Utah Jazz 50th Season Presser Event

[Darth Vegito]

Welcome ladies, gents, and Doug...To the 50th PBSL Season! Welcome to the Vivint Arena's Banquet Hall!



So glad all of you could make it out tonight! I know that mostly due to the open bar but whatever works right. I'm your host Darth Vegito and we'll just jump right in.

I first want to talk about the unexpected excitement that has built this season amongst the fans. This is clearly due to most fans and other GMs fully expected us to continue in our rebuilding path. But those are the GMs who don't know who Darth is. Since returning I've seen how scary(bitchmode) and soft this league has become. GMs are scared to take risks. Very scared. It's so sad to see honestly. But that's never been my approach and never will be. I like taking risks. Bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. In the past, sure I've taken huge risks like in 2019. Huge risk taken only for a 1st round knockout and with poor cap management came a huge tax bill. Obviously we've learned from the past and will never tempt the tax Gods like that again. But that doesn't mean we won't take risks. We tried to continue to rebuild during the draft and collect yet even more picks. We were cockblocked by the Bucks GM and were not happy. Everyone has heard about this GMs questionable practices I'm sure. After this we decided to flip the skrip by flipping a few young pieces and contending probably a year earlier than we naturally would have.

The first move was going grab one of the best players in the league in Jordan Johnson. We had great talks with the Pels GM and made this happen. Once we grabbed a player of this level we knew we had to build around him. Finding a great point guard then became a huge priority. The problem is that those have become rare these days in the PBSL. I decided since they are already rare, it's hard to know who would be willing to trade theirs. I knew I had to come with a great offer right away no matter who the PG was. I basically went up the list of top PGs in the league getting no after no after no. I was out of options except the #1 PG in the league who sat in Toronto. I thought there was no way it would happen despite my great offer. What's the worst that can happen? You get told no? No biggie so you might as well ask right! So I did and the rest is history!

So I know this offseason was a bit of a roller coaster but at this very moment...I think this team is finally set. I was holding off on the presser until the team was solidified. I thought it was yesterday until Chadwick broke both of his hands last night during training camp losing approximately 17 rating points in his handles. That also obviously affects his shooting which also took a huge hit. Yes, Chadwick Dangerfield WILL be OK. Yes, he may still be the best PG in the league, but that's only due to the rest of the league's PGs being trash.

Nevertheless, it still hurt this team. As far as discipline goes and HOW and WHY Chadwick injured his hands...we're gonna keep that in house. After finding this out, we knew we had to make a move. Though, rash moves and decisions were avoided thankfully due to the even keeled and leveled headed approach by myself. We put out a BUNCH of feelers and offers and were turned down by many. The plan from the beginning was to hold onto Alex Caruso. He was the one piece we did want to see develop into a star we believe he'll be when we drafted him. As we all know, things don't always go according to plan.

I think this team will be a top contender and compete for the #1 seed in the conference. We WILL WIN the WILLIAMS DIVISION by at least 5 games. I'm not impressed by this division which is why we decided to go all in now. The starting lineup I'm suspecting we'll be playing with a good bit right away but out of the gate we are looking at a starting lineup something like this:

PG: Chadwick Dangerfield
SG: Jordan Johnson (Will play the 2/3/4)
SF: Kostas Antetokounmpo (Will play the 3/4)
PF: Greg Brown
C: Sydney Shank
Super 6th-man: Geoff Rickly

You immediately see what I'm getting at here. The athleticism on this team is Godly and these players nearly have no positions. This lineup is HUGE and FAST. So I'm very excited to see what this team and this lineup can do. We will out-rebound you and we will bully you for 48 minutes...so good luck PBSL!

I'll now take questions.

[K-100]

When you sign & trade Chadwick Dangerfield away next offseason, will it be for pennies on the dollar or are dimes still a possibility?

[Darth Vegito]

When you sign & trade Chadwick Dangerfield away next offseason, will it be for pennies on the dollar or are dimes still a possibility?

Considering what the market looks like for a stud such as Blakemore, it's looking pretty grim. I may be lucky if I can get 10 points for him to be honest :/ But maybe he'll be a bit more attractive once he's Chadwick "1-Time Champion" Dangerfield.

[ballsohard]

I wont say any names, but a fellow GM (quailman) has accused you of not giving prompt enough responses or in some instances no response for a trade offer for Alexis Caruso. This is mere days after you accused him of the same thing with JNR. WHAT SAY YOU?

[IamQuailman]

Whats the over/under on Rickly's on/off?

[Darth Vegito]

I wont say any names, but a fellow GM (quailman) has accused you of not giving prompt enough responses or in some instances no response for a trade offer for Alexis Caruso. This is mere days after you accused him of the same thing with JNR. WHAT SAY YOU?

Some people are VERY sensitive these days. You just have to let these ppl stew sometimes. We had some "talks". I didn't lead him on in any way. He wasn't "waiting" on my reply. New discussions started wit a different GM, we came to an agreement, I then spoke to "Quailman" less than 5 minutes after I agreed on the other trade and informed him I was making a different trade. I have time stamps. So if that ain't OVER communication and beyond ETHICAL, I dunno what is. You can't please the SlimeKing all the time.

[Darth Vegito]

Whats the over/under on Rickly's on/off?

on/off what? Please clarify your question. Make it make sense. K. Thanx. Bye.

[IamQuailman]

I wont say any names, but a fellow GM (quailman) has accused you of not giving prompt enough responses or in some instances no response for a trade offer for Alexis Caruso. This is mere days after you accused him of the same thing with JNR. WHAT SAY YOU?

Some people are VERY sensitive these days. You just have to let these ppl stew sometimes. We had some "talks". I didn't lead him on in any way. He wasn't "waiting" on my reply. New discussions started wit a different GM, we came to an agreement, I then spoke to "Quailman" less than 5 minutes after I agreed on the other trade and informed him I was making a different trade. I have time stamps. So if that ain't OVER communication and beyond ETHICAL, I dunno what is. You can't please the SlimeKing all the time.

I have screenshots, and I don't mind sharing. messaged you last with a proposed question at 12:30am and then messaged you at just past noon with a "sup" and then you're posting a trade without even acknowledging my other messages. I was giving you space because your desperate ass was begging for trade partners last night and didn't want to pressure you into anything one way or another.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: What does your win percentage need to be at day 60 to keep your roster off the trade block? Does that minimum win percentage have to go up if the Magic's vaunted training staff develops Alex Caruso into a smaller, balder Boban?

[Darth Vegito]

I wont say any names, but a fellow GM (quailman) has accused you of not giving prompt enough responses or in some instances no response for a trade offer for Alexis Caruso. This is mere days after you accused him of the same thing with JNR. WHAT SAY YOU?

Some people are VERY sensitive these days. You just have to let these ppl stew sometimes. We had some "talks". I didn't lead him on in any way. He wasn't "waiting" on my reply. New discussions started wit a different GM, we came to an agreement, I then spoke to "Quailman" less than 5 minutes after I agreed on the other trade and informed him I was making a different trade. I have time stamps. So if that ain't OVER communication and beyond ETHICAL, I dunno what is. You can't please the SlimeKing all the time.

I have screenshots, and I don't mind sharing. messaged you last with a proposed question at 12:30am and then messaged you at just past noon with a "sup" and then you're posting a trade without even acknowledging my other messages. I was giving you space because your desperate ass was begging for trade partners last night and didn't want to pressure you into anything one way or another.

You guys who always threaten screenshots....lol you can't threaten me about screenshots because I don't lie. You can post a screenshot of 4 messages taken completely out of complex to try and prove your awful point but you'd still be wrong. You'll still come out of this looking bad. I'm not trying to prove some point AND I don't have a guilty conscience and is trying to STILL justify their prior negotiations with a different GM. Just remember, you got mad at me, and YOU coming at me.

But I run smooth negotiations and I practice what I preach. NO ONE has ever had a problem with me not communicating during trade talks. But since you trying to sully my name, I'm gonna defend myself.

Did I want to make a trade last night after getting hosed in TC? Yes

Did you message me first last night while I was desperate? YES

Who brought up a trade offer for Blakemore first while I was desperate last night? YOU DID

Who told you immediately after that "I doubt I'll do anything anywhere"? I DID


Since this was the 37th time you've asked about Blakemore I decided to hear what you had to offer.

Who said AFTER hearing your offer "If you sent me every one of those pieces you can trade...it wouldn't make me trade Caruso to you"???????????? I DID


You then gave me an offer that allowed me to keep Rickly which I thought wasn't possible. I then said "Thanks for running through it. Only chance I'd ever consider was if I kept Rickly, so good to know it's possible"


Did I even say I'll get back to you? NO
Did through the course of that convo it seem that I was at any pointing seriously considering it? NO

You did not pressure me at all. I didn't mind any of our convo last night. It was great actually. You then asked me a question about a different player on your team who wasn't available until after Day 60(of which you knew I wasn't interested in doing) AFTER I went to bed. I didn't get to reply and then started work early in the AM.

You then decided to get your panties in a wad when I agreed to something else.

LISTEN TO THIS PART REAL GOOD EVERYONE

I agreed to the trade with the Magic at 12:16pm today. (Magic GM did not give me permission to use these records therefore anonymity will remain.)


I told Quailman that I was doing a different trade at 12:18pm today.


I dunno why you double down so much and insist on doing this. I still love you, but you gotta just take the L sometimes homey. Lay down the sword.

[Darth Vegito]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: What does your win percentage need to be at day 60 to keep your roster off the trade block? Does that minimum win percentage have to go up if the Magic's vaunted training staff develops Alex Caruso into a smaller, balder Boban?

I'd like a 75% win rate but a 70% one will keep them off the blocks I think. That'll easily be enough to win this division.

[IamQuailman]

Did I even say I'll get back to you? NO
Did through the course of that convo it seem that I was at any pointing seriously considering it? NO

Let this be a warning to you all; you could have all the good faith negotiations you want with Darth, but he feels absolutely zero obligation to circle back and give you at least the courtesy of a decline. Honestly, that was my only take away.

[Darth Vegito]

Did I even say I'll get back to you? NO
Did through the course of that convo it seem that I was at any pointing seriously considering it? NO

Let this be a warning to you all; you could have all the good faith negotiations you want with Darth, but he feels absolutely zero obligation to circle back and give you at least the courtesy of a decline. Honestly, that was my only take away.

Trust me no on else has ever had any issue with understanding when we're in serious talks or not. I'll let this alone...my post speaks for itself.

[IamQuailman]

Did through the course of that convo it seem that I was at any pointing seriously considering it? NO

Also "the only chance i'd consider it is if I could keep rickly"... in which I had presented you a creative avenue to KEEP rickly that your smooth brain didn't think of.... that indicated to me oh maybe there IS a chance.

This is what you got all up in my ass about on Saturday. But Darth gets to live by a separate code of conduct I guess

[Darth Vegito]

Did through the course of that convo it seem that I was at any pointing seriously considering it? NO

Also "the only chance i'd consider it is if I could keep rickly"... in which I had presented you a creative avenue to KEEP rickly that your smooth brain didn't think of.... that indicated to me oh maybe there IS a chance.

This is what you got all up in my ass about on Saturday. But Darth gets to live by a separate code of conduct I guess

Yes Doug, the exact same chance Lloyd Christmas had with Mary Swanson. Smfh

[IamQuailman]

Did through the course of that convo it seem that I was at any pointing seriously considering it? NO

Also "the only chance i'd consider it is if I could keep rickly"... in which I had presented you a creative avenue to KEEP rickly that your smooth brain didn't think of.... that indicated to me oh maybe there IS a chance.

This is what you got all up in my ass about on Saturday. But Darth gets to live by a separate code of conduct I guess

Yes Doug, the exact same chance Lloyd Christmas had with Mary Swanson. Smfh

No clue who that is. Reference falls on deaf ears. Still could’ve told me

[NOLa.]

Sup


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JNR]

Darth Vegito, your team seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?

[Darth Vegito]

Sup


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nothing much. You?

[Darth Vegito]

Darth Vegito, your team seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?

It's what my presence does for the league. But what you expect... the godfather of PBSL comes back and everyone loses their minds.

[ajburman4]

I think sportsbooks around the country would take action on a Darth-Quailman boxing match. Are there any plans to capitalize on this at the Jazz preseason opener in Milwaukee?

[Darth Vegito]

I think sportsbooks around the country would take action on a Darth-Quailman boxing match. Are there any plans to capitalize on this at the Jazz preseason opener in Milwaukee?

Oh yeah definitely...I fully plan on kicking him right in his broken leg and handcuffing him to something on the floor.

[NickMalone77]

Trade etiquette in season 50 of SLOE? This league has seen it all and then some. You’ve restructured your team and made some bold claims about your standing within your new division. A lot of the attention will go to Chadwick and Jordan but who do you think has the best chance to stand out the most besides those two on your team and who do you think poses the best challenge to your claim of coming close to you in the division?

[Darth Vegito]

Trade etiquette in season 50 of SLOE? This league has seen it all and then some. You’ve restructured your team and made some bold claims about your standing within your new division. A lot of the attention will go to Chadwick and Jordan but who do you think has the best chance to stand out the most besides those two on your team and who do you think poses the best challenge to your claim of coming close to you in the division?

I KNOW!!! Don't you love it! It's gonna be a very exciting season indeed.

It's really a great question in that I'm not sure that I even know the answer. As you know this team is completely new...the ONLY carryover player is Greg Brown. So I'm not sure what to expect with a handful of these guys. I'm very excited about Kostas for sure and Shank for that matter. So many of these guys can play many different positions, so with that many lineup scenarios there may be a ton of lineup changes for much of the year just trying to get it right.

If I had to pick only one, I'd have to go with the Blazers simply due to their star power in Dort, Fox, and Sneed.

[greepleairport]

THREEEAAAAAAAD nice job Darth and Doge. Bonus points?