Draft Recap + Week 1: LOCK TF IN

Well, well, well. Week 1 has finally arrived. While it seems like just yesterday Unc hoisted the trophy — wait it basically was as delivery didn't happen until the draft—we are on the verge of another season. Below is a quick recap of the draft along with predictions on Week 1 matchups.

In the words of Ms. Unc, quit playing with your beer and LOCK IN.

Slate (+4000) vs. Unc (+5000)

We'll start with the longshot first. After winning it all last season, Unc decided to "go in a different direction." Which means he drafted a shit team and is going to have to pray for good health and a fleece or two on the trade market. Issue becomes that he's been moved to the no-trade list BY HIS OWN FAMILY. Could be a down season in Ames. As for Slate, he didn't make it west for the draft and enters the season with long odds. Picking from the back of the pack he did swoop up Steph and KD. The rest of the lineup is long on defense and rebounding, but is it enough to get over the hump?

• Week 1 Prediction: Unc is with out Domas, but was probably going to lose rebounds to this squad anyway. This is going to be an ugly one and the first team to rack up 400 points may take it. I'm going Slate 5 - 4 Unc

Baley (+1500) vs. Lucas (+1500)

In one of the most shocking post-draft day developments in the history of the league, Baley moved his No. 1 pick for two solid pieces (trading Ant and JSJ for Paolo and Coby White). The move did improve his depth and he has a sneaky good roster making him among the favorites. Lucas drafted from the bottom and was able to put together a squad that should be both good and fun to watch. If Maxey and Mitchell play more than 70 games he's going to be a tough out.

• Week 1 Prediction: It's going to take Baley some time to sort out what his depth is going to do for him. Lucas on the other hand should come out firing with two dynamic guards at the top. Lucas 6 - 3 Baley

Brady (+2500) vs. Tate (+2500)

Man ... the housemates duke it out in Week 1. Both of them drafted solid rosters, but that also have some question marks. Was LeBron worth a third round reach for Brady, or will his sciatica become a pain in the ass (literally)? Tate benefitted from the drop in KAT's value, but with injury prone Mark Williams and Jalen Green starting the season on the IL, will he have enough to keep from getting buried out of the gate? The only certainty for this duo is that they won't be trading with their Old Man.

• Week 1 Prediction: This is a pretty even match-up as the Week 1 odds would indicate. With Brady dealing with injuries to LBJ and Darius Garland, I'm gonna go with Tate in Week 1. Tate 5 - 4 Brady

Deandre (+5000) vs. Jared (+750)

It was not a good sign when Deandre hit the chat on Sunday morning claiming he couldn't even look at his team. On the strength of that alone, he is among this season's long shots. Jared on the other hand took a good look at his team ... and decided to deal a couple high value guys for another superstar. This league is impossible to win without a couple guys in the Top 10. With him landing Ant to pair with Giannis, he enters the season as the favorite.

• Week 1 Prediction: I can't call Jared the favorite and then not pick him to win against a long shot. I think this one kicks off Jared's defense of the best regular season record. Jared 6 - 3 Deandre

Nate (+1250) vs. Trent (+2500)

Having the first pick gives Nate a serious advantage after showing over the past few years that he is a demon on draft day. With Jokic anchoring this squad he will be in it every week. And with a willingness to trade he could build around the big guy. Trent was expecting Giannis but landed last season's NBA MVP. He should be in the mix all season, even considering taking swings at oft-injured players, a couple youngsters and the jurasic era Chris Paul.

• Week 1 Prediction: Nate's got Jokic and that is going to be big as everyone sorts out who's who on their roster. SGA is a great fantasy player. But Jokic has reached Fantasy God level. I gotta go with the best player in the matchup for this one. Nate 5 - 4 Trent

Obie (+1000) vs. Powers (+1000)

A couple of new(ish) dads did some work on draft night. Obie's haul is solid from top to bottom, despite picking out of the 10 spot. Powers, who picked one slot ahead, raked in a sleeper fantasy MVP candidate in Devin Booker. And it was just good in Round 1 for these two. They filled out the roster with a nice mix of specialists (Trey Murphy and Toumani Camara for Obie, Zion and Vassell for Powers), stat sheet stuffers (Sengun for Obie, Harden for Powers) and young guys with upside (Kuminga for Obie, Avdija for Powers). Add it all up and these two have the goods to win it all.

• Week 1 Prediction: This is an absolute toss up and it could come down to which household has the kid who sleeps through the night best. Judging the rosters it is tough to identify a favorite, but I'm going to take Powers during Week 1. Powers 5 - 4 Obie.

Pohlad (+1000) vs. Kees (+500)

This is a matchup of two of the three best rosters in the league. Kees' squad + his history of winning multiple titles make him the favorite entering the season. Pohlad has an absolute banger of a team, headed by Luka and featuring legit triple double threats Josh Giddey and Bam Adebayo. With a tough supporting cast, this could be the year Pohlad advances in the playoffs.

• Week 1 Prediction: Yes, Kees is solid. Yes, Kees has won it multiple times. Yes, Kees usually starts strong. But as a married man, Pohlad is motivated to bring home the bacon this season. There's gotta be one match that makes you shake your head each week. This will be the head scratcher to start the season. A statement game outta Action P. Pohlad 7 - 2 Kees