Andre Drummond was a pretty significant snub this year; everything else is fine; I'd make a different choice here or there, but the one guy who definitely should be in this game who is not is Drummond.
LeBron picks first for the starters, when we get to the reserves Steph picks first. It's a ping pong draft.
LeBron
1. Kevin Durant - I think this is an easy pick; LeBron always shows a level of respect for Durant above the rest of the Warriors and I think he'd like to break the GSW group up.
Steph
1. Anthony Davis - I think Steph goes front count here, Giannis is sort of an obvious choice with KD gone, but there's a non-zero chance that the Warriors are in play for a free agent Davis and my guess is Steph would like to get him in the fold; he can also gamble that Giannis is still available in the next round.
LeBron
2. James Harden - LeBron goes back court here as opposed to a duplicative Giannis pick.
Steph
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo - Giannis against Durant is really an appealing matchup; hopefully, Steph decides he can let Giannis slide a round before grabbing him.
LeBron
3. Kyrie Irving - my guess is LeBron doesn't want to deal with any "why didn't you pick Kyrie" questions given that Steph is unlikely to spend an early pick on a fellow PG, this will eliminate that.
Steph
3. Boogie Cousins - having Cousins/Davis on opposite sides would be more fun, but if the board falls this way, having guys who are familiar with you in the same frontcourt makes some sense. Steph also will get the remaining guard in his next pick, so he can have his choice of front court players here.
LeBron
4. Joel Embiid - last guy on the board for LeBron in round one; young guys tend to play harder than vets
Steph
4. DeMar DeRozan - a sneaky MVP possibility as the only starter from LA.
Steph
5. Klay Thompson - Steph's definitely going to take one of his guys here, I'll say he wants Klay.
LeBron
5. Draymond Green - so, Westbrook is the top player on the board among the reserves, but my bet is Steph doesn't really want to play with him and LeBron knows that, so LeBron further breaks up the Warriors by taking Draymond. If he goes Westbrook instead, Steph takes Dray next.
Steph
6. Damian Lillard - Steph's the only PG on the roster, if he doesn't want Westbrook, he takes Lillard.
LeBron
6. Russell Westbrook - LeBron's gamble pays off, he breaks up the Warriors and unites Durant and Westbrook.
Steph
7. Karl-Anthony Towns - Steph's gone guard three straight picks, he goes to get some young size here
LeBron
7. Jimmy Butler - Butler's the best player available, but he has a balky knee
Steph
8. Bradley Beal - Steph grabs another shooter
LeBron
8. Kristaps Porzingis - from the young guys play hard school of thought
Steph
9. Kevin Love - another LA guy, Steph's got DeRozan, Klay and now adds Love, LeBron isn't sad to see him go
LeBron
9. Kyle Lowry - LeBron prevents Steph from getting the all Raptor backcourt.
Steph
10. Victor Oladipo - relishes the chance to go against Westbrook
LeBron
10. LaMarcus Aldridge - 3 picks left, I'll say LeBron takes the Spur
Steph
11. Al Horford - if for no other reason than to split up Beal and Wall, who very likely do not want to play together
LeBron
11. John Wall - last guy on the board.
Team LeBron
C Embiid
F James
F Durant
G Irving
G Harden
Team Steph
C Cousins
F Davis
F Giannis
G Curry
G DeRozan
Team LeBron
C Aldridge
F Green
F Porzingis
F Butler
G Westbrook
G Lowry
G Wall
Team Steph
C Towns
C Horford
F Love
F Oladipo
G Thompson
G Lillard
G Beal
