Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Sports

  • The Morning After Huddle: May 3rd, 2022 Edition

    The Morning After Huddle: May 3rd, 2022 Edition

    Welcome to Tuesday’s edition of The Morning After Huddle. This NFL off-season continues to surprise. Monday was full of news you’ll want to monitor.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • Cardinals WR Deandre Hopkins has been suspended for the first 6 games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
    • Former Chiefs Safety Tyrann Mathieu has found a home with the New Orleans Saints. The $33M contract, including $18M fully guaranteed, is expected to be finalized this week.
    • The NFL announces that, following a 60-day review, it could not substantiate claims made by Browns Coach Hue Jackson related to tanking.
    • Carrying over from the NFL Draft this weekend: Justyn Ross, thought by many to be a top draft pick, went undrafted due to heavy medical concerns. However, Ross has been recently medically cleared to play and was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs.

    That’s it for today’s edition. Catch us tomorrow morning for news.

    And if you missed yesterday’s Morning After Huddle, you can read it here!

  • The NBA’s Dearly Departed: Utah Jazz Edition

    The NBA’s Dearly Departed: Utah Jazz Edition

    As teams in the NBA Playoffs get eliminated, Murphy’s Multiverse takes a look at their prospects for next season. The Utah Jazz had a lot riding on their 2021-2022 season after multiple disappointing playoff losses in the last 5 years. This was a year to determine if the duo of All-Stars, Donavon Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, is one capable of finally bringing a championship to Utah. Famously, Mitchell stated at the beginning of the season that he will not settle for anything less than reaching the Conference Finals. A goal that wasn’t realistic to begin with given their roster make-up. Can the Jazz finally put to together a roster that will propel them past the 2nd round in the Playoffs?

    Notable Free Agents

    • Guard Trent Forrest (Restricted)
    • Forward Danuel House
    • Forward Eric Paschall
    • Center Hassan Whiteside

    Projected 2022-2023 Starting Lineup

    • PG Mike Conley
    • SG Donovan Mitchell
    • SF Bojan Bogdanovic
    • PF Royce O’Neale
    • C Rudy Gobert

    The Rudy Gobert/Donavan Mitchell Conundrum

    The relationship between Mitchell and Gobert seems to have reached a breaking point on and off the court with both players taking subtle (and not so subtle) swipes at each other after various disappointing losses throughout the season. In the NBA, winning always seems to fix everything but with constant disappointing playoff losses, it’ll be very unlikely that the team can move forward with both stars on the roster. Which one the Jazz should trade is the most important question. Mitchell is a gifted scorer that’s able to light it up in bursts and give his team a strong offensive weapon, but his lack of strong growth as a playmaker limits the Jazz and his lack of size at 6’1 makes him a consistent defensive liability on the perimeter. Gobert on the hand is one of the best defensive centers in the league whose presence down low forces opponents to jack up jump shots instead of attempting to get to the rim, but unfortunately, he’s easy to scheme against as his lack of foot speed and lateral quickness makes him a huge liability against opposing pick and roll offense.

    Lack of Off-Season Flexibility

    The unfortunate truth in the NBA is that small market teams have a hard time attracting free agents and must typically overpay for talent to get them to agree to sign there. The Jazz badly needs perimeter defense as Mike Conley is now washed and Mitchell is too small to truly be a defensive threat. The unfortunate truth is that with three large contracts on the books, they really don’t have the flexibility to sign meaningful free agents. The Jazz is between a rock and a hard place, and they will have to blow up this roster with trades in order to truly make an off season impact.

    Quin Snyder’s Future

    Snyder has been the coach of the Jazz since 2014 with a positive win percentage. He’s a good and successful coach in a league that has a deficit of good coaching talent, but unless you’re Greg Popovich or Erik Spoelstra, the coach is typically the first one to go when a team is in turmoil. With Mitchell and Gobert both signed to long term contracts, I can see a scenario in which the Jazz chooses starting fresh with a new coach as a band aid fix for their massive problems.

  • The Morning After Huddle

    The Morning After Huddle

    Welcome to the first edition of The Morning After Huddle, your daily round-up of the top news from around the NFL. Every morning you expect an overview from our staff of what you need to know to stay plugged in.

    Here’s what you need to know for today:

    • The 2022 NFL Draft happened over the weekend and there was no shortage of surprises. Thursday night, we saw A.J. Brown moving on to the Eagles and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown moving to the Cardinals. (For more on those stories, read here.)
    • Although many predicted Malik Willis to be a first round draft pick, he ultimately fell to third round where he was selected by the Tennessee Titans. Titans General Manager Jon Robinson mentioned “He was a player who was just kind of staring at us there, and we were excited when we were able to get up and get him and not get jumped if somebody was coming up.”
    • Baker Mayfield remains on the roster of the Cleveland Browns. The Carolina Panthers seemed to be working on a deal for the Browns QB, but instead opted to draft Matt Corral in the third round when talks stalled.
    • In other news, Kevin Colbert, GM of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has stepped down after more than 20 years with the team.

    That’s a wrap on Monday’s edition. Catch us tomorrow morning for more news.

  • Warriors vs Grizzlies Game 1 Breakdown

    Warriors vs Grizzlies Game 1 Breakdown

    The Golden State Warriors outlasted the Memphis Grizzlies 117-116. Led by Jordan Poole’s 31 points, the Warriors stole home court advantage from the upstart Grizzlies. A lot of the discussion of this series involved the clash of styles. The Warriors, with the excellence of execution, their shooting, passing and their experience. The Grizzlies counter with their youth and athleticism, and ability to win the possession game on the glass. This much is clear after Game 1, we’re in for a heck of a series.

    You can’t talk about the Warriors without talking about how they out-rebounded Memphis 51-47. They were also even on the offensive glass. It was the first time the Dubs won the rebounding battle against the Grizzlies this season. Gary Payton II was instrumental as one of 6 Warriors players with 6+ rebounds. His effort and hustle contributed to extra possessions which led to great looks for Poole and Steph Curry(5 3’s and 24 points).

    For Memphis, they blew a golden opportunity after Draymond Green got ejected in the 2nd quarter for a flagrant two foul. You could make the case that it was a flagrant one, but with Green’s history (see the 2016 playoffs), the officials made a judgement call. It’s fair to say the officiating overall in the playoffs have left a lot to be desired. 

    Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. had great offensive games (34 and 33 points respectively) but the Grizzlies were lacking a third scorer. Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane were a combined 6-of-23 from the floor. Bane had been the Grizzlies most consistent offensive player in the playoffs so far. Brooks is always hit or miss but he was a special kind of bad in Game 1. They’ll need those two to even up the series on Tuesday night. Here are some interesting plot points which can define the series.

    Ja Morant attempted 11 3’s in game 1. They’re going to force him make that shot as it’s not his strongest attribute. He made 4 of them, and the Warriors will prefer him taking those.

    Here Ja gets in transition off of the blocked shot and just darts to the rim. It’s amazing how quickly he gets from end to end.

    The Warriors splash trio causes so many issues for a defense. You trap one another one springs loose. Jordan Poole’s playmaking has taken a step forward in the playoffs. Here he finds Klay for the layup.

    Without Draymond Green in the 2nd half, there was more pick and roll for Steph Curry. Here he’s able to get the switch and separate from Jaren Jackson to get off the three. Guarding Steph one on one might be the key to the series.

    It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments both of these squads have for each other in Game 2. It feels like it’s going to be a very long series.

  • Key Questions for Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs

    Key Questions for Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs

    As a competitive Round One of the NBA Playoffs wraps up, we preview the Round Two matchups by asking one question about each team. These are all title-caliber defensive teams, which means there will be some tough, physical basketball to come, and scoring will be at a premium.

    Eastern Conference

    Miami Heat

    Are the Heat Contenders or Overachievers? Despite earning the 1-seed in the East, people don’t seem to put a lot of respect on their name. Their infamous clipboard feud in the last week of the season made them look like a team in disarray. They had just enough daylight in the standings, and Brooklyn looming as a play-in obstacle, that the other East contenders rested down the stretch, proving they had little fear of coming to Miami in the Conference Finals. Before Game 1 of the playoffs many books gave them the fifth best odds in the East.  But this is a team just two years removed from a Finals appearance. Butler and Lowry (when healthy) have been here before and play consistently, so their young support players (mostly Herro and Robinson) will determine if they can put up enough points to make it back.

    Philadelphia 76ers

    Is James Harden still a Top-10 player in the league? Sixers fans breathed a huge sigh of relief when they put away the Raptors in Game 6 and avoided conversations about losing a 3-0 lead. News broke late that when Embiid took an elbow to the face, he suffered a concussion and broke an orbital bone. Joel just wrapped a second season where he will finish Top-2 in the MVP voting, and there is no timetable set for his return. All eyes turn to Harden, who has gone long stretches where it feels like he lost a step and just can’t get to the basket at an elite level. Then he bounces back with 22 and 15 on 40% from 3. He wants one last contract where he is paid like an MVP-caliber player, and that is what this Philly team needs him to be. Miami has a stingy defense behind a good coach, and they will throw young wings at him much like Toronto did. They will hunt him on the other end to get easier points and wear him out. If he leaks points on one end or goes 2-11 again, the max contract he will demand this offseason is not going to look all that palatable.

    Boston Celtics

    Will the Boston defense hold up against Giannis and the Bucks? The book on Kevin Durant has been that he will get his, but you need players that make him work for it. Boston did the unthinkable and actually shut him down. Can the C’s defense have the same impact on Giannis? If Rob Williams can get back to full strength, it will bolster a frontcourt that has lots of switchable big men. Their backcourt has really clamped down, and I expect we will see them send defenders to double Giannis as a rule. Boston had historic advanced metrics after the calendar turned to the new year. Now it will be asked to shut down a second MVP-caliber player to prove it was not a fluke.

    Milwaukee Bucks

    Will the Bucks regret giving Boston the 2-seed? Everyone believes that as the playoff picture emerged, the Bucks took their foot off the gas to avoid a potential rematch with the Nets in the 2/7 matchup. Well the Nets fizzled out, and Milwaukee cruised past the flagging Bulls. Now the Bucks, who lost some role players that wanted to get paid after getting their ring, head to Boston to continue their title defense. They looked at times this year like they might be coasting a little bit, waiting for the playoffs to flip the switch. With Middleton looking more and more likely to miss this entire series, are the Bucks going to find themselves wishing they had home court advantage for crucial Games 5 and 7? 

    Western Conference 

    Phoenix Suns

    Is Booker’s hamstring going to approach 100%? The Suns’ ceiling was title favorite, but the Booker injury, and dropping a few games to the feisty Pelicans, brought them back down to the pack. Booker was surprisingly able to play way ahead of schedule in a Game 6 return, and he had decent numbers while playing on a minutes restriction. But it seems like the hamstring is one of those injuries that gets setbacks very frequently. Dallas no doubt plans to make him work on the defensive end, behind the arc where they did the most damage to the Jazz in their matchup. At their best, the Mavs had a suffocating defense this year. Booker’s scoring will mean the difference between moving one step closer to another Finals appearance, or going home early and making some hard decisions about this roster.

    Dallas Mavericks

    Will Jalen Brunson come back down to Earth? When it looked like Luka Doncic was going to miss the series, everyone wondered if the rest of the team would step up. Brunson carved up the Utah defense, scoring about 28 ppg (he averaged 16 ppg during the regular season). But his percentages in the series are in line with his normal numbers; he managed to keep his same efficiency while getting a bigger usage. When Doncic returned, Brunson kept contributing, dishing out assists and keeping turnovers to a minimum. Because he was a second round draft pick, he is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He made himself quite a bit of money this season with his improvement, and shouldering the load against the Jazz definitely didn’t hurt. A strong series against the 1-seed Suns could propel him into a max contract this summer.

    Memphis Grizzlies

    Is this young team ready to make some playoff noise? It is not lost on me that this Memphis team is going up against the Warriors, who found themselves in a similar position in 2014. One year after making the second round, they went up against a veteran Clippers team and lost in 7. Conventional wisdom is that young teams have to take their lumps in the playoffs to elevate to that elite level and join the real contenders. These Grizzlies are not afraid of anyone, as Ja Morant’s monster jams and their 20-point comebacks have proved. Going up against the second coming of the Golden State dynasty, they have an opportunity to stake their claim as a serious contender, but even if they lose they are getting the kind of playoff experience that can prepare young teams for greatness.

    Golden State Warriors

    Should the Warriors be considered the title favorites? When Steph Curry went down with a lower leg injury late in the season, it seemed like this team was never going to get everyone on the court at the same time. Draymond missed an extended period after the new year, and their Big Three did not get much time together this year. As they dropped out of the second place in the West and were even threatened by Dallas for the 3 seed, speculation started about who could be moved to bolster their stars. But this is a team that has so much experience, they returned to top form immediately. Jordan Poole’s emergence is a great story, and it gives Steve Kerr the flexibility to bring Curry off the bench as maybe the best sixth man ever. They dispatched a Denver squad that was very thin outside of Jokic. Memphis has so many more weapons, and will provide a much tougher test of Golden State.

  • NFL Draft: Best Picks From Day 2

    NFL Draft: Best Picks From Day 2

    With the first and second round of the NFL Draft in the books. There was a lot of talent still available, and the flurry of moves really reshuffled the order. Let’s take a look at THE best picks of Day 2.

    QB Malik Willis
    The best quarterback in this class, and the only one worth a first round pick in my opinion. He goes to an excellent situation in Tennessee, as he gets to sit behind Ryan Tannehill and play with the best RB in the game behind a pretty good OL. He, also, has a stud WR in Treylon Burks.

    RB Breece Hall
    The best RB in the class was available despite some talk of him going at the end of round one. With exceptional vision and the ability to not come off the field, he’s the modern RB that ended up being the target for the Jets at 38. He slots right in as the 1A to Michael Carter’s 1B, and gives Zach Wilson a home run threat out of the backfield.

    LB Nakobe Dean

    Matt Corral, Malik Willis, Kyler Gordon, Nakobe Dean remain in the NFL draft green room - ProFootballTalk

    He saw five of his collegiate teammates go in Round One, knowing all the while that he was the leader of that vaunted Georgia Bulldog defense. Dean is the evolution of the linebacker position, as he can both rush the passer and drop in coverage. His refusal to get shoulder surgery is what reportedly caused him to fall, but I had mocked him to the Eagles at 18, so for them to get him in day three is highway robbery. A really excellent draft by the Eagles so far.

    CB Andrew Booth, Jr.
    One of the more athletic cornerbacks in the draft, Booth has the potential to be this year’s Eric Stokes in terms of a young corner who comes in to a great situation and can produce. He can play man or zone, and he would’ve fit a team like Seattle (who needs a replacement for DJ Reed) or the Giants (who may be releasing James Bradberry). Instead, he ended up in Minnesota, where he gets to learn from all-time great Patrick Peterson.

    DT Travis Jones
    Has the opportunity to outproduce guys that went ahead of him from the interior. He’s a nimble pass rusher for a man his size, and gives maximum effort against the run. He lands in Baltimore, who has had a top 5 draft class, and fortifies that defensive front for new Ravens DC Mike Macdonald.

  • The NBA’s Dearly Departed: Brooklyn Nets Edition

    The NBA’s Dearly Departed: Brooklyn Nets Edition

    As teams in the NBA Playoffs get eliminated, Murphy’s Multiverse takes a look at their prospects for next season. The Brooklyn Nets were just swept by the Boston Celtics. What will it take for them to become real title contenders next season?

    Notable Free Agents

    • Guard Kyrie Irving (player option)
    • Guard Patty Mills (player option)
    • Guard Goran Dragic
    • Guard David Duke (Restricted)
    • Forward/Center Lamarcus Aldridge
    • Forward/Center Nic Claxton
    • Forward/Center Blake Griffin

    Projected 2022-2023 Starting Lineup

    • PG Kyrie Irving
    • SG Joe Harris
    • SF Kevin Durant
    • PF Ben Simmons
    • C *Free Agent*

    The Brooklyn Nets season was tumultuous and disappointing at the very least. The organization still has championship aspirations, but it feels like their title window is getting smaller and smaller. This is an important off season for the Nets, with various moving pieces that needs to be put in place for them to be true contenders.

    Kyrie Irving has a player option and is eligible to sign for a 5-year SuperMax worth over $250 million dollars. All signs’ points to the Nets agreeing to this extension but is this the best move? Especially given the distraction caused by Irving this season and the lack of real effort displayed by Irving during their embarrassing first round sweep by the Celtics.

    A lot of weaknesses were exposed during the playoffs that the Nets will need to solidify during this offseason. Look for Brooklyn to shore up some front court depth as well as focus on wing versatility. The Nets are currently guard heavy and it was quite alarming to watch Dragic/Irving attempt to guard and rebound over Daniel Theis in the playoffs.

    I don’t expect many of the current free agents to be resigned during the offseason, especially Nic Claxton as he’s eligible for a 5-year $55 million extension that the Nets just simply can’t afford. Selfishly, I would love Sean Marks to attempt to sign Bruce Brown as he was the most consistent player on the Nets roster this season but like Claxton the Nets may not be able to afford him.

  • The NBA’s Dearly Departed-Denver Nuggets Edition 

    The NBA’s Dearly Departed-Denver Nuggets Edition 

    As teams in the NBA Playoffs get eliminated, Murphy’s Multiverse takes a look at their prospects for next season. The Denver Nuggets were just eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in 5 games. What will it take for them to take the next step?

    Notable Free Agents

    • Guard Austin Rivers
    • Center Demarcus Cousins
    • Forward/Center JaMychal Green (player option)

    Projected 2022-2023 Starting Lineup

    • PG Jamal Murray
    • SG Will Barton
    • SF Michael Porter Jr
    • PF Aaron Gordon
    • C Nikola Jokic

    The Nuggets will go into next season with the likely back-to-back MVP in center Nikola Jokic. Most importantly they will have a healthy Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. The goal should be to take the pressure off of Jokic to do everything as he’s had to this past season. Murray’s scoring ability and ball-handling will allow that to happen. MPJ will also take some of the scoring load as well and make this a better offense. Aaron Gordon will slide into an easier situation of being the fourth option as opposed to being the 2nd best player on the team. The question is will it be enough to contend for a title?

    Consider this, with what we saw against Golden State it’s fair to ask if this Nuggets defense can be good enough. Against any pick and roll-based offense, Nikola Jokic will be targeted. On the other hand, it’s Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole. That’s a unique set of talent and shooting. You always have to be careful in overreacting to the results as opposed to the process itself. Jamal Murray will be coming off of a torn ACL, and MPJ still has his back issues. You will have to work those guys in carefully and judiciously. 

    Offensively Nikola Jokic is a system unto himself. If you add the lost talent this year they’ll be fine on that end. Defensively will be a work in progress. Can they find an additional wing that can defend in bench lineups or in crunch time? Or how about MPJ stepping up to be a two-way player. Sometimes the best improvements are in-house, and there’s a path for Denver to be a threat to get to the Finals with the right moves. 

    All of this takes health, a little bit of luck, and consistency from your best players. The western conference will always be a challenge, but maybe soon enough the Nuggets will strike gold.

  • 2022 NFL Draft Drinking Game

    2022 NFL Draft Drinking Game

    Welcome to the 2022 NFL Draft Drinking Game! Below are a few predictions of how the draft tonight will go. Play at your own risk.

    1. Take a shot whenever a prospect is drafted and the analysts tell us the worst thing that’s happened to the prospect’s family.
      1. The 2020 draft was hyper focused on this. We had multiple “Get to Know” lists directly after the prospect was drafted, and one I remember the most was Tee Higgins, current Bengals receiver and Clemson standout. They listed his hometown, high school accolades, and that his mother fought drugs for 20 years. Why on Earth would you think that’s necessary to include? It’s this person’s biggest moment of their lives so far and you have to air out dirty laundry? Do better.
    2. Finish your drink if a running back is taken in the first round.
      1. DON’T TAKE RUNNING BACKS IN THE FIRST!!! I am going to list the number of First Round RBs that have won the Super Bowl with the team that drafted them in the last 20 years. Sony Michel (Patriots, 2018), Reggie Bush (2009), and Joseph Addai (Colts, 2006). And all 3 were quarterbacked by Hall of Famers. If you want a ring, do not take a first round running back.
    3. Take a drink if Bill Belichick trades back, finish your drink if he trades out of the First round altogether.
      1. Bill hates first rounders. He’s a late round specialist (See one Brady, Tom for evidence, or more recently, Michael Onwenu), and almost always finds a way to trade out of his current draft slot.
    4. Take a shot if a team trades into the top 8 and overreaches on a quarterback.
      1. I’m firmly of the opinion that there should be no quarterbacks taken in the first round this year. But some team (Watch for the Saints, Commanders, Seahawks or maybe even the Eagles) to trade up, likely for Malik Willis.
  • The Superhero Mock Draft

    The Superhero Mock Draft


    Rules:
    All superheros are draftable
    Rosters include a QB, 3 Offensive Weapons, 3 Defensive Weapons
    No Variants

    Hunter is on the clock.

    Round One:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #1:

    Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man (WR)

    Dalbin’s reaction: Going young right off the bat doesn’t make me nervous. I’d be more concerned if Hunter chose a wide receiver that can catch (sorry Gwen Stacy).

    Hunter’s response: Betting on Parker learning from his mistakes in college. He’s a young guy but it’s his spirit, determination, and ability to adapt that catch my eye. The sticky fingers don’t hurt either.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #1

    Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (QB)

    Hunter’s reaction: This is an intimidating pick. Incredible leadership ability and one of the most accurate throws in his class. Rogers was definitely someone we kept an eye on. Maybe could have picked someone with better arm strength though.

    Dalbin’s response: What better way to combat the kid from Queens than with the kid from Brooklyn? Throwing vibranium around means the adjustment to the pro game will take a minute, but please believe that the intangibles are through the roof.

    Round Two:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #2

    Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman (QB)

    Dalbin’s reaction: A leader who never compromised his values despite what Injustice says. He’s faster than a speeding bullet, which means he’d revolutionize the game, so I’m really worried now. Defensively, I may have to draft someone with his mother’s name to stop him.

    Hunter’s response: Heard from a few scouts he’s resolved his conflict with Mr. Wayne. Some described it as a “rebirth.” I’m excited for his future as both a leader and an athletic talent, not to mention I think the camaraderie between Kent and Parker will result in Burrow and Chase levels of success.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #2

    James Howlett, aka Wolverine (RB)

    Hunter’s reaction: A little guy, good for putting his head down and getting through the line. Scrappy and sturdy. I’ll need a sturdier, angrier linebacker if I have any hope of putting him down.

    Dalbin’s response: With the selection of Cap, I wanted someone with a strong relationship with him in the backfield, and the only person with a better relationship with Cap than Logan is Bucky, but I couldn’t draft a former war criminal who Cap himself didn’t pick. Logan is my Derrick Henry.

    Round Three:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #3

    Bruce Banner, a.k.a. The Hulk (LB)

    Dalbin’s reaction: Oh, dear God. I wouldn’t like when he’s angry and playing for Hunter means he will always be angry. This is a good way to counter my first two picks, but will the comics repeat themselves on a screen pass? We’ll see!

    Hunter’s response: Hulk smash.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #3

    Barry Allen, aka The Flash (WR)

    Hunter’s reaction: Talk about a prospect with speed. No way I can draft anybody who can keep up with Allen, but I can draft someone (witch) crafty enough to get around it.

    Dalbin’s response: The only worry with Barry was immaturity, but the speed is too tantalizing a prospect to pass up here in round 3.

    Round Four:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #4

    Mark Grayson, a.k.a. Invincible (S)

    Dalbin’s reaction: *An audible gasp exits from the Illumaniti war room, and it doesn’t come from a Captain Marvel variant while fighting the Scarlet Witch* I had Hunter’s word that he wouldn’t take Grayson. He was MY sleeper!

    Hunter’s response: If there’s anything Grayson is familiar with, it’s shocking betrayals from people he trusts. This is a defensive player who can be anywhere on the field, and no longer trusts anyone else to do his job for him.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #4

    Harley Quinn (LB)

    Hunter’s reaction: A bit confused by this one. Quinn is brutal and unpredictable, the definition of a wild card, but I would have thought she’d end up on the offensive side of things. I’ll need to make some picks that can handle her chaos.

    Dalbin’s response: I needed a leader on defense, and who better than the person who leads DC’s best movie (Birds of Prey)? With the array of weapons, ahem, I’ll add around her, it’s really over for you jokers.



    Round Five:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #5

    Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. Scarlet Witch (CB)

    Dalbin’s Response: She lacks vision, but the potential is through the roof now that she’s embraced her true self. A true mutant at the position, this might be Hunter’s best pick.

    Hunter’s response: There’s really no cap on her potential, and what she lacks in vision she makes up for with a fierce sense of team play. She’ll do anything to make sure her family comes out on top.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #5

    John Stewart, aka Green Lantern (S)

    Dalbin’s reaction: How do I support the wild card in the middle of the defense? By giving her a player with range behind her. The best Green Lantern brings leadership skills and no desire to fall to the dark side like his predecessors from Green Lantern University.

    Hunter’s reaction: Egads! This was going to be my next pick. A truly multifaceted talent, with the ability to make up defensive plays on the spot. I’ll need someone with experience and endurance to get through Stewart, because there may be no going around.

    Round Six:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #6

    Hellboy (TE)

    Dalbin’s response: *A visible smirk is shown on the face of the new GM in the Illumaniti war room*


    Hunter’s response: Needed someone who could drop a shoulder, stiff arm, or block just as well as they can catch. Hellboy is the definition of that skill set. It’s almost like he’s got two different hands, one for the soft touch and one you hope he never uses on you.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #6

    T’Challa, aka Black Panther (WR)

    Dalbin’s reaction: Completing my offense with a franchise player in round 6? Too hard to pass up. With Cap, Flash, Wolverine, and T’Challa on offense, we are talking vibranium over Baghdad.

    Hunter’s reaction: Hard to believe T’Challa was still on the board. He never fit into my offensive scheme, but I was praying to Bast that he didn’t fit the Illuminati’s either.

    Round Seven:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #7

    Scott Lang, a.k.a. Ant-Man (RB)

    Dalbin’s response: When we talk shifty, this is what we mean. Plus, when you singlehandedly save the universe by planning a time heist, you’d think there’d be more hype, but this might be Hunter’s best pick. Plus, there’s so much potential for him to play bigger than what he currently is.

    Hunter’s response: This is someone who can carry the ball anywhere on the field, and fits in perfectly with an offense designed to constantly adapt. Good luck catching a guy you can barely see breaking away downfield.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #7:

    Diana, Princess of the Amazons, aka Wonder Woman (EDGE)

    Dalbin Reaction: Diana, Harley, and John on defense gives me range, versatility, and downright power. It’s the ultimate bend but don’t break defense, but one that will do what’s needed given the offense will score points.

    Hunter’s reaction: This pick makes me glad I have a quarterback with steel nerves. Nothing scarier than a Themyscira alum coming hot off the corner.