Ahhhh... A freshly drafted team
Tonight, I drafted a fantasy basketball team in my flagship league, the big one, the league that I've done every year since my sophomore year of college (which, sadly, is getting further and further away).
I'm thrilled with the results. There are nine categories (FG%, FT%, 3PM, PTS, REB, AST, STL, BLK, TO). Check out the squad:
PG Jason Terry
SG Cuttino Mobley
G Josh Howard
SF Andrei Kirilenko
F Peja Stojakovic
PF Dwight Howard
C Joel Przybilla
Util Marko Jaric
BN Sam Cassell
BN Raja Bell
BN Shane Battier
BN Zaza Pachulia
BN Mike JamesThis is a twelve team league. I feel like I got quality picks in every single round.I feel like my team is not that great in points, assists, or turnovers...but not too bad, either. Forgive me for gloating.
What do you guys think? Am I missing some glaring weakness in my squad? Or is it as dominant as I think it is?
posted by Michael Deuser @ 10:12 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Well drafted team!
you have fg%, ft%, 3pters, stls, and blocks all covered. I think your turnovers are above average.
Your weakness really points, boards, and assists, you need a guy like B. Knight (pass-first pg) in your util slot. Not a fan of M. Jaric.. he's got to go.
I think a guy like R. Jefferson would be the best fit for your team... although not quite sure what u could trade for him.
A cheaper version would be B. Simmons.
I like Brevin, too. He's a Stanford guy, so I like him even more. Problem is, he's old, he's injury-prone, and he's got Raymond Felton (who has game) breathing down his neck. I want a pass first point-guard, too.
I feel that Jaric could be good in MIN if he stays healthy. Tons of steals and lots of assists (Garnett hits 15 foot jump shot. Assist: Jaric). Plus threes. If he's injured like he usually is, all bets are off.
Who else would be a good trade target for assists, and wouldn't be too expensive?
Love your forwards. AK-47 is a fantasy beast, Peja's in a contract year and will rebound nicely from last year's sub-par numbers and D-Ho will be a 20-10, 2 block, 1 steal guy easy this year. Those three alone will go a long way toward keeping you competitve in the rebound and hustle categories.
Your guards I'm not as high on. Terry figures to lose minutes to Harris, Mobley I've always thought was over-rated, Jaric is a perpetual injury risk, and Josh Howard is good, but not great. I actually like Gollum and Raja bettter than any of the guys you have penicled in as starters.
Who's on your wire? Surely there must be some scorers and/or assist specialists there along the lines of a Bonzi Wells (who I think will absolutely blow up this year in SacTown), a Chris Paul or TJ Ford, a Marquis Daniels, Josh Childress or a Jamaal Tinsley? I'd prefer any of those over Terry or Mobley.
Your centers are solid; the Vanilla Gorilla should be a consistent source of boards and blocks and I'm very high on Pachulia as the only pivot option in ATL(I actually drafted him in the seventh round this year; our league starts two centers. Brutal)
All in all, a solid draft, IMHO. But I also believe that fantasy championships are never won or lost on draft day. Lineup management and astute waiver wire pickups is where the real dirty work is done.
I'm afraid the cupboard is pretty bare on the wire in our league. We went to twelve teams, and almost everybody knows what he is doing. All the guys you mention were drafted. Paul, for instance, was drafted in the 6th or 7th.
You're not the first guy to rank on my guards, and I'm starting to worry. I thought they were kind of tight, if lacking in a true point guard. Terry I drafted pretty high... he was Top 50 last year, and he looks good to me in a turnover league (under 2). Plus Devin Harris kinda sucks, I think. Mobley I got in the 7th... I feel you can't go wrong with him there. 16 points, 2 threes, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, nearly 1.5 steals... could be worse, right?
As for Josh Howard, *how can you not dig on Josh Howard*? I realize his overall numbers last year weren't that hot, but I think this is going to be a huge breakout year for him, at least in fantasy terms. If he isn't Top 50, I will be shocked. If he isn't Top 40, I'll be surprised.
I'd love to get Luke Ridnour, but my friend Brian who owns him knows how high his assists upside is and isn't budging. Wants a C, and I don't think I have a C to deal for Ridnour.
You can bet I'm scanning the wire for this year's out-of-the-blue assists revelation. If only Speedy Claxton would get dealt to, say, Boston, and actually start...
Keep me posted of any other up-and-coming waiver guards that pop up this year. As of now, pickings are pretty slim.
Actually I'm a fan of Jason Terry (i drafted him in my fantasy league as well) and he's amazing especially for turnover leagues like yours.
I think a good passing guard to grab would be K. Hinrich, since he gets PG/SG eligiblity, he'll definitely help up your assists from the SG position.
And I think with your team stacked with positive shooters (Terry,Howard,AK,Peja,Dwight, Pryzbilla) you can take the hit in fg%.
And as much as I like Dwight Howard, I think either peja or dwight have to be traded for a PF that can also throw some assists i.e. Brand, Bosh, Gasol. Although it doesn't seem like much 2 additional assists from the forward position help pad your assist loss.
Cassell and M. James are quality backup PG's... they should have some trade value.. maybe go for a PF like K.Mart, or D. Marshall.
Battier is very under-rated, but he just doesn't fit your team since he doesn't help ur team.. only not negate from ur team.
Raja Bell.. good, a good sell high candidate after 1-2 months (since most ppl seem to forget A. Stoudamire will come back in 4 months, and play havoc to the Suns lineup)
Nice draft...
I think peja was your second pick?
At first glance your team looks sweet.
But there are some serious holes in your lineup.
Pointguard and assists could be a problem. I love Terry, but I would love him even more as a secondary PG. Cassell and Jaric are awesome too. But again not sure if they are enuff.
I like the vanilla gorilla....looks like he's this years value pick. Double Double with leagueleading blocks...available most of the time AFTER the familiar names like Dalembert and Chandlers are gone.
Maybe next season you'd like to join my league. It has some experts in it...14 teams 14 spots. The FA is so bare...it got to be rated NC17.
PS let me know how your team proceeds...I also have drafted a team abased on AK and also have pryz and JAirc on it.
Yo--I'm always down to join another competitive league. Let me know the info.
AK's shooting is going to be a kick in the balls for the next months or so, but Jaric looked pretty good, huh? Przybilla's 29 minutes worries me. Let's just hope that McMillan is doing a little tinkering before he starts putting "The Vanilla Gorilla" out there for longer.
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