WEST
MidWest
S. A. Spurs - (coolmay_one) - Julius Erving , John Beasley, Larry Jones, Brian Taylor, Skip Thoren,
...............................................Cincy Powell, Levern Tart, Ted McClain, Gene Moore, Willie Murrell, John Brisker, Len Elmore
cmc- . Dr. J is a stud: 100D, 36p 13r 6a per 48min., and rightfully the face of the league for its last 3 years. With Larry Jones, I’m more than a little leery (and not Timothy) of a guard w/ that fg% when they shoot so often. Taylor and Thoren are good role players, but similar players wer available much later in the draft. I really like Cincy Powell, Levern Tart and ted McClain more than guys in rounds 3-4-5. , and this gives the Spurs a very strong bench. And with Brisker, Gene Moore, and Cincy Powell I don’t think anyone will mess with Erving.
Outlook- coolmayone knows what he is doing and is usually always solid in leagues, and maybe he has an angle here. While I like Vancem’s Dr. J team in the East much better, with the Good Doctor and those super cool uniforms, as well as a plethora of solid role players, it will be tough to keep San Antonio out of the playoffs.
N.J. Americans - (roadhouse 19) - Spencer Haywood , Mike Green, Ralph Simpson, George Thompson, Mark Olberding,
..............................................Rich Nieman, Jim O'Brien, Pat McFarland, Les Hunter, Bill McGill, Joe Hamilton, George Stone.
Cmc- Spencer Haywood is stud with 31.8p 20.1r /48min 66d. I’m not sure about eh next several picks, thinking they may have been selected a few rounds late. Mike Green is s solid inside presence with 54%fg, 14.1 26.5 per 48 with 64 def. I think that maybe the East let him slip a little to 48 while NJ landed him at 21. Simpson a very solid guard, supposedly the next Oscar Robertson while beginning his career and does have versatile skills. I think Jim O’Brien at point helps team and Simpson at the 2-guard. Olberding seems to be a reach at 57th while he went 108 in East.
cmc- Aside from Jimmy O’Brien being a fine pass first point guard in the 8th, I’m not sure the NJ Americans got as much bang for their buck from middling draft choices as they would have liked. Spencer Haywood is a beast and can carry a team, but I think a lack of support and relatively low eFG% may put the American’s on the outside looking in come playoff time.
Min. Muskies - (skypilot) - Mel Daniels , Mike Lewis, Mack Calvin, Donnie Freeman, Art Becker
............................................Warren Davis, Ed Johnson, Neil Johnson, Jeff Congdon, Larry Miller, Steve Green Steve Chubin
cmc- Mel Daniels a solid pick and an interior presence and winner while in the ABA. Lewis give the Muskies a formidable front court. Mack Calvin a quick silver point guard and perennial allstar teams with Donnie Freeman to give skypilot a solid nucleus. Warren Davis and Neil Johnson are solid pounders and Cogdon is decent relief for Calvin. I’m not crazy about Art Becker in the 5th, and think Minnesota has better options on the bench.
Outlook – Solid well built no frills team. The Minnesota Muskies looks like a blue collar, hard hat, working man’s team and should be tough enough to earn a playoff spot.
Pitt. Pipers - (shine06) - Jimmy Jones , Red Robbins , Chuck Williams, Charlie Edge, Jim McDaniel
............................................Tom Owens, Travis Grant, Al Smith, Freddie Lewis, Bobby Warren, Ollie Taylor, Ron Thomas
Cmc - Jimmy Jones may be the best backcourt weapon in this league: 30.9 6.6reb 6.6 ast per 48min. w 53.5 fg% - wow. Red Robbin a defensive rebounding drone nicely paired with the dynamic Jones. I am not crazy about choosing Chuck Williams ahead of seemingly better options in the 3rd such as Mack Calvin or James Silas, but he still give this team one of the stronger backcourt combos in the league. Charlie Edge a Swiss army knife SF . I REALLY like the bench assembled by the Pipers. Owens and Travis Grant give offensive Pop and Al Smith a pass first assist machine. A talent like Freddie Lewis will find minutes hard to come by.
Outlook – Pittsburgh is a VERY good team with few if any flaws. I think rebounding will be a challenge having only Red Robbins as a top flight interior player. I think the Pipers are a perimeter offensive machine that should be able to offset interior concerns. A rebounding deficiency could be a concern. The Pipers are a strong candidate for the playoffs.
N.O. Orleans Buccaneers - (alopez ) - Bobby Jones , George McGinnis, Bill Melchionni, Charlie Scott, Doug Moe,
...........................................Don Sidle, Johnny Neumann, Skeeter Swift, Jasper Wilson, Lee Davis, Malbert Pradd, Tom Bowers
cmc- Bobby Jones and George McGinnis gives N.O. what looks to be one of the league’s best forward tandems. Bobby Jones is a 100 D with quality numbers that may not score as well as a first rounder. McGinnis is a beast and should carry the team. Charlie Scott is scorer that should put up a lot of shots, although I’m not sure he will hit as many as alopez wants. Melchionni is a very good playmaker.
Outlook – I like the start of the Bucs draft day, but would worry profusely about poor shooting – Charlie Scott and Doug Moe can put up points but they miss a TON. The even bigger concern is rebounding. McGinnis may be slated to be the pivot, and that should raise a few eyebrows.
Uth. Stars - (seapilots) - Billy Paultz, Don Buse, George Gervin, Dave Robisch, George Lehman
...........................................Goo Kennedy, Gary Bradds, Byron Beck, Walt Simon, Marvin Webster, Willie Sojourner, Arvesta Kelly
Cmc – While Billy ‘Whopper’ Paultz is a solid player, going with him in the first is a reach. Upon closer examination, he looks a hell of a lot better with the 78 Def. and 3.8 Fouls per 48. The rebounding is not great, but he’s a quality player. The next 4 selections are solid picks. Buse 83D and Gervin D in the 80’s is great defensively, especially in this setting. Buse is also a good distributor and paired with Lehman should really help an already solid shooting percentage. Gervin doesn’t shoot is as well as you would expect, but it’s the all round game with the D – I’m still having a HARD TIME agreeing with Gervin having a strong defensive rating, especially in light of him being a horrendous defender. Robisch provides good off. punch.
Outlook- Utah seems to have built a solid team, and along with Pittsburg and maybe Minnesota, look to be the class of this division. The Stars seem to be the best defensive team, and can look to the bench to keep things together. Beck, Goo, Simon and Webster all bring help. You can pencil Utah into the playoffs.
Pacific
Ana. Amigos - (poddy) - Artis Gilmore , Roger Brown, Rick Barry, Dave Twardzic, Manny Leaks
..........................................Billy Knight, Craig Raymonds, Glen Combs, Walt Szczerbiak, Johnny Baum, Rob McDonald, Rob Verga
Cmc – Gilmore is a dominating stud in this ABA SIM. His D is 80 a strong rebounder with great efg%. Roger Brown a quality small forward. Rick barry a good all around player who can fill it up, but may miss way too often and seemed to tumble in the draft. Still in the 3rd may be worth the fg%. Leaks a solid thuggish goon to rebound and help inside. Billy Knight more wing power.
Outlook – Gilmore keeps any team in the hunt. I like this team, but an overriding question is: ‘Where is the passing?” I think a committee approach may help, but I’m not sure if it will be enough. Twardzic may get it done, but the team hinges on him.
outlook - If you have Gilmore then your in the hunt. I like the wings but worry about passing - The Amigos would have a hell of a team if they would have added more after the 6th round. Stil, they will be heard from and should be a strong player in the race.
Bal. Claws - (kern_82) - Moses Malone , Caldwell Jones, Ron Boone, Goose Ligon, Larry Kenon
..........................................Larry Brown, Gene Littles, George Irvin, Jim Bradley, Butch Booker, Bill Bunting, Reggie Harding cmc- I think Malone went a tad high in both leagues, with Miami landing him at 6 (west #3), although I’m not sure who should have went earlier. Maybe it’s that he is a 19 year old rookie.
cmc- I think Malone went a tad high in both leagues, with Baltimore landing him at 3 (west #6), although I’m not sure who should have went earlier. Maybe it’s that he is a 19 year old rookie. Caldwell Jones is a good compliment to Moses and gives the Claws a very formidable front court. I also like that Baltimore went all in and established a bully boy persona by selecting PS/C with 4 of their first 5 selections. Larry Brown is the perfect compliment in that he is one of the leagues better assist men. Hopefully the Claws will have enough shooting to offset Browns’ poor aim. Ligon and Kenon can man the SF slot, and Boone will be an all around performer.
Outlook – A power team in a finesse league may just be what the doctor ordered. A team that carves their own identity instead of following the other Lemmings seems to have a good chance, and in this case I think the playoffs are a strong possibility.
Mem. Tams - (rubnsly) - Billy Cunningham , Willie Wise, Randy Denton, Gerald Govan, John Roche,
.........................................Wil Jones, Bud Olsen, Billy Keller, George Adams, Steve Jones, Merv Jackson, Bob Hooper
Cmc - Cunningham and Wise give Memphis what is probably the league best wing tandem. Denton is a matador rebounder, and along with Govan, should provide plenty of balls for the wings to shoot. Bud Olsen looks to be a quality passing big man.
Outlook – Aside form Olsoen , Im not wild about the selections after Denton. While they are quality guys involved, I’m not sure how much they will help a strong nucleus. I still think Memphis will be a good team and will not be an easy opponent.
S.D. Conquistadors - (cmcafeeky) - Zelmo Beaty , Swen Nater, James Silas, Joe Caldwell, Bob Netolicky
.........................................Jim Eakins, Billy Shepherd, Cliff Hagan, John Williamson, Ira Harge, Frank Card, Monte Towe
cmc- Zelmo and Swen Nater gives the Q’s a strong interior presence. Nater rebounds at 22.6/48 but is terrible defensively at 36. San Diego is banking on Netolicky to hold down SF slot, and IF he is able and has the necessary quickness, he provides a good defensive and rebounding presence on the wing. Caldwell looks like he may be the potential steal of the 4th round in providing 80 D 22.5 p 6.9r 6.2 a with 49.6 fg% and give SD a big 2=guard who can help Neto at SF. ‘Super John’ Williamson looks like a misfire on draft day and should ride the pine.
Outlook – It hard being objective in accessing your team, but like the East Conf. Colonels, I really like this team. Zelmo is not necessarily the alpha dog dominator you ould want in the first round, but he is solid. Getting the #7 in both drafts led to a similar team, especially in getting Zelmo, Silas, and Eakins. I think the strength of the Conquistadors is balance and deep bench. San Diego’s drafted several late round specialist who look to make a contribution. I like my chances for the post season.
Dal. Chaparrals - (jpeterso) - David Thompson , Dan Issel , Maurice Lucas, Darnell Hillman, Mike Gale,
..........................................Trooper Washington, George Karl, Al Skinner, Mike Barr, Kim Hughes, Claude Terry, Mike D'Antoni
Cmc – David Thompson is one of the great ‘what if’ players in history, as he was seen as the next great thing and had pundits wondering if he would have a better career than Dr. J. His leaping ability paired with a great jumper made for a remarkable talent. Lucky for Dallas, they have the Pre-Cocaine Skywalker. I think Issel is a very productive player who could carry a team offensively. Lucas gives interior toughness. Darnell Hillman has one of the best and biggest afros in the league and is a solid contributor.
Outlook – The Chaparrals have built a fine club. I’m not sure if their rebounding will match the rest of their talents and may be a slight concern. Trooper Washington will help, as will the rest of Dallas’ bench. I really like the talent assembled, especially draft day bench bargains. They are deep and should benefit immensely from their bench – A strong contender for the playoffs.
Wsh. Capitals - (carbonjones) - Connie Hawkins, Marvin Barnes, Louie Dampier, Warren Jabali, Julius Keye
...........................................M. L. Carr, Fatty Taylor, Jim Chones, Julian Hammond, Jan Van Breda Kolff,
cmc- Hawkins a stud and seem to me like he was the steal of EITHER draft. Marvin ‘Bad News’ Barnes has immense talent and should be dynamite paired with Connie. Dampier is a backcourt shooting ace that passes and potentially defends a little better than many assume. I am not crazy about Jabali, although he pairs with Dampier to give a committee passing attack that may be sufficient. J. Keye an interior role player. I think Julian Hammond in the 9th round was a huge STEAL and may be better than may wings starting in the league.
outlook - The ‘Hawk was the first superstar of the league, and will lead Washington into playoff contention. A team had better have QUALITY forwards to be able to keep Hawkins and Barnes at bay. A real key is choosing the ‘right’ Dampier. Washington has a solid bench that may be just a tad light in rebounding. The Capitals are a strong club and should be in the playoff picture.
3/11/2015 7:21 PM (edited)