NBA draft game with friends

Player pools and ratings

Every pool lists who you can draft and how each player is rated, position by position.

• This seasonEvery player on an NBA roster now, rated on the last two seasons.
• Since 2013-14Every rated player since 2013-14, rated on his best seasons.
• 2020sAnyone who played in 2020-21 or later.
• 2010sAnyone who played from 2013-14 to 2019-20.

Franchise pools

• 76ers since 2013-14
• Bucks since 2013-14
• Bulls since 2013-14
• Cavaliers since 2013-14
• Celtics since 2013-14
• Clippers since 2013-14
• Grizzlies since 2013-14
• Hawks since 2013-14
• Heat since 2013-14
• Hornets since 2013-14
• Jazz since 2013-14
• Kings since 2013-14
• Knicks since 2013-14
• Lakers since 2013-14
• Magic since 2013-14
• Mavericks since 2013-14
• Nets since 2013-14
• Nuggets since 2013-14
• Pacers since 2013-14
• Pelicans since 2013-14
• Pistons since 2013-14
• Raptors since 2013-14
• Rockets since 2013-14
• Spurs since 2013-14
• Suns since 2013-14
• Thunder since 2013-14
• Timberwolves since 2013-14
• Trail Blazers since 2013-14
• Warriors since 2013-14
• Wizards since 2013-14

The highest rated, all time

• James HardenBest point guard · 26.6 pts, 6.2 reb, 8.5 ast per game, 923 games99
• Bradley BealBest shooting guard · 22.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.4 ast per game, 750 games99
• Kevin DurantBest small forward · 27.5 pts, 6.9 reb, 5.2 ast per game, 739 games99
• LeBron JamesBest power forward · 26.1 pts, 7.6 reb, 7.8 ast per game, 856 games99
• Nikola JokićBest center · 22.2 pts, 11.1 reb, 7.5 ast per game, 808 games99

Questions

Who can I draft in the NBA draft game?

Every player with a regular season on record since 2013-14. Pools narrow it to this season, the 2020s, the 2010s from 2013-14, or one franchise. Older seasons are not in yet because we only use data we are allowed to use.

What lineup do I draft?

A starting five, one point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center, plus a three-man bench that can be any position.

How are NBA players rated?

By game score per game, John Hollinger's box score formula, compared with the best regulars of the same season. A career is the average of his three best seasons with a little credit for longevity; this season is his last two seasons.

How is an NBA season simulated?

Eighty games, four at a time against each opponent, then best-of-seven semifinals and a final. Better rosters win more often, but not every night.

How does the draft game work?

Create a league, pick a player pool and invite friends with a five-letter code or a link. Everyone takes turns in a snake draft until every lineup slot is filled, then the season is simulated: a full schedule, standings, playoffs, a champion and an MVP.

Can I play the draft game with friends?

Yes. Up to eight teams can join one league from a code or a share link. Every pick shows up on every screen as it is made. Empty seats can be filled with computer teams, so it also works solo.

Do I need an account?

No. The game is free and needs no sign in. Your browser keeps a random id so it remembers your seat and your leagues; nothing else is stored about you.

What happens if someone does not pick in time?

With a pick clock on, the best available player for that team's most needed slot is taken when the clock runs out. Miss two picks in a row and your team drafts on autopilot until you tap to take it back.

How is the season decided?

Each team's strength is its players' ratings weighted by how much each lineup slot matters. Every game samples both scores around the gap in strength, so the better roster wins more often but upsets happen. The whole season comes from the league code, so everyone sees the same results.

Where do the ratings come from?

From real stats in public data, normalized by position and era. Each sport's how it works page lists the exact sources, licenses and formula.

How long does a league page last?

Thirty days. The results page at its code stays up for a month so everyone in the league can come back to it.

How the NBA ratings and season sim work