#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

50 shades of SLOE, what a time to be alive

The 76ers' S49 was more up-and-down than expected as Philly never really found a rhythm to stay in contention and kept yo-yoing between dominant wins and inexplicable losses as the season progressed. Sensing the inevitable, the front office decided to take a step back at the All-Star Break and avoided a bigger tax bill by sending Conrad McRae's contract to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers managed to limp into the playoffs as the Alpha #6 seed with an underwhelming 49-33 record. In R1, Philly executed its two-part formula of 3PT blitz + full-court press run amok to pull off an improbable upset of the #3 Los Angeles Lakers. The R2 matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks was a tale of two sims. Philly managed to go up 2-0 against the simputer but once Quailman logged in and adjusted his roster, the 76ers got swept by the Deer yet again. Another 2nd round exit.

The offseason was quieter than usual as the Sixers drafted rebounding specialist, Richard West from St. Bonaventure at #25 and another big, Andrew Guertin from Seton Hall in the 2nd round to give the frontcourt some depth. However, free agency was more misses than hits. The 76ers managed to sign Bradley Connell to an offer sheet in RFA but were quickly matched by the Cavs. Justin Rodriquez also immediately turned down his extension offer and went to the Thunder. But UFA was not a total disaster, the Sixers managed to lure Mike Burnham away from the Lakers. Burnham was the 76ers' #1 target in free agency because of his defensive wizardry in the playoffs when he held James Wiseman to .370 FG% on 54 shots in their head-to-head matchup at the PF spot. Burnham will bring some much needed toughness in the paint this season. This has sorely been lacking in Philly for some time now.

Overall, the 76ers are a team in waiting. It will take a while to get acquainted with the new faces at the practice facility, but fans should continue to expect more of the 76ers' run-and-gun style that has been the trademark for several seasons now.

GWR: Early speculation on the Williams division was that it would be a cupcake division, but it appears that most teams have seen that too and have taken steps to get better. Who do you see as your main challenges in the division?

You've played (potential MVP candidate) James Wiseman at a number of positions in his young career. Which one do you see him at primarily this season to allow him to flourish ?

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You used the term as the 76ers being a team in waiting, but most philly fans say they’ve been waiting for 7 seasons and still nothing. How much longer will they have to wait to see the 76ers capitalize on their talented young core?

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: I will admit Burnham is a great consolation prize, but how do you feel that your two big swings in FA were ultimately not enough, and were bested by your fellow GMs in Angrybanana and JLMarines?

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The 76ers have put some solid teams together over the course of building your big 3. Where does this team rank in terms of talent compared to the 76ers teams you've had over the previous 3 seasons?

JNR wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:53 am GWR: Early speculation on the Williams division was that it would be a cupcake division, but it appears that most teams have seen that too and have taken steps to get better. Who do you see as your main challenges in the division?

Yeah, I think the Williams Division is still the weakest in the league right now but it is not the joke it was during the reshuffle draft. In terms of S50, I think it will be a 3-team race between the Pacers, Clippers, and 76ers. Each of our squads have issues, but I give the Pacers the edge right now because of how defensively stout this team is built right now. I think this is the last year for Indy before they start to fade, given Morant's age but they will be a difficult nut to crack this season. The Clippers have a very talented 4-headed monster, but their frontcourt leaves a lot to be desired. I imagine both of them will be active in the trade market to add even more talent so it should be an interesting season. I think the rest of the division is still a work in progress but their future talent (Dort/Patton; Dangerfield/Caruso; BBJ/Connell; Nix/Cunningham) means they wont be cupcake teams for much longer.

MexicanMamba wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 9:15 am You've played (potential MVP candidate) James Wiseman at a number of positions in his young career. Which one do you see him at primarily this season to allow him to flourish ?

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A mix of SF/PF still depending on the matchup

Do you feel the change in divisions has helped your team win now compared to the division and conference you were previously in? With your guys hitting your prime years and a division draft that was considered weak to begin with, it definitely looks like the odds are in your favor.

ballsohard wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 9:31 am You used the term as the 76ers being a team in waiting, but most philly fans say they’ve been waiting for 7 seasons and still nothing. How much longer will they have to wait to see the 76ers capitalize on their talented young core?

Few more seasons should do the trick, we are almost there.

AngryBanana wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 9:56 am Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: I will admit Burnham is a great consolation prize, but how do you feel that your two big swings in FA were ultimately not enough, and were bested by your fellow GMs in Angrybanana and JLMarines?

Womp womp. I need to cut off communication with you guys during the offseason

garbageman wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:17 am Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The 76ers have put some solid teams together over the course of building your big 3. Where does this team rank in terms of talent compared to the 76ers teams you've had over the previous 3 seasons?

In terms of talent, I think this season's team is slightly behind the 64 win squad from S48. I thought the S48 squad vastly overachieved because it was a deeper squad that managed to cohesively work together. Compared to S48, the Big 3 are now in their prime and without J-Rod will be tasked with carrying the offensive workload, while Burnham will anchor the defense. These Sixers are not as deep as the S48 squad though, so navigating injuries will be an interesting challenge.

NOLa. wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:17 am Do you feel the change in divisions has helped your team win now compared to the division and conference you were previously in? With your guys hitting your prime years and a division draft that was considered weak to begin with, it definitely looks like the odds are in your favor.

I think a change of scenery was a good thing because I seemed to have hit my ceiling in the Alpha Conference, but I dont see the road as any more easier/difficult now in Omega to be honest. I think the Sixers will be in the contending conversation for sure, but there is a lot of individual talent to deal with, particularly in the Williams Division. It will take a lucky break or two to survive the playoff push.

Do you think this current roster could make a deep playoff push as constructed or will you add another huge piece to your squad

Eazy P wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:55 am Do you think this current roster could make a deep playoff push as constructed or will you add another huge piece to your squad

Not yet but I think we are almost there - another piece or two would be nice, especially on defense

K-100 wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:13 am

JNR wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:53 am GWR: Early speculation on the Williams division was that it would be a cupcake division, but it appears that most teams have seen that too and have taken steps to get better. Who do you see as your main challenges in the division?

Yeah, I think the Williams Division is still the weakest in the league right now but it is not the joke it was during the reshuffle draft. In terms of S50, I think it will be a 3-team race between the Pacers, Clippers, and 76ers. Each of our squads have issues, but I give the Pacers the edge right now because of how defensively stout this team is built right now. I think this is the last year for Indy before they start to fade, given Morant's age but they will be a difficult nut to crack this season. The Clippers have a very talented 4-headed monster, but their frontcourt leaves a lot to be desired. I imagine both of them will be active in the trade market to add even more talent so it should be an interesting season. I think the rest of the division is still a work in progress but their future talent (Dort/Patton; Dangerfield/Caruso; BBJ/Connell; Nix/Cunningham) means they wont be cupcake teams for much longer.

Would you like to answer this question again keeping in mind the latest trades? To maybe...Sixers, Clippers, and Pacers will be a 3 way race for 2nd in the division behind eventual Williams division winners Utah Jazz?????

Darth Vegito wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 2:40 pm Would you like to answer this question again keeping in mind the latest trades? To maybe...Sixers, Clippers, and Pacers will be a 3 way race for 2nd in the division behind eventual Williams division winners Utah Jazz?????

Yes, I would like to amend my earlier statement. Thank you for the opportunity.

K-100 wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:13 am

JNR wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:53 am GWR: Early speculation on the Williams division was that it would be a cupcake division, but it appears that most teams have seen that too and have taken steps to get better. Who do you see as your main challenges in the division?

Yeah, I think the Williams Division is still the weakest in the league right now but it is not the joke it was during the reshuffle draft. In terms of S50, I think it will be a 3-team race between the Pacers, Clippers, and 76ers. Each of our squads have issues, but I give the Pacers the edge right now because of how defensively stout this team is built right now. I think this is the last year for Indy before they start to fade, given Morant's age but they will be a difficult nut to crack this season. The Clippers have a very talented 4-headed monster, but their frontcourt leaves a lot to be desired. I imagine both of them will be active in the trade market to add even more talent so it should be an interesting season. I think the rest of the division is still a work in progress but their future talent (Dort/Patton; Greg Brown/[insert some rando LA Laker rename from 2041 draft here]; BBJ/Connell; Nix/Cunningham) means they wont be cupcake teams for much longer.

Fixed.

K-100 wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 3:38 pm

Darth Vegito wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 2:40 pm Would you like to answer this question again keeping in mind the latest trades? To maybe...Sixers, Clippers, and Pacers will be a 3 way race for 2nd in the division behind eventual Williams division winners Utah Jazz?????

Yes, I would like to amend my earlier statement. Thank you for the opportunity.

K-100 wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:13 am

JNR wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:53 am GWR: Early speculation on the Williams division was that it would be a cupcake division, but it appears that most teams have seen that too and have taken steps to get better. Who do you see as your main challenges in the division?

Yeah, I think the Williams Division is still the weakest in the league right now but it is not the joke it was during the reshuffle draft. In terms of S50, I think it will be a 3-team race between the Pacers, Clippers, and 76ers. Each of our squads have issues, but I give the Pacers the edge right now because of how defensively stout this team is built right now. I think this is the last year for Indy before they start to fade, given Morant's age but they will be a difficult nut to crack this season. The Clippers have a very talented 4-headed monster, but their frontcourt leaves a lot to be desired. I imagine both of them will be active in the trade market to add even more talent so it should be an interesting season. I think the rest of the division is still a work in progress but their future talent (Dort/Patton; Greg Brown/[insert some rando LA Laker rename from 2041 draft here]; BBJ/Connell; Nix/Cunningham) means they wont be cupcake teams for much longer.

Fixed.

You sir truly belong in this division

greepleairport wrote: Wed Feb 03, 2021 6:39 pm

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: Sources have leaked information to the public that 76ers front office is totally nervous to be in the same division with the Cavs. Not only did the Cavs stole Bradley Connell, Connell has admitted publicly the Cavs front office is showing so much love, you just can't compare with 76ers. It's very obvious Cavs executive management are making serious moves and has the swag to be contenders in the Williams Division. Do you have a specific gameplan for this upcoming season?

jlmarines wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:23 pm Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: Sources have leaked information to the public that 76ers front office is totally nervous to be in the same division with the Cavs. Not only did the Cavs stole Bradley Connell, Connell has admitted publicly the Cavs front office is showing so much love, you just can't compare with 76ers. It's very obvious Cavs executive management are making serious moves and has the swag to be contenders in the Williams Division. Do you have a specific gameplan for this upcoming season?

Very nervous, indeed. Going to be a long 10 seasons

There is room for only one Bradley in Philadelphia. Just tell me something Connell, are you happy in #Believeland?

And my gameplan is to give the ball to James Wiseman

Random Reporter: Given that you've remained steadfastly committed to the Big 3, adding Burnham means that your cap will be completely tied up for the foreseeable future. Is there any concern about your ability to add quality depth to the roster moving forward?

Xist2Inspire wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:02 am Random Reporter: Given that you've remained steadfastly committed to the Big 3, adding Burnham means that your cap will be completely tied up for the foreseeable future. Is there any concern about your ability to add quality depth to the roster moving forward?

Definitely, the books will be tight for the next two seasons so finding diamonds in the rough either in the draft or the free agency pool will be key as to whether this team can take the next step and be a perennial contender.