4 Have Been Choosen (The Contraction Article)

[Mexico City]

Introducing your 2016 ABCA legends contraction teams!  Your Legends committee has discussed at length, voted, voted again, and at last come up with the final list of teams, and gms out of the league.  We start in the Eastern Division with the Atlanta Hawks to no surprise to most. The hawks feature the bulk of the best contraction draft avail players in guys like Walt Bellamy, Darrall Imhoff, Chet Walker, and Tal Brody. It should be interesting to see if any of these guys get selected #1 or if they fall deeper, remember if you take a guy you take on his contract too which for a guy like Walt Bellamy means you risk him hitting FA a year after getting him. On the coaching front Lenny Wilkens hits the market a season early and could be an interesting get for a team in need.

Atlanta Hawks
*Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens 62 C- C- A- B- B+ C+ B+ $4,180,121 2
Assistant: Mike Fratello 42 B- C+ A- B B- C B- $90,000 1
Assistant: Vin Bhavnani 47 C+ C- A- C F F B+ $90,000 1
Assistant: Will Dawkins 42 F B+ C- C A- F- A+ $90,000 1
Scout: John Bunn 55 B A C+ C- A- C C+ $500,000 1

*Hank Finkel $474,205 $692,590 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Walt Bellamy $15,000,000 $15,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
David Tari $930,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Darrall Imhoff $2,495,500 $2,787,765 $3,102,513 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Gonzo Kjellberg $1,380,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Jorgji Kono $1,026,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Chet Walker $1,973,035 $2,204,111 $2,452,962 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Paolo Vittori $15,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Gianfranco Pieri $1,428,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Tal Brody $1,989,511 $2,208,357 $2,466,993 $2,745,525 $0 $0 $0 $0
John Wooden $1,428,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Chico Vaughn $666,000 $0 $0 $0



Next we have the LA Lakers, well sorta. The Lakers as you know them below will be no more. Argentina Atenas De Cordoba will be moved in. Thus this roster of mostly expiring ran by old ABCA vet Dave goes bye bye. Before we hit the avail players though we'll first look at the coaches avail suddenly. Pat Riley being the main attraction. It doesnt get much better than pat and it could be very interesting to see what he goes for and to whom on the open market. It likely costs a team some hard cap space to get him but the guy is plain worth it. On this list of avail players and coaches Pat Riley might be the gem of them all. As for the avail players guys like Don Barksdale, Ed Kalafat and Georgios Trontzos could get picked by a playoff team in need of some bench help but clearly Bob Love is the guy teams will be looking hard at. The guy simply can play and with a contract rebuilding teams love we could easily see him go in the top 3 in a contraction draft.

Los Angeles Lakers
*Head Coach: Pat Riley 53 B B+ B B A- B B $4,557,755 3
Assistant: Al McGuire 61 D B- C- B+ F- B+ C- $61,000 1
*Assistant: Steve Wojciechowski 39 C C C F- C+ A- A- $82,000 3
*Assistant: Jeff Howard 56 D C- B+ F- A- F- C+ $62,395 2
Scout: Mitch Kupchak 51 A B C F- C C+ D+ $180,000 1

Jim Palmer $1,435,095 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Marek Sitkowski $2,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Moe Becker $3,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Don Barksdale $2,500,000 $2,500,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Ed Kalafat $5,194,800 $5,428,566 $5,662,332 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Bob Love $2,552,132 $2,832,867 $3,164,644 $3,521,943 $0 $0 $0 $0 Hank Luisetti $9,787,726 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Frank Selvy $15,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Dave DeJernett $6,500,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Donnie Butcher $666,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
John Moir $7,393,013 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Georgios Trontzos $1,402,436 $1,566,685 $1,743,569 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Howard Komives $474,205 $692,590 $



Next we have the main surprise of the teams on this list the Tokyo Samurai. Who'd have thought a franchise that started with George Miken could fall so far so fast. The team appeared to be headed in a good rebuilding direction but alas its all for naught as we find this team and its gm to be no more. All that said the team leaves a few interesting contraction pieces headlined by Radivoj Korac a young big who has not hit his prime yet. He likely gets expensive to resign after this season but his age and talent is something younger teams will look hard it. If he lasts further than the top 5 id be surprised. Another player that could end up being a surprise mid to late contraction draft is Arvo Jantunen. The guy can score is a good age and as an expiring 15 million guy could give a team over the soft cap a big boost both to help the roster or to trade down the line. Keep an eye on Jeff Mullins too hes young and has upside could sneak into a top 10 type pick. As for the coaches, the whole staff becomes avail and it is underrated for sure. Scott brooks and Jackson Torre could really help boost a teams scouting department.

Tokyo Samurai
*Head Coach: Tatsumi Nishida 51 F+ C- C+ B C+ A A- $3,788,268 2
*Assistant: Frank McGuire 54 D- D+ B+ C C- B+ C $61,800 3
*Assistant: Scott Brooks 45 A- B- A- C D A- C+ $2,352,185 3
*Assistant: Geno Auriemma 46 F- D- C B A- D B- $64,890 3
*Scout: Jackson Torre 46 A- A C+ F- F B+ D- $950,000 2

Bob Houbregs $6,426,059 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Frantisek Konvicka $774,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ernesto Gherman $666,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Radivoj Korac $15,000,000 $15,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Kevin Loughery $1,215,852 $1,358,249 $1,511,599 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Mario Alesini $804,901 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Tibor Zsiros $6,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Jeff Mullins $1,445,351 $1,604,339 $1,792,235 $1,994,584 $0 $0 $0 $0 *Arvo Jantunen $15,000,000 $15,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Phil Rollins $1,200,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Phog Allen $4,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Steve Courtin $474,205 $692,590 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Fuzzy Vandivier $3,500,000 $0 $0



Off the court issues doomed CSP and its roster of vets and talented coaches, its a shame to think that a team like this could go away so easy, yet here it is. The meat of the contraction drafts players will come from this team and its filled with solid guys some teams could find very helpful. Headlined by Sam Ranzino and Kenny Sears these players could find new homes quickly or could be waiting awhile as contracts could keep them falling down peoples draft list. Do teams with cap eat space with these type of sure things or roll the dice on a FA or two? I for one am intersting to see who on this list gets drafted and who doesnt. The avail coaches could also create some stir especially Robert Busnel either as a head coach elsewhere at a decent price or as an expensive assistant.

Limoges CSP
*Head Coach: Robert Busnel 40 A- C C- B+ D A- B- $3,672,518 2
Assistant: Saturnino Meligeni 34 A F- C+ A C C- C+ $90,000 1
Assistant: Edward Gottlieb 46 C F- C- A B D- F $90,000 1
*Assistant: Dwayne Casey 48 F+ C+ B C+ B- B B $80,000 2
Scout: Charlie Hughes 54 B A C- B- C D- C $426,138 1

*Sauro Bufalini $2,123,575 $2,372,282 $2,640,120 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Monk Meineke $9,996,816 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Kenny Sears $12,000,000 $12,540,000 $13,080,000 $13,620,000 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Vladimir Torban $3,389,814 $3,542,356 $3,694,897 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Jack George $3,000,000 $3,150,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Yury Korneev $4,000,000 $4,200,000 $4,400,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Freddie Crawford $474,205 $692,590 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Andrzej Nartowski $4,200,000 $4,410,000 $4,620,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Giovanni Cescutti $1,542,746 $1,723,428 $1,918,009 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Art Heyman $993,074 $1,102,312 $1,231,412 $1,370,442 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Sam Ranzino $12,500,000 $13,437,500 $14,375,000 $15,312,500 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Jack McMahon $4,903,255 $5,270,999 $5,638,743 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
*Lucien Sedat $1,742,700 $1,821,121 $1,899,543 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Johnny Egan $666,000 $0

So there you have it 4 teams, 2 rostered Gms, 11 coaches and 27 eligible contraction eligible players. Its tough to see this happen in any league let alone Legends but in the end going from 30 to 26 teams is for the best, imo the remaining gms should be on their toes now as at anytime they could be gone if they decide posting and activity is not something they are interested in. Some good gms ran these teams at one time or another and a few could be lying in wait. The next few weeks should bring a slew of activity and if it doesn't maybe the committee looks harder at what teams we're selected and begin to second guess themselves. Then again maybe not I for one look forward to it all. In the coming days I hope to come up with a contraction mock and perhaps a draft and FA article or two.

[Los Angeles]

sounds good to me

[Los Angeles]

and Im moving to Los Angeles!

[New York]

With 27 contraction eligible players, hopefully I get a decent player after the contraction draft. Also it'll be interesting to see who brings Pat the Rat in as their coach. This off-season keeps getting more interesting.

[Deleted]

Nice write up.

A LOT of thought, discussion, voting, arguing and debating went on to come to these decisions. No one took it lightly, and there was not a perfect solution to the inactive GM/contraction issue - but I believe we came as close as possible.

Can't wait to see how the draft and new structure play out. I foresee increased competition and more teams pushing for playoff berths vs lotto rebuilds as we move forward.

[New York]

Will there still be 16 playoff teams but now only 10 lotto teams? Or has it not been discussed by the committee yet. That seems like a large portion of the league making the playoffs.

[Deleted]

Oct 1, 2013 22:47:15 GMT -6 New York said:

Will there still be 16 playoff teams but now only 10 lotto teams? Or has it not been discussed by the committee yet. That seems like a large portion of the league making the playoffs.

It's 16.

Can't be any less than 16 unless you want 8, or some sort of weird bye system or other nonsense (which isn't happening).

I like having a large ratio of playoff teams. Hopefully will be enough motivation to stop a borderline team from tanking and up the competition level overall in the league.

[Beijing]

So how will these players be distributed? Will they be part of a contraction draft or thrown into FA?

[Deleted]

Oct 1, 2013 23:03:11 GMT -6 Beijing said:

So how will these players be distributed? Will they be part of a contraction draft or thrown into FA?

 Contraction dispersal draft

[dwightcoward]

Too bad for the Hawks. They were contenders to be in one or two years with the Brody/Walker/Imhoff rookie trio and a lot, lot of cap space to use in the FA.

[Phil Jackson]

Great job to all involved in this tough decision.

How will the contraction draft order be determined? Do the worst teams this season get a 2nd draft, or will there be a system that is more balanced?

How will divisions be affected? Will they be the same, but with either 4 or 5 teams?

[Buenos Aires]

About the contraction draft:

Will the draft take place before or after Fa?

And will cap space or no cap space matter when drafting? Say I have 5 million in cap space, and San Ranzino has a 12 mill contract? Will I be able to draft him, or just the guys who fir under my cap space? By cap space, I mean softcap, not hardcap of course.

[London]

Toronto is 100% right. This was a difficult decision and I don't think any one of us feel like we got it 100% right (which probably means we did a good job).

To answer the rest - yes, Chicago, the dispersal draft is reverse record order (with no lottery). So the shitty teams get first pick of the crop. Not fair, but it is what it is.

BA, the Dispersal Draft happens almost right away (if not right away then Coach FA does first so everyone has a scout). We will then Dispersal Draft, Rookie Draft, and then Player FA.

[London]

Oh, and good write-up Roark!

[Berlin]

Oct 2, 2013 7:00:03 GMT -6 London said:

Toronto is 100% right. This was a difficult decision and I don't think any one of us feel like we got it 100% right (which probably means we did a good job).

To answer the rest - yes, Chicago, the dispersal draft is reverse record order (with no lottery). So the shitty teams get first pick of the crop. Not fair, but it is what it is.

BA, the Dispersal Draft happens almost right away (if not right away then Coach FA does first so everyone has a scout). We will then Dispersal Draft, Rookie Draft, and then Player FA.

Yep, Coach FA is first...after draft lotto order is determined. Then the rest...so this is going to be a long ass offseason (as if they are all long...)

[London]

It should be though, off-season matters so much.

But we'll get through it a bit quicker this time.

More sims on back-to-back days (for coach FA and later Player FA days).

[Berlin]

Nice...once I fire my coach and sign Pat Riley, I think we are cool just simming the rest of coaching FA outright. Anyone else agree?

[Derek]

Well, Bye Bye worthless teams!!

[New York]

Been working on a big board of sorts for my team. Really hoping some guys drop all the way to 11th but even if they don't there is going to be some really good talent in that range.

[Sydney]

Hey, Pat belongs in Sydney!

[john rockwell]

Good write up. Certainly sucks for those teams who are contracted out, but what happens is for the betterment of the league you must indeed do.