The Draft Review

Well, it's perfect timing for those JBL fans who enjoy my musings...
The family is still in Las Vegas and I am here pondering what took place yesterday at the JBL's 22nd Auction. The biggest contingent of JBL owners were at my place - Idaho, Maui, French, Brussels and Golden all drafted at my kitchen table after consuming 42 pounds of pork products. Awesome.

Let me touch on a few highlights before I look at each of the teams...

The Steve Nash auction was awesome. Why? Because for the 4th straight year he went for $34 dollars. When he was initially brought up for auction I mentioned this stat. The room didn't think it would happen for a 4th year. Slowly as the bids climbed by confidence grew. In my gut, I knew it would happen. The peer pressure in the room on Maui to say $34 was amazing. When Trev clicked the button for $34 the ovation in the room was amazing. You had to be there. Awesome moment.

The Joel Anthony $1 dollar nomination by Bangkok was another highlight moment. The chat room lit up with the comment "PASS" at the exact same time. Priceless. It brought back memories from the round the room auction bidding we used to do. Thank you Bangkok. Great stuff.

OK, let's dive in to my comments on each of the drafted teams...alphabetical seems logical. I'm going to use Halloween candy as my ranking systems this time. Here are my 3 categories explained.

1) Full size candy bar - remember when you'd come to those houses that gave out a full size Snickers?? Those were the best! This is the highest ranking I'm giving out.
2 ) Grab your own treat - when the home owner lets the kid look into the bowl and pick whatever candy they want. Very cool. This is the middle ground.
3) chewy crappy gummies shaped like burgers and pizza - you know this crap candy. Even 6 year olds don't eat this shite. The only good thing is that kids could trade 3 of these pieces for a package of Nibs or M&M's. Even though it's a bad candy - it can become good. This is my worst ranking.

Arctic - I like what Crikker did here. It's a balanced team that will be investing heavily in ankle braces for their best player - Steph Curry. The team has some balanced guard scoring with Curry, Ellis, Parker and DeRozan. The 'monsters' up front include Ibaka, Faried, and Favors. The wildcard is Tyreke Evans. What kind of season will he have?  Arctic can go ahead and grab his own treat from the bowl.

Bangkok -I'm not sure what Bangkok's strategy was this year. He's got some big names - Kobe, Wall, Bargnani, and Bosh but after that there seems to be a lot of role players and question marks. Can Holiday become a star? Can Evan Turner finally live up to the #2 pick? The rest of the roster is filled with solid role players (Dudley, Bass, Vasquez, Gee, Hickson). But maybe too many role guys? Sorry Bangkok - you're that gummy burger for now.

Brussels - another team I kinda like on the surface. I think they have enough steals - Rondo, Conley, Allen, Terry, etc. Will Beasley be able to average 20ppg? I'm not sure there is a 20ppg otherwise? Needs breakout seasons from Valunciunas, Patterson, and Lillard. Big sleeper could be Enes Kanter in Utah as he had a monster preseason. I'm gonna let Timmy grab his own treat.

Chilliwack - score, score, score. A team loaded with PTS. Durant, Griffin, Granger, Thornton and others. I think this team could have a negative ATO if they stayed this way all year. Solid in a lot of categories but I would be concerned abour McGee's role in Denver. Will he emerge? Can Granger stay healthy? I love that Benny is going start Drummond and Sullinger in week 1. Love it. Go on Benny, have yourself a full size Snickers.

French Lick - ahhh, patience young one. It appears French's patience at Auction paid off. This is well balanced team that looks good in all categories. The concern has to be the health of his big names. Gordon and Nene haven't played at all yet and Kaman is already nursing an injury. If they stay healthy - French is hoping last year's heart breaking 2nd place finish can be followed up by a 1st ever JBL title. Gentleman, this is my pre-season favorite to win it all. And yes, you can have a full size Mr. Big.

Golden - my pre-draft plan was followed almost to the letter. 11 of the 15 guys on the Golden roster were targeted. Golden is hoping for big seasons from Dragic, Young, and Big Baby. 4 players on this roster are playing for new contracts (Smith, Pekovic, Mo Williams, and Calderon) so hopefully they'll be motivated.
Golden will be looking for one more PG at some point but right now I'm very pleased with the group coming out of the Auction. I'm gonna grab myself a full size Eat More for my efforts.

Idaho - The young one is all grown up. He's built a balanced roster that looks pretty good on paper. The biggest concern has to be Bynum's health as there is no one else on this team to block shots.This team will likely have various top performers on a night to night basis as they are very well balanced. The post-draft NBA trade sending James Harden to Houston just made him a Fantasy start. Can he become elite? Idaho will also have the biggest trade chip in a $3 dollar Derrick Rose. Go on Tuna - here's a full size Mars bar for your great draft.

Juan de Fuca - Here's another high scoring team poised for another good season. After a money finish last year Juan looks ready to challenge for another title. All 12 of his starters are projected to average double digit points. Led my Westbrook, Cousins, and Deron Williams this team should be very good. The rest of the roster is filled with very solid role players who can stuff a stat sheet. I like what they've done and for that I'm handing out my last full size candy bar. I'm going with a big old Caramilk bar for you guys.

Manhattan Beach - The Ballers have again gone with the big name stars to lead the team. Lebron is joined by Chris Paul and Brook Lopez as the studs. The rest of the roster is filled out with solid role players but I'm not sure there is enough great talent yet to contend. Can 3 players emerge as fantasy factors - Morris, Derrick Williams, and Meyers Leonard? Can J-Rich find his 3PT stroke? Can gunners Crawford and Gordon find their outside stroke? If those things can happen the MBB could climb the rankings. However, for now, you are a gummy pizza.

Maui - I think Trev did a nice job bringing in guys with good fantasy histories. Wade, Nash, Carmelo, Dirk, and Paul Pierce are all veterans who can help a fantasy team. Can they stay healthy is the question. Anthony Davis could be the next Tim Duncan. I also like some of the role players - Rush, Varejao and Chandler Parsons. Some work to do in some areas but this might be the best Maui team we've seen in a couple of years. Go on Trev, reach in my bowl and pick out something you like.

Montreal - First of all, I have to say I'm impressed with their draft this year. The Poutang have paired two mammoth men in the middle Dwight Howard and Al Jefferson will lead the way in 2012/13 for this squad. Kyrie and Lin will anchor the backcourt. Solid players in Joe Johnson, Kirilenko and Stoudamire (if healthy) could make this team dangerous. Will Byron Mullens be able to be the breakout star? Is there enough in the backcourt as Ridnour and Augustin have questionable roles? Will Tayshaun Prince last the season in Detroit? Will Royce White be a factor or waiver wire fodder? Go on Marko/David - reach into the bowl and find yourself a treat.

Seoul - I don't think I've ever written a negative review of the 5 time champion. But on thew surface, I'm not a fan of this Seoul draft. It has the requisite balance up front (Horford, Gasol, Gay, Millsap and Garnett) but that backcourt is absolutely scary. The saving grace for Philly Woo is his ability to wheel and deal during the season. He does have 5-6 big names he can leverage and improve the team. That being said - you know what's coming. Phil - you get those darn sticky taffee candies that stick to your teeth for hours. Yuck.

Yuma - I like the Thurmans. I really do. I don't think they're outstanding in any category - but they are very balanced across the board. I like the pairing of Pau Gasol and David Lee. They complement the PG's Lowry and Jennings. Jordan should block a lot of shots in the middle. There are several breakout candidates on this team (Leonard, Henderson, Afflalo and Collison). I think this team will be in the thick of things. Well done Pat. So, while I'm fresh out of full size candy bars - I'm going to let you reach into the candy bowl and take a couple extra pieces because of how cute your costume is.

That's it fellas...Free Agency starts mid week. Whoever you drafted yesterday will have to get you through week one. Remember, you have $130 bucks of Free Agency money to get you through the entire season. Best of luck to all the teams!!