S50 AngryThunder Breakdown

[AngryBanana]

Good morning everyone, I hope you have all had a great break. I know that some have had better than others. First I would like to congratulate, my old division matchup Gman on his championship win. Now, on to what really doesn't matter, my opinion on all things PBSL. Last season was a season of growth for us. We felt like we got some good minutes from our young guys in Wade, Oturu, Brooks, and Maker. Injuries were prevalent and prevented us from being the best team we could be, but we ended the season honestly further along than I could have predicted, I thought we were going to be a first round exit.

As far as the offseason goes, it was indeed an offseason of change for both individual teams, and the league at large. First thing we did after the season ended was realignment. Going into it I had a feeling that I would be in the Pelicans' division, as he has said in the past how much he likes going up against the Thunder. The real surprise was seeing all of the other talented GMs Nick brought to our division. It will be a real slobber knocker every season for us, which should be entertaining. The only think of note from me in the draft was that I correctly predicted the draft order. It was morse code, that was translated to numbers. The numbers represented the teams names if they had numeric values for each letter (A=1, B=2,etc...) I began talks with some other GMs on some moves. While I did pick up Leonard's option, I did not think he would be on my team going into pre-season, because I felt our team's ceiling was limited with him on the team as a premium player. So after some talks fell through for some other players, we decided to send him to Miami for a low cost player that allowed us flexibility at another deal or for UFA. We then resigned Oturu, after a failed attempt to get him with my own deal, at a lower cost than what I offered (which turned out to still be an overpay with his currents as of today). We then took our cap space and signed Rodrqiuez, hoping that he can solidify our three spot, to play a similar role like we had with JJ back in our last great build. Finally TC came an went. We had a good TC for Wade, who is getting closer to being a legitimate anchor on the defensive side, and threat on the offensive side, with Maker and Brooks also having a good camp. Oturu was a true TC casualty, having his near 100DREB drop to the 80s, with two other stats dropping over 10 points as well. Thankfully I signed Powell to a team friendly deal last year, that should help offset the hit. Oturu is still our best post defender as well, so he is still going to get heavy mins in the post.

Even though other teams got better as well, I see us making another post season run. Hopefully to the second round again, and with some savvy game planning (not what I am known for haha) further. I dont know who will be my starting rotation yet, with the only for sure starters being Wade and Rodriquez, the rest of the roster is pretty fluid right now.

Questions?

[NOLa.]

Who do you see being the biggest threat in your division for this season and in the future (say, 3 seasons from now)?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With John Rainbolt, Brooks Jackson, Zaire Wade, and BDJ, you have several different looks you can go for as PG. Who will be your primary playmaker this season, and have you thought about what you're going to sign on their leg cast?

[AngryBanana]

Who do you see being the biggest threat in your division for this season and in the future (say, 3 seasons from now)?

The short answer is the Wizards... They are always good...

This year (with current roster): 1.Brooklyn: who has a solid built team. You gotta always be weary of the ever controversial Olney and I think Shuo takes a jump with Schumann being a solid presence on the wing. 2. Washington: like I said he is always good/ dangerous. I do not see his playoff run end this season. He has an older more experience team, with Kidd leading the way still as a lethal option. 3. LAL: which has one of the best players in the league in Lopez. 4. NOP: with a slight rebuild getting rid of their older suns players, but still will be a tough out. 5. Toronto: who is not currently built to be a very deep running team compared to the rest of the league, but with Loredo and a few moves could easily jump up the hiegharchy of the Omega division.

Three Years: 1. Brooklyn: he has a young core with Shuo, olney and Glasser that will only get better. 2. Toronto: where Soundwave has some solid young players in Lewis and Tucker. This could change depending on if he decides to compete, but he has a good young core he could build around if he wants to move Loredo. 3. Pels: with their recent additons of Water, Mitchell and Gabauer they also have a young core to build on. If waters develops more, he will be a dangerous player at PG. 4. Wizards: where his team is a little older, but I never have doubts that he will figure it out. 5 Lakers: The team should set up to compete with Lopez, but in three years will be over 30 and on a bloated contract more than likely at that point. Not saying they will be contenders, but they might have the toughest road to get there of any team in our division

[K-100]

How do you see the Thunder winning games in season 50? Winning shootouts? Grinding teams down with your depth? A little bit of both? Neither? So many questions.

[AngryBanana]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With John Rainbolt, Brooks Jackson, Zaire Wade, and BDJ, you have several different looks you can go for as PG. Who will be your primary playmaker this season, and have you thought about what you're going to sign on their leg cast?

I refuse to acknowledge this question as an attempt to appease the sim gawds, and avoid their wrath.

[AngryBanana]

How do you see the Thunder winning games in season 50? Winning shootouts? Grinding teams down with your depth? A little bit of both? Neither? So many questions.

This team I think is a better, deeper, more complete version of last years team. Where I think Rodriquez is an upgrade over Leonard and the majority of my roster is unchanged besides losing Candelaria and Maravich from last year. So the idea would be that another year of this team would improve their cohesion and make them a better team.

My hope is that we win in a similar fashion to last year, where we just outplay the other team most nights, whether its offense or defense. Anyone that looks at our roster will know we are weak at the 3ps and JPS, but will hopefully bully teams in the paint, free throw, and mid range game. I think our defense will be improved some as our perimeter game should be a lot better than last year. The post took a hit with Oturu drop in rating, but he is still no slouch on that end.

Depth is a grate point as well, that will hopefully work out to our advantage. Having one, if not more of, Brooks, Oturu, Poweel, Maker, Halie, and even Rainbolt coming off the bench is going to be wonderful. Where all four could be starters on several other teams. Its part of why I did not list my starting 5 because this team is so deep, that I have a lot of options to play with.

[RPF]

What's your thoughts on your new division? Are you in the mix for it this season or next?

[AngryBanana]

What's your thoughts on your new division? Are you in the mix for it this season or next?

I think I have a good team to compete this year. This team's core is still mostly growing, but I have faith that they will play well this year, and better than last. I think next year we will see a better version as well hopefully.

[PaulyP]

Who’s the leader of this team? Down 1 point with 10 seconds left who’s getting the last shot?

[AngryBanana]

Who’s the leader of this team? Down 1 point with 10 seconds left who’s getting the last shot?

I think that's a big reason I brought JRod in. I like that he is an older vet presence. He is not the shooter mans shooter, with his sub par JPS. But I feel confident in his abilities to be able to get it done.

[TheSyndicate]

Come onnnnn, who's on the block, baby?

[AngryBanana]

Come onnnnn, who's on the block, baby?

Let's start off with who isn't. Wade and Maker (just spent 90 pts on) are untouchable I think as of now. Oturu is a RFA who also can not be moved. Now other than that mostly anyone I am willing to hear on. If I do not feel like I am in a position to compete around ASG my senior players will be more available than younger. Right now my most gettable player is probably Rainbolt and my 1 for a better PG maybe.

[jlmarines]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: Sources have leaked information to the public that Thunder front office is losing faith on key players due to weak injury prone players. Would like to discuss who's on Thunder radar of being cut/or traded due to injures? Rumors has it the Cavs medical team is so elite, Thunder front office is trying to hire Cavs medical staff. Are those rumors true?

[AngryBanana]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: Sources have leaked information to the public that Thunder front office is losing faith on key players due to weak injury prone players. Would like to discuss who's on Thunder radar of being cut/or traded due to injures? Rumors has it the Cavs medical team is so elite, Thunder front office is trying to hire Cavs medical staff. Are those rumors true?

I would like to think our medical team is better than the one that the New Orleans Saints used to use. I think that the players who are on the block are not on their for injury reasons, but for other reasons. Be it they can help another team more, to more evenly balance my team, etc.