#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Five straight Round 2 exits! I cant stress enough how agonizing it is to be thrown out at the same junction every year but hell here we are, ready to go again

Our only key departure in the offseason was Patrick Williams and after 5 seasons with us we thank him for his contributions but to be blunt we didnt mind losing him after his performances the last couple years. It was clear the player we wanted Patrick to be and the one HE wanted to be were two different versions so we wish him well in Chicago.

Now the slight issue is we didnt really fill the spot that Patrick leaves behind as the bench big. We're going to try some different options and perhaps go smaller than we'd like but backup Center is a pretty big hole right now so we hope for health in that area and expect new signing Carmelo Williams to pick up the slack at the backup PF spot. As of this moment were expecting Ron Shaw to start at the 3 with Giddings and Wisner to offer depth but like last year those spots are fluid and constantly evaluated based on performance.

A lot of teams got better this year and there are plenty more wanting to make noise so our goal for the campaign is closer to 60 wins and to be more competitive for the division and for the love of god make it past Round 2! We havent really been in the mix since the most recent division realignment so hopefully the other teams in the Fox can help take some games off the Lakers and bring em back down to the pack

tl;dr -- Pat W gone, Carmelo+Shaw in and Beat LA (plz)

Ask away!

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Herb Jones lit it up in preseason. What are your expectations for him during the regular season campaign?

Carmelo Williams (at least in Milwaukee during our time there) thrived at the PF spot. Are you saving him starting at the 4 for a last ditch effort before hitting the trade market?

Once again, Pacers seem to have a pretty complete roster with talent at all positions - talent that should, theoretically, take the team past the semis, and yet it just hasn't been happening. Why is that, and do you think this team can accomplish that? Or are there moves yet to be made to ensure that?

garbageman wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:52 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Herb Jones lit it up in preseason. What are your expectations for him during the regular season campaign?

I said it last year and ill put it into existence again---Herb can be an MVP candidate! If he was a more selfish player who took more shots I think he'd get more love in the awards but his defense has continued to improve along with his offensive skills. My expectation is 1st Team All-PBSL and Playoff MVP

IamQuailman wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 2:20 pm Carmelo Williams (at least in Milwaukee during our time there) thrived at the PF spot. Are you saving him starting at the 4 for a last ditch effort before hitting the trade market?

I find it hard to make the case for him to start over Parris or Sims but he did very well especially on the glass in the first couple weeks of the season, going small with him at the 5 was effective and we'll continue to use that wrinkle going forward until it doesnt work

greepleairport wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 11:30 am Once again, Pacers seem to have a pretty complete roster with talent at all positions - talent that should, theoretically, take the team past the semis, and yet it just hasn't been happening. Why is that, and do you think this team can accomplish that? Or are there moves yet to be made to ensure that?

My answer is deflecting and dismissive but there's just so much talent in the league that making it through the playoffs is never a guarantee. How many years in a row have the Lakers been the consensus preseason pick with these amazing rosters Mamba has put together and they havent won a chip since '34. Its just A LOT harder than it seems!
Im skeptical there will be a big move for us to make midseason because historically we havent really been that team to make such a deal but im very positive about the defensive potential of this squad