What Would You Do?
Probably the hardest job in the NBA is that of the General Manager. Their jobs depend on the quality of team, which may or may not be out of anyone's hands. However, my recent reflection on some of the NBA's best and worst GM's caused me to ponder a few questions. What would you do if you were GM...
* If you had to choose one person from the 2006 All-Star squad (East or West) to build around, who would it be?
* Who is the one player that you think would be a mistake to build around?
* What NBA market would be the best place for recruiting?
* Who would be the best coach for your team?
Final question:
* What 10 players would you pick to create a team?
> Taking into account the need for role players
> Assuming there is some sort of salary cap
* If you had to choose one person from the 2006 All-Star squad (East or West) to build around, who would it be?
* Who is the one player that you think would be a mistake to build around?
* What NBA market would be the best place for recruiting?
* Who would be the best coach for your team?
Final question:
* What 10 players would you pick to create a team?
> Taking into account the need for role players
> Assuming there is some sort of salary cap
posted by Blair, Heidi, and Treysen at 4:27 PM
2 Comments:
Stay Tuned... Comments Coming Soon!
OK, prepare yourself for the GM of the year, Mr. Wardlistik. I've got the answers for ya. Slim, your analysis was great! I was really impressed with the thought that went into it and the reasoning behind it. I found myself agreeing with A LOT that you said, and I really think that your team would work great. However, I think I may have a few answers of my own...
I agree with you that a GOOD big man is key. So that's where I'll start as well. Chris Bosh is an excellent, excellent pick. I can't really contend with that. However, I think that I would stack my deck first and foremost with the wonder child - Amare Stoudemire. In three seasons with PHX he's averaging 20 pts, 9 boards (3 offensive), 1 ast, 1 st, 1.5 blks, all while maintaining 51% on FG, and 71% from the line! Oh, yea, and he's 23! I realize that he's been through a knee surgery but I'm not worried one bit about that! Phoenix has been excellent not to rush him back. I think that once he's back that will be a thing of the past. Amare is here to stay, and will become the NEW most DOMINANT player in the league, hands down. Let's not forget that he averaged 30 PPG in the frickin' playoffs! Against Timmy D. nonetheless!!! Wow! Just to be fair, I took the median of his expected salary over the next six years.
Current Salary: $14,520,000
While I agree that point guard is important, I'm not so sure that it would be second on my list of priorities. I think there's plenty of guards that are excellent in distributing the ball, that I could place further down my priority list. What I feel is essential to my team, is a SG that is excellent at scoring by way of penetration and three-point shooting. I think you need someone who can stretch the defense with their perimeter shooting, so the paint will open up for Amare. You also need a good slashing guard that can compensate for his shooting in an off night. Not only that, this slashing guard can dish off to Amare when the defenders crash on him to close down the dribble. Who fits this mold? None other than wonder child #2 - LeBron James. I know what you're thinking, there's no way to keep these two under contract. I beg to differ.
I'm looking to create another Kobe/Shaq duo. They were unstoppable back in the day, just as I believe that the Stoudemire/James duo could be. I'm picking up two large salaries here, but they're both young, and I believe could make an immediate impact. Fit some role players around these two, and I think you've got yourself a pretty nice team, eh?
Comparable Player: Kobe Bryant
Projected Salary: $15,946,875
Let's build the role players...
Alrighty, a good point guard is necessary. I need someone who can be counted on to distribute the ball effectively to Bron Bron and Stoudemire. I debated whether to do the Chauncey thing here, and I honestly wouldn't mind it, but I decided to deviate from your plan for argument sake. The guy I'd choose to run the point for my team is none other than little Brevin Knight. The kid has quietly been having an impressive year. Dude is 4th in the league in ast/game at 8.7. As if that wasn't good enough, he's 3rd best in ast/TO ratio at 3.77 (It should be noted that Chauncey is 2nd). One thing that really stuck out to me, though, is his defense! He's number frickin' one at steals per game! The kid is averaging just under 2 1/2 steals! Let's not forget that at 5'10" he's also pulling down 3 1/2 boards a game too! He's only averaging about 9 points per game, but that doesn't bother me since I'm not worried about him scoring... he can leave that to the other two big cats!
Current Salary: $4,600,000
OK, I've got the 1,2, and 5 spot all locked up. Now I need two really good, effective role players to man the forward positions. Who's it gonna be?
I move to the small forward position. This pick can fit into so many different positions from SG-PF. I'm talking about the frickin' ridiculous talent of Boris Diaw. Is anyone else just as surprised as I am at this boy? Where did he come from (besides France)? He is seriously AMAZING! I've seen him play numerous positions. He's probably more comfortable at the SF position, but I could run a small line up and have him at PF. Also, he and Josh could switch it up as well. I just want to note that he ranks 4th in triple doubles! He's averaging 13 pts, 7 rbs, 6 asts, 1 blk, and 51% shooting! WOW!
Current Salary: $ 1,127,280
Okay, let's finish off the starting 5 with my power forward. I'm gonna need a tough guy who's a good defender! Again, I'm not so concerned about scoring at this position, but he is gonna be banging with guys like Duncan, Garnett, Bosh, J. O'Neal, etc, so I'll need him to hold his own. I made the HUGE mistake of giving this boy away in my fantasy team, and I'm not going to be so quick to do it again. Marcus Camby is an incredible athlete! I realize that right now he mostly plays the center position for the Nugs, but he's listed as a F/C. Understandably so! I actually think this would be ideal for Amare. The two could switch positions on either the defensive or offensive end effectively. Who would you rather face: Camby or Amare? Hmm... Not pretty either way! 3 blocks per game for Marcus, to go along with his 1.5 steals! And oh yea, 14 points, 12 boards, and 2 assts. He's 10th in double-doubles this season! Ouch! That's a killer front court!
I realize that Marcus hasn't exactly been the healthiest player. That's always a concern. He's done considerably better this season, though. It's a liability that I'm willing to take on!
Current Salary: $7,150,000
So there's my top five! Let's recap:
PG - Brevin Knight
SG - LeBron James
SF – Boris Diaw
PF - Marcus Camby
C - Amare Stoudemire
Salary Subtotal: $43,344,155
I can already smell a championship...
But not before solidifying my bench! I've got some doozies for this too! I'm gonna pack some firepower into that pine!
Ok, backup center...
Hands down: Joel Przybilla. I've been pleasantly surprised with this big guy. On a sucky team, he's been doing a great job. 7 boards, 2.5 blocks, and 6 points. A great sub-in. Reminds me a lot of the underrated talent that Brad Miller displayed when he played for the Bulls. And I like Brad Miller.
Current Salary: $1,560,000
OK, staying in order, I need Bron's backup (if that's possible)...
To add a little more defense at the backcourt, I want to throw in the guy that pisses off just about every SG all-star in the league. The alleged dirty player who can lock the best-of-the-best down - Bruce Bowen. I like how he can get under people's skin. He gives the spurs a spark off the bench with his defensive presence, not to mention his ability to just drain the treys! (He's #2 in 3-point FG%).
Current Salary: $3,375,000
Who do have giving Brevin a breather? It's gotta be Smush Parker. I've enjoyed his play this year. He's thrown down some NASTY dunks for being a little guy. Obviously his play is overshadowed by Bryant, but all-in-all I think he's got a lot to offer. 11 pts, 3 rbs, 3 asts, and over 1.5 steals. Plus he's fast and energetic.
Current Salary: 745,248
OK, let's get a backup for Boris “The Elf” Diaw.
Another highly impressive kid: Josh Howard of the Mavs. He can turn it on anytime he feels like it. Still young and fresh with plenty to offer. 16 pts, 6.5 rbs, 2 asts, and just over 1 steal per game. He's good at helping out when Dirk is having a bad night. Look for the same on my team.
(Quick note: a CLOSE runner up to Josh was Caron Butler and Andre Iguodala – Two other great role players!)
Current Salary: $873,880
* Again I expect that to rise a little...
OK, I need to fill in the vacant position at PF. The guy I have in mind has pretty well started his whole career, but has had some ups and downs. I really doubt that he would mind coming off the bench. I’m talking about the man with the wired jaw, Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Since returning from his jaw surgery he has been coming off the bench. 13 pts, 5 rbs, 3 asts. Another great big man to sub in.
Current Salary: $5,000,000
Now, I need two more guys just to bring my roster to tweleve. These guys won't be seeing much playing time but just like you, D, I want some guys that are great for practices and are excellent in the community.
My first pick is someone whose personality every coach would want on his team. Utah native and Kansas alumni, Scot Pollard. He's a funny guy that everyone likes around. He lightens the mood of every team and brings it in practices and games. He's not too bad on the court either.
Current Salary: $6,274,973
My 12th man, another Utah native who plays his heart out every time he steps on the court is Jackson Vroman! I like the kid. He may not be the most talented, but he gives it everything he's got. Like I said, he'd be good in my practices, and he's liked by the community.
OK, let's look at the full roster and salaries to wrap this thing up.
A. Stoudemire --- 14,520,000
L. James -------- 15,946,875
B. Diaw --------- 4,600,000
B. Knight ------- 1,127,280
M. Camby -------- 7,150,000
J. Pryzbilla ---- 1,560,000
B. Bowen -------- 3,375,000
S. Parker ------- 745,248
J. Howard ------- 873,880
S. Abdur-Rahim -- 5,000,000
S. Pollard ------ 6,274,973
J. Vroman ------- 641,748
---------------------------
TOTAL - - - $61,815,004
This is slightly higher than the average, but pretty freaking close. This team would be a killer to match up against! I would love to see a game between the team that you made, Slim, and the one I made! Interesting!
Now for the kicker...my coach!
The person I have in mind is a no-nonsense guy who knows the game better than most. He can connect with the players on a personal level, he'll go to war for them, would maintain unity, and could pull every ounce of talent and energy out of my crew. I'm talking about the one and only - Charles Barkley. On TNT the other night I heard him mention that he would like to be a coach someday. I'm gonna give him that opportunity. I would LOVE to see the Chuckster in a blazer jacket barking at the refs all night! All bow to Sir Charles!
That's what I got. Let me know what you think. I've just got some final thoughts on the team that you built.
I left Andrei completely off my team because, while I realize his D is unsurpassed, he just can't seem to play for very many weeks at a time. And he's still pretty young. I don't like how skinny and fragile he is. I definately wouldn't want to match up against him, either though! A guy that I think you were right on when you picked him is Chris Kaman. I'd take him any day as well. I like how he plays. He looks like a barbarian and plays like a barbarian!
Alonzo kinda worries me. I've been impressed with his play so far this year, but who's to say how much he's got left in the tank. Eddie Griffin I just can't get with either. I like the guy OK, but not sure I'd select him for my team.
Leandro is an pretty good backup, but I just feel like there were plenty other guys you could have picked from.
That's basically all I can point out though. All in all I think you did a pretty good job at putting that team together. And Sloan would be perfect for Billups and Bosh. Stock and Karl? Hmm...
In closing I'd just like to thank all the fans for your support in helping me win this GM of the Year award...
Late.
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