Aite, with Guybrush's blessing, we'll move forward with the traditional format.
7 guys is a bit odd; it means 4 of you will get 4 teams to choose from, while I (along with another volunteer) will take on 5 teams. I'll feed our names into a randomizer in the order that we joined and the resulting list will be our draft order.
migs, your offer is generous, though I fear with most of the major players already joined in, it's rather unlikely that we'll be able to find 2 extra hands willing to commit to the constant forum-checking. I could be wrong, but for now, we're gonna go ahead and start with 7 users (as the thread has stalled out, in terms of people signing up).
The first round (or more properly, the "pre"-round) will be the exact reverse order of the draft and will be dedicated to finding a coach. Coaches are a bit different from players, since they don't really retire; they just die, for lack of a less mortifying term). Therefore, coaches who are ALIVE are all eligible. This means that guys without current coaching gigs (Lenny Wilkens or Phil Jackson, for instance) are available, but coaches long gone (Chuck Daly, Red Aurebach) can't be picked. REMEMBER: a coach defines the style of your team. We all saw the train-wreck of Mike D'Anonni (a run-and-gun coach) trying to harness twin towers in the paint in LA. Great coaches + great players don't always mesh; keep your coach in mind when making your player picks.
Alright, without further adu, I give you the random order:
1. PAWNO
2. Mr. Crackerz
3. 8th Ave
4. 32
5. Guybrush
6. Blackfoot
7. JREED
If everyone agrees to that order, than we can start the drafting process. I'll select for the 29th team and I'll ask for one volunteer to take on the 30th team (Miami). Whoever steps up gets first pick with their coach and we'll get the ball rolling from there. As a reminder, here are everyone's teams:
PAWNO: Cavaliers, Pistons, Bucks, Nets
MR. CRACKERZ: Magic, T-Wolves, Celtics, Pacers
8TH AVE: Wizards, Blazers, Hawks, Knicks
32: Bobcats, Sixers, Rockets, Clippers, Thunder
GUYBRUSH: Suns, Raptors, Lakers, Grizzlies
BLACKFOOT: Pelicans, Mavericks, Bulls, Nuggets
JREED: Kings, Jazz, Warriors, Spurs
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So, whoever nuts up and takes the Miami Heat, THANK YOU (firstly) and then make your head coaching selection!