The picks got a lot more difficult to make as the draft continued, but I think both of us did pretty well. Of course, for those who are too impatient to scroll down, the first part of this fantasy draft can be found HERE. But now, it’s onto the second part, where we finish out our benches and I emerge victorious as I always do. All due respect to Kenneth, but my team is just better. There’s nothing wrong with a silver medal, though – even in a competition between two people. Let’s continue, shall we?
Kenny’s team (starters marked with an asterisk)
Dan Issel*
Tayshaun Prince*
Rajon Rondo*
Keith Bogans*
Rick Robey*
Chuck Hayes
Travis Ford
Seth’s team
Jamal Mashburn*
Ralph Beard*
Tony Delk*
Kenny Walker*
Sam Bowie*
Jack Givens
Cliff Hawkins
KC: Surely you don’t believe Cliff Hawkins is going to shut down Bogans or Ford, do you? I understand… playing catch-up since I beat you to the punch on Rondo. Let’s see – Chuck Hayes is my glue guy coming off the bench first, then Travis Ford keeps the treys flowing after that. After this, I have to give my big guys a rest, right? Of course. That’s why I forced your hand with Sam Bowie. So I can this guy all to myself. It may be early, but if I’m bringing this guy off the bench, I think I’m close to checkmate.
My Pick: Alex Groza C-PF.
SS: Good pick. Very good pick. Groza’s a good one. I have an offense guy and a defense guy coming off the bench, and now it’s time to go with a guy who can do everything. He was one of the best NBA players to ever come from UK, and represents Western Kentucky very well. My next pick is from Owensboro, and should have his jersey retired by the Atlanta Hawks.
My pick: Cliff Hagan (F-C)
KC: Not many teams run beyond an eight-man rotation unless you’re stacked. Possible, but you aren’t looking for much from the rest of the bench after number eight. Just guys waiting in the wings, people who will help improve your starters. Except with this number nine pick, I might just have to let this guy see some playing time. Yeah, he’s that good. In fact, he’s a national champion and if he weren’t injured in 1997, UK would have seen three in a row. Ladies and Gentlemen:
My pick: Derek Anderson (G)
SS: Coach Rupp never liked to play but about 6-7 guys, but I’m not Coach Rupp. I’m playing everybody on this roster. We’re up to nine now, and the decisions are getting tougher for me when it comes to old school vs. new school. I picked an old school guy last, so I’ll balance that out with another guy I watched help win a national championship. In fact, he won one with Derek Anderson. In fact, he played a bigger role in that championship than Derek Anderson and emerged as an extremely clutch player by playing out of his mind. I’m talking, of course, about Mark Pope, but this is not a GPA contest.
Here’s my actual pick: Ron Mercer (F-G)
Also, your earlier comment about Cliff Hawkins not being able to guard Travis Ford is asinine. Look at how great Hawk was at playing that crappy ball-line garbage. Imagine if he played in a real system how lethal he could have been.
KC: Good luck being effective in playing 13 guys. Sometimes you just have to make decisions about guys who would make your team better in practice as the season wore on, if of course these were real teams. You may try to alternate between new and old school, but I’m picking for specific reasons. And right now, I’m reaching for a slasher. At some point, there’s going to be foul trouble and some moves are going to have to be made. I still want a guy that will provide Rondo’s slashing abilities, but can finish. This guy never really showed up until the end of his career, but when he did… WOW.
My Pick: Joe Crawford
SS: Well, if you’re picking based on needs, I’ll try one. Who knew that’s what you had to do when picking a fantasy team? Anywho, I’m very pleased with my starting lineup. Off the bench I have shooting, ball handling, defense, athleticism and…no size. Your team has Issel. There will be foul trouble. I need a big man. I need a guy who can rebound, and more importantly, take up some space. I’ve got just the guy.
My pick: Dinner Bell Mel Turpin
That’s right, I have the entire 1984 frontcourt on my team. Now what?
KC: Here’s the thing, my need was for a scoring slasher. That’s pretty good for a fantasy team, no? You can have Mr. Turpin. I’m still not losing the size battle. Or the defense battle. Or the shooting battle. I have Rondo and Ford to back him up. Prince, Issel and their backup so far, Chuck Hayes. I have Keith Bogans and his backup, Derek Anderson. Rick Robey and Alex Groza. Crawford can tween and play guard or wing. Some people would say I have two starting fives. Pretty nice huh?
So let’s get another big guy down there. Why lose the advantage I already have?
My Pick: Scott Padgett.
SS: My next pick would probably actually be the first guard I brought off the bench. He could do things with the ball that no other UK player could, and he’s one of Rupp’s Runts, which means the fans would love him (like they really do). I think he’s the second most popular player to ever wear the jersey, and a dang good one at that.
My pick: Louie Dampier
KC: Louie’s a good pick. He’s been on my radar, but I’ve decided to go with more recent players and taller guards, besides Travis Ford of course. My number 12 guy has a great name and a great game. Although listed as a F-C, he’s undersized for today’s game. Still, I can’t pass him up.
My Pick: Cotton Nash
SS: (Smacks self in head like a V8 ad)
Well, I just have to make this pick now. Fun fact: We’ve chosen every one of the top 10 scorers at UK – except one. One of the heralded class that was the last one ever recruited by the Baron, I can’t believe I’ve left this guy off of my list for so long. He’s as good a shooter as there has ever been, and he helped bring the program out of its post-Issel doldrums.
My pick: Kevin Grevey
KC: I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist rounding out the top 10. No bother to me. I think my team would just gel like none other in a real game. I have all the wheels in place and pieces put together to run my well oiled machine. So consider this just a celebratory pick.
My Pick: John Pelphrey.
My team:
Dan Issel*
Tayshaun Prince*
Rajon Rondo*
Keith Bogans*
Rick Robey*
Chuck Hayes
Travis Ford
Alex Groza
Derek Anderson
Joe Crawford
Scott Padgett
Cotton Nash
John Pelphrey
I believe I win… there’s no trump card left for you.
SS: I pick Andre Riddick. The reason? He’s my favorite player and since my first 12 would most likely blow out your first 12, then so help me God, I can let my favorite player be on my team. And besides all that, he’s fourth all time in blocks, and he played a limited role in all four years. Also, if any of your guys acts out of line, Andre will choke him like he did to Rasheed Wallace.
Apologies to Wah Wah Jones, Bill Spivey, Frank Ramsey, Pat Riley, Mike Casey, Mike Pratt, Mike Phillips, Kyle Macy, Rex Chapman, Antoine Walker, Walter McCarty, Jeff Sheppard, Nazr Mohammed, Jamaal Magloire, Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels, Randolph Morris and Patrick Patterson (maybe a year from now – right, Patrick?).
My team consists of:
G – Ralph Beard
G – Tony Delk
F – Kenny Walker
F – Jamal Mashburn
C – Sam Bowie
G – Louie Dampier
F – Jack Givens
F – Kevin Grevey
F – Cliff Hagan
F – Ron Mercer
C – Andre Riddick
C – Melvin Turpin
This pleases me. KC, your cockiness knows no bounds. Ask any UK fan with a brain and they’ll tell you my team is far superior. I know it’s unfair to compare games from the present day to games from the 40s and 50s, but my team has better winners. You have seven guys who didn’t go to a final four. I only have one. No time for losers, because I am the champion of the world.
I’m Seth Stogsdill, and how does defeat taste, KC?
