PG-Baron Davis $3.9 mil SG-Tracy McGrady $12 mil SF-Dirk Nowitzki $2.923 mil (extension kicks in after 2002/2003) PF-Tim Duncan $12 mil C-Ben Wallace $5 mil SALARY TOTAL: $35.8 mil 6th man-Paul Pierce $2.79 mil Andre Miller $2.46 mil Shawn Marion $2.26 mil Elton Brand $4.89 Eddie Griffin $2.1 mil Pau Gasol $3.94 mil TOTAL: $51.98 mil which should be very near to 2002/2003 salary cap. most of these guys are low paid b/c of their rookie contract still in affect...so basically one championship run and we break the team apart heheh
This team would be well under the cap barring rookie contracts (and neither particularly good nor exciting)... Starting Five: Center - Jelani McCoy I would need a center who has the speed and quickness to beat his man to the post, blocking shots on occasion. No defensive rebounding needed. His only offense should come from putbacks - attaining a FG% of about 75% percent. McCoy, who makes close to the league minimum, would suffice. Power Forward - Danny Fortson Fortson should take the weakest defensive assignment and hang within five feet of the basket - on both ends of the floor. With enough minutes, his physical play would allow him to average 20 rpg without getting into too much foul trouble. On offense, if he didn't force so many shots, his post-moves could easily allow him to lead the league in field goal percentage and free throws attempted (per field goal attempt). His often-poor footwork makes him turnover-prone, but he has passing ability and is a smart player for the most part. If he balks at re-signing, there's always Dennis Rodman. Small Forward - Rodney Rogers Streak shooter who can play anywhere on the court. Should lead the team in scoring. Shooting Guard - Bruce Bowen Defensive stopper - the crux of perimeter defense - with good range. More importantly, he attempts about seven three-pointers a game. Should attempt about 20 shots/game. Point Guard - Jon Barry Has great ball-handling skills and can create plenty of shots. Unfortunately, he is always under control and shoots with over 40% accuracy, so the team shouldn't ask too much offense out of him... perhaps moving him to the point because of his court sense. Bench: Sixth Man - Ed O'Bannon Why not? He flopped in the pros was because of his reticence to shoot and play one-on-one - he was great in college only because plays were drawn for him (the fact overran defensive plays and wasn't very athletic didn't help, either, but those are only minor knocks in my book). He would make a great role-player because he can play three positions. Thirteenth Man - Miles Simon Former NCAA tournament MVP (like O'Bannon) was recently cut by a professional league in Israel. He's only here to collect an NBA paycheck out of compassion. Staff: Coach - Rick Pitino He would be great for inconsistent, losing teams. His inclination to press and force a lot of threes, not to mention his ability to control tempo, would mean that he could (with any roster) pull of an upset of a 60-win team one night and lose to the Grizzlies at home the next. He could guarantee 25-35 wins - no more, no less. General Manager and Scout - Rick Pitino The best evaluator of talent in the world... CBA talent, that is.
