NBA - What would the GMs do?

[Bobblehead]

The Jordan vs Bryant threat turned into a Bryant vs Nash thread, and some good points were brought up. Which leads me to ask....

If all the NBA players were suddenly free agents and every team had to build from scratch via a draft:

• What would be the first 5 players taken?
• Would there be a general consensus, or would we see a number of different players in the top 5?
• What different strategies might be used (i.e. best available player vs best in a position with fewer good players)
• Or is there much strategy in the top 5?

[StrayBullet]

In no particular order, but based on starting today...

Tim Duncan (Yes... Still.)
Yao
Dirk
Kobe
Lebron (Provided he doesn't play in the World Championships and whatnot during the summer. He's just a kid and he's already being worn down. He needs to focus on the Cavaliers and not everything else. They'd get him because his marketability and popularity is unreal.)

[howard_the_duck]

I think you'd see something like:

Dirk
Kobe
Yao
Duncan
Garnett

See the trend......big men (besides kobe). Gotta build around the bigs. However, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard would also be great young bigs to build around.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by StrayBullet

In no particular order, but based on starting today...

Tim Duncan (Yes... Still.)
Yao
Dirk
Kobe
Lebron (Provided he doesn't play in the World Championships and whatnot during the summer. He's just a kid and he's already being worn down. He needs to focus on the Cavaliers and not everything else. They'd get him because his marketability and popularity is unreal.)

I agree with your list, but disagree with Yao. I'd put Garnett there still. The guy's a triple triple threat every night. Nash and Kidd would be up there too, though it's hard to take any of those guys out.

[octothorp]

I'd agree with the strategy of building around bigs, and I see all of Duncan, Yao, Nowitzki, Garnett, Howard, and Bosh in the top 10, and maybe Wallace. James, Bryant, Nash, and Wade probably in or close to the top 10. Arenas would be up there too, but doesn't have the consistent leadership that most of the other guys have.

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I think you'd see something like:

Dirk
Kobe
Yao
Duncan
Garnett

See the trend......big men (besides kobe). Gotta build around the bigs. However, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard would also be great young bigs to build around.

I feel bad for KG. He's a real talent... but HE CANNOT WIN. Even with talent-in their prime, around him. (See: Latrell Sprewell, Sam Cassell, Wally Sczerbiak) There is no doubt that Kevin McHale and the Timberwolves franchise believes he is the answer. I just don't believe that 30 GM's would take him with the first pick. Not even Kevin McHale. Mind you, Dirk, Yao and Lebron haven't won anything...yet, but if it was today and you took player history, age, years left to dominate, marketability and just pure skill and talent, Garnett could slip below the Top 10. Don't quote me on that just yet, I'd have to re-assess it again, but it's close.

[FlamesFanInEdm]

Dirk
Kobe
Howard
Yao
Bosh

considered also
Amare
Duncan
Lebron
Wade
Garnett

Its a tough question, I dont think you could really go wrong with any of those top five, who you pick depends on what kind of team you think you can win with.
________
SANTERIA FORUMS

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanInEdm

Dirk
Kobe
Howard
Yao
Bosh

I really don't know if I would pick Chris Bosh in the Top 5. He is definetly having his career season and Toronto is having a splendid year. The only thing going against Bosh is that he's leading a team that's good in the Titanic Division which is essentially in the Leastern Conference. Dwight Howard you could make a better argument for even though Orlando is an 8th/9th seed just because of his size, strength, defensive capabilites, post moves and rebounding dominance.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by fleury

I agree with your list, but disagree with Yao. I'd put Garnett there still. The guy's a triple triple threat every night. Nash and Kidd would be up there too, though it's hard to take any of those guys out.

100 points, 100 rebounds and 100 blocks? Or would that be 100 assists?

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by fredr123

100 points, 100 rebounds and 100 blocks? Or would that be 100 assists?

100 turnovers.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by fredr123

100 points, 100 rebounds and 100 blocks? Or would that be 100 assists?

Originally Posted by StrayBullet

100 turnovers.

Lol. Ya'll got me there. Hardy har har!

[gcycheun]

Here's my list

Tim Duncan
Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash
Kobe Bryant
Greg Oden

[FanIn80]

No one likes Agent 0? D-Wade? What about Wallace or Marion?

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

No one likes Agent 0? D-Wade? What about Wallace or Marion?

Shawn Marion is simply an offensive option. Athleticism is out of this world, but hardly a franchise player. Chicago/Detroit gave the image of Big Ben being a franchise player. Detroit knew better. If anyone remembers, when Wallace first came in the league, he was probably as good/effective as say, Etan Thomas or Niklos Tskitishvilli. Not very good. He bulked up and worked on the defence and all of a sudden he's making First-Team All-Defensive. He's not a game breaker...and definetly not worth 12 mil or whatever it is he's making. It's almost the same story with Gilbert Arenas. ...but he is worth the money. I just can't see him being picked in the Top10 of a GM draft.