Tyler teams dominate draft
One chance in 1,296 ... those are the odds of rolling four consecutive "1s" on a six-sided die.
That is exactly what Tyler did for his first four teams in the draft...allowing them to skip the randomized pick of a player and zero in on a player of his choice for that team.
It turned out to be quite the advantage for Tyler teams, which cleaned up four of the top six players with those four picks, including all of the top three.
Here, then, is my analysis of the draft thus far (best to last) prior to the cut draft. I will post the full draft results following the cut draft completion. This is based on my pre-draft order of the 27 players, giving 27 points for the guy I had first, 26 points for the guy I had second, 25 points for the guy I had third, etcetera. The total points for each team are in parentheses after their name.
Note: I put the top 4-rated players (according to me) in red. They are the difference-makers.
1. LOS ANGELES BIG ONE (65)
Along with Milwaukee, they got the most picks total with four. Plus, they were one of only two teams to get two prime picks, thanks to a trade last season with Oklahoma City.
-- They nabbed point guard supreme GREAT GRUNCLE TERRY with the fifth overall pick and second prime pick. I had him as the No. 1 player in the draft.
-- Got promising rookie guard Flufferton Springs with the 11th overall pick, which turned out to be the sixth prime pick in their trade with Oklahoma City.
-- Veteran forward Reed Lemur with pick 15
-- Veteran guard Peeshie Pooshie with pick 25
Analysis: Terry and Springs immediately become one of the best guard tandems in the MBA.
2.MILWAUKEE GREYHOUNDS (51)
Like Los Angeles, Milwaukee added two fine guards, both rookies, in this backcourt-rich draft.
-- They used their first pick, pick No. 6 (the third prime pick) to snag rookie guard Thomas Thomas Thomas (I had him rated 6th in the draft).
-- The next two picks were non-descript players: rookie forward Booty Swish and rookie center Dead Dreadmore.
-- Finally, with the second-to-last pick, which in most drafts would suck, they managed to get a fine looking rookie guard in King Czardines, who I had rated as 11th best player in the draft.
Analysis: Thomas will start and Czardines should contribute off the bench.
3. CHARLESTON MOUNTAINEERS (50)
Despite picking eighth and not getting a prime pick until the second round, Charleston did OK. Like Los Angeles, they had two prime picks.
-- Veteran guard Don Barzini, who was a free agent, returned to Charleston with their first random pick, selection No. 8
-- Rookie guard SPLASH GORDON is secured with the very next pick, No. 9, thanks to a trade with Seattle last season. The pick becomes a prime selection, and Charleston secures Gordon, who I had rated as the No. 4 best player in the draft.
-- By the time they picked rookie center Rockin' Dopsie with pick No. 18 (the 9th prime pick), there was not much to chose from.
Analysis: One of Dave's top teams added a valuable piece in Gordon, who is a top-flight defender who can also score. Barzini will likely go to the bench for defensive situations.
4.PHILADELPHIA PHOBIA (46)
A 7-3 playoff team last season, the Phobia nabbed one of the top two rookies in the draft and either the second or third best player overall.
-- Rookie guard EHHY TABLE has size (6-5) and is a demon on the boards. Plays outstanding defense (with a slight tendency toward fouls) and is a crack shot from all four zones. Philly snared him with the seventh overall pick and the fourth prime pick when Tyler rolled his fourth "1" in a row.
-- Guard Buddy "Stankpig" Pigglesworth (17th pick) and guard Happy Chanooka (27th and last pick) likely won't be factors.
Analysis: Philadelphia gets another star added to its overflowing heavens.Table should keep Phobia in contention for crown.
5. GILLETTE HUMPS (44)
Got two of the top nine players in the draft, but only one will likely remain with the team.
-- With a wealth of guards available, Gillette's first pick, a random No. 2 selection, was the top center in the draft, Juji Mufi. Problem is, they already have two better centers on the roster. He could act as trade bait in a league where centers are suddenly at a premium.
-- I had rookie forward Billie "Be-Bop" Bauer as ninth best pick, and Gillette got him with pick No. 12, the seventh prime selection. He will start, and hopefully improve the team enough to get them out of last place.
-- Rookie forward Mic Mack Moose, a No. 22 pick, is destined for cut-piledom, for life.
Analysis: Nine quality guards were available, any of whom could have started for the Humps. Missing the boat again in the draft keeps them from surging forth, although they should be a tad better.
6. DALLAS DEMONS (33)
Got one of the prizes of the draft at guard and should benefit for seasons to come.
-- Nailed down defensive buzzsaw, rookie guard JUZAN DJINN when Tyler rolled his first of four consecutive "1s" for a prime pick in round 1. Djinn, rated either No. 2 or 3 player in the draft, was gottern with the fourth pick and the first prime pick in the draft. The 6-2 Djinn can shoot as well as defend and will man the point for Dallas.
-- Rookies Dave Tesh (center) and Ichie Boobies (forward) are throw-away selections at picks 14 and 24.
Analysis: Dramatic improvement at the point guard, where Djinn will play, will help Dallas in what looks like another very competitive East Division.
7. SACRAMENTO RIVER DOGS (25)
Like Oklahoma City, they whiffed totally in a guard-rich draft, which was their greatest need.
-- With tons of talent available, they used the third overall pick (albeit a random one) to get second string forward LaJon Brames. Very disappointing.
-- With pick No. 13, they got veteran forward Anurag Dickshit with prime pick No. 8 on the 13th overall pick, which was their last selection in the draft.
Analysis: No immediate help for starting lineup, although Dickshit might be of some value off the pines.
8. OKLAHOMA CITY LARIATS (24)
Got a starter, but not one of the great ones. The Lariats and Seattle ended up being the only two teams without a prime pick in this draft.
-- I had six players rated higher than rookie forward Doodly Squat, who the Lariats procured with the first pick in the draft, a random one. He was the best forward in a forward-poor draft.
-- Their other pick was rookie center John-John Grubb, selected at No. 21, who sucks.
Analysis: They could have really used the No. 11 pick, which was traded to Los Angeles last season and turned out to be a prime pick. Squat will start for this last-place team, but his addition will hardly get them out of the cellar.
9. SAN JOSE FIGHTING AMIGOS (22)
Drafting last, the defending champs weren't expecting to get much. And they didn't.
-- Got veteran center Twinkles Spatula, who always has one toe in the cut pile, with pick No. 10 (random) in the draft. The thing is, he has a fighting chance to start for San Jose, who lost star center and the league-s top scoring center, J.J. Gargantuan, to retirement.
-- With talent down and rolling four times for their prime pick (10th), the Amigos were doomed to get non-descript rookie Jimmy Potsandpans.
Analysis: Getting a top 12 player in this draft would have been nice. Spatula was rated No. 15, three players after all the desirable ones.
10. SEATTLE STAMPEDE (18)
They had just one pick in the draft (and no prime picks). Still, they made the best of it.
-- With their one draft pick at No. 19, Seattle procured a starting guard, third-year man Oblio Assbag, who is going into his productive phase.
Analysis: After reaching the Finals last season, Seattle will be scrambling with Gillette to stay out of the West Division cellar.
