beanfigger

Don't know how I left out Payton. He's elevated because of his defense, but Paul is a better offensive player than him for sure. Jason Kidd is very underrated for what he did in the league, both statistically and in terms of winning. I don't know how you can find fault in his game.

I wonder if it's my guy...

If you consider Oscar Robertson a point guard, then it will take more than a couple titles to move into the top two. I've always liked Paul, so he has a chance to finish top three or four in my eyes for sure. Magic, Oscar, Kidd, Thomas, Stockton, a couple that haven't been drafted yet... Paul is getting into that conversation. If we're talking pure skills, then he's already near the top, but it takes more than that.

I also definitely liked Mourning. I was looking at him hard for my next choice. As far as King, if we are doing the best stretch of their career, his 1982-85 stretch was pretty solid.

Agreed.

Felony charges.

Last few picks: I was halfway through typing Barry's name when I switched my pick to Pettit. I want to go small, but I didn't want to be ridiculous about it and not even have a center (though if we are discussing Magic's position, didn't he switch to center in the finals when Kareem got hurt and dominate?). The first point forward was appealing, but I went instead with the first MVP. Tracy McGrady was a surprise, but not a bad pick by any stretch. He once scored 10 points in the last 35 seconds of a game with the Rockets to win a game, and that was the greatest thing I've seen in the last decade of NBA play. Pistol Pete! Awesome player, and fantastic gif. So sad that he passed away so soon in his retirement. If I remember correctly, he was the only player named to the "Top 50" years ago during the league's 50th anniversary celebration that wasn't alive to come be recognized.

You might win a ton of games with this team based on the tenacity, defense and rebounding. It's like early 21st C. Detroit Pistons, except with megastars. Hard to score, not exciting for a casual fan, but wins will come regardless. I'd love to see what would happen if my team faced yours since we have basically gone in exactly opposite directions thus far.

I hit the time machine big time here. The values certainly lie with the old school players. I'll go small to counteract all the big teams. Doesn't hurt that he wears my favorite number.

I agree. You had the old-timers fall, though, because almost everyone else is drafting players who entered the league late-80s or later since the first round.

Any of you guys happen to work for EA Sports so we could see simulated versions of what might happen with these teams if they actually played each other?

You are somehow building a killer squad without grabbing anyone from the pre-Nike era. Impressive.

Unbelievable team. Legends falling to you every time with the clear and unpredictable (for me at least) contemporary bias taking place in this draft.

Like I said, I thought we were taking the best stretch of their careers. And also like I said, he made it again in the 80s, so it appears this was more a trend than a fluke.

I guess we better because I clearly don't understand how you can continue to take that stance. If being recognized for three straight years as the league's premier defender amongst all power forwards isn't enough, I guess I have no better argument.

Yes. I mentioned the other three earlier.

Statistics are a better measure of offensive output. You can include more years if you'd like, but you can't exclude those seasons when considering him and stating that he wasn't considered a great defender. For the record, he did make an all-defensive second team once in the 80s near the start of his career, as well. Whatever. I've already stated Dirk was a good pick for your team, but you can't deny Malone's all-around game, including defense. P.S. I was never a fan of Malone. I have given my best friend, who grew up loving the Jazz, a hard time about him being overrated for years. I have to remove bias in a draft like this, though, and give the man his props. I think he's the second best PF in history (behind Duncan), but I still like players like Sir Charles and KG more. Never really a fan of Dirk, either, but he's unbelievable and has a unique skill set that I've never seen before. Those off-balanced, one-footed, fade away jumpers are unreal. He probably has multiple championships on his resume if they kept Nash around longer.

Right. During that span, he won two MVPs and two Western Conference championships. Hence, that was the best stretch of his career.

Malone was all-defensive first team three years in a row from '97-99. So if we are considering their best stretch of years, then you do have to give him that.

Dirk vs Malone: Karl Malone thrived on a pick and roll system. Gabe has decided to go big, thus he has no guards to run that system for him. Dirk can help spread the floor with the other two bruisers he has inside. Easy choice for best offensive efficiency. He may give up some on defense and rebounding, but he will more than make up for it with increased shooting efficiency.

Sure. I'll be up for a while tonight.

I'm a big part of that conversation, so I obviously see your point. I just didn't know how this draft would go in terms of old school vs. new school bias. I thought maybe the more contemporary players would last longer, but I was clearly wrong.

Boom. However, he is allowed to stay with the team at the facilities the whole time. That's new for a suspended player in the NFL.

I agree. For the record, I feel Iverson is good enough that this was not a reach, but I was considering waiting a little longer just to see if he somehow fell to the next round where his value would be off the charts. I doubt he would have slipped nine more spots, though.

That's big. I wonder if it will hold up to an appeal.