Team-first Squad

I'm psyched for the upcoming NBA season. Well, I'm psyched for every NBA season, but this year just has a good vibe to it - there's no more Evil Empire in Lakerland, team ball has come back to the forefront with the Pistons, Spurs, and TWolves at the top of everyone's preseason rankings, the Olympics has exposed the inadequacies and overall unwatchableness of American playground ball, there's big names in new places, and there's no clear-cut favorite to take the crown.

Plus, the fantasy hoops season is upon us! I usually run two leagues, one with a bunch of old Cal folks and one with a bunch of Canaan folks. Last year we had 12 teams in each; however, this year it seems that some of the regulars aren't committing due to time constraints or work or other obligations. So if you're interested, drop me a line and I can see about including you in one of the leagues.

A few weeks ago, in response to the USA taking the bronze at the Olympics, ESPN ran a series on who they'd choose to make up a 12-man roster of team-first guys, with superstars, role players, and specialists. While they restricted theirs to American ballers, here's who I'd choose if I could make up a roster from anyone in today's NBA (and while I like all these players for their attitudes, it doesn't necessarily mean I'll place more emphasis on them in my fantasy draft ;-)):

I basically went Memphis-style and created two 5-man squads that play particular styles, giving my hypothetical coach a 10-man rotation that can hit an opponent's weakness - either wearing them down in the half court and then running them out of the gym, or getting them tired and then smashing them up. In my hypothetical system, there's a point guard running the show (G), two wings (W) representing the traditional SG and SF, and two F/Cs (basically big men who alternate high-low post on offense and shut down the lane on defense).

Squad A - halfcourt offense
G Mike Bibby
W Ray Allen
W Shane Battier
F/C Elton Brand
F/C Tim Duncan

This is the more methodical group, with the focus on two outstanding big men in the post on offense and defense and supplemented by great outside shooting. The halfcourt offense would run through Duncan, who draws the double team the majority of the time, opening up shots for shooters extraordinaire Allen and Bibby, with Battier also able to hit shots from the corners. Bibby can also run the pick and roll with either Brand or Duncan. On defense, Bibby and Allen's jobs would be to funnel their men into Brand and Duncan, two of the top five shot blockers in the league, while Battier can lock up most perimeter players. This group can run, but is better suited to beat people up inside while shooting over the top when the opposing team doubles down.

Squad B - running offense
G Jason Kidd
W Manu Ginobili
W Andrei Kirilenko
F/C Ben Wallace
F/C Kevin Garnett

This group will run even after made shots. Their obvious advantage is in speed, length and athleticism. Kidd and Ginobili playing the passing lanes, Kirilenko pressing players with his never-ending limbs, and the presence of Big Ben in the paint frees up KG to roam on defense for steals and blocks. The offense is triggered by the defense, as a rebound-outlet pass or turnover gets Kidd out on the break and into his element, with Manu and AK-47 filling the lanes while KG trails, all capable of finishing in monster fashion. In the halfcourt, the lack of a reliable perimeter shooter means that the offense will run through KG in the high or low post creating shots for cutting teammates, or penetration by Ginobili.

Bench/Injured Reserve/Future pickups
G Tony Parker
W Mike Dunleavy
W LeBron James
F/C Yao Ming

I couldn't quite pare my bench/IR down to a 12-man roster, so here's 4 guys I'd pick to fill out my team. With Kidd aging, Parker is perfectly suited to step in and assume the mantle of quickest man with the ball outside of Iverson, which would help drive the running team. Dunleavy can do a little bit of everything on offense (shoot, handle, make good cuts, deliver timely entry passes into the post, etc.) which makes him an ideal sub for either squad as long as there are players with defensive strengths to cover for him. LeBron will develop into a shooting-passing-rebounding Swiss Army Knife do-it-all monster once he gets a little bit of experience... he's basically already a mini-monster, and he seems to genuinely enjoy setting teammates up for scores. Yao's passing vision and feathery, unblockable shooting touch make him ideal for the Duncan role on the halfcourt squad when TD or Brand need a breather.

This roster is subject to change as other players catch my eye as guys who seem to really understand the essence of basketball as a team sport.