2025 CelticsBlog Fantasy Draft: '05-'25 Edition

[smokeablount]

Based on the single season element, I think SGA is a 1st round guy. But I had 2 other guys I was considering.

He is a 2 way player who finished top 2 in MVP the last 2 years, battling with Jokic, and won the scoring title, MVP, FMVP, and a championship

I thought last year was Jokic's best season as a pro. Furthermore, I thought Giannis had his best season as a pro (improvement in midrange shooting). 2 of the 6 players in this draft. And SGA won the MVP over both them. Deservedly so in my view.

Hmm.  I think some of the MVP voting is teammate related, and another part of it is voter fatigue.  Individually, all things being equal, I don't think SGA is better than those two.  If MVP was the equivalent of best player, Jokic would have won it last season.  The guy averaged a triple double with tremendous efficiency.

He is not better than those 2. But his season was better than Giannis?s last year and half of Giannis?s prime. To get a guy who can be in the same sentence as guys in the #4-6 range is a coup. It?s not a Curry-Giannis pairing, but KD-SGA is a lethal giant backcourt if I don?t add another Pg later, and I have all my picks

I think the list of guys on this list who were indisputably top 3 players in the league for even just 2+ years is def under 14 guys.  Lebron, Curry, Jokic, KD, Giannis who all played for close to a decade (or two) take up most of those available ?top 3? spots.

For me:

Durant > Giannis
SGA > Steph Curry

I'll just say that I respectfully disagree.  SGA isn't in the same class as Curry, in particular.  Curry is one of the most game-changing players in history.

Most would agree with you. But I think the point is that these are the only 2 guys who play guard who approached prime MJ over a single season in this eligible timeframe (Wade, Harden, CP3, Nash came varying degrees of close but aren?t there), and both won MVP, a title, and a scoring title in the same year.

The difference is SGA won FMVP, shoots less 3?s, but went #14 instead of higher than I picked at #5 (and he lets me keep my 3 other top 50 picks). I like SGA at 14 more than KD at 7.

[Moranis]

Took Shaq. Wanted the dominant interior scorer.  My 3rd pick is basically decided as well.

[Who]

I couldn't quite wrap my head around Shaq. Where his value is.

On one hand, I was considering him as a top 10 pick. Even wondering if I would take him around 5 or so if I was picking there.

On the other hand, I wasn't sure what to make of his defense. He was older then and would be more exposed in today's game than he was in 2005 for his lack of mobility / PnR defense / transition defense.

I just couldn't settle on him. On where I thought his value was. I was tempted to pair him with KG when the opportunity ... but I had trouble making up my mind on Shaq.

[snively]

I couldn't quite wrap my head around Shaq. Where his value is.

On one hand, I was considering him as a top 10 pick. Even wondering if I would take him around 5 or so if I was picking there.

On the other hand, I wasn't sure what to make of his defense. He was older then and would be more exposed in today's game than he was in 2005 for his lack of mobility / PnR defense / transition defense.

I just couldn't settle on him. On where I thought his value was. I was tempted to pair him with KG when the opportunity ... but I had trouble making up my mind on Shaq.

I thought he'd be best as a 6th man in this league. Someone to overwhelm bench bigs and be the focal point. Too much competition for touches as a starter.

[Moranis]

I couldn't quite wrap my head around Shaq. Where his value is.

On one hand, I was considering him as a top 10 pick. Even wondering if I would take him around 5 or so if I was picking there.

On the other hand, I wasn't sure what to make of his defense. He was older then and would be more exposed in today's game than he was in 2005 for his lack of mobility / PnR defense / transition defense.

I just couldn't settle on him. On where I thought his value was. I was tempted to pair him with KG when the opportunity ... but I had trouble making up my mind on Shaq.

I did as well, but in the end I thought his size made him unique and rated that value well.  I had 3 guys before Shaq on my list entering today, Dwight, Kobe, and Paul. Figured those would make the best pairing with LeBron.  My 5th guy is still there and will likely be my pick tomorrow.

[smicker16]

Crazy how talented and deep these teams will be.  Think it will come down to how you all fill out the roster to compliment your stars as much as possible.

Kobe is such an interesting case because so many people consider him top 5 all time (even top 3 or at least most top 10).  I personally do not agree with that for him but still crazy to see how far he fell in this draft even on a Celtics forum.  Will be interesting to see how he works in the SIM because I do think efficiency with him can be a bit of a concern.

[Roy H.]

Shaq wouldn't have been my pick, but he's a really fun player to have on your team.

[snively]

Crazy how talented and deep these teams will be.  Think it will come down to how you all fill out the roster to compliment your stars as much as possible.

Kobe is such an interesting case because so many people consider him top 5 all time (even top 3 or at least most top 10).  I personally do not agree with that for him but still crazy to see how far he fell in this draft even on a Celtics forum.  Will be interesting to see how he works in the SIM because I do think efficiency with him can be a bit of a concern.

Yeah, I was hoping SGA would have slipped one more for that reason. But you need championship pedigree at the top of your roster.

[Who]

Kobe is such an interesting case because so many people consider him top 5 all time (even top 3 or at least most top 10).  I personally do not agree with that for him but still crazy to see how far he fell in this draft even on a Celtics forum.  Will be interesting to see how he works in the SIM because I do think efficiency with him can be a bit of a concern.

Kobe is fascinating. I don't think he is top 5 or even top 10 either. Top 15? Probably. Top 20? Definitely.

I also think he derives a lot of his All-Time value from longevity rather than peak performance. He is almost hurt by this format. A single season format.

I thought Kobe's main All-Time ranking value came from being a top 5 player for a full decade. From 2001 or 2002 until 2011 or 2012. Something like that. He was a top 5 player year in year out. Sometimes top 3.

I don't think he ever had that period where he was the clear #1 player in the league for any sustained period of time. Not like Shaq who was unstoppable in the early 2000s. Or LeBron who completely dominated in the late 00s and throughout the 10s.

[Moranis]

Shaq wouldn't have been my pick, but he's a really fun player to have on your team.

Yeah. I just think his unique size makes him more valuable than a guy that might be better, but isn't all that unique.  There are a lot more really great players at other positions, but a scoring center that is also an elite shot blocker and rebounder, there just aren't many of.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Catching up on everything now- I?m really happy getting CP3 late second. His 08 season was incredible. I?m liking the fit of Timmy and Chris Paul a lot so far.

[Roy H.]

Shaq wouldn't have been my pick, but he's a really fun player to have on your team.

Yeah. I just think his unique size makes him more valuable than a guy that might be better, but isn't all that unique.  There are a lot more really great players at other positions, but a scoring center that is also an elite shot blocker and rebounder, there just aren't many of.

Despite a lot of disagreements on player value over the years, this is one thing we agree on:  there is high value in a player offering a unique, game-breaking skill.

It's why we're both really high on Magic in these drafts.  It's not his stats, it's what he can do with his skills at his size.  He's unique in a way that causes matchup problems.

It's why I love Curry and Giannis.  Curry in particular is a game-breaker.  Nobody else stretches the floor to 30 feet while shooting 45% from 3PT. 

And, Shaq fits that bill.  His bulk presents a real, one-of-a-kind matchup problem.

[Moranis]

Kobe is such an interesting case because so many people consider him top 5 all time (even top 3 or at least most top 10).  I personally do not agree with that for him but still crazy to see how far he fell in this draft even on a Celtics forum.  Will be interesting to see how he works in the SIM because I do think efficiency with him can be a bit of a concern.

Kobe is fascinating. I don't think he is top 5 or even top 10 either. Top 15? Probably. Top 20? Definitely.

I also think he derives a lot of his All-Time value from longevity rather than peak performance. He is almost hurt by this format. A single season format.

I thought Kobe's main All-Time ranking value came from being a top 5 player for a full decade. From 2001 or 2002 until 2011 or 2012. Something like that. He was a top 5 player year in year out. Sometimes top 3.

I don't think he ever had that period where he was the clear #1 player in the league for any sustained period of time. Not like Shaq who was unstoppable in the early 2000s. Or LeBron who completely dominated in the late 00s and throughout the 10s.

Kobe was never the best player in the league. Even the year he was MVP he wasn't the best player. 

I mean starting in 90 you basically had

MJ, Hakeem, MJ, Shaq, Duncan, Lebron (for over 10 years), Giannis, Jokic

Only a season or two of transitions in that entire 30+ year time period and I dont think Kobe was the best player in those seasons.  He is better than Pippen, but I think he was similar to him in many ways.

My top ten by tiers (mostly in order)

1 - Lebron, MJ, Kareem
2 - Magic, Wilt, Bill, Bird
3 - TD, Hakeem, Shaq

The next 2 tiers (so 11-16)
4 - Oscar, Curry, Moses
5 -  Dr. J, Kobe, Durant

And the 2 current guys are on their own, but may really be in tier 4 or 5
6 - Jokic, Giannis

I don't know where to put those guys, but Jokic, in particular could move all the way into tier 3 before he is done (and if he wins a couple more titles, tier 2 isnt out of the question).

I don't know how I'd currently rate those 2 guys when compared to Dirk, KG, Baylor, Barkley, Malone, etc. They've had higher peaks, but not quite there with the longevity yet, whichis why I'd tier them alone.

[smokeablount]

I have 3 blue chip prospects targeted tomorrow, and then 3 elite guys who all play one position.

I pick #27, so with 6 picks before me I should have a choice, but i'm hoping for a blue chipper.

I think one of the 3 positional guys should fall to my next pick if I still want to grab them there.

KD and SGA has a ton of lineup versatility and can slot anywhere from the backcourt to the forward spots. I have a lot of flexibility to slot guys in around them depending on what I want. They own the midrange and are devastating 3 level scorers who do everything well, so the paint and perimeter is largely open for the other 3 starters to dwell in, and the only definitive position I need is center.

[smokeablount]

Kobe is such an interesting case because so many people consider him top 5 all time (even top 3 or at least most top 10).  I personally do not agree with that for him but still crazy to see how far he fell in this draft even on a Celtics forum.  Will be interesting to see how he works in the SIM because I do think efficiency with him can be a bit of a concern.

Kobe is fascinating. I don't think he is top 5 or even top 10 either. Top 15? Probably. Top 20? Definitely.

I also think he derives a lot of his All-Time value from longevity rather than peak performance. He is almost hurt by this format. A single season format.

I thought Kobe's main All-Time ranking value came from being a top 5 player for a full decade. From 2001 or 2002 until 2011 or 2012. Something like that. He was a top 5 player year in year out. Sometimes top 3.

I don't think he ever had that period where he was the clear #1 player in the league for any sustained period of time. Not like Shaq who was unstoppable in the early 2000s. Or LeBron who completely dominated in the late 00s and throughout the 10s.

Kobe was never the best player in the league. Even the year he was MVP he wasn't the best player. 

I mean starting in 90 you basically had

MJ, Hakeem, MJ, Shaq, Duncan, Lebron (for over 10 years), Giannis, Jokic

Only a season or two of transitions in that entire 30+ year time period and I dont think Kobe was the best player in those seasons.  He is better than Pippen, but I think he was similar to him in many ways.

My top ten by tiers (mostly in order)

1 - Lebron, MJ, Kareem
2 - Magic, Wilt, Bill, Bird
3 - TD, Hakeem, Shaq

The next 2 tiers (so 11-16)
4 - Oscar, Curry, Moses
5 -  Dr. J, Kobe, Durant

And the 2 current guys are on their own, but may really be in tier 4 or 5
6 - Jokic, Giannis

I don't know where to put those guys, but Jokic, in particular could move all the way into tier 3 before he is done (and if he wins a couple more titles, tier 2 isnt out of the question).

I don't know how I'd currently rate those 2 guys when compared to Dirk, KG, Baylor, Barkley, Malone, etc. They've had higher peaks, but not quite there with the longevity yet, whichis why I'd tier them alone.

I think SGA is 1 year into a 3-4 year run that is going to put him in your tier 6 above, and I got in on the ground floor. Looking forward to your pick tomorrow. You've got an incredible foundation Mo. Shaq didn't do much during our timeframe, but that year he was an absolute unit.