Daily Hardwood
24 sample challenges in the queue. Each one opens at /daily/play?challenge=N.
- #01play →
The Second-Round Brief
Issue No. 29Thursday · May 21, 2026≤ 140 HCR16 poolBuild a 12-man roster from the 2008 NBA Draft, second round only, of play-in caliber. Win 53+ games against the 2008 NBA average.
Scoring · atLeast 53 wins · vs 2008 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 16- Serge Ibaka ’09 · 0.8
- Mario Chalmers ’09 · 3.2
- Luc Mbah a Moute ’09 · 2.1
- Goran Dragić ’09 · 0.4
- DeAndre Jordan ’09 · 1.6
- Marreese Speights ’09 · 0.4
- DeAndre Jordan ’15 · 14.6
- Serge Ibaka ’12 · 8.4
- + 8 more
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Like Father, Like Son
Issue No. 29Thursday · May 21, 2026≤ 200 HCR30 poolFather/son pairs placedBuild a 12-man all-time roster including three father/son combinations, of playoff caliber. Match or beat the 2001 Lakers' 56 wins.
Scoring · atLeast 61 wins · vs 2001 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Around the Nuggets
Issue No. 29Thursday · May 21, 2026≤ 200 HCR30 pool3 prefillBuild out the 2023 Nuggets from any era, with your locked stars carried by a deep bench. Win 65+ games against the modern NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 65 wins · vs modern NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Best Team of Jaylens
Issue No. 29Thursday · May 21, 2026≤ 110 HCR14 poolBuild a 12-man roster of NBA Jaylens, Jalens, and Jaylins, of contender caliber. Match the 2024 Celtics' 64 wins.
Scoring · atLeast 60 wins · vs 2024 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 14- Jaylen Brown ’18 · 5.4
- Jaylen Brown ’21 · 9.6
- Jaylen Brown ’24 · 14.2
- Jalen Brunson ’22 · 7.8
- Jalen Brunson ’24 · 16.4
- Jalen Williams ’24 · 11.4
- Jalen Williams ’25 · 13.8
- Jalen Suggs ’24 · 6.2
- + 6 more
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Brothers Keepers
Issue No. 30Friday · May 22, 2026≤ 170 HCR30 poolBrother pairs placedBuild a 12-man all-time roster including two complete brother pairs, of playoff caliber. Win 61+ games against the 2017 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 61 wins · vs 2017 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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One Player Per Decade
Issue No. 31Saturday · May 23, 2026≤ 180 HCR30 poolDecades representedBuild a 12-man all-time roster including seven distinct decades represented, of play-in caliber. Win 55+ games against the 2011 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 55 wins · vs 2011 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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The Zoo
Issue No. 32Sunday · May 24, 2026≤ 130 HCR3 poolBuild a 12-man roster of whose last names are animals, of play-in caliber. Win 59+ games against the 2017 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 59 wins · vs 2017 NBAPool peek — first 3- Larry Bird ’86 · 24.2
- Rick Fox ’99 · 4.8
- De'Aaron Fox ’23 · 11.4
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Around Showtime
Issue No. 33Monday · May 25, 2026≤ 220 HCR30 pool3 prefillBuild out the '87 Showtime Lakers from any era, with your locked stars carried by a deep bench. Match the 1987 Lakers' 65 wins.
Scoring · atLeast 66 wins · vs 1987 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Around the Last Dance
Issue No. 34Tuesday · May 26, 2026≤ 210 HCR30 pool3 prefillBuild out the '96 Bulls from any era, with your locked stars carried by a deep bench. Match or beat the '96 Bulls (72 W).
Scoring · atLeast 69 wins · vs 1996 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Around the Twin Towers
Issue No. 35Wednesday · May 27, 2026≤ 180 HCR30 pool2 prefillBuild out the Twin Towers Rockets from any era, with your locked stars carried by a deep bench. Win 69+ games against the 1995 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 60 wins · vs 1995 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Best Team of Kevins
Issue No. 36Thursday · May 28, 2026≤ 150 HCR7 poolBuild a 12-man roster of NBA Kevins, of contender caliber. Win 64+ games against the 2014 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 64 wins · vs 2014 NBAPool peek — first 7- Kevin Durant ’14 · 26.4
- Kevin Durant ’19 · 23.8
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Kevin Garnett ’08 · 17.8
- Kevin Love ’14 · 15.2
- Kevin Johnson ’90 · 14.4
- Kevin Porter Jr. ’22 · 0.4
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Best Team of Michaels
Issue No. 37Friday · May 29, 2026≤ 140 HCR7 poolBuild a 12-man roster of NBA Michaels, Mikes, Mikals, Mychals, and Mickeys, of playoff caliber. Win 59+ games against the 2017 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 59 wins · vs 2017 NBAPool peek — first 7- Michael Jordan ’96 · 27.6
- Michael Jordan ’93 · 24.2
- Mikal Bridges ’23 · 8.6
- Mike Conley ’22 · 7.4
- Michael Finley ’99 · 7.8
- Mike Bibby ’04 · 8.6
- Michael Cooper ’87 · 5.8
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Best Team of Jalens
Issue No. 38Saturday · May 30, 2026≤ 90 HCR8 poolBuild a 12-man roster of NBA Jalens (J-A-L-E-N only), of play-in caliber. Win 56+ games against the 2024 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 56 wins · vs 2024 NBAPool peek — first 8- Jalen Brunson ’22 · 7.8
- Jalen Brunson ’24 · 16.4
- Jalen Williams ’24 · 11.4
- Jalen Suggs ’24 · 6.2
- Jalen Green ’24 · 2.8
- Jalen Johnson ’24 · 7.6
- Jalen Duren ’24 · 4.4
- Jalen Rose ’00 · 9.4
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All Centers
Issue No. 39Sunday · May 31, 2026≤ 0 HCR9 poolBuild a 12-man roster of listed centers, all-time, of play-in caliber. Win 45+ games against the 1971 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 45 wins · vs 1971 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 9- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Brook Lopez ’18 · 6.4
- Robin Lopez ’18 · 2.6
- Giannis Antetokounmpo ’19 · 24.6
- Mason Plumlee ’22 · 1.4
- Marshall Plumlee ’17 · (0.6)
- + 1 more
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No Centers Allowed
Issue No. 40Monday · June 1, 2026≤ 180 HCR25 poolBuild a 12-man roster of guards and wings, no listed centers, of playoff caliber. Win 61+ games against the 2004 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 61 wins · vs 2004 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 25- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 17 more
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Around the Process
Issue No. 41Tuesday · June 2, 2026≤ 180 HCR30 pool3 prefillWin in spite of the Process-era 76ers bench from any era, of play-in caliber. Win 58+ games against the 2015 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 58 wins · vs 2015 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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72+ Without KD
Issue No. 42Wednesday · June 3, 2026≤ 150 HCR30 pool3 prefillBuild a 12-man 2017 roster from the 2017 NBA only — Kevin Durant excluded, with your locked stars carried by a deep bench. Win 69+ games against the 2017 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 69 wins · vs 2017 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Lose with Jokić
Issue No. 43Thursday · June 4, 2026≤ 120 HCR30 pool1 prefillBuild a 12-man roster around '25 Jokić from any era, with your locked stars carried by a deep bench. Win fewer than 30 games against the 2025 NBA.
Scoring · atMost 29 wins · vs 2025 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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1995 in 2025
Issue No. 44Friday · June 5, 2026≤ 170 HCR30 poolBuild a 12-man roster from 1994-95 NBA of 1994-95 player-seasons, of play-in caliber. Win 56+ games against the 2025 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 56 wins · vs 2025 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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2025 in 1995
Issue No. 45Saturday · June 6, 2026≤ 180 HCR30 poolBuild a 12-man roster from 2024-25 NBA of 2024-25 player-seasons, of play-in caliber. Win 52+ games against the 1994-95 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 52 wins · vs 1994-95 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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The 41-Win Brief
Issue No. 46Sunday · June 7, 2026≤ 160 HCR30 poolBuild a 12-man roster from any era, of play-in caliber. Land as close to 41 wins as possible against the 2001 NBA.
Scoring · closest 41 wins · vs 2001 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Four MVPs + 40 HCR
Issue No. 47Monday · June 8, 2026≤ 40+ HCR30 pool4 prefillBuild a 12-man roster around four recent MVPs from any era, with your locked stars carried by a deep bench. Win 73+ games against the 2024 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 73 wins · vs 2024 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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Exactly 30, Over 60 HCR
Issue No. 48Tuesday · June 9, 2026≥ 60 HCR30 poolBuild a 12-man roster from any era, of play-in caliber. Land exactly 30 wins against the 2010 NBA.
Scoring · exact 30 wins · vs 2010 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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The Habitable Zone
Issue No. 49Wednesday · June 10, 2026100–160 HCR30 poolBuild a 12-man roster from any era, of playoff caliber. Win 61+ games against the 2010 NBA.
Scoring · atLeast 61 wins · vs 2010 NBAPool peek — first 8 of 30- Chris Paul ’08 · 19.4
- Manu Ginóbili ’08 · 16.2
- Kobe Bryant ’08 · 23.8
- LeBron James ’09 · 27.6
- Dirk Nowitzki ’11 · 18.2
- Tim Duncan ’03 · 22.4
- Kevin Garnett ’04 · 21.9
- Steve Nash ’06 · 17.8
- + 22 more
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