About my team:
First off, I never expected to land Lebron. I knew someone great would fall to me at #6, but I didn't think it would be Lebron. I thought it would be Curry or Luka. I had in my mind, Curry so planned for a great half court offense, especially since:
When I saw my draft slots before the game, I determined at #19 I was taking my favorite player, Jaylen Brown there if someone didn't take him. I thought a Luka or Curry combo would be awesome. But I landed the 2nd best player in the league at #6, so plans changed. Lebron was the engine that would drive the offense so best to land players that compliment him.
So my plan went to putting as diverse a team around Lebron as possible, that could play great offense both in the half court and transition, could shoot lights out, could be formidable defensively and were tough physical players.
So Jrue, a PG that's played off ball with a GOAT level player and not only fit my description of players I wanted, but also had a championship pedigree, was my top pick at PG and so grabbed him in the 3rd.
When the 4th came around I realized I probably needed more offense but wanted a guy that could do it as a tertiary option and still was a great 3point shooter but could pass well and move the ball. Hence Ingram, a top level scorer but not a #1 guy who had length and athleticism and could fit into a mostly switch everything defense.
Valanciunas was the best center available in the 5th but I love his play. He is rugged and physical down low and a rebounding machine that is exceptional on hoovering up offensive rebounds. He also would make a great defensive rebounder that can outlet to get the 4other starting athletes running in transition or to just get the offense set up as quickly as possible.
On the bench I valued three point marksman ship but more defense when possible. I always wanted Timelird as my backup center because of his "last line of defense" defense. That I could get him in the 10th was a bonus. I picked up 3 of the top 6 three point shooters in the league last year in Harris(the best) at 47.5%, Morris(the 2nd best) at 47.3% and Seth Curry(6th best) at 45%.
Add those guys to the near 40% from three players starting, Brown, Ingram and Jrue, and Lebron has the perfect formula to turn this team into the best offensive team he may ever had lead. Guys that can space the floor for him due to gravity in not leaving these shooters alone but also a center that can work high foul line area setting picks for him to do switches to get Lebron the matchups he needed for his drives to the basket.
Now, someone was going to need to run the offense when Lebron sat because Lebron just won't be doing 36 MPG anymore. Jrue is still an amazing PG but needed another one as a backup who could act much like Lebron when Lebron was on the bench.
And Russell Westbrook was there in the 7th round!!! Russ has some chemistry issues and likes hero ball, but if a leader could get into his head to play the system and rely on his outside shooters while also being the dominant driver to the basket that he is, it would be Lebron. And if Lebron could get Russ to play within himself, then a former MVP and triple double machine like Westbrook would make a perfect sixth man, most likely the best 6th man in this game, given his surrounding group of players.
Garland was a young guy that I have liked watching and think he is a great guy to develop who's game will flourish next year if not playing next to Collin Sexton. A solid 11th guy who is young, productive and growing. Perfect in the 11th round.
My starters are
Jrue
JB
Ingram
Lebron
Val
But Ingram will be the first to sub out with Harris coming in to give some elite shooting and Timelord replacing Jonas so will then have this as a unit
Jrue
JB
Harris
Lebron
Timelord
The next subs would be Seth for JB, Morris for Lebron and Westbrook for Jrue while bringing Ingram back in making that unit
Westbrook
Seth Curry
Ingram
Morris
Timelord
And eventually the starters would finish the end of the halves.
There will also be specialty units.
The, small ball, we need a three unit of
Seth
JB
Harris
Lebron
Morris
And the defensive stop unit of
Jrue
JB
Lebron
Morris
Timelord
I love this team's offense and ability to kill teams from distance, it is probably the best outside shooting team in this competition that also is an amazing two way bunch of tough, physical, long defenders.
Really proud of this team. I truly do think it the best in this competition and hope all you do as well. And I got my binkie and will most likely grab my other binkie in the next round.
Been a great experience. Loads of fun.
Thoughts?