2011 CB Historical Draft - Draft Thread

[Who]

Memphis:  Do you think choosing Pierce from 01-02 where he was in a mindset of that he is the main guy and more a offensive "hog" (shot 6 3's that year while at a good % albeit) will be a detriment to the team?  Will his effectiveness be limited by playing next to LeBron.  Pierce was a different player then than compared to 2008 where he knew how to play with other greats.

For me, Pierce just wants to win.  He wanted to win in 2001, he wanted to win in 2008.  Yes, he was the man in 2001, but everyone's starting five (and benches) have a lot of players that were the man for their respective teams.  Thus, I don't think it is any more of a "problem" for my team then any other team.  

I also firmly believe that James and Pierce have a very nice mix of skills and would actually be a pretty nice fit next to each other on the wing.  Both are able to create their own shot and both are able to hit the open jumper when presented.  They are also a nice fit defensively as well.

Yeah, I agree.

I have no qualms about a young Paul Pierce's ability to play with other great players. I think the criticisms of young Paul Pierce's self-involved play are off the mark.

[mgent]

So, I'm not a panelist, but I have a question for everybody:

* If you could take one of your draft picks back, which one would it be, and who would you have replaced that player with?

I'd probably pick more modern-era players as some seem to give them more respect than earlier players that were better than them.

[33-00-32]

So, I'm not a panelist, but I have a question for everybody:

* If you could take one of your draft picks back, which one would it be, and who would you have replaced that player with?

I'd probably pick more post-80s players as some seem to give them more respect than earlier-era players that were better than them.

Not sure who has the most Pre 80s players but I have quite a few and have gotten the same impression.

[Rondo2287]

Some questions:

Dallas:  I love your top players and they can really dominate a game.  However, I think your bench may be one of the weaker ones.  Do you think mixing up some of your top players to play with the bench will be successful? I can't see Shaq, Gervin, and Baylor getting there shots if all on the court at the same time, your thoughts on this?

Hey Kwhitt, sorry I missed this.  I actually think that my bench is one of the stronger ones in the game if not the strongest.  My strategy in this game was to bypass some talent for fit.  Alot of the players that you see on other teams benches are used to playing 40 minutes a game and getting their points after getting into the flow of the game.  In this excercize they will not have that luxury.  

That is why I took guys like, Manu, Bowen, Silas, Schrempf, and Chaney, and Odom.  They are all guys that are familiar with and have been incredibly effective coming off the bench and conributing.

[StartOrien]

So, I'm not a panelist, but I have a question for everybody:

* If you could take one of your draft picks back, which one would it be, and who would you have replaced that player with?

1. If it was for winning this game, I'd say I'd take pack my Zo pick. Seems as if his abilities to play a very effective role as a 3rd big have been somewhat discounted.

2. For me, probably Shawn Kemp. I picked him because he was the best value and I thought for sure I could move him.

I'm sorry, rereading that, that came off as me being a jerk.

[mgent]

Memphis:  Do you think choosing Pierce from 01-02 where he was in a mindset of that he is the main guy and more a offensive "hog" (shot 6 3's that year while at a good % albeit) will be a detriment to the team?  Will his effectiveness be limited by playing next to LeBron.  Pierce was a different player then than compared to 2008 where he knew how to play with other greats.

For me, Pierce just wants to win.  He wanted to win in 2001, he wanted to win in 2008.  Yes, he was the man in 2001, but everyone's starting five (and benches) have a lot of players that were the man for their respective teams.  Thus, I don't think it is any more of a "problem" for my team then any other team.  

I also firmly believe that James and Pierce have a very nice mix of skills and would actually be a pretty nice fit next to each other on the wing.  Both are able to create their own shot and both are able to hit the open jumper when presented.  They are also a nice fit defensively as well.

Yeah, I agree.

I have no qualms about a young Paul Pierce's ability to play with other great players. I think the criticisms of young Paul Pierce's self-involved play are off the mark.

I agree that Pierce isn't a self-involved player, but I think his effectiveness would  absolutely be limited.  LeBron and CP3 are both self-involved players who both have the ball in their hands the entire game.  They look for opportunities to score and then pass out of the double.

Young Pierce was an absolute master at creating his own shot and probably the best in the league at getting to the line.  Will he really have the ball-time to be able to work on isos?

[indeedproceed]

Questions:
- I really like your team, and I'll give everyone praise at a later date, but this particular portion of your programming is about looking at and evaluating weaknesses, so don't think I'm all negative.

Moranis (Memphis)
- I don't like LeBron James. Explain?
- Seriously though, everyone on your team aside from LeBron James will be adapting a new role. Chris Paul will turn into a much more stationary passive player, Paul Pierce will drastically lose touches and shots, and the same goes for McAdoo. Lots of guys over the course of the league have become less efficient, especially the first year in a new setting, with less touches. Is this concern with you, and if not, why?
-Kind of a re-hash of the former question, but aside from Moses Malone, all the rest of your starters were hands down the best most productive player on middling teams that were a definite level below contending status. Paul Pierce himself has said he couldn't have handled being on a 'superteam' in his early years, and McAdoo's career is marred with conflicts with his team. LeBron James has proven that he was ready in 2010 to let some of his own touches go for a shot at a title, but why do you think that McAdoo/Paul/Pierce would be as ready, when their own words and history has shown otherwise?
-McAdoo has been called soft defensively by just about everyone who ever saw him play. His offensive style complements your strategy, but how are you going to hide him defensively?
 - What happens when you face a physical defending 4 like Dave Cowens that makes McAdoo cry actual tears on the basketball court?

[Who]

So, I'm not a panelist, but I have a question for everybody:

* If you could take one of your draft picks back, which one would it be, and who would you have replaced that player with?

I'd probably pick more post-80s players as some seem to give them more respect than earlier-era players that were better than them.

Did you pick out a first choice rotation for your team? A minutes distribution, I mean.

I was looking for it earlier and couldn't find one.

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

Anyway, to be more precise, the part I was wondering about was the reserves on the perimeter. The guard positions and the small forward position.

I really like Earl Monroe as a backup combo guard. I think I would give him all of the backup minutes in the backcourt and use a three man backcourt of Oscar, Drexler and E.Monroe.

Then a two man combination at small forward with Erving and Aguirre. Sometimes plugging Artest in instead of Aguirre if the team required more defense from your backup SF. And two backup big men with Sheed + J.Lucas.

A 9 man rotation overall ... rather than going 10 deep.

To best take advantage of Earl Monroe's talents.

[Who]

Memphis:  Do you think choosing Pierce from 01-02 where he was in a mindset of that he is the main guy and more a offensive "hog" (shot 6 3's that year while at a good % albeit) will be a detriment to the team?  Will his effectiveness be limited by playing next to LeBron.  Pierce was a different player then than compared to 2008 where he knew how to play with other greats.

For me, Pierce just wants to win.  He wanted to win in 2001, he wanted to win in 2008.  Yes, he was the man in 2001, but everyone's starting five (and benches) have a lot of players that were the man for their respective teams.  Thus, I don't think it is any more of a "problem" for my team then any other team. 

I also firmly believe that James and Pierce have a very nice mix of skills and would actually be a pretty nice fit next to each other on the wing.  Both are able to create their own shot and both are able to hit the open jumper when presented.  They are also a nice fit defensively as well.

Yeah, I agree.

I have no qualms about a young Paul Pierce's ability to play with other great players. I think the criticisms of young Paul Pierce's self-involved play are off the mark.

I agree that Pierce isn't a self-involved player, but I think his effectiveness would  absolutely be limited.  LeBron and CP3 are both self-involved players who both have the ball in their hands the entire game.  They look for opportunities to score and then pass out of the double.

Young Pierce was an absolute master at creating his own shot and probably the best in the league at getting to the line.  Will he really have the ball-time to be able to work on isos?

Now Chris Paul is someone who I think is a self-involved player.

At least he is making some progress as he gets older ... I would have chosen this year's Paul for this fantasy game but that's me. I don't think many, or perhaps anyone, would share this point of view.

I really really dislike PGs who over-dribble the basketball in this fantasy game. Too many talented offensive players all over the court for that style of play.

A little bit of a negative for LeBron too but the PGs really bug me with this. I can live with LeBron's issues because he is freakishly talented even by these high standards + he is not at the PG position so someone else is responsible for keeping order offensively and should be able to keep him, for the most part, in line.

Steve Nash, that includes you too. Over-dribbling PG.

[StartOrien]

Steve Nash, that includes you too. Over-dribbling PG.

I'm a believer in Nash's abilities both mentally and physically. To me, he's the type of guy who could adapt to a situation if needed/asked. He did seem to put a great deal of effort into trying to make the Shaq situation work.

[Who]

For instance, look at a guy who didn't get drafted:  1989 Dale Ellis.  He averaged 27.5 points, shot 50% from the field, and 47.8% from three.  Who fits better in this format -- even if it's NBA2K -- Iverson or Ellis?  Give me Ellis all-day, every day.

(Seriously?  Undrafted?  What's up with that?)

I thought Dale Ellis was drafted. One of the final picks made.

Miami -- RebusRankin's team -- they picked him I think.

[Roy H.]

Steve Nash, that includes you too. Over-dribbling PG.

I'm a believer in Nash's abilities both mentally and physically. To me, he's the type of guy who could adapt to a situation if needed/asked.

I agree with this.  Nash would flourish in any offense, whether fast-paced or half-court.  Heck, he could even share the ball and be primarily a shooter (although why somebody would turn Steve Nash into Steve Kerr is beyond me).

Nash's weakness is going to be on defense.  Russell in the middle will help with that a lot, and a ball-hawking SG in the back court will, too.  I think that between Russell, Marion, and Wade, your D should be able to cover for a lot of Nash's (and Barkley's) deficiencies.

[Roy H.]

For instance, look at a guy who didn't get drafted:  1989 Dale Ellis.  He averaged 27.5 points, shot 50% from the field, and 47.8% from three.  Who fits better in this format -- even if it's NBA2K -- Iverson or Ellis?  Give me Ellis all-day, every day.

(Seriously?  Undrafted?  What's up with that?)

I thought Dale Ellis was drafted. One of the final picks made.

Miami -- RebusRankin's team -- they picked him I think.

Ah, good.  My oversight, and it makes me like Miami's team even more.  Ellis needed to be picked.

[Who]

Steve Nash, that includes you too. Over-dribbling PG.

I'm a believer in Nash's abilities both mentally and physically. To me, he's the type of guy who could adapt to a situation if needed/asked. He did seem to put a great deal of effort into trying to make the Shaq situation work.

Nash can adapt to his surroundings ... but I thought his impact declined pretty significantly when he changed his game to fit around Shaquille + between his play in Phoenix to Dallas.

I am not considering him at the same level he was at as an MVP if he adapts his game. I am considering him an All-NBA second or third team level player.

But that is just me ... and the way I am looking at ball-heavy PGs in this fantasy game.

[mgent]

Denver: Your team has some high flying wings that I can see flying down the court.  But what are your thoughts on your teams 3pt shooting outside of Cassell and Rip which I don't think you'll be playing that much.

I admit, it's not that good.  Dr. J and Clide weren't that good but they could hold their own.  Oscar was actually a good outside shooter.  Off the bench, Monroe, Aguirre, and Artest could all hit 3s decently enough.  I don't think any team could get away with playing a zone against us, and if they try that's what I got Rip and Sam-I-am for.

My plan to offset some of the better shooting teams is to play at the fastest pace in the league, a pace that 1 maybe 2 other teams could even dream to come close to keeping up with.  I'm gonna be scoring so fast and so often it's not even gonna matter what the other team's offense or defense is doing because they won't be able to make up the deficit, not like the defense will ever even have a chance to set up as I think even my bigs will beat most of the other teams' bigs down the court also.  We've never seen a team this efficient be able to run a lightning fast offense.  I simply do not think any team will be able to put more points on the board (aside from off-nights or literal explosions from the opponent's bench).