Post by Fason on Aug 2, 2021 9:40:41 GMT -5
3010 Random Rankings
10. Advanced Stats Available For All
I remember back in 4.0 when there was a mythical spreadsheet that I believe only Ank, Eric and maybe 20s had access to. Eric and Ank were both very good at finding under the radar sleepers that nobody knew about. It’s been really nice to have the per 36 stats available. It’s a great tool to use when trying to find sleepers in FA and projecting younger players maybe not getting a ton of minutes. I’m a big fan of the P/TSA as that gives a better idea on the value of each player as a scorer.
9. Unlimited Amnesties
At the moment I’m still on team amnesty, but this could change if/once it works against me. I like that they allow for GMs to take more risks in FA and I think it promotes more trades since teams can seemingly rent players if they are okay spending the 50k after the year. I think this is a good alternative to how contracts have become shorter irl. I also think people would be more likely to quit if they have a bunch of terrible contracts with little options to get rid of them.
8. Extending Contracts Under 5 Million
Similar to amnesties above, I love this rule change for low risk/high reward signings and that you can trade the extension slots in case you find two players that you want to extend. Fun fact: I did not read this rule before I offered all those contracts during my first offseason, what an idiot.
7. Display Potential Meaning Something
I never really understood why commissioners would completely ignore this grade when building players. I really like that now we can know for sure that a player may be a bit of project but there is high upside long term.
6. Freedom With Upgrades
Although most people still use upgrades on inside, jumper & strength. I love how this opens up more options for what GMs can do with their players and could potentially lead to larger variety in types of players within the league. It also brings a lot more strategy to upgrades. The ability to reset upgrades is another change I’m a big fan because I think it could lead to more options with signings and trades. See potentially Tyler Johnson this offseason.
5. TWIB
I don’t know if this is an original idea from Eric or the option was always available with the software but thank you to whichever kind soul created this. I was never really big on making changes to my depth chart but this feels like a tinkerer’s dream. Every sim can be treated like a mini preseason for getting to figure out your players’ strengths.
4. Draft Starting Early
At first, I was confused by this change and didn’t think I’d like it since free agency & retirements can change a GMs plan for their team. However, I always hated how the draft could take up 4 days after the season, then another 3 days for FA/TC/PS. It's won me over with how it’s allowed the league to move like a well-oiled machine from season to season.
3. Killing 5 Day Sims
They were stupid and seemingly pointless. There was nothing like a 5 day sim where your team played 1 game. Another benefit is that this change killed people begging for double sims in shout.
2. Full College Season Stats
For the record, I’m not a fan of scouting because I don’t want to know that info and like for GMs to make guesses and projections. I think it also adds to the element of simply trying to manipulate the software rather than basketball type of decisions. I know some people really like scouting so I won’t say anything more about disliking it. I do love having a year full of college stats to look at before the draft because I think it gives us all the info we could want without showing how the sausage is made.
1. Bigs Meaning Something
This is far and away my favorite change. I know this started with what Odin did in 5.0 but I think Eric has really perfected it. Back in 4.0 it absolutely sucked balls when everyone was just trying to acquire the best PG/SG/SF they could get then have 2 bigs that stayed out of the way. Team building became really no fun at all. Now there are genuinely three directions you can take with your team. It reminds of how college football used to be before every team went to a spread offense. Also from looking at prior champions it seems as though playoff success is based more on how well you focus your team rather than simply having the best collection of talent like the Sixers in the past and we’ll see this postseason with the Knicks.
This isn’t about best players and contracts are not taken into account. Age however did matter as nobody likes a 30 year old being their best player.
Honorable Mentions
Jabari Parker
As good as Jabari is as a scorer, it would drive me nuts trying to keep him on the court. I would worry too much about putting bigs around them would cut into his minutes.
Kyrie Irving/NVE/Chris Paul
As good as they are, I don’t think it would be too much fun to put players around them because you pretty much have to run an outside offense to utilize them and there aren’t that many players currently in the league that would thrive in that style. Feels as though you’d be looking at vegan options off a steakhouse menu.
5. Serge Ibaka/Andrew Bynum/Joe Barry Carroll
I tied them all up since they’re all good but each has a flaw. I like Serge by far the most out of three but the 4 turnovers a game would be pretty maddening. If I had a ton of bucks, I’d think about resetting his upgrades just so I could do the minus 10 passing camp and then put 30 back into inside.
Bynum would be fun to build around because by himself he takes care of defense and rebounding. You could put an outside focused team around him and not care much about his scoring or go inside focus with him averaging 25 although he isn’t nearly as efficient as the elite scoring bigs.
I wasn’t planning to include JBC, but he sneaks in at 29 years old after looking at his numbers. He’s just like Bynum with a little better shooting. I think JBC deserves a lot of credit for having the Celtics in the playoffs, if you look at the roster there isn’t as much talent as the Heat or Bullets. I’d probably go all in on inside with JBC and like Bynum the defense and rebounding is nearly covered.
Sidenote: Can we give Troy Barnes a
for putting together a team that had JBC, Ibaka, McCray & JR Rider. He could have ran and dominated the west for a good five to seven years.
Joe Barry Carroll
C 43 33.3 24.9 11.4 2.3 1.5 2.4 1.9 .499 .638 .000 1.091 21.9
Serge Ibaka
PF 49 36.9 31.0 13.2 3.1 1.1 1.7 4.0 .528 .810 .263 1.207 23.0
Rodney McCray
SF 47 39.2 18.5 10.3 3.3 1.2 0.4 1.7 .488 .780 .381 1.103 14.5
Isaiah Rider
SG 49 36.4 20.8 5.9 5.5 1.4 0.1 2.5 .487 .910 .425 1.186 16.3
4. Martell Webster
Big fan of Martell as he’s only 24 years old and because you’re getting center type of rebounding from a player eligible to play SF or SG, this year he’s averaging 9.6 RPG. His three point shooting isn’t there so I’d think you’d go balance or all in on inside focused. It’s impressive that he’s able to average 25 PPG while sharing shots with Ellis and Carr. He’d be much higher if he played more defense, and I know earlier in his career it was hard to keep him on the floor.
3. Derrick Coleman
Can we just take a moment to laugh at these absurd grades A C B- B- A- A. Coleman is one of the few bigs that is good to very good at everything and looks like he has room to grow with the A potential. He’s averaging 23 PPG as a third scoring option on a title contending team. I’d think he would average close to 30 on a team without as many options.
2. Yao Ming
Only rookie to make the list, although Matt Barnes could make a guess for the top of the list in a couple years. As a rookie, Yao is already an elite rebounder and the defense is good. The big thing is that he’s averaging 20 a game on very good percentages as the third option on an outside focused team. Not disagreeing with what Skrouse is doing since he’s got Kimble and his team is successful, I just think it would be fun to put an inside focused team around Yao as the number one option.
1. Danny Granger
Granger is 28 so he beats the no 30 year olds rule. Other than three point shooting he does everything at or above league average for his position. These do it all SFs are my favorite types of players in sim league, even more than PGs that can score 30 a game. It’s the one position that can make up for lack of rebounding from guards or defense from bigs. Granger may not be an ideal fit for an outside focused offense, but I think he could still be highly effective. Starting a team with Granger would allow you to really go in any direction with your team and he is the one player on this list to be the best player on 2 title winning teams.
Best Changes to Sim League
This topic comes from the request of Tim.
10. Advanced Stats Available For All
I remember back in 4.0 when there was a mythical spreadsheet that I believe only Ank, Eric and maybe 20s had access to. Eric and Ank were both very good at finding under the radar sleepers that nobody knew about. It’s been really nice to have the per 36 stats available. It’s a great tool to use when trying to find sleepers in FA and projecting younger players maybe not getting a ton of minutes. I’m a big fan of the P/TSA as that gives a better idea on the value of each player as a scorer.
9. Unlimited Amnesties
At the moment I’m still on team amnesty, but this could change if/once it works against me. I like that they allow for GMs to take more risks in FA and I think it promotes more trades since teams can seemingly rent players if they are okay spending the 50k after the year. I think this is a good alternative to how contracts have become shorter irl. I also think people would be more likely to quit if they have a bunch of terrible contracts with little options to get rid of them.
8. Extending Contracts Under 5 Million
Similar to amnesties above, I love this rule change for low risk/high reward signings and that you can trade the extension slots in case you find two players that you want to extend. Fun fact: I did not read this rule before I offered all those contracts during my first offseason, what an idiot.
7. Display Potential Meaning Something
I never really understood why commissioners would completely ignore this grade when building players. I really like that now we can know for sure that a player may be a bit of project but there is high upside long term.
6. Freedom With Upgrades
Although most people still use upgrades on inside, jumper & strength. I love how this opens up more options for what GMs can do with their players and could potentially lead to larger variety in types of players within the league. It also brings a lot more strategy to upgrades. The ability to reset upgrades is another change I’m a big fan because I think it could lead to more options with signings and trades. See potentially Tyler Johnson this offseason.
5. TWIB
I don’t know if this is an original idea from Eric or the option was always available with the software but thank you to whichever kind soul created this. I was never really big on making changes to my depth chart but this feels like a tinkerer’s dream. Every sim can be treated like a mini preseason for getting to figure out your players’ strengths.
4. Draft Starting Early
At first, I was confused by this change and didn’t think I’d like it since free agency & retirements can change a GMs plan for their team. However, I always hated how the draft could take up 4 days after the season, then another 3 days for FA/TC/PS. It's won me over with how it’s allowed the league to move like a well-oiled machine from season to season.
3. Killing 5 Day Sims
They were stupid and seemingly pointless. There was nothing like a 5 day sim where your team played 1 game. Another benefit is that this change killed people begging for double sims in shout.
2. Full College Season Stats
For the record, I’m not a fan of scouting because I don’t want to know that info and like for GMs to make guesses and projections. I think it also adds to the element of simply trying to manipulate the software rather than basketball type of decisions. I know some people really like scouting so I won’t say anything more about disliking it. I do love having a year full of college stats to look at before the draft because I think it gives us all the info we could want without showing how the sausage is made.
1. Bigs Meaning Something
This is far and away my favorite change. I know this started with what Odin did in 5.0 but I think Eric has really perfected it. Back in 4.0 it absolutely sucked balls when everyone was just trying to acquire the best PG/SG/SF they could get then have 2 bigs that stayed out of the way. Team building became really no fun at all. Now there are genuinely three directions you can take with your team. It reminds of how college football used to be before every team went to a spread offense. Also from looking at prior champions it seems as though playoff success is based more on how well you focus your team rather than simply having the best collection of talent like the Sixers in the past and we’ll see this postseason with the Knicks.
Players I’d Most Enjoy Building A Team Around
This isn’t about best players and contracts are not taken into account. Age however did matter as nobody likes a 30 year old being their best player.
Honorable Mentions
Jabari Parker
As good as Jabari is as a scorer, it would drive me nuts trying to keep him on the court. I would worry too much about putting bigs around them would cut into his minutes.
Kyrie Irving/NVE/Chris Paul
As good as they are, I don’t think it would be too much fun to put players around them because you pretty much have to run an outside offense to utilize them and there aren’t that many players currently in the league that would thrive in that style. Feels as though you’d be looking at vegan options off a steakhouse menu.
5. Serge Ibaka/Andrew Bynum/Joe Barry Carroll
I tied them all up since they’re all good but each has a flaw. I like Serge by far the most out of three but the 4 turnovers a game would be pretty maddening. If I had a ton of bucks, I’d think about resetting his upgrades just so I could do the minus 10 passing camp and then put 30 back into inside.
Bynum would be fun to build around because by himself he takes care of defense and rebounding. You could put an outside focused team around him and not care much about his scoring or go inside focus with him averaging 25 although he isn’t nearly as efficient as the elite scoring bigs.
I wasn’t planning to include JBC, but he sneaks in at 29 years old after looking at his numbers. He’s just like Bynum with a little better shooting. I think JBC deserves a lot of credit for having the Celtics in the playoffs, if you look at the roster there isn’t as much talent as the Heat or Bullets. I’d probably go all in on inside with JBC and like Bynum the defense and rebounding is nearly covered.
Sidenote: Can we give Troy Barnes a
for putting together a team that had JBC, Ibaka, McCray & JR Rider. He could have ran and dominated the west for a good five to seven years.Joe Barry Carroll
C 43 33.3 24.9 11.4 2.3 1.5 2.4 1.9 .499 .638 .000 1.091 21.9
Serge Ibaka
PF 49 36.9 31.0 13.2 3.1 1.1 1.7 4.0 .528 .810 .263 1.207 23.0
Rodney McCray
SF 47 39.2 18.5 10.3 3.3 1.2 0.4 1.7 .488 .780 .381 1.103 14.5
Isaiah Rider
SG 49 36.4 20.8 5.9 5.5 1.4 0.1 2.5 .487 .910 .425 1.186 16.3
4. Martell Webster
Big fan of Martell as he’s only 24 years old and because you’re getting center type of rebounding from a player eligible to play SF or SG, this year he’s averaging 9.6 RPG. His three point shooting isn’t there so I’d think you’d go balance or all in on inside focused. It’s impressive that he’s able to average 25 PPG while sharing shots with Ellis and Carr. He’d be much higher if he played more defense, and I know earlier in his career it was hard to keep him on the floor.
3. Derrick Coleman
Can we just take a moment to laugh at these absurd grades A C B- B- A- A. Coleman is one of the few bigs that is good to very good at everything and looks like he has room to grow with the A potential. He’s averaging 23 PPG as a third scoring option on a title contending team. I’d think he would average close to 30 on a team without as many options.
2. Yao Ming
Only rookie to make the list, although Matt Barnes could make a guess for the top of the list in a couple years. As a rookie, Yao is already an elite rebounder and the defense is good. The big thing is that he’s averaging 20 a game on very good percentages as the third option on an outside focused team. Not disagreeing with what Skrouse is doing since he’s got Kimble and his team is successful, I just think it would be fun to put an inside focused team around Yao as the number one option.
1. Danny Granger
Granger is 28 so he beats the no 30 year olds rule. Other than three point shooting he does everything at or above league average for his position. These do it all SFs are my favorite types of players in sim league, even more than PGs that can score 30 a game. It’s the one position that can make up for lack of rebounding from guards or defense from bigs. Granger may not be an ideal fit for an outside focused offense, but I think he could still be highly effective. Starting a team with Granger would allow you to really go in any direction with your team and he is the one player on this list to be the best player on 2 title winning teams.
Brightest Futures
This is only about which teams have young players and bevies of future picks. GM experience/skill and vets that can be traded were not taken into account. Forgive me if I missed any picks, having to pick them out from the future draft orders was a pain.
10. Amigos
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.23, 1.28
3012 - 1.12, 1.20
3013 - 1.10, 1.15
3014 - 1.1, 1.7, 1.8
I’m only including the Amigos so Billy will shut the fuck up. They could add another high pick or two if somebody trades for Gordon. Billy should be setup really well though after the 3014 draft with KAT and whoever they take with 1.7 and 1.8.
9. Rockets
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.9, 1.24
3012 - 1.11
3013 - 1.14, 1.24
3014 - 1.23
3015 - 1.12
Rockets more than any team listed will be dependent on TC since they don’t have any top 5 picks coming up but Jonas, Scola & Amare is the best young trio of bigs on one team. Penny is still only 26 and he fits with their timeline. If kc can find some wings at 1.9 and 1.11 these next two drafts he’ll be right there in the west.
8. Pipers
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.1, 1.22
3012 - 1.3, 1.14
3013 - 1.2, 1.8
3014 - 1.4
3015 - 1.26
I’m too lazy to go back and look how ba put those picks together but the Pipers situation is sexy AF. I’m penning in Ewing for this team so by 3014 they could have:
Ewing
Pettit or Mikan (1.2 in 3013)
James Worthy (1.3 in 3012)
Chaney
Devin Booker (1.4 in 3014)
7. Spurs
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.8
3012 - 1.6
3013 - 1.23
3015 - 1.14
Two top ten picks in the next couple drafts to add to Ibaka, Rider, Gordon and Kawhi if he resigns. Maybe they get a better big to go next to Ibaka or a wing that can make up for Kawhi's scoring. Pointy really owes Troy Barnes a ring should the Spurs win a title.
6. Blazers
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.3, 1.11, 1.13
3012 - 1.27
3013 - 1.18
3014 - 1.16
3015 - 1.8
I was skeptical like much of the league when Majic was super optimistic about his team’s future. Not sure what to make of Gooden yet, but I absolutely love Matt Barnes and think Jay Williams will be a very good PG. They have 1.3 this draft and could go in any direction then they still will have 1.11 & 1.13 to add complimentary pieces. If they hit on their picks again this year they should be in contention within a couple of years.
5. Magic
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.30
3015 - 1.6
Yao is the big reason I've got them on the list, but they’re already the 6th seed in a STACKED eastern conference. Yao, Kimble and Mekel (he’s been really good this year) is a very strong young trio to build around. 1.6 in 3015 is the only desirable pick they have coming up so Skrouse will have to get creative with finding a PF to eventually replace Johnson and an upgrade on the Russell/Houston combo at SF.
4. Bucks
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.2, 1.7, 1.21
3013 - 1.11
3014 - 1.4, 1.14, 1.19
3015 - 1.1
I’m not sure anyone on Trofie’s current roster will be on the team in a couple years. They’ve got some decent complimentary pieces with Anderson, Grant, Dixon & Dunleavy that could be used in trades or to compliment his two top seven picks this draft. I’m expecting Trofie to come away with something like Sabonis or Malone then Dumars or Schrempf. He's got 1.4 in 3014 and that 1.1 in 3015 which will probably be Tatum or Bam.
3. Grizzlies
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.6, 1.12
3012 - 1.24
3013 - 1.9, 1.20
3015 - 1.10
Strong collection of talent that is only 4 games back from the 1 seed in the West this season. Vucevic, Butler and Harris are expiring this offseason but assuming Druce amnesties a couple players, he should be able to resign them all and the Grizz will be set for next 5-7 years. Then they have 1.6 this year to add to the core and a top 10 pick in 3013 and 3015 to use in trades or add young players down the line.
2. Lakers
Draft Picks
3012 - 1.1, 1.5
3013 - 1.1
3014 - 1.12
3015 - 1.18
Boozer is a stud, Wagner still has 100 potential
then look at those two 1.1s and also 1.5 next year. Potentially their starting lineup could be:
Sleepy Floyd/Fat Lever (If they decide to use 1.5 on a PG)
DaJuan Wagner
Dominique Wilkins
Carlos Boozer
Bob Pettit or George Mikan
1. Knicks
Draft Picks
3011- 1.18 & 1.29
3014 - 1.15
3015 - 1.9
They have by far the most overall talent in the league, and his core is all 25 years or younger. If Ank wanted to he could trade for any player in the league. Love this offseason was found money. They’re going to run into a cap crunch in a couple years when Embiid is up but I’m sure Ank will easily be able to sell off Love or Cenk if necessary. It would suck to lose Kyrie this offseason but I don’t think it would be catastrophic as they would have enough talent still to go inside focus. It’s hard not imagine them winning a couple titles in the next five to ten years.
10. Rod Grizzard SF 22 6'8'' 205 A- C+ C- C C C
31.2 18.9 5.5 1.6 0.9 0.3 1.8 .493 .819 .481 1.142 14.8
Giving a member of my own team some love. His scoring is inflated due to being in a situation where who else is going to shoot. He started with high jumping so I'm hoping the volume will continue to increase because he sure as shit doesn't provide much defense or rebounding.
t9. Juan Dixon SG 24 6'3'' 164 B- B D C C B
31.2 13.9 4.9 0.7 1.3 0.3 1.5 .472 .816 .412 1.112 11.2
t9. DaJuan Wagner SG 19 6'3'' 200 B B- C- C- C A
28.2 13.0 4.3 1.7 1.1 0.1 1.0 .468 .838 .339 1.068 12.0
I tied them up due to similar grades and production. Dixon is better right now but Wagner looks really good for a 19 year old and still has the 100 potential.
8. Luis Scola PF 22 6'9'' 240 A- C D+ C B B
29.2 24.2 8.2 1.7 1.0 0.2 1.5 .536 .696 .091 1.163 21.4
Productive scorer that doesn't offer much defense and average rebounding right now. The blocks are so low that his rebounding is going to have to get to double digits in order for him to be a quality starting big. Should at worst be a good third big behind Jonas and Amare.
7. Drew Gooden PF 21 6'10'' 235 A- C C+ C+ B+ B
29.2 24.2 8.2 1.7 1.0 0.2 1.5 .536 .696 .091 1.163 21.4
Very similar to Scola, but I gave Gooden the nod due to his jumper being higher. Same deal as Scola where he'll need to up his rebounding to get where the Blazers can count him as a long term starter.
6. Amar'e Stoudemire PF 19 6'10'' 245 A- C C C C+ A
25.8 14.8 6.6 1.9 0.5 0.5 1.8 .507 .700 .250 1.116 15.0
Big fan of Amar'e, especially if he still has that A potential. He's already efficient and I think the .5 BPG shows that he should be able to get to a couple a game by his prime.
5. Caron Butler SF 22 6'7'' 228 A- C B- C+ B+ B
31.2 13.9 8.6 2.5 0.9 0.3 1.3 .481 .781 .231 1.076 13.7
Caron's scoring isn't that sexy, but that is largely because he is on a loaded team and isn't a scoring option. He'd probably average close to 20 PPG if he were on a worse team. Love the rebounding and think he should become a similar type of player to Rodney McCray.
4. Jay Williams PG 21 6'2'' 195 B B- A- C+ C- B
34.9 16.8 3.8 11.9 1.0 0.1 2.7 .508 .790 .364 1.157 17.2
Williams turnovers scared a lot of people off in the draft but he's looking like a great pick. That FG% is elite for a PG and the 17 PPG shows that he has the potential to become a volume scorer, should Majic not go with an inside focused offense.
3. Carlos Boozer PF 20 6'9'' 263 A- C C- C B+ A
29.9 28.1 9.1 2.1 0.9 0.2 1.3 .535 .827 .000 1.194 25.1
Elite scorer already as a rookie and one of the better rebounders in the class which should make him one of the best bigs in the league moving forward. I think in most years he'd be the number 1 rookie, but the three above him have been great.
2. Matt Barnes SF 22 6'7'' 226 A- C+ C B- C+ A
36.3 25.6 8.8 2.5 1.1 0.5 2.4 .539 .654 .312 1.163 18.1
Was a hard choice for number one, I really wanted to put Barnes there but the two tied for number one are on teams in the playoffs. Barnes has the look of that unicorn wing that is good at nearly everything. Majic already used all of Barnes' upgrades so he'll need some TC luck with the jumper growing, if it can get to above 70 Barnes should be a top 5 player in the league.
t1. Reggie Evans PF 22 6'8'' 245 B+ C- D C+ B- C
25.6 13.7 7.8 1.3 0.6 0.5 1.4 .516 .602 .200 1.082 14.8
t1. Yao Ming C 22 7'6'' 315 A- C C+ B B B
35.0 20.5 12.3 3.3 1.1 1.5 1.7 .524 .877 .000 1.206 20.0
Evans was an absolute STEAL at 2.26, he has the look of an elite big moving forward. It's not easy to find a big that can average that type of rebounding and scoring at PF. He and JBC should form one of the best front courts in the league for the next four to five years.
I talked about Yao earlier, he's already an elite scorer in an offense where he isn't the main focus and is the best player on a team in the beastern conference. The rebounding and defense is what sets him apart from the other rookie bigs that I've seen come into the league recently. Yao should get to 2.5 to 3 BPG which would make him the top two way big and perennial people's MVP candidate.
10. Amigos
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.23, 1.28
3012 - 1.12, 1.20
3013 - 1.10, 1.15
3014 - 1.1, 1.7, 1.8
I’m only including the Amigos so Billy will shut the fuck up. They could add another high pick or two if somebody trades for Gordon. Billy should be setup really well though after the 3014 draft with KAT and whoever they take with 1.7 and 1.8.
9. Rockets
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.9, 1.24
3012 - 1.11
3013 - 1.14, 1.24
3014 - 1.23
3015 - 1.12
Rockets more than any team listed will be dependent on TC since they don’t have any top 5 picks coming up but Jonas, Scola & Amare is the best young trio of bigs on one team. Penny is still only 26 and he fits with their timeline. If kc can find some wings at 1.9 and 1.11 these next two drafts he’ll be right there in the west.
8. Pipers
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.1, 1.22
3012 - 1.3, 1.14
3013 - 1.2, 1.8
3014 - 1.4
3015 - 1.26
I’m too lazy to go back and look how ba put those picks together but the Pipers situation is sexy AF. I’m penning in Ewing for this team so by 3014 they could have:
Ewing
Pettit or Mikan (1.2 in 3013)
James Worthy (1.3 in 3012)
Chaney
Devin Booker (1.4 in 3014)
7. Spurs
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.8
3012 - 1.6
3013 - 1.23
3015 - 1.14
Two top ten picks in the next couple drafts to add to Ibaka, Rider, Gordon and Kawhi if he resigns. Maybe they get a better big to go next to Ibaka or a wing that can make up for Kawhi's scoring. Pointy really owes Troy Barnes a ring should the Spurs win a title.
6. Blazers
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.3, 1.11, 1.13
3012 - 1.27
3013 - 1.18
3014 - 1.16
3015 - 1.8
I was skeptical like much of the league when Majic was super optimistic about his team’s future. Not sure what to make of Gooden yet, but I absolutely love Matt Barnes and think Jay Williams will be a very good PG. They have 1.3 this draft and could go in any direction then they still will have 1.11 & 1.13 to add complimentary pieces. If they hit on their picks again this year they should be in contention within a couple of years.
5. Magic
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.30
3015 - 1.6
Yao is the big reason I've got them on the list, but they’re already the 6th seed in a STACKED eastern conference. Yao, Kimble and Mekel (he’s been really good this year) is a very strong young trio to build around. 1.6 in 3015 is the only desirable pick they have coming up so Skrouse will have to get creative with finding a PF to eventually replace Johnson and an upgrade on the Russell/Houston combo at SF.
4. Bucks
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.2, 1.7, 1.21
3013 - 1.11
3014 - 1.4, 1.14, 1.19
3015 - 1.1
I’m not sure anyone on Trofie’s current roster will be on the team in a couple years. They’ve got some decent complimentary pieces with Anderson, Grant, Dixon & Dunleavy that could be used in trades or to compliment his two top seven picks this draft. I’m expecting Trofie to come away with something like Sabonis or Malone then Dumars or Schrempf. He's got 1.4 in 3014 and that 1.1 in 3015 which will probably be Tatum or Bam.
3. Grizzlies
Draft Picks
3011 - 1.6, 1.12
3012 - 1.24
3013 - 1.9, 1.20
3015 - 1.10
Strong collection of talent that is only 4 games back from the 1 seed in the West this season. Vucevic, Butler and Harris are expiring this offseason but assuming Druce amnesties a couple players, he should be able to resign them all and the Grizz will be set for next 5-7 years. Then they have 1.6 this year to add to the core and a top 10 pick in 3013 and 3015 to use in trades or add young players down the line.
2. Lakers
Draft Picks
3012 - 1.1, 1.5
3013 - 1.1
3014 - 1.12
3015 - 1.18
Boozer is a stud, Wagner still has 100 potential
then look at those two 1.1s and also 1.5 next year. Potentially their starting lineup could be:Sleepy Floyd/Fat Lever (If they decide to use 1.5 on a PG)
DaJuan Wagner
Dominique Wilkins
Carlos Boozer
Bob Pettit or George Mikan
1. Knicks
Draft Picks
3011- 1.18 & 1.29
3014 - 1.15
3015 - 1.9
They have by far the most overall talent in the league, and his core is all 25 years or younger. If Ank wanted to he could trade for any player in the league. Love this offseason was found money. They’re going to run into a cap crunch in a couple years when Embiid is up but I’m sure Ank will easily be able to sell off Love or Cenk if necessary. It would suck to lose Kyrie this offseason but I don’t think it would be catastrophic as they would have enough talent still to go inside focus. It’s hard not imagine them winning a couple titles in the next five to ten years.
Best Rookies
This was done in collaboration with Dump since Delap isn't available to update the current rookie ladder. We're going down the stairs though.10. Rod Grizzard SF 22 6'8'' 205 A- C+ C- C C C
31.2 18.9 5.5 1.6 0.9 0.3 1.8 .493 .819 .481 1.142 14.8
Giving a member of my own team some love. His scoring is inflated due to being in a situation where who else is going to shoot. He started with high jumping so I'm hoping the volume will continue to increase because he sure as shit doesn't provide much defense or rebounding.
t9. Juan Dixon SG 24 6'3'' 164 B- B D C C B
31.2 13.9 4.9 0.7 1.3 0.3 1.5 .472 .816 .412 1.112 11.2
t9. DaJuan Wagner SG 19 6'3'' 200 B B- C- C- C A
28.2 13.0 4.3 1.7 1.1 0.1 1.0 .468 .838 .339 1.068 12.0
I tied them up due to similar grades and production. Dixon is better right now but Wagner looks really good for a 19 year old and still has the 100 potential.
8. Luis Scola PF 22 6'9'' 240 A- C D+ C B B
29.2 24.2 8.2 1.7 1.0 0.2 1.5 .536 .696 .091 1.163 21.4
Productive scorer that doesn't offer much defense and average rebounding right now. The blocks are so low that his rebounding is going to have to get to double digits in order for him to be a quality starting big. Should at worst be a good third big behind Jonas and Amare.
7. Drew Gooden PF 21 6'10'' 235 A- C C+ C+ B+ B
29.2 24.2 8.2 1.7 1.0 0.2 1.5 .536 .696 .091 1.163 21.4
Very similar to Scola, but I gave Gooden the nod due to his jumper being higher. Same deal as Scola where he'll need to up his rebounding to get where the Blazers can count him as a long term starter.
6. Amar'e Stoudemire PF 19 6'10'' 245 A- C C C C+ A
25.8 14.8 6.6 1.9 0.5 0.5 1.8 .507 .700 .250 1.116 15.0
Big fan of Amar'e, especially if he still has that A potential. He's already efficient and I think the .5 BPG shows that he should be able to get to a couple a game by his prime.
5. Caron Butler SF 22 6'7'' 228 A- C B- C+ B+ B
31.2 13.9 8.6 2.5 0.9 0.3 1.3 .481 .781 .231 1.076 13.7
Caron's scoring isn't that sexy, but that is largely because he is on a loaded team and isn't a scoring option. He'd probably average close to 20 PPG if he were on a worse team. Love the rebounding and think he should become a similar type of player to Rodney McCray.
4. Jay Williams PG 21 6'2'' 195 B B- A- C+ C- B
34.9 16.8 3.8 11.9 1.0 0.1 2.7 .508 .790 .364 1.157 17.2
Williams turnovers scared a lot of people off in the draft but he's looking like a great pick. That FG% is elite for a PG and the 17 PPG shows that he has the potential to become a volume scorer, should Majic not go with an inside focused offense.
3. Carlos Boozer PF 20 6'9'' 263 A- C C- C B+ A
29.9 28.1 9.1 2.1 0.9 0.2 1.3 .535 .827 .000 1.194 25.1
Elite scorer already as a rookie and one of the better rebounders in the class which should make him one of the best bigs in the league moving forward. I think in most years he'd be the number 1 rookie, but the three above him have been great.
2. Matt Barnes SF 22 6'7'' 226 A- C+ C B- C+ A
36.3 25.6 8.8 2.5 1.1 0.5 2.4 .539 .654 .312 1.163 18.1
Was a hard choice for number one, I really wanted to put Barnes there but the two tied for number one are on teams in the playoffs. Barnes has the look of that unicorn wing that is good at nearly everything. Majic already used all of Barnes' upgrades so he'll need some TC luck with the jumper growing, if it can get to above 70 Barnes should be a top 5 player in the league.
t1. Reggie Evans PF 22 6'8'' 245 B+ C- D C+ B- C
25.6 13.7 7.8 1.3 0.6 0.5 1.4 .516 .602 .200 1.082 14.8
t1. Yao Ming C 22 7'6'' 315 A- C C+ B B B
35.0 20.5 12.3 3.3 1.1 1.5 1.7 .524 .877 .000 1.206 20.0
Evans was an absolute STEAL at 2.26, he has the look of an elite big moving forward. It's not easy to find a big that can average that type of rebounding and scoring at PF. He and JBC should form one of the best front courts in the league for the next four to five years.
I talked about Yao earlier, he's already an elite scorer in an offense where he isn't the main focus and is the best player on a team in the beastern conference. The rebounding and defense is what sets him apart from the other rookie bigs that I've seen come into the league recently. Yao should get to 2.5 to 3 BPG which would make him the top two way big and perennial people's MVP candidate.
