Lebron was the last big domino of the offseason. Let's assess the contenders now.
Since I started thinking about roster construction playing the old NBA Live games, my belief is that championship teams have to have two things 1) a great closing lineup and 2) an elite 6-man rotation. That means any 5 players of the 6-man rotation should form a coherent team.
| Rank | Team | Closing 5 | 6th man |
| 1 | OKC | Hartenstein, Chet, Williams, Caruso, SGA | McCain (?) |
| 2 | Spurs | Wemby, Champagnie, Harper, Castle, Fox | Kornet |
| 3 | NYK | KAT, OG, Hart, Bridges, Brunson | Drummond |
| 4 | 76ers | Embiid, Bron, Brown, VJ, Maxey | Wade |
| 5 | T-Wolves | Gobert, McDaniels, Ant, Ayo, LaMelo | DiVincenzo |
| 6 | Nuggets | Jokic, Gordon, Johnson, Braun, Murray | ? |
| 7 | Pacers | Zubac, Siakam, Nesmith, Nembhard, Hali | Toppin (?) |
| 8 | Celtics | Tatum, George, Hauser, Pritchard, White | Robinson |
| 9 | Pistons | Duren (?), Collins, Robinson, Ausar, Cade | Joe |
| 10 | Cavs | Allen, Mobley, Strus, Mitchell, Harden | Schroeder |
| 11 | Warriors | Kristaps, Horford, Draymond, Jimmy, Steph | Podz |
Ok, maybe the Warriors aren't real contenders but I love that team!
I couldn't tell who OKC's 6th man is because there are like 5 excellent options.
The Spurs could be a lot better off after trading Fox because it would open a spot for Vassel. If the Heat could pick him up, they would jump onto this list. As is, they're backcourt is a mess.
We'll see if the Nuggets re-sign Brown or Watson. They need a better 6th man than they have right now.
The T-Wolves will have to play really small when Gobert's out. Ant's really strong and Jalen's really tall, so maybe they can manage.
Drummond is not the 6th man for the Knicks!
If he's not, then they don't have a 6-man rotation that makes sense because no one else can play center. Contenders almost always have a coherent 6-man rotation.
I guess OG and Hart could combine forces to approximate a big. Who is their 6th then?
It’s hard to say. It was 6 by committee last season. Shamet, Clarkson, McBride all gave solid minutes. Robinson out and Drummond in. Robinson gave solid minutes at center but when I think of a 6 man I think offense. Someone who can get a bucket. Robinson didn’t get many buckets
I'm not talking about exactly the same thing as a regular season 6th man. A lot of teams close with their 6th man on the court.
I'm talking about whichever of the 6 most important guys is on the bench at the end but plays significant minutes.
Okay so not guys who would be nominated for the 6th man award but a key piece who plays a critical role. In that case yes Robinson was a major piece in the rotation. Hopefully Drummond can fill that rol.
Yeah, Robinson was definitely it last year but I'm not sure Drummond will be.
Yeah he’s not a dog on the boards like Robinson. I like how you got the Knicks 3rd. I do think Detroit is a problem but Boston got worse. Philly will have egos to manage.
Better believe we talked about Philly last night
Take the Warriors out and add the Raptors
We don't even know who's on the Raptors
Kawhi is going to get suspended for 60 games. Raptors will renegotiate the trade and offer less draft capital but still get it done. Kawhi will come back healthy and rested for the playoff push. Sounds like a winning formula to me. You should move them to the top 5.
Let's run them through the exercise
Closing 5
Barnes, CMB (?), Kawhi, Barrett, Quickley
"6th Man"
Poetl (TJD?)
Not bad, if Kawhi's available for the entire playoffs.
Ugh Poeltl is always the weak link. Just trade him for Jokic already. That's what I would do. I don't know why they haven't thought of it.