Create your own team on a $50 Million payroll

[benji]

benji, could you kindly give an epic elaboration about these..

The Bobcats only had a salary cap 2/3rds and 3/4ths of the normal one their first two years, as per the expansion rules. This led to the team deciding to not spend very much money their first three years, this year they were given the go ahead to spend more, and so they went for Jason Richardson.

Shane Battier's major at Duke was religion.

I don't know that your team has a scorer that can be relied up, Benji.

I don't want to rely on one scorer, I want to rely on the entire team. That is why I got so many efficient guys. I can go Barbosa-Calderon-Harris, I can go Herrmann-Childress-Barry. There are so many combinations and everyone can get points if open. Instead of trying to have three 25 point scorers, I have one, a 15-20 threat in Barbosa, and everyone else is good for 10-15.

This team is built like your Piston title teams, maybe even '94 Rockets, 60's Celtics, among others in the past. There is intended to be little to no drop off when going to the bench so the team can play at the same high level offensively for 40 minutes every game. I have no concern when sitting Battier or Harris my starters, because I'm bringing in Calderon and Childress and losing almost nothing. It would be great to have more cash to get another 15-20 guy, especially in the frontcourt, but I had to balance things to make sure I get rebounding/defense, three point shooters for Yao, and then Barbosa and Calderon to create shots.

At $55 million, it would be really nice to add a guy like Krstic. I guess I could currently add Maceo Baston with the money I have left, he would be a nice piece.

I have one name :

PG - Raymond Felton - $3,274,440

Alright, you have a backup point guard. Now you need to spend $46 million on the rest of the team.

[The X]

Here is a new one, taking everything into consideration



C: Okur (8)
PF: Al Jefferson (2.5)
SF: Battier (6)
SG: Maggette (8)
PG: Nash (11)

6. Deron Williams (4)
7. David Lee (1)
8. Grant Hill (2)
9. Sefolosha (2)
10. Stuckey (1.5)
11. Afflalo (1)
12. Foyle (1)
13. Fesenko (1)
14. Brandon Bass (1)
15. Ronald Dupree (1)

Total ~ 50m

My 2 main concerns with this team are:
1) Al Jefferson is going to be on an extra 10 mill per from next season;
2) I don't think Deron Williams will be happy to play a backup role that he has launched his career in Utah. Possible chemistry issues there.

[Laxation]

1) From the salaries, it was the season after next, the same season as when Maggette comes off... or was it the qualifying offer I was looking at? Either way... the salary wouldn't be exorbitant even with another 10mil next season. Definately possible to keep the team together. Nash also comes off the year (or 2, whatever) later.

2) Can start Williams/Nash if its a major problem. Maggette has been great off the bench in LA
Seeing as I know Williams so well, he wouldn't have a problem with it. Hes a very laid-back guy...


Its interesting how everyone gets Battier...

[TheMC5]

You've actually got a pretty nice looking team there, laxation. Grant Hill is a great addition. I can't believe I over-looked him. The only real problem I see is lack of front-court depth, but my team suffers from the same problem.

In retrospect, I think I might have put too much emphasis on avoiding guys on their rookie contracts, cause guys like David Lee would be solid additions to my team. Thing is, I'm pretty sure David Lee's going to command at least $8 mil/year when his current deal is up, and I was trying to assemble a team that could remain below the $50 million threshold.

benji, you've a got a really nice team there, too, but you did kind of cheat by not worrying about long-term costs. I do believe that was part of the exercise, as it would totally alter one's strategy. Not that your team would be insanely expensive, but you'd probably end up hovering around the salary cap in a year or 2, which is $15-20 million higher than the $50 million ceiling.

[Laxation]

I was also trying to avoid rookie contracts to begin with, but realised the only way to do that is by building a horrible team... All the teams below 50mil have heaps of rookie contracts, (Chicago is under 50 atm according to Hoopshype, but does that count Nocioni and Smith?) who will have to be extended soon enough.

Not all rookies come out of their contracts commaning huge bucks, so it is possible to re-sign them without spending ridiculously.

Front court depth is really hard to address without rookies... 7 footers start at 3-4mil, even the shit ones

[benji]

If there is a blank on HoopsHype the contract is not counted.

but you'd probably end up hovering around the salary cap in a year or 2, which is $15-20 million higher than the $50 million ceiling.

Um, the current salary cap is $55 million. At the current growth rate it'll be $60 million in two years.

benji, you've a got a really nice team there, too, but you did kind of cheat by not worrying about long-term costs.

This would be impossible to do long-term, as we would all have to assume the value of the contracts in their final year, not the current year. Battier, for example jumps to near $7.5 million, Bosh to near $17 million. Those alone would be about half the team budget. Since Indy stated we were to use 07-08 salary values, we can only assume current costs and not long-term ones.

Factoring in Darko's contract, as well as Nocioni, neither the Bulls nor Grizzlies are under $50 million. Only the Bobcats are. And they had the expansion rules imposed on them for two of the previous three years. They are also very close to it, one more player and they would be over.

[TheMC5]

Um, the current salary cap is $55 million. At the current growth rate it'll be $60 million in two years.

Oops. I meant luxury tax threshold, which I believe is around 68(?) mil.

This would be impossible to do long-term, as we would all have to assume the value of the contracts in their final year, not the current year. Battier, for example jumps to near $7.5 million, Bosh to near $17 million. Those alone would be about half the team budget. Since Indy stated we were to use 07-08 salary values, we can only assume current costs and not long-term ones.

Not impossible, just more difficult. I actually did factor in rising contracts, but they are offset by other expiring contracts.

Factoring in Darko's contract, as well as Nocioni, neither the Bulls nor Grizzlies are under $50 million. Only the Bobcats are. And they had the expansion rules imposed on them for two of the previous three years. They are also very close to it, one more player and they would be over.

True. And either way, you've got a damn fine team there.

[Laxation]

It would be good to put these teams on an NBA game and simulate to see whos is better

[shadowgrin]

NBA Live 08.. oh wait.. better make that NBA 2K8

[kevC]

Who would coach your team benji?

[Fresh8]

I wanted to put a team together with Kobe... It was darn hard...

Starting Lineup:

C: Andrew Bogut (5) - In his third year, resigning him is a must. Not sure if we could re-sign him though but at least he's still around for another 2 years right?
PF: Luis Scola (2.9) - I had Yi Jianlian here originally but figured Yi would need a lot of money to re-sign. Scola is experienced and a team player. Would be a solid starting PF just like he will be for the Rockets
SF: Ron Artest (7.8) - 2 years left on contract (can terminate after 1 season)... don't know if he'd resign for less... can score and great perimeter defender...
SG: Kobe Bryant (19.4) - Hard to put a team around him... What else can I say?
PG: Brevin Knight (2.0) - Solid starting PG... only got a bit of time left (2 seasons) in him but will be around to mentor Bassy/Rodriguez

Bench

SF: Grant Hill (1.8) - Sixth Man, versatile, Would be good locker room presence... although close to end of career
PG: Sebastian Telfair (2.5) - Will get minutes backing up Knight... Hoping he improves (within next two seasons) but if he doesn't, he can be signed and traded as there are supposedly still GMs out there who think he might develop into something...
SG Kareem Rush (0.9) - Good shooter... can contribute off the bench
PF: Ryan Gomes (0.7) - Hard worker, plays hard/physical
C: Robert Swift (2.6) - One day could start but still recovering from injury. Possible replacement for Bogut if he leaves.
PF/C: Sean Williams (1.4) - I think he is worth a gamble... hopefully Robert Swift keeps him in line
PG: Sergio Rodriguez (1.0) - Possible starter in the future... Needs to get stronger...

IR

C: Aaron Gray (0.4) - Good size/strength, Could develop into a dependable bench player who comes on to put up some points and pull down some boards
PF: Josh McRoberts (0.4) - Good passer and can score... might be a liability on the defensive end though... Cheap and on team to develop like Gray
SG: Marco Belinelli (1.3) - Needs to get accustomed to NBA game... potential to be a solid starter in the NBA

Total: 50.1 M or thereabouts...

Rotation:

C: Bogut - Swift
PF: Scola - Gomes - Williams
SF: Artest - Hill
SG: Bryant - Rush
PG: Knight - Telfair - Rodriguez

If I were to keep it under the 50 M... I woulda put Paul Millsap (0.7) on for maybe Sean Williams... Probably works out better as Millsap would be a known commodity as opposed to Williams.

Problems with the team are probably guys like Artest, Williams... but we got guys like Scola, Hill, Knight, Bogut who are team players. Kobe would be the go to guy... not sure if this team could run. Bench isn't that deep... I orginally had Sean Marks in my IR and Belinelli on my rotation but added Kareem Rush as I figured he'd be an ok sub and Belinelli can take time to develop before entering into the rotation...

I think having Brevin Knight works well as he has two years left and Bassy is in the same situation I think... so he has time to mentor the Bassy and Rodriguez. If Bassy doesn't live up to expectations, we can sign and trade him (hopefully he will still have trade value). If he's good, we can sign him... or if nothing happens, his and Knight's (Along with Grant Hill's) salaries are off the books and we have a bit of extra money for someone like Bogut and Sergio Rodriguez is still around and he might be able to start. Who knows.

Not sure how far this team could go - not a definite championship chance but could possibly make a push for a spot in the seocnd round or conference finals (depending wat conference they play in)... What do you guys think?

[benji]

I think that's a 35-36 win team at best. Certainly not a conference powerhouse, especially in the West.

[TheMC5]

I think that's a 35-36 win team at best. Certainly not a conference powerhouse, especially in the West.

Unless Scola turns out to be a near all-star caliber player with amazing defense. In that case, this team is a playoff team, for sure, at least until Ron Artest kills him or something...

[Fresh8]

After some more tweaking (and discussion with The X)... my new team:

C: Bogut (5)
PF: Scola (2.9)
SF: Udoka (1)
SG: Bryant (19.4)
PG: Billups (10)

Bench

SF Grant Hill (1.8)
G Ronald Murray (1.8)
F Ryan Gomes (0.7)
C/F Hilton Armstrong (1.9)
SF/SG Maurice Ager (0.9)
PF Paul Millsap (0.6)
PG Sergio Rodriguez (1.0)

IR

C Aaron Gray (0.4)
SG Marco Belinelli (1.3)
F Sean Marks (1.1)

TOTAL: 49.8 M

Now you got a team that can compete now and won't lose too much in order to keep on competing for another 4,5 years. Guys like Armstrong, Belinelli, Rodriguez, Gray will hopefully continue to improve.

EDIT: Took out Mutombo for Marks

[TheMC5]

Where did you get the salary for Mutumbo? I thought he signed a $2 mil deal with Houston. The presence of Andrew Bogut is a little confusing (you can get better guys for $5 mil), but it's a stronger team than the one you had before.

[Fresh8]

I got it from his player file of the ESPN site... but yeh, if its the case, then I would take out Mt Mutombo and put Sean Marks on the team.

I think I got a fairly solid team... I think I could make an even better team if not for having Kobe on here. But yeh, the whole additional challenge for me was to make a team that could probably compete now with Kobe on it. I think my side I've chosen is better than the current Lakers team.

Andrew Bogut is a very talented big man. His passing skills/vision are exceptional for a big man. He has a nice touch around the basket plus he isn't bad on the boards either. Most importantly, the team player who will do what it takes to help the team win. In the NBA today, talented centres are hard to find and I think that down the track, Bogut will be one of the, maybe, top 5 5's in the league.

You will see how good he is this season.

[---]

Position/Name/Salary/Stats/Age

Starters:

C - Yao Ming (13.7M) - 25/9/2 | 27
PF - Nenad Krstic (1.9M) - 16/7/2 | 24
SF - Ron Artest (7.8M) - 19/7/3 | 27
SG - Danny Granger (1.5M) - 14/5/1 | 24
PG - Steve Nash (11.4M) - 19/4/12 | 33

Bench

SG - Ronnie Brewer (1.7M) - 5/1/1 | 22
PF - Hakim Warrick (1.4M) - 13/5/1 | 25
PG - Jameer Nelson (2M) - 13/3/4 | 25
SF - Ryan Gomes (0.7M) - 12/6/2 | 25
SG - Tony Allen (1.9M) - 12/4/2 | 25
PF - Paul Millsap (0.7M) - 7/5/1 | 22
C - Andres Biedrins (2.6M) - 10/9/1 | 21

Inactive:

SG - Devin Brown (1.1M) - 12/4/3 | 28
PG - Brevin Knight (2M) - 9/3/7 | 31
C - Aaron Gray (0.4) R | 22

C - Yao Ming | Andris Biedrins | Aaron Gray
PF - Nenad Krstic | Paul Millsap | Hakim Warrick
SF - Ron Artest | Ryan Gomes | Devin Brown
SG - Danny Granger | Ronnie Brewer | Tony Allen
PG - Steve Nash | Jameer Nelson | Brevin Knight

Total - 50.8M

Breakdown:

This is a win now team with enough young promise to keep them from going from perennial top seed to perennial playoff team. Money shouldn't be a huge problem either - $25M can come off the books over the next three seasons to leave money for management to keep the young guys around.

This team is led by the best point gaurd in the league, Steve Nash, who will be teamed with the best center in the league, Yao Ming. Nash and Ming are both great passers and the rest of the players will thrive off of these guy's unselfish play and ability to find teammates. The third man and a very important cog in this team is Ron Artest, who when he is actually on the court, is one hell of a basketball player. He's one of the very best perimeter defenders and also has a strong offensive game, very capable of being the second leading scorer on this team and probably would be.

The starting lineup is rounded out by Danny Granger and Nenad Krstic. Krstic had a terrific season in New Jersey last year before falling to injury which shut him down for the year. The power forward was a great scoring option and rebounded the ball well. Danny Granger plays the role of Artest Jr on this team. He's a do-it-all guy and would be groomed into the role of the third cog in this team over the coming season if Artest didn't work out. If he does, then Granger becoms a very strong fourth option and will liekly turn out to be one of the guys who goes unnoticed yet provides alot for the team.

Coming off the bench at center is Andris Biedrins, the youngest player on the team at 21 years old. Biedrins has already played in the NBA for three seasons now however, and is a proven player at this level. His defence and rebounding help out a starting frontcourt that isn't fantastic in that regard (though not bad), and he could start over Krstic at PF if need be, especially considering his game compliments Yao's nicely. Jameer Nelson and Brevin Knight will back up Steve Nash, and look to be very capable backups to the two time MVP. At small forward, Ron Artest is backed up by Ryan Gomes, who is another do-it-all type. He will be a very solid backup to Artest and his versatility allows him to play multiple positions, just liek the man he is backing up. At power forward, Paul Millsap will be coming off the bnch. Millsap will come in and do all the dirty work - rebound, block shots and hustle. Somewhat of an "unsung hero". Finally at shooting gaurd, we have Ronnie Brewer. Brewer is an extremely good defender and has a developing offensive game. He figures to be a guy who will come in to play defence and not do much else for a couple of seasons. If Artest doesn't work out, it's very easy to slide Granger to SF and start Ronnie Brewer, who figures to be a very good player down the road.

The third stringers will be Aaron Gray at center, a rookie who has suprised many already after he was selected in the second round. At point gaurd we have the previously mentioned Brevin Knight, who is a solid veteran who will ove the ball and play good defence. At small forward is Devin Brown, a journeyman who has played the backup role very well on a bunch of different teams, mostly due to his scoring ability. At shooting gaurd is Tony Allen, a guy who was really thriving before his knee injury. He'll provide hustle and defence to go along with decent scoring ability. Lastly at power forward, we have Hakim Warrick. He's extremely long and athletic and played great basketball last season for the struggling Grizzlies once he got the playing time.

This team has the best point gaurd and center in the league. Having the best point gaurd and the best post presence in the league is a deadly combination, especially when the defence cannot swamp the post when you have strong outside shooters like Granger, Nash and Artest. It also has great perimeter defence. Ron Artest is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Ronnie Brewer looks like he'll be near that level soon enough. Granger is solid, as is Gomes and Allen. Interior defence is strong, with a very solid defender like Yao Ming having the luxury of being backed up by hustle guys like Millsap and Biedrins. Posting scoring, post defence, perimeter offence, perimeter defence, hustle guys, good shooters, great ball movement, athleticism, experience without being too old - there's not much I don't like about this team.

[The X]

I'm not a huge fan of that team Shannon....from having Yao & Krstic inside to starting Granger at SG to having Nash on the team....I don't know, it just doesn't seem to fit to me & I couldn't see this team getting out of the 1st Round....

I dunno, I'm just not feeling the makeup of the team personally....there are some very nice pieces....Yao is a great centrepiece....you can't go wrong with Nash....would be interesting to see how he goes running this team....I'd like to see Danny Granger as the team's starting SF & have a more traditional SG beside him....I like some of the benchies though, Millsap, Brewer, Biedrins....I think that those 3 could come off the bench & play next to Granger & Nash, & that would be a pretty athletic, fastbreaking lineup & very fun to watch....

also, will it be good for team harmony to have Jameer Nelson in there? I don't know if he's going to like playing a maximum of 20 minutes per night....also, where's Sean Marks?!? You're a Kiwi after all

[---]

Kiwi, but not a Sean Marks fan at all.

Jameer Nelson is the weak link in that team. I'm sure I could find a more suitable backup PG for around the same price, but I don't recall seeing one when I was skimming over salaries.

About Granger at SF and having a different 2 gaurd, it would be pretty easy to drop Ron, slide Danny to SF and have someone like Rip Hamilton or Mike Miller in there. I just think that Ron is a better player than both of those guys by a good margin, and the fact that he is cheaper made the choice really easy.