Summer 2021 Fantasy Draft: Draft Thread

[theswitch]

With the 8th pick of the draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select... Joel Embiid!

I was surprised Embiid fell to 8. I guess someone had to. I had him in the 3-5 range.

I was torn between Embiid and Luka for quite some time. I was leaning to Embiid over Jokic for team defense over team offense thinking the defense could be a valuable separation point in the top 2-8 stars. Embiid is the only real difference maker defensively among them (aside from Kawhi who has injury issues). Plus he is an unstoppable one-on-one scorer who draws fouls at a massive rate. All interesting advantages over the rest of the pack.

I love Embiid… when healthy, and that’s why I didn’t take him over Jokic. I just don’t trust that Embiid can hold up over a full season and playoffs.

I'm quite a big fan of Embiid and thought about it, but felt like I was locked into a half-court style by making him my #1 pick. Nothing wrong with that, just wasn't sure if that was the right direction for me. Obviously I went in the complete opposite.

[nickagneta]

Going to Sox-Rays Wednesday. I hate not making my picks so if someone in the late 2nd wants to move down to 3.6 and we can discuss the rest of the deal PM me.

If it doesn't happen, gouki, I will be sending you a list tomorrow night for the 3rd round.

[gouki88]

With the 8th pick of the draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select... Joel Embiid!

I was surprised Embiid fell to 8. I guess someone had to. I had him in the 3-5 range.

I was torn between Embiid and Luka for quite some time. I was leaning to Embiid over Jokic for team defense over team offense thinking the defense could be a valuable separation point in the top 2-8 stars. Embiid is the only real difference maker defensively among them (aside from Kawhi who has injury issues). Plus he is an unstoppable one-on-one scorer who draws fouls at a massive rate. All interesting advantages over the rest of the pack.

I love Embiid… when healthy, and that’s why I didn’t take him over Jokic. I just don’t trust that Embiid can hold up over a full season and playoffs.

I'm quite a big fan of Embiid and thought about it, but felt like I was locked into a half-court style by making him my #1 pick. Nothing wrong with that, just wasn't sure if that was the right direction for me. Obviously I went in the complete opposite.

For sure, he is very much a half-court guy. Which is what frustrates me so much about IRL Philly and their #2 guy!

[wdleehi]

I am just going to take the player that dropped to me and smile. 


Indiana Pacers select Jayson Tatum

[Who]

Never expected to land Lebron. Had him at 3 or 4. But now that I have him and look at my board, it really makes my 2nd and 3rd round picks exciting as I had a different plan in place than the one I will be using now.

Oh boy, that does not sound good for my Luka plans!

[gouki88]

I am just going to take the player that dropped to me and smile. 


Indiana Pacers select Jayson Tatum

I was praying I'd somehow have the chance to pair him with Embiid. Dang it

[Who]

I had Tatum as a late first (10-12) when doing my mock. Made me all the more grateful to have him here as Boston Celtics -- the heights his game has grown to.

[wdleehi]

I am just going to take the player that dropped to me and smile. 


Indiana Pacers select Jayson Tatum

I was praying I'd somehow have the chance to pair him with Embiid. Dang it

I don't think you could expect any Celtic fan on passing on him twice

[gouki88]

I am just going to take the player that dropped to me and smile. 


Indiana Pacers select Jayson Tatum

I was praying I'd somehow have the chance to pair him with Embiid. Dang it

I don't think you could expect any Celtic fan on passing on him twice

Not rationally, no Nice pick

Feeling similarly to Who. How good is it to have Tatum on our team!

[tazzmaniac]

I am just going to take the player that dropped to me and smile. 


Indiana Pacers select Jayson Tatum

I was praying I'd somehow have the chance to pair him with Embiid. Dang it

That wasn't going to happen.  I was going to take Tatum because I thought my 12 pick would be gone at 10 or 11. 

With the 12th pick of the 1st round, the Memphis Grizzlies select Damian Lillard. 

[Who]

Lillard is a great get at 12. What a scorer & shooter to get at the end of the round.

[tazzmaniac]

Lillard is a great get at 12. What a scorer & shooter to get at the end of the round.

Have to re-look at my plans.  I was thinking PG spot would end up being my 5th round pick. 

[RPGenerate]

Really happy with getting Harden at 9th. I feel like Harden, Embiid, and AD were the best picks in this draft imo, because now those 3 teams can also get a top-15ish player to pair with their MVP caliber player.

[Somebody]

Very surprised that I got Davis so late in the first round - he was a top 4-5 player in 2020 and should project to be in the mix with the best of them again next season as he gets healthier after a full offseason of rest.

[Jvalin]

Never expected to land Lebron. Had him at 3 or 4. But now that I have him and look at my board, it really makes my 2nd and 3rd round picks exciting as I had a different plan in place than the one I will be using now.

Never expected him to fall that far either. He may be past his prime, but at the end of the day he's still LeBron. I'll always consider him the best player in the league till categorically proven otherwise. I think he has earned this kind of ultimate respect. Steal of the draft thus far, imo.

Fwiw, LeBron was my backup plan at #2. My biggest worry was that I couldn't think of a PG I really liked next to him. LeBron would have been my de facto PG, but I still needed someone to a) bring the ball up the court, b) play off the ball in the half court, c) most importantly, stay in front of explosive guards on defense. Easier said than done. Curious to see which PG you'll select. Opted for KD cause I believe it's easier to build a team around him.

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I might be the biggest Kawhi fan on the forum. I absolutely love his game. If it weren't for his injury, he would have been my primary target in the first round. Probably not at #2. I guess I would have traded down a couple of spots for him. That said, I didn't even have him on my list for this draft. I mean, it's possible that he'll miss the entire season. Even if he plays a few games, chances are he won't be close to 100%. Didn't expect to read his name in the first round tbh.