I?m sure many of you have seen the movie ?the Replacements.? Although the movie wasn?t any good, the premise had me thinking?what would I do as a GM if this happened to my basketball team.? For those who haven?t seen the movie, it?s about a band of replacement players. The regular players went on strike, and so the team ownership and coaches had to go out and sign a bunch of ?has-beens? and ?never-was?s? in an effort to win as many games as possible ASAP? Of course, this would never happen in reality due to various reasons but this is hypothetical ? So what 12 free agent players provide the best chance to win NOW?When I say free agents, I mean players u can currently sign to 10-day contracts....<u>mind u you?re not trying to build a franchise, you?re just trying to win as many games now</u>?. Who?s your starting 5?and how many games do u think they would win over the course of an 82-game season?? My Team: PG Mateen Cleaves SG Ron Mercer SFTerrance Morris PF Eddie Griffin (when he?becomes sane again) C Jason Collier (he actually just got signed to a 10-day) C Leon Smith G Isaac Fontaine F Walt Williams F Tyrone Hill G Kareem Reid F Ime Udoka F Sam Clancy With a decent coach, I think this team could win up to 8-10 games...
Good concept, notmuchgame My Team: PG: Erick Barkley- He is extremely creative off the dribble. But his consistency with the jumpshot still leaves something to be desired. But on a team of lesser know players you need a guy who can force tempo with the basketball. And generate some easy points in the open court. SG: Smush Parker: excellent scorer with enough shots he could get me 15ppg. At the University of Fordham he could hit the jumpshot. But he really didnt display it with the Cavs last year. But he still can score. SF: Glen Rice: Most people would bring their veteran shooter off the bench, but with this unit I would need Glen Rice's shot to stretch the Defense, so Erick can have some driving lanes & easier scoring opportunities for Smush. PF: Corie Blount -solid rebounder, & has good size at that power forward spot. C: Mamadou N'Diaye - He is 7'0 footer can take up alot of space down low. And block a few shots that can get Erick Barkley & Smush going in the open court. Bench: PG- Robert Pack- Veteran point guard. He has seen alot of offensive systems in his career playing with Dallas, the Nets twice. He can help Erick Barkley see the floor better. And he can still play some solid minutes at the point as he did in New Jersey earlier in the season. G- Felipe Lopez-Adds scoring F/C- John Amechi- Veteran. He hasnt really gotten any minutes in the 2 or 3 seasons in the NBA playing behind Karl Malone in Utah & Yao Ming in Houston. But he has been a double digit scorer in his career. And could still provide a team with a few low post baskets. F-Jason Caffey- Undersized but extremely tough down low willing to bang. And has championship experience.And some offensive skills F-Lawerence Funderbruke- He has been a solid rebounder in limited minutes. And he has also been an excellent fill in player with the kings. SF- Quincy Lewis- With Glenn Rice at the Starting Foward spot. Lewis will bring some youth & quickness to that position G Marcus Hatten- A combo guard who can score. His shot selection has sometimes is extremely iffy. But on a team without any over dominating scoring options, you need a guy who will be willing to step up.And take shots. He might lose you some games with it.But there will be those night's where he can carry a team on offense. It will be up to the coach to know when to limit him. And when to let him go. My Replacement Coach: Byron Scott, He knows that Princeton back door offense to a T. And on a team that doesnt have a go to scorer that motion offense will generate a good amount of points. I think this team could win 15 games.
^ I notice most of your guards are NY guards Does anybody know what happened to Quincy Lewis...I was really off with that guy, I thought he was going to be a star....
<u>My Squad</u> PG - Tito Maddox - Explosive point guard, who can light it up on offense and has the ability to play the 2. He's a decent defender, but his ability to lead the break would be the main reason to have him at the point. SG - Rod Grizzard - He can flat out shoot the rock, and would be extend defenses to create room for Maddox and Porter to attack the lanes. SF - Chris Porter was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the second round (55th pick overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft. He showed his ability to score in the NBA, but he was the classic 'tweener' and couldn't find a place in the NBA. He was great scorer and athlete for Auburn, he would bring excitement to the team. In a play that was replayed numerous times and was easily the dunk of the year if not the play of the year, Chris Porter showed his unbelievable body control when he went up for a rebound, caught the ball around waist level (arm fully extended) and windmilled the ball into the basket, all in one motion! PF - Vin Baker - Showed he still has game, earlier in the year, and would be one of the few stars in a replacement league. He should be able to dominate the competition. C - Jelani McCoy - His shot blocking ability and intensity would fit in well with this team. Also his ability to run the court for a big man and crash the boards. Without the Shaq's and Yao's in the league to defend, McCoy's skinny frame wouldn't hold him back as much. Bench - Felipe Lopez, J.R. Rider, Ron Mercer, Mamadou N'Diaye, Walt Williams
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">^ I notice most of your guards are NY guards Does anybody know what happened to Quincy Lewis...I was really off with that guy, I thought he was going to be a star....</div> You noticed did you, got to show nyc some love. I seen Smush play alot in person because the University of Fordham isnt that far from my house, so I use to go to games. And ST. John's is my favorite colllege team& I watched Lopez & Hatten develope. But to answer your question he was with the timberwolves early in the but he got released when Hudson came back from injury the 1st time.I dont know what happened to him after that. He probably went back to the NBDL, thats where he was for part of the 02/03 season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">You noticed did you, got to show nyc some love. I seen Smush play alot in person because the University of Fordham isnt that far from my house, so I use to go to games. And ST. John's is my favorite colllege team& I watched Lopez & Hatten develope. </div> Yea, I watched a few Fordham games the season where Parker and Adrian "wholelottagame" Walton made up the backcourt...seems more like an And 1 backcourt than a NCAA backcourt... SI had a great article on NYC point guards a few years ago when Taliek Brown, Omar Cook, and Andre Barrett all declared to the Big East...they also mentioned Majestic Mapp (a now Virgina bench warmer) coming in the year before....if you haven't seen the article, you should really check it out...they had a fold-out page with a bunch of the successful old and new school NYC guards standing together in a photoshoot ...(i.e. Kenny Anderson, Rod Stickland, Mark Jackson, Shaheen Holloway, Kenny Smith, Earl Monroe, Cook-Barrett-Brown-Mapp just to name a few)
[quote name='Henacy']Good concept, notmuchgame My Team: PG: Erick Barkley- He is extremely creative off the dribble. But his consistency with the jumpshot still leaves something to be desired. But on a team of lesser know players you need a guy who can force tempo with the basketball. And generate some easy points in the open court. That's what his first name was. I was just thinking about him, because couple months ago I seen him in the HS dunk contest. I was like what, I didn't even think he could dunk. He proved me right, I mean he probaly can do a regular dunk, but he couldn't even do a simple off the glass dunk. He got game and all, but just couldn't remember his first name. Anyways, getting back to the topic. I barely even have a starting 5 but here it goes. PG:Trevor Ruffin- He played for UH Bows and could lite it up. Instant scorer. Sorry notmuchgame, I don't know where he is, but the man can score. SG:Rex Chapman-vet. saw'em in the top 50 leapers list, and clucth player SFredrag Savovic-Another UH player that can lite it up. PFennis Rodman-What needs to be said, only problem is that he's ancient. C:Mamadou N'Diaye -Don't know any centers, just know me and friend got beat by him in 21 in ESPN basketball. Bench:Charles Oakley, J.R. Rider (starter just had to give recognition to others)Rod Strickland(starter aswell for same reason), Cedric Ceballos, John Amechi
Pg- Mateen Cleaves- Knows what it takes to win. Has a suspect shot for a point guard but is the best prospect available at the 1. Sg- Miles Simon- Another player who knows how to win. Can shoot the lights out but is a tad bit undersized. But you can't measure heart. Sf- Rod Grizzard- Long atheltic player, can play the 2 but is long enough to play the 3 effectively. Good shooter, would spread the floor well for Mateen to drive and dish. Pf- Eddie Griffen- Too many problems but you can't deny the talent this KID has going for him. Put in a desperate situation I can see him become a star in the replacement league. C- Mikki Moore- Atheltic centre who can block a ton of shots. Bench- Kareem Shabazz, Ed Cota, Terrence Morris, Lenny Cooke, Rodney Bias and..........Alimoe, I just think this guy has an NBA type game and would do well in the replacement league
I'm surpried Grizzard's name keeps coming up...I always thought Vincent Yarbrough was the better SEC shooting guard of the two... I also noticed that no one (including myself) has a Point guard who can shoot the rock, lol......30 standing vert has Ruffin at the point, and he could kinda shoot, problem is he'll never pass the ball
PG-Anthony Goldwire- Sort of a combo guard but decent and can shoot pretty well SG-Lenny Cooke- Last i heard of him he was playing in China averaging 20 5 and 5...Alot of talent, definitely would get him. SF-Rod Gizzard-I'm not sure if Lenny is a good shooter, i may need a swingman who can shoot, so i choose Ron Gizzard. PF-Eddie Griifin-Super talented, good shooter, shotblocker. Even with his mistakes, im confident he could become a decent roleplayer. C-Mikki Moore-Very athletic shotblocker, dominated NBDL. BENCH: DeSean Hadley- CBA Defensive Player of the year... Since he is a good defensive player and less offensive, i may start him at SG and move Cooke to SF. Shawn Kemp-Produced well in Orlando, i think he could do it again. Leon Smith-Tons of potential, played pretty well in CBA. J.R. Rider-I have nothing to lose, so i'd definitely give this guy a second chance. Darrick Martin-Was with T'wolves earlier this year, has always been a decent guard. Glen Rice-One of the best 3pt shooters of all time, would be a good spark off the bench. Im confident they could make the playoffs in the east
PG: Mateen Cleaves SG: Isaiah Rider SF: Walt Williams PF: Vin Baker C: Corie Blount Bench: Glen Rice Dennis Rodman Jalani McCoy Eddie Griffin Jenero Pargo
PG: Trevor Huffman - Some of you may remember him, he helped lead Kent St. to the Elite 8 not too long ago. SG: Trajan Langdon - Wouldn't hurt to bring his 3 point shot to the team. Would just have to get him open. SF: Glen Rice - Rice and Langdon would be a lethal combo from behind the arc. PF: Eddie Griffin - he's got the talent...just needs to stay out of trouble and he can prove that he's worthy to be in the nba C: Jason Collier - Another outside threat for the team. BENCH PG A.J. Guyton, PG Erick Barkley, PF, Shawn Kemp, PF Tyrone Hill, SG/SF Rod Grizzard, C Bruno Sundov COACH: I'd try to get Mike Fratello THE CZAR
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">SG-Lenny Cooke- Last i heard of him he was playing in China averaging 20 5 and 5...Alot of talent, definitely would get him.</div> He couldn't even crack the rotation of a summer league squad, I doubt he could make any sort of impact let alone start over J.R. Rider or Glen Rice...but that's just my opinion... Anyway, I forgot bout my man Tyus Edney...I would take a chance on him if I could get him away from Europe..No one mentioned Cedric Henderson, how bout Anthony Carter...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">He couldn't even crack the rotation of a summer league squad, I doubt he could make any sort of impact let alone start over J.R. Rider or Glen Rice...but that's just my opinion... Anyway, I forgot bout my man Tyus Edney...I would take a chance on him if I could get him away from Europe..No one mentioned Cedric Henderson, how bout Anthony Carter...</div> You remember when everybody was saying that Cedric Henderson, Derek Anderson, Brevin Knight were going to be the future of the Cavs, man that feels like a century ago. Speaking of Cavs, when Lebron killed Lenny Cooke in that High School camp. Cooke was pretty much done. Lenny should have found away to get into a college for at least a season. I know grades were a problem for him But he should have did what Lamar Odom did, wait a year then got to college. Or go to a community college then switch to a D1 school. Where is Tyus Edney now? Last time I heard anything about him was when he was with the Pacers a few years ago. I remember he had a pretty good rookie year with the Kings, when he came out of UCLA, but his career was straight down hill from there. And Anthony Carter, doesnt create enuff for others for me to ever put him at the point on my squad. but he was a solid backup behind Tim Hardaway on the heat.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post"> Where is Tyus Edney now? Last time I heard anything about him was when he was with the Pacers a few years ago. I remember he had a pretty good rookie year with the Kings, when he came out of UCLA, but his career was straight down hill from there. </div> From what I've read, Edney is tearing up the Italian League...I think he's better than a lot of (backup) point guards in the league right now, but i guess he's comfortable as a star in europe, so we've pretty much seen the last of him...
