Post by bankz on Oct 3, 2010 21:09:06 GMT -5
1. How do you think your team did this off-season?
Bankz: I think getting Mike Redd was huge. I had a big hole at SG and now he is a 20 plus a night scorer. I missed out on some big name max guys but was able to snag Darius Miles at a solid cap number. He is my insurance if Caron Butler leaves in the offseason.
Dump: I think I filled in 2 of my biggest needs while keeping the
corps of my team together. I was so happy when Shareef and Dalembert decided to resign with me for cheap. I think I got
Terry for a good price and he filled in the need at SG since
Cuttino was a jerk and Kapono and Murray don't have the defense to start for me. The biggest need I had was for a solid big man off the bench. I was so happy that I got Brian Grant for such a cheap price. He was such a valuable piece on a championship team, and the Jazz team that challenged the Kings last year.
Ian: My offseason was a lost cause as soon as TMac decided to part ways with the Fighting Kahns, with no 1st round pick last season AND this season, I would sum up my offseason as "getting by", the one positive result was that I was able to resign Ben Wallace, a key cog to my future plans to a reasonable contract for a good amount of years and able to snatch up Zo to what I believe to be one of the best contracts in the entire league.
Irush: Considering the situation I think I did well, besides the trade for House, which was an impatient mistake. I like my draft picks quite a bit and still stayed somewhat financially responsible.
Ohh: C+ before my trade, B after. Maxing Griffin was a mistake but I think I'm in pretty good shape now. I lowballed FA a little more than I should have but Maggette's deal made me happy. Best's was useful too and Glenn is playing great for me.
Lulu: We didn't get exactly what we wanted, but are happy with who we did sign. Adding the future dominant force in the paint was big for us obviously.
Clown: Our offseason was a little tricky because the choice was made to build around youth. What we tried to do was target young players with potential who either weren't getting playing time elsewhere, or who had slipped through the draft. The main benefit of our offseason is the financial flexibility going forward.
ZPZ: Real well. I definitely wasn't thinking max contract (in terms of years), so that narrowed my options down player-wise, which ended up being a good thing. I underestimated how desired Battier would be, but I ended up landing 3 of my top 4 FA targets. Pollard is a guy I have wanted for a long time.
Soup: On paper it looked like I did really well. Kobe getting hurt sucks, and now it looks like my team fucking sucks.
Poetic: Think we did ok, moved Michael Redd's near Max deal for a couple 1sts. I had no intentions of resigning him so getting something is always good. Marc Jackson was a good value pick I thought after I whiffed on the bigs I targeted (Kenyon Martin and Kevin Garnett). I managed to turn 2 late 1sts into a futue 1st that I think will be pretty good.
Scat: Very happy with my teams off-season. Adding a player of T-Macs caliber to the roster at a position that has been lacking in the past years for the Grizzlies was huge. Pairing him and Wagner I believe will lead the team to many postseasons.
2. What was the biggest shock to come out of the FA period?
Bankz: The fact that Gilbert signed with the Orlando Magic. I had a feeling he would be changing teams. Just not to the Magic that had a empty cabinet before he signed.
Dump: - T-Mac choosing the Grizzlies over David Kahn. Arenas choosing the Magic also
Ian: Biggest shocks to me has to be Tracy McGrady's decision to leave close to 40 million off the table to sign with the Grizzlies over the Fighting Kahns, second biggest shockers has to be the absolutely atrocious max deals the 76'ers signed 2 30 year olds for in Grant Hill and Antonio McDyess. That deal leaves the Sixers in such a cap space hell hole that they won't even be able to sign their 1st round pick this year and leaves virtually 0 maneuvering room for the foreseeable future unless one of their max deal guys retire.
Irush: Gilbert going to the Magic was a great signing and a big surprise to me and I'm sure this will be the popular choice.
Ohh: Stephen Jackson. Didn't even need to think twice.
Lulu: Stephen Jackson gets a max deal? Darren Dreifort, Jamarcus Russell, and DeAngelo Hall are jealous.
Clown: The disregard that some teams showed for their future salary obligations. We saw a few players in their 30s getting long term max contracts that will put them in some very tough situations and could lead to firings.
ZPZ: The amount of long-term deals given to veterans. I understand wanting to get your hands on a stud (pause) but unless these guys retire, its going to cripple teams cap-wise.
Soup: Some of the max contracts that were offered to older players.
Poetic: The amount of teams that have butchered their future. I like to play things safe, you have teams with 4 MAX contracts on their roster. How do you manage that in a few years?
Scat: The 76ers maxing 3 players, but the age of the players they maxed was even more shocking.
3. Was there a FA you wanted badly and missed on?[/b]
Bankz: I had a few targets like T-Mac that I wanted badly and missed out on. But when you are a losing franchise its difficult attracting big name stars.
Dump: - Chris Anderson aka The Birdman. I love his defense and rebounding that he would have given me off the bench.
Ian: See #1
Irush: Nope had a full squad when FA rolled around.
Ohh: Jason Williams, but Best was a nice consolation prize. Thankfully he didn't explode in TC or I would have been madddd
Lulu: Shane Battier was our number one target, followed by Tim Duncan. We offered Tim the max but he felt Detroit would be a better situation for some odd reason.
Clown: We made an effort to retain our young C Tyson Chandler, but were ultimately outbid by the Toronto Raptors. We made a conscious effort to stay away from older, costly veterans, but at Chandlers' age we felt he could grow with the team as a building block.
ZPZ: Not sure I'd say I wanted Battier badly, but he was the lone guy I offered and didn't get IIRC
Soup: Mike Bibby, then Gilbert Arenas
Poetic: Kevin Garnett, my favorite player IRL. I wasn't going to bid on him at all, then Herky said in shout he didn't want to pay him all that money. So I was like might as well bid with everyone else. When I saw the amount it'd take to Max him I decided on just a 5 year, 11m per contract. I really thought I would get him as the only people to bid were the ones putting in 8-10 Max bids. But Herky broke my heart late.
Scat: Really wanted Marcus Camby as I believe his defense was going to be the final piece to my teams puzzle.
4. Best FA signing and worst signing?
Bankz: Best: Gilbert, he is young and right now a top 5 player in the league. Worst: Way to many to name. A few GM’s will be in cap hell for years to come.
Dump: - Best FA signing was Antwan Jamison. Such a good player for such a cheap price. The Raptors needed a star to co-exist with Kobe and they got one.
Worst FA signings were all of the Nuggets and 76ers signings. Such an overpriced bunch.
Ian: As stated above, I believe Alonzo Mourning's contract is perhaps one of the most attractive deals in the league, a 20 million expiring contract that contributes with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks?
As for the Sixers' Max deal 30 year olds, it's hilariously bad, without the hardcap raising to 85 mil next season, Superbran would be over the hard cap and be forced to package first rounders AND one of his max guys for free just to stay in the league...
Irush: Best: Raef to the Heat, think he's a great compliment to Superman. Worse: the trio of PG's signed by PHX.
Ohh: I think Glenn Robinson and Maggette could both be included in a top 5 list, but among the other great ones were Arenas, Patterson, Ronald Curry.
The worst was clearly Stephen Jackson again. Other bad ones include...actually, no other person should be mentioned in the same sentence.
Lulu: I really like the Knicks signed Webber, Knight, and Pollard to surround Lebron. That and Paccelis Morlende - he could do some big things with Miami.
Bad: Stephen Jackson to the max.
Clown: Celtics F Marc Jackson at 2 years, 10 million was without a doubt the best signing. 16 and 10 player who defends well, not too many teams who couldn't use that. The worst, going with Stephen Jackson getting a 7 year max. Inexcusable, he is a bench player at best.
ZPZ: Best signing - Brevin Knight, worst signing - Stephen Jackson
Soup: Kobe resigning for 6 years was no doubt the best for my team. I got Jamison on a good contract and got my big man of the future of Chandler.
Poetic: Gilbert Arenas, he was the guy everyone wanted and he picked Orlando which shocked most. If you want pure value I'd say Ronald Curry. Worst signing is too easy, Stephen Jackson.
Scat:
Best FA signing: Gilbert Arenas, him and Deron Williams are going to form a formidable back court for many years.
Worst FA signing: Stephen Jackson, no way he deserved a max contract
5. Predict the steal of the draft and the bust of the draft?
Bankz: I think you need to stay away from Rondo. And I like Adam Morrison as a player who might get over looked because of real life and become a very solid sim player.
Dump: - Francisco Garcia or Julius Hodge
Ian: Seeing as I haven't had a 1st rounder in like 3 years, I rarely pay attention to the rookies, but that will change next year hopefully.
Irush: From the 05 draft? Steal: Tie between Turiaf and KryptoNate. Bust: Reshard McCants
Ohh: Ronnie Turiaf was a steal. David Lee won't be much in this league with his defense the way it is.
Lulu: Steals of the draft were Antoine Wright in the 2nd round, Hakim Warrick to the Clippers
Clown: Ronny Turiaf was grabbed at the end of the first and looks like a long term partner in crime for Yao Ming. As far as busts go, its hard to say because this class has looked good early. I don't like the Charlie Villanueva pick much because of Danny Granger and David Lee going right after him, but he is still talented. Fran Vasquez is a guy being held overseas who could bust out. He has the athleticism but I question his heart and desire for the game.
ZPZ: I thought David Lee was a steal in the sense he got taken later than I would've expected for someone with his potential. As far as a bust, I'd probably have to say Ike Diogu. I'm saying all this based on their original draft ratings only, so If Diogu blew up in TC and is now balling my mistake.
Soup: No matter where he was picked, Deron Williams was going to be the steal of this draft.
Poetic: Raymond Felton for steal, went really late in the 1st and had a really good TC. Not sure on busts, doesn't look like anyone will bust at this point thanks to my screw up.
Scat:
Steal of the draft: Deron Williams, even though he was the number 1 pick he immediately become a star and will be for 15+ years.
Bust of the draft: Yaroslav Korolev, dont see taking a player #2 and sending him oversees. At that spot you need to get a player who can be an immediate contributor.
6. What are the biggest weakness your team currently has and its strength?
Bankz: Youth, I think once my team matures I have the pieces in place to succeed for a long time. Another weakness was post defense, but I addressed that with the ZO deal. That I have 5 players who could give you 20 points on any given night.
Dump: - backup SG and a legit superstar. Murray has been decent but his defense sucks and that is what I am looking for in a backup mainly. Also my team has scorers and defenders but we just don't have a superstar to take it to the next level.
Ian: This season is more or less of a limbo for me, my strength is still my front court combo of Zo and Big Ben, I am not playing for contention, just playing not to lose too badly and give rv12 a free lotto pick
Irush: Weakness is not having another big time player to go along with Yao and help put W's on the board and a lack of experience. Strength: Front Court of Yao and Turiaf and the talented youth I have.
Ohh: My best strength is my huge number of assets. Telfair and Bogut are amazing pieces to have and three firsts this year, two in 07 and two in 08, plus Fran Vazquez overseas. My biggest weakness is a lack of a scoring big. I will probably look to acquire one this offseason.
Lulu: Strength is our defense and especially interior defense. If you try to take it to the hoop against us you are going to get rejected. Flat out. Please Believe. Unfortunately we can't score for shit. Hopefully Erick Barkley will change that and our poor PG play.
Clown: Our strength right now is our youth, which isn't something that we can necessarily exploit right now. With that youth comes our weakness, inexperience, which is something that influences all aspects of our game.
ZPZ: It's biggest strength is team chemistry first and foremost, everyone on the team has a role and they stick to it. The biggest weakness would probably be rebounding, but it hasn't been a big enough weakness to really hold me back.
Soup: I can't figure it out. If I knew it, I could fix it.
Poetic: Feeling great about my situation, currently 15m under the cap with 3 1st rounders in the next 2 drafts that aren't mine. As long as I keep making good decisions I should be alright.
Scat:
Strength: Ability to score
Weakness: Youth and teams inability to play defense.
7. How confident are you about your cap space? And the future of your team in the next 3 or 4 years?
Bankz: I think I am in good shape moving forward. I am currently under the cap and next year I should be about 10m under so I can make a run at free agents if I feel someone will help me. Moving forward I have a very young team with the exception of ZO. I hope I can hang on to him at least till his contract runs out.
Dump: - I am very confident that I can manage the cap well and don't overspend on players like some GMs. My team is locked for the next 2 years for the majority, and then I will have to make some decisions.
Ian: I am VERY confident about my team's cap situation, after next season, I will have only 12 million dollars on my book, giving me enough money to sign 2 max deal guys as well as at least 3 first round picks in the 07 draft. Needless to say the future looks very bright for me if the draft and FA goes well for me.
Irush: Fairly confident, I will be over the cap next offseason with the resigning of Yao but the following off season I have over 20 million coming off the books. 3-4 years I hope to be a perennial playoff contender with at least a decent title shot.
Ohh: I'm really happy with mine. Bogut, Telfair and Maggette are on great contracts for three, four and five years respectively, and the three first will be on real cheap contracts for four years as well. My only big contracts are Randolph, who I love, and Artest who is a decent enough player that I don't hate him. Wish he wasn't on my cap next year, but I'd be over the soft cap anyway likely so it's not a huge deal.
Lulu: We're fine.
Clown: We couldn't be more confident about our cap situation, and in the process of moving our veterans we have acquired some very valuable draft picks. The transition period is a tough sell on or organization and our fans, but the future is very bright in Washington.
ZPZ: Very confident about my cap space. I'll have about 36 million dollars of contracts coming off the books after this year should I choose not to re-sign anybody. The future of my team is tied into one man, if LeBron wants to stay then I think i'll be a perennial playoff team.
Soup: Very confident. I'm over the soft cap now, and I have all my core players for at least the next 4-6 years.
Poetic: Outside of my team I'd say the Heat or Knicks in the East, possibly Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets if they get a legit PG. West would be Kings or Sonics probably.
Scat: Not all that worried about my cap space with many of players locked up for at least 2 or 3 years. Depending on the contract given to Wagner, I hope to make a splash in FA in the next few years.
8. Who is the team to beat this year in both conferences? Way to early finals prediction?
Bankz: Kings in the west. Celtics in the East. I think those two will meet in the finals with the Celtics winning their second title.
Dump: - Sonics in the West and Celtics in the East. But the West is a crapshoot like last year. Celtics over Sonics for the championship.
Ian: I would think the best teams are the Sonics in the West and the Celtics in the East. Supersonics still have that incredible tandem of Dirk/Billups, and with the addition of Eddie Jones to go along with Mashburn, Seattle now has one of the better one combinations in the league, I think they are the favorites in the West provided no one else gets hurt. As for the Celtics, they're still the Celtics and Dwayne Wade is still...well Dwayne Wade, their defense/rebounding is stupidly good and should still have perhaps the best record in the league again.
Ohh: I expect the Kings and Celtics to both be the top seeds and the teams to beat.
Lulu: The Celtics and there is no team to beat in the West. Everyone is duking it out.
Clown: The Celtics continue to be the class of the NBA, and they are my choice out of the East. The West is a harder read, but the defending champion Sacramento Kings are a tough team to bet against with that frontcourt.
ZPZ: Kings and Celtics
Soup: Kings
Poetic: Probably a team from the East. Right now you have the Pacers, Bucks, and Raptors sitting outside of the playoffs and all look pretty damn good on paper. Nuggets from the West possibly. Not idea on reasons, just a lot of good teams?
9. Best team that is not likely to make the playoffs? Why?
Bankz: Orlando Magic. They have studs in Deron Williams and Gilbert. A few more players to surround those two players and the Magic could be title contenders.
Dump: - Probably me since the sim Gods hate my guts.......heh
Ian: I think the Grizzlies will be one of the better teams not to make the playoffs, their wings are elite and on any given night can take over a game in Tmac and Wagner, but in a deep West this year, I doubt they have the defense and the front court depth to make a post season run.
Ohh: I like what the Warriors are doing, but I don't know if they'll squeak into the playoffs. West is deep again so they may be the first team out.
Lulu: Raptors. They're off to a rough start, no doubt they will turn it around with the talent they have, but if they don't? What a disappointment.
Clown: The Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets are two very talented teams that may struggle with chemistry issues. The Bucks have to figure out how to make Steve Nash and Allen Iverson co-exist, or move one of them. The Nuggets have a lot of big contracts, and with big contracts come big egos. It's a long season, though.
ZPZ: It's way too early to answer that
Soup: The Raptors because of a shitty ass broken jaw.
Poetic: Probably a team from the East. Right now you have the Pacers, Bucks, and Raptors sitting outside of the playoffs and all look pretty damn good on paper. Nuggets from the West possibly. Not idea on reasons, just a lot of good teams?
10. Predict the following: MVP, DPOY, ROY, 6th man of the year
Bankz:
MVP: Wade
DPOY: ZO
ROY: Deron Williams
6th Man: Nate Robinson
Dump: - MVP: Dwayne Wade, DPOY: Alonzo Mourning, ROY: Julius Hodge, 6th Man: Corey Maggette
Ian: MVP - DWade DPOY - Zo ROY - Deron Williams 6th man - Kris Humphries
Ohh:
MVP: Chauncey Billups
DPOY: Eddie Griffin
ROY: Deron Williams or Andrew Bogut. We'll see how Bogut starts scoring.
Lulu: Dwayne Wade, Jermaine Oneal, Antoine Wright, Deron Williams
Clown:
MVP: C Alonzo Mourning, TBD
DPOY: C Rasheed Wallace, Charlotte
ROY: PG Deron Williams, Orlando
6th Man: Chris Andersen, Lakers
ZPZ:
MVP - Wade
DPOY - Jermaine O'Neal
ROY - Deron Williams
6th man -
Soup: MVP-Dwayne Wade, DPOY-Marion, ROY-Deron Williams, 6th man of the year-?
Poetic:
MVP: Chauncey Billups
DPOY: Alonzo Mourning
ROY: Deron Williams
6th: Nene
11. Most improved team?
Bankz: Orlando Magic. That team was looking like trash before the Gilbert signing. Now they are a team with a few more pieces that could be special.
Dump: - Grizzlies. Their record might show it but they got 2 stars to go along Wagner now. T-Mac and Troy Murphy.
Ian: Most Improved team has to be the Bucks, who finally found a owner that was willing not to give up on the team and put in the necessary work and the trades to build their team, the Darko deal from the Heat was nothing short of a steal and they were able to resign Steve Nash to a long term deal that should serve as a decent foundation for years to come.
Ohh: Orlando, but you gotta get yourself a big there mj.
Lulu: Obviously the Orlando Magic.
Clown: Orlando Magic. Adding Deron Williams and Gilbert Arenas to your backcourt in the same offseason is a quick way to turn around your franchise.
ZPZ: I think the Heat went from modest playoff team to legit title contender so i'll say them.
Soup: The Bulls
Poetic: Orlando Magic thanks to Deron Williams and Gilbert Arenas. Possibly the Bulls, too hard to tell at this point. Both in the playoffs so far after being at the bottom of the ladder last year.
12. Grade your team? A= Title Contender, B= Playoff Team, C= Might make the playoffs but it will be close, D= Few Years Away, F= Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant come on down
Bankz: B
Dump: - B or B-
Ian: F all the way, but ask me again in 2 years and my answer will be very :gfa:
Irush: D
Ohh: B, but I'm a player away from from an A. I could make a run
Lulu: C+
Clown: F - Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant come on down, and bring Chris Paul with you
ZPZ: I think at this point I'd give my team an A.
Soup: With Kobe Healthy-B, Without Kobe-C
Poetic: A
13. Top 5 players under the age of 25 and why?
Bankz:
D12: Best Center under 25. Chance to be ZO maybe even better.
LBJ: The Queen is all you could ask from a sim player except a winner
D. Williams: Rookie playing like a 6 year vet. Super Rookie if you will.
Gilbert: Top 5 player in the league.
Wade: Everything LBJ dreams to be. Maybe LBJ will join Wade in Boston since he can’t win the big one without him. Poetic is saving cap room for a reason.
Dump:
1. Dwyane Wade
2. Gilbert Arenas (when at SG)
3. Lebron James
4. Dwight Howard
5. Carmelo Anthony
Ian: Deron Williams, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard
Why? Because poetic sucks at making realistic rookies and all of them blew up in their initial TC....
Irush: . D-Wade, D-Will, Dwight, Bosh and Devin Harris
Ohh:
1.Gilbert Arenas - He might be top five in the league and he's young too. mj is lucky to have him around for a while.
2. Dwayne Wade - great inside and out with good defense and great handles. A mismatch at either PG or SG.
3. Sebastian Telfair :smugdog: dump
4. Jameer Nelson - Telfair but not as good. And older.
5. Darko Milicic - Should be a force inside for years. Lucky roll.
Lulu: Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, Devin Harris, Amare Stoudamire
Clown:
SG Gilbert Arenas: Scoring machine, lockdown defender. Chips in 7 boards a game at 6'3"
PG Dwayne Wade: He is an MVP candidate already on his rookie contract
SF Lebron James: Can't even drink yet and he has a line of 27.8/8.7/6.2
PF Chris Bosh: 20 and 12 guy has a ring already. Numbers would look better without JO
C Pau Gasol: They gave up too much to get him, but the talent is there.
ZPZ: LeBron, Wade, Deron, Arenas, Devin Harris
Soup:
1. Gilbert Arenas
2. Lebron James
3. Dwayne Wade
4. Dwight Howard
5. Deron Williams
Poetic:
Gilbert Arenas: Just a freak, 23 years old averaging 33 points a game and is probably capable of 9-10 assists as a PG.
Dwayne Wade: Kid's in his 3rd year and has won almost everything you can win award wise. Leading the league in assists.
Chris Bosh: Great big man, almost equal to Jermaine O'Neal as a 21 year old. He's just going to get better.
Lebron James: Was a little underwhelming last year surrounded by all those scorers, but his numbers are up across the board and I don't think there's a GM in the league that wouldn't take him.
Devin Harris: 2nd year in the league, averaging 19.5 ppg, 10.7 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals. Kid is really good.
Again I want to thank everyone who sent answer's back to me. With out you guys this could not be possible. I love reading all the answers when I get them in. Soup had me rolling answer after answer. Ian was also p funny.
Thanks again and looking forward to the next RT.
Bankz: I think getting Mike Redd was huge. I had a big hole at SG and now he is a 20 plus a night scorer. I missed out on some big name max guys but was able to snag Darius Miles at a solid cap number. He is my insurance if Caron Butler leaves in the offseason.
Dump: I think I filled in 2 of my biggest needs while keeping the
corps of my team together. I was so happy when Shareef and Dalembert decided to resign with me for cheap. I think I got
Terry for a good price and he filled in the need at SG since
Cuttino was a jerk and Kapono and Murray don't have the defense to start for me. The biggest need I had was for a solid big man off the bench. I was so happy that I got Brian Grant for such a cheap price. He was such a valuable piece on a championship team, and the Jazz team that challenged the Kings last year.
Ian: My offseason was a lost cause as soon as TMac decided to part ways with the Fighting Kahns, with no 1st round pick last season AND this season, I would sum up my offseason as "getting by", the one positive result was that I was able to resign Ben Wallace, a key cog to my future plans to a reasonable contract for a good amount of years and able to snatch up Zo to what I believe to be one of the best contracts in the entire league.
Irush: Considering the situation I think I did well, besides the trade for House, which was an impatient mistake. I like my draft picks quite a bit and still stayed somewhat financially responsible.
Ohh: C+ before my trade, B after. Maxing Griffin was a mistake but I think I'm in pretty good shape now. I lowballed FA a little more than I should have but Maggette's deal made me happy. Best's was useful too and Glenn is playing great for me.
Lulu: We didn't get exactly what we wanted, but are happy with who we did sign. Adding the future dominant force in the paint was big for us obviously.
Clown: Our offseason was a little tricky because the choice was made to build around youth. What we tried to do was target young players with potential who either weren't getting playing time elsewhere, or who had slipped through the draft. The main benefit of our offseason is the financial flexibility going forward.
ZPZ: Real well. I definitely wasn't thinking max contract (in terms of years), so that narrowed my options down player-wise, which ended up being a good thing. I underestimated how desired Battier would be, but I ended up landing 3 of my top 4 FA targets. Pollard is a guy I have wanted for a long time.
Soup: On paper it looked like I did really well. Kobe getting hurt sucks, and now it looks like my team fucking sucks.
Poetic: Think we did ok, moved Michael Redd's near Max deal for a couple 1sts. I had no intentions of resigning him so getting something is always good. Marc Jackson was a good value pick I thought after I whiffed on the bigs I targeted (Kenyon Martin and Kevin Garnett). I managed to turn 2 late 1sts into a futue 1st that I think will be pretty good.
Scat: Very happy with my teams off-season. Adding a player of T-Macs caliber to the roster at a position that has been lacking in the past years for the Grizzlies was huge. Pairing him and Wagner I believe will lead the team to many postseasons.
2. What was the biggest shock to come out of the FA period?
Bankz: The fact that Gilbert signed with the Orlando Magic. I had a feeling he would be changing teams. Just not to the Magic that had a empty cabinet before he signed.
Dump: - T-Mac choosing the Grizzlies over David Kahn. Arenas choosing the Magic also
Ian: Biggest shocks to me has to be Tracy McGrady's decision to leave close to 40 million off the table to sign with the Grizzlies over the Fighting Kahns, second biggest shockers has to be the absolutely atrocious max deals the 76'ers signed 2 30 year olds for in Grant Hill and Antonio McDyess. That deal leaves the Sixers in such a cap space hell hole that they won't even be able to sign their 1st round pick this year and leaves virtually 0 maneuvering room for the foreseeable future unless one of their max deal guys retire.
Irush: Gilbert going to the Magic was a great signing and a big surprise to me and I'm sure this will be the popular choice.
Ohh: Stephen Jackson. Didn't even need to think twice.
Lulu: Stephen Jackson gets a max deal? Darren Dreifort, Jamarcus Russell, and DeAngelo Hall are jealous.
Clown: The disregard that some teams showed for their future salary obligations. We saw a few players in their 30s getting long term max contracts that will put them in some very tough situations and could lead to firings.
ZPZ: The amount of long-term deals given to veterans. I understand wanting to get your hands on a stud (pause) but unless these guys retire, its going to cripple teams cap-wise.
Soup: Some of the max contracts that were offered to older players.
Poetic: The amount of teams that have butchered their future. I like to play things safe, you have teams with 4 MAX contracts on their roster. How do you manage that in a few years?
Scat: The 76ers maxing 3 players, but the age of the players they maxed was even more shocking.
3. Was there a FA you wanted badly and missed on?[/b]
Bankz: I had a few targets like T-Mac that I wanted badly and missed out on. But when you are a losing franchise its difficult attracting big name stars.
Dump: - Chris Anderson aka The Birdman. I love his defense and rebounding that he would have given me off the bench.
Ian: See #1
Irush: Nope had a full squad when FA rolled around.
Ohh: Jason Williams, but Best was a nice consolation prize. Thankfully he didn't explode in TC or I would have been madddd
Lulu: Shane Battier was our number one target, followed by Tim Duncan. We offered Tim the max but he felt Detroit would be a better situation for some odd reason.
Clown: We made an effort to retain our young C Tyson Chandler, but were ultimately outbid by the Toronto Raptors. We made a conscious effort to stay away from older, costly veterans, but at Chandlers' age we felt he could grow with the team as a building block.
ZPZ: Not sure I'd say I wanted Battier badly, but he was the lone guy I offered and didn't get IIRC
Soup: Mike Bibby, then Gilbert Arenas
Poetic: Kevin Garnett, my favorite player IRL. I wasn't going to bid on him at all, then Herky said in shout he didn't want to pay him all that money. So I was like might as well bid with everyone else. When I saw the amount it'd take to Max him I decided on just a 5 year, 11m per contract. I really thought I would get him as the only people to bid were the ones putting in 8-10 Max bids. But Herky broke my heart late.
Scat: Really wanted Marcus Camby as I believe his defense was going to be the final piece to my teams puzzle.
4. Best FA signing and worst signing?
Bankz: Best: Gilbert, he is young and right now a top 5 player in the league. Worst: Way to many to name. A few GM’s will be in cap hell for years to come.
Dump: - Best FA signing was Antwan Jamison. Such a good player for such a cheap price. The Raptors needed a star to co-exist with Kobe and they got one.
Worst FA signings were all of the Nuggets and 76ers signings. Such an overpriced bunch.
Ian: As stated above, I believe Alonzo Mourning's contract is perhaps one of the most attractive deals in the league, a 20 million expiring contract that contributes with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks?
As for the Sixers' Max deal 30 year olds, it's hilariously bad, without the hardcap raising to 85 mil next season, Superbran would be over the hard cap and be forced to package first rounders AND one of his max guys for free just to stay in the league...
Irush: Best: Raef to the Heat, think he's a great compliment to Superman. Worse: the trio of PG's signed by PHX.
Ohh: I think Glenn Robinson and Maggette could both be included in a top 5 list, but among the other great ones were Arenas, Patterson, Ronald Curry.
The worst was clearly Stephen Jackson again. Other bad ones include...actually, no other person should be mentioned in the same sentence.
Lulu: I really like the Knicks signed Webber, Knight, and Pollard to surround Lebron. That and Paccelis Morlende - he could do some big things with Miami.
Bad: Stephen Jackson to the max.
Clown: Celtics F Marc Jackson at 2 years, 10 million was without a doubt the best signing. 16 and 10 player who defends well, not too many teams who couldn't use that. The worst, going with Stephen Jackson getting a 7 year max. Inexcusable, he is a bench player at best.
ZPZ: Best signing - Brevin Knight, worst signing - Stephen Jackson
Soup: Kobe resigning for 6 years was no doubt the best for my team. I got Jamison on a good contract and got my big man of the future of Chandler.
Poetic: Gilbert Arenas, he was the guy everyone wanted and he picked Orlando which shocked most. If you want pure value I'd say Ronald Curry. Worst signing is too easy, Stephen Jackson.
Scat:
Best FA signing: Gilbert Arenas, him and Deron Williams are going to form a formidable back court for many years.
Worst FA signing: Stephen Jackson, no way he deserved a max contract
5. Predict the steal of the draft and the bust of the draft?
Bankz: I think you need to stay away from Rondo. And I like Adam Morrison as a player who might get over looked because of real life and become a very solid sim player.
Dump: - Francisco Garcia or Julius Hodge
Ian: Seeing as I haven't had a 1st rounder in like 3 years, I rarely pay attention to the rookies, but that will change next year hopefully.
Irush: From the 05 draft? Steal: Tie between Turiaf and KryptoNate. Bust: Reshard McCants
Ohh: Ronnie Turiaf was a steal. David Lee won't be much in this league with his defense the way it is.
Lulu: Steals of the draft were Antoine Wright in the 2nd round, Hakim Warrick to the Clippers
Clown: Ronny Turiaf was grabbed at the end of the first and looks like a long term partner in crime for Yao Ming. As far as busts go, its hard to say because this class has looked good early. I don't like the Charlie Villanueva pick much because of Danny Granger and David Lee going right after him, but he is still talented. Fran Vasquez is a guy being held overseas who could bust out. He has the athleticism but I question his heart and desire for the game.
ZPZ: I thought David Lee was a steal in the sense he got taken later than I would've expected for someone with his potential. As far as a bust, I'd probably have to say Ike Diogu. I'm saying all this based on their original draft ratings only, so If Diogu blew up in TC and is now balling my mistake.
Soup: No matter where he was picked, Deron Williams was going to be the steal of this draft.
Poetic: Raymond Felton for steal, went really late in the 1st and had a really good TC. Not sure on busts, doesn't look like anyone will bust at this point thanks to my screw up.
Scat:
Steal of the draft: Deron Williams, even though he was the number 1 pick he immediately become a star and will be for 15+ years.
Bust of the draft: Yaroslav Korolev, dont see taking a player #2 and sending him oversees. At that spot you need to get a player who can be an immediate contributor.
6. What are the biggest weakness your team currently has and its strength?
Bankz: Youth, I think once my team matures I have the pieces in place to succeed for a long time. Another weakness was post defense, but I addressed that with the ZO deal. That I have 5 players who could give you 20 points on any given night.
Dump: - backup SG and a legit superstar. Murray has been decent but his defense sucks and that is what I am looking for in a backup mainly. Also my team has scorers and defenders but we just don't have a superstar to take it to the next level.
Ian: This season is more or less of a limbo for me, my strength is still my front court combo of Zo and Big Ben, I am not playing for contention, just playing not to lose too badly and give rv12 a free lotto pick
Irush: Weakness is not having another big time player to go along with Yao and help put W's on the board and a lack of experience. Strength: Front Court of Yao and Turiaf and the talented youth I have.
Ohh: My best strength is my huge number of assets. Telfair and Bogut are amazing pieces to have and three firsts this year, two in 07 and two in 08, plus Fran Vazquez overseas. My biggest weakness is a lack of a scoring big. I will probably look to acquire one this offseason.
Lulu: Strength is our defense and especially interior defense. If you try to take it to the hoop against us you are going to get rejected. Flat out. Please Believe. Unfortunately we can't score for shit. Hopefully Erick Barkley will change that and our poor PG play.
Clown: Our strength right now is our youth, which isn't something that we can necessarily exploit right now. With that youth comes our weakness, inexperience, which is something that influences all aspects of our game.
ZPZ: It's biggest strength is team chemistry first and foremost, everyone on the team has a role and they stick to it. The biggest weakness would probably be rebounding, but it hasn't been a big enough weakness to really hold me back.
Soup: I can't figure it out. If I knew it, I could fix it.
Poetic: Feeling great about my situation, currently 15m under the cap with 3 1st rounders in the next 2 drafts that aren't mine. As long as I keep making good decisions I should be alright.
Scat:
Strength: Ability to score
Weakness: Youth and teams inability to play defense.
7. How confident are you about your cap space? And the future of your team in the next 3 or 4 years?
Bankz: I think I am in good shape moving forward. I am currently under the cap and next year I should be about 10m under so I can make a run at free agents if I feel someone will help me. Moving forward I have a very young team with the exception of ZO. I hope I can hang on to him at least till his contract runs out.
Dump: - I am very confident that I can manage the cap well and don't overspend on players like some GMs. My team is locked for the next 2 years for the majority, and then I will have to make some decisions.
Ian: I am VERY confident about my team's cap situation, after next season, I will have only 12 million dollars on my book, giving me enough money to sign 2 max deal guys as well as at least 3 first round picks in the 07 draft. Needless to say the future looks very bright for me if the draft and FA goes well for me.
Irush: Fairly confident, I will be over the cap next offseason with the resigning of Yao but the following off season I have over 20 million coming off the books. 3-4 years I hope to be a perennial playoff contender with at least a decent title shot.
Ohh: I'm really happy with mine. Bogut, Telfair and Maggette are on great contracts for three, four and five years respectively, and the three first will be on real cheap contracts for four years as well. My only big contracts are Randolph, who I love, and Artest who is a decent enough player that I don't hate him. Wish he wasn't on my cap next year, but I'd be over the soft cap anyway likely so it's not a huge deal.
Lulu: We're fine.
Clown: We couldn't be more confident about our cap situation, and in the process of moving our veterans we have acquired some very valuable draft picks. The transition period is a tough sell on or organization and our fans, but the future is very bright in Washington.
ZPZ: Very confident about my cap space. I'll have about 36 million dollars of contracts coming off the books after this year should I choose not to re-sign anybody. The future of my team is tied into one man, if LeBron wants to stay then I think i'll be a perennial playoff team.
Soup: Very confident. I'm over the soft cap now, and I have all my core players for at least the next 4-6 years.
Poetic: Outside of my team I'd say the Heat or Knicks in the East, possibly Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets if they get a legit PG. West would be Kings or Sonics probably.
Scat: Not all that worried about my cap space with many of players locked up for at least 2 or 3 years. Depending on the contract given to Wagner, I hope to make a splash in FA in the next few years.
8. Who is the team to beat this year in both conferences? Way to early finals prediction?
Bankz: Kings in the west. Celtics in the East. I think those two will meet in the finals with the Celtics winning their second title.
Dump: - Sonics in the West and Celtics in the East. But the West is a crapshoot like last year. Celtics over Sonics for the championship.
Ian: I would think the best teams are the Sonics in the West and the Celtics in the East. Supersonics still have that incredible tandem of Dirk/Billups, and with the addition of Eddie Jones to go along with Mashburn, Seattle now has one of the better one combinations in the league, I think they are the favorites in the West provided no one else gets hurt. As for the Celtics, they're still the Celtics and Dwayne Wade is still...well Dwayne Wade, their defense/rebounding is stupidly good and should still have perhaps the best record in the league again.
Ohh: I expect the Kings and Celtics to both be the top seeds and the teams to beat.
Lulu: The Celtics and there is no team to beat in the West. Everyone is duking it out.
Clown: The Celtics continue to be the class of the NBA, and they are my choice out of the East. The West is a harder read, but the defending champion Sacramento Kings are a tough team to bet against with that frontcourt.
ZPZ: Kings and Celtics
Soup: Kings
Poetic: Probably a team from the East. Right now you have the Pacers, Bucks, and Raptors sitting outside of the playoffs and all look pretty damn good on paper. Nuggets from the West possibly. Not idea on reasons, just a lot of good teams?
9. Best team that is not likely to make the playoffs? Why?
Bankz: Orlando Magic. They have studs in Deron Williams and Gilbert. A few more players to surround those two players and the Magic could be title contenders.
Dump: - Probably me since the sim Gods hate my guts.......heh
Ian: I think the Grizzlies will be one of the better teams not to make the playoffs, their wings are elite and on any given night can take over a game in Tmac and Wagner, but in a deep West this year, I doubt they have the defense and the front court depth to make a post season run.
Ohh: I like what the Warriors are doing, but I don't know if they'll squeak into the playoffs. West is deep again so they may be the first team out.
Lulu: Raptors. They're off to a rough start, no doubt they will turn it around with the talent they have, but if they don't? What a disappointment.
Clown: The Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets are two very talented teams that may struggle with chemistry issues. The Bucks have to figure out how to make Steve Nash and Allen Iverson co-exist, or move one of them. The Nuggets have a lot of big contracts, and with big contracts come big egos. It's a long season, though.
ZPZ: It's way too early to answer that
Soup: The Raptors because of a shitty ass broken jaw.
Poetic: Probably a team from the East. Right now you have the Pacers, Bucks, and Raptors sitting outside of the playoffs and all look pretty damn good on paper. Nuggets from the West possibly. Not idea on reasons, just a lot of good teams?
10. Predict the following: MVP, DPOY, ROY, 6th man of the year
Bankz:
MVP: Wade
DPOY: ZO
ROY: Deron Williams
6th Man: Nate Robinson
Dump: - MVP: Dwayne Wade, DPOY: Alonzo Mourning, ROY: Julius Hodge, 6th Man: Corey Maggette
Ian: MVP - DWade DPOY - Zo ROY - Deron Williams 6th man - Kris Humphries
Ohh:
MVP: Chauncey Billups
DPOY: Eddie Griffin
ROY: Deron Williams or Andrew Bogut. We'll see how Bogut starts scoring.
Lulu: Dwayne Wade, Jermaine Oneal, Antoine Wright, Deron Williams
Clown:
MVP: C Alonzo Mourning, TBD
DPOY: C Rasheed Wallace, Charlotte
ROY: PG Deron Williams, Orlando
6th Man: Chris Andersen, Lakers
ZPZ:
MVP - Wade
DPOY - Jermaine O'Neal
ROY - Deron Williams
6th man -
Soup: MVP-Dwayne Wade, DPOY-Marion, ROY-Deron Williams, 6th man of the year-?
Poetic:
MVP: Chauncey Billups
DPOY: Alonzo Mourning
ROY: Deron Williams
6th: Nene
11. Most improved team?
Bankz: Orlando Magic. That team was looking like trash before the Gilbert signing. Now they are a team with a few more pieces that could be special.
Dump: - Grizzlies. Their record might show it but they got 2 stars to go along Wagner now. T-Mac and Troy Murphy.
Ian: Most Improved team has to be the Bucks, who finally found a owner that was willing not to give up on the team and put in the necessary work and the trades to build their team, the Darko deal from the Heat was nothing short of a steal and they were able to resign Steve Nash to a long term deal that should serve as a decent foundation for years to come.
Ohh: Orlando, but you gotta get yourself a big there mj.
Lulu: Obviously the Orlando Magic.
Clown: Orlando Magic. Adding Deron Williams and Gilbert Arenas to your backcourt in the same offseason is a quick way to turn around your franchise.
ZPZ: I think the Heat went from modest playoff team to legit title contender so i'll say them.
Soup: The Bulls
Poetic: Orlando Magic thanks to Deron Williams and Gilbert Arenas. Possibly the Bulls, too hard to tell at this point. Both in the playoffs so far after being at the bottom of the ladder last year.
12. Grade your team? A= Title Contender, B= Playoff Team, C= Might make the playoffs but it will be close, D= Few Years Away, F= Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant come on down
Bankz: B
Dump: - B or B-
Ian: F all the way, but ask me again in 2 years and my answer will be very :gfa:
Irush: D
Ohh: B, but I'm a player away from from an A. I could make a run
Lulu: C+
Clown: F - Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant come on down, and bring Chris Paul with you
ZPZ: I think at this point I'd give my team an A.
Soup: With Kobe Healthy-B, Without Kobe-C
Poetic: A
13. Top 5 players under the age of 25 and why?
Bankz:
D12: Best Center under 25. Chance to be ZO maybe even better.
LBJ: The Queen is all you could ask from a sim player except a winner
D. Williams: Rookie playing like a 6 year vet. Super Rookie if you will.
Gilbert: Top 5 player in the league.
Wade: Everything LBJ dreams to be. Maybe LBJ will join Wade in Boston since he can’t win the big one without him. Poetic is saving cap room for a reason.
Dump:
1. Dwyane Wade
2. Gilbert Arenas (when at SG)
3. Lebron James
4. Dwight Howard
5. Carmelo Anthony
Ian: Deron Williams, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard
Why? Because poetic sucks at making realistic rookies and all of them blew up in their initial TC....
Irush: . D-Wade, D-Will, Dwight, Bosh and Devin Harris
Ohh:
1.Gilbert Arenas - He might be top five in the league and he's young too. mj is lucky to have him around for a while.
2. Dwayne Wade - great inside and out with good defense and great handles. A mismatch at either PG or SG.
3. Sebastian Telfair :smugdog: dump
4. Jameer Nelson - Telfair but not as good. And older.
5. Darko Milicic - Should be a force inside for years. Lucky roll.
Lulu: Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, Devin Harris, Amare Stoudamire
Clown:
SG Gilbert Arenas: Scoring machine, lockdown defender. Chips in 7 boards a game at 6'3"
PG Dwayne Wade: He is an MVP candidate already on his rookie contract
SF Lebron James: Can't even drink yet and he has a line of 27.8/8.7/6.2
PF Chris Bosh: 20 and 12 guy has a ring already. Numbers would look better without JO
C Pau Gasol: They gave up too much to get him, but the talent is there.
ZPZ: LeBron, Wade, Deron, Arenas, Devin Harris
Soup:
1. Gilbert Arenas
2. Lebron James
3. Dwayne Wade
4. Dwight Howard
5. Deron Williams
Poetic:
Gilbert Arenas: Just a freak, 23 years old averaging 33 points a game and is probably capable of 9-10 assists as a PG.
Dwayne Wade: Kid's in his 3rd year and has won almost everything you can win award wise. Leading the league in assists.
Chris Bosh: Great big man, almost equal to Jermaine O'Neal as a 21 year old. He's just going to get better.
Lebron James: Was a little underwhelming last year surrounded by all those scorers, but his numbers are up across the board and I don't think there's a GM in the league that wouldn't take him.
Devin Harris: 2nd year in the league, averaging 19.5 ppg, 10.7 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals. Kid is really good.
Again I want to thank everyone who sent answer's back to me. With out you guys this could not be possible. I love reading all the answers when I get them in. Soup had me rolling answer after answer. Ian was also p funny.
Thanks again and looking forward to the next RT.
