July 16, 2017
Courtesy of HBO/PhillyVoice
Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) currently sits on the Iron Throne. But for how long?
On Thursday, we unveiled the results of our first-ever "Game of Thrones" Fantasy Drat, offering up pick-by-pick analysis and asking you, the readers, to tell us who you thought built the best team to conquer Westeros.
To say we're a little excited for Sunday night's premiere of the wildly popular HBO show would be quite the understatement.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about – or if you missed the original draft post – you should click on over to check it out. If nothing else, take a look at the rules as they should help explain a few things about how these teams would work together despite containing characters who would likely kill each other the first chance they got.
And, as a reminder, here's a look at how the picks played out:
There was plenty of controversy over which team would win, and some of us spent hours on Twitter defending our picks to the masses. But the masses have spoken and decided a winner (although I'll leave the poll open a little longer in case you're just catching up and haven't had a chance to vote yet).
As of 1:30 p.m. on July 16, here's the tally:
Of course, if we've learned anything watching the first six seasons of "Thrones," it that's terrible things can happen to anyone – and quite often they happen to the people you least expect, or the ones you believe deserve it the least. Basically, my 42 percent is like Littlefinger's word – it means a whole lot of nothing.
And based on the feedback we got on Twitter and in the comments, there's no consensus on which one of us would theoretically claim the Iron Throne.
[SPOILER WARNING: If you aren't up to date on the show – through six seasons – this post may contain spoilers.]
We'll get to the general feed back in a minute. First, we have to go over what proved to be a controversial first-overall pick, one that I thought was pretty much a no-brainer. House Shander drafted Bran Stark with the No. 1 pick, and people thought one of two things: either it was a genius move; or Eytan passed on Bob McAdoo and Dr. J (in this case Jon Snow and Dany) to draft the LaRue Martin of Westeros.
Shander, you took the worst character in the show #1?! Dude seriously?! pic.twitter.com/euXAaENEq5
— Pat Egan (@Pat_Egan) July 13, 2017
This is a show where women give birth to smoke monsters. Dragons come alive. This kid falls 12 feet & still can't walk. I can't stand Bran
— Pat Egan (@Pat_Egan) July 13, 2017
And this was just the beginning. As a reminder, here's the reason Eytan gave for drafting the young Stark with the top pick:
The kid sees all. The No. 1 overall pick is one of few people in the show who possess truly powerful magical abilities. Think of the possibilities with the King being a Warg. He can enter the mind of Dany's Dragons or any other animal used against him. He's even managed to enter the minds of humans. Plus, with the power to see into the future, he'll see any attack on him coming. A little young still, but enter the Hand.
Some agreed.
This is a bade take, Egan. Bran is one of the most important characters on this show, up there with Dany and Jon Snow.
— Jacob Kudoba (@jkudoba15) July 13, 2017
@ShanderShow has the strongest team IMHO Bran basically is the Trump card to all. Clegane bros is 💪💪💪
— Matthew Hathaway (@215er4Life) July 13, 2017
Whoever has Bran wins.
— Proof (@100proof3block) July 13, 2017
Bran bout to blow up history. #1 draft pick
— JM Gunz (@jmgunz) July 13, 2017
Bran is one of the 4 most important characters outside of jon dany and tyrion
— Jason Odyniec (@Jay00hhh) July 13, 2017
Lol Bran potentially the key to beating the greatest threat/villain in the show and it's the worst pick in any draft ever? Tebow tho?
— Alan Kedrierski (@Alan_Kedrierski) July 13, 2017
Some ... did not.
But whoever has Bran is a loser. The character sucks.
— dave (@djunderh2o) July 13, 2017
Drafting Bran first overall is the worst pick in the history of any draft. Ever. That's embarrassing. https://t.co/9jE4T4M8MH
— Alex Smith (@Alex_SmithPHI) July 13, 2017
@ShanderShow with a TERRIBLE draft. The hound is a steal in round 6 tho. You can't take Bran Stark #1!
— MikeWig (@thankyouhinkie) July 13, 2017
Then came the gauntlet...
Do something Bran can't... walk away from this argument...
— Kelce Grammer (@illwilltc) July 13, 2017
Safe to say the world is still torn on Bran, although I think it's fairly obvious how important he is to the show. Sure, he's not actively making a run at the Iron Throne, but he possesses certain talents that no one else in this entire world can match.
And if he can actually see the future or influence future events by traveling into the past – think "Hold the Door" (RIP) or Ned outside the Tower of Joy – then he may already know how this whole story ends. Wouldn't you want that on your team? I know I would...
Here's a look at some of the picks that got the most praise.
Got to go with John Snow, the man can't die
— Jason Minnich (@TIOO72) July 14, 2017
Ser Davos a reach at 15 but I love that pick. Character guy. Shocked Tormund Giantsbane went undrafted. Solid FA pickup.
— Adam Malamut (@mutsack) July 13, 2017
Bron was a legit steal, had him going in the third round really.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 13, 2017
Jon Snow is a cheat code lol
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) July 13, 2017
Arya Stark is the Kershaw of this entire group. You can see the greatness. And there's so many years ahead of amazing killing
— Pat Egan (@Pat_Egan) July 13, 2017
Thought @matt_mullin had the best draft, but taking Greywind late....that's like taking Bo Jackson in round 7. Bold move
— Pat Egan (@Pat_Egan) July 13, 2017
I get it. Tormund going undrafted is criminal. As is the fact that there's a dragon out there that didn't even get a tryout invite....
Sorry Hoffman, but Sam Tarly is the Danny Watkins of this draft 🔥🚒
— Matthew Hathaway (@215er4Life) July 13, 2017
Khal Drogo undrafted? That's like leaving Aaron Judge on the board.
— Tim Dolan (@tdog330) July 14, 2017
You all lose for not drafting Tormund
— Proof (@100proof3block) July 13, 2017
also, no one grabbed Wun-Wun the giant even as an undrafted free agent??? come on
— Charlie O'Connor (@BSH_Charlie) July 13, 2017
Did House doctors not like Drogon's physical? How does he last to the third round? Rumors are out about degenerative wings
— Hizer (@Zach_Hizer) July 13, 2017
Sorry, Tormund was a UFA. Even worse.
— Alex Smith (@Alex_SmithPHI) July 13, 2017
also @ryanlawrence21 is crazy. Taking two priests for the Lord of Light when he shoulda took Beric Dondarrion over Thoros of Myr smdh.
— Mark Magowan (@_magowan) July 14, 2017
Jon Snow has basically lost every battle he's ever fought and has only been bailed out by others
— John Infanti (@Johnny_2Hats) July 13, 2017
And now a look at some more general thoughts.
Mullin is the favorite coming out of this draft but I thought Lawrence was a clear 2nd. stealing Drogon and cornering market on revivers key
— Charlie O'Connor (@BSH_Charlie) July 13, 2017
Night king and a dragon. I think you'd win
— Jason Henderson (@JeHendo) July 14, 2017
Matt you crushed it. Although the 3-ER and Night King are sorta complete oppos, Having NK and Dany is huge.
— Mark Magowan (@_magowan) July 14, 2017
might give edge to @matt_mullin w/ his drafting of Night King. Were deities eligible to draft? Like the Lord of Light or the Great Stallion
— Jersey Josh (@MrJerseyJosh) July 13, 2017
I just remembered something about the Night King. He can't travel south of the wall. Might have to tilt advantage back to Ryan
— Jersey Josh (@MrJerseyJosh) July 14, 2017
OK. Time to go finish some actual work before the premiere...
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
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