Post-Sim 1 Reaction 5-on-5

[IamQuailman]

Good morning, everyone! Sim 1 has come and gone, bringing plenty of surprises and non-surprises along the way. However, as we have seen before each season, what happens in Sim 1 isn't always indicative of how the full season will go. But it is fun to speculate!

Today we have 5 guests answering 5 questions (well technically 6, including the lagniappe at the end): digiskunk, 78#, DarthVegito, NOLa., and NickMalone77. Let's dive right in!

1. 1st Sim has happened, and we now have a foundation of a season to build on. Of all the teams with 5+ wins (6 in east conference) right now, which one is "Fool's Gold"? Of the remaining "4 or less" win teams, which one of these is better than their record indicates?

Digiskunk: As much as it pains me to say this (I feel like almost all of these teams have made the right moves to deserve their victories), I would have to say the New York Knicks. I understand that they were playoff bound last year, and rightfully so, but with a competitive Sixers franchise on the rise — not to mention the incredible Brooklyn Nets — I feel they may not be able to keep up. In regard to teams with under 4 wins, I'm going to keep it in the Atlantic division and suggest the 76ers will be a lot better than their current record reflects. Trust me, it won't be long until they're on a roll this season.

78#: For now, I'm going to go with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Talent wise, they have three really good players, but not much else after that. Plus their point differential is among the lowest out of the 5+ win group and 7 of their first 8 games were at home. They have a chance to be a good team, but need to improve on the defensive end especially if they want to have success at home. As far as the four or less team, I'm looking at my Southwest rival in the New Orleans Pelicans. They started out well at 4-0, but suffered a key injury with rookie SF Kevin Kowal which coincided with a losing streak. However, they have a strong point differential and two very good players in Blake Griffin and Dame Lillard. Once they get healthy, look for them to start winning again.

DarthVegito: The 6-3 Mavericks are without a doubt the team most likely to fall from grace and quickly plummet into obscurity. They have no defense whatsoever and their starting center is pulling less than 6 rebounds per game with a PSD rating of 27. They have no bench at all, and only only offensive weapons are Beal and 32 yr old Josh Smith. Yes, I do realize the West is a shitstorm, but there is no way the Mavs keep up a 66% win rate. They'll make the playoffs but they'll probably hover around .500 or drop below that.

This is the easiest question to answer and I'd suspect every other person participating here will make the same call. The 76ers are not a 2-5 team. The talent is better than 2-5. The GM is better than 2-5. This team will get it together and you'll see that record quickly balance itself out. Although, I must say that the Knicks may actually give them more of a run for the division than I gave them credit for.

NOLa.: This is tough, for Fools Gold I’m going to say the Dallas Mavericks. I believe of all the teams with 6 wins, only the Blazers and Mavs didn’t make the playoffs last season and don’t have the benefit of the comparability. Of those two, the Blazers with Rose and CJ are on fire. The Mavs had a heavy home schedule this sim so I’m certain they’ll prove me wrong once they get more away games. For the team that’s better than 4 or less wins, I have to go with the 76ers. I didn’t follow the crowd of thinking they were heavy favorites to win the division, as I think the Knicks have done well lately and retained their talent, but I look at the 76ers roster and know they are better than that record they have. They will turn it around, but I’ve already mentioned their lack of passing. It’s great Haywood is stuffing the stats but a true PG is needed.

NickMalone77: Mavericks. Easily. They finally gave Bradley Beal some talent to work with with the likes of Rubio and Josh Smith but I'm still not sold on them. They'll die in the paint most nights and once the season really starts to get going, they'll fall back down to reality. So, nice start but I'm not fooled. They'll be competitive because well the rest of the West may just be lackluster but I don't see them as much more than a .500 team.

IamQuailman: Everyone jumped on the Mavs, but I'm going to say the 8-0 Grizzlies. I do believe they are good, just not THIS good. Looking at their schedule, they played 3 games against 0 win teams (Clippers twice, Heat once), 1 game against the 1-win Lakers, 1 game against the slow-to-start 76ers, 2 games against .500 teams (Warriors and Pelicans), and 1 team with a winning record (Mavs, aka everyone's fools gold). I still think this is the best team in the Southwest, but I think that best record in the league is a little too high, expectation-wise. I'm going to go with everyone's concensus underperformer in the 76ers. They have the talent and will turn it around. Expect them to be over .500 by end of Sim 3.

2. The Pacific is fcuking pathetic. Give each team a 1-to-2-sentence pep talk to help them overcome possibly the worst start in the division's storied history.

Digiskunk: Ahem. Warriors: That frontcourt isn't going to impress anybody right now. Aside from Rudy Gobert, you guys need to find a solid power forward who can rebound and defend bigger guys like DeAndre Jordan. Guys like him and Anthony Davis feast on defenses like this. Suns: You guys have a lot of work to do but it's cool because you're rebuilding... Sorta. Or so it seems. In all honesty, now would be the ideal time to unload Kevin Love for some prospects and start over fresh. Or just reset your luxury tax and wait for next season and sign some big stars to put alongside Kevin. But that'll be hard given his contract. Kings: Just keep banging out those victories! Right now, you guys are undoubtedly the favorites to win the division. Y'all did great last year in the playoffs too. So just keep doing what you're doing, and you'll be fine, those victories will start piling in soon enough. Lakers: Welp, whoever takes over for the Lakers next should just sign some free agents in the offseason to put around Giannis. But until then, I recommend adding a bit more depth — probably via trade or free agency — and that'll help with the wins. Clippers: Trillotto should find a suitor to dump Patty Mills' and Evan Fournier's contracts because they're just holding his team back at this point. Also, there were some other free agent big men (who are currently still available, mind you) who would be big upgrades over Kelly Olynyk and Ekpe Udoh. Steven Hill and Irvin Benjamin come to mind!

78#: Warriors - you're in first place after a .500 start which is the high bar for this division. Also, Brian Stark is one of the better young scorers in the league, and Rudy Gobert is playing like a 1st team All-Center. Put more intensity on the defensive side and this division is yours. Suns - You still have Kevin Love who is having a tremendous start, 6 of the first 9 games were on the road and yet the point differential is almost a positive. Keep feeding Love and this division is yours. Kings - Jeffrey Duren is off to a great start and he's only 23 years old. However the team as a whole needs to share the ball more. Do that and the offense will improve leading to more wins. Lakers - You're not as bad as the Clippers, you're absentee owner just left and you still have Giannis. Things appear to be looking up. Clippers - You have Kevin Durant. You have Kevin Durant.

DarthVegito: Warriors - This team has no GM. This team is on cruise control and it's winning the division. And not to mention wasting Gobert's prime years. But this team was always a waste anyway. Suns - Kevin Love is 30. I will repeat. KEVIN LOVE IS 30. WOW. This team is a desolate waste assets and talent besides Kevin Love. And now he's 30. His decline in TC will begin next year and his contract vs the decline will gaurantee that when he does finally trade him he won't receive close to fair value. This franchise won't be relevant for many, many, many years at this point. Kings - DUREN GOING TO TAKE THIS LEAGUE BY STORM.......... Bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I've heard multiple teams mocking this young fellow already. "Ok coach, I'll guard JEFFREY DUREN his team's loss!" This team is young no doubt. But one would think that in this joke of a conference that a GM as highly touted as the Kings' GM would be able to muster better than 2-6. Maybe this team won't be relevant for a while either after all. Maybe he's suffering from PTSD from that AD whooping last season. Lakers - This team now has no GM. But it's been on cruise control for 13 years now. Lots of wasted talent and wasted draft picks. Hopefully the new stewards can give this team some direction and set it up nicely for the next GM. Clippers - Where to start...The GM is BRAND NEW. But that being said, WTF is happening here!? 0-10 and the Clippers don't have their own draft pick. That lotto pick will be going to the Kings to stockpile more young talent that won't produce. Man I hope someone decide to blow it up and sends this team some talent fast. And even still, I know KD is a baby back bitch but he should be able to put the team on his back every once in a while and muster up a few wins. Damn.

Wait....Shit...I was supposed to offer encouragement huh?.....Dammit.

NOLa.: Warriors, keep my crusing to the Pacific division championship. Lakers new GM, you’ve submitted more DCs than the previous GM during his reign. Kings, you do you. Clippers, I think it’s time to trade Durant while he is in his prime and teams are willing to give value. Suns, you gonna let the GM-less Warriors win this division with Kevin Love at your disposal?

NickMalone77: Kings: It's all about Duren. Who cares if Noel died, It's all about Duren... Lakers: When will Giannis finally find an owner that appreciates him? Clippers: Easy to talk all about KD but Rodney Hood is ok, I guess. Someone's gotta score otherwise. KD deserves better. Warriors: If the Warriors had a direction, they'd be considered a heavy favorite to win the division. The Bay needs an owner that cares, too. Suns: Like KD, it's all about Love but at least Danny Green is something.

IamQuailman: ...Do you guys know what "pep talk" means?

3. TraywithanA has stepped down as GM of the Lakers after his long tenure. Put your unbiased GM hat on for a few minutes... with the Pacific being so pathetic, what moves would you make as Lakers interim GM to claim the top of the Pacific?

Digiskunk: I'm not really the kind of GM who likes to trade away valuable picks, but in this case, if I wanted to win the division, I'd trade my 1st round pick along with a prospect in hopes of getting a high-caliber player. It probably wouldn't work, but it can't hurt to try.

78#: I would first go thru the free agency list and add some guys who can help now. I would look to trade Brandon Jennings for multiple pieces to fit around Giannis and LeCroix. Doesn't take much to compete in this division.

DarthVegito: This is a tough one. This team has two young stars who have the potential to be huge difference makers on this team. But one of them is already being paid like a star and the other must be paid this off-season. That makes things difficult. Other than those two guys, Jennings is the only player asset they have besides 2 very raw young guys. So there are a handfull of directions this team could go. I guess that's a decision the stewards will have to make. Since I'm one of them it seems...don't expect any trapes in LA boys.

NOLa.: I would start by picking up some free agents who can at the very least play backup minutes. Especially at center as the game for some reason out Giannis there. You have Giannis, Gustave and Jennings and about $30mil in cap space, put a damn team together. I’d next start looking for takers of Giannis for a rebuild package. Giannis is still a beast despite a TC hit in previous seasons, and I know I personally would have gone after Giannis hard if he was ever on the block prior to this season. A rebuild is needed, and the Lakers have Gustave the build around, another former #1 overall pick. The time is now and not later too.

NickMalone77: I would put out feelers to see what Giannis/Gustave could fetch in the open market. If other teams want them, I'd try to lump in Brandon Jennings as well to any and all contenders. Try to recoup and rebuild as much as possible while the price is still high. Lakers aren't going anywhere anytime soon and eventually those lotto picks will stack up to field a competitive team one day.

IamQuailman: I personally would leverage the slow start and cap space to go after a big man using a draft pick. The Pacific is wide open. Jamey Brown is not ready, and Giannis needs to be on the wing. Not to mention, teams will be willing to sell a youngish big for a potential lotto pick. It must not be an expiring big.

4. We've had some surprising new names in the League Leaders standings: Brian Stark (#7 PPG - 27.5), Lavar Ball (#9 PPG - 26.3), Otto Porter (#2 RPG - 13.1), Jason Fisher (#3 SPG - 2.6), Jeff Withey (#1 BPG - 3.6), and Arron Magness (#5 3P% - 52.2%). Which of these standouts surprises you the most? Which surprises you the least? Which of these has the most staying power in their league leader standings (respectively)?

Digiskunk: Lavar Ball surprises me the most thus far. His PPG average has risen dramatically since last season (altho it's only been 1 sim), but I don't know if he'll be able to maintain that. Brian Stark surprises me the least, because let's face it: We all knew he was gonna be a bonafide shooter. However, I believe Lavar Ball may have the most "staying power" in this league... Once he reaches his peak, he will be great. As long as this game is about getting buckets, he'll [probably] be able to get them.

78#: Among these 5 guys, seeing Jason Fisher as a league leader in steals is pretty remarkabable. He's not very quick as a PG and his steal ratings are average at best and the team is a whole is middle of the pack in steals. This could be an anomaly, but it's going to be fun to observe during this season. As far as least surprise, how about Fisher's teammate in Jeff Withey. He has a 91 rating in blocks, pretty good strength and a good leaper for a tall white guy. I think he will be among the league leader in blocks. As far as most staying power, I'm going with Otto Porter in rebounding, though he's a poor leaper, he's extremely strong and has great skills in rebounding. He should be in the top 5 all season.

DarthVegito: Stark isn't surprising considering that this wasteland of a team has NO offense at all and someone has to score. So Stark may actually stay in the top 10 here. Lavar Ball...that's definitely expected in Charlotte. He's finally coming into his own and after his TC and training in the off-season he is primed for a great season and career. Otto Porter will not stay that high in the rebounding rankings. He had some HUGE rebounding performances this last sim(against ME a 20 RPG one) and that is skewing his average a bit. But don't expect him to drop far down here. He'll average 10+ boards for the season no doubt. Jason Fisher...Who? No he won't and I don't care about this player. Withey? He may stay here since he has a 91 in Block rating and he's playing for an awful team who is starting a sorry player. Magness??? Once again who? and I don't care.

NOLa: The most surprising to me is LaVar Ball, but only because with Kyrie Irving and John Wall I thought Ball would be more of a 17ppg high efficiency scorer. Really goes to show how good John Wall is and how great of a creator he is for his team. The one with the most staying power for me is Brian Stark. We all know he’s a volume scorer and the Warriors once again have no primary scorer, leaving Stark to take the shots. The difference between the season and previous seasons is he was more efficient in this one sim. If he can take 22 shots a game and do it at the 45% rate he is converting at, I think he can be a top 10 scorer due to no other options available.

NickMalone77: Big Baller Daddy Lavar shooting and scoring that much for Charlotte surprises me the most. Especially when you have Kyrie and John Wall on the same team. I'd expect it to drop quite a bit but it's nice to see something positive happen in Charlotte for once. I'm not surprised by Otto Porter at all. Behind Andrew Wiggin's scoring power is the grit and energy of Otto who can do just about everything. He's a highly skilled defender and rebounder. I'd expect the inflated # to drop a tad but the Wolves are a great team and Otto's one of the reasons why.

IamQuailman: Biggest surprise for me to see Lavar Ball's ascension. He's going to be a great player for years to come. I think Otto has the staying power to be a top-tier rebounder in the league. The Wolves have skilled bigs, but rebounding isn't one of their particularly good skills.

5. Everyone loves to rosterbate. What about your team do you love after the 1st sim?

Digiskunk: I love the progress that I've seen out of my young rookies from last season, as well as my latest draft pick, "JUICY" James Gebhart. So far, they're all doing really well... Kight is ranked 17th (or something) in PPG rankings, Robert Neeley's PPG average has gone up significantly, and JUICY JAMES really surprised me with his ability to rebound. DeSean Hawkins is still a huge-ass question mark for me, but overall, I was really delighted about the improvements they've made from least season.

78#: Though my Rockets are only 3-6, our defense was very good in the first sim being 7th in the league in opponents eFG% and total shooting% as well as very good in steals and blocks. I also love Ty Lawson having one of his most efficient seasons with career highs in points per game, FG%, jumpshots%, and assists per game.

DarthVegito: I am very critical of my team always and try to find it's weaknesses and always improve them. If I must pick something I like or am excited about, I'd have to say the way this team is moving the ball around. Wall is an elite point guard but he's no shlub on the offensive side of the ball. Yet, he's very willing to be a pass first point and take less shots if that means the team succeeds. With the introduction of Kyrie to the team and Lavar's emergence, Wall has become an integral part of making sure these guys get the ball in great scoring positions.

NOLa.: I love seeing my young guys getting minutes. When I sat Duren on IR I was criticized for not playing him. When I sat Duren for his second season and James Pearsall for his first, then it became something to jab at me for not making sense, and then I sat Ferris and Pearsall all of last season while playing Duren limiting minutes. I took a different approach to managing my roster and I had fun doing it, and now I’m reaping the reward of getting to see my young guys play and start seeing the future of the Kings. Every sim will be an exciting scouting report to see who I want to build my team with, and who may need a new home.

NickMalone77: The impact of the starting unit. Dame and Blake are still Top NBA players and their abilities to lead is highly encouraging. Gonna need a lot out of Jonas and Aaron to be a supporting cast on most nights but if Dame and Blake are working hard, this team has a good shot to surprise a lot of people.

IamQuailman: Expectations were pretty low for my squad, but I am very happy to see Damien McNary and Elfrid Payton playing well. Arron Magness has been a great surprise, and I'm glad I locked him in on the cheap 4yr deal. He could develop to the perfect scoring punch off the bench in a couple seasons. John Hagerman is the truth, wish I could find him more minutes... maybe if I move Anderson. Lonzo maybe died in TC, but he's still a scoring machine.

BONUS: If you were a kid with basketball aspirations growing up in Sim World 2018, what non-purple player would you want to grow up to be like and model your game after?

Digiskunk: Derrick Rose, because there's not much that he can't do.

78#: For me, it's definitely Buddy Pedraza. With the modern game emphazing perimeter scoring and shooting, it's good to see a guy who wants to dominate in the paint with size, strength, and good post skills. He's currently shooting 58% and is a bully on the low block on a nightly basis. Plus, he has the potential to be a decent passer and likes to defend and rebound. What's not to like about his game?

DarthVegito: I would have to say Daniel Randle. He's my idol. This guy is a shrimp at 6'4" and plays the POWER FORWARD position. Do you know hat kind of balls it takes to play that position in this league right now!?!? But he does it and with fearless aggression. This dude just put up 31 points against an All-League vet and PBSL champion in Josh Smith. He just keeps doing the impossible and I AM A FAN!

NOLa.: Ricky Rubio for me. I love players who can create for others while being able to create for yourself when needed, with the added edge in perimeter defense and being that defensive leader you want on your team. Rubio is responsible for at least 41 points, and that’s assuming all assists he makes are for 2 point shots. Someone that can be responsible for nearly 50ppg on offense, lockdown an opposing teams star guard, and be the focal point of the team with the added pizazz of being a flashy passer is awesome. In should be noted that I loved players like Jason Kidd and Steve Nash in real life.

NickMalone77: Dame Lillard. Without a doubt.

IamQuailman: Russell Weakbrook. I'm not a big #teamlifting fan, so I can appreciate how dominant (TRIP DUB WATCH) he is all the while being a weakling. Gives us all hope!

Thanks for your contributions everyone, and I hope all of YOU (the readers) enjoyed! Good luck in Sim 2!

[digiskunk]

Great work Doug, thanks for letting me participate. This was fun.

[Inner_GI]

Loved this!

[Conroy]

Good stuff. Calling real Jeff Withey a sorry player is probably accurate, calling sim Jeff Withey a sorry player is fake news.

[PaulyP]

The Pacific this season could be the worst division ever. Basically only 2 GMs (1 of which is a rookie)

[IamQuailman]

The Pacific this season could be the worst division ever. Basically only 2 GMs (1 of which is a rookie)

I'm trying to recruit some people. The Lakers and Warriors both are not in bad positions. If anything, the Clippers may have been in the toughest spot, and Trilly took on that challenge. Hopefully we can find a couple takers

[garbageman]

The Pacific this season could be the worst division ever. Basically only 2 GMs (1 of which is a rookie)

I'm trying to recruit some people. The Lakers and Warriors both are not in bad positions. If anything, the Clippers may have been in the toughest spot, and Trilly took on that challenge. Hopefully we can find a couple takers

Are the Dubs officially up for claim? I thought Ben was eventually planning on returning.

[IamQuailman]

The Pacific this season could be the worst division ever. Basically only 2 GMs (1 of which is a rookie)

I'm trying to recruit some people. The Lakers and Warriors both are not in bad positions. If anything, the Clippers may have been in the toughest spot, and Trilly took on that challenge. Hopefully we can find a couple takers

Are the Dubs officially up for claim? I thought Ben was eventually planning on returning.

We can leave his team unfilled. I just re-read his post, and I think he intends to come back soon-ish.. (READ YOUR PMs BEN) and i would much rather ben back at the helm than rushing to fill with a newbie if he was intending to take only a season or 2 off (it's only been 1.5 seasons/3 IRL months since he posted that)

[ballsohard]

All the participants can add 5 points to their banks

[ballsohard]

This is 5 on 5 not 5 on 6. Please only select 4 other people besides the author next time.

5 points to
Dunk
78
Nola
Nick
Quail
Darth