Continuing our live coverage from G-Central, David Stern and Larry O'Brien have taken turns stepping to the stage and announcing draft picks.
Let's take a look at how each team has done, through the 3rd round (2nd and 3rd round picks are bold-faced):
xphoenix87 - Michael Jordan, Moses Malone, John Stockton
Alrightly then...after picking Be Like, Phoenix pairs His Airness with the ground-bound Ultimate Blue Collar force in Moses Malone. Imagine the second shot ops with Mo working underneath. After years of Medical Bill Cartwright and Luc Longley, Jordan has to be salivating over a guy like Moses (who could also pound Jordan into the floor if he tried some of his intimdation tactics). In the 3rd, John Stockton gives this team the purest of point guards, but he still needs a pick and roll buddy. Got to love the backcourt defense on this team.
dehbashi -Tim Duncan, Nate Thurmond, Clyde Drexler
His first pick put Stephen A.'s blood pressure at 460/290. As nice as Timmy D is, do you take him with Kareem and Wilt on the board? In the second, dehbashi makes Bill Walton's thighs shudder with Nate The Great. Arguably the best defensive center other than Russell, and a decent - but not great offensive player. Defensively, Thurmond and Duncan can wreak havoc with the best of them. In the 3rd the name Clyde Drexler draws derisive cheers as a perimeter offensive player is picked. Clyde is wonderful in the open court, but the jumper is somewhat shaky. Still the shot of offense and flash is welcome. Now, when will we see some scoring?
joshQpublic - Bill Russell, Jerry West, Kevin McHale
Russell was always an admirer of Mr. Clutch, and now gets to play with a guard greater than Cousy or Sam Jones. Nice steal of a pick here. Low-post scoring was addressed with the addition of Lurch himself, The Human Coat-Hanger, Kevin McHale. His variety of low-post moves will be welcome, and again, some serious low-post D in effect. Of course his peak value was great, but his durability is in question. So far, nice balance...
genez13 - Magic Johnson, Shaq, Karl Malone
Somebody knew what they were doing. Genez gets Magic, then is still able to get The Diesel in the second round, and then a younger Mailman to run the floor with Magic. Not even Charlie Rosen can knock this pick. No clutch woes for Karl here. You have to wonder if Shaq can run with Magic over 82 games, but there is plenty of muscle on this crew.
ricko - Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Elvin Hayes
Huh... Ricko passes on Shaq to take Kobe. Kobe is smiling, Shaq promises revenge. I don't think Elvin Hayes is the defensive answer to Shaq. And a locker room with Kobe and Elvin will be...hmm..interesting. This team is set on the wings if Kobe stays at the 3. Or maybe you have a Hayes and Bird tandem at forward. We're still short a Big Man. And some Prosazc.
GR8ONE54 - Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Scottie Pippen
For most of Wilt's career, he played with guys who couldn't match his incredible level. Now it will happen again in fantasy land. BOB COUSY OVER JERRY WEST AND KOBE BRYANT? Feeding The Dip is imporant, but this was a reach pick. Heck, forget reach - a brother could separate a shoulder making this pick. Jerry West makes much more sense here. Not a 38% career shooter at PG. Heck, take John Stockton (who WIlt has always liked for his no frills efficiency. Not to mention that Cooz could get torched on D. In the 3rd GR8 nabbs Scottie Pippen, who can play the point forward and provide stout wing defense. But he isn't a pure shooter, and can be roughed up.
Hoffman - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon, Isiah Thomas
Yet another nasty Twin Towers in the making here. Hakeem will take some of the physical role that Kareem isn't always comfortable doing. Unbelievable offensive agility in the low blocks. Plenty of weakside blocked shots here too, and Hakeem will run the floor. I asked earlier, "Who will Hoff get to feed Kareem?" Ask no more. Isiah at this point is an absolute steal. Able to run, play the halfcourt game, shoot...amazing that Stockton and Cousy went ahead of this guy. Great pick!
AK47Spiderman - Oscar Robinson, Julius Erving, John Havlicek
This doughnut is almost complete. The Big O gets teamed with The Doctor, and believe me, if this is the ABA Erving, LOOK OUT. Able to play the 3 or the 4, the greatest finisher in league history will love playing with O - and vice versa. Hondo will split time between the 2 and 3 slots. But where O where are the big men!?Pettit is a pretty good value at power forward, and can play center if need be. But this team may have some half court problems against the bigger teams.
Best Value Picks - Julius Erving, Isiah Thomas, Hakeem
OK Value Pick - Scottie Pippen
HUH?! Pick - Cousy
Best player on still on board: Elgin Baylor