Which rookie would you draft

[Marchesk]

in today's style of play as a bottom feeder if you had 5 years to win a title? Who is the best to build around as a rookie? Let's assume as a GM you can draft well and make good moves, but there's no guarantee you'll land another great player.

Dr J (starting in the ABA)
Bird
Magic
Kobe (give one year college)
Lebron (one year college)
Durant

[Milbuck]

Let's assume as a GM you can draft well and make good moves
Lebron without hesitation.

[Kvnzhangyay]

Does this include recruiting power, etc

[Mr. Jabbar]

frobe, 19+ years of greatness, loyalty and showtime

[Marchesk]

frobe, 19+ years of greatness, loyalty and showtime

You only get 5. To be fair, Kobe should be start out his 2nd year to put him more on par with the others.

[Marchesk]

Does this include recruiting power, etc

Sure, why not? Wait, Lebron didn't have recruiting power that early on.

[Nash-tastic]

Personally I would go Bird, he came out already with skills + the right mentality. His body might break down but like you said there's only a 5 year window. With a GM that can surround him with talent, I gotta go with Bird.

[ProfessorMurder]

Bird.

[Marchesk]

Bird 4
Lebron 1
Kobe 1 (not sure it counts doe)

[dontgetchoked]

Larry legend

[DaRkJaWs]

Bird and dr j were superstars out of college. Lebron as rookie wasn't a great player until the 07-08 season, and really took off the 08-09 season. Yes, I know he took the cavs to the finals, but that was because the east had not one good team that year. That was the most pathetic thing I had ever seen in the nba other the heat winning the championship vs a mavs team that forgot how to play basketball in 2006.

[Uncle Drew]

I think I'd go with the Legend also.

[Marchesk]

Dr J out of college would be tempting to take. His only downside is lacking an outside shot, which matters more in today's 3pt era.

Nobody wants to build around Magic?

[Kvnzhangyay]

I would either build with Bird or Lebron

[Marchesk]

It's probably only fair to bump Lebron and Kobe up to starting out as 2nd year pros if you draft them.

[Fire Colangelo]

LeBron and Durant were drafted to bottom feeders and didn't really do anything in their first five years, so that takes them out.

Magic was drafted to a team with Kareem on it.

Kobe was drafted to a team with Shaq.

So I'd probably take Bird, who was drafted to a team with 29 wins and turned them into a 60 win team, winning a ring just a year after.

Though this really isn't fair since Bird was already 23 in his rookie year. If everyone started as a 23 year old rookie, it'd be between Bird and LeBron.

[Akrazotile]

It's probably only fair to bump Lebron and Kobe up to starting out as 2nd year pros if you draft them.


Why? They came out after high school. In the real NBA you dont get to "not count" a players first year.

If you have five years from when a guy comes out, you have five years from when he comes out. Shouldnt change the hypothetical IMO just bc some guys come out early.

[Akrazotile]

LeBron and Durant were drafted to bottom feeders and didn't really do anything in their first five years, so that takes them out.

Magic was drafted to a team with Kareem on it.

Kobe was drafted to a team with Shaq.

So I'd probably take Bird, who was drafted to a team with 29 wins and turned them into a 60 win team, winning a ring just a year after.

Though this really isn't fair since Bird was already 23 in his rookie year. If everyone started as a 23 year old rookie, it'd be between Bird and LeBron.


What do teammates have to do with it? Didnt Carmelo 'lead' the biggest turnaround as a rookie just bc his team got much better, even tho he clearly was never as good as James or Wade?

It seems pretty simple to me. Which player was most capable of impacting a team during his first five nba years? Thats all you have to decide. Doesnt matter when he came out. Doesnt matter who he played with. If youre picking someone to start your team with, who is it???

The answer has to be Bird or Lebron.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Bird and dr j were superstars out of college. Lebron as rookie wasn't a great player until the 07-08 season, and really took off the 08-09 season. Yes, I know he took the cavs to the finals, but that was because the east had not one good team that year. That was the most pathetic thing I had ever seen in the nba other the heat winning the championship vs a mavs team that forgot how to play basketball in 2006.

He averaged 27/7/7 his second year :rolleyes:

LeBron couldn't control what supporting cast was around him, (at that point anyway).

[Leroy Jetson]

Bird, think about how many more threes he would make in today's game. Plus the clutch, passing and leadership.

[Human Error]

In order: Lebron, Bird, Magic, Durant, Dr.J

[SuperCereal]

Bird!!!!!!!!

[r0drig0lac]

Bird

[StephHamann]

Bird is the word

[BuffaloBill]

Larry Legend

[iamgine]

Big market city or not?

[Marchesk]

Big market city or not?

Milwaukee

[Marchesk]

Bird crushing the competition.

Bird 9
Lebron 3

I think young Dr J is getting underrated, doe.

[dunksby]

Either Magic or Dr.J, I'd always go with the bigman. Magic is big and easy to build around and Dr was a force from the beginning. Since nobody has voted for the Doc I will go with him.

[dunksby]

Bird crushing the competition.

Bird 9
Lebron 3

I think young Dr J is getting underrated, doe.
And Magic too, imagine him playing in this PG era with his size and all around game :bowdown:

[LAZERUSS]

Magic.

[WillC]

in today's style of play as a bottom feeder if you had 5 years to win a title? Who is the best to build around as a rookie? Let's assume as a GM you can draft well and make good moves, but there's no guarantee you'll land another great player.

Dr J (starting in the ABA)
Bird
Magic
Kobe (give one year college)
Lebron (one year college)
Durant

Larry Bird.... with Magic Johnson close behind.

Everyone would want to play with Bird or Magic. They make their teammates better.

[senelcoolidge]

Bird. He'll give you double figure rebounding. Genius level basketball I.Q. Great shooter. Just a winner and not afraid to take carry a team. Not afraid to take the last shot.

[G0ATbe]

Definitely Godbe.