5fouls

I have some ideas for additional Build Your Own Team threads. I'll try to make them more appealing to both the old and new geberstions. I'll break the next one out after the MSU postgame thread runs its course. Meanwhile, keep those lineups coming with this structure.

We are having a discussion. That's the purpose of this board. You make a point, I counter-point, and you come back with your defense. Nothing wrong with that.

You have to start someone from this years team. With IT at PG, you are not starting X. So, you are basically down to starting Race and TJD. And, the initial rule is only 2 per team, not 3. But just like something else, variants keep popping up.

I'll give you your starters, though you're playing Landon Turner based on about half a season of performance. But, let's look at the bench. Tolbert over Zeller is wrong. It just is. 7'0 compared to 6'9? Cody could put it on the floor a little bit. Tolbert couldn't. Wittman was a very good player. Oladipo was runner up to NPOY. He was also a 1st team DEFENSIVE all-american. He was also the 2nd player drafted in the NBA draft. Buckner and Watford aren't really comparable players. But, for the sake of argument, what's going to be more valuable to the team off the bench. A point guard off the bench who can't shoot, who has an average assist to turnover ratio, and at max will be playing 5 minutes a game because we have Isaih Freaking Thomas as our starting point guard. Or, could I bring a high level 3-point shooter who can also rebound at a high level, to spell my weakest starter, who is Turner? With your 5 starters, the best un-biased team you can construct has your entire bench coming from the '12-'13. team.

The knee-jerk reaction is Alford, because this year's team desperately needs outside shooting. But, the reality is that not one single player could make this year's team a championship one. It would take at least 2, but more likely 3, Probably both need to be shooters. Alford and who? May and Watford can both shoot, but would have trouble guarding the wing (assuming both Race and Trayce still start). Oladipo is absolutely dynamic, but isn't a good enough shooter to stop teams from sagging down to help on TJD, and with just one shooter on the floor, how many open looks would Alford get?

Scott. I try to help you out when you make a really good post (my post quoted above), and then you blow it all up with a different one (your post quoted above). I'll give you this year's team, but if you can't find room on the roster for at least one of Oladipo, Watford, or Zeller, your 80's bias is too strong.

In hindsight, maybe I should have went with the '02 team instead of one of the teams from the '80's. That would have pulled in a different generation and would have added some variety to the backcourt since both IT and Alford are automatic picks.

Folks. Even of you don't usually listen to what Scott says, read his sentence I quoted. Those aren't point totals for the first 6 games of the year against cupcakes. Those are point totals from the NCAA tournament for a team that basically played 7.5 guys a game. It was with a shot clock. It was with a 3-point shot (admittedly a shorter one than exists today). When Scott talks about the game being better in the 80's, this is the type of thing he's alluding to. His point has merit on many levels. Doesn't mean that style would work today. But, it was a darn good form of basketball to watch. But, yes, I agree with those that say the games was less interesting without the shot clock or 3-point shot. But, 1987 had both of those.

Buckner left twice?

Yep. Interesting that Benson, a 2 time All-American and NBA #1 overall pick is not making many rosters, and I'm not sure he's been listed as a starter in any. Part of that is the rules are forcing people towards TJD, but still.

You gotcha some shooters. Alford, May, Wittman, and Watford would be lethal, especially with IT running the point. You're going to have to play IT heavy minutes though.

100% agree on Watford. After I. Thomas and Alford, Watford was the easiest roster spot for me to pick. Unfortunately, since I was going to pick Race from this year's team, Watford has to come off the bench for me.

You have 2 starters from the '81 team and none from this year's team. Every team listed must have 1 player in the starting lineup. And, you just can't switch out Turner for TJD. TJD has to play the 5.

You have 3 guys from '12-'13 (Oladipo, Zeller, and Watford). Limit of 2 per players from each one of the 5 teams).

Keep in mind that I did ask the mods to create an 'Over 35 Only' forum and they refused.

2 player limit per team. You have Abernathy, May, and Wilkerson from '76.

'12-'13 did have 2 of the top 4 draft picks in the NBA, as well as an invaluable shooter at the 4 position that I predict will end up on 75%+ of these rosters.

True. And, yes, your interpretation of the rules is correct.

5 starters so 5 roster. '3 championship teams and this year's team. See explanation in my response to @GaloisGroupeabove.

TJD and Zeller both can't be in the starting lineup. They are both listed at the '5'. And, with the 2 player limit, you can't have Dipo, Zeller, Watford, and Yogi all on the roster. I didn't choose '92-'93 because I wanted to have a little more recency with the '12-'13 team. The overall exercise was to integrate someone from this team year's team onto a Championship caliber roster.

It says a lot about the '12-'13 team that I was actively looking for ways to get Ferrell, Oladipo, Watford, and Zeller on my team.

One of the rules is that your starters must play 25+ minutes. Keep that in mind.

In reviewing my team, my defense at the wing positions is quite poor. I expect all of you can do better than I did.

Race seems to get where he wants to be a lot more often and effectively than TJD does. You raise a valid point regarding the defender. But, taking advantage of the situation in front of you is a measurement of effectiveness.

I struggled getting enough shooters on my team. I originally had Buckner and Oladipo on my roster as well, but ended up having to drop both to get May on the roster.