2021 CB Roster Thread

[theswitch]

Throwing my team out there.   The plan early on was best two players available then build around them.   Having near back to back picks allowed me to add two pieces at a time that fit.   For example I think Siakam works as a secondary type option well off a good passing big man (Sabonis)

I also figured there wasn't going to be a lot of options in hiding heavy minutes player on weaker offensive players so I looked for as many strong defenders as possible in my heavy minutes lineup.   


Last few picks have been about role types.  Someone who can defend multiple positions.  Someone who can come off the bench and get hot from deep.

I thought the teams picking 9th through 12th would struggle in this draft, simply because the NBA is so dependent upon stars.  I love Tatum, but I figured you'd end up with a foundation similar to the Celts current roster situation.  In other words, two really good players, but nobody who can carry a franchise, and not enough separation with your depth to make up the difference.

But, nope.  You've built perhaps the most balanced team here, which can go big or go small, can score and defend 1 through 5, and doesn't have any obvious weaknesses.

I mean, if there's a small quibble, it's the lack of veteran leadership.  The best you've got is maybe Paul George, and he's suspect.  (EDIT:  I overlooked Jae Crowder here.  He will bring a leadership edge.)  But, I'm a believer that leadership can come from the bench, so you've still got time to bring in an old head or two.

For where you started in the draft, I think that this is very close to the best team you could have put together, even with the benefit of hindsight.

Totally agree - can't do much about the high-end talent from where you're picking in the draft but the overall roster is top-notch. Some of it to me depends on the argument that Siakam will be able to reclaim his old form versus last year, and I think there's a good argument in this format where he's playing as the 3rd or 4th best scorer on the floor, but that's my only quibble. Super versatile and solid roster, and a top vote consideration for me.

[gouki88]

I definitely hear everyone's worries about Trae Young. That's why he doesn't get picked in the 2nd round. But I do believe that his overall offensive impact is being overlooked when worries about efficiency are being bandied around. I definitely used to prescribe to such thoughts prior to this recent playoff run and the draft, but with what I was seeing in front of me (Young's transformative impact on offence) I had to do some more research.

I think you only need to go so far as his on/off numbers to see his impact. 99th percentile in terms of points per possession on/off over the last two seasons. 95th percentile for team points scored per 100 possessions minus team points allowed per 100 possession, which really indicates that despite his poor defence his teams perform massively better with him on the court.
He's a top 5 passer in the league, shoots around 50% inside the arc, averages 9 FTAs a game over the last two seasons, 45.5% assist percentage - he is already 3rd in career assist % all-time - I could go on and on. I think, as Roy said, that efficiency tends to be overvalued now as opposed to 20 years ago when it was undervalued. Advanced metrics, which tend to place pretty significant emphasis on efficiency and whatnot, still adore his offensive impact.

I also think playing alongside Beal, who has scored 3619 points in the last two seasons at around 30PPG, will open up a lot easier looks for Trae (and Embiid).

[Roy H.]

And regarding efficiency, isn’t it why we look at TS%?  It’s being suggested that Kyrie is ultra-efficient, and Young is a chucker.  And yet:

Kyrie: .614 last season,  .595 (2020), .576 (career)
Young: .589 last season, .595 (2020), .574 (career)

Either that’s elite efficiency, or it’s not.

[RPGenerate]

My problem with Young is that he's dangerously close to unplayable on defense. With the level of offensive talent in this league, you're going to have a tough time hiding him.

[gouki88]

My problem with Young is that he's dangerously close to unplayable on defense. With the level of offensive talent in this league, you're going to have a tough time hiding him.

I'm not too worried about it because even Jrue Holiday had his hands full with a hobbled Trae Young, as did some Philly players yet to be drafted. As unplayable as he might seem, he's even more unguardable

[Roy H.]

My problem with Young is that he's dangerously close to unplayable on defense. With the level of offensive talent in this league, you're going to have a tough time hiding him.

“Close to unplayable” is pretty wild hyperbole, isn’t it? 

I’m getting the sense that CelticsBlog hasn’t watched enough of Young.  His offense is remarkable, and the defense is no worse than several other starting PGs.

[gouki88]

My problem with Young is that he's dangerously close to unplayable on defense. With the level of offensive talent in this league, you're going to have a tough time hiding him.

“Close to unplayable” is pretty wild hyperbole, isn’t it?

I think so, given he just led his team to two victories over higher-seeded playoff teams

[RPGenerate]

Trae Young is certainly the worst starting PG on defense in this league. We aren't talking about NBA teams, we're talking about a league where all the best players are consolidated on 12 teams. If this was a real league, he'd be constantly head hunted on defense.

[Roy H.]

Trae Young is certainly the worst starting PG on defense in this league. We aren't talking about NBA teams, we're talking about a league where all the best players are consolidated on 12 teams. If this was a real league, he'd be constantly head hunted on defense.

But how often would he be outproduced?  For instance, net/net, how often would Young lose a matchup to Lowry?

And, I don't think his defense is any worse than Kyrie's.

[gouki88]

Trae Young is certainly the worst starting PG on defense in this league. We aren't talking about NBA teams, we're talking about a league where all the best players are consolidated on 12 teams. If this was a real league, he'd be constantly head hunted on defense.

How much can any of the top offensive players in this league really get slowed down anyway? I don't think it's particularly useful - Trae Young can't stop Curry or Dame, but neither can they stop him.

[Jvalin]

A few words on how I envision each player's role.

Starting lineup


PG: CP3 --> Floor general, PnR maestro
SG: Hardaway Jr. --> Off-ball shooter
SF: Middleton --> Point Forward, secondary shot creator
PF: Durant --> Go-to scorer
C: Ayton --> Screener (ranked 3rd in the NBA in screen assists per game last season), PnR specialist (ranked in the 92nd percentile last season), Rim protector

Second unit


PG: De'Aaron Fox --> Primary shot creator for the 2nd unit (go-to scorer and facilitator). Can change the pace of the game, if needed.
SG: Hield --> Stretch wing, secondary shot creator
SF: SloMo --> Point Forward, glue guy on both ends of the floor
PF: Gallo --> Stretch swing, secondary shot creator
C: Nurkic --> Screener/facilitator (ranked 8th in the NBA in screen assists per game last season) > PnR roll man > low-post scorer (in that order on offense), Rim protector

I'll be running a drop scheme on defense. Both Ayton and Nurk are perfectly suited to protect the paint in a drop scheme.

I'll be probably starting Hardaway Jr. over Buddy Hield. I reckon he's better suited in a low usage role. Buddy is a high volume shooter (ranked 3rd in the NBA in made 3-pointers last season). Can also put the ball on the floor a little bit. He'd be an excellent scoring option for my second unit.

Would love to get some feedback from you guys.

[nickagneta]

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?

[Somebody]

And regarding efficiency, isn’t it why we look at TS%?  It’s being suggested that Kyrie is ultra-efficient, and Young is a chucker.  And yet:

Kyrie: .614 last season,  .595 (2020), .576 (career)
Young: .589 last season, .595 (2020), .574 (career)

Either that’s elite efficiency, or it’s not.

To be fair Trae would be probably be an MVP-level offensive player if he cut out the chucking - he's efficient in spite of him chucking ill-advised threes from 35+ feet, you can chuck and still be efficient because you're insanely good. It is funny to see people start defending Trae now when I was hounded out of town a year ago by the same people for suggesting that he was a super elite passer who could score oodles of points on above average efficiency though lol.

[Who]

The two teams that jump out to me are the Durant & CP3 team and the Lillard & Towns teams.

[RJ87]

A few thoughts about my Houston Rockets.

This Giannis’s team and I decided to build a team that I thought accentuated his strengths. He’s a dominant scorer in the paint and I wanted to get him a partner who could thrive off of his play. Enter Kyrie, a guard who not only put up a 50/40/90 season last year but can play on the ball or off.

From there, I wanted to find players that fit into two philosophies: length and shooting. My starting lineup will be:

Kyrie (6’3”) / Anunoby (6’7”) / Hayward (6’7”) / Giannis (6’11”) / Porzingis (7’3”)

And I didn’t just want any type of shooting around the Greek Freak. I wanted guys who would thrive in catch and shoot situations from 3. One of my favorites parts of Giannis’ game is his ability to make the right read when defenses collapse on him, so anyone sharing the court has to be ready to catch the ball and go up into their shot before defenses can recover.

Catch and shoot 3’s stats for key rotation players:
STARTERS:
Kyrie Irving: 43%
OG Anunoby: 42% (catch and shoot 3’s made up 48% of OG’s shot profile last year)
Gordon Hayward: 45%
Kristaps Porzingis: 38%

BENCH:
Patty Mills: 41%
Norman Powell: 43%
Robert Covington: 38% (catch and shoot 3’s made up 61% of Rob’s shot profile last year)
Bobby Portis: 47%

Speaking of the bench. It’s important to me that the offense doesn’t fall apart when Giannis sits. Kyrie, Hayward, and DeMar DeRozan are capable of creating for themselves and for others. I was lucky to pick up DeRozan in the 6th round. He’s not a shooter, but he’s an efficient scorer who will play a point-forward role as 6th man (6.9 assists per game last season).

I picked up Robert Covington in the 7th round, a swing forward who can hit the 3 and defend multiple positions. I added two more 3 point shooters in Powell and Portis. After that, a spark plug guard in Patty Mills and an All-NBA defender in Matisse Thybulle.

Defensively, we can be big and wear other teams down. Giannis is a DPOY and will be a key in how we play. Our best defensive lineup will be some form of:
Thybulle / OG (capable of defending 1-4) / Covington / Giannis / Porzingis

We can also go small and speed things up with Giannis at the 5:
Patty / Kyrie / Powell / Hayward / Giannis

Or hyper big with multiple ball handlers and movement:
DeRozan / OG / Hayward / Giannis / Kristaps

This is a versatile team and I feel like it’s the best of competition.