*Some argued for gunners and rebounders, some for defense, some for length and athleticism to force turnovers and run
My theory, which is excerpted in the post, in full:
It would be impossible to out-score a team of All-Stars. They're on the team largely because they score a lot and can do so efficiently. Especially if you give them extra credit for the ability to create shots. The guys who are left over are, for the most part, less able to create their own shots and/or convert scoring opportunities as efficiently as the All-Stars.Since I wrote that, and since the post went up at TrueHoop, the NBA has stolen our point guard away to the Western Conference All-Star team. They're scared.
Defense and rebounding would thus be vital, both to limit the efficiency of the All-Stars and to rebound as many missed shots as possible. If the non-All-Stars give the best offensive players in the world many second shots, it's hopeless.
Finding 5 guys left of the All-Stars with a reasonable combination of efficiency, shot creation, and defensive ability both before and after a shot goes up is tough. I'd go with...
PG: Jason Kidd
SG: Arron Afflalo
SF: Corey Maggette
PF: Josh Smith
C: Andrew Bogut
Given a full 12-man roster, I'd add Tyreke Evans, Manu Ginobili, Mike Miller, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Kevin Love, Carl Landry, and Kendrick Perkins*.
*Clearly this should have been Anderson Varejao but I'm not going to go back and make myself look better than I am. I just blanked on my pick for Defensive Player of the Year.
5 comments:
What about Igoudala? I'd think his defense and rebounding from the wing would be helpful. His shot selection isn't that great, but Josh has showed that a player can change that, at least a little bit.
I would put Shane Battier on the top of my list for any such team.
And can you explain your Mbah a Moute pick? I don't understand that at all. May as well go with Marvin at that point, or one of a number of other long athletic players who can contribute more than Mbah a Moute.
The Casey--
Iguodala was a tough omission. I went with Maggette, Ginobili, and Evans to create offense and Mike Miller and Afflalo as shooters who would provide rebounding and perimeter D, respectively
JMar--
I think Mbah a Moute is the best on-the-ball defender in the NBA today. I rate him ahead of Battier and Sefolosha because he can legitimately defend 2s, 3s, and 4s. He's also a decent offensive rebounder.
I like your approach, Bret, but it's tough to leave out guys like Nene and Marc Gasol. You wouldn't take either of those guys over Kevin Love?
Also, gutsy as hell* to name Afflalo as a starter. Not sure I agree, but I do like the approach.
*As gusty as constructing a theoretical roster for a hypothetical exercise can possibly get,
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