Post by bankz on Oct 22, 2010 14:20:08 GMT -5
TMBSL Round Table III
1. How many minutes or hours a day do you spend on the sim league site?
Bankz : I would say a few hours a day. I am in and out constantly
Ohh: Hours and hours. I usually have it open as a tab on my work computer all day and when I'm home I check it very frequently. Way too much.
Dump: 24/7
Duc: Whenever I’m online I have the sim league up. It is a place where you can talk about many things easily much like TMB but with a smaller group of posters. I wouldn’t be on it nearly as much if it weren’t for the shoutbox.
Skrouse: At least and hour or two spread out through out the whole day, i check it A LOT!
H/T: I usually spend all day online but an accumulation of about 5-7 hrs Id say.
20x4: One to Two hours
2. What is your favorite part of Sim League and why?
Bankz: I like the off-season. You have the draft and the free agency. I am notorious for tinkering with my team. Best part of the league for me. I also enjoy the shout box. The guys are always good for some laughs.
Ohh: The camaraderie. Shoutbox has become a nice little buddy circlejerk where we discuss all kinds of shit. That combined with the sim league's bragging rights makes it fun.
Dump: Shoutbox and the other GMs in the league.
Skrouse: It's pure entertainment and fun, being competative is awesome, even though the AI controls a lot of it, competing with real people is awesome... can't wait for the 90's league now that I have experience and understand how it works.
H/T: The people. I like em all and all of them bring something great.
20x4: Seeing how players and teams develop, trading, competition with the other GMs
3. What about Sim League could you do with out and why?
Bankz: Dump and people not being prepared. We have done a bunch of drafts and free agent signings and yet people don’t make list and don’t check the board. But that is minor. League is awesome imo.
Ohh: User dumptime
Dump: Bankz complaining everytime something happens.
Skrouse: I wish it was a site run automatically, that way poe wouldn't have to bust his balls to do shit, then we would all have a little more control, like moving players to positions instantly, trades would go through quicker, stuff like that.
H/T: The constant bitching about everything. Whether its a trade someone made or a new rule. Sometimes shit happens we all just need to let it go. Im guilty of this as well.
20x4: People complaining about things that don't go exactly how they wanted, especially when they are bitching at Poetic. I don't think he is appreciated enough for all the hard work he does but he sure does receive a lot of complaints.
4. Worst move you have made from the start of the league?
Bankz: Moving both JO and T-Mac. I had something very special with those two.
Ohh: Doug Christie for Eddie Jones obviously.
Dump: Tim Duncan trade
Duc: The way I under valued 1st round picks at the start of the league. I traded them away for nothing very valuable. I undervalued them constantly and it has led me to giving up top 5 picks and left me without the possibility of young stars.
Skrouse: Steven Jackson blunder, his max deal will kill me over the next 5 or 6 seasons
H/T: I guess some would say JO im gonna flip the script and say wasting points on Forte's scoring and not realizing the uber importance of Def an Handles.
20x4: Resigning Keon Clark to the deal he got.
5. Best move you have made from the start of the league?
Bankz: I thought I had a pretty good creation draft and then I spun that into Jermaine O’Neal and Tracy McGrady. But as mentioned above I messed that up in the end.
Ohh: Michael Finley for Sebastian Telfair. Sorry duc.
Dump: Drafting Jameer Nelson and Rafael Araujo. Got me 2 good cornerstones for my franchise.
Duc: Ever since the Ron Mercer signing I feel I have made very sound choices in FA. I have left myself wiggle room and have got guys a discount prices. Paying Nene 24 over 4 years and Caron 33 over 4 years I think is very good value.
Skrouse: Getting Zo was a solid deal, and also moving stack was pretty good, but so far it looks like my 2nd round pick of Jarrett Jack is looking awesome, I hope he continues to develop well.
H/T: Every transormation of my team Ive liked. Id say all the moves that took me from bottom 3 team to top 5 team in one offseason. I believe it was the 2003-2004 offseason. It wasnt my best move but it should be noted that my team could maybe be better without JO, maybe not but sample size is awful small.
20x4: Trading for Rasheed Wallace from the Magic. He got me to game 7 of the 2004 finals and then 1 game away from the conference finals last year as a 6 seed.
6. Name a move you had a chance to make and passed up on and wish you would of made?
Bankz: I have had some bad luck. Most of the deals I wanted to do the other GM backed away from the deal. But one deal I wish would of gone down was the Creation day trade to move out of the 1st I had with Poetic IIRC.
Ohh: I forget who it was but I had an offer for a star once and I got too cute with it. I think it might have been Vince Carter. Got caught up in a minor aspect and it blew a major deal
Dump: Not taking Sebastian Telfair. I love Nelson but at this point Telfair is a lot better.
Duc: I had a lot of deals early on for Eddy Curry and Rip Hamilton. I ended up moving Eddy for a soon to be Star in Gilbert Arenas who I had for 1 season after his huge TC. As for Rip I held my hand for far too long to try and get good value for him.
Skrouse: None that I can think of. Not going after FAs a couple years ago and letting my young players develop would've been interesting. I could've had Kaman, Bogut, Randolph, Granger and Jack as a starting 5 with Al Jefferson off the bench this year, would've been intersting. I will definitely go that route next time.
H/T: None.
20x4: I can't really think of one.
7. Best GM when it comes to the Free Agent Market?
Bankz: I am going to go with ZPZ. He has done a great job of filling a lot of empty roster slots the last few years and he always finds good compliments for his stars. MJ should also get a mention.
Ohh: Anyone who maxes guys and gets lucky is disqualified, sorry mj. I think the person who did the best this year was duc15. I like what I've done too.
Dump: ohhaithur hands down. He has mastered the art of picking up small contracts and turning them into draft picks/more valuable assets.
Skrouse: A lot of GMs have been solid, a lot of it depends on the players though, some GMs made great offers but players went else where, nothing you can do. This past offseason though, the Blazers GM getting Caron Butler looks like the best move by far, roughly 4 years 40 mil and out performing Melo who's contract is maxed.
H/T: It varies from year to year. I cant say theres one best.
20x4: I don't know this is tough to judge because there isn't a lot of opportunity to showcase your skills. I guess I would say ohhaithur, he seems to get a lot of quality players for team friendly deals.
8. How long will the Celtics run at the top last?
Bankz: I think the Celtic go back to back and then I think Poetic has a few really tough choices ahead of him. I don’t think the Celtics will fall very far from the top. But I could see them at least coming back to the pack some.
Ohh: For the forseeable future. He's in a nice cycle of acquiring talent, letting the talent get great, dealing talent for more picks, restarting the cycle. Unless he messes up or teams stop trading with him he'll be great for a while.
Dump: However long poetic wants it to last
Duc: As long as they will always have Dwade they have a great shot at being a very good team.
Skrouse: Umm depends if D Wade leaves, as long as he and Marion are there looks like the Celtics will be in the contention.
H/T: Forever.
20x4: How long will they put up one of the best records in the league? 5+ seasons. If the question is how long will they keep winning the title, I don't know. Anything can happen in the playoffs, I beat them in the Eastern conf. finals two years ago. They will definitely be the favorites for a long time assuming Wade resigns.
9. When scouting potential draft prospects what do you focus on?
Bankz: I have a system I put all prospects into. The first couple of years I was well off. But I tweeked some things and have found some good prospects. I was the first person on the Diaz bandwagon, I also was very high on Ronnie Brewer both had very good TC’s and look to be pretty good players.
Ohh: I have a formula that I've tweaked each year. It weighs categories for each position with advantages for higher scouted potential guys.
Dump: Defense, Defense, Defense
Duc: Defense, Inside/Outside depending on position, and Rebounding.
Skrouse: Depends on the position. Age is always a factor and A or B potential. For bigs I focus on inside scoring, defense and rebounding. For SF/SG, both scoring categories and defense, and for PG, both scoring categories, handles and defense.
H/T: Defense first. Then I look at ratings I make a chart based on a point system I have then go look at scouting reports for anything I may have overlooked.
20x4: It is kind of similar to ohhaithur's ranking system I think. I focus on what skills are important for that player's position and then check their ratings for that position. For example, this is why I liked Rondo a lot more than some people. He had great handling and defense ratings, which are what I look for from a PG. I also look at potential, obviously.
10. Including this upcoming class name the best prospect to enter the league in the last 3 years?
Bankz: I would say based on pure talent alone. CP3
Ohh: Greg Oden, Chris Paul, Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant
Dump: Lebron James or Dwight Howard
Duc: Greg Oden
Skrouse: Dwayne Wade
H/T: Dwayne Wade
20x4: Greg Oden
11. If you could pick one player to build your team around who would it be and why?
Bankz: Dwight Howard. He is under the age of 21 and already averages 22, 12 and 2 a game. Center is an important position and he is also able to run the floor and would be great in an up-tempo system.
Ohh: Dwight Howard. Position of scarcity, he's young, still three years on his deal and cheap.
Dump: Dwyane Wade. Because he is a true winner.
Duc: Greg Oden because of the position he plays at C and how young and good he is. Already averaging a Double Double is very impressive.
Skrouse: Wade, C and PG are the 2 most important positions IMO and he's the best either position has to offer.
H/T: Kobe best player in the league still other than that Bosh/LBJ/Wade
20x4: Darko Mlicic - because he can pass like Vlade... (but seriously, Dwayne Wade - because he spits hot fire)
12. Why does the East continue to be the dominate conference? What do West GM’s need to do to right the ship?
Bankz: Better GM’s honestly. They understand how to build teams. The GM’s in the west are starting to get it. Ohh has finally made some moves to go from middle tier play-off team to top contender in the west. Matt’s team has finally grown up. But look at the Jazz and Sonics and you see why the west stinks. Trading away the best player on your team the player who won you a sim league title and is signed to one of the most cap friendly deals and you trade him. Why? There was no reason to do it unless you don’t want to play for a sim league title?
Ohh: Make user dumptime the new Raptors owner
Dump: I wouldn't say that the East has been the dominant conference lately. Its just that the West is more evenly matched and we beat each other up.
Skrouse: The East has been top heavy while the West has been deep, plus they have the Celtics who have been dominant. But he Jazz, Suns, Lakers, Grizzlies and Nuggets all look like title contenders this year. Hopefully, the West can bring a 2nd title home.
H/T: SEC SEC SEC
20x4: The West has already caught up pretty much to the East. But the East has been stronger in the past because of more active and better GMs, in my opinion.
13. Name the Western and Eastern Conference Finals matchup and NBA Finals match up and winner?
Bankz : Jazz vs Suns and Knicks vs Celtics with the Suns taking on the Celtics and the Celtics going back to back.
Ohh: Celtics over Suns
Dump: Celtics vs. Suns. Old commish vs. New commish. I gotta go with the Celtics
Duc: Jazz vs. Celtics
Skrouse: Celtics over the Heat & Suns over the Jazz
H/T: Kings vs Celtics Celtics win.
20x4: Had this in my season previews, will stick by it:
East: Celtics over Knicks
West: Suns over Jazz
TMBSL Power 10
10.
The Bulls come in at number 10 in the Power Poll. Off to a slow start the Bulls are only a few games over .500 in the East be have the 2nd seed thanks to leading the division. Jury is still out if this team is better then last years team.
9.
The Nuggets come in at 9. Mostly because most of the votes for the power poll were entered before they made some very impressive moves to become one of the best teams out west.
8.
The T-Mac Grizzles check in at 8. Once again Tracy McGrady is off to a flying start proving why he is a top talent mvp type candidate in the Sim League.
7.
Kobe and the Raptors are another up and down eastern conference team. But people still have tons of respect for Kobe Bryant who is with out question the best player in TMBSL. Raptors my be given more credit then they have earned thus far.
6.
The Lakers go from dog house to penthouse in less then 24 hours. Getting Chauncey Billups and Rashard Lewis have put the Lakers as one of the top contenders in a much improved Western Conference.
5.
Lots of members have gone all in on the Jazz since they made some power moves. But the Jazz have yet to jell and are sitting just outside the playoff's. Jermaine O'Neal and Dirk will eventually mesh and then look out West.
4.
The battle for number two in TMBSL was unreal. In the closest of votes the Heat check in at four. Dwight Howard is a monster along with Paul Pierce the Heat are steam rolling the Sim League.
3.
New York is 3 on the big board. Some owners question LeBron's ability to lead this team to the promised land. But since this is the regular season owners like this team.
2.
The Suns are the second best team according to the owners of TMBSL. The fight for number # was razor thin with 1 vote separating 2,3 and 4. Looks like Matt's very young team has grown up. Now the question because can the test the number one team in the land come playoff time.
1.
No shock at who is number one. Its the defending TMBSL Champions. Boston was the unanimous number 1 team. Receiving every single number 1 vote. Wade is dominating and its major news when the Celtics lose as winning is expected.
Others Receiving Votes:
Kings
Clippers
Nets
Sonics
Rockets
Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets
Hawks
Pistons
Mavs
