2010 NBA Fantasy Draft: Picks 1-5

editor's note: TWolfPack.com is proud to present to you the 2010 NBA Fantasy Draft. TWolfPack member Chad Cox and I have taken it upon ourselves to not only draft the starting lineups for every team in the league (each of us picked every other pick) but also present our decisions as if the draft took place live on ESPN. We'll post five new picks every couple of days until we're through the first round, and then post the subsequent rounds in their entirety. If you don't feel like reading the ESPN commentary you can scroll to the end of the article to view a listing of the picks. We hope you enjoy reading this as much as we did creating it. And with that, let's send it over to Stuart Scott in New York ...

Stuart Scott: What's good?! I'm Stuart Scott here at the Theater at Madison Square Garden as we prepare for the biggest night in sports history, the 2010 NBA Fantasy Draft. Before you meet the rest of the crew let's take a few moments to recap the rules for tonight's event.

First, all NBA players have been removed from their respective teams and have been placed in a "pool" of sorts.

Second, the 30 NBA teams will go through a draft and re-create their teams from scratch, with only their past scouting and ability to prognosticate the future to guide them.

Third, all current salaries will be wiped clean and re-determined based on draft position, thus making each pick based on talent and age alone, not whether or not a player is worthy of his current salary.

Fourth, the draft will be in a "snake" format, meaning that the team that picks first in round one will pick last in round two, and vice versa.

And finally, teams are required to fill their starting lineups in the first five picks. The NBA understands that starters may change throughout the season, but wants each team to draft one player at each position before moving on to filling out their rosters.

Here to join me tonight as always are Jay Bilas, Mark Jackson, and the venerable Jeff Van Gundy. Jeff, let's start with you first. What do you expect from an event as unprecedented as the one we'll be witnessing tonight?

JVG: Simply put, it's going to be a disaster! Teams and players were only informed of the league's decision to restructure the rosters THIS MORNING! There has been no time to scout, no time to put together a proper strategy or big board, and no time to even exhale ever since this whirlwind began. Lots of teams are going to make mistakes today, but some are going to hit the jackpot!

Scott: Ah yes, that reminds me. The NBA has determined that the fairest way to determine the draft positions was by random drawing five minutes before each pick. That means that each team will have to follow every pick intensely because they may be coming up next without even knowing it.

JVG: INSANITY!!!

Jackson: Even though my esteemed colleague may not be a fan of the shakeup, I couldn't be more excited. The league has needed a shakeup like this for a long time. If all goes well tonight there should be 30 evenly matched teams, not the haves and have nots that we've been experiencing for the past few years.

Scott: Great point. Jay, what do you feel will be the most interesting aspect of tonight's proceedings?

Bilas: That's simple Stu. What I'm most interested in seeing will be the draft strategies by the different teams. Do they draft the best available player, draft youth and plan for the future, or do they combine the two and try to set up a dynasty that could both compete immediately and be well set up moving forward.

Scott: We've just received word that the commissioner is on his way to the stage to greet the crowd and announce which team will be picking first, so really quickly ... Who do you each expect to come out of this process with the best team?

JVG: I'm leaning towards Houston. They may not impress everybody on paper, but when it's all said and done I think that Daryl Morey will surprise us all once again.

Bilas: I think that's simple. Whoever ends up with LeBron James will have the best team.

Jackson: Who needs a coach right now?

Scott: Uuummm, I guess that Chicago might be looking soon.

Jackson: Then Chicago ... Definitely Chicago.

Scott: Wow, really subtle Mark. Let’s send it up to the podium where the commissioner is about to get everything started.

David Stern: Thank you so much to those of you here in attendance, and also to the millions of NBA fans watching from around the globe. Tonight marks a new era in NBA basketball. In recent years our attendance numbers have been declining, revenues have gone down, and we’re on the verge of another work stoppage. Many blame this on the global economy, but I know better. We have too many teams that are stuck in a pattern of not competing. We can no longer have 20% of the league’s teams bringing in 80% of the profits. That’s why tonight we will hold the first ever NBA fantasy draft and we will leave with 30 evenly matched teams. Now let’s get down to business. The LA Clippers are now on the clock. They will have five minutes to make their selection. And if you aren't down with that, then I got two words for ya! (holds microphone in the air for a brief moment then drops it to the floor and walks off stage)

Scott: Well that was certainly interesting. I wonder what two words he was referring to.

JVG: If I’m not mistaken he was referring to the German phrase, Frohe Ostern, which means “Happy Easter.”

Jackson: You’re an idiot.

Scott: Moving on! Jay, is there any choice for the Clippers here besides LeBron James?

Bilas: None whatsoever Stu. If you get the first pick you take LeBron James without even thinking about it. He’s the best player in the game, he’s still young and he can play four positions. It makes the rest of your draft so much easier.

Scott: It looks like the Clippers have come to a quick decision as the commissioner has made his way back to the podium.

Stern: With the first pick in the 2010 NBA Fantasy Draft, the LA Clippers select ... LeBron James.

Scott: Well there you have it. LeBron James is now a member of the LA Clippers. But with such names as Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul still available the draft is about to get very interesting.

Scott: Here comes Stern to announce the second team picking in the draft.

Stern: The Minnesota Timberwolves have received the right to pick 2nd in the NBA draft.

Bilas: Wow, the two most dysfunctional franchises in the NBA get picks 1 and 2, what the hell is going on?

Jackson: Somehow you get the feeling that Lebron is about to be hit by a bus so the Clippers head back to doormat land, and whoever is selected from the Wolves, loses a leg in a freak vending machine accident.

JVG: “Vending machine accident” Mark?

Jackson: Yeah, I love those ones with super balls in them, those things bounce like a mile!

Chad Ford: Ooh, and the fake tattoos! My mom won’t let me get a real tattoo, but with this sweet unicorn tattoo, the NBA players know I am keeping it real, and they can dish with me.

Bilas: Here we go, God I hate you guys.

Scott: Here comes Stern.

Stern: With the 2nd pick in the NBA draft, Minnesota selects Chris Paul.

Bilas: No huge surprise here, the leagues best point guard to run things is an excellent first pick for this team.

Jackson: I would have gone with Kobe, the best player in the game, he’s better than Michael Jordan ever was.

Bilas: So says the guy who still plays with super balls.

Scott: Here comes Stern to tell us the 3rd team.

Stern: The Philadelphia 76ers have received the right to the 3rd pick.

Scott: If there’s anybody that’s excited for the league being shuffled it has to be Ed Stefanski. He was hired two years ago by a team that had just made the playoffs and had as much cap room as anybody in the league. He then proceeded to sign a broken down Elton Brand to a $70 million contract and agree to give Andre Iguodala over $12 million per season. They had some nice young pieces, but they were paying the luxury tax without any way to significantly improve or challenge the league’s top teams. Now he sits here with the third overall pick and the ability to completely remake his team and excite a fan base that is waiting for a reason to be excited about the Sixers again.

SVG: Stefanski could cement his legacy by taking Yao Ming right here even though he won’t be available until 2011 and will most likely never be the same player.

Jackson: Kobe’s gotta be the pick. No way there are three GMs that are dumb enough to pass on the guy.

Scott: Let’s send it down to the floor now where our insider Marc Stein joins us. Welcome Marc.

Stein: Thanks guys. I’ve been talking to a few of my sources for the last few minutes and I’m fairly confident that the Sixers may, or may not, select Dwyane Wade with this pick.

Scott: Wait, what?

Stein: Basically my sources are telling me that Ed Stefanski and Eddie Jordan are currently deciding whether to draft Wade, or to pass and pick somebody else.

Bilas: So you don’t know what is going to happen?

Stein: You’re not listening. If A equals B and B is greater than or equal to C then the Sixers will draft Dwyane Wade.

(60 seconds of silence)

Scott: Let’s send it to the podium.

Stern: With the third pick in the 2010 NBA Fantasy Draft the Philadelphia 76ers select Dwight Howard.

Bilas: There were lots of options for Philly here but I don’t think anybody can blame them for taking Howard.

Jackson: (clears throat)

Bilas: Ok, no sane person can blame them for taking Howard.

Scott: With us now via video conference is Ed Stefanski, General Manager of the 76ers. Ed, what was the thinking behind the Howard pick.

Stefanski: Thanks for having me. Basically, we felt that while there were many great players available, we did not think that we would have the chance to take an all-star center at the end of the second round. There will still be good players available, but our gamble is that all the good centers will be off the board in the first two rounds. And, we felt that Dwight is just a great, great player.

Scott: Good points all around. Well good luck in the later rounds.

Stefanski: Thanks Stu.

Scott: Stern is now heading to the podium to announce which team has won the rights to the fourth pick.

Stern: San Antonio will be selecting 4th.

Bilas: Well our first heavyweight gets to pick, could be real interesting what they do here.

Stein: Popovich has Kobe on the board, but will Kobe’s style work in Pop’s system?

Jackson: Will it work? Are you kidding me?!?! If Pop drafts Kobe, he can go home, and just take whatever is left, Kobe can win all by himself…

Bilas: We interrupt this irrational fascination with some legitimate takes….

Scott: You disagree Jay?

Bilas: With Jackson? On principal yes… but Kobe would be a wise pick here.

Scott: Here’s Stern.

Stern: With the 4th pick of the NBA draft, San Antonio selects Kobe Bryant.

Jackson: Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Bilas: Tool. Smart pick, I think Pop could coach anyone, and anyone would work well in his system, so makes sense.

Scott: While we were waiting for Mark to stop yelling the commissioner announced that Chicago will be selecting fifth, but before we discuss the Windy City’s options, let’s bring in Gregg Popavich who happens to be here with us in the booth. What brings you to New York Coach?

Popavich: Well this draft of course. David flew me in on his private jet this afternoon.

Scott: By David you mean Commissioner Stern?

Popavich: Of course. The commish and I are tight.

Scott: Well that’s interesting. But I assume that you’re more interested in talking about your picking of Kobe Bryant. Aren’t you a little worried that he only has three or four more years of high level production left?

Popavich: Worried? No. Excited? Yes. I only want to coach three or four more years so I wasn’t going to draft somebody that wouldn’t have a chance to win now and then retire. That’s why I picked the fourth pick when David asked me which spot I wanted in the draft. I felt pretty safe that Kobe would still be there.

Bilas: Wait, did you just say that Stern let you pick your own draft slot?

Popavich: Uuuummm, I’ve said too much. I gotta go guys, it’s been real. (Quickly walks away without making eye contact with anybody)

Scott: Wow, that was quite the admission by San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popavich. We’ll see if Stein or Bucher can gather any more information for us. But since we only have a few moments before Chicago picks, what direction do you think they go here fellas?

JVG: They have to go with Dwyane Wade here. I mean, come on! Hometown boy!

Jackson: I agree, Wade makes sense.

Scott: Jay?

Bilas: I believe that Wade is in fact the last player remaining in the top tier of talent. There are still good players available like Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams and Kevin Durant ... But Wade easily rounds out the top-5.

Scott: Let’s send it to the commissioner.

Stern: With the fifth pick in the 2010 NBA Fantasy Draft, the Chicago Bulls select ... Dwyane Wade.

Bucher: Stu, I just got word that the Bulls plan to select Dwyane Wade with the fifth pick.

Scott: Thank you Ric, that was as groundbreaking as ever.

Bilas: I FEEL LIKE I’M TAKING CRAZY PILLS!!!

JVG: Jay, if you do what we do for long enough you don’t even notice it anymore.

Scott: Well, the first five picks are behind us in this first ever NBA Fantasy Draft. But stay right where you are because things are bound to get crazy-exciting when we return.

<<COMMERCIAL BREAK>>


1st Round
LA Clippers: LeBron James
Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Paul
Philadelphia 76ers: Dwight Howard
San Antonio Spurs: Kobe Bryant
Chicago Bulls: Dwyane Wade