Once upon a time in 2008, shortly after registering on this site, I came across a Draft Class league.
I had a couple of problems with the format. If you drafted any class other than 1984 or 1996, you probably weren't going to win. I think I went with 1997 and didn't win much of anything after that.
Since then, we've had several new All-Stars and I've had more experience with this site.
I feel like I'm coming to the end of my tenure on WhatIfSports.com. Before I go, I want to try this again.
Rules:
I. For season 1, the draft order will be random. I don't know how the whole NY State Lottery "Keno" thing works, as I've seen for other drafts, but I'll find some system of randomizing the order. Input is welcome.
II. You get one pick. With your pick (from slot #1 - #24), you may select either:
a. one draft class with 6 All-Star, Hall of Fame or All-NBA players or more (e.g., the 1996 NBA Draft)
b. two draft classes with 5 All-Star, Hall of Fame or All-NBA players or less (e.g., the 1997 NBA Draft and the 2010 NBA Draft)
III. ABA Drafts that happened that year can also be used (e.g. Julius Erving in 1971, Moses Malone in 1974).
IV. If a player was drafted in an NBA and an ABA Draft, the player belongs to the draft after which he entered either league. (Say a player was in the 1971 ABA Draft and the 1972 NBA Draft. If the player entered into the ABA for 1971-72, but not the NBA for 1972-73, you can only use that player if you selected 1971.)
V. If a player appears in an NBA and an ABA Draft in the same year (for example, Artis Gilmore was drafted in the 1971 NBA and ABA Drafts), count him as one Hall of Famer/All-Star/All-NBA player for that year.
VI. Expansion drafts cannot be used, unless the player is entering into the league for the first time.
VII. Cap is $45M, to ensure parity among the league's teams
VIII. While drafting your team, you may select any season of any player drafted in the draft classes you picked.
IX. If a player declared for the draft, but ultimately went undrafted (e.g., Ben Wallace in 1996), you may also select that player.
X. If a player signed with a team, but did not declare for any draft, the player is not eligible for that draft year. (Julius Erving signed with the Virginia Squires in 1971, but was not drafted. Since he was drafted in the 1972 NBA Draft, you can use Dr. J if you select the 1972 draft.)
XI. If you draft someone outside of your chosen draft class, you will be asked to substitute that player. The league will not start until you make the substitution. You will have 72 hours after the Commissioner posts a request on the league message board.
XII. Failure to comply with this request after 72 hours will result in the team owner having to forfeit the team. The first person to volunteer to take over the team will given control of that draft class/team.
XIII. In subsequent seasons, the draft order will be based on reverse W-L%.
XIX. No rookies, waiver wire or clones.