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

[nickagneta]

THANK YOU.

Everyone involved in the game, and others that were only following along, all sent in their ballots.

So....If you want to make your ballot public and discuss it. Go right ahead.

Reminder: No matter where your team ends up being ranked, every team in this game is great. The teams in this draft are only separated by degrees of greatness. Every team in this league would go undefeated if substituted into the NBA for an existing NBA team. And you, the GMs, made making out a ballot this year probably more difficult than any year I can member. Job well done by everyone.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, there wasn’t a ton of separation. My top four teams were Milwaukee, Boston, Utah and Philly, but all the teams were constructed well.

I thought it was interesting that we didn’t have more player for player trades this year.  Were there only two?  I explored some ideas, but I think GMs in general really seemed confident in their vision.

You couldn't vote for your own team, you know that right?    

I gave you a first team vote, but a little modesty wouldn't hurt you.

[RodyTur10]

THANK YOU.

Everyone involved in the game, and others that were only following along, all sent in their ballots.

So....If you want to make your ballot public and discuss it. Go right ahead.

Reminder: No matter where your team ends up being ranked, every team in this game is great. The teams in this draft are only separated by degrees of greatness. Every team in this league would go undefeated if substituted into the NBA for an existing NBA team. And you, the GMs, made making out a ballot this year probably more difficult than any year I can member. Job well done by everyone.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, there wasn’t a ton of separation.  My top four teams were Milwaukee, Boston, Utah and Philly, but all the teams were constructed well.

I thought it was interesting that we didn’t have more player for player trades this year.  Were there only two?  I explored some ideas, but I think GMs in general really seemed confident in their vision.

I didn't have Boston very high because they're so vulnerable defensively in my eyes. This is a tough league and just having an elite offense isn't enough, but it's all very close. I had Utah at 9, but I didn't have much separation between 4 and 9.

I had OKC at 7 in the middle. They're a bit of a wildcard. If they play a more modern explosive style I could see them giving most teams a lot of trouble. Now that I look back I think I had Dallas a bit too high (weak bench). And sorry RPGenerate, didn't have much faith in your team and I felt Fresh had an incomplete team.

[Roy H.]

THANK YOU.

Everyone involved in the game, and others that were only following along, all sent in their ballots.

So....If you want to make your ballot public and discuss it. Go right ahead.

Reminder: No matter where your team ends up being ranked, every team in this game is great. The teams in this draft are only separated by degrees of greatness. Every team in this league would go undefeated if substituted into the NBA for an existing NBA team. And you, the GMs, made making out a ballot this year probably more difficult than any year I can member. Job well done by everyone.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, there wasn’t a ton of separation. My top four teams were Milwaukee, Boston, Utah and Philly, but all the teams were constructed well.

I thought it was interesting that we didn’t have more player for player trades this year.  Were there only two?  I explored some ideas, but I think GMs in general really seemed confident in their vision.

You couldn't vote for your own team, you know that right?    

I gave you a first team vote, but a little modesty wouldn't hurt you.

Oh, I didn’t vote for myself.  That’s just my honest evaluation.  But, I think there were a ton of contenders.  My guess is that the top teams in the league top out below 60 wins; every game would be a grind.

I really appreciate the vote.  It’s interesting to see where we agreed and differed on the top teams.  I believe I had the Clippers and Lakers in my top six, so we largely agreed. 

I’m curious what you liked a little bit less about Boston and Utah, if you feel like sharing.

EDIT:  I saw your answer above.  Thanks.  Very well reasoned.

[Jvalin]

Would love some feedback from you guys on the LeBron trade. After all, it was hands down the biggest trade of the draft. Here is the whole picture (given that I later traded Westbrook for LaMarcus Aldridge):

LeBron + Allen + Millsap + Cliff Robinson for Kawhi + Klay + LMA + Simmons

[Roy H.]

THANK YOU.

Everyone involved in the game, and others that were only following along, all sent in their ballots.

So....If you want to make your ballot public and discuss it. Go right ahead.

Reminder: No matter where your team ends up being ranked, every team in this game is great. The teams in this draft are only separated by degrees of greatness. Every team in this league would go undefeated if substituted into the NBA for an existing NBA team. And you, the GMs, made making out a ballot this year probably more difficult than any year I can member. Job well done by everyone.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, there wasn’t a ton of separation.  My top four teams were Milwaukee, Boston, Utah and Philly, but all the teams were constructed well.

I thought it was interesting that we didn’t have more player for player trades this year.  Were there only two?  I explored some ideas, but I think GMs in general really seemed confident in their vision.

This is definitely the least amount of trades I've ever seen in one of these drafts. I think it's easier to build the team you want when there's only 13 other people.

Yep.  I tried trading for a couple of core players from other teams, and I felt like Danny Ainge pursuing Justice Winslow.

[RodyTur10]

Would love some feedback from you guys on the LeBron trade. After all, it was hands down the biggest trade of the draft. Here is the whole picture (given that I later traded Westbrook for LaMarcus Aldridge):

LeBron + Allen + Millsap + Cliff Robinson for Kawhi + Klay + LMA + Simmons

You shouldn't have done it.   

Had a lot of talks this weekend and in the end nothing came of it,  . Wish I could have been more involved during the week. What this game did give me is that I'm now hooked on Andrei Kirilenko highlight videos  .

Curious how others rated my defense. Thought with Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler, Andrei Kirilenko, Dwight Howard (and George Hill, Josh Howard, Scottie Pippen + DeAndre Jordan) that I had done a good job on that end, while still maintaining enough offensive options.

[Roy H.]

Would love some feedback from you guys on the LeBron trade. After all, it was hands down the biggest trade of the draft. Here is the whole picture (given that I later traded Westbrook for LaMarcus Aldridge):

LeBron + Allen + Millsap + Cliff Robinson for Kawhi + Klay + LMA + Simmons

I don’t evaluate the follow up moves as part of the deal.  It was originally what, Lebron + Ray + pick (Westbrook) for Kawhi + Klay + pick (was it Millsap?)

I didn’t like it for you.  I’m actually fine with the Ray for Klay swap.  On a one season basis, Klay’s best compares fine to Ray’s best.  Defense and size versus more shot creation.

But, there’s a large chasm between Lebron and Kawhi.  We discussed this a bit via PM, but I don’t have Kawhi quite as high as you do.  He’s top-8 good, but Lebron is the best of the era.  If you trade that type of player, I think you need large upgrades elsewhere, and I wasn’t sure that you achieved that.

[RPGenerate]

THANK YOU.

Everyone involved in the game, and others that were only following along, all sent in their ballots.

So....If you want to make your ballot public and discuss it. Go right ahead.

Reminder: No matter where your team ends up being ranked, every team in this game is great. The teams in this draft are only separated by degrees of greatness. Every team in this league would go undefeated if substituted into the NBA for an existing NBA team. And you, the GMs, made making out a ballot this year probably more difficult than any year I can member. Job well done by everyone.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, there wasn’t a ton of separation.  My top four teams were Milwaukee, Boston, Utah and Philly, but all the teams were constructed well.

I thought it was interesting that we didn’t have more player for player trades this year.  Were there only two?  I explored some ideas, but I think GMs in general really seemed confident in their vision.

I didn't have Boston very high because they're so vulnerable defensively in my eyes. This is a tough league and just having an elite offense isn't enough, but it's all very close. I had Utah at 9, but I didn't have much separation between 4 and 9.

I had OKC at 7 in the middle. They're a bit of a wildcard. If they play a more modern explosive style I could see them giving most teams a lot of trouble. Now that I look back I think I had Dallas a bit too high (weak bench). And sorry RPGenerate, didn't have much faith in your team and I felt Fresh had an incomplete team.

Can I ask why you didn't like my team? Just interested in how I can build my team better for next time.

[nickagneta]

Would love some feedback from you guys on the LeBron trade. After all, it was hands down the biggest trade of the draft. Here is the whole picture (given that I later traded Westbrook for LaMarcus Aldridge):

LeBron + Allen + Millsap + Cliff Robinson for Kawhi + Klay + LMA + Simmons

I don’t evaluate the follow up moves as part of the deal.  It was originally what, Lebron + Ray + pick (Westbrook) for Kawhi + Klay + pick (was it Millsap?)

I didn’t like it for you.  I’m actually fine with the Ray for Klay swap.  On a one season basis, Klay’s best compares fine to Ray’s best.  Defense and size versus more shot creation.

But, there’s a large chasm between Lebron and Kawhi.  We discussed this a bit via PM, but I don’t have Kawhi quite as high as you do.  He’s top-8 good, but Lebron is the best of the era.  If you trade that type of player, I think you need large upgrades elsewhere, and I wasn’t sure that you achieved that.

I agree with everything Roy said and will add, you traded the absolute best version of LeBron for the version of Kawhi that played only 60 out of 82 games. To me that pushes the value even more in Philadelphia's favor.

As I said, I contemplated a veto because I thought the value received for the best player of the era just wasn't there.

[RodyTur10]

THANK YOU.

Everyone involved in the game, and others that were only following along, all sent in their ballots.

So....If you want to make your ballot public and discuss it. Go right ahead.

Reminder: No matter where your team ends up being ranked, every team in this game is great. The teams in this draft are only separated by degrees of greatness. Every team in this league would go undefeated if substituted into the NBA for an existing NBA team. And you, the GMs, made making out a ballot this year probably more difficult than any year I can member. Job well done by everyone.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, there wasn’t a ton of separation.  My top four teams were Milwaukee, Boston, Utah and Philly, but all the teams were constructed well.

I thought it was interesting that we didn’t have more player for player trades this year.  Were there only two?  I explored some ideas, but I think GMs in general really seemed confident in their vision.

I didn't have Boston very high because they're so vulnerable defensively in my eyes. This is a tough league and just having an elite offense isn't enough, but it's all very close. I had Utah at 9, but I didn't have much separation between 4 and 9.

I had OKC at 7 in the middle. They're a bit of a wildcard. If they play a more modern explosive style I could see them giving most teams a lot of trouble. Now that I look back I think I had Dallas a bit too high (weak bench). And sorry RPGenerate, didn't have much faith in your team and I felt Fresh had an incomplete team.

Can I ask why you didn't like my team? Just interested in how I can build my team better for next time.

I like a defensive framework and you did that with Payton and Duncan. But then you added Draymond Green with #32, which I found a bit early and I'd rather have seen you put Duncan at PF and had taken for instance the guy picked at #33 (Doncic), because now you have Carmelo Anthony (whom I ranked #22 pre-draft, purely as a scorer ranking) to lead your offense and not much else. Surely Duncan is reliable, but Hamilton and Green don't scare me at all.

I put a lot of work (because a lot of pre-2010 guys I have only seen in highlight videos) in my draft preparation and Raja Bell didn't make the 279 players - cut, so I'm not sure how he should be getting playing time in this league.

I assume DeMarcus Cousins would get a big role in your rotation. But I'm afraid he wouldn't do much damage against some very elite defensive centers.

Just didn't feel your team would really gel. Really loved your start with Duncan and Payton though, but getting your wing rotation in order later on in the draft is tough.

[Roy H.]

TP to RT for a 279 player draft list.  That’s impressive!

Anybody have it beat?

[RodyTur10]

Would love some feedback from you guys on the LeBron trade. After all, it was hands down the biggest trade of the draft. Here is the whole picture (given that I later traded Westbrook for LaMarcus Aldridge):

LeBron + Allen + Millsap + Cliff Robinson for Kawhi + Klay + LMA + Simmons

I don’t evaluate the follow up moves as part of the deal.  It was originally what, Lebron + Ray + pick (Westbrook) for Kawhi + Klay + pick (was it Millsap?)

I didn’t like it for you.  I’m actually fine with the Ray for Klay swap.  On a one season basis, Klay’s best compares fine to Ray’s best.  Defense and size versus more shot creation.

But, there’s a large chasm between Lebron and Kawhi.  We discussed this a bit via PM, but I don’t have Kawhi quite as high as you do.  He’s top-8 good, but Lebron is the best of the era.  If you trade that type of player, I think you need large upgrades elsewhere, and I wasn’t sure that you achieved that.

I agree with everything Roy said and will add, you traded the absolute best version of LeBron for the version of Kawhi that played only 60 out of 82 games. To me that pushes the value even more in Philadelphia's favor.

As I said, I contemplated a veto because I thought the value received for the best player of the era just wasn't there.

Yeah, I can get along very far with Jvalin arguments on how special Luka Doncic is, but he didn't get enough value for LeBron at all. Both guys he got: Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson are overrated.

Leonard shouldn't have gone in the draft before Durant and Antetokounmpo, and I don't understand Thompson at #23 with still Payton, Carter, Malone (and others) available. Those were Wdleehi's picks and in my mind Jvalin bailed him out with a one-sided trade (even though I understand the decision to trade either James or Doncic).

[Donoghus]

I didn't like the trade but I still like DAL pretty high.  Felt the fit of the roster still worked and I'm not as down on Kawhi as some others may be.

[RPGenerate]

THANK YOU.

Everyone involved in the game, and others that were only following along, all sent in their ballots.

So....If you want to make your ballot public and discuss it. Go right ahead.

Reminder: No matter where your team ends up being ranked, every team in this game is great. The teams in this draft are only separated by degrees of greatness. Every team in this league would go undefeated if substituted into the NBA for an existing NBA team. And you, the GMs, made making out a ballot this year probably more difficult than any year I can member. Job well done by everyone.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, there wasn’t a ton of separation.  My top four teams were Milwaukee, Boston, Utah and Philly, but all the teams were constructed well.

I thought it was interesting that we didn’t have more player for player trades this year.  Were there only two?  I explored some ideas, but I think GMs in general really seemed confident in their vision.

I didn't have Boston very high because they're so vulnerable defensively in my eyes. This is a tough league and just having an elite offense isn't enough, but it's all very close. I had Utah at 9, but I didn't have much separation between 4 and 9.

I had OKC at 7 in the middle. They're a bit of a wildcard. If they play a more modern explosive style I could see them giving most teams a lot of trouble. Now that I look back I think I had Dallas a bit too high (weak bench). And sorry RPGenerate, didn't have much faith in your team and I felt Fresh had an incomplete team.

Can I ask why you didn't like my team? Just interested in how I can build my team better for next time.

I like a defensive framework and you did that with Payton and Duncan. But then you added Draymond Green with #32, which I found a bit early and I'd rather have seen you put Duncan at PF and had taken for instance the guy picked at #33 (Doncic), because now you have Carmelo Anthony (whom I ranked #22 pre-draft, purely as a scorer ranking) to lead your offense and not much else. Surely Duncan is reliable, but Hamilton and Green don't scare me at all.

I put a lot of work (because a lot of pre-2010 guys I have only seen in highlight videos) in my draft preparation and Raja Bell didn't make the 279 players - cut, so I'm not sure how he should be getting playing time in this league.

I assume DeMarcus Cousins would get a big role in your rotation. But I'm afraid he wouldn't do much damage against some very elite defensive centers.

Just didn't feel your team would really gel. Really loved your start with Duncan and Payton though, but getting your wing rotation in order later on in the draft is tough.

I understand why people think Draymond is a reach, but I disagree with everything else. Payton was scoring over 24 points a game in 2000. Rip was scoring around 20 points a game. I don't think my offense was just Melo, even though he definitely was the centerpiece.

I think Raja Bell is definitely a player in this league. He was an elite 3-and-D role player, who was a bit ahead of his time.

Don't really understand the Boogie criticism, at least in that aspect. I understand his attitude being a problem, but his offense is great for someone coming off the bench. I don't think he'd have many issues with many of the other bench centers in this league.

[theswitch]

One outsider's view:

1. EC1 – Milwaukee Bucks
2. EC2 – Boston Celtics
3. WC1 – Utah Jazz
4. WC2 – Denver Nuggets
5. EC3 – Philadelphia 76ers
6. EC4 – Toronto Raptors
7. WC3 – Los Angeles Lakers
8. WC4 – Dallas Mavericks
9. WC5 – Los Angeles Clippers
10. EC5 – Indiana Pacers
11. EC6 – Brooklyn Nets
12. WC6 – Oklahoma City Thunder
13. EC7 – Miami Heat
14. WC7 – Houston Rockets