Upset City

Just like in the Carl Lewis Division, it looks like a non-Phelps team (MINE!!!) is going to run away with the division. Thanks, USA Beach Volleyball!

PLUS

Amanda Beard and I have no part of Mr. Phelps, and that worked out well.

/end self-serving brag post

Preliminary Draft Analysis

Panda-monium
* Phelps. Obviously.
* Late picks were nontraditional, which could lock in first place...or completely bust.

People's Republic of Boozin
* Research gave this team solid picks throughout.
* Gunning for first, this team holds a better tiebreaker than Panda-monium.

Dim Sum Of This
* Hometown heroes are featured throughout this team.
* A few upsets here or there, and this team could surprise.

Uncle Sam's Chariot of Fire
* Early picks are locks for single medals, but are there enough multiple medalists?
* Late picks in obscure sports make this team fun.

Marion Jones Steroid Puddle
* Team sports are a big part of the selections.
* Solid picks throughout.

The U.S. of France
* Sprinters are key because he sees "no other reasonable strategy."
* If the swimmers show up big, this team could make up some points.

Mao Tse Bronze
* In the hunt for medal count if the gymnasts repeat from Athens.
* Best overall tiebreaker. Naturally. Since it was taken in the 10th round.

Draft Order

The following order was drawn out of a hat by the Commissioner:

1. Panda-monium - Virginia and Carolyn
2. People's Republic of Boozin - Susan, Patrick, Erica and Paul
3. Dim Sum of This - Lauren
4. Uncle Sam's Chariot of Fire - Jeremy
5. Marion Jones Steroid Puddle - Scott
6. U.S. of France - Andrew
7. Team TBD - Shawn

Good luck!

Our live draft was held on 7/31/2008 at Choice Kitchen.

Panda-monium

Managers: Virginia and Carolyn
Brooklyn, NY

Total Points: 35

Roster:
1. Michael Phelps - 24
2. Mikele Barber
3. Venus Williams - 3
4. Rebecca Ward (Touche!) - 2
5. Tyson Gay
6. Sarah Hammer
7. Demetrius Andrade
8. Reese Hoffa
9. Bryan Clay - 3
10. Finchum and Boudia
11. Anna Tunnicliffe - 3
12. Laura Wilkinson

Tie-breaker country: Australia

People's Republic of Boozin

Managers: Susan, Patrick, Erica and Paul
Brooklyn, NY

Total Points: 25

Roster:
1. Katie Hoff - 4
2. Peter Vanderkaay - 4
3. Jessica Hardy
4. Alicia Sacramore - 2
5. USA Women's Basketball - 3
6. Muna Lee
7. Kristin Armstrong - 3
8. Sada Jacobson - 3
9. Matt Emmons - 2
10. Raj Bhavsar - 1
11. Nathan Adrian - 3
12. Breaux Greer

Tie-breaker country: Germany

Dim Sum Of This

Manager: Lauren
New York, NY

Total Points: 26

Roster:
1. Morgan Hamm Kevin Tan - 1
2. Jeremy Wariner - 5
3. Alexander Artemev - 1
4. Jason Lezak - 7
5. USA Women's Soccer - 3
6. Margaret Hoelzer - 5
7. Erik Vendt - 3
8. Donny Robinson - 1
9. Rosenthal/Gibb
10. Daniel Cormier
11. LoLo Jones
12. Jun Gao

Tie-breaker country: Japan

TRADE MADE 08-08-08: No. 1 pick Morgan Hamm dropped and replaced with Kevin Tan

Uncle Sam's Chariot of Fire

Manager: Jeremy
New York, NY
2006 Fantasy Olympics Bronze Medalist

Total Points: 40

Roster:
1. Natalie Coughlin - 10
2. Aaron Peirsol - 8
3. Walsh/May-Treanor - 3
4. Ian Crocker - 3
5. Dara Torres - 6
6. Rogers/Dahlhauser - 3
7. Mike Day - 2
8. Rau-Shee Warren
9. Steven Lopez - 1
10. Bryan Brothers - 1
11. David Zhuang
12. Howard Bach Jonathan Horton - 3

Tie-breaker country: Great Britain

TRADE MADE 08-08-08: No. 12 pick Howard Bach dropped and replaced with Jonathan Horton

Marion Jones Steroid Puddle

Manager: Scott
New York, NY

Total Points: 21

Roster:
1. Alison Felix - 5
2. Serena Williams - 3
3. USA Softball - 2
4. Kate Zeigler
5. Bernard Legat
6. Vincent Hancock - 3
7. USA Baseball - 1
8. Amy Acuff
9. Clarissa Chun
10. Shani Marks
11. Katy MacGreggor Kara Goucher
12. Sayaka Matsumoto Rebecca Soni - 7

Tie-breaker country: Russia

TRADE MADE 08-01-08: No. 11 pick Katy MacGreggor dropped and replaced with Kara Goucher
TRADE MADE 08-04-08: No. 12 pick Sayaka Matsumoto dropped and replaced with Rebecca Soni

The U.S. of France

Manager: Andrew
New York, NY

Total Points: 27

Roster:
1. Shawn Johnson - 9
2. Ryan Lochte - 8
3. LaShawn Merritt - 6
4. Darvis Patton
5. James Blake
6. Branagh/Youngs
7. Shawn Crawford - 2
8. Destinee Hooker
9. Ben Askren
10. Stacy Dragila
11. Christian Cantwell - 2
12. Anna Willard

Tie-breaker country: Mexico

Mao Tse Bronze

Manager: Shawn
Brooklyn, NY

Total Points: 32

Roster:
1. Nastia Liukin - 10
2. Walter Dix - 2
3. Garrett Weber-Gale - 6
4. USA Men's Basketball - 3
5. Marshevet Hooker
6. Women's Eight - 3
7. Klete Keller - 3
8. Amanda Beard
9. Chellsie Memmel - 2
10. Cullen Jones - 3
11. Women's Four
12. Jana Bieger

Tie-breaker country: China