2020 Historic Draft: How’s My Team Look: Conference Finals winners announced!!

[gouki88]

12 rounds done - what do people think of the LA Clippers:

PG: Stephen Curry / Deron Williams / Penny Hardaway
SG: Michael Redd / Doug Christie
SF: Grant Hill / Hedo Turkoglu
PF: Elton Brand / Lamar Odom / Josh Smith
C: Joakim Noah / Andrew Bynum

I like how you've surrounded Curry and Grant with nice perimeter options, and your power forward spot is strong as well. I'm not a huge fan of your centre position though, I've always thought of Noah to be quite limited offensively during his prime (his passing was excellent, but I don't think he was dangerous enough of a scoring threat to truly maximise the value of his passing) while Bynum has his issues (non-passer/shooter). I think dipping into the trade market would serve you well to find a better option at C.

That's fair, but I'm not too worried about Noah's lack of scoring. Every other starter was a 25+PPG scorer, and he's got the best shooter of all-time in the back-court as well as another elite 3 point shooter.

With Bynum I'm also not too concerned, as I have two 40% 3 point shooters in Hedo and Christie, as well as two 37% 3 point shooters in Williams and Odom. Obviously Odom isn't a shooter, but he could actually hit them. All of those guys were also good-to-elite passers for their position, so I'm alright with it.

That being said, always looking to strengthen my roster, so I will be exploring the trade market.

To be fair you don't just get a great offence by stacking up 25+PPG scorers, but fair point. What I was getting at was that Noah doesn't give you the backbreaking fifth threat on offence, and that holds quite some value in this format imo (you can draw away defenders from a player, but it doesn't mean anything if he can't capitalise on it). You don't need another 20PPG centre, but I think a centre who can somewhat shoot from deep and finish inside while offering some connective tissue passing (eg. a Divac lite) would make your offence even more potent, the synergy effect of having five guys who can pass, shoot, finish and create is underrated imo. And I love Bynum on your bench, I was just saying that both of your centre options weren't ideal for your starting lineup.

No doubt, that wasn't the point I was trying to make, hope it didn't come off that way. I'm thinking of taking a guy who fits that bill, although I'm not sure that he'd start as he's a 4, but we'll see.

[Jvalin]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

[Somebody]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

[Jvalin]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

[Somebody]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

[Jvalin]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 34-35 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind (that could do both jobs): Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

[gouki88]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind (that could do both jobs): Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

KG was, from memory, pretty darn handy on the PnR. He was pretty much elite at every aspect of defence that I can think of (except sometimes his basic counting stats weren't too gaudy, but guys like a certain Trail Blazer big man show that those basic numbers can be empty). Joakim Noah was also elite at defending the switch, but he wasn't nearly as strong as a guy like David Robinson or Ben Wallace.

[Somebody]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind: Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

He could though, he only lost that high end quickness after '02 (but was still quick for a big in his swansong).

His athleticism waned around the turn of the century, but even then, he was surprisingly nimble until 2002, when his back became an issue and his movement stiffened before retiring in 2003.

https://backpicks.com/2018/02/05/backpicks-goat-15-david-robinson/

Couple of defensive PnR possessions starting from 3:35
https://youtu.be/1RsNTWajXio

[Jvalin]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind (that could do both jobs): Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

KG was, from memory, pretty darn handy on the PnR. He was pretty much elite at every aspect of defence that I can think of (except sometimes his basic counting stats weren't too gaudy, but guys like a certain Trail Blazer big man show that those basic numbers can be empty). Joakim Noah was also elite at defending the switch, but he wasn't nearly as strong as a guy like David Robinson or Ben Wallace.

Sure, KG was a terrific pick n roll defender, but he was nowhere near strong enough to cope with Shaq. After all, he was mostly playing at the 4.

[gouki88]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind (that could do both jobs): Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

KG was, from memory, pretty darn handy on the PnR. He was pretty much elite at every aspect of defence that I can think of (except sometimes his basic counting stats weren't too gaudy, but guys like a certain Trail Blazer big man show that those basic numbers can be empty). Joakim Noah was also elite at defending the switch, but he wasn't nearly as strong as a guy like David Robinson or Ben Wallace.

Sure, KG was a terrific pick n roll defender, but he was nowhere near strong enough to cope with Shaq. After all, he was mostly playing at the 4.

True. I don't know that Russell would have been strong enough to contain Shaq, nor Rodman. Wilt always gave Russell a handful - it's just Russell's team defence and selfless offence put his teams in positions to win.

I think had Wilt been bothered he could be one of those guys able to do both. Stronger and more athletic than Shaq

[Jvalin]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind: Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

He could though, he only lost that high end quickness after '02 (but was still quick for a big in his swansong).

His athleticism waned around the turn of the century, but even then, he was surprisingly nimble until 2002, when his back became an issue and his movement stiffened before retiring in 2003.

https://backpicks.com/2018/02/05/backpicks-goat-15-david-robinson/

Couple of defensive PnR possessions starting from 3:35
https://youtu.be/1RsNTWajXio

It's one thing to be "surprisingly nimble" given your age and a whole nother thing to be able to stay in front of guards. Don't get me wrong, Robinson was a beast (especially on the defensive side of the ball). I just don't think he was on the same level with Wallace when it comes to switching ball screens on D.

I'm on the road rn and I can't watch the video. I'll watch it later though.

[Roy H.]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind: Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

He could though, he only lost that high end quickness after '02 (but was still quick for a big in his swansong).

His athleticism waned around the turn of the century, but even then, he was surprisingly nimble until 2002, when his back became an issue and his movement stiffened before retiring in 2003.

https://backpicks.com/2018/02/05/backpicks-goat-15-david-robinson/

Couple of defensive PnR possessions starting from 3:35
https://youtu.be/1RsNTWajXio

What small forward would you say an old Admiral compares to favorably?    I think that’s a bit of hyperbole.  Robinson still retained mobility for a couple of years after Duncan got there, but that was more of the “above-average for a ‘00 center”, rather than having the mobility to consistently defend the perimeter.

[Jvalin]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind (that could do both jobs): Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

KG was, from memory, pretty darn handy on the PnR. He was pretty much elite at every aspect of defence that I can think of (except sometimes his basic counting stats weren't too gaudy, but guys like a certain Trail Blazer big man show that those basic numbers can be empty). Joakim Noah was also elite at defending the switch, but he wasn't nearly as strong as a guy like David Robinson or Ben Wallace.

Sure, KG was a terrific pick n roll defender, but he was nowhere near strong enough to cope with Shaq. After all, he was mostly playing at the 4.

True. I don't know that Russell would have been strong enough to contain Shaq, nor Rodman. Wilt always gave Russell a handful - it's just Russell's team defence and selfless offence put his teams in positions to win.

I think had Wilt been bothered he could be one of those guys able to do both. Stronger and more athletic than Shaq

We can't possibly know about Russell, but imo Ben Wallace and Rodman were the best Shaq stoppers. I mean, nobody could stop Shaq 1-on-1, but they were doing a decent job at slowing him down.

[Somebody]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind: Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

He could though, he only lost that high end quickness after '02 (but was still quick for a big in his swansong).

His athleticism waned around the turn of the century, but even then, he was surprisingly nimble until 2002, when his back became an issue and his movement stiffened before retiring in 2003.

https://backpicks.com/2018/02/05/backpicks-goat-15-david-robinson/

Couple of defensive PnR possessions starting from 3:35
https://youtu.be/1RsNTWajXio

What small forward would you say an old Admiral compares to favorably?    I think that’s a bit of hyperbole.  Robinson still retained mobility for a couple of years after Duncan got there, but that was more of the “above-average for a ‘00 center”, rather than having the mobility to consistently defend the perimeter.

The small forward was a bit of hyperbole for sure, but he was definitely quicker than "above average for a '00 centre". If your definition of consistently guarding the perimeter is sticking to guards like KG then yeah he couldn't do that in his older uears, but he could definitely step up and hedge the PnR consistently without getting burnt even at that age.

[Somebody]

I'm about to select a 3rd string Center. Do you guys think I should go for a big body to throw at Shaq or for a mobile Center who can switch screens/defend the pick n roll?

I think a guy who can do both would be great, but if you had to choose I'd say the latter, you can have that guy foul Shaq every possession even if he's a stretch big.

Can't think of many players throughout the NBA history who could do both. Imo, there was only one such a player in this draft, but he was a complete liability on offense.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the latter choice as well. There is no point in trying to outmuscle Shaq. At least the mobile Center would have an  advantage over him in speed, explosiveness and leaping ability.

Uhhhhhhhhh David Robinson is already one guy who can do both and is a definite plus on offence. He was like a seven foot SF out there (even in 1999 and 2000).

Robinson was one of the strongest big men ever, but I don't think he could stay in front of guards on D at the age of 35-36 (during the 1999-2000 season).

Off the top of my head, 3 names come to mind: Russell, Rodman and Ben Wallace. Maybe Wes Unseld as well? In all honesty, I don't know enough about his game. Maybe Robinson in his prime? Can't think of others right now.

He could though, he only lost that high end quickness after '02 (but was still quick for a big in his swansong).

His athleticism waned around the turn of the century, but even then, he was surprisingly nimble until 2002, when his back became an issue and his movement stiffened before retiring in 2003.

https://backpicks.com/2018/02/05/backpicks-goat-15-david-robinson/

Couple of defensive PnR possessions starting from 3:35
https://youtu.be/1RsNTWajXio

It's one thing to be "surprising nimble" given your age and a whole nother thing to be able to stay in front of guards. Don't get me wrong, Robinson was a beast (especially on the defensive side of the ball). I just don't think he was on the same level with Wallace when it comes to switching ball screens on D.

I'm on the road rn and I can't watch the video. I'll watch it later though.

I agree with you that an old Admiral wasn't on Wallace's level in switching ball screens on defence, but he was definitely able to step outside and guard the perimeter. Guys like Wallace and KG routinely shut down perimeter action that required the big to step outside - you don't need to be that good to meet the "switch screens/defend the pick and roll without a drop zone" requirement.