I apologize for the late replies, guys ... my schedule is nuts right now._______________________________________________________________________________
Some questions:
Philly: Why decide to play Jordan only 34 minutes per game?
As I stated in the summary, minutes especially are very fluid for this team, depending on who we're matched up with. I like the idea of KJ being able to play the SG spot when facing smaller teams, so I divided the minutes to allow for that. Normally I see MJ playing between 38 to 40 mins, and Stack playing around 8 to 10, (and possibly swinging him to SF for the same purposes, along with his scoring strength).
How do you see Dirk on the defensive end and how to combat his inefficiencies there?
Well, he's got size which is going to make the paint very formidable alongside Dwight, (and they average over 20 RB/G between the two of them - another ten with 'Nique on the other side), and I've got Dolph on limited minutes, but can extend that for defenses purposes if needed.
I also think his defensive numbers will go up, simply because of the other guys he has in the frontcourt with him, and his foot speed. His role on this team is going to be much different than that to what it has been, and with less of the offensive duties, he'll be more free to strengthen his game at the opposite end.
What are your thoughts on Dwights production now in a league where the Center position is historically weak facing all time greats who have done what he has done and more and a more comptetive era from a positional stand point?
Quite simply,
speed. This is a fast team, and that, (along with shooting), is our strength. Centers of the past were
overall, (there are exceptions, obviously), larger and taller, but also slower, and not quite so eager to get down the floor on the fast-break ... Dwight can do that with supreme efficiency, and there are very few in this fantasy league that will be able to keep up, and therefor, defend.
If your bigs are the first down the floor, then even the greatest defenders become a non-issue. With Dwight as the "point of the spear" on the fast-break, the ball will be in the basket before our opponents get into their defensive sets.
As an option, I've got a couple very traditional and dominant Centers off the bench in the "A-Train", Artis Gilmore, (at 7'2", 240lbs), and Ron Seikaly, (or even Dolph, who can play Center as well in a small-ball situation).
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So, I'm not a panelist, but I have a question for everybody:
If you could take one of your draft picks back, which one would it be, and who would you have replaced that player with?
This is probably pretty easy to see, but I would most likely take back either Lenny Wilkens or Rony Seikaly, and go with a guy like AK47, Jack Sikma, or Vin Baker, for defensive purposes, (which is our weakest area, at present). More size is needed, and we've got plenty of speed and quickness at the PG spot without Lenny.
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Philadelphia:
I love moving Kevin Johnson to the starting spot, but I still don’t like Nique or Melo next to Jordan. But, with Dirk there to pass and space the floor, this team has incredible potential. Explain to me how the offense works, and compare it to a current or recent NBA team, in the way you see the dynamic playing out.
Wow ... tough question, great, but tough. I really don't see any current NBA team with a similar dynamic. There is a ton of speed, athleticism, and shooting prowess on this team, that I feel goes far beyond any team of the past, (and that was my intent from the get-go). My main problem was dealing with the rather large egos on the floor at the same time, but, (with maybe Stack as the exception), I don't see that as a problem with Pop as our coach.
Having watched 'Nique and Jordan play together on the original "Dream Team" in the Olympics, I know that Wilkins has no problem deferring to Jordan's leadership, and that goes for the rest of the guys as well. With MJ and 'Nique attacking the hoop, and the physicality and speed of Dwight in the paint, Dirk's role becomes even more exciting, because he can be a facilitator as well as keep opponents' defenses honest with his ability beyond the arc.
In the year I chose KJ, he was actually the best 3-point ace on my team, shooting the tres at a smoking
.441, so you can see why I chose to start him over Cousy, (as well as his added strength). That also leaves me with a more traditional line-up off the bench. My starting five excites the heck out of me, (I would love to see it in action for real), and the other options I have for changing my rotations are practically endless, with a bench as deep as any I've seen.
Topic: 2011 CB Historical Draft - Draft Thread (Read 615319 times)