Are you like me and always feeling uncertain about how your upcoming draft class will affect your league? Do you feel ultimately let down after your first season? Maybe like you had all that fun, but just feel like it's time to stop?
Draft classes. There are a lot of words to describe them. User-friendly, creativity, variety, etc...
From the draft classes based on real life to the fictional draft classes, the guys who work on these regularly do a great job.
The draft class I'm bringing to you is somewhere right in between real-life and fictional.
What I'm doing is creating real draftees (a few even undrafted) from 2003-ish and beyond - not including guys who are currently active in the NBA.
My creation process is as follows:
ALL PLAYERS start as 24-year-olds. My main focus is what they ended up as. However, I also feel it's really important you control all teams for your 2021 draft as potential and intriguing prospects also play a big part. The unpredictability should make this pretty fun.
No former All-Stars will be in this. However, I decided at the last minute to put really good young players in there that could turn into probably just underneath All-NBA players if utilized correctly. Otherwise, it wouldn't be rewarding enough to pick first.
File Name - Play Ur Role
Here is a summary of all of the players I incorporated into this neat little draft class:
F Shane Battier (75 OVR) - Not the best lockdown, but probably the best all-around defender in the draft. Lots of things to like about him as a basketball player - very trustworthy talent.
SF Matt Barnes (74 OVR) - Almost certainly will be a top-10 pick. Fierce competitor with consistent effort on both ends and a solid all-around presence.
F Andres Nocioni (73 OVR) - Upside is being debated by many scouts and critics but nobody is doubting the combo forward will be able to contribute to a team right away.
SG Ben Gordon (77 OVR) - Undoubtedly the most explosive scorer in the draft. Commands heavy attention from the defense, especially off the ball. Also changes speeds very well.
PF Luis Scola (75 OVR) - A scrappy interior-to-mid-range force who refuses to be outmatched or outmuscled by any opponent. Should last a long time in this league.
SG Arron Afflalo (76 OVR) - A hardnose defender first and foremost but likely the best all-around player in the draft. Has the versatility to play the 1-through-3 spots on the floor.
PG Shaun Livingston (75 OVR) - Some scouts believe any team that could use either guard position would be "fools" not to take him first. Excellent point guard skills with Steve Nash or Jason Kidd-like upside.
SG Tony Allen (74 OVR) - Known as the best defender in the draft. Offensive game is limited but will play key minutes as a rookie because of his tenacious perimeter defense.
PF Andrea Bargnani (75 OVR) - Tries to emulate his game off of Dirk Nowitzki. Has a similar build and is able to get off contested shots with a high degree of difficulty.
SF Travis Outlaw (72 OVR) - One of the most gifted athletes in the draft. Has a long wingspan he uses to elevate over opponents with a decent mid-range touch and good defensive potential.
G Randy Foye (75 OVR) - True definition of a combo guard. Doesn't always prefer to run the offense. Looks a bit like a Lou Williams-type player, providing a spark off the bench.
PF Brandon Bass (73 OVR) - Fairly reliable post presence who will make the defense pay if left open from inside the arc. Pretty respectable defender for his size.
SG Raja Bell (73 OVR) - Most scouts would describe him as a "glue guy." Versatile defender with a great work ethic and promising offensive potential for a second-unit guy.
C Hasheem Thabeet (69 OVR) - Towers over opponents with his 7-foot-3 frame. Skills are far from developed but very intriguing as a potential anchor on the defensive end.
PF Tyrus Thomas (72 OVR) - Runs the floor extremely well for a big man. Gets above the rim with ease but his defensive ability is being questioned at the next level.
SF/SG Carlos Delfino (72 OVR) - Does not have great explosiveness but uses muscle and finesse to create space for himself. Not hesitant to shoot the three-ball.
C Brendan Haywood (73 OVR) - Uses his body as well as anyone in the draft, especially on the interior defensively and on the glass. Not the most reliable scorer but has a good IQ.
PG Raymond Felton (73 OVR) - Somewhat bulky point guard that can attack defenders in different ways: likes posting up on smaller guards and facing up at times. Good ball-handler too.
PF Jonas Jerebko (71 OVR) - The ultimate hustle player. Can guard both the perimeter and the post. Also not afraid to get involved offensively in different ways.
F Steve Novak (71 OVR) - Deadliest perimeter shooter in the draft. Will make the defense pay if not contained off the ball. Makes a living from three-point territory.
SF/SG Mickael Pietrus (73 OVR) - Already very polished as a two-way player. More aggressive defensively than offensively but pretty assertive without the ball in his hands.
SG/SF John Salmons (73 OVR) - Steady wing player with a relatively smooth pull-up game. Should be able to make a lasting impact in this league as a bench player.
C Chris Andersen (72 OVR) - Has great mobility for his size and uses his top-notch verticality to make big defensive plays and powerful finishes above the rim.
SG Chris Douglas-Roberts (72 OVR) - Very streaky but has the ability to quickly heat up and score in spurts. Sometimes disengaged on defense - needs to adapt to the next level.
C Ekpe Udoh (67 OVR) - Physical interior force on the defensive end. Often challenges shots at the rim. Needs to work on his motor and durability but will be highly sought-after in round one.
PG Salim Stoudamire (74 OVR) - My favorite college basketball player of all-time so I'm leading him to a more successful NBA career haha...
PG Steve Blake (71 OVR) - Will be tough to convince teams he can ever be a starting point guard but knows how to control the tempo and take care of the ball as well as anyone.
SG Shannon Brown (71 OVR) - The draft's most entertaining, rim-rocking dunker. Also uses his athleticism to make plays beyond the free-throw line. Fringe lottery pick.
SF/SG Marquis Daniels (71 OVR) - Doesn't stand out in any particular area but can be a tough one-on-one matchup if not taken seriously enough. Doesn't take plays off.
C Byron Mullens (68 OVR) - Doesn't always use height to his advantage but can make up for that by stretching the floor. Needs to prove he can keep his conditioning up to par.
F Linas Kleiza (71 OVR) - One of his team's primary go-to guys overseas but scouts are unsure how his game will translate to the NBA. Could average double-digits if given the opportunity.
C Samuel Dalembert (72 OVR) - More NBA ready than some of the big men in this draft seen with more upside. A steady rim protector that communicates well on the defensive end.
F Al Thornton (71 OVR) - Able to get where he wants on the floor for the most part but does not have a great shooting touch. Maintaining defensively will determine his success.
G Greivis Vasquez (71 OVR) - Has great size and length for a ball-handler. Can play both guard positions but most comfortable making plays with the ball in his hands.
PG Earl Watson (71 OVR) - Average athlete and doesn't have the size to make up for it but extremely aware on both sides of the ball. Someone his coach can trust.
PF Darrell Arthur (70 OVR) - Fluent offensively in the high-post-to-mid-range area. Not particularly a game-changer defensively and an average rebounder.
SF/SG Landry Fields (70 OVR) - Fundamentally sound basketball player with limited upside. Does not need plays called for him in order to thrive as a role player.
SG Luther Head (70 OVR) - Isn't typically counted on to run the offense - and therefore is undersized as a shooting guard. May have some challenges to overcome defensively.
F Jared Jeffries (70 OVR) - Not the quickest player but uses his length really well to defend both the perimeter and the interior. Type of defender a coach could go to late in games.
SF Joey Graham (71 OVR) - Has a good overall feel for the game. Knows how to put the ball in the basket without relying too much on one area of specialty.
PF Craig Smith (68 OVR) - Has somewhat of a raw skill-set but possibly the strongest player in the draft. Consistently making hustle plays and fighting for loose balls.
C Chris Wilcox (69 OVR) - Has pretty good upper body strength but not as physically intimidating as some other big men in this draft. He does have a good touch around the rim though.
PG Marcus Williams (69 OVR) - Very crafty with the ball in his hands but struggles to stay relevant at times when tuned out of the game or given limited minutes.
PG Sebastian Telfair (69 OVR) - Tremendous ball-handling skills would qualify him as an eventual starting point guard. Areas he needs to improve: work ethic and defensive IQ.
SG Sasha Vujacic (70 OVR) - Not super explosive off the dribble but probably one of the more consistent shot-makers in the draft. Not a guy the defense wants to double off of.
G Ronald Murray (69 OVR) - Scouts feel he is perhaps the most overlooked talent in the draft. Isn't usually someone you see taking over the game but is sneaky efficient.
PG Chris Duhon (69 OVR) - Isn't going to make many highlight reel plays but a true floor general who loves getting his teammates involved. Also knows how to take care of the ball.
PF Matt Bonner (69 OVR) - A three-point specialist with the height to shoot over defenders. Could be an ideal catch-and-shoot guy to complement a star in the league.
PG Marcus Banks (67 OVR) - Uses his thick frame to put a body on opposing point guards. Will need to make a name for himself as an X-factor with defense and physicality.
SG Archie Goodwin (67 OVR) - Seen as one of the most unpredictable prospects in the draft. Finished strong at the rim in college but needs to develop a better jump shot.
PG Jannero Pargo (67 OVR) - Tough to imagine him being more than a rotational piece at guard but makes defenses stay true with his mid-range shooting ability.
PF Leon Powe (68 OVR) - Doesn't typically have plays called for him but finds a way to get involved in the action with his consistent effort on both ends. More of an unsung hero than a sixth man.
C Sean Williams (66 OVR) - Nearly all of his most noticeable efforts come at the rim or inside the paint. One of the better shot-blockers in this draft class.
C/PF Mike Sweetney (65 OVR) - Has a massive build - that of a football player. Knows how to set screens and make plays that don't show up on the box score.
F Jamario Moon (67 OVR) - Has the natural length and athleticism to stick around this league for a while but needs to improve his will to score and not let defenses sag off him.
C Dan Gadzuric (67 OVR) - A big body who can be a disruptive force in the paint for opponents. Post skill-set leaves a lot to be desired but some team will take a flier on him due to size.
SG Von Wafer (67 OVR) - Doesn't quite match the raw talent of most first-round pick candidates but has the ambition to be a well-rounded offensive player. Must win his coaches over.
SG Kareem Rush (67 OVR) - Lefty prospect known for his outside shooting touch. Able to get shots off in traffic and draw defenders as a ball-handler. Questionable upside.
SF Rodney White (67 OVR) - Attracted a lot of attention from NBA scouts at the collegiate level. Doesn't play super fast but has the tendency to get above the rim. Big question mark.
C Pero Antic (66 OVR) - One of the better physical profiles in the draft who can also step out and shoot the three-ball fairly well. Doesn't have great defensive agility.
G Sundiata Gaines (66 OVR) - A combo guard that won't hesitate to shoot from deep if given enough space. Critics think he might be too one-dimensional to make it in the league.
SG Malik Hairston (65 OVR) - Athletic wing that plays with high energy. Well-respected coast-to-coast player in college but finding the right fit at the next level could be challenging.
G Sarunas Jasikevicius (65 OVR) - Shoot-first point guard. Doesn't offer much upside outside of his impressive shooting range.
PG Ben Uzoh (66 OVR) - Plays with high energy every time he's on the floor. Doesn't create his own shot that well but also won't be a pushover of an opponent for point guards.
C Pops Mensah-Bonsu (65 OVR) - Ceiling is a backup center in this league. Needs to work on holding onto the ball and finishing strong at the rim.
Draft classes. There are a lot of words to describe them. User-friendly, creativity, variety, etc...
From the draft classes based on real life to the fictional draft classes, the guys who work on these regularly do a great job.
The draft class I'm bringing to you is somewhere right in between real-life and fictional.
What I'm doing is creating real draftees (a few even undrafted) from 2003-ish and beyond - not including guys who are currently active in the NBA.
My creation process is as follows:
ALL PLAYERS start as 24-year-olds. My main focus is what they ended up as. However, I also feel it's really important you control all teams for your 2021 draft as potential and intriguing prospects also play a big part. The unpredictability should make this pretty fun.
No former All-Stars will be in this. However, I decided at the last minute to put really good young players in there that could turn into probably just underneath All-NBA players if utilized correctly. Otherwise, it wouldn't be rewarding enough to pick first.
File Name - Play Ur Role
Here is a summary of all of the players I incorporated into this neat little draft class:
F Shane Battier (75 OVR) - Not the best lockdown, but probably the best all-around defender in the draft. Lots of things to like about him as a basketball player - very trustworthy talent.
SF Matt Barnes (74 OVR) - Almost certainly will be a top-10 pick. Fierce competitor with consistent effort on both ends and a solid all-around presence.
F Andres Nocioni (73 OVR) - Upside is being debated by many scouts and critics but nobody is doubting the combo forward will be able to contribute to a team right away.
SG Ben Gordon (77 OVR) - Undoubtedly the most explosive scorer in the draft. Commands heavy attention from the defense, especially off the ball. Also changes speeds very well.
PF Luis Scola (75 OVR) - A scrappy interior-to-mid-range force who refuses to be outmatched or outmuscled by any opponent. Should last a long time in this league.
SG Arron Afflalo (76 OVR) - A hardnose defender first and foremost but likely the best all-around player in the draft. Has the versatility to play the 1-through-3 spots on the floor.
PG Shaun Livingston (75 OVR) - Some scouts believe any team that could use either guard position would be "fools" not to take him first. Excellent point guard skills with Steve Nash or Jason Kidd-like upside.
SG Tony Allen (74 OVR) - Known as the best defender in the draft. Offensive game is limited but will play key minutes as a rookie because of his tenacious perimeter defense.
PF Andrea Bargnani (75 OVR) - Tries to emulate his game off of Dirk Nowitzki. Has a similar build and is able to get off contested shots with a high degree of difficulty.
SF Travis Outlaw (72 OVR) - One of the most gifted athletes in the draft. Has a long wingspan he uses to elevate over opponents with a decent mid-range touch and good defensive potential.
G Randy Foye (75 OVR) - True definition of a combo guard. Doesn't always prefer to run the offense. Looks a bit like a Lou Williams-type player, providing a spark off the bench.
PF Brandon Bass (73 OVR) - Fairly reliable post presence who will make the defense pay if left open from inside the arc. Pretty respectable defender for his size.
SG Raja Bell (73 OVR) - Most scouts would describe him as a "glue guy." Versatile defender with a great work ethic and promising offensive potential for a second-unit guy.
C Hasheem Thabeet (69 OVR) - Towers over opponents with his 7-foot-3 frame. Skills are far from developed but very intriguing as a potential anchor on the defensive end.
PF Tyrus Thomas (72 OVR) - Runs the floor extremely well for a big man. Gets above the rim with ease but his defensive ability is being questioned at the next level.
SF/SG Carlos Delfino (72 OVR) - Does not have great explosiveness but uses muscle and finesse to create space for himself. Not hesitant to shoot the three-ball.
C Brendan Haywood (73 OVR) - Uses his body as well as anyone in the draft, especially on the interior defensively and on the glass. Not the most reliable scorer but has a good IQ.
PG Raymond Felton (73 OVR) - Somewhat bulky point guard that can attack defenders in different ways: likes posting up on smaller guards and facing up at times. Good ball-handler too.
PF Jonas Jerebko (71 OVR) - The ultimate hustle player. Can guard both the perimeter and the post. Also not afraid to get involved offensively in different ways.
F Steve Novak (71 OVR) - Deadliest perimeter shooter in the draft. Will make the defense pay if not contained off the ball. Makes a living from three-point territory.
SF/SG Mickael Pietrus (73 OVR) - Already very polished as a two-way player. More aggressive defensively than offensively but pretty assertive without the ball in his hands.
SG/SF John Salmons (73 OVR) - Steady wing player with a relatively smooth pull-up game. Should be able to make a lasting impact in this league as a bench player.
C Chris Andersen (72 OVR) - Has great mobility for his size and uses his top-notch verticality to make big defensive plays and powerful finishes above the rim.
SG Chris Douglas-Roberts (72 OVR) - Very streaky but has the ability to quickly heat up and score in spurts. Sometimes disengaged on defense - needs to adapt to the next level.
C Ekpe Udoh (67 OVR) - Physical interior force on the defensive end. Often challenges shots at the rim. Needs to work on his motor and durability but will be highly sought-after in round one.
PG Salim Stoudamire (74 OVR) - My favorite college basketball player of all-time so I'm leading him to a more successful NBA career haha...
PG Steve Blake (71 OVR) - Will be tough to convince teams he can ever be a starting point guard but knows how to control the tempo and take care of the ball as well as anyone.
SG Shannon Brown (71 OVR) - The draft's most entertaining, rim-rocking dunker. Also uses his athleticism to make plays beyond the free-throw line. Fringe lottery pick.
SF/SG Marquis Daniels (71 OVR) - Doesn't stand out in any particular area but can be a tough one-on-one matchup if not taken seriously enough. Doesn't take plays off.
C Byron Mullens (68 OVR) - Doesn't always use height to his advantage but can make up for that by stretching the floor. Needs to prove he can keep his conditioning up to par.
F Linas Kleiza (71 OVR) - One of his team's primary go-to guys overseas but scouts are unsure how his game will translate to the NBA. Could average double-digits if given the opportunity.
C Samuel Dalembert (72 OVR) - More NBA ready than some of the big men in this draft seen with more upside. A steady rim protector that communicates well on the defensive end.
F Al Thornton (71 OVR) - Able to get where he wants on the floor for the most part but does not have a great shooting touch. Maintaining defensively will determine his success.
G Greivis Vasquez (71 OVR) - Has great size and length for a ball-handler. Can play both guard positions but most comfortable making plays with the ball in his hands.
PG Earl Watson (71 OVR) - Average athlete and doesn't have the size to make up for it but extremely aware on both sides of the ball. Someone his coach can trust.
PF Darrell Arthur (70 OVR) - Fluent offensively in the high-post-to-mid-range area. Not particularly a game-changer defensively and an average rebounder.
SF/SG Landry Fields (70 OVR) - Fundamentally sound basketball player with limited upside. Does not need plays called for him in order to thrive as a role player.
SG Luther Head (70 OVR) - Isn't typically counted on to run the offense - and therefore is undersized as a shooting guard. May have some challenges to overcome defensively.
F Jared Jeffries (70 OVR) - Not the quickest player but uses his length really well to defend both the perimeter and the interior. Type of defender a coach could go to late in games.
SF Joey Graham (71 OVR) - Has a good overall feel for the game. Knows how to put the ball in the basket without relying too much on one area of specialty.
PF Craig Smith (68 OVR) - Has somewhat of a raw skill-set but possibly the strongest player in the draft. Consistently making hustle plays and fighting for loose balls.
C Chris Wilcox (69 OVR) - Has pretty good upper body strength but not as physically intimidating as some other big men in this draft. He does have a good touch around the rim though.
PG Marcus Williams (69 OVR) - Very crafty with the ball in his hands but struggles to stay relevant at times when tuned out of the game or given limited minutes.
PG Sebastian Telfair (69 OVR) - Tremendous ball-handling skills would qualify him as an eventual starting point guard. Areas he needs to improve: work ethic and defensive IQ.
SG Sasha Vujacic (70 OVR) - Not super explosive off the dribble but probably one of the more consistent shot-makers in the draft. Not a guy the defense wants to double off of.
G Ronald Murray (69 OVR) - Scouts feel he is perhaps the most overlooked talent in the draft. Isn't usually someone you see taking over the game but is sneaky efficient.
PG Chris Duhon (69 OVR) - Isn't going to make many highlight reel plays but a true floor general who loves getting his teammates involved. Also knows how to take care of the ball.
PF Matt Bonner (69 OVR) - A three-point specialist with the height to shoot over defenders. Could be an ideal catch-and-shoot guy to complement a star in the league.
PG Marcus Banks (67 OVR) - Uses his thick frame to put a body on opposing point guards. Will need to make a name for himself as an X-factor with defense and physicality.
SG Archie Goodwin (67 OVR) - Seen as one of the most unpredictable prospects in the draft. Finished strong at the rim in college but needs to develop a better jump shot.
PG Jannero Pargo (67 OVR) - Tough to imagine him being more than a rotational piece at guard but makes defenses stay true with his mid-range shooting ability.
PF Leon Powe (68 OVR) - Doesn't typically have plays called for him but finds a way to get involved in the action with his consistent effort on both ends. More of an unsung hero than a sixth man.
C Sean Williams (66 OVR) - Nearly all of his most noticeable efforts come at the rim or inside the paint. One of the better shot-blockers in this draft class.
C/PF Mike Sweetney (65 OVR) - Has a massive build - that of a football player. Knows how to set screens and make plays that don't show up on the box score.
F Jamario Moon (67 OVR) - Has the natural length and athleticism to stick around this league for a while but needs to improve his will to score and not let defenses sag off him.
C Dan Gadzuric (67 OVR) - A big body who can be a disruptive force in the paint for opponents. Post skill-set leaves a lot to be desired but some team will take a flier on him due to size.
SG Von Wafer (67 OVR) - Doesn't quite match the raw talent of most first-round pick candidates but has the ambition to be a well-rounded offensive player. Must win his coaches over.
SG Kareem Rush (67 OVR) - Lefty prospect known for his outside shooting touch. Able to get shots off in traffic and draw defenders as a ball-handler. Questionable upside.
SF Rodney White (67 OVR) - Attracted a lot of attention from NBA scouts at the collegiate level. Doesn't play super fast but has the tendency to get above the rim. Big question mark.
C Pero Antic (66 OVR) - One of the better physical profiles in the draft who can also step out and shoot the three-ball fairly well. Doesn't have great defensive agility.
G Sundiata Gaines (66 OVR) - A combo guard that won't hesitate to shoot from deep if given enough space. Critics think he might be too one-dimensional to make it in the league.
SG Malik Hairston (65 OVR) - Athletic wing that plays with high energy. Well-respected coast-to-coast player in college but finding the right fit at the next level could be challenging.
G Sarunas Jasikevicius (65 OVR) - Shoot-first point guard. Doesn't offer much upside outside of his impressive shooting range.
PG Ben Uzoh (66 OVR) - Plays with high energy every time he's on the floor. Doesn't create his own shot that well but also won't be a pushover of an opponent for point guards.
C Pops Mensah-Bonsu (65 OVR) - Ceiling is a backup center in this league. Needs to work on holding onto the ball and finishing strong at the rim.
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