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?

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?

I don't think a team with KD needs a superstar. Westbrook is a good player but he needs to accept he's number 2. Watching him take shot after shot for OKC in the playoffs was painful. He definitely needs to learn the PG game more, but that was always going to happen being a natural SG. They'll be looking for big seasons from Harden and Ibaka, while Perkins will definitely have to settle in with their game. They'll definitely compete, Durant is too good a player for his side not to, but again, you just wonder if they need to bring in a bit of experience for immediate success, or play the waiting game and try free agency for a couple of seasons whilst players develop.

just been reading and it seems like the lakers want too go back too the glory days. Was readin about tey want too trade for Howard and Paul and they have the players too do tat. Gasol too the hornets and Bynum and Odom too the Magic. Kobe Howard and Paul is frightenin too think about

If rumours are to be believed, this will be our starting 5 in two weeks time. Defence could be back in the garden, back to the days of Harper, Starks, Oakley, Mason, Ewing etc. New York Basketball.

C - Tyson Chandler
PF- Stoudemire
SF- Melo
SG- Grant Hill
PG- Jamaal Tinsley

bench -
Jeffries
Williams
Fields
Douglas
Shumpert

Chandler alone would make a big difference, not sure on Hill, decent player but would still have to pay a sizeable amount for a seasoned vet, when you already have a lot of experience on the roster.

I'd use the cap space to get a better PG than Tinsley, and sacrifice a bit of experience in the SG position. Fields still has potential, he lacked consistency and fell away towards the end of last year but I have faith in him to improve now he's not a rookie.

Hill would provide leadership and great perimeter defence. Great addition. You may be too young to remember the early 90's knicks teams but we had loads of old vets whi could play D. Teams were scared.

Stern vetoed a trade that would have sent CP3 to the Lakers.

What a joke.

If anything, the team coming out of that trade worst would have been the Lakers (obviously before any trade for Howard).

NO would have got the best deal they could out of that, especially when the scenario now is that Paul is going to leave and they'll get nothing in return.

And Houston got Pau, would have given them some sort of presence where its massively needed.

And the claim it's for "basketball" reasons, all 3 would have been stronger!

Although I agree that the Hornets would be getting the best deal they possibly could, I fully understand the reason for Stearn blocking this trade. I agree that the Rockets and Hornets would be getting some talent, but I have to disagree about the "Lakers coming out of the trade worst". Over the 3 years that deal would save the Lakers roughly $20mil in salaries and a similar amount in luxury tax and still get the best player in the trade whilst preserving draft pick to potentially use as bait for Howard.

If the NBA were to allow this deal, the vast majority of owners, especially of smaller market teams, would be wondering why the feck they ever bothered with the lockout.