The Definitive PCTI VII Mock Draft

The Bored 2.0 is officially DTBrat and Me. Anything important goes through us. With that said, I it took upon myself to invite my fellow bored member to mock draft with me. The following is what transpired over the last 23 hours. 

If you're paying any attention and know how PCTI functions, you'll realize quickly that Dan and I in typical Bored fashion made a mistake. We do catch this mistake and fix it because that's what we do. We solve problems. 

Enjoy the mock as you prepare for Sunday, March 20 at 8 pm central. 

BRENT TO DAN 7:25 PM

It's time for a 2016 mock. I'm emailing you for two reasons. 

1. You and I are the only two guys who know every player currently on the PCTI roster. Though I should note that I've met Tyler but never seen him play. 

2. Our opinions are the only ones that anyone should care about. 

Since I re-signed Sabin and therefore am most in-tuned with how he thinks, I'll draft as him. You can assume Ben's identity since he's your guy. First things first, as Ben are you choosing to pick first or take the 2-3 snake? 

DAN TO BRENT 7:32 PM

Yes, I am Ben's guy... It started in PCTI when I watched the film and realized the first two games he was the only one I passed too.

I'll snag the first pick unit and take Abe unit.

BRENT TO DAN 7:45 PM

Abe is such a no brainer. Gone are the days of thinking he was coming back to the pack. 18 and 10 last year and only two guys shot a better percentage, one of whom was Smo, who took a whopping 13 shots. 

It becomes critical for Sabin that he hits a home run with these two picks, considering he's already staring down a formidable combo in Ben and Abe. 

Assuming Sabin's identity I think it's in my best interest to surround myself with explosive guards, so I'm taking Actor second overall. 

With the next pick, I'm choosing Danny. Worth mentioning since this is usually where I go off the board, this isn't some sort of false modesty thing. I'm picking Danny because of two very important things: He's willing to give max effort to slow down Abe, which to me is a TREMENDOUS value.  Two, Danny can handle some of the drudgery at the guard position and put Joe and Sabin in a spot to score buckets. They're two guys who I think could really come alive playing with Danny. 

DAN TO BRENT 8:03 PM (FIRST MISTAKE) 

Last time Sabin took me second was the kitten debacle, but he did have his best shooting performance so I guess the accuracy of that pick will depend on what meant more to him... Having the chance to establish a team with PCTI's top 1, 3 and 5 would have been attractive, but hey... It's a mock.

With Ben's next pick I think he lets the value come to him and snatches The Brat, combatting Sabin's guard heavy lineup with a core built around effort, size, and quality inside out games. That group will be menacing on the glass.

This next pick is difficult because you got two very quality guards that everyone wants on their team left on the board... In this case, I think he goes with a ball moving, floor stretching, back cutting PG in the man they call Spotlight... No telling how much damage he can do with no one watching him. Probably would have gone Beas in any other scenario but one of his biggest strengths (o-rebounding) would be a challenge with the Abe, Ben, BC core.

BRENT TO DAN 9:54 AM (WORST MISTAKE) 

Where we stand right now

1. Sabin

2. Joe

3. Dan the Man

1. Ben

2. Abe

3. BC 

I'm gonna double down on my strategy here and grab the Nature Boy Mike Beas. We're building a team that will be all about player movement and ball movement. And we got four guys who can really get after it on defense. The happiest guy is Joe, who can fall in to his preferred strategy of guarding the weakest guy on the court and be part free safety/part defensive rebounding specialist/part guy who rests for offense. 

I'm really tempted here to dip my foot in the ranks of the unkown and draft TP, but instead I'm going to keep with the movement strategy and take Donley. What do you make of my movement/small ball strategy? I didn't intend to put together a homeless man's version of the Warriors but it looks like that's what I'm working with. Am I setting myself up for Kittens 2.0? 

DAN TO BRENT 11:07 AM (MISTAKES GET CORRECTED) 

We couldn't even get through two rounds without screwing this up... First off, I went ahead and continued snaking when I wasn't supposed to... You accurately disregarded my Spot pick, then turned around and snatched up two yourself.  Very savvy.

So it stands now, the teams look like this...

1. Sabin.
2. Dan (Sabin told me he wanted me over Joe in the snake).
3. Joe.
4. Nature.
5. Donley.

Vs. 

1. Ben.
2. Abe.
3. BC.
4. Spot.

Technically, our mis-haps didn't effect the draft process as I then turn around and take Spot, and you take Donley.

That leaves me on the clock....

There might be higher upside picks, but given the framework of Ben's team, it's very clear what they need... I say they go A. Hop, slap at C on his chest, and let him raise hell like he did last year.  It's funny, Hops would probably tell you he was unhappy with his performance offensively, but he was a menace defensively, not only on the ball, but in help side where he did enough damage to earn himself an ATT vote.  He also fits in perfectly on this squad and helps continuity.  

BRENT TO DAN 11:14 AM 

Only we could take something so simple and screw it up entirely. I feel good about waiting on TP and now will take him with my next pick. Sabin decides to go with the unknown rather than combining with Bruiser again. If you're Sabin, you just can't associate yourself with Bruiser this year. And if you're Bruiser, you should want no part of Sabin's team. Something has to give and one of those guys has to get a win.

TP, who has been described as a big man who prefers to step away from the hoop now must assume center duties. Better he learn now than later, a "big man's" life in PCTI is awfully thankless. Have fun setting screens. 

DAN TO BRENT 12:37 PM 

Current roster breakdown... Left on the board is Bruiser, Jeff, Wes.

1. Sabin.
2. Dan (Sabin told me he wanted me over Joe in the snake).
3. Joe.
4. Nature.
5. Donley.
6. TP.

Vs. 

1. Ben.
2. Abe.
3. BC.
4. Spot.
5. Hops.

Well well well... One might be wondering why the Bruise is taking a nosedive... As one of his biggest supporters and a top 3 all time teammate of mine, I have a couple of conflicting opinions... What I know is that an Angry Bruiser is the last person anyone wants to play against... Between his drop down the board and his losing %, there is no question an Angry Bruise is quietly waiting to attack... Without Smo to negate his anger, he most assuredly will be in Bruising mode.  HOWEVER, it's been two years since he played in his last PCTI.  Although it appears he weathered the baby storm and is in great shape, my guess is he hasn't played basketball more than five times in the last year. As much as he likes to consider himself Football player that is here to play basketball, when playing he actually has a very polished game... But we won't see it. I'm leaving him on the board.

That's the longest write up ever about someone that isn't going to get picked.  If I'm Ben here, I think he takes a guy that he doesn't know, but frankly is a perfect fit on this team and takes JG.  A high energy, unorthodox guy in excellent condition will be a perfect match for the rest of this team.  There is nothing better for a new member of PCTI to get drafted to a great team and not have a lot of pressure to carry the load offensively, so this will be a great springboard for his career.  

BRENT TO DAN 12:49 PM 

1. Sabin.
2. Dan (Sabin told me he wanted me over Joe in the snake).
3. Joe.
4. Nature.
5. Donley.
6. TP.

Vs. 

1. Ben.
2. Abe.
3. BC.
4. Spot.
5. Hops.
6. Jeff G. 

I was hoping Jeff G. would fall to me as his slashing, unorthodox style and rangy defense would fit what we're trying to do. Oh well.

I take Bruiser here, obviously. Building off what you said, The hope with Bruise is that he's willing to shoot his jumper. He's got a well above average jump shot and if he's willing to shoot it, it really opens up the court. The problem that sometimes comes up is that he misses a few and decides to help the team he has to hang around the basket. You can't knock that decision, as it's probably exactly what any decent coach would want him to do, too. The issue is that nobody else in PCTI is doing much of what a coach would want them to do and because of that too much time spent down on the block by anyone can just clog things up. The style of play in PCTI just happens to be more wide open. Easiest solution for Bruise is to consider that NOBODY shoots it particularly well in PCTI (we have six years of awful percentages to back that up) and that there's absolutely no reason he should get down on his jump shot if he misses a few, or even several. Nobody else is making them at a high clip either.

That leaves you with the one year wonder, Wes. Maybe you can shed some light on his unique status heading in to this year. Also, what are your thoughts on these two squads now that they're set? 

DAN TO BRENT 1:25 PM 

Final Squads:

1. Sabin.
2. Dan (Sabin told me he wanted me over Joe in the snake).
3. Joe.
4. Nature.
5. Donley.
6. TP.
7. Stickman.

Vs. 

1. Ben.
2. Abe.
3. BC.
4. Spot.
5. Hops.
6. Jeff G. 
7. Wes.

I'm not sure there is a more enjoyable storyline than the Wes Murray PCTI Farewell Tour.  Sure, many probably expected Wes to be a casualty of the "State of PCTI" email communication that came out earlier in the year... Interestingly enough, although he agreed it outlined everything that he is, he also made it a point to say his love and appreciation for what we built as a group has him coming back every year.  Anyone that knows me knows how much I would appreciate that comment.  As it stands, PCTI7 will be Wes's final PCTI (and probably final time to touch a basketball).  He's left it open, so maybe a good shooting performance will change it, but for now, that's where it stands. Let's be real, you can't carve out a successful PCTI career as a Dan the Boy stopper because he could be guarded by no one and shoot the same percentage.  Hopefully he reinvents himself in his final go around.

Analysis:

This draft turned out completely different than I expected... You drafted based on your knowledge of Sabin, and based on that, you were almost completely accurate.  However, I think we are going to see a different Sabin than we have seen in the past and will bypass all other parts of basketball to get over the hump and get a W.  I don't see taking Dan the Brat over the Brat happening, which will send shockwaves down the mock draft.  But if that does happen, these mocks might end up being 100% accurate.

Ben's Squad: As it relates to the mock, I think Ben's team has the advantage.  Obviously, Abe first is a huge deal... He is the most decorated player in PCTI history, and re-established himself as that in a huge way last year.  Abe not is the best player, but possibly the best teammate, a negative reputation he shed years back.  Starting with two of PCTI's top scorers, than plugging in the Brat to play the role he covets as third scorer and trash man is a deadly trio.  Adding Spot's sharp shooting and ball movement, then A. Hops world class defense and leadership is a tough starting five that will have great chemistry.  This nucleus is perfect for Jeff's style and allows Wes to focus on defense and crippling box outs.

Sabin's Squad: Pairs two of PCTI's toughest covers in Act and Sabin who can absolutely fill it up.  Some say they have conflicting styles, I think they are perfect compliments.  Both are great passers and teammates but Joe is more ball dominant and Sabin hates having the ball in his hands.  Adding Beas to the mix gives them a trio of high effort, fast, athletic wings that can fill it up quick.  At first glance, you definitely think there is a serious mis-match down low with Ben's team having the advantage, but I'm not sure it's as drastic as we think.  Donley, Stickman and DTBrat enjoy the physicality of the trenches and would embrace the banging down low, but give up height.  If TP can provide the athleticism and size to match up with The Brat, Sabin's squad will hold their own defensively.  The biggest issue ultimately in PCTI is the low field goal percentages, and Sabin's team will live and die by their outside shooting.  

Overall: Ben, Abe, and BC are three of PCTI's top scorers, and all have shown the ability to have at least one 20 point outburst, which is hard to find.  With a role player (Spotlight) who can fill it up as a 4th option and Jeff (who recently went for 40 in a league game) they have multiple guys who can put the ball in the hole consistently.  Sabin's team just does not have that outside of Joe and Sabin. Beas and Donley both have shown they can fill it up in bunches, but both are ultimately 8-10 ppg guys which although strong, would need to provide more than that to match up offensively with the opposition.

Regardless, with the new blood and some old blood coming back, I expect there to be a lot of blood all over Scotty's court come July.

BRENT TO DAN 2:02 PM

This exercise got me so energized for PCTI I can barely see straight. I am anticipating the quality of play to be noticeably better this year. 

As for the squads, I think you're right that Ben's team has a possibly significant scoring advantage. In many PCTI's, it seems like any analysis as to who has the ede could begin and end simply with that. However, I think Sabin has put together an unprecedented defensive effort team. What happens to our team if Danny fully commits to making life as miserable as he can on Abe and a combo of Sabin and Beas decide to never leave Ben's hip? I'm not saying that either guy wouldn't still score and have a major impact on the game but I do think it could really change the way the whole weekend played out. It's not an exaggeration to think Sabin's team could commit to this strategy and actually follow through with it. With that said, it might take bigger balls than I realize for Sabin to actually commit to this approach come draft day. Everyone in PCTI prefers to attack when they know the defense is relaxing (because working for buckets takes A LOT of energy.) Besides being the two best scorers in PCTI, Ben and Abe are also two of the best at being extremely aggressive at the right times. What happens if those moments are limited? Of course the flip side is can Sabin's team score enough points to not have their own issues on offense. A lot of that depends on what Sabin has left in the tank after a few years away. Bottom line for drafting as Sabin was, I absolutely COULD NOT risk letting them have Abe and then scoop up Danny, too when the proof is that the only person willing to sacrifice their entire weekend to guarding Abe and doing it well is Danny. 

The nice part is between the mystery of what impact the new guys will have and the good work by guys like Spot and Hops to carve out valuable niches for themselves, there's very little dropoff when you scan the rosters top to bottom. However, that does put a lot of pressure squarely on Wes. He can't afford to cost his team by sticking out as the one guy who drops off significantly. 

Hopefully this exercise gave the actual captains a little insight in to how the draft could shake out. At the very least, they have a definite roster to choose from.

Bring on the real thing!