The "Fantasy" Draft: Part 2

Talk about classy, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are two of the nicest guys in the league. Almost too nice in fact. Some say that they lack a killer instinct and would serve better as second bananas on a championship caliber team. So here's who we got for the Squirtle Squad -- Dr J. The face of the ABA, the slam dunk king, and one of the classiest (and most iconic) athletes to grace the planet. Dr J had to face some adversity in his career and critics said he was too nice also. But Dr J has won quite a few titles in both the ABA and the NBA. His swooping athletic style of play would fit right in next to KG and Ray-Ray -- and he could take the spotlight off of them. The Doctor, with his 70's flare pants, and Boris Diaw, with his European fashion sense, could go shopping for tight pants together. In addition, with a backstabbing bastard like Carlos Boozer on your team, you're gonna need a true ambassador of basketball on your side if you want to win the fans over. Julius, the Doctor, Errrrvvvviiiiiiinggg!!!

Buffy is stacked. Young leaders like Chris Paul and Joe Johnson are ready to take veterans like Chris Webber, Baron Davis, Antawn Jamison, and Shaquille O'Neal to the promised land. Well, the Diesel has been there four times, but of late, he's needed some help. While Shaq has always been a powerful leader, his ability to galvanize and influence will fade with age. If you notice, Buffy is composed of players who have never had success in the playoffs -- outside of Shaq. Who's gonna take this team to the next level? Rashard Lewis? C Webb -- the unclutchest player ever? Very doubtful. This team needs some magic, or more accurately, they need Big Game James. Mr Worthy has won championships at every level of basketball and his nickname says it all -- he's big game. And he's exactly what this team needs to bring home the trophy.

Another team looking for a little motivation is Morrie's Pogiboys. While Alvin's team already has a great leader and clutch performer in Chauncey Billups, everyone else on the roster is just promise. Elton Brand and Chris Kaman are a (very) promising front line. Gerald Wallace and Channing Frye have promising futures ahead. Stephon Marbury -- a native New Yorker who desperately wants to bring a trophy home to Madison Square Garden -- has always been about unfulfilled promise. This team desperately needs some inspiration and motivation. So we go back to 1970, Game 7, Knicks versus the Lakers. An injured Willis Reed walks out of the tunnel, hits his first two shots, and the Knicks run away to their first championship. Willis can walk out of that tunnel again...April 2007. Slow-motion shot on Pogiboy trophy ceremony, cut scene, roll credits. Video edited and produced by Matrix and Porta.

What to buy for the team that has four multi-talented swingmen (Pierce, Vince, Jefferson, Odom)? How about one of the greatest swingmen ever? Scottie Pippen! Sure Scottie was a bit of an insecure malcontent but Vince Carter needs a drinking buddy right? And Paul Pierce is man enough for both of them. A migraine? Try coming back after getting stabbed a bazillion times Scottie! And we're not talking stabs of the verbal variety either. Despite his sometimes delicate mental makeup, Pippen was the ultimate player. Dominant on defense, great on offense, and athletic as hell. He's what Pierce, Vince, Jefferson, and Odom wish they could be. Scottie never got to lead his own team to a championship; but with Ping's team, he will.

Trieu started off his draft with two of the most exciting players of the current era -- Steve Nash and Allen Iverson -- so it makes sense for him to continue that trend and draft the original flash and dash point guard, Pistol Pete. Trieu's focus is clearly on small ball -- scoring points, jetting up and down the court, and entertaining the fans (to fill those luxury boxes). The magical Pete Maravich will fit right in. With his floppy hair and saggy socks, Maravich might not be hip hop, but here's betting that Iverson and Artest can get him to enjoy the vocal stylings of our current generation. Thug life indeed. Where's John Stockton when you need him?

And last but not least, who would Reno take in our fantasy fantasy draft? With a plethora of big men, Reno needs a big man to tutor his big men. While Pete Newell is available (during summers anyway), why go with one crotchety old guy when you can take his contemporary; one who just happens to be first dominant big man ever? That's right, we're talking about George Mikan people. And if you don't know who that is, you are no true basketball fan. George Mikan was the first superstar of the NBA and while his goofy goggles and straight edge appearance won't win him any Mr Cool awards, he knows more about basketball (presumably) than even Tex Winter or Pete Newell. He'll pass on all his tricks and some fatherly advice to young studs Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh while giving some nice tips on how to be a dominant white center to Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Brad Miller. It's George Mikan (and his protégés) versus the league!