At center I am starting Tyson Chandler, the best defensive center of his era. Tyson Chandler is second all time in field goal percentage because he knows his limitations and doesn't take bad shots. He is a monster pick and roll player, finishing lobs from Chris Paul in his early career and shooting an incredible 68% in 2012. He was the heart of the Dallas defense in 2011 that shocked the world to win a title and his consistent dominant defense saw him rewarded with the Defensive Player Of The Year award in 2012. Chandler twice led the league in offensive rebounds, is an unselfish player who doesn't need possessions on offense to dominate on defense. There are lots of great offensive centers in this draft and Hakeem is one of the best but Chandler spent a career going up against Shaq, Duncan, Garnett, and company and more than held his own. Shaq averaged 28 and 12 in his prime but only 15 and 7 against Chandler for example.
At power forward is Dirk Nowitzki, the greatest international player and greatest shooting big man of all time. I'm sure I don't need to explain why he is so great. Matching up against Chris Webber is one of his most similar players. Webber was also a good shooter and rebounder while being a great passer. Despite Webber being a good shooter, his range extended to deep midrange, not three point range. Dirk made almost 7 times as many threes as Webber (at a much higher percentage), led his team to a championship and just averaged 18 points per game at 37 years old. Chris Webber was done at 32 and done as a top level players a few years earlier than that.
Vince Carter will start at power forward and face Bruce Bowen. Carter has incredible athleticism and excellent three point shooting and is a willing passer with the ability to play the 2 or the 3. He's a great clutch player who will not struggle against Bruce Bowen (averaged 22 points against him head to head).
In the backcourt are the splash brothers who surely need no introduction. The two greatest shooters of all time who have played with each other for years and developed an unstoppable chemistry and understand. Both above average defenders (Thompson an elite one), both above average passers (Curry an elite one), and both over 42% three point shooters while taking an incredible amount.
Offensive strategy
Rain threes and get offensive rebounds in order to shoot more threes. This team has the greatest shooters at PF, SG and PG of all time and another very good one at SF. It will use the 1 in 4 out offensive with an emphasis on dribble drive kick. Chandler will hold his own on the boards while Chris Webber is neutralized at the rim by chasing Dirk all over the three point line. Thompson and Curry are good rebounders for their position and Carter is decent too. This team won't win the rebounding matchup but it will shoot so many threes that it only needs to keep it close. There is no real correlation with rebounding and winning if you have the other assets to make up for it. San Antonio was 24th in rebounding this year while Chicago was 3rd. Steph Curry will torch Steve Nash, a turnstile defender in his best days, and Tracy McGrady won't be able to keep up with Klay Thompson's tireless running and still provide offense that RDCR desperately needs on the other end when he is starting someone like Bruce Bowen. Too many of his players are one way guys. Nash can't play defense and Bowen can't play offense. McGrady can't do both at an elite level without dipping in quality.
Defensive strategy
Steph Curry will guard Bruce Bowen, a complete non threat whose only contribution was averaging one made three per game. Thompson will guard Nash and Carter will guard McGrady with lots of switching on pick and rolls. Nowitzki and Chandler will rebound defensively. Steph Curry won't spend much time guarding Bowen, we will mostly give him the Tony Allen treatment of ignoring him so that Steph Curry (the league leader in steals the past two years) can run around the court swiping the ball and providing double teams and help defense. Guards and wings will funnel their man into Tyson Chandler whenever they try to drive, relying on the former defensive player of the year to block and alter shots.
Bench
My strategy asks a lot from my big men, which is why I have one more than most teams. Barkley, Davis and Sheed off the bench will allow us to constantly rotate if anyone gets in foul trouble against Hakeem. It also gives our bigs the ability to go all out and not conserve energy. The downside to this is one less wing player. My solution is to use Carter at the 2 and 3 as needed allowing us to go big with Carter playing 2 and Peja playing 3 while having an incredible defender and passer in Ricky Rubio off the bench.
The reason my team will win is that it has the numbers and the strength to combat his big men down low and no one way players like Nash or Bowen. Golden State has proven the value of elite shooting and how they can ruthlessly seek out a weak link on defense. The team has 4 three point contest winners and several other excellent three point shooters (Rasheed, Davis, Carter). The team also has two sets of title winning teammates (Dirk/Peja/Chandler on the 11 Mavs and the Splash Brothers).
come on now.