It’s the greatest internet fantasy geek tournament ever created, and it starts now. Plus it’s a hell of a way to pass the off season rumor mill and FA period by.
That’s right we have brought to The Sports Headquarters for the first time the All Time NBA Mock Draft.
The basis of the competition is simple, we took every NBA player that has ever laced them up and made them eligible to be in our draft, once the order was determined we went through a 12 round snake style draft that created our teams.
The teams were created with the rules being, everyone plays by today’s NBA rules, all players are considered to have access to the same technology and work out regimen of today.
Once the teams were selected, well that is where we are now, the pool play. In the pool play we take our teams and devise a sort of game plan, based off a combination of game plans, roster, and NBA knowledge you vote for who you think would win our hypothetical game.
In the first round match up we have a match up of titans… no I mean literally.
In today’s fantasy match up we have one for the ages, in today’s All Time NBA Mock Draft- Bill Russell v Shaquille O’Neal. Sure there are other players surrounding them, but this is a match up everyone NBA fan would pay to see, and for today, we can make that happen.
Everyone Hates Joe
Starters:
C: Shaquille O’Neal 38m
PF: Elvin Hayes 36m
SF: Elgin Baylor 38m
SG: Julius Erving 38m
PG: Dennis Johnson 32m
Bench:
C: Tree Rollins 10m
PF: Connie Hawkins 12m
SF: Eddie Jones 10-SF
G: Pete Maravich 16-PG, 10-SG
DNP: Dale Ellis
DNP: Dave Bing
Joe’s Motto for this game is
Punch: Take Shaq and punch Wilt right in the face. Well, maybe not exactly like that my man, but go straight after him with the most efficient offensive player ever, right bigbman. This time Shaq has some stud wing offensive players to take the heat if things get bunched up down low.
Crunch: Towards the end of the game when it’s crunchtime, who’s the dude to step of for Nugs? Joe’s gonna be sending wilt to the line to shoot, or should say miss free throws. And then cats like Doctor and Baylor will take us on home for the win.
Bunch: Everyone is crashing the boards since the two big dudes are clogging up the lane down low. Baylor can easily tip the tide against a dude like B.Jones, Joe will get more chances. It’s been key in Joe’s game to either win the rebound battle or keep it real close, more chances for our stud scorers spell trouble for anyone on our schedule.
Joes Offense
Doesn’t matter who joe’s facing, still can get out and run against his dudes.
-Shaq right up the gut, cat will be like a steam engine that will crush all who get in front, if Wilt gets down with him he can flip it back to Baylor for the J.
-Baylor crosspass to Erving, leave his defender behind him or under him as he jams it home.
-Hayes back to DJ, gets quick screen from Shaq as he goes down low, DJ pops midrange J.
-Hayes rebounds to DJ streaking down the middle, Baylor and Erving on wings, hit either for a pull up J.
Setting up with DJ at FT line with Baylor next to him at the elbow, Hayes just a step in from the weakside wing, and Dr on the other side wing. Shaq sets up shop down low. Both Hayes and Baylor can crash the boards if Shaq is occupied with Wilt. Be physical and control the game.
-Shaq one on one power move vs wilt, flick to streakin DJ if play not there.
-Shaq backs down Wilt, get physical with him, look for Baylor to be coming in to crash the board.
-DJ to Baylor PNR, go right after defender, or give back to DJ for the midpost shot.
-DJ to Erving PNR, can drive or dunk, if not there, kick it back to DJ for reset of offense.
-Erving to Baylor Hi-PNP, either to shoot.
-Hayes midpost after a screen to clear space from Russell, drop patented turnaround jumper, if Russell plays up tight, then dump back down to Shaq.
-Baylor to pick DJ’s defender, create space for jumper. Then come down and crash the boards for a putback jam.
Bench dudes: Tree and Hawkins come in for short stretches with the starters to spell either Shaq or Hayes, Tree uses his fouls to put Wilt on the line. Hawkins comes in when the Pistol is in as well. Pistol at 6-5 comes in as the sparkplug off joes bench.
-Hawkins ISOs, take defender off the dribble, attack the rim, if clear shot is not there, dish back to Pistol for the jumpshot or have him reset the play.
-Pistol to Hawkins PNR, or reverse for PNP for Pistol, both stud passers.
-Pistol or EJ hit from long range, get them at least 8-10 attempts combined from deep to frustrate Nugs.
-Tree at 7-1 can get garbage putbacks.
-Pistol streaks down center, Hawkins on wing, fast break. Dunk it down or flip back to Pistol for the J.
-Pistol or EJ gets screen from SF, hits jumper.
Joe’s Defense
Centers: Shaq on Wilt Physical with Shaq, show that dude what a big man is like trying to play against. Keep him out of his comfort zone.
Power Forwards: Hayes on Russell Dudes gonna be all over the place on offense, Hayes was a stud shot blocker and can be physical with Russell. Don’t give him any room, keep a hand up on all jumpers, but more Russell shoots, more joe is cool with that noise.
Small Forwards: Baylor on Jones. Jones was only worth a few baskets a game, Baylor basically gets to rest, just have to keep with that dude on all screens, and don’t let him get a single rebound cause Baylor is a stud.
Shooting Guards: Doctor on Penny/PG. Penny was long and liked to post dudes up, this puts joes cats in better shape cause Doctor can be away from Drexler, but on any PNR/P’s with dudes, can easily just switch it up and cover the other man. Play Penny physical and tight. Play Pearl off a step to help on drives.
Point Guards: DJ on Drexler. Joe knows that he gives up a few inches, but the dude had tree trunks for legs and can jump up on shots to not give him any looks. And then on drives just stay a step ahead of him, key is Joe’s not asking much on offense from DJ so the dude can focus on all defense.
Backups
Russell at Center: Try like hell to keep him from rebounding.
Yao at Center: Just knock that cat around a bit and play physical.
Nance at PF: Play off him from distance, close to basket, watch drives.
Lucas at PF: Watch the shots in the corner, don’t give him space, box out on rebounds.
Cliff at F: Play tight outside for that 3ball, physical down low.
Pierce at SF: Watch screens, go through them as best as possible, no clean looks.
Lenny at PG: Dude should be a DNP, but if that cat’s in, play off a step for passing lanes.
JOE FTW
Too much offensive firepower dudes for Nugs to handle. He’s got some sweet defensive players, but all that does is allow Joe to focus more on offense and take it to Nugs. Joe’s been in some series battles already and is ready to keep the roll going for the prize of winning this division. Dudes, it’s time for old school basketball of slapping old dudes around, joe-style.
Peace
Team PFM
C: Wilt Chamberlain 44min
PF: Bill Russell 40min
SF: Bobby Jones 32min
SG: Clyde Drexler 38min
PG: Earl Monroe 28min
BE: Yao Ming (4-C)
BE: Larry Nance (8-PF)
BE: Jerry Lucas (16-SF)
BE: Paul Pierce (10-SG)
BE: Penny Hardaway (20-PG)
DNP: Clifford Robinson
DNP: Lenny Wilkens
Defense
Wilt vs Shaq: Yes, again, for the 3rd time in 3 weeks. We know that they are both staying down low, but Wilt is clearly the better rebounder. Do our best to use strength to keep him out of his desired position.
Russell vs Hayes: Turnaround jumper meet greatest blocker of all time. Attitude player meet the greatest team player of all time. Shoot as much as you want, Russell with be right in his face, and rather than just a blocked shot, it’s a turnover to Russell who will outlet right to a wing and fast break.
Jones vs Baylor: Baylor was fast, he could score from anywhere. Bobby Jones was known for his constant hustle and will keep right along side him as much as he can. Has a few inches on him to disrupt the shot. He is not as good at rebounding, but with Russell and Wilt there, he shouldn’t have to worry about it too much.
Drexler vs Doctor: He’s long, he’s quick, and we’re not talking about Julius, but Drexler. Very underrated defender that was able to get some steals and blocks because of his athleticism. You have to play right up and personal on Julius, no other way to play him. Hope you can funnel him near Russell or Wilt for a blocked shot on a drive, and then use his leaping ability to disrupt any jumpers.
Monroe on DJ: Earl the Pearl was also an underrated defender. The trick with DJ is to never pull off of him, he made a living with the Celtics because the focus was always on Bird and people would leave him open. We’ll keep Pearl on him, off a step on drives, go under screens and use speed to get back before he can shoot the jumper.
Russell is anchoring this defense, he will be the quarterback to make sure everyone is in the right spot, no putting him on other people this game, but when he’s close to another player he can pull quickly without leaving Hayes open for a deflection.
Backups: Penny is on the bench to try his best at keeping with Pistol. The beauty of a player like Penny is he used his length to disrupt smaller players shots, and then his strength to not allow anyone to post him up. Hawkins will have to be played off a step, rather deal with his jumpers than allowing him a clear run to the basket. Ellis and E.Jones both were great outside shooters, keep a hand up and don’t ever give them a clean look at the basket. Tree is in for putbacks, box him out.
vs PNRs: Plays between the two guards when Penny is in we can easily just switch defenders, Penny and Glide are both long rangy defenders. Between Pistol and Hayes we will jump in a trap before the screen is set. Between Doctor and Baylor switch, then cover the pass to Shaq and box tight for the re-pass.
Offense
Ok, let’s see how this works. I am going to try a different kind of setup for the Offense, well it’s me Nugs, so why is that such a surprise? Setup of the team is the same. Monroe or Drexler bring the ball up, and either set up with the ball in on the FT line extended, or just dump it into Russell who’s at the elbow. BJ will be right next to him, weakside elbow, and the other Guard will be on the opposite wing. I am going to attempt to give you a feel for the number of attempts I expect, or would like to get to each player, yea, crazy huh?
Wilt will get close to 30 attempts. Why? Because the last thing we are afraid of is Shaq on defense. And this is prime Wilt we’re talking about, the greatest offensive force ever to play. Wilt will just receive the ball down low, make a quick move and flip or dunk the ball in the basket. He can start a few steps away, get Shaq moving, and find the easy shot. Or just bull rush him straight forward, strength to strength.
Monroe will get 10-15 or so attempts: Why? Because our goal is to make most of the plays come right at Shaq. Monroe possessed some of the best playground skills of all time, he can use them to take his defender off the dribble right at the basket. Run some PnR’s with Drexler, again, keep attacking Shaq relentlessly.
Drexler will also get 10-15 attempts: Why? Because a great offensive player needs the ball in his hands to create a mismatch. He will run some PnR’s with Russell, again, get the ball going right at Shaq. Can just take it himself off a BJ screen.
Russell to get almost 7-10 attempts, but will make the most of each attempt. Get him as close to the basket as possible, Hayes was a good shotblocker, but Russell was a smart offensive player when he needed to be. Run plays with the guards to get them the best look. Come off a screen from Wilt to create some space. Shoot that flip hook shot as he’s coming through the lane.
Penny to get around 5-7 attempts, should be able to post up his defender in an ISO situation midpost. Even against some of the taller players of Joe he can get some looks. Run some PnR’s with Russell, again looking to get a dynamic player attacking the basket.
Pierce to have around 5 attempts, and most of them coming off a screen or two and asking them to be from outside. He needs to get us some 3pt baskets in this one.
Lucas to have around 5 attempts, normally a great outside shooter, but in this case we want him posting up his defender down low. Should get some time vs a player like Hawkins, we like his odds.
Bobby Jones to have around 5 attempts. No one made more of his chances than BJ, usually had some of the best FG percentages in the league. Either will be on a fast break down the floor, or a nice mid range jumper that when called upon he could hit.
Nance to have a few attempts, all will be a PNR with the G. Nothing we’d like the slam dunk champion to do more than posterize Shaq, booyah.
Ming to have a few attempts, should mostly be just garbage baskets, but this sanitation engineer is tall.
Ok, well add those up and you have quite a few attempts, right? How do we get that many, we will be running down the court and attacking quick. This team is perfect to run, and perfect to keep attacking. No reason why we couldn’t even get Shaq into some foul trouble with all the attempts coming right at him. Never a real threat at blocking shots considering his size, so Shaq, we’re coming for you, get ready to once again prove you are not the Most Dominant Anything.
If this offensive idea doesn’t work, it was Brandons idea….Good Luck Joe.
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