Summer 2021 Fantasy Draft: Draft Thread

[RJ87]

Ugh, I was hoping to see Middleton fall to me. Perfect complementary star.

I was going back and forth between Middleton, Gordon, and another player. Didn't know who I was picking until I typed it lol.

[Who]

With the 2nd pick of the 3rd round, the Milwaukee Bucks select Khris Middleton.

I was toying around with the idea of a run and gun lineup with Middleton at PF next to Luka at SF, LaVine at SG. Slot in a big man to rebound and a PG who can shoot. Shooting galore.

I love Middleton's game. Nice pick.

[gouki88]

GSW (theswitch) has 3 minutes left on the clock

[theswitch]

Wow, I'm doing this on the fly as well -- this has been 24 hours of active internal debate! I know I'm going to have to justify this pick, but I can't shake that although there are other great options available, the truly best talent (and fit, despite what I said yesterday about shooting) is the highly controversial, incredibly talented Ben Simmons.

With Simmons, we have two of the best defenders in the league who can legitimately guard 1-5. We can switch everything and defend the best players in the league. He and Bam are going to be unstoppable on the pick and roll with Curry spacing the floor -- you just won't be able to leave Steph alone. Bam can shoot the mid-range to give him some room.

I also want to say that Curry loves to run around -- play off the ball. He doesn't love just having it in his hands. You're not going to be able to stop a fast-break with Simmons running at the hoop but capable of sending to Curry. Bam is one of the best screeners in the NBA. Good luck guarding that Curry/Bam P&R with Simmons cutting to the hoop or Simmons/Bam P&R with Curry as outlet. Anyways, I took the bait and picked the most controversial guy out there.

[Roy H.]

I don’t like Simmons next to BAM.  I do love him with Curry.

[RPGenerate]

Oooooooh I don't know how I feel about this lol. Ben Simmons is such a polarizing player, but I think his best fit is with someone who can stretch the floor like Curry. Him and Bam may be a bit of a weird fit though.

[gouki88]

Wow, I'm doing this on the fly as well -- this has been 24 hours of active internal debate! I know I'm going to have to justify this pick, but I can't shake that although there are other great options available, the truly best talent (and fit, despite what I said yesterday about shooting) is the highly controversial, incredibly talented Ben Simmons.

With Simmons, we have two of the best defenders in the league who can legitimately guard 1-5. We can switch everything and defend the best players in the league. He and Bam are going to be unstoppable on the pick and roll with Curry spacing the floor -- you just won't be able to leave Steph alone. Bam can shoot the mid-range to give him some room.

I also want to say that Curry loves to run around -- play off the ball. He doesn't love just having it in his hands. You're not going to be able to stop a fast-break with Simmons running at the hoop but capable of sending to Curry. Bam is one of the best screeners in the NBA. Good luck guarding that Curry/Bam P&R with Simmons cutting to the hoop or Simmons/Bam P&R with Curry as outlet. Anyways, I took the bait and picked the most controversial guy out there.

This pick was great. Dramatic, last-minute selection and you pick the most polarising guy on the board - love it!

I don't love Simmons, but we saw how well Draymond and Curry worked - alongside Simmons and Bam, that should only be amplified if you add another shooting threat

[Who]

I was wondering where Ben Simmons would go in this draft. I thought he might slip the first 5 rounds and be available in the 6th-7th rounds as a bench piece -- solely because of how down so many on the blog are on Simmons at the moment.

I was half-thinking of Simmons as a small ball five next to Luka at PG. Five mid-sized players. Run and gun ball. Simmons in the dunker spot. That was if Simmons was still available in the late 4th early 5th round -- with the idea of taking a guard or wing now.

[Who]

So I did not expect this guy to be here. A bit unsure about him but there is no denying the guy is a game-changer so I am going to pick Rudy Gobert with the 4th pick.

[gouki88]

So I did not expect this guy to be here. A bit unsure about him but there is no denying the guy is a game-changer so I am going to pick Rudy Gobert with the 4th pick.

I was wondering when he'd finally go. Beast interior defender

[tazzmaniac]

I don’t like Simmons next to BAM.  I do love him with Curry.

My thoughts exactly. 

[RPGenerate]

So I did not expect this guy to be here. A bit unsure about him but there is no denying the guy is a game-changer so I am going to pick Rudy Gobert with the 4th pick.

About time he came off the board. Probably the best value pick in the draft tbh.

[theswitch]

I ultimately felt like I had to choose someone who I felt was the most talented player on the board and would work well on my team (yes, I know he's not a perfect fit with Bam but I think that Curry fixes both of those issues if I pick correctly in the next two rounds). Doing that, knowing full well that this board is highly divided on Simmons and skews negative. He's just too good and dangerous on both sides to pass up - even if it comes with the baggage. Easily 1st round talent in my opinion with a 6th round perception.

[Roy H.]

About time for Gobert.  I was kind of hoping he would be paired with Giannis to create an unsolvable defense.

[theswitch]

So I did not expect this guy to be here. A bit unsure about him but there is no denying the guy is a game-changer so I am going to pick Rudy Gobert with the 4th pick.

I was wondering when he'd finally go. Beast interior defender

I was hoping someone would trade up for him! I thought one of you double-wing teams would be dying for it. Nice pick for Who.