2011 CB Historical Draft - Draft Thread

[nickagneta]

The thing about this draft that I actually really like is that even if someone makes a misjudged pick, or decides to shore up their bench without finishing their frontline, there is still so much of a chance to make it work.

You need shooters? There's HOF caliber talent. You need versatile big men? Some of the best that ever played are still there. Scoring punch? Scoring title winners populate the available players list.

Pretty cool.

Which is exactly why I drafted the best front court defensive rebounding, off the bench player you could get in the entire NBA history. Rodman was a rebounding freak who when taken pace of the game and numbers per minute into consideration, is without a doubt the greatest rebounder in NBA history.

Now consider that he had the ability to dominate defensively and actually guarded EVERY SINGLE position on the floor at one time or another. He guarded Larry, MJ, Malone, Shaq, Magic,Clyde, Barkley, Worthy, McHale....all the greats and did it exceptionally.

Yes the Bulls have that guy coming off the bench.

Pretty awesome, I say. 

[Who]

I very much liked the Dennis Rodman selection.

In a draft like this, he'll have immense value as a defender + possession creator. Get your team, your offensive players, more possessions to work with. Rebounding and defense are going to be hugely important.

[Who]

Fun to see the starting lineups round themselves out.

Six teams have a full lineup, 5 others have four starters plus a sixth man and one remaining yet to make their draft pick.

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A couple of things that caught my eye as interesting combinations / lineups

(1) Denver's perimeter trio of Oscar Robertson, Clyde Drexler and Julius Erving. Good chance that will be the best perimeter trio in the competition.

(2) Philadelphia's 1-2 punch offensively with Michael Jordan and Dirk Nowitzki.

Jordan is going to have an advantage against every two guard in the league and with Dirk Nowitzki alongside him, wow, those two are going to be a nightmare to defend against. I can imagine them late in games playing a two man game. Lethal in pick and rolls. Devastating isolation scorers and quality passers when double teamed. Hugely efficient and very difficult to defend against.

Throw in Dominique Wilkins as a third scorer and Phily has one of the best foundations offensively. One of the early favourites for best offensive team.

(3) Absolutely loving Walt Frazier at the moment. Especially his size, defense and rebounding at the point. Then the offensive skill-set to top it off. Very nice. I think he'll bring his team together nicely on both ends of the court. 

I like teams with big guards (PGs and SGs). I think those teams with small guards are leaving themselves vulnerable to defensive issues. They are going to have a tough time containing big guards like Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson who have excellent post games.

(4) That small forward position has created some very interesting matchups.

Especially with Garnett now there as a power three versus Indiana throwing Kobe out there as a quick three. A lot of different types of talents there. Going to put a lot of pressure on each player's defensive range.

(5) Los Angeles and Seattle have very impressive defensive combinations.

Seattle has a great defensive PG in Jason Kidd. A terrific defensive wing in Scottie Pippen. Hakeem Olajuwon as their shot blocking center. And to a lesser degree, Dave Cowens (who I like more as an undersized C than PF).

Los Angeles comes out with an incredible frontcourt in terms of defense and rebounding with Kevin Garnett and Ben Wallace at the forward spots and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar anchoring the middle. Throw in Payton and Dumars in the backcourt and you have an exceptional defensive lineup.
 
(6) John Stockton, Ray Allen, Kobe and Karl Malone as a running unit with Deke triggering the break.

Johnny Stockton running the show. One of the greatest + most unselfish passers of all-time. Karl Malone is arguably the best running PF of all-time. Ran the court harder and more consistently than other PFs plus he was a great athlete in the first half of his career.

Then the wings where they have gained extra quickness, ball-handling and passing by playing two shooting guards together by shifting Kobe Bryant to the three.

They are going to be dynamite in transition.

[7] The explosive athleticism of Bill Russell, Charles Barkley and Dwyane Wade. The quickness, the speed and the leaping ability of each of them. Exceptional.

Best open court big man duo in the game. Russell and Barkley.

[Rondo2287]

Dallas Selects: Deron Williams

[indeedproceed]

Dallas Selects: Deron Williams

I don't think anyone would call Deron an 'all-time' player right now, but of all the PG's I've been looking at, he's far from the worst. There are more 'clutch' players, more experienced players, but I don't think there are any more explosive players I'd put out there instead of Deron Williams, especially since you want a guy to get your players the ball, and a guy who can hit shots.

EDIT: Actually I'd say there is one player I'd rather have, but its a point of preference.

[Rondo2287]

Dallas Selects: Deron Williams

I don't think anyone would call Deron an 'all-time' player right now, but of all the PG's I've been looking at, he's far from the worst. There are more 'clutch' players, more experienced players, but I don't think there are any more explosive players I'd put out there instead of Deron Williams, especially since you want a guy to get your players the ball, and a guy who can hit shots.

EDIT: Actually I'd say there is one player I'd rather have, but its a point of preference.

Ya definitely a pick of need for me and one of the only guys that i was looking at that I had seen play alot.  I thought he could score a decent amount and also distribute.  So i thought his balanced game would be a good fit for my team.

[Moranis]

Dallas Selects: Deron Williams

I don't think anyone would call Deron an 'all-time' player right now, but of all the PG's I've been looking at, he's far from the worst. There are more 'clutch' players, more experienced players, but I don't think there are any more explosive players I'd put out there instead of Deron Williams, especially since you want a guy to get your players the ball, and a guy who can hit shots.

EDIT: Actually I'd say there is one player I'd rather have, but its a point of preference.

The thing is he doesn't have to be an all time player, he just needs an all time season, which I think he does.  19 ppg, 10.5 apg, 3 rpg, 39.5% from three, 80% from the line, well over 50% from 2 for a TS% of almost 60.  I mean that is right up there with some of the great PG seasons and certainly on par with any other PG still remaining (and he was actually better in his 12 post season games that year).  Not the best defender in the world, but has great size from the PG position. 

[StartOrien]

I think it was way too early for Deron Williams and I think there's better fits for that particular team.

[Moranis]

I think Deron is actually a pretty good fit with that team given his solid mid range and 3PT range.  I think that was lacking on the team and as such Deron will fit in well.  There are a couple of other PG's that would also fit there though as well.

[WeMadeIt17]

can i take a coach right now?

[nickagneta]

can i take a coach right now?

I do believe you are up and can now choose your coach.

[mgent]

Denver's perimeter trio of Oscar Robertson, Clyde Drexler and Julius Erving. Good chance that will be the best perimeter trio in the competition.

If only I could've got Nique coming off the bench, that would've been ridiculous.

I'm wondering how you guys think Elvin Hayes fits with my team, as I've never seen him play.  Although I've never actually seen anyone on my team play.  I wanted another 7 footer in the front-court to keep up my length, but I can't really complain about his scoring, rebounding, defense, or shot-blocking (and he was a good turn-around shooter too right?)

[nickagneta]

Couple things:

1. THANKS AND MANY TPs GO OUT TO Indeedproceed FOR KEEPING THE DRAFT BOARD AND TEAM ROSTER UPDATED YESTERDAY!!!!!!

2. In case you have not seen it, all team rosters are on the first page of this thread along with the complete draft board and rules. I have added the coaches to the team rosters as well.

3. Remember that there is NO DRAFT MONDAY. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY everyone!!!

4. Tuesday we go to two rounds a day and 5 minute spacing between picks. So those that have missed picks late in the round and selected the next day, remember, if you do that next week during the first round of the day your picks will be passed by as the next round starts that day. So, if you feel you are going to be unavailable send a very long complete list of players to me or any of the panelists that will draft for you. Remember there are 24 selections each day next week so be sure to provide the person who will draft for you more than just a few names because if your players are all gone, they do not have the right to select for you if they do not have a name.

5. Late next week I will open a new thread for owners to put their profiles of their teams in. I think we have all done these in the CB Draft or last years draft. Make them as simple or detailed as you like. Profiles will be due by Monday June 6th at 9:00AM EST. Panelists will then be able to read them and ask any questions of you about your team in that thread until Tuesday 9:00PM EST. I will send out PMs to the panelists at that time and team awards will be announced on Wednesday at noon. Voting for players of era(in this case all-time) will begin on Wednesday June 8th and continue for a week or so.

[WeMadeIt17]

The Atlanta Hawks would like to announce that Chuck Daley is the new head coach of this ball club thank you.

Reason I picked Daley great coach was able to deal with all the egos on the dream team, so now he has a few of those guys, Kobe and Ray Ray!

[mgent]

Ignoring my team I think it goes:

1. Philly
2. Miami
3. Indiana
4. Portland

At this point I don't think anyone else can catch up to these teams.