Season 51 Clip City Presser

[MexicanMamba]

Season 50 was an entertaining one.  It started with a wild division draft process that left a lot of people feeling slighted and ended in one hell of a competitive season for everyone.  We found ourselves just barely looking up at the 76ers in the division race and once the playoffs started, they proved that the standings were correct.  We often played a wild run-and-gun offense and mixed the lineups up to throw new looks.  Eventually the lack of a presence inside caught up to us, but it was quite a ride to that point.
 
So, that brings us to Season 51.  We had a lot of work to do, considering how many key components were coming into the off-season as free agents.  The focus was on fixing the problems inside, at least to some degree.  Could not go into another season where Gary Loredo, as great a player as he is, is the frontrunner for leading the team in rebounding.  Just is a misuse of his talents.  We had a lot of conversations all over the league (and continue to do so) and eventually agreed to trade Norris Turney to the Nuggets in return for Ronald Haile, and the returning Zeke Nnaji.  We were a fan of Nnaji during his initial run but swapped him for John Stoll while he was still far from contributing and we tried getting another championship.  We’re excited to see what these two additions do for the team’s fortunes, though we are sad to have to say goodbye to Norris. 
 
In free agency, the big fish were the ones we had to bring back.  And we were fortunate to get all three of Gary Loredo, Terry Sterner and John Blakemore back in the fold.  There is so much we can do with the three of them on the floor together as they all have high level skill at running offenses.  It should be a dynamic and exciting offense with all of them taking turns with the ball in their hands.  Also coming back is John Stoll, who is still a dynamo on offense and scrappy as hell on defense.  Bringing his unique brand of position flex back also is Jere Ratliff. 
 
Newcomers to the roster from free agency are Major Clark, Ron Jarvis and Samuel Adams (for his second stint).  We think Clark’s offensive skillset is a perfect match for the rest of the roster, especially his distance shooting which rivals anyone already on the roster.  Jarvis can be a perfect complement to Nnaji with elite shot blocking and Adams is kind of a Swiss Army knife of a player. 
 
I can tell you that this roster as it currently stands likely will not be the one we finish the season with.  We’ve had some talks fall apart, and some that are either really close or all but finalized.  As always, we will continue to be aggressive in our pursuit to make the roster better.  The conference did not get any easier, with our arena mates striking gold in free agency it just got stronger in fact, so we know we are in for a street fight. 
 
Training Camp also came and went, and we are incredibly happy with the results of the hard work our players have put in.  Nnaji, Sterner and Blakemore especially showed up in fantastic shape and are already proving that our commitment to them has not been misplaced. 
 
The lineup is fluid but what the order may look like early is:

 
C: Zeke Nnaji
 
PF: Ron Jarvis
 
SF: Gary Loredo
 
SG:  Terry Sterner
 
PG: John Blakemore
 
6th Man:  John Stoll
 
 
And as always, I end this by opening the floor up to any questions. 




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[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Who of your guards is the odd man out when it comes to trades? Is there one you are thinking will be easier/better to trade?

[MexicanMamba]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Who of your guards is the odd man out when it comes to trades? Is there one you are thinking will be easier/better to trade?

In a perfect world, it would probably be Ronald Haile. He's certainly athletic and a capable scorer (he's averaged 19+ PPG in 4 of his last 5 seasons), currently I have him pegged as my 7th man and his production is probably the easiest to replace. Now, who do I think would land me the biggest payday? Probably John Blakemore. After a fantastic camp, he could be a top tier PG and on a pretty friendly contract. I won't be as eager to move him now, thats for sure. Has to be a deal that I feel really great about.

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[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With such a guard heavy roster for the last couple years, do you think that the perception that a PG is the hardest position to fill with a star is accurate? Or would you say that in today's PBSL, a dominant, win-now big is more of a rarity?

[MexicanMamba]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With such a guard heavy roster for the last couple years, do you think that the perception that a PG is the hardest position to fill with a star is accurate? Or would you say that in today's PBSL, a dominant, win-now big is more of a rarity?

I think its pretty easily the dominant big man that's much more difficult to find right now. I say that as someone who had been trying since I traded Sabo away. On my roster right now, I have 3 players that I would trust to give me championship caliber PG play with the right pieces around them (Loredo, Sterner, Blakemore) and a 4th (Stoll) that can play it if you are really thin there. That's just on one roster. But a big man that can change your team's fortunes? Many teams are lucky to find 1 difference maker in the front court.

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[greepleairport]

When you made your plays for racking up PGs, were you hoping to score that elusive big via trade? You said you first noticed this problem several seasons ago when you traded Sabo away. Was the league's PG focus misplaced?

[MexicanMamba]

When you made your plays for racking up PGs, were you hoping to score that elusive big via trade? You said you first noticed this problem several seasons ago when you traded Sabo away. Was the league's PG focus misplaced?

I dont believe that the worries about PGs was fully misplaced, because you still would love to have high level play there and the options aren't overflowing. However, the ruckus of that problem did drown out the rising call for bigs. As for bringing back my PGs, it wasn't ONLY to have trade options, though I certainly have every intention of seeing what's out there. I'm also just not in the business of letting talent go for nothing, regardless of position. I do hope to balance the roster still, even after getting Zeke, but these guys have major uses for a winning team even as my roster is currently constructed.

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[K-100]

After a great offseason you appear primed to go head-to-head with an all-in Utah squad for the division title and beyond. What lessons have you learned from last season to navigate the division this year?

[MexicanMamba]

After a great offseason you appear primed to go head-to-head with an all-in Utah squad for the division title and beyond. What lessons have you learned from last season to navigate the division this year?

Mostly I learned that if you want to win this division, and win in the playoffs at all, you had better not be only able to play small ball. The gimmick offense can get you to a point, but eventually you'll have let your big men hold their own and last season I couldn't do that. Nnaji and Jarvis hopefully helps with that issue and perhaps a move or two coming down the line.

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[jlmarines]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: There's no question the Clippers is the team to beat in the Williams Division. With the exception of the 76ers, is their any other team in the Williams Division you are concern or maybe be a threat to your 10 year playoffs run?

[MexicanMamba]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: There's no question the Clippers is the team to beat in the Williams Division. With the exception of the 76ers, is their any other team in the Williams Division you are concern or maybe be a threat to your 10 year playoffs run?

The only thing threatening my playoff run is injuries. We're too good to blow it at that level without some extenuating circumstances. That being said, not all playoff teams are the same. So, there are definitely teams to be worried about. You mentioned the 76ers, and obviously they'll be a threat as long as they give Wiseman help. And with all the money and veteran talent the Jazz have bundled up, I dont expect them to go quietly. And while I think they're a piece or two away (or maybe just a few more seasons of seasoning), I do find the Blazers and Cavs awfully intriguing. And who knows where they can be if they continue being aggressive in intelligent ways.

And none of that ever brings up the Pacers, who are responsible for bringing us all together in the first place.

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[Eazy P]

Will you unleash the 5 guard Lineup anytime this season?

[MexicanMamba]

Will you unleash the 5 guard Lineup anytime this season?

As fun as that may be, barring injury, I'm not sure there will be a scenario where I won't want to have Nnaji starting a game for me. Unless we get to the end of the season and my spot is secure with no ability to move up or down. If that happens? Maybe ill get a little wild.

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