My thoughts on each team:
New York Knicks – Think this would be a high powered offensive team, really fun to watch. I think I’d see great ball movement starting from Bird, and a lot of flash from guys like World B Free and Dawkins. Perhaps one of the funnest teams to watch. But while Dawkins would be entertaining at the C, I think that would be a weakness come playoff time with a lot of great C’s in this league.
Los Angeles Lakers – Probably has the best/most dominate player in this era, with some great defenders filling out this roster, so they’ll always be in contention. I think they’ll blew it with the 3rd pick of Michael Cooper though. Having your 3rd round pick back up your 2nd round pick is not a good way to maximize your teams potential. A better pick here, and I’d probably have them as my top team.
Seattle Supersonics – I hate the idea of building a team around Bill Walton, if only because even in his best season he’ll miss 20% of your games, so I think it’s downhill from there when you start with a weak centerpiece. Solid team all around, but looks very unspectacular in the games when Walton will be out, is Adrian Dantley supposed to carry the load? Not the guy I’d want as my part time main man, and usual 2nd banana.
Kansas City Kings – One of my favorite teams, any team with Magic is going to be transform into Showtime, and with a scoring machine like Bernard King, and a great passer like Sikma in the post, and willing scorers who can take a back seat in Toney and Nance, I see this team fitting together nicely, especially on O. One of my favorites on Offense, and one of my favorite all-around teams.
Milwaukee Bucks – Another one of my favorite teams. I think the main trio of Thompson/Worthy/Malone would be underappreciated in real life, but over perform. Grabbing David Thompson in round 3 is what put these guys into contender status in my book.
Philadelphia 76ers – All around solid team, and championship contender. Best front court is the league? But offset by the subpar backcourt, as I don’t like Aguirre (or Theus) at the 2. I think Philly should have gone for fit here, instead of more firepower.
Denver Nuggets – I wanted this team to draft Mark Aguirre for the SF so bad, may have happened too if he wasn’t taken 1 pick before them in the 5th round. With Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and Vinnie Johnson all playing well together for the Pistons in real life, I have no doubt they’ll fit well together here. And as great as Joe Dumars was, Dennis Johnson is definitely an upgrade at the 2, and Maurice Lucas fills in that Bad Boy style perfectly. This team fits together so well, except I just don’t see Vandeweghe fitting in. That hurts this team I think. I just don’t see the style coming together well, otherwise I would have had them as a dark horse contender on chemistry and fit alone.
Atlanta Hawks – I’m not a fan of building around Cowens in this league (his MVP year he still wasn’t All-NBA 1st team) and Parish. Hey you know they can play well with other superstars, but does this team lack the go-to alpha dog to succeed? Or will this solid team come together like the 2013 Indiana Pacers going toe-to-toe with superstar laden teams? Not one of my favorites, but they do have talent.
San Diego Clippers – Not a fan of the Gervin/English tandem, though I know they can put points up on the board, so can everyone else in this league. Not sure if they’d co-exist well The low post presence, especially with Tree Rollins, is near the bottom of the league. Not sure what to make of Richardson, great stats in ’80, but can he do that on a winning team? Well documented issues throughout his life, openly criticized the league, made racial comments on multiple occasions, would his 1980 version be bringing baggage to the team? Not a fan of the Clippers.
Boston Celtics – big fan of this team. I think the starting 5 fits together nicely. I see a clear option A (‘Nique), a clear option B (McHale), a clear option C (Birdsong), a point guard to keep them all happy, and a Center who knows his role is just to play defense. Probably not a championship contender, but a fun-to-watch playoff team at least.
Dallas Mavericks– another team where I don’t like the fit. In my personal opinion, Elvin Hayes is one of the worst players for leagues like this (though Bobby Jones is probably one of the best players you could pair with him). Hayes, while a great individual player, but doesn’t get along well with others. Worst assist % of all the superstars I believe. Team has an undersized PF and C at 6’7” and 6’9” in a league where you have a lot of outstanding big men. I love Tiny Archibald, but think his style might clash with Hayes.
Washington Bullets – like Atlanta, a solid, but unspectacular team. Contender for Best Defensive team. A great defensive front court to go against the league’s elite low post scorers. Don’t know how well Walter Davis fits as I see this as a half court team, but I see Davis as a player who wants to play in the open court. I see a good fit for the most part though.
Top Overall:
1. Kings
2. 76ers
3. Bucks
Top Offensive:
1. Knicks
2. Kings
Top Defensive:
1. Bullets
2. Lakers
3. Nuggets