ShotTakes

As the NBA's coronavirus sabbatical continues, we've tapped our creative juices in order to fill the content void. Tonight, we drafted our post-lockout (2011-12 to present) "dream teams" in an episode that was equal parts parlor game, theoretical debate, and journey through some of the great performances in recent NBA history.

Rules: 

Each team drafts a starting five, two bench players, a coach, and a home court

The team must be comprised of players and coaches from the 2011-12 NBA season to the present (snake draft)

We are drafting specific player-seasons for which we believe the drafted player was at his apex (Example: in a 1990s draft, the first pick might be 1996 Michael Jordan, followed by 1993 Charles Barkley, 1994 Hakeem Olajuwon, etc.)

No need to pick individual coaching seasons, unless you are really inspired by somebody’s work in a particular year.

The home court can be located in any climate-controlled facility on Earth where an NBA-sized floor can be installed and spectators can attend (post-corona, of course)

Every player is eligible to be drafted only once (e.g. in the above hypo, once 1996 Michael Jordan is selected, all other versions of Michael Jordan are off the board)

No strict positional requirements, but your team should comport with traditional notions of fair play and roster balance (fluid and responsive to emerging community standards and scientific studies)

In order to work some concept of “role players” into the exercise, your two bench players cannot have averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, or 10 assists per game in any of the eligible seasons

 

The results:

Team Elizabeth (Coach: Gregg Popovich; Home Court: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX)

(Starters)

LeBron James (2017-18)

Chris Paul (2013-14)

Blake Griffin (2013-14)

Klay Thompson (2014-15)

Dirk Nowitzki (2013-14)

(Bench)

Ray Allen (2011-12)

Tim Duncan (2012-13)

 

Team Scott (Coach: Mike Krzyzewski; Home Court: Rec Hall, University Park, PA)

(Starters)

Kevin Durant (2013-14)

Kawhi Leonard (2016-17)

James Harden (2017-18)

Paul George (2018-19)

Damian Lilliard (2019-20)

(Bench)

Draymond Green (2015-16)

Andre Iguodala (2013-14)

 

Team Eric (Coach: Erik Spoelstra; Home Court: Rucker Park, New York, NY)

(Starters)

Giannis Antetokoumpo (2019-20)

Stephen Curry (2015-16)

Anthony Davis (2019-20)

Russell Westbrook (2015-16)

Jimmy Butler (2016-17)

(Bench)

Manu Ginobili (2013-14)

Kevin Garnett (2011-12)

You might remember the infamous night in February 2017 when former Knicks forward Charles Oakley was ejected and banned indefinitely from Madison Square Garden—it was quite the stir in the NBA world, as was the ill-advised Knicks PR campaign against Oakley that involved salacious press releases and James Dolan media appearances designed to sully the former All-Star's reputation. But you probably haven't delved into the amazing—amazing—litigation that ensued in Oakley v. Dolan, so we've provided our expert legal/basketball analysis for a very special episode of ShotTakes. We spend the bulk of the time unpacking Oakley's initial complaint against Dolan and various Knicks entities, because, well, it is a real treat! Enjoy, and stay safe out there, everybody.

The NBA has suspended its 2019-2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, but ShotTakes is still here to fill the content void and serve as a refuge to a beleaguered nation. We react to the shocking events that have unfolded in recent weeks, answered some mailbag questions, and talked about our plans for the basketball hiatus. Tune in—and wash your hands!

Eric gets up close and personal with Dr. J himself on the red carpet before Kenny Atkinson's final game as Nets head coach, coronavirus concerns grip the NBA (and world—wash your hands before reading the rest of the description!), Steph returns briefly before falling prey to the regular flu, and a trip to the ol' Discount Resale Market. Tune in—and seriously, wash your hands!

Throw out the usual agenda—this week, we reflect on the formative memories and experiences that set us on the road to becoming NBA lunatics. And, predictably, it was a blast. Because every now and then, you just have to talk about Allen Iverson.

The best All-Star Game ever? Was Aaron Gordon robbed—again? How did John Beilein even last this long as Cavs coach? Guess you'll have to tune in to find out the answers! (Wow, really should have used this promo device more in the past....)

All-Star Weekend is upon us, and  Domantas Sabonis deserves to be there regardless of what King NBA Podcast Dork Nate Duncan thinks. Anyway, we have lots of other thoughts on the roster choices, new game features, and more. Tune in and remember: we don't do drip or money or fashion—we do art.

After vigorously scrolling Twitter all day at work, Eric and Scott came ready to break down the action around the NBA trade deadline. (Elizabeth was a DNP - flu-like symptoms—she was NOT being shelved because she is the subject of trade discussions. Please stop propagating this false and pernicious rumor.) We cover the big deals, the small (but fun!) deals, the deals that could have been but didn't materialize, and more. We'll leave you with this: Kevin Love playing small forward. Enjoy!

 

Feel better soon, ELA! We need you in the lineup.

Our reactions to the sudden, tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in yesterday's shocking helicopter crash, as well as reflections on the NBA legend's life and career. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the disaster, and fans around the world who have felt the impact of Kobe's passing.

Elizabeth and Scott run the pick-and-roll through the NBA's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration/slate of (14!) games, file a ShotTakes game report from the FedEx Forum (spoiler: Scott really, really likes Ja Morant; is not quite as high on Collin Sexton), riff on some eye-popping performances of late, and brace for the much-anticipated Wednesday NBA debut of Zion Williamson. 

Related episode reading: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From a Birmingham Jail (1963)