Owner Mode

[Brian Windhorst]

So last night I woke up from my bunk bed that I share with Lebron, and I had a great idea. What if the contract of every GM in the league was suddenly terminated. Then each of those GMs were graded strictly on the last 5 seasons to determine whether or not they would be rehired. Did they win a championship 6 years ago? Doesn't matter, that didn't happen as far as this premise goes. What have you done in 5 years? That will determine whether the GM will get a "long term extension", a "short term extension", be on the "hot seat", OR will he be "FIRED". Without further ado, let the hurting of the butt commence!!

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics – Conroy – 221-189 (.539) – 3 Division Titles/1 Conference Title – Long Term Extension
Looking at the team now, it’s a bit of a far cry from what it used to be. And even though training camp wasn’t kind to them in some ways, you just have faith that this GM can make something happen. Maybe it’s the weak division, but maybe it’s also that we’ve seen Conroy do magic tricks before. Will he pull another magic trick? It’s worth investing in a long-term extension to find out.

New Jersey Nets – RPF – 221-189 (.539) – 1 Division Title – Short Term Extension
The Nets are a team that has had its share of ups and downs. Their up, a 60 win season and the division crown; their down, a bad year that allowed them to grab Gerald Wallace. While RPF hasn’t build up the cache like Conroy has, he does have a pretty good looking team right now, rife with potential. He needs to build on that potential, though, so it’s unwise to give him a long extension until we see he earned it. So he gets a short extension and a task for the next few years: get a reliable second weapon to pair with Maggette.

Miami Heat – logpmess – 211-199 (.514) – 3 Playoff Appearances – Hot Seat
Hahaha what a funny pun! But seriously, the Heat have hung on too long to their original player from the creation draft – to my knowledge the only team that has done so. And that sort of loyalty is admirable, but the results have to reflect that, and they really don’t. At their peak, the Heat have been a 50-win team incapable of making a real run. Right now they have a 34 year old Gary Payton making 30M over the next two seasons without much help around him. The Heat need to do something and do it fast.

New York Knicks – snuglife – 48-198 (.195) – 0 Playoff Appearances – FIRED
I wanted to give this GM some leeway since he’s only been the GM for three-ish seasons. But he’s made some headscratching trades and wasn’t sure if he wanted to get better or worse through the past three years. Yes, he has found himself in possession of the most prized prospect in a few years, but he hasn’t proven that he’ll know what to do with it. The Knicks have a bit of potential, but someone else will have to realize it for them.

Orlando Magic – ColtsGuy – 163-247 (.397) – 1 Conference Title – Short Term Extension
This is purely considering potential on this roster. The Magic had one magical year (heheh), then decided to sell all assets and build towards the future. How have they done? Well, they have a few nice young pieces in Mike Miller, Richard Jefferson, and Tyson Chandler, and they have their own pick in what should be a great draft. So based on that, I’d like to see more. This could be a great core going forward, or it could all blow up in his face, but he’s earned the right to see which happens.

Philadelphia 76ers – Prince Armour – 129-199 (.393) – 1 Playoff Appearance – Hot Seat
The Sixers traded two picks to get rid of bloated contracts, and one of those was Pau Gasol. But he was able to get Baron Davis out of it to pair with Rip Hamilton in a pretty promising young backcourt. That’s actually the main reason he isn’t fired – he had an awful cap situation and he worked on making it right. That being said, the team is far from really contending and they don’t have their pick next year either, so we need to see some real progress before we grant an extension here.

Washington Wizards – Xist2Inspire – 171-239 (.417) – 1 Conference Title, 1 Division Title – Short Term Extension
The Wizards have a losing record over the past five years, but they do have that one year representing the East to show that when they have talent, this team can make a run. And that’s good for Xist, because right now there’s some serious young talent developing in the Capital City. Odom and Lewis look ready to roll and the emergence of Olowokandi is a pleasant surprise for a team looking to take the division for the second straight year. It’s only a short term extension because of the volatility of the Atlantic Division.

[NOLa.]

LXG article all over again

Sent from my SM-S765C using Tapatalk

[Brian Windhorst]

[Brian Windhorst]

Updated. Other divisions coming shortly.

[Brian Windhorst]

Central Division

Milwaukee Bucks – IamQuailman – 256-154(.624) – 3 Division Titles/1 EC Title – Long Term Extension
What more could a fan ask of a GM? I know, I know…Maybe a championship or two. But those aren’t easy to come by. All IamQuailman has done is win and win some more. Even a Finals appearance had Milwaukee on the brink of the ultimate goal. He has proven he knows how to build a team and consistently win. Although the Bucks are mid-rebuild, IamQuailman has already thrown together a beautiful young core of Artest, Stoudamire, and Ginobli. Milwaukee would be smart to never let this GM go.

Atlanta Hawks – Wignosy – 266-144(.649) – 2 Division Titles/2 PBSL Titles – Long Term Extension
The last two years solidified this GM’s future. Before that though…3 first round exits, all by the hands of the Bucks. If that had continued, despite the winning and playoff appearances, he would have been on the hotseat. But rings change things, and after 2 consecutive titles this GM is nearly untouchable. Titles in this league don’t fall in one’s lap and Wignosy dominated the league on the way to those titles. Atlanta would be wise to pay this man immediately.

Detroit Pistons – TrayWithAnA – 154-256(.376) – 3 Playoff Appearances – Hot Seat
Detroit hasn’t had much to look forward to over the last 5 years. A handful of playoff appearances, yet fans knew the outcome of those series before they were played. Steve Smith drug this team to the playoffs but it never had the talent needed. At the very least, TrayWithAnA saw this and decided to ship off the aging Smith and start the rebuild. He brought in Posey and stunk it up for the following 2 seasons. He’s had a few setbacks out of his control though. Harrington is developing at snail speed and Parker is doubtful to turn into the explosive player we all thought he would despite winning the ROY. But this franchise is on the up and up and I think the owner gives him another year. He’s definitely on the hot seat and on a year by year basis. Results are needed and needed soon.

Charlotte Hornets – NickMalone77 – 217-193(.529) – 3 Playoff Appearances – FIRED
So very similar to Detroit, this franchise hasn’t given their fans much. The huge difference though is that the future is bleak in Charlotte. That lies strictly on the shoulders of it’s GM, NickMalone77. After a couple of awful seasons, the franchise landed Ron Artest and it looked as if this team was going to start competing for a while. It competed for exactly 3 seasons. After finally getting out of the first round last season, the GM saw fit to trade away its budding superstar. The reason given was that he wanted to get “younger”. I guess 22 year-old Ron Artest was a bit too old for this GM. In return, NickMalone77 received Zach Randolph, a young player with tons of upside. Problem is that IF that potential is ever reached, it won’t be for another 3 years at least. Charlotte has been a revolving door for players thanks to its very indecisive GM. This franchise can’t take 3-4 more years of losing and that’s exactly what former GM, NickMalone77, has set them up for.

Chicago Bulls – PrepP – 94-152(.382) – 2 Playoff Appearances – Short Term Extension
PrepP has been in control of this team for 3 seasons now. He took over with a nice young core in place yet very undeveloped. The first season under his belt was not pretty. But that young core started to develop and this GM has improved each season. With two playoff trips and two first round exits, the kids are becoming elite ballers and more is definitely expected. This club broke .500 last season and anything but more improvement will leave PrepP on the hot seat for sure. But in a Eastern Conference where a new team tanks for LeBron every day, this team should be a playoff fixture for years. SHOULD BE…The rest is up to Mr. PrepP.

Cleveland Cavaliers – 42PhD – 14-68(.171) – 1st Season As GM – Incomplete
I was close to granting 42PhD a short term extension after only his first year, but after looking at his resume I had to rethink that. He took over a team that had only one major asset, that being 29 year old Eddie Jones. He quickly traded away Eddie and hit the reset button, which is totally understandable. He proceeded to make many questionable trades, including that Jones deal, which most thought he could’ve gotten a much larger haul for. He traded away his 2002 AND 2003 1st round pick for Redd and Damon Stoudamire. Two decent players indeed, but not nearly worth losing 2 first rounders of a team that is rebuilding. With that being said, the trades improved and knowing that it was futile to have a bad team with no pick for the 02-03 season, this off-season he started putting together what I think will be a playoff team. So the future in Cleveland is uncertain but getting brighter every day.

Indiana Pacers – PaulyP – 177-233(.432) – 2 Playoff Appearances – FIRED
Five seasons ago, the Indiana Pacers were a mess. Old guys and a few underachieving young players managed a 30-52 season. Enter Paul Pierce, the savior of the Pacer franchise and of GM PaulyP’s job. Four years and two 1st round exits later, the Pacers are just as lost as they were in 1997 and not any closer to building a respectable winning franchise. Although Pierce took the money this off-season, he has to be regretting his decision to some extent, as it seems he’ll be enduring more losing seasons. PaulyP tried to immediately surround Pierce with talent(mostly old vets that could still ball), but Paul was not ready to carry the load 4 seasons ago. He needed time to develop and the team should have slowly developed with him. Now he has arrived and as he looks around the locker room he sees that he is alone. Although free agency talent was bare, PaulyP needed to hit some homeruns to save his job. That didn’t happen.

Toronto Raptors – Soundwave – 241-169(.588) – 4 Playoff Appearances – Long Term Extension
This one is pretty easy. Soundwave gets a long term extension hands down. Coming off a rebuild he has led this franchise to 4 consecutive playoff trips. He hasn’t gotten over the hump yet and reached the Finals but we all think it will happen sooner than later. Many thought he had a great shot last season but he was plagued with injury after injury. Not to mention he has improved his record every year. This franchise hasn’t peaked yet and Soundwave will be kept around to try and make that happen.

[Brian Windhorst]

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors – Bowtothebill – 288-122 (.702) – 1 Division Title, 1 Conference Title, 1 PBSL Title – Long Term Extension
You could make the argument that all of this success was due to Shawn Kemp, who now sits pretty in Seattle. But the Warriors got a package that should keep them in contention in the tough West for a few more years. After that? Well, we’ll have to see. But this GM has been a constant fixture on the contention scene, and that sort of success deserves a long term extension to see what he’s got planned next.

Los Angeles Clippers – aburns – 217-193 (.529) – 2 Playoff Appearances – Hot Seat
This isn’t meant to disrespect aburns in any way. He has a winning record in the hardest division in basketball. But unfortunately, what has benefitted him has also plagued him. He has worked hard to compete in this division, and he’s done fine, but fine isn’t good enough in the Pacific. He has some decent young talent in Ricky Davis and the surprising Rasual Butler, but Nick Van Exel just hit the dreaded 30 year mark, and there’s not much other than a few playoff appearances to show for it. After Nick starts to decline, the pressure is on aburns to put out a product that will not just compete in the Pacific, but win in the Pacific, and it’s hard to give an extension until we see if he can do that.

Los Angeles Lakers – BallSoHard – 250-160 (.610) – 2 Division Titles, 1 PBSL Title – Long Term Extension
There really isn’t much to say here. The Lakers successfully rebuilt the organization and acquired top talent through trades to put together a dangerous team every year. They’re the team in the West who everyone checks on their calendar, and even though Garnett had a bad camp, it’s hard to imagine the team will suffer much over the next few years. This GM has done a great job and deserves to stick around to see if he can add to his trophy case.

Seattle Supersonics – Darth Vegito – 57-107 (.348) – 1 Playoff Appearance – Long Term Extension
Something doesn’t look right here, you’re saying. This team had a 5-77 record. No division titles yet. And you’re extending them? Why, Brian, why? Well, the answer is simple. They went from 5-77 to 52-30 in one year. That’s almost a fifty game turnaround. And they made even more moves this offseason. Yes, the players they have are older, and a collapse seems inevitable. But you can’t ignore that sort of progression. This team is a force in the West, and the GM deserves recognition for turning them from the worst team ever into a title contender.

Sacramento Kings – NOLa – 295-115 (.719) – 2 Division Titles – Long Term Extension
This GM doesn’t only get a long term because of his success – which by my count is the best over the past 5 years – but because he seems to have the best training staff in the league. Year after year his young players continue to improve. Some say it’s his strange fasting ritual at every training camp, but the how doesn’t matter – it’s the what that counts. And this what is a seemingly never-ending string of young players to help this team. Tracy McGrady just came out of camp looking like one of the league’s elite players, and guess what guys: he’s only 23. This GM has built a great team and will stick around to see them hopefully hoist a championship banner.

Phoenix Suns – MESSI 2.0 – 32-50 (.390) (took over midseason – INCOMPLETE
It seems unfair to judge this GM on anything that’s happened so far. He came in midseason and shed a lot of the old GMs players, which is a common thing to do for new GMs. They want to establish their own identity and build their own team. And until we see what that team looks like, we can’t make any decision. Calvin Booth and Joe Johnson look promising, but will Messi be able to put together a team that makes the other Pacific teams take notice? I guess we’ll have to find out.

Portland Trailblazers – kucoach7 – 153-257 (.373) – 1 Playoff Appearance – Short Term Extension
For a few years, this team was hapless – waiting on Manu and Dirk to progress while not making much noise. And then they traded for Shaq and became a legitimate threat in the West. They swept the Kings and then got swept themselves in the second round, but the team looks promising – even if you consider Dirk’s poor training camp. It will be interesting to see how much further this team can go in the playoffs.

[Brian Windhorst]

Midwest Division

Dallas Mavericks – FearTheBrow – 222-106(.677) – WC Champ – Long Term Extension
This GM fell into heaven when he was hired by this franchise. Handed one of the league’s best players in Penny Hardaway, FearTheBrow couldn’t go wrong……well until he decided to trade that player. In maybe one of the most head scratching trades in sim league history he traded away a player that should never be traded. It was viewed as down right crazy by many GMs. And frankly considering the team he traded him to has now won 2 rings, it was still a crazy move. The Mavs post-seasons have went as follows: 1st round bounce – 2nd round bounce to Lakers – 1st round bounce to Warriors. That would leave a GM on the hot seat or fired especially after trading a superstar like Penny. But then he saved his job and career. He took an 8 seed in the brutal Western Conference all the way to the Finals. He went thru the Lakers, the Warriors and Kemp, and then the Spurs. It was an amazing run that came up short. But it was definitely enough to earn a long term deal.

Minnesota Timberwolves – TheJNR – 256-154(.624) – 1 Division Title – Long Term Extension
Talk about “Achilles Heal”…This franchise, anchored by big man Chris Webber, has been very successful in this league. TheJNR has beat some of the best teams in the playoffs…except one. That team would be the Golden State Warriors. For four straight years they fell to the behemoth known as Shawn Kemp. He finally decided to make a bold move after 4 years of not quite getting it done. But instead of holding onto his star player far too long as many GMs have, he traded him at just the right time and received quite the haul. This young team is looking great already and after maybe one more mediocre season, this GM will have this squad back in contention.

Denver Nuggets – thesyndicate – 196-214(.478) – 3 Playoff Appearances – Hot Seat
At first glance this GM was going to be fired. Then I dug a bit deeper. One word sums up the last 5 years for this franchise: OLD. Nothing but old veteran after old veteran has come through and this team has never made it out of the first round. This GM has done everything in his power to keep this team winning games. And in a highly competitive Western Conference that is very respectable. But he now has no choice but to throw in the towel and build through the draft. He is currently expected to be a bottom five team this season and be in the running for LeBron. The fact that he’s made move after move to keep this franchise winning speaks volumes to the kind of GM he is. But I seriously doubt he has much time left in Denver. His days are numbered if he doesn’t put a winning team back on the court very soon.

San Antonio Spurs – Eazy P – 222-188(.541) – 4 Playoff Appearances – Short Term Extension
Underachieving is what these Spurs do. Although Eazy P had put together a very nice young team, they never quite lived up to expectations. All the sudden this team isn’t all that young and the Spurs are running into cap issues. Last year, unexpectedly, this 7 seed made it to the WCF only to fall to the 8 seeded Mavs in 7 games. We aren’t sure what the future holds for this franchise, but we do know that the owner and the fans demand results now. We’ll see if newly acquired Caron Butler can help push this team over the hump. Let's see what he can do. If not then I’m afraid Mr. Eazy will be searching for another job.

Utah Jazz - CPrej - 230-180(.561) - 1 Division Title - Short Term Extension
Behind big man Tim Duncan, this franchise is hitting on all cylinders. It's young and primed for playoff basketball. Problem is what this team does after it reaches the playoffs. It gets bounced in the 1st round. The last three years this has been the result. This team is very good, I'm just not sure if the GM is. If so then he needs to prove it. He has one of the best big men and possibly the best SG in the league. If he can't get past the first round then I'm sure they'll find someone who would be happy to take a roster like that. Only a short term extension is deserved here. This franchise has to make sure they don't wake up one day and see 30 year old players with no rings.

Houston Rockets - Rockets78 - 143-267(.349) - NOTHING - FIRED
32 wins. That's the absolute best this GM could do in 5 years. I can't justify even putting Rockets78 on the hot seat. This is hand downs one of if not the worst franchises in the league. And sure they made some moves this off-season and they MAY break that 32 win barrier, but they won't win much more than that. This team has had little to no direction and been all over the place. He finally got his hands on some solid young talent and looked like the start of a very very nice rebuild. Instead of shipping out the older player in Big Z, he shipped out the youth for another aging veteran. Sure the front court is nice but last I checked you needed 5 starters. Sorry but these five years were just too much for one franchise to take. But you'll get another job, I heard Charlotte is hiring!

Memphis Grizzlies - LoCo89 - 168-242(.410) - 1 Playoff Appearance - Short Term Extension
After a few years of rebuilding, LoCo89 has done a very nice job of building this team. Problem is now there are high expectations. This young team made the playoffs 2 seasons ago and then had a let down last season and missed them. Most think the Griz are primed to make a long playoff run this year, and I tend to agree. But the West is brutal and things can happen. It's a young team and the GM did a nice job of finally putting a winning team back on the court. Let's see what he can do given a few more years. More losing though will have him on his way out in no time.

[kucoach7]

Great article, WindHorse. I can't believe you only referenced Lebron 3 times. His feelings might be hurt and he might not let you ride in that new H2 he just bought with illegally obtained money from Nike. Thanks for giving me a short term extension. I won't let you down.

[Xist2Inspire]

Great stuff. Wonder how many people are gonna pop up to claim the points this time.

[NickMalone77]

Harsh words. Windhorse should be sent to the sim glue factory. I hear they have great benefits.

[LoCo89]

Midwest Division



Utah Jazz - CPrej - 230-180(.561) - 1 Division Title - Short Term Extension
He has one of the best big men and possibly the best SG in the league.

Bruh....c'mon...

[Xist2Inspire]

Midwest Division
Utah Jazz - CPrej - 230-180(.561) - 1 Division Title - Short Term Extension
He has one of the best big men and possibly the best SG in the league.

Bruh....c'mon...

Right jersey, but it doesn't look like Michael Finley...

[LoCo89]

Midwest Division
Utah Jazz - CPrej - 230-180(.561) - 1 Division Title - Short Term Extension
He has one of the best big men and possibly the best SG in the league.

Bruh....c'mon...

Right jersey, but it doesn't look like Michael Finley...

Dick


Sent via carrier pigeon named Robbie

[Soundwave]

Midwest Division
Utah Jazz - CPrej - 230-180(.561) - 1 Division Title - Short Term Extension
He has one of the best big men and possibly the best SG in the league.

Bruh....c'mon...

Right jersey, but it doesn't look like Michael Finley...

He would look good in that jersey as a slight downgrade to the current guy wearing it.

Also, I'll take my 5 points now, thank you.

[NOLa.]

Great writeup Windhorst, entertaining read.

Sent from Tani via muh dik

[JNR]

Minnesota Timberwolves – TheJNR – 256-154(.624) – 1 Division Title – Long Term Extension
Talk about “Achilles Heal”…This franchise, anchored by big man Chris Webber, has been very successful in this league. TheJNR has beat some of the best teams in the playoffs…except one. That team would be the Golden State Warriors. For four straight years they fell to the behemoth known as Shawn Kemp. He finally decided to make a bold move after 4 years of not quite getting it done. But instead of holding onto his star player far too long as many GMs have, he traded him at just the right time and received quite the haul. This young team is looking great already and after maybe one more mediocre season, this GM will have this squad back in contention.

Thanks for the long term extension, Brian, but Achilles Heal? Heal? Really?

Looks like someone is on the hot seat for spelling errors.

[RPF]

thanks for the short term vote of confidence, i hope i can do some damage this season

[IamQuailman]

AWARDED 5 POINTS... Too bad no one here to claim....

[p_amour]

Oh Errrrrm, We are contending, we just wont be winning a ring no time soon... Been in the playoff last season, and will be there this season too... if thats not contending, then fat bot got to tell me what is...

[42PhD]

Making the playoffs means you beat losers. How's your record against winners? Hawks? I'll hang up and listen. (Applies to all, not you) Fact is, many people measure their success with the wrong ruler.

[Xist2Inspire]

[42PhD]

Nah, what am I shooting? Check the records. Dems facts. Objective, public facts. I know I've been a losing GM, am well aware. I've tried to get better and failed. Still trying. I am not alone in being something between a speed bump and a fluffer, however.

[Darth Vegito]

Contending is having a legitimate team to win it all. That is contending. The rest are just warm bodies.

[Xist2Inspire]

Nah, what am I shooting? Check the records. Dems facts. Objective, public facts. I know I've been a losing GM, am well aware. I've tried to get better and failed. Still trying. I am not alone in being something between a speed bump and a fluffer, however.

Don't mind my gifs man, I'm just bored.

There are two types of contenders to me: Championship contenders and playoff contenders. The latter largely exists as cannon fodder for the former, aside from the rare "Cinderella" run.

[IamQuailman]

Nah, what am I shooting? Check the records. Dems facts. Objective, public facts. I know I've been a losing GM, am well aware. I've tried to get better and failed. Still trying. I am not alone in being something between a speed bump and a fluffer, however.

Don't mind my gifs man, I'm just bored.

There are two types of contenders to me: Championship contenders and playoff contenders. The latter largely exists as cannon fodder for the former, aside from the rare "Cinderella" run.