#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

David Lee goes to Memphis Grizzlies. Lee, the best Power Forward in the League, is not all that great, so him going at this point is, give or take, expected. The Grizzlies went through a ton of trouble last season presumably to have the option of making Pau a restricted free agent. While Memphis could pursue a sign-and-trade, a small ball lineup is also an option once Lee has a good camp, at least while Memphis figures out that Pau is part of the team or what it wants for him in trade.

Memphis has another pick. Grabbing Lee before going with a Shooting Guard makes sense given the number of eventual starting-level Power Forwards in this draft.

The Lakers were chomping at the bit to take a point guard after grabbing Bogut, and they opted for the well-rounded Raymond Felton with the ninth pick. A good defender with moderate athleticism and an even offensive game, his handles and passing make him very flexible. He's too small to play shooting guard regularly, but he can handle it in a pinch, which is good for a team trying to hold itself together while it rebuilds.

Another solid pick for Los Angeles.

Some quality shooting guards are sitting there for the taking with Memphis at the helm. The Clippers still have to go tonight; any others depend on the timing.

And those shooting guards are still there for the Clippers, which is apparently a team.

The Grizzlies seem to love options, because they drafted David Lee with Pau Gasol as a restricted free agent, and 2 of the 3 players they have under contract are point guards. So, it makes sense that VanMemphis took the top point guard on the board in Jose Calderon. Calderon is a pure point guard with some nice outside scoring ability that is an instant upgrade over Chris Duhon.

It's got to make you wonder if Gary Payton is on his way out of town.

At any rate, at this point the Grizzlies have depth without breadth.

42PhD wrote:
At any rate, at this point the Grizzlies have depth without breadth.

It's not my fault I love bread. It just so damn delicious

Finally, the Shooting Guards start to go.

The Clippers let Ricky Davis go to free up some cap room, leaving them with just 4 players under contract, one of whom is the aging Donyell Marshall. In order to get themselves back into fighting shape, they use the eleventh pick on one of the best values on the board that just happens to be a position of need in Francisco Garcia. The Dominican shooting guard is more of an outside scorer that can hit the three, like many Clippers. He's also cost controlled, which will help the Clippers manage their cap as Marshall's shine begins to fade.

Darth is back on the board and has to pick tonight. We've seen some runs at various positions, there are good shooting guards on the board, and that is the position Seattle has the least depth at.

LoCo89 wrote:

42PhD wrote:
At any rate, at this point the Grizzlies have depth without breadth.

It's not my fault I love bread. It just so damn delicious

You can send this to Pau:

While there have been a couple possible reaches in this draft, it's been largely uneventful. No trades and only low risk moves even though many teams with multiple picks (Lakers, Supersonics, Grizzlies, Kings, Suns, Pacers) and the League landscape is changing.

Maybe all the pussies are picking right now, huh?

Seattle chooses a Shooting Guard with the twelfth pick. Louis Williams is a bit of a project, but he is the best defender and most athletic shooting guard among choices. Roger Mason can start at Shooting Guard and Williams or a small forward can round out the minutes there while Williams develop, particularly if Williams develops in camp.

This is not a flashy pick, but it takes care of some business.

And the beat goes on . . . with Jarrett Jack going to the Queens, that's three Shooting Guards in a row. Sacramento already has T-Mac, Shaun Livingson at the position with Hinrich, Marion, and Deng around them, so Jack joins a stable where he's passing up Livingston, and that's in, but he can run point, too, and flexibility is never bad. Now, the Kings can focus on their big men.

At 14, it's no surprise shocker than the Timberwolves go with Gerald Green at Small Forward. The Timberwolves have some touch choices to make with 3 good players entering free agency and Joe Johnson set to get the max. They have to manage their dollars carefully, or make the choice to let someone go. This might be a message to Jason Richardson . . . and those who want Jason Richardson on their team.

It's hard to question moves by the Suns who were the biggest (pleasant) surprise in the League last season. Taking a raw forward in Illyasova is a move for the future, as Bonner and Haslem for the young core at that position. We'll see if someone gets flipped for another asset or if the Suns will find a rotation that works for a few years.

With back-to-back picks at 16 and 17, the Lakers take Linas Kleiza and CJ Miles, the best value on the board at the time. Both positions were positions of need going forward. Fair defenders, these guys will contribute more on offense, but their main attribute seems to be their youth. At 18 and 20, the guys have room to grow and to surprise.

The Supersonics use their slightly worse pick on a slight worse shooting guard in Rashad McCants. See Louis Williams, just make it all a liiiiitle worse. Still, he was likely the best player available, and Darth knows how to exploit many of the GM's in the League. So, to me, he drafted a bullet.

At 19, the champs select Marcin Gortat, an athletic center that more defense than offense. He is a likely a nice rotation piece who can play some forward, too. It's a very BallSoHard pick. We know he had the vision to take on Shawn Bradley, a expiring player the pickless Pistons refused to trade for Horry, who was a key to winning his title, behind Baron Davis, of course. Learning the importance of big men from the Cavaliers, who dealt him Bradley just to stir up shit, BallSoHard is dancing with who brung him, and that's a big ol' white dude.

Through no fault of their own, the Celtics have brought us into the Pray phase of the draft. The 20 year-old Charlie Villanueva at 20 fits the mold of finesse power forward, a position occupied by Boozer and Wilcox and their expiring contacts. Wilcox may be let go unless he impresses in training camp. Similarly, Boston will likely let Charlie V steep in training camp and if he jumps up, great.

Cheese gods, please, in your infinite mercy and wine-pairing wisdom, bless Andrey Blatche with a training camp that makes him a viable backup for the Bucks and worthy of the 21st pick. Blessed are the cheesemakers, and blessed are defenders in the paint. Let his blocks of shots be as the blocks of cheddar we offer in your names. And, bring this son a bitch son of a bitch some ankle weights. Amen.

The Raptors go with a power forward to go behind Brand. Sure, they already have a backup in Cook, but with the exchange rate, you have to have a little more Canadian depth to compete in the land of the free, the home of the brave. If the 22nd pick is all it costs to satisfy import-export rules, this is a good pick.

Walter Payton.

Ernie Banks.

Stan Mikita.

With the 23rd pick, the Bulls add Marvin Williams to the list... If the Miracle Mile is really runs all the way to the South side.

If not, the Bulls could use a backup for Thomas when they max his ass.

Hakim "Le Petit Dream" Warrick goes to the Spurs at number 24. The Spurs have Josh Smith incubating at forward, and Warrick can split time with him, giving way as Smith grows. Best use of a late pick so far to select a player because you don't have to hope for upside... Anything good that happens is a good problem to have.

The Warriors enter the UP era with the selection of Johan Petro at number 25. He is a skilled defender who is light and not very athletic. He'll fit the bill, and the Warriors aren't even really a team yet, so it's hard to judge the pick. They had to pick someone, after all. Also, this pick was acquired by renting out cap space to Grant Hill for a season and getting Willie Green. The Warriors have their picks going forward, so if Hill stinks, they'll have a consolation pick of high quality to join this foundation.

At 26, the Bucks select Amir Johnson via their Rocket Queen for 10 points. Their 10 points buy them a power forward that will develop into a backup with balanced skills and decent athleticism. The issue is the Bucks don't really a starting power forward, of course.

If the deal falls through, the Rockets get the player, no points, and a potentially bigger tax bill.

Looks like the Commissioner was visiting the Pacers, and he announced the pick after traveling back from Lafayette, IN. I wonder what that was about.

At any rate, the Pacers select Martell Webster with the 27th pick. Webster is a kind of Peja light. Look for him to take over for the shooter in a couple seasons, or he could be pressed into action sooner if the Pacers get their druthers and trade Peja.

your blog lasted longer than 78s

More girth, too