RollWithEm

Depth Charts:

Jazz
PG Mark Price (24)/Russell Westbrook (24)
SG Adrian Dantley (24)/Dennis Johnson (24)
SF Elgin Baylor (24)/Sidney Moncreif (24)
PF Bill Walton (36)/Rasheed Wallace (12)
C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (36)/Marcus Camby (12)

76ers
PG John Stockton (38)/Tiny Archibald (10)
SG Drazen Petrovic (30)/Dan Majerle (18)
SF Vince Carter (34)/Charles Barkley (10)/ Dan Majerle (4)
PF Charles Barkley (28)/Alonzo Mourning (20)
C Dikembe Mutombo (34)/Arvydas Sabonis (14)

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But that's just me.

RollWithEm

I went with my all-offensive starting line-up which is better offensively (by a nose) and defensively (by a clear margin due to the twin shot-blockers) than the 76ers team which severely lacks shutdown defenders... outside of Deke, of course.

I went with my all-defense and energy bench unit which will be playing more minutes than usual as a complete change of pace that will leave a dent in the 76ers weak bench. Going match-up by match-up:
In my mind, this match-ups come down to 3 things. (1) The Jazz have more reliable and consistent scoring. (2) The Jazz protect the paint every bit as well (even if Zo starts). (3) The Jazz bench is better by a landslide. That's my recipe for success.

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But that's just me.

Wilt_The_Stilt

Jazz have 4 guys in the starting lineup that made their living in the paint. Not sure how that would work.

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"We've learned Kobe Bryant has been asked to run the Federal Reserve. The feeling is, he can do more with three quarters than most of us can do with a whole dollar."
--Peter Vescey, NY Post

Diophantos

I agree with Wilt_The_Stilt: I'm kind of baffled as to how that starting lineup for New Orleans works offensively. Every one of the players is great, but four of them like to score in the paint without really spacing the floor at all. Not sure how to vote yet though.

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"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master— that's all."

Legends Draft - Miami Heat
PG Penny Hardaway / Tim Hardaway
SG Dwyane Wade / Michael Redd
SF Kevin Durant / Peja Stojakovic
PF Dave Cowens / Elton Brand
C Shaquille O'Neal / Tyson Chandler

e-monk

Jazz frontline outclasses competition but they'd be better off starting DJ ahead of Dantley for reasons Wilt mentions - two interesting match-ups: Baylor v Carter and I'd like to see Walton and Barkley go at it - the Jazz have a better bench for making adjustments - Sheed is a change-up DJ and Moncreif could form the best defensive backcourt in this league/excercise

Diophantos

Honestly, I think the Jazz are a better team, but The more I consider it the more I can envision an upset in this matchup. Not only is the Jazz starting lineup a little weird, but Dantley and Baylor have zero comfort level closing out to three point shooters, meaning open shots for Vince and Drazen. Plus I think Dikembe does a decent job on Kareem. But the Jazz bench is better and they have more talent overall. (This is the only one I haven't voted on; might just abstain. Wish we had some more voters overall.)

__________________

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master— that's all."

Legends Draft - Miami Heat
PG Penny Hardaway / Tim Hardaway
SG Dwyane Wade / Michael Redd
SF Kevin Durant / Peja Stojakovic
PF Dave Cowens / Elton Brand
C Shaquille O'Neal / Tyson Chandler

e-monk

I think that zero comfort closing out on 3 point shooters is a bullshit argument - both guys were top notch athletes and the concept isnt exactly rocket science - I think everyone on the 76ers would turn the ball over continuously if they were forced to play using the ball handling rules of Baylor's time

Diophantos

No, the concept isn't rocket science, but nonetheless it's true that when players who play in the paint more (no matter how athletic they are) have to guard shooters, sometimes their instincts lead them to protect the paint on drives. It happens all the time even in today's game. And Dantley at least was never the most active or interested defender.

Your point about the ball-handling rules of Baylor's time is definitelya good one. I've been assuming we are using the three point line, but didn't think much about what other sorts of rules we'd be playing by (physicality, hand checking, zone, etc.). Makes a difference.

__________________

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master— that's all."

Legends Draft - Miami Heat
PG Penny Hardaway / Tim Hardaway
SG Dwyane Wade / Michael Redd
SF Kevin Durant / Peja Stojakovic
PF Dave Cowens / Elton Brand
C Shaquille O'Neal / Tyson Chandler

Knick Killer

You honestly think the Sixers don't have the advantage at point guard? You have Mark Price and Russel Westbrook for **** sakes. That's by far the worst point guard duo in the league and he has one of the greatest pure point guards of all-time in John Stockton but yet you think it's even at that position? I'm not trying to be a dick but that's absurd man.

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RollWithEm

First, I'm playing Westbrook every bit as much at off guard as I am at SG. In fact, all three of my PGs can also play the 2.

Second, You are clearly under-rating the value of both Price and Westbrook a GREAT deal. We are only using these players at their absolute peak. Westbrook submitted one of the top 35 seasons in NBA history for a guard last year. Furthermore, he showed us in the Olympics that when he only plays 20 minutes a game, he is one of the feistiest defenders alive. Guys can hardly get the ball across halfcourt against him at times. He would certainly bother a guy like Stockton who he is stronger, faster, and more athletic than. The only thing I can say about Price is that you must not have seen him play. He was a 17/10 guy with 50/40/95 shooting percentages and over 2.5 steals a game at his pinnacle. He's not a top 10 PG in this exercise, but he is certainly no slouch. The main reason I picked him, though, was described in depth in my first match-up write-up. He was one of history's best post-feeders. He had every deceptive trick in the PG book when it came to getting a post player the ball in a great position to score. This fact was only bolstered by the fact that you couldn't give him an inch because of his quick release and accurate shooting stroke.

Third, my point guard trio is clearly better than that of the Bulls, Warriors, Cavs, Knicks, and Sonics at the very least... if not more teams... like yours. Rose from 2 years ago was not all that much better than Westbrook was last year. Also, DJ was every bit as good as Rondo at his peak, if not better, and Price was easily more consistent and better all-around offensively than Rondo as well. I can see how you might think it's a draw, but I would still lean towards my group over yours.

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But that's just me.

Knick Killer

I'm not saying Westbrook and Price are bad players. Everyone has a great point guard duo but in my honest opinion, Mark Price and Russell Westbrook is one of the weakest ones in the league. I understand what you're saying but it's still nuts to not give the edge to the Sixers in this one.

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