'15 NBA Draft/Offseason Thread

Are we just talking starting five? Would Walker beat out Grant and Rodman? (Assume Pippen in the other forward spot.)

And probably Rose over Van Lier, right?

I don't know who would play center, but that discrepancy alone would doom the Bulls.

 

I do think that when you lineup "all legend" teams against one another, and then played 100 games, the "winning" and better team still probably only takes 55 to 60 of the 100 games. My reasoning? If you look at the NBA All-Star game, which is essentially the best players in each league against one another, the East leads the all-time series 37-27. That's a 57.8 winning percentage. When you have teams of similar quality facing off against one another, luck plays a fairly large role in the outcome, whether we're talking really good or really bad teams.

 

The All-Star Game is your frame of reference?

I mean, this is just mental masturbation anyway, but for the purposes of the debate I figure we all assume each team would try as if it's the playoffs and not the All-Star Game.

 

Artis Gilmore

 

It's not like one team is trying in the all-star game, and the other isn't. Most years, they're both taking it easy. The MLB all-star game also has a 53-51 all-time record.

At a certain point, adding another incredible player on a team has diminishing returns. Like even if the Bulls had to play "just" a really good player like Horace Grant at the 4 or 5, the games are still probably going to be close vs. the All-Time Lakers, and from there, you only need a couple 50-50 plays to go in your favor to flip the result. I'd still favor the Lakers to win a 7-game series, but it wouldn't be impossible for the Bulls to win a 7-game series.

 

Would the Bulls even be guaranteed as one of the top two teams? I'd take the Celtics above them and would think about the Sixers. Even the Warriors (core of Wilt, Barry, Curry) would give them a run.

 

Celtics and Lakers would be the top two for me. Without putting a ton of thought into it, Bulls would probably be third, because I think there is more value to having the absolute best player, even if the rest of the starting five might be just REALLY good vs. Hall of Fame talent. (Meaning, Jordan plus four all-stars or near all-stars might ultimately be better than some teams that have five mid-tier Hall of Fame players.) For similar reasons, Miami and/or Cleveland probably rank higher than you'd think, because they'd get Lebron. And as always, the Spurs are probably underrated - Duncan, Robinson, Parker, Gervin and Manu, with good options like Sean Elliott and Leonard off the bench.

 

Iverson, Erving, Barkley, Wilt and Greer? With Moses, Cunningham, McGinnis, Toney and others coming off the bench? I'd take that in a heartbeat over almost anyone.

 

Celtics would dress 12 Hall of Famers. Tentative starting five would be Russell, Bird, McHale, Cousy and Sam Jones. Off the bench you'd have Cowens, Havlicek, Dennis Johnson, Pierce, Parish, Sharman. I'm not even using Garnett as he spent most of his career elsewhere. I'd say a tough team to beat, although the Lakers are really just as good.

 

Well, I did say almost anyone.

 

That Sixers team is no slouch either. I'd buy a ticket, but the series would have to be at the okl Garden and Convention Hall, or maybe the Palestra.

 

Where's my man Mo Cheeks on your list?