Clips Presser X : Ten Years in the Making

[MexicanMamba]

My tenth season cometh! Where the hell has the Sim-time gone?

Since I have already detailed what a whirlwind last season was, I won’t spend too much time on that now.  At least not the build-up.  After some early moves which morphed into indecision that then turned into some regret, I ended up with a 52-win team that made it to the second round of the playoffs.  Losing to last season’s Pistons team is not an embarrassment by any means, as I felt they were a championship level squad. 
 
(Let me also take a moment to congratulate the Wizards on grabbing the ring!)
 
Transitioning over to this season, I actually do bring back many of those same face from the last.  Randy Abney, Daron Hord, Bryce Dejean-Jones, Cameron Payne, Hollis Wiley all re-signed during unrestricted free agency.  Obviously, these are players with a bit of mileage on them, so it took a toll on them during camp and I probably will have to cut some of their minutes to be successful.  The changes made were relatively major.  Gone are Samuel Adams and Zeke Nnaji (and 3 1st round picks), and incoming players are John Stoll and Dominick Cobb in trades from Denver and Detroit respectively.  I chose to use my cap space bringing in guys via trade instead of diving into UFA because I wanted the sure thing.  As for why these two guys in particular, it is quite simply: They know how to put the ball in the basket.  Last season, Abney was a reliable scorer in the post after a mid-season trade and Terry Sterner was my go-to scorer the moment I moved on from Glen Sabo.  While Scary Terry was very capable, he is still growing into his natural role on the team and with so much on his plate, was not always the most efficient scorer and that trickled down to the team.  Now that he can be freer and not shackled with that responsibility, I can see him flourishing even more even if his scoring output dip some. 
 
So, expectations.  I will be honest, while I am very happy with the trio of Stoll, Cobb and Sterner and believe that BDJ, Hord and Abney can be very productive role players, I don’t think I can expect championship level basketball as currently constructed.  Marcel McAlister is also here; however, he still needs a bit more seasoning before he can be fully counted on to make major contributions.  I think we are a defensive big man or a dynamic wing (who can let Cobb slide to PF in a small ball line-up) away from being where we want to be.  I will certainly be scanning the league for ways to fix those short-comings if I am able to. 
 
I think that is all for now.  So, I’ll take some questions … but if you have some that you would want extended, thoughtful answers to, drop those ones in GRILLED MAMBA!




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[NOLa.]

You're going for your 8th playoff appearance in a row and a 7th straight season of 50+ wins as well, usually each season with a different roster as the previous season. Do you go into each season feeling you are making the Finals or does the slow rebuild processes taken by other GMs seem like a turnoff due to the time it takes to do?

[78#]

What have you learned from the start of sim league to your tenth season since you've had consistent success? And what things would you do differently if you had to look back?

Also you've added two studs in Cobb and Stoll. What damage are you looking to create in the league this season?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Kemp division seems to be yours for the taking this season since Ben Franklin shocked the world by turning down a supermax to play for the Pelicans. What do you see as your biggest obstacles this season?

[MexicanMamba]

You're going for your 8th playoff appearance in a row and a 7th straight season of 50+ wins as well, usually each season with a different roster as the previous season. Do you go into each season feeling you are making the Finals or does the slow rebuild processes taken by other GMs seem like a turnoff due to the time it takes to do?

I definitely do not go into each season expecting a Finals appearance. The last two seasons ended up being years that I just wanted to get under the tax and save up a few points so I could train a couple guys. While I hoped to build a championship caliber team this off-season, I still am not feeling like I accomplished that feat.

I actually love the idea of re-building a team from the ground up. However, its way more entertaining in theory than in reality. You have to have a number of things go right to accomplish that, especially having lotto luck, which I certainly did not have my first 2 drafts. Hell, look at this past lotto and how the Rockets and Knicks were hosed of legit rebuild pieces by trusting the lottery? I can't think of much worse in this game than doing a whole season of tanking just to end up seeing The Suns jump you and either steal your player you fell in love with or the ability to trade the pick.

So, I tinker, I re-tool, and look for ways to win while also keeping an eye on youth I might be able to let develop while doing so.

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[MexicanMamba]

What have you learned from the start of sim league to your tenth season since you've had consistent success? And what things would you do differently if you had to look back?

Also you've added two studs in Cobb and Stoll. What damage are you looking to create in the league this season?

I think the biggest thing I've learned is to not be afraid to make a mistake, no matter how big. Not to say that you should be reckless. By all means, make calculated decisions, but this should be fun so, if there's a move out there that seems risky but you think it'll make your involvement as entertaining as possible? Do that shit. Because there's almost no move you can't recover from, no matter how much regret you may feel at some point. Make trades, send contract offers, go over the tax, whatever. Cannonball into the deep end.

As for my team, I think we'll be pretty good. I think we will score a lot of points, that's for sure. We'll make the playoffs and make a lot of the league sweat. Anything more than that and I may need to do some more tinkering.

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[MexicanMamba]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Kemp division seems to be yours for the taking this season since Ben Franklin shocked the world by turning down a supermax to play for the Pelicans. What do you see as your biggest obstacles this season?

If you mean the biggest obstacle for the division, I think it's either Silky and Leiker being such a dynamic pairing that they cover up the rest of the roster deficiencies OR its your Bulls managing to pull off a deal or two to surround Ridley with the right players.

If you mean in a much broader sense, as in winning a championship, I think I have to get more defenders in the paint and/or another wing with some size to create max flexibility for Cobb.

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[Keepit100]

Who do you see coming off the bench contributing the most this season?

[MexicanMamba]

Who do you see coming off the bench contributing the most this season?

I have not settled yet on my starting 5, so I'm not 100% sure on this. However, it will either be Randy Abney or BDJ. One of these guys will start the season in the starting 5, so the other will he needed to anchor the bench unit. I just still am toying with the idea of a traditional lineup or more small ball.

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[greepleairport]

You’ve assembled a team of great players this offseason, one that even a few seasons earlier would be a championship threat, and it doesn’t feel like the first time either. Very much a vet GM at this point, what do you prioritize in roster moves? Scoring? Defense? Cohesion? Nabbing the best you can and sorting it out later?


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[MexicanMamba]

You’ve assembled a team of great players this offseason, one that even a few seasons earlier would be a championship threat, and it doesn’t feel like the first time either. Very much a vet GM at this point, what do you prioritize in roster moves? Scoring? Defense? Cohesion? Nabbing the best you can and sorting it out later?


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If I'm looking for a legit superstar to anchor my squad, they have to have the ability to put the ball in the hoop at a high level. You obviously would love for them to be at least adequate on defense, but even if they aren't I feel like you could surround them with + defenders and he can lead you far. Then after you choose who your star is and pinpoint their best attributes, I try to surround them with players that best complement their skillset.

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[logpmess]

How does the recent addition of Scott Leonard play into your rotation this season?

[MexicanMamba]

How does the recent addition of Scott Leonard play into your rotation this season?

We'll see how it goes, but to start things off he's going to be my starting Small Forward, while also chewing up some back-up PF minutes in a pinch. With Cobb, Stoll and Sterner around him, he isn't going to be asked to do anything but play a role. He has a knack for taking the ball away, so, do that at a high level and put the ball in the hoop when you get open looks. I think he's more than capable of doing those things at a high level.

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[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: What led you to focus on the wings when seeking to add talent? Do you see the relatively thin frontcourt being a problem, or do you have more up your sleeve?

[Eazy P]

Rumor has it you asked LeBron to join SLOE to be the GM of the Cavs. With his real life GM experience, if he decides to join, do you think he will be a great asset to the league?

Also What role will BDJ have with your team? Is he there to mentor your young guys?

[MexicanMamba]

Random Reporter: What led you to focus on the wings when seeking to add talent? Do you see the relatively thin frontcourt being a problem, or do you have more up your sleeve?

My run of great teams was built on dominant big men, though it wasn't until BDJ's arrival that they finally brought it home, so I have an appreciation for post play. That being said, I was really hoping to try winning in a different way, so I've went heavy on wings. On top of that, these were simply the best players I was able to get my hands on and I'm of the belief that you add talent when you can and you make it work. Also, Sterner needed scoring help and Cobb, Stoll offer it in spades. Now, I will say that I most definitely will be keeping my eyes open for help down low if it comes available because I understand that Hord can't do it all on his own.

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[MexicanMamba]

Rumor has it you asked LeBron to join SLOE to be the GM of the Cavs. With his real life GM experience, if he decides to join, do you think he will be a great asset to the league?

Also What role will BDJ have with your team? Is he there to mentor your young guys?

LeBron's first Kingly decree will be to trade Brandon Boston to the Clippers so that he can also find out how it feels to win a ring in Los Angeles. So, he'd be a fantastic asset!

As for BDJ, he has been nothing but a positive influence on everyone in our organization since the first time he stepped through our doors. Though the landscape for him has changed this season, he is definitely looked up to and embraces a leadership role. Terry Sterner especially has taken to him and I think you'll see the fruits of that this season as he takes the reins as our starting Point Guard. On the court, BDJ is going to our 6th Man, capable of handling duties from spots 1-4 on the floor. I'll be honest though, I've spoken with him and told him that for everything he's done for us, that we would consider moving him at his request, if he got one last opportunity to be in a starting 5. Feel like he's earned that opportunity, at the very least.

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