Best of Enemies Draft (60s to now) - Discussion

[Fadeaway_J]

Shaq has a top 5 peak in this game IMO, top 6 at worst

Dr P got him in the mid second round and has the best duo in the game. Essentially a better version of the pair that won 3 rings in real life.

Weird to see him second guessing that.

Well Kobe/Malone/Orlando C is a pretty strong big 3 that would possibly make up for Kobe/Malone being worse than Kobe/Shaq.

Jrue isnt available is he?

He's not

Yes, they can qualify with minutes on the Celtics or Lakers before 1959-60. So long as the season selected is 1959-60 and forward.

Okay fine I’ll just come out and ask it.

What about this season? As in guys who started playing for one of those teams this year. I know we can’t pick the current season.

I'd say no. Generally the current season does not exist in these.

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[durantbird]

Absolutely love the Nash-Russell duo! I think they have god-level synergy! Russ is widely considered the best defensive Center (/player) of all time. Nash is a truly elite offensive PG (imo, top 4 all time at the very least). Both of them excel at playing at breakneck pace. They'd be unstoppable in the modern era! Curious to see how LABird builds around them.

Dr P is about to create a 2-headed monster as well. I think these 2 teams will stand out after the end of round 2.

I don't see the god-level synergy between Nash and Russell. When Russell got the ball on the fastbreak it wasn't to score but to set up his teammates. Russell never attacked the paint like LeBron or Barkley on the fastbreak. I also don't really see the synergy between Nash & Russell in the halfcourt. People speculate that Russell could've been an elite P&R partner by using his athleticism to dive to the hoop but it's just speculation. It may or may not be true; we don't know. There are a lot of athletic bigs who never became elite P&R divers.

The main potential problem I see with the Nash & Russell pairing is that neither were elite volume scorers. A lot of scoring potential is being sacrificed by going for that kind of pairing in such a limited talent pool.

The way I see it, Russ is a rich man's KG:

• GOAT defender
• freakish length
• uber explosive
• ultimate winner
• ultimate team player
• above average ball handler at his position
• above average passer
• elite rebounder
• he even had KG's mid-range shot. KG had deeper range, but that's likely due to the era he was playing in.

Unfortunately, PnR wasn't a big thing in the 50s/60s. That said, Russ had a) the athleticism and strength to be a dynamic finisher above the rim, b) the explosiveness to blow by slow-footed bigs, c) the size to overpower guards/wings after switches. Don't see why he wouldn't be an effective roll man. Obviously, it's just my opinion though. Like you said, we can't possibly know for sure. It's up to each voter to envision the role of old school players in the modern game.

Regarding Nash, it's not his fault that the Suns were reluctant to fully embrace the 3 in the 00s. Both him and D'Antoni are on record as saying they regret not taking more 3s. Chances are he would have been shooting north of 10 threes per game in today's game, hence he would have been considered a volume scorer. Fwiw, his advanced stats would have probably gone through the roof as well. If you ask me, I'd even go as far as saying Nash is a better offensive player than Steph. Both are elite shooters and ball handlers. Difference is, Nash is also an elite facilitator. Steph is a better defender but he isn't a game changer on D, whereas Nash is definitely a game changer with his passing. Again, each voter is free to judge these things differently.

Up flaco

[Laimbeer]

I thought Kyrie might make it back to me. Didn't take long for those hopes to be dashed. Also annoyed Colbinii and Bird took two centers.

[Colbinii]

I thought Kyrie might make it back to me. Didn't take long for those hopes to be dashed. Also annoyed Colbinii and Bird took two centers.

2020 AD isn't a Center in this pool though. There just aren't enough modern 4's in this pool to stretch AD defensively.

[Snakebites]

I thought Kyrie might make it back to me. Didn't take long for those hopes to be dashed. Also annoyed Colbinii and Bird took two centers.

Up

[Larry_Russell]

last three picks were all guys I had on my short list for the next pick

[Snakebites]

last three picks were all guys I had on my short list for the next pick

I am shocked, nay STUNNED that Derrick White was on your list.

[Larry_Russell]

last three picks were all guys I had on my short list for the next pick

I am shocked, nay STUNNED that Derrick White was on your list.

Derrick is goooooood

[Snakebites]

last three picks were all guys I had on my short list for the next pick

I am shocked, nay STUNNED that Derrick White was on your list.

Derrick is goooooood

I mean yeah, I like him too. That’s why I picked him.

But I also knew you’d pick him if I didn’t grab him right away.

[Fadeaway_J]

.

Up

[Dr Positivity]

last three picks were all guys I had on my short list for the next pick

Up

[Colbinii]

LA Birds list was shredded.

[flaco]

Was strongly considering Derrick White + Richmond. Opted for Payton + Cooper cause a) I think Payton is the best player from that group and b) I love the defensive versatility they bring to the table. That said, White + Richmond would have provided better spacing. Still not sure whether I made the right decision. I tried to find a way to afford both Payton and Richmond. It was practically impossible.

[Colbinii]

last three picks were all guys I had on my short list for the next pick

I am shocked, nay STUNNED that Derrick White was on your list.

Derrick is goooooood

Much better this year than previous years though. He is playing with the freedom of knowing he is a closer for the team and not splitting minutes with Smart.

He was very skittish in the 2022 post-season.

[uberhikari]

LA Birds list was shredded.

LA Bird is up.

[Colbinii]

LA Birds list was shredded.

LA Bird is up.

It's gone. He had Green/Cooper/Bowen in some order.

[Fadeaway_J]

.

Up

[Colbinii]

In

Up

[uberhikari]

You're up.

[Fadeaway_J]

You're up.

LA Bird hasn't picked.