The Waiver Wire

Stolen from Inspired by this episode of the B.S. Report, four of our writers decided to create an NBA draft, where all players from the current NBA season are available. The goal? To put together this best possible team. The draft was treated as the players’ health status is now (ex. Kevin Love out til mid-March) and if these would be the only four teams in the league, but would play it out over the course of the remainder of the rest of the season. The draft has already concluded, and will be presented in two round increments, with each writer giving their thoughts about their own and their opponents selections. Enjoy and feel free to comment!

Previous Rounds – 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8

Round Nine: Mike Aurigemma – Tony Allen, Greg Kaplan – Kevin Love*, Vinny Ginardi – Ryan Anderson , Michael Cresci – O.J. Mayo

MA: It is pretty clear that the players being drafted now are for a particular skill set.  Whether it be rebounding or in my case defense.  Tony Allen has been stud on the defensive side of the ball and really brought that whole mentality with him to Memphis.  When you look at the other great players in the game whether it is Kobe or Durant, I would feel pretty comfortable putting Allen on them throughout a game to at least make it difficult.

GK: I feel like waiting for Kevin Love to get healthy and letting the rest of my roster play now was worth the risk. If Love was healthy before we started doing this draft, I feel as though he would’ve went in one of the first three rounds, at worst. At this point in the draft, a healthy Love who rebounds with the bests in the league and can drill an open three from anywhere on the court is value I can’t pass up. I mean, it’s not impossible to believe that when he is healthy, Love would be one of my best players and in my starting line-up. Who else taken in this round or later has that kind of potential? Nobody.

VG: Well Kaplan made my job a lot easier. I knew I wanted a stretch four, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take an injured Kevin Love, or snag a player in Ryan Anderson who is basically a watered-down version of Love. With Love off the board, Anderson was an easy choice. Also, there has been a pause in the draft due to a prior engagement for Kaplan, and after discussing options with Cresci, I can’t see anyway I don’t get Batum on the way back…

MC: I put off drafting an offensive stud at shooting guard because the position has become relatively thin and I wanted to higher value elsewhere and prioritize versatility.  Iggy’s no slouch but I get him to play lock down defense.  So Mayo gives me a guy who can create his own shot, is averaging 18 points a game and is shooting 42% from three-point land.   As for my opponents, I’m going to take a round of from antagonizing Greg and his so so team.  It’s sad that Kevin Love’s health has been such a problem this year, he’s one of my favorite players in the league and this feels like the right round to take a flier on him.

Round Ten: Michael Cresci – Nicolas Batum , Vinny Ginardi – Luol Deng, Greg Kaplan – Brandon Jennings, Mike Aurigemma – Ron Artest

MC:  During the long pause in the draft Vinny and I talked strategy and mentioned our thoughts on a few players.  I hadn’t even considered Batum, and Vinny was kind enough to accidentally talk me into him.   And I couldn’t be happier he reminded me, because Batum is having a career year and gives me another excellent wing defender.  Beyond that I get some versatility as he’s averaging around 16-6-5 on the year.

VG: WAIT, WHAT?!?! CRESCI, YOU BACKSTABBER! BATUM WAS ALL MINE! I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS! (I do like Deng, though).

GK: Irrational confidence guys. That’s what I want right now. People that can shoot and slash, make the outlet pass if necessary and have extreme confidence in their own ability. That’s what I believe I’m getting from Brandon Jennings. He’s having a bit of a coming out party this season, and I think his star is only going to grow brighter the longer he’s in the league.

MA: Vinny, you really should know better than to talk about who you are looking to pick. Rookie move.  I just feel like every team needs an enforcer and possibly a psycho as well.  I definitely took care of that with this pick of Artest who not only brings a great physical presence, but that toughness that so many teams need to get over the hump.  Plus from an entertainment standpoint, you just never know what he is going to do.

Teams So Far:

Mike Aurigemma – LeBron James, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Joakim Noah, Kryie Irving, Al Horford, Ty Lawson, Kevin Garnett, Tony Allen, Ron Artest

Greg Kaplan – Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Zach Randolph, Serge Ibaka, Jrue Holiday, Deron Williams, Tyson Chandler, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Brandon Jennings

Vinny Ginardi- Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Steph Curry, Dwyane Wade, Blake Griffin, Paul Pierce, Tony Parker, Al Jefferson, Ryan Anderson, Luol Deng

Michael Cresci- Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Marc Gasol, Tim Duncan, Paul George, David Lee, Rajon Rondo, Andre Iguodala, O.J. Mayo, Nicolas Batum