what Noah has done this season. He's 12th in WARP, but has ranked in the top five since the All-Star break. His defensive RPM (plus-3.78) gives my team a strong defensive backbone. Noah's playmaking ability from the high post fits into any lineup and if he's playing alongside high-powered players like James and Love, his scoring is going to be more efficient. Finally, Noah's $11.1 million salary is perfect for his place on this roster.
Green
Floor Spacer: Danny Green
The San Antonio Spurs have as close to a perfect roster as exists in the NBA, which is why so many rebuilding teams seek to emulate Gregg Popovich's model. Players like Green are a big reason for that. Green not only is an elite catch-and-shoot deep threat who is shooting 42 percent from downtown, he's an excellent wing defender. Green's plus-2.67 defensive RPM is one of the five best in the league among perimeter players getting at least 15 minutes per game.
Beverley
Glue Guy: Patrick Beverley
Few people seemed to realize the magnitude of the blow the Houston Rockets nearly suffered when it appeared that they'd lost Beverley for the season with a knee injury. Beverley leads the Rockets in RPM at plus-4.88, and also has posted 2.8 WARP on the season. His ability to hound opposing star point guards is essential, and while he's not a traditional playmaker, he doesn't need to be on this roster. Nevertheless, Beverley's ability to knock down corner 3s gives him offensive utility. Finally, with a salary of just $788,872, Beverley offers as much bang for the buck as any role player in the league.
Mills
Bench Spark: Patty Mills
Mills has emerged as one of the most explosive bench scorers in the league. He's tied with Manu Ginobili for second on San Antonio by averaging 21.7 points per 40 minutes. He gets that offense within the framework of the system, with an offensive RPM of plus-2.63, and also has positive indicators on the defensive end. As a player who can make plays for himself with the ball in his hands, Mills offers a nice counterpoint to Beverley. And he's cheap, which makes my capologist happy.
Gibson
Energy Big: Taj Gibson
This may be the last year we can consider Gibson an energy big, as he's blossomed into an elite role player this season, one who may occupy a full-time, big-minute job in Chicago next season if Carlos Boozer is amnestied. He can score on the block against smaller 4s, is a solid jump shooter as long as he keeps his volume in check, attacks the glass and outruns most opposing bigs down the floor. He'd be a beast in transition alongside James.
Green
Perimeter Stopper: Draymond Green
Green isn't the best defensive perimeter player on his own team -- that honor goes to Andre Iguodala -- but he makes sure the Golden State Warriors don't suffer much of a drop-off when he comes into the game. Green's plus-3.99 defensive RPM ranks behind only Iguodala among wing defenders, but he also muscles up and plays a lot of stretch 4 for Golden State. He's not a great 3-point shooter by any stretch, but he can get on a streak. That's a lot to work with for a guy on a second-round salary.
Fisher
Floor General: Derek Fisher
This isn't a big role, but every roster needs a veteran who provides capable defense, hits open shots and can help settle a team down when things get frazzled. Fisher has been providing these services since the Nixon administration, and has had a quietly effective season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's shooting 39 percent from deep, and has a fine plus-2.26 defensive RPM.
Korver
Shooting Specialist: Kyle Korver
Korver is a starter these days, but we've splurged for his $6.7 million salary to make sure the game's best shooter is on our roster. Korver is not an elite defender by any stretch, but he's always been better on that end than people think. RPM agrees, giving him a plus-0.71 mark. You can't leave him on an island, but he gives you effort, plays smart and has exceptional hands.
Plumlee
Floor Runner: Mason Plumlee
You want guys who can run with James, and according to Synergy Sports Technologies, Plumlee ranks fifth in the league in points per transition play, minimum of 50 tries. He's super-efficient with a .672 true shooting percentage that leads our roster. Plumlee played so well that the Brooklyn Nets barely skipped a beat late in the season when he filled in for Kevin Garnett. You love a mix of veterans and youth, and Plumlee is working on the rookie salary scale.
Collison
Dirty Worker: Nick Collison
Any team that takes on-/off-court metrics under consideration has to love Collison. He's all intangibles. He's just a tick under replacement level in WARP this season, but has an eye-popping plus-6.34 RPM for the campaign. Folks, that's fifth in the league.
Hope for Future: Cody Zeller
Even win-now teams need developing players, and Zeller has grown into his draft slot as the season has progressed. He wouldn't play a lot on this team, but RPM sees him as already being an NBA defender, and WARP has him over replacement level. It's a great starting point for a 21-year-old.
Collins
Locker Room Guy: Jason Collins
At the end of the roster, intangibles are as important as measurables, even something as advanced as RPM. On a contender, you want a seasoned veteran who can fill a very small on-court role, but also serve as a quasi player-coach in the locker room. When no one wants to talk, he is perched in front of his locker after a tough loss, explaining the mindset of the team in an articulate manner to the press. Collins is the perfect 14th man, because in addition to all that, he defends the post, gives fouls when needed and is one of the premier screeners in the league. Collins, Kurt Thomas, Grant Hill -- these kinds of guys can be a crucial element on a well-rounded roster.
Starting Five looks good but the bench could be betterAnd do they really think Jason Collins can be the ultimate locker room presence? He'll be the reason for the locker room absence in all honesty. This really isn't the perfect roster ..:facepalm ESPN