What the San Antonio Spurs like these days?

They were the team I used to follow once upon a time because when I was little on a holiday in Blackpool we bought trainers from a Footlocker shop and you got a free basketball with them. My brother being older got the choice and picked a Chicago Bulls ball so I had to take the Spurs one.

They were awesome for so long last year, then bombed in the playoffs. They're still a top side, but they definitely need to replace Tim Duncan soon, which is easier said than done. Maybe they'll have a bad year, get lucky in the draft and land Drummond or somebody, but I really doubt it. Sooner or later they'll have to swap competing for a high draft pick, unless they can trade or work some crazy European deals, once Duncan retires they'll seriously struggle.

Really can't wait for the season to start, I hope Mark posts a piccy of himself in his Jimmer Mania t-shirt

Extra small size, tied in the middle. Dropping the Melo jersey. Wanted us to draft Jimmer, would be unbelieveable in D'Antoni's offence.

So, free agency....who's going where?

ESPN website

Fantasy basketball

League name - NBA RLFANS

password - zooyork

draft 18th december 17.15 pm

I've never played it before, how does this draft work out, like?

Basic principle is that Mark will take us all to the cleaners in the draft as the rest of us don't have a clue how it works. So when he ends up with that blend of Miami/Lakers + Melo you'll know we've been had! haha.

looking forward too this mark. Should be quite a bit better at the fantasy NBA than the NFL cant wait for the season too start now

im joined and in in the same division as you Mark i take it your well into your NBA?? gotta do some research lost all touch of it when the lockout started

Random draft order. Snake draft.

1st Round -

1 - Mark's team
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 - Rob's team
13 - Rob's team
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24 -Mark's team
25- Mark's team

Not always a benefit picking first. I won my NBA and MLB fantasy leagues last year. I've never won an NFL one. There is about 8 categories players are measured, so you need a mix of rebounding, assists, shooting %, FT %. 3 pointers etc. You get a point per category won so one week may be 5-2-1 as you record, if you better your opponent in that area. It's the best one to do. Players who can play ,ore than one position are ghandy as well.

So it's a proper fantasy draft, i.e. we all start with a certain salary to spend and we pick out of whoever in the league? Can we both have the same players or would you have to 'trade' with people in your league for that?

Assuming there's only 1 of every player about, just like the NBA draft but for every player.

Do players get extra points for winning or whatever? i.e. Will somebody like Rose get crazy points because he plays on the team that wins most, or are players at the bottom clubs, like Blake, like Kevin Love, penalised for losing so many?

Proper fantasy Rob. Not like the premier league stuff. Point solely on the individual, not the team.

CP3 wants a trade to the knicks. Get in.

Gonna web you on this Mark



I've never done it before but I'll give it a go, I probably won't be able to match a statto like you though.

ESPN will pre-rank the players for you. Give you an idea who to take next etc. Just a bit of fun. Keeps nothing games interesting.

come on fellas lets get more people on tis from what i can see theres only 3 teams upto now. It will be a good laugh this

Surely that's the idea of all these fantasy set ups, the point is solely on the individual? you put a team of individuals from different clubs so it's the same all round.

Anyway, I've just got my internet connection back up and running so where do we put this fantasy team together and how do these draft system thingies work then?

Not football ones. A midfielder could have a stormer but his defence is , so he'd get penalised for his team conceding, no such thing. People can have the same players and which club you're at makes a difference, not so important on basketball, baseball and NFL. A tad different.

So, where are Howard and Paul gonna end up?

I think Howards nailed on for Lakers, Shaq #2. Lakers will waive Ron Artest, and then will use Howard in a trade with Bynum to get an upgrade, and some of that defensive steel that they will lose with Artest.

Unfortunately for Paul, I can't see a scenario where he will play at Madison this year. They knicks used up all their trade options to get Melo, they have nothing left to give. Where does Paul then end up? Maybe if Howard goes elsewhere than the Lakers, then they'll look to Paul as an upgrade over Fisher. Either way the Lakers need some younger superstars, and they have the most options in regards to a trade. Bynum is a good player, but definately tradeable, and with a superstar like Paul available you'd be willing to Gasol (although NO aren't really in need of him).

I'd love to see the Clippers get a big name alongside Griffin, but the owners is such a douche he'll probably scare them off!

The Clippers either need a wing to handle the ball (I know Aminu is seen as a long term project, but they could do with somebody now), or they need Mo Williams to really step up from point guard. IMO, Williams is a decent player, but isn't the solution if they want a long term success. Imagine Griffin playing with somebody like Steve Nash? I know Nash is getting on, but a player like Griffin would thrive off him, just like Stoudemire did. I know Williams will score a bit, but surely now with a good young crop (Griffin, Aminu, Jordan) they should look at signing experienced team players. Chalmers just doesn't strike me as that, as decent as he is, they should be looking for a veteran or a superstar. Would love to see Paul at the Clippers, but it won't happen.

Big fan of Mo personally, think he can average 15-20 ppg this year, and I agree if they get another outside shooter to take advantage of the space available they could be a tricky outfit.

Mike Miller could end up being an OK fit, the Heat are bound to waive his contract under the Amnesty clause and he'd fit the bill as a decent (and probably cheap) outside shooter.

Eric Gordon, very underated. Could be used to get Howard or Paul. They have the pieces to get a trade done alomg with picks.

Definately, but I have absolutely no faith in the management to get the big deal done that will turn them into slight contenders.

What about OKC, young team, tonnes of potential, full roster with good potentially trade worthy players. Would they interest any superstars?