Post by fason on Apr 20, 2018 0:45:18 GMT
This is all purely speculation as I have no inside info or any idea what JHB or Odin have planned. And obviously things will change drastically when summit or whatever is posted. This is just something to hold people over until profiles are posted.
My qualifications for writing this article:
1. I was a GM throughout Odin’s tenure as commishin 4.0
2. I was DM for nearly 20 seasons
3. I’m the guy that made the players that ultimately stuck a fork in 4.0
*Projected grades are based on college stats and guess work.
1. Charles Barkley F 6’6” 252 21
Projected Grades: B C C C+ B- A
Barkley was my personal favorite player of 4.0 and 4.0’s OG stat-stuffing/do it all small forward that we all grew to love. I expect him to be somewhat similar in 5.0 where he’ll average 25-30 PPG (with inside scoring upgrades), shoot a good FT percentage, decent from three-point range, and be one of the best rebounding forwards in the league. Defensively, his blocks won’t be as good, but he should eventually average 1 – 1.5 BPG along with similar steal numbers. Almost everyone in this country loves Chuck and Odin has a surprising affinity for Auburn basketball players, so there should be less fear that Odin will bust him because of his alma mater.
Current Player Comparison: Dolph Schayes
2. Champ Godbolt PF 7’2” 275 19
Projected Grades: C+ B- D C+ C+ A
Godbolt was the most shocking player in this draft from 4.0. Odin decided to make a 7’2” center with great three-point shooting, eventually he was moved to SF, where he became an absurd defender and one of the first cheese players of 4.0. He won’t be SF eligible this time, but he will probably be the best scoring big in this class along with a solid-good defender. If he starts at 19 years old again and has grades close to what I projected, then he should be a lock to go no lower than 4th in this draft.
Current Player Comparison: Jon Pierce (2000's Version)
3. Michael Jordan SG 6’6” 195 21
Projected Grades: B- C+ C+ B- C A
Yes, this is correct, I have Michael Jordan at three just like the irl 84 draft. I’d have him at one if anyone else was making this class, but it’s Odin. In shout yesterday, he made the comment that he has no problem busting Michael Jordan and making Michael Jackson a beast, because he thinks it’s funny and he’s all about the storyline. In 4.0, Jordan had a borderline HOF career and had the best starting grades of all-time at that point in sim league. IIRC Odin gave 4.0 Jordan very low jumping, intending for him to be a solid-good player with a low ceiling. I could honestly see Odin doing something similar again, except giving him a ton of jumping this time, where he’ll need +25 before he comes close to reaching the scoring output that I’m sure many GMs are expecting. I still think Jordan will end up a good player, but whoever drafts will need to temper their expectations.
Current Player Comparison: Nick Diaz
4. Hakeem Olajuwon C 7’0” 255 21
Projected Grades: B D D B B- A
Hakeem was a good big in early 4.0, I remember him peaking as a solid max level player that averaged about 18 PPG, 12 RPG and 3.5 BPG on decent shooting percentages. With shot blocking being nerfed in this iteration of sim league, I’m eager to see what Hakeem looks like considering he averaged 4.5 a game during his college career. I’m expecting him to start with one of the best defensive grades that we’ll see from any big during the first ten seasons 5.0. Offensively, he may end up being a project because of his poor free throw shooting. Still, whoever drafts him should be excited about potentially having one of the best two-way bigs in the league.
Current Player Comparison: Brandon Griner with better rebounding
5. Sam Bowie C 7’1” 245 22
Projected Grades: B- C- D+ C+ B- B
Bowie sucked in 4.0, he was one of those bigs who could score 20 a game, but it came on sub 40% shooting and he killed your offense. He was also below average on defense and only a decent rebounder. His stats in college weren’t all that exciting, he was solid at everything without any glaring flaws. The reason I have him this high is because an early trend in 5.0 seems to be that players who once sucked are now good in 5.0.
Current Player Comparison: Leonard Leslie
6. Alvin Robertson CG 6’3 185 22
Projected Grades: C+ C+ C+ C+ C A
Robertson was arguably the best player from this class in 4.0. IIRC he ended up winning a couple MVPs and a title or two. In 4.0 he was a shooting guard that got to B+ handles then moved to point guard, which is why I now have him as a combo guard. His defense and rebounding stats are pretty impressive for a 6’3” guard, he wasn’t a huge scorer though. I’m not sure lightning will strike twice here where Odin builds him to be a volume scoring superstar again, but the rest of his game should be there and I like his chances to be the best point guard in this class.
Current Player Comparison: Rowdy Eavenson
7. Sam Perkins PF 6’8” 235 22
Projected Grades: C+ B D+ C+ C+ A
Perkins is one those players where his strengths should easily translate to sim league, he plays below the rim, can shoot well from the outside and block some shots. His stats in college don’t show any glaring flaws. I think in 4.0 he peaked as a max level player that was always a borderline all-star. He feels like the type of player that should have a pretty high floor. I’m expecting him to be a stretch 4 that can only play PF in 5.0, but if he’s listed as a hybrid F then I would move him up to at least the 5th spot.
Current Player Comparison: Laurence Jackson
8. Terence Stansbury SG 6’5” 175 22
Projected Grades: C+ B- C C+ C- B
Stansbury had a really strange career in 4.0, he started out great, looking like a perennial All-Star because Odin made him a good defender that could average 20-25 PPG. Then immediately after his rookie deal, his production fell completely off a cliff and he became a post FA signing roster filler type of player. I’m guessing something crazy happened in TC or Odin originally gave him 50 potential. Stansbury put up a couple good scoring seasons in college so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s made to be similar to his 4.0 predecessor, just hopefully with more potential this time.
Current Player Comparison: Grayson Allen
9 . Kevin Willis C 7’0” 220 22
Projected Grades: C+ D D- C+ C+ B
Oh, Kevin Willis, where to begin. Back in 4.0 Odin made Willis a beast as a shot blocker and rebounder that would score 10-12 PPG, I then had the bright idea to try and make him an 18-20 PPG scorer, put a lot of points into his inside scoring, he then became a Sam Bowie clone of offense which cancelled out his good traits. Whoops, I was still pretty new to this at the time. Willis is the big that I think is most likely to be made an elite no shoot D/R big.
Current Player Comparison: Karim Shabazz
10. Dick Mumma C 6’11” 254 21
Projected Grades: B- D D- C+ B- C
It’s as simple as Odin loves him some phallic names. And although he was terrible in 4.0, I remember Odin saying he made him with the intention that he’d be good. I think Mumma will be made as one of those players who is elite at one particular skill like shot blocking or rebounding.
Current Player Comparison: Scoonie Saperstein/Zeus Shuttlesworth
11. John Stockton PG 6’1” 170 22
Projected Grades: C C+ B B- D B
Poor John Stockton is the complete opposite of Sam Perkins, his strengths don’t really translate in sim. Being unselfish, dishing out a lot of his assists and playing good on-ball defense is recipe for being out of the league after your rookie deal. Stockton was a bust in 4.0 that peaked as an okay back up PG. One thing he does have going for him in 5.0, he’s white.
Current Player Comparison: Sean Bird
12. Otis Thorpe PF 6’9” 230 22
Projected Grades: B- D D B- B- C
He was meh in 4.0, even for a late-lotto pick, peaking as a third or fourth big IIRC. He averaged just about a double-double for his college career so I expect he’ll start with good rebounding. I don’t expect him to be too much of a scorer, as he was a pretty poor free throw shooter, . He'll probably get picked in the late lotto again and be a career long third big.
Current Player Comparison: Sum Ting Wong
13. Mel Turpin C 6’11” 245 21
Projected Grades: B- C D C+ C A
Turpin was picked 10th in this draft for 4.0, then had a meh career, bouncing around as a post TC free agent post rookie deal. In college, he averaged almost 2 BPG for his career and wasn’t a bad scorer. His rebounding was terrible though. I’m expecting him to be a project, with a chance to be good he’s given a lot points.
Current Player Comparison: Marvin Bagley
14. Thor Conradt SG 6’5” 222 21
Projected Grades: C B- C C+ C- B
Great name, and that’s it. I’m rooting for him to suck though, just to avoid having to read nerdy Avenger jokes and references from Ian.
Current Player Comparison: Timo Cruz
15. Lancaster Gordon PG 6’3” 185 22
Projected Grades: C B- C C D+ B
Another good name, with college stats that deserve attention. I could see him being a project initially that turns into one of the best guards in this class.
Current Player Comparison: Aljami Durham
My qualifications for writing this article:
1. I was a GM throughout Odin’s tenure as commishin 4.0
2. I was DM for nearly 20 seasons
3. I’m the guy that made the players that ultimately stuck a fork in 4.0
*Projected grades are based on college stats and guess work.
1. Charles Barkley F 6’6” 252 21
Projected Grades: B C C C+ B- A
Barkley was my personal favorite player of 4.0 and 4.0’s OG stat-stuffing/do it all small forward that we all grew to love. I expect him to be somewhat similar in 5.0 where he’ll average 25-30 PPG (with inside scoring upgrades), shoot a good FT percentage, decent from three-point range, and be one of the best rebounding forwards in the league. Defensively, his blocks won’t be as good, but he should eventually average 1 – 1.5 BPG along with similar steal numbers. Almost everyone in this country loves Chuck and Odin has a surprising affinity for Auburn basketball players, so there should be less fear that Odin will bust him because of his alma mater.
Current Player Comparison: Dolph Schayes
2. Champ Godbolt PF 7’2” 275 19
Projected Grades: C+ B- D C+ C+ A
Godbolt was the most shocking player in this draft from 4.0. Odin decided to make a 7’2” center with great three-point shooting, eventually he was moved to SF, where he became an absurd defender and one of the first cheese players of 4.0. He won’t be SF eligible this time, but he will probably be the best scoring big in this class along with a solid-good defender. If he starts at 19 years old again and has grades close to what I projected, then he should be a lock to go no lower than 4th in this draft.
Current Player Comparison: Jon Pierce (2000's Version)
3. Michael Jordan SG 6’6” 195 21
Projected Grades: B- C+ C+ B- C A
Yes, this is correct, I have Michael Jordan at three just like the irl 84 draft. I’d have him at one if anyone else was making this class, but it’s Odin. In shout yesterday, he made the comment that he has no problem busting Michael Jordan and making Michael Jackson a beast, because he thinks it’s funny and he’s all about the storyline. In 4.0, Jordan had a borderline HOF career and had the best starting grades of all-time at that point in sim league. IIRC Odin gave 4.0 Jordan very low jumping, intending for him to be a solid-good player with a low ceiling. I could honestly see Odin doing something similar again, except giving him a ton of jumping this time, where he’ll need +25 before he comes close to reaching the scoring output that I’m sure many GMs are expecting. I still think Jordan will end up a good player, but whoever drafts will need to temper their expectations.
Current Player Comparison: Nick Diaz
4. Hakeem Olajuwon C 7’0” 255 21
Projected Grades: B D D B B- A
Hakeem was a good big in early 4.0, I remember him peaking as a solid max level player that averaged about 18 PPG, 12 RPG and 3.5 BPG on decent shooting percentages. With shot blocking being nerfed in this iteration of sim league, I’m eager to see what Hakeem looks like considering he averaged 4.5 a game during his college career. I’m expecting him to start with one of the best defensive grades that we’ll see from any big during the first ten seasons 5.0. Offensively, he may end up being a project because of his poor free throw shooting. Still, whoever drafts him should be excited about potentially having one of the best two-way bigs in the league.
Current Player Comparison: Brandon Griner with better rebounding
5. Sam Bowie C 7’1” 245 22
Projected Grades: B- C- D+ C+ B- B
Bowie sucked in 4.0, he was one of those bigs who could score 20 a game, but it came on sub 40% shooting and he killed your offense. He was also below average on defense and only a decent rebounder. His stats in college weren’t all that exciting, he was solid at everything without any glaring flaws. The reason I have him this high is because an early trend in 5.0 seems to be that players who once sucked are now good in 5.0.
Current Player Comparison: Leonard Leslie
6. Alvin Robertson CG 6’3 185 22
Projected Grades: C+ C+ C+ C+ C A
Robertson was arguably the best player from this class in 4.0. IIRC he ended up winning a couple MVPs and a title or two. In 4.0 he was a shooting guard that got to B+ handles then moved to point guard, which is why I now have him as a combo guard. His defense and rebounding stats are pretty impressive for a 6’3” guard, he wasn’t a huge scorer though. I’m not sure lightning will strike twice here where Odin builds him to be a volume scoring superstar again, but the rest of his game should be there and I like his chances to be the best point guard in this class.
Current Player Comparison: Rowdy Eavenson
7. Sam Perkins PF 6’8” 235 22
Projected Grades: C+ B D+ C+ C+ A
Perkins is one those players where his strengths should easily translate to sim league, he plays below the rim, can shoot well from the outside and block some shots. His stats in college don’t show any glaring flaws. I think in 4.0 he peaked as a max level player that was always a borderline all-star. He feels like the type of player that should have a pretty high floor. I’m expecting him to be a stretch 4 that can only play PF in 5.0, but if he’s listed as a hybrid F then I would move him up to at least the 5th spot.
Current Player Comparison: Laurence Jackson
8. Terence Stansbury SG 6’5” 175 22
Projected Grades: C+ B- C C+ C- B
Stansbury had a really strange career in 4.0, he started out great, looking like a perennial All-Star because Odin made him a good defender that could average 20-25 PPG. Then immediately after his rookie deal, his production fell completely off a cliff and he became a post FA signing roster filler type of player. I’m guessing something crazy happened in TC or Odin originally gave him 50 potential. Stansbury put up a couple good scoring seasons in college so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s made to be similar to his 4.0 predecessor, just hopefully with more potential this time.
Current Player Comparison: Grayson Allen
9 . Kevin Willis C 7’0” 220 22
Projected Grades: C+ D D- C+ C+ B
Oh, Kevin Willis, where to begin. Back in 4.0 Odin made Willis a beast as a shot blocker and rebounder that would score 10-12 PPG, I then had the bright idea to try and make him an 18-20 PPG scorer, put a lot of points into his inside scoring, he then became a Sam Bowie clone of offense which cancelled out his good traits. Whoops, I was still pretty new to this at the time. Willis is the big that I think is most likely to be made an elite no shoot D/R big.
Current Player Comparison: Karim Shabazz
10. Dick Mumma C 6’11” 254 21
Projected Grades: B- D D- C+ B- C
It’s as simple as Odin loves him some phallic names. And although he was terrible in 4.0, I remember Odin saying he made him with the intention that he’d be good. I think Mumma will be made as one of those players who is elite at one particular skill like shot blocking or rebounding.
Current Player Comparison: Scoonie Saperstein/Zeus Shuttlesworth
11. John Stockton PG 6’1” 170 22
Projected Grades: C C+ B B- D B
Poor John Stockton is the complete opposite of Sam Perkins, his strengths don’t really translate in sim. Being unselfish, dishing out a lot of his assists and playing good on-ball defense is recipe for being out of the league after your rookie deal. Stockton was a bust in 4.0 that peaked as an okay back up PG. One thing he does have going for him in 5.0, he’s white.
Current Player Comparison: Sean Bird
12. Otis Thorpe PF 6’9” 230 22
Projected Grades: B- D D B- B- C
He was meh in 4.0, even for a late-lotto pick, peaking as a third or fourth big IIRC. He averaged just about a double-double for his college career so I expect he’ll start with good rebounding. I don’t expect him to be too much of a scorer, as he was a pretty poor free throw shooter, . He'll probably get picked in the late lotto again and be a career long third big.
Current Player Comparison: Sum Ting Wong
13. Mel Turpin C 6’11” 245 21
Projected Grades: B- C D C+ C A
Turpin was picked 10th in this draft for 4.0, then had a meh career, bouncing around as a post TC free agent post rookie deal. In college, he averaged almost 2 BPG for his career and wasn’t a bad scorer. His rebounding was terrible though. I’m expecting him to be a project, with a chance to be good he’s given a lot points.
Current Player Comparison: Marvin Bagley
14. Thor Conradt SG 6’5” 222 21
Projected Grades: C B- C C+ C- B
Great name, and that’s it. I’m rooting for him to suck though, just to avoid having to read nerdy Avenger jokes and references from Ian.
Current Player Comparison: Timo Cruz
15. Lancaster Gordon PG 6’3” 185 22
Projected Grades: C B- C C D+ B
Another good name, with college stats that deserve attention. I could see him being a project initially that turns into one of the best guards in this class.
Current Player Comparison: Aljami Durham
