2011 CB Historical Draft - Draft Thread

[Who]

My top-five, in no particular order:

Portland
Miami
Chicago
Denver
Boston (despite the AI pick, which I didn't care for)

You know, I felt the same way about Boston. I loved everything about that team until AI was added. Kinda like Dominique in Philly, I just don't like the fit but with MJ, I think Jordan has a strong enough personality and Nique has enough respect for MJ to give up some of the ball where there wouldn't be TOO much problems(remember they did play together on the Dream Team, afterall).

Olympics? I don't think Dominique ever played in the Olympics.

He wasn't on the 1992 team and he was in the NBA the year prior to 1984. Probably too young to make the 1980 team (Isiah's team).

[mgent]

As good as Russell is, we have some long-ass teams here.  Is a 6'9" and 6'5" front-court really gonna cut it?

Are you gonna tell mister 11 rings that he can't hang with the modern athletes?

And as far as Charles Barkley goes..he played some pretty awesome (and as long at today) competition, with way more aggressive defensive allowances, so I have no reservations that the Chuckwagon would be as good in this setting.

Not saying that at all, it's a better front-court than any ever constructed in the NBA.  But with guys like Wilt and Mchale, Kareem and KG, Dwight and Dirk, Shaq, Hakeem, Ewing and Duncan running around, I wouldn't consider them a top front-line.

[nickagneta]

Remember gents, especially in a league of all time greats, defense wins championships.

I really like your team but, I watched a lot of Cowens as a kid and the thing is, he's a center. I think he would do fine at PF against many PFs but against some, he will suffer. Cowens was a tough s.o.b that loved banging in the paint and it didn't matter how big the guy he was playing against was. But I see him having major problem against quicker faster stretch 4's so that is why I don't have Seattle in my top five.

[indeedproceed]

As good as Russell is, we have some long-ass teams here.  Is a 6'9" and 6'5" front-court really gonna cut it?

Are you gonna tell mister 11 rings that he can't hang with the modern athletes?

And as far as Charles Barkley goes..he played some pretty awesome (and as long at today) competition, with way more aggressive defensive allowances, so I have no reservations that the Chuckwagon would be as good in this setting.

Not saying that at all, it's a better front-court than any ever constructed in the NBA.  But with guys like Wilt and Mchale, Kareem and KG, Dwight and Dirk, Shaq, Hakeem, Ewing and Duncan running around, I wouldn't consider them a top front-line.

I think the difference is mobility. As long as they also get a mobile 3 that facilitates their transition game, Russell's blocks along with his and chuck's rebounds and Nash's Barkley and Wade's transition game...it just looks pretty to me.

[Roy H.]

As good as Russell is, we have some long-ass teams here.  Is a 6'9" and 6'5" front-court really gonna cut it?

Are you gonna tell mister 11 rings that he can't hang with the modern athletes?

And as far as Charles Barkley goes..he played some pretty awesome (and as long at today) competition, with way more aggressive defensive allowances, so I have no reservations that the Chuckwagon would be as good in this setting.

Can Russell and Barkley defend a frontline with two seven footers, though?  I've got no doubt that Russell could, but Barkley is a liability on the front line.  Similarly, Nash's defensive liabilities are going to hurt.

Anyway, we're less than halfway through the draft, so there's time to build a team with fewer holes.

[nickagneta]

My top-five, in no particular order:

Portland
Miami
Chicago
Denver
Boston (despite the AI pick, which I didn't care for)

You know, I felt the same way about Boston. I loved everything about that team until AI was added. Kinda like Dominique in Philly, I just don't like the fit but with MJ, I think Jordan has a strong enough personality and Nique has enough respect for MJ to give up some of the ball where there wouldn't be TOO much problems(remember they did play together on the Dream Team, afterall).

Olympics? I don't think Dominique ever played in the Olympics.

He wasn't on the 1992 team and he was in the NBA the year prior to 1984. Probably too young to make the 1980 team (Isiah's team).

oops, sorry you are right. I was thinking Drexler.

[Who]

As good as Russell is, we have some long-ass teams here.  Is a 6'9" and 6'5" front-court really gonna cut it?

Are you gonna tell mister 11 rings that he can't hang with the modern athletes?

And as far as Charles Barkley goes..he played some pretty awesome (and as long at today) competition, with way more aggressive defensive allowances, so I have no reservations that the Chuckwagon would be as good in this setting.

I think Chuck is going to be a frequent defensive liability in this setting ... but he's going to be an absolute monster in a running team. An offensive force and demon rebounder. Hugely productive and efficient.

His quickness, young Chuck's quickness and explosiveness, is going to be very hard to contain.

------------------------------------------------------

Bill Russell is going to be fine. Put him in any era and he is going to dominate. His combination of team defense and rebounding will be the best of All-Time no matter what era or setting you stick him in. Russell's man-to-man defense will be fine. His offense is passing ability and hustle baskets mostly and those will translate well too.

There actually isn't that much elite scoring at the center position. Only really three players -- Kareem, Wilt and Shaq -- the rest are good to very good scorers but not elite. Many of whom are players who Russell could negatively effect with his defensive positioning and ability to force players away from preferred shot attempts.

Oh sorry, Olajuwon too, elite scorer. Oops. Forgot him. And on Hakeem, Russell is just about the best defender in history to stick on Hakeem though because of his combination because of his athleticism.

Looking at the list of starting centers here, I think Russell would defend Olajuwon better than every other starting center in this fantasy game. So, good news, again.

Bill Russell is going be dominant. At least, I think he'd be dominant in this setting.

[mgent]

You hearing this Bahku?  Trade me Nique cheap!

Honestly, I liked the pick.  Jordan and Dominique is the most athletic 2,3 punch since Drexler and Dr. J.

[Roy H.]

There actually isn't that much elite scoring at the center position. Only really three players -- Kareem, Wilt and Shaq -- the rest are good to very good scorers but not elite

I think you're underestimating some other guys.  Ewing scored 28.6 points on 55% shooting, and David Robinson scored 29.8 points on 51% shooting.  Those are pretty elite seasons.

[nickagneta]

Gotta say another team that almost made my top 5 was Denver except I am not a fan of Hayes. he wasn't a team player until Wes Unseld influenced him and even then, they didn't like each other. He didn't get along with coaches or team mates and was usually a problem. Stories I have read made me think he was the 70's version of Allen Iverson only playing PF. He was a black hole for much of his career on the court.

No denying the man's talent but like Dominique, like Iverson, and like some others that have yet to be drafted, I'm not crazy about Hayes in this type of all-star team setting.

[Who]

There actually isn't that much elite scoring at the center position. Only really three players -- Kareem, Wilt and Shaq -- the rest are good to very good scorers but not elite

I think you're underestimating some other guys.  Ewing scored 28.6 points on 55% shooting, and David Robinson scored 29.8 points on 51% shooting.  Those are pretty elite seasons.

Nah, those guys are very good scorers but not elite. Not in this setting.

Their offensive games were too easy to disrupt during their playing days.

[mgent]

As good as Russell is, we have some long-ass teams here.  Is a 6'9" and 6'5" front-court really gonna cut it?

Are you gonna tell mister 11 rings that he can't hang with the modern athletes?

And as far as Charles Barkley goes..he played some pretty awesome (and as long at today) competition, with way more aggressive defensive allowances, so I have no reservations that the Chuckwagon would be as good in this setting.

I think Chuck is going to be a frequent defensive liability in this setting ... but he's going to be an absolute monster in a running team. An offensive force and demon rebounder. Hugely productive and efficient.

His quickness, young Chuck's quickness and explosiveness, is going to be very hard to contain.

------------------------------------------------------

Bill Russell is going to be fine. Put him in any era and he is going to dominate. His combination of team defense and rebounding will be the best of All-Time no matter what era or setting you stick him in. Russell's man-to-man defense will be fine. His offense is passing ability and hustle baskets mostly and those will translate well too.

There actually isn't that much elite scoring at the center position. Only really three players -- Kareem, Wilt and Shaq -- the rest are good to very good scorers but not elite. Many of whom are players who Russell could negatively effect with his defensive positioning and ability to force players away from preferred shot attempts.

Oh sorry, Olajuwon too, elite scorer. Oops. Forgot him. And on Hakeem, Russell is just about the best defender in history to stick on Hakeem though because of his combination because of his athleticism.

Looking at the list of starting centers here, I think Russell would defend Olajuwon better than every other starting center in this fantasy game. So, good news, again.

Bill Russell is going be dominant. At least, I think he'd be dominant in this setting.

Depending on the year, I would also consider Robinson, Malone, and Ewing all elite.  That's 7/11 teams that Russell can only slow down, they're still gonna be getting their shot off over him.

Duncan is no slouch either, but Barkley is gonna be guarding him (yikes).

[nickagneta]

As good as Russell is, we have some long-ass teams here.  Is a 6'9" and 6'5" front-court really gonna cut it?

Are you gonna tell mister 11 rings that he can't hang with the modern athletes?

And as far as Charles Barkley goes..he played some pretty awesome (and as long at today) competition, with way more aggressive defensive allowances, so I have no reservations that the Chuckwagon would be as good in this setting.

Can Russell and Barkley defend a frontline with two seven footers, though?  I've got no doubt that Russell could, but Barkley is a liability on the front line.  Similarly, Nash's defensive liabilities are going to hurt.

Anyway, we're less than halfway through the draft, so there's time to build a team with fewer holes.

Indiana will be great with Barkley and Russell against any frontline because what will have to happen is Indiana will have to force their running game and control the tempo to be most effective. If there was ever players that I felt could force their will upon another team to dictate pace to their liking, its Barkley, Russell and Nash. Nash is a major liability on the other end but that man can dictate pace and force a running game like very few others ever and that's what Russell and Barkley will need to be most effective. Defense down low forcing turnovers, get it out to Nash and run. Barkley and Russell will be great against bigger competition because of this.

[mgent]

There actually isn't that much elite scoring at the center position. Only really three players -- Kareem, Wilt and Shaq -- the rest are good to very good scorers but not elite

I think you're underestimating some other guys.  Ewing scored 28.6 points on 55% shooting, and David Robinson scored 29.8 points on 51% shooting.  Those are pretty elite seasons.

Nah, those guys are very good scorers but not elite. Not in this setting.

Their offensive games were too easy to disrupt during their playing days.

Agree to disagree.  Just because they're in a league with other elite scorers, doesn't make their offense any less potent.  Russell will do a great job at forcing them away from their spots, but they're still gonna be throwing up hook shots that he won't be able to do anything about.

[StartOrien]

"You guys are making me wicked sad"