#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Here we go with the first attempt at the real thing!

Rules: 1 point if you give a thoughtful answer to the question, which I will award after the timer ends for responses.



QUESTION #1: WHO HAD THE BEST OFF-SEASON?

Responses close when Sim 1 is run (Monday, March 13th at 4pm Centra)!

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The Trail Blazers, bottom line. No one else is made that much of an improvement from last season to this season. They're a contender this season after being a perennial cellar dweller for many seasons so kudos to them.

I'm going to go with the Denver Nuggets here. I don't think anyone competes with the Lakers, so really, any other team that's able to sell talent and get value is winning, but the Nuggets are the closest to the Lakers and should have a cakewalk in the Omega Conference.

They got all their returning players to come back without overpaying anyone, and they used the MLE to tack on Luigi Leathers and Raiquan Grey. Sure, some of their older guys lost blue color in TC, but they still have plenty of talent and any one of their bigs could serve as a starter on a team that doesn't need them to have a super-expanded role.

It likely won't bear much fruit this season, but I'm going to give Doug and his Pistons some love here. He's been wheeling and dealing like usual and managed to snag the #2 and #3 picks in the draft. He got Van Gundy back in RFA on a very generous deal. He got some TC luck with Zike bumping up to blue and McClung have a top Camp and being ready for real minutes finally. He also added a 26-year-old scorer in Millsap who can be re-signed or dealt for more assets. The future is bright in Detroit and I think his moves this off-season help line him up to start cashing in soon.

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I think the argument for the Blazers is tough to beat...but since that argument has been made? I'll take my arch-nemesis, K-100 and his Grizzlies.

After winning his 'ship, he got straight to work making other teams better and paying off his bill. He didn't waste time basking in glory - he knew he had work to do for the next decade and the work would not do itself. Even though he might do himself. ...Anyway

K-100 used the game's algorithm to his advantage, making some key vet min signings in FA, for players who want to 'play for the better team,' and he will maximize return on those guys (looking at you, THT). Anyway, good stuff, you bum that I hate now and forever

awww greeple

Greeple would be disappointed in me if I get all sappy and nominate him too so I won't this time. But watch out, there is something brewing in the Bay.

Soooo because the season is about to start and @SuperDog is about to sleepwalk through the next few weeks let me give the Kings their flowers now. I really liked how much defensive talent they added across the board, particularly at the expense of other teams in their division by stealing Angelo Romero from the Celtics and grabbing Immanuel Quickley off the Jazz. Their Day 2 Chris Throckmorton deal also gives them a lot of flexibility to make a bigger splash down the road if they choose to do so. I think moving their younger pieces like Rakes and Clark down to the 2nd unit along with their latest 1st rounder, Allie Quigley makes for a strong bench with fresher legs than most teams. In a conference with so many offensive juggernauts, making a timely stop here or there will be the difference. Games are not won on paper, but the Kings did a lot right this offseason to at least make the next few years mighty interesting in Sac-town.

Just things I like mostly

I think blazers had the best trade game and kicked off the off-season with a bang. I think if we're foreshadowing they're gonna need to add true big man. Right now they can get away with a small lineup of hack at the 5 and folse at the 4. Hopefully these guys aren't worn down come playoffs.

I think the best UFA game was the Lakers by far. Commish looking to get that bad tasting sweep out of his mouth ASAP. This team is better than last year's and the window is RIGHT now. Not to mention the best single off-season trade in my opinion getting Mobley. Trying to buy that ring haha

I love that the grizz put themselves in position to earn some season points with a decently average roster.

Bucks have to figure out how to get some good players not at the 5. Too bad jazz don't respond, they're a Manley buyer for sure. Maybe the spurs can take it on. Because bucks can't hit the tax with this collection of players.

Ok, so I see some good options up here, and I do think most are good answers. I will throw out another name that is newer to the game but made a very tough choice that I am struggling with right now as well.

The Raptors may have won the offseason in that it was the best offseason that they could have had for the most part. They had a top end talent with Mobley, but was struggling to build a contender around him. So instead of just trying to consistently beating his head against the wall making it work, he sold his golden ticket. Mobley to the Lakers will be a trade that should be nominated for trade of the year because it helps both teams with what they are trying to do. The Raptors are now a young team, that have a lot of building block (or assets for a star) to really make an impact in a few years. While Troutman and King got hit in TC, they should not be too worried about that. Quincy Johnson, who they signed in RFA, and Kevon Looney are legit young players on longer term deals. They have E.J. Lidell who is also developing at a good pace. I look forward to seeing how the young players play this season (I will probably pay more attention to their team than mine given my roster woes). It is the perfect situation for a new GM, to build something fresh so early in his career, that I hope they enjoy the ride.

The Washington Wizards had a great offseason. They got Daishen Nix from the champs, Frank Daily from the runner-up, and Remy Martin as a new centerpiece for years to come. I think the Wizards are in the running to win the division again and can make a serious run in the conference. I really like this build and it offers a lot of variety in terms of gameplanning. Xist2inspire is working hard to make the Wizards contenders again and he did a lot of legwork this offseason.

CLOSED

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Claim 1 point:

Bobcats
Lakers
Warriors
Suns
Raptors
Celtics
Bulls
Grizzlies

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