User blog:Gordon003/TDA Mock Team Draft or can Trent save his team at all?

Hello. I’m back from DeviantArt, doing art commission and stuff like that. But I have a thought about TDA and it creeps me a little. Without being emotional, can Trent make his TDA team a lot better and if so, is it enough to challenge Gwen’s team? Here, I analyse and grade the team captain original choice and then outline on what’s the best available selection if I'm in charge. Do remember that both are picking based on TDI experience, not the future. So, Lindsay and Harold don’t hold much value as they don’t show much abilties in TDI in comparison to their TDA performance.

So, we go back to episode “Riot on Set” where Gwen and Trent are both team captain. Gwen has the advantage as she was awarded the first pick.

Round 1
Gwen Choice: Duncan

Checklist: Perfect pick for Gwen.
 * High Placing in TDI? Check.
 * Led team to win in TDI? Check.
 * Similar interest and knowledge? Check.
 * Knowledges that will help the team in certain movie situation? Check.
 * Good physical abilities? Check.
 * Going to anger the other team captain? Check.

Grade: A+

Gwen selection in my Draft: Duncan

What more does she want? Duncan fits her team easily.

Trent Choice: Lindsay

Trent has the disadvantage of not picking first so he must pick wisely with his first pick… and he didn’t. Irked that Gwen picked Duncan, Trent picks “beautiful Lindsay” … which is a huge gamble. Sure, she can take over and helps her team win some challenges (e.g. The boat race in X-treme Race). Sure, she has the physical and mental abilities to thrive in TDA since her personality perfectly suits TDA.

But her overall TDI experience is shaky at best as she let herself get manipulated by Heather most of the time and her focus at time of need… well good luck if she’s your only hope. Her beauty can help Trent win some TDA challenges but that’s a huge if. And with the first pick, you want a contestant that will be sure to help you at all time.

Grade: C

Trent selection in my Draft: DJ

Instead, Trent will play safe and pick DJ. A reliable, formidable team player who Trent knew and trusted back in TDI. Plus, DJ has the potential to help Trent recover his relationship with Gwen. All of this should be enough for Trent to pick DJ over Lindsay. Could have pick Leshawna but I think Trent’s friendship gets DJ over the line.

Round 2
Gwen Choice: Leshawna

Another solid choice from Gwen. Not only both are great friends back in TDI, Leshawna has thrived in TDI, highlighted by several moments when she won key challenges by her own. And you do not want to go against her if you challenged/taunted her. Overall, a good team and individual team member who bring stability to the team.

Grade: A

Gwen selection in my Draft: Leshawna

Again, what more does Gwen want? She got 2 power players – Duncan and Leshawna. Both have respect for each other and leadership if required to stand up.

Trent Choice: Justin

Trent picked Lindsay… and then picked Justin. LOL. Is Trent trying to be worse than the Sacramento Kings?

Nothing in TDI suggests that Justin will help the team, especially at the second round. His beauty may come into use in some challenges but come on. Surely, Trent can pick somebody better.

Grade: D+

Trent selection in my Draft: Owen

Continuing his friendship route, Trent picks Owen. He has winning experience as he made it to the final 2 in TDI due to his kind and funny personality. Owen will be at his best in challenges if foods are involved… bringing a potential powerful combo of Owen and DJ. I know he was picked very late but with all the upsides highlighted above, Trent will not want Gwen to pick Owen. Overall, a solid team player who has experience and will be a beast if motivated the right way.

Round 3
Gwen Choice: DJ

A good pick by Gwen. Like I said before, a reliable, formidable team player who all contestants liked and respected. He may lacks the mental abilities to win some challenges but if motivated the right way (especially via Duncan), he can take over and win challenges.

Grade: B+

Gwen selection in my Draft: Lindsay

Since DJ has been taken by Trent, this is the time where both captains should take risk. Hence, Gwen will take Lindsay. Like I said before, she has the physical and mental abilities to thrive in TDA since her personality perfectly suits TDA. Her TDI resume is shaky, suggesting that she is a huge wildcard as she can either help her team win or lose by a huge margin at important moment.

But in comparison to other contestants available, Lindsay has the highest potential to help the team win challenges without really hurting/annoying her team a lot… excluding repeatedly asking the question “Where’s Tyler?”.

Trent Choice: Beth

Finally, Trent got it right and picked Beth. Not the best choice but she will help the team win some challenges with her determination, something Trent’s team sorely lacked.

Grade: B+

Trent selection in mzy Draft: Heather

I know what I said. Beth is a good pick for Trent. But a better pick for Trent will be Heather. She may not contribute a lot for her team, but she has leadership abilities, a trait that Trent’s team sorely lack. If the situation is too much for Trent to handle, Heather will take over and ensures that the team will either win the challenge or die doing so. Plus, having her on Gwen’s team will further increase the gap between both team as Gwen’s team will have contestants who have leadership qualities while Trent’s team doesn’t. Hence, Heather is a better pick.

Round 4
Gwen Choice: Heather

An interesting pick, to say the least. Gwen picked Heather “to keep the enemies closer”. And I will agree with that. Like I said, Heather doesn’t fully help her team win but the last thing you need is her controlling your opponent team and using her manipulative ability to beat you. A gamble but a valid reason from Leshawna to say the least.

Grade: B

Gwen selection in my Draft: Izzy

Heather is out of the draft so let take another gamble, This time, it will be Izzy. Why? Physical abilities. Man, she has high athletic ability which will be enough to win challenges alone. Issue? Her erratic behaviour. Thankfully, Gwen’s team has Leshawna. And she will put Izzy in her place and help the team in the challenges… some of the time and if it is involved with Chef Hatchet.

Trent Choice: Owen

It’s kinda amazing that Owen is still available. Owen made to the final 2 in TDI… and yet nobody picked him at all! Why not? If properly motivated, nobody could stop him at all. A steal for Trent.

Grade: A

Trent selection in my Draft: Beth

With not many contestants available, Trent takes Beth, a safe pick. She too has been manipulated by Heather in TDI but if she has one good qualities that was displayed in TDI, it’s her willingness and determination to support her team cause at all cost. And Trent will need that as his team sorely lacks determination if not motivated.

Round 5
Gwen Choice: Harold

With Harold and Izzy left, Gwen picked Harold. Both Harold and Izzy have downsides based on TDI but Harold is more of a safe option due to Izzy craziness. Nothing to complain about that since this is the last round but Izzy has more upsides than Harold which could bite Gwen in the future.

Grade: C

Gwen selection in my Draft: Harold

I know what I said. Gwen should have picked Izzy over Harold. But over Justin? Nah. Harold has some moments when he single-handled his team to win challenges in TDI (e.g. Dodgeball challenge, Talent show) and that should be considered, especially when TDA is about movie moments. Unfortunately, his low physical abilities and “intelligence” will be his downside. But hey, it will keep Leshawna happy so that’s a plus, eh?

Trent Choice: Izzy

Nothing he can do. Trent hopes that Gwen make a mistake and his call have been answered. Like I said, Izzy is erratic most of the time, but she can destroy competition if properly used or in the right moment with Chef Hatchet.

Grade: B

Trent selection in my Draft: Justin

Last option and Trent hopes Justin will help the team… somewhat. True, his beauty will stun Gwen’s team at some moment but honestly, has he done anything worthwhile for his team back in TDI? Overall, Trent just hopes Justin wouldn’t be too detrimental to his team.

Who's better now? Trent's or Gwen's team?
It’s obvious. Gwen has 2 friends who has leadership, friendship and willingness to support Gwen via Duncan and Leshawna. Plus, she has 3 ultimate wildcards who can help the team win at any point as Lindsay, Izzy and Harold have different strength (Lindsay in beauty challenge, Izzy in athletic challenge, Harold in specific knowledge). Swapping Lindsay and Izzy for DJ and Heather reduces team consistency but the potential to win is very high.

For Trent, his team hasn’t improved a lot. All he done is bring stability to his team. Via DJ, he will provide emotional support and help to other members, especially to Trent. Via Heather, she can lead the team if Trent decides not to. Hence, Trent’s team has a better chance to beat Gwen’s team but not a lot.

So, what do you think? Do you think Trent’s team has the potential to upset Gwen’s team? If so, why? For me, Gwen’s team is just too strong for Trent’s team for reason provided above. But that’s just me.