#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Me:



We did it. We finally did it. We won the whole thing and we barely saw it coming.

When the 63rd season of PBSL kicked off in 2052, I had an idea that we were building - building! - a championship roster, and I had no idea that I had actually built a championship roster. Many things played to our favor to make it happen, though. There was trouble in the Lakers strength and conditioning team, leading to key injuries that wrecked their playoff hopes (should not have hired the guy I fired, Mamba!). And, in the regular season, we performed not so well against Nick’s Magic. The Schiff / Dirks front court was too much. But, whereas the Magic were a more favorable matchup for the Nuggets, the Nuggets were a more favorable matchup for us.

The Nuggets had a great squad, one we certainly did not expect to eliminate with ease. We still firmly believe that if Panda stopped eating bamboo for a sim it could have been a different story for us. Luckily, the bamboo and love from Doug was just too good to pass up, so we slipped on by!

Which brought us to meet the Nets, and formidable opponent. Sure, we got the gentlemen’s sweep, but it’s much easier said than done. Brooklyn was full of talent from top to bottom, one of the scarier starting lineups, boosted by a strong 6th man in RHJr. But we stole a close one to open the series, and the Nets certainly bounced right back after that, but that 1 point victory in game 1 was all we needed in the end. If we returned to Brooklyn…? Who knows? We could have a different champ and I could be giving a very different presser right now. We would like to thank RPF for keeping us on our toes for the whole series, worried until the final buzzer that everything could change.

Now that I know what it feels like to win it all, I feel less bad about my misses over the last 25 seasons. We came very close, many many times, especially in the Delmar era. 2 finals appearances and 3 seasons straight as a favorite, coming up short every time. I thought I had failed and that I didn’t know how to PBSL, but I was wrong! I think those 3 seasons I was a favorite, I probably had a better team then than I did winning it all! There is strategy and skill to GM and coach a PBSL team, certainly, but having the best team doesn’t always translate to a championship. 2nd, 3rd and 4th place sucks, definitely. But if you’re in the top 5 in PBSL, I’m certain that you’re sniffing gold, and if you’re able to smell it, you’ll eventually taste it.

But now the celebration is over, and the 2053-2054 season is underway. We are just getting started.

See, as I stated, we thought we were building a championship roster, but were not there yet, and we are indeed not yet in peak form! I reckon Markus Ridenhour, Alphonse Morelock, Fabian Hub, newly acquired Jalen Warley and returning Andreas Gillam (on a great deal, too) will prove this in very short order.

Golden State’s reign has just begun. Any questions??

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Congratulations on your first PBSL Championship...it's clear that you're going to be gunning for another one. With that out of the way, do you think the road to a second championship will be harder than winning one last season?

Congrats on winning your 1st title. With the goal to repeat do you think you need to switch up motivation tactics to avoid a championship hangover?

garbageman wrote: Mon Jun 05, 2023 11:32 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Congratulations on your first PBSL Championship...it's clear that you're going to be gunning for another one. With that out of the way, do you think the road to a second championship will be harder than winning one last season?

Well, yes. For starters, we don't have the scoring of Dong Bone this year, nor the caliber of play from Larry Canfield. We had guys scoring everywhere last year, and while we have capable scoring from Hub, Ridenhour and Morelock, it's not their forte. We're not sure Gillam is ready for a primary scoring role either, so we may be looking to shore up our offense a bit this year.

Defensively, though? We are tough to beat. We just need to be sure we're converting on the other end. Your Chicago Bulls have stepped back into the mix this offseason, and perennial favorites in the Lakers will be a tough out as well. We'll see how it shakes out, but without one or two more acquisitions, I think we were a better team last year.

Eazy P wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 8:53 am Congrats on winning your 1st title. With the goal to repeat do you think you need to switch up motivation tactics to avoid a championship hangover?

Thanks man!

Switch up to avoid championship hangover? Let's not be hasty, EazyP. I'm not exactly running the 2040s Spurs here lol. I think I have much work left to do and it is all based on bulking up what I have started.

We have our big 3: Hub, Morelock, and Ridenhour. Ridenhour played the best ball of his life in the playoffs. Hub is closer to his ceiling than last year, developing even further into a swing SF. And Morelock has solidified his spot as the quintessential PF: nothing slides past him defensively, and he'll push the pace on you offensively, more so this year than the last.

But the big 3 alone will not cut it if super teams like the Bulls and Lakers stay healthy. Warley, Gillam and Myers are all great support players, but how they can be used is a puzzle we have not yet solved. But it is fun to consider these things going through what is sure to be another successful year, and it will be fun to discover our strengths and weaknesses as we close in on the playoffs.

congratulations on your first title!

Where would you rank last season's Warriors among the previous champs?

Which player on your bench is best suited to earn a starter's contract next offseason?

When looking at whoever you see as your biggest competition this season, what areas of your team do you feel leave you most prone to their attacks and do you see avenues for you to clean those areas up throughout the season?

Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk

K-100 wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 4:35 am congratulations on your first title!

Where would you rank last season's Warriors among the previous champs?

Which player on your bench is best suited to earn a starter's contract next offseason?

Thanks dude!

I know you want me to say it, so I'll say it: thE 2051 GrizZlIeS wOuLd WHOoP mY 2052 wArRiOrs

I do think, every once in a while, one of the not best teams slips on by. I do think we were one of those teams. On paper, we were probably top 3 or 4 last year alone, not top 2. Maybe this is a huge undersell, but again, I really thought we were just beginning to build a GREAT team. If it turns out my starting build is my only title for years? Decades? Perhaps I will reevaluate how I evaluate teams.

I have a ton of vet mins coming off the bench. I'm not sure I can offer any of them anything. Blakeslee and Crawford might be worth something in a couple years, not next year.

MexicanMamba wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 6:44 am When looking at whoever you see as your biggest competition this season, what areas of your team do you feel leave you most prone to their attacks and do you see avenues for you to clean those areas up throughout the season?

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I have to look at the Bulls, Lakers, and Suns as obvious competition without looking at anything too closely. I'll add the Pistons, Blazers and Pacers, too, as they all handled me in the preseason.

I thought our biggest problem was offense - that our strength was defense - but we got dunked on by other teams for a 'good defensive team.' So, maybe it's my DC, or my gameplanning that needs adjustment, but I think we truly lack an identity this season. Still figuring us out, even though we just won a 'ship and have many of the same faces returning...

I updated my trade block to see who might be interested in any of my non-negotiable players. We'll see what comes back.

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: You mention the Delmar era. Is there any chance you strike a deal with the Timberwolves to bring him back to try to win one with him now that you are the defending champ?

congratulations on winning a title - still sad about Markus leaving me at the altar but happy he got a ring after all

Every great team has a rival on their way to the championship. Who do you think is your biggest rival?

Congratulations on winning the championship! Which team in your division will give your team the most problems this season?

AngryBanana wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 11:38 am Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: You mention the Delmar era. Is there any chance you strike a deal with the Timberwolves to bring him back to try to win one with him now that you are the defending champ?

Uhmm... what? That's... not...

pennpanther1 wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 11:42 am congratulations on winning a title - still sad about Markus leaving me at the altar but happy he got a ring after all

Every great team has a rival on their way to the championship. Who do you think is your biggest rival?

for releasing Markus to the Bay...



My biggest rival will forever be K-100, that smarmy Frye, but he's incarcerated in tax jail, so I guess I must look elsewhere for now. Rival has a connotation of dislike, and I don't actually dislike any GMs right now. But in terms of actual competition? I must look at the Pisstons, Bulls, Lakers and Suns. They are all going to get it.

drkavarga wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 4:10 pm Congratulations on winning the championship! Which team in your division will give your team the most problems this season?

Thanks DrK! I have to say, Douglas and I are going to war. I love my front court; I'm afraid I'm inclined to love his even more. For this, he must pay the ultimate consequence of (sim) death. If he doesn't die, he will be so embarrassed by me that he will commit hara-kiri. In Japan.

Brutal, Doug. Brutal.

greepleairport wrote:

K-100 wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 4:35 am congratulations on your first title!

Where would you rank last season's Warriors among the previous champs?

Which player on your bench is best suited to earn a starter's contract next offseason?

Thanks dude!

I know you want me to say it, so I'll say it: thE 2051 GrizZlIeS wOuLd WHOoP mY 2052 wArRiOrs

I do think, every once in a while, one of the not best teams slips on by. I do think we were one of those teams. On paper, we were probably top 3 or 4 last year alone, not top 2. Maybe this is a huge undersell, but again, I really thought we were just beginning to build a GREAT team. If it turns out my starting build is my only title for years? Decades? Perhaps I will reevaluate how I evaluate teams.

I have a ton of vet mins coming off the bench. I'm not sure I can offer any of them anything. Blakeslee and Crawford might be worth something in a couple years, not next year.

Justin Bieber; Teremana.com: Congratulations Champ. There is no question your team would have destroyed K100 championship teams. You finished preseason with a 2-4 record. Any concerns Champs? Any weaknesses you plan to address after preseason.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

CONGRATULATIONS Big Fella!
Championships don't fade:


I remember talking shop with you mid-season and you told me that you really wanted to see what that iteration of the Warriors could do.
I know you were happy with the impact Morelock was having, and you're Love for Hub is well documented. You mentioned Dong Bone adding scoring punch, but how did you manage to keep faith in Ridenhour?
He's given you fits in seasons past with his durability being a question. Did you make any adjustments in your game planning to keep him healthy? And if so, do you think you will maintain that kind of flexibility with the current roster?

How much do you think Andreas Gillam contribute to your championship run?

Random Reporter: When will your focus shift from succeeding with the current roster to building a team around the Hub?

jlmarines wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 8:02 pm

greepleairport wrote:

K-100 wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2023 4:35 am congratulations on your first title!

Where would you rank last season's Warriors among the previous champs?

Which player on your bench is best suited to earn a starter's contract next offseason?

Thanks dude!

I know you want me to say it, so I'll say it: thE 2051 GrizZlIeS wOuLd WHOoP mY 2052 wArRiOrs

I do think, every once in a while, one of the not best teams slips on by. I do think we were one of those teams. On paper, we were probably top 3 or 4 last year alone, not top 2. Maybe this is a huge undersell, but again, I really thought we were just beginning to build a GREAT team. If it turns out my starting build is my only title for years? Decades? Perhaps I will reevaluate how I evaluate teams.

I have a ton of vet mins coming off the bench. I'm not sure I can offer any of them anything. Blakeslee and Crawford might be worth something in a couple years, not next year.

Justin Bieber; Teremana.com: Congratulations Champ. There is no question your team would have destroyed K100 championship teams. You finished preseason with a 2-4 record. Any concerns Champs? Any weaknesses you plan to address after preseason.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

This guy gets it. This guy TOTALLY gets it.

Am I worried? Well, no. I did not expect to win a 'ship and I did. I do not expect to win a 'ship this year, so my hopes aren't that high. I still think we're a top 5 team, and I think we're going to be a problem for many others all season long. If we stay healthy and the other top teams do not, we will definitely be a threat. Preseason is just... preseason. Not concerned yet.

Mike Lowry wrote: Thu Jun 08, 2023 2:13 pm CONGRATULATIONS Big Fella!
Championships don't fade:

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I remember talking shop with you mid-season and you told me that you really wanted to see what that iteration of the Warriors could do.
I know you were happy with the impact Morelock was having, and you're Love for Hub is well documented. You mentioned Dong Bone adding scoring punch, but how did you manage to keep faith in Ridenhour?
He's given you fits in seasons past with his durability being a question. Did you make any adjustments in your game planning to keep him healthy? And if so, do you think you will maintain that kind of flexibility with the current roster?

Thanks boss! And congrats on a solid start to your season as well, sir! Whooped on my champ ass lol

I am still thrilled with Morelock's development and, surprisingly, he seems to have become our primary scoring option, hitting the top 5 of scorers in the league after one sim! Love to see that.

I love my Hubby, but now that i've converted him into a steroidal monster, i'm not even sure what to do with him! Haha, he's a perennial work in progress, and I love every second of it.

We were sad to see Bone go in the offseason. He's getting older, and we gave him what we felt was a fair offer, but we were clearly undervaluing him and the FA market proved as much. We wish him the best in the twilight of his career.

Ridenhour was stuck in a shell, desperately trying to get out. I had no idea! He was our most exciting UFA pickup in many, many seasons, so we were devastated his first year in the Bay was riddled with injuries. He was not the only one, though, as our other primary Doug Haun went down hard, too. It was rough to digest, but we knew that on paper, Markus is a top 3 PG in the league.

We didn't have a secret, per se, to keep him healthy. Our gameplan stayed the same. We just fired our strength and conditioning coach and prayed to the Sim Gods that, after an injury riddled season, we maybe NOT have another one of those right away. Who knew - we had already cleared our own path to a title provided we all stayed healthy. And we did.

LazyTitanSmash wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 1:56 am How much do you think Andreas Gillam contribute to your championship run?

Gillam surprised us - I can't lie. He provided critical scoring off the bench, and we expect him to keep that going for us this year, too. He will not make or break a title run, but he's always going to be a big (lol) help.

Xist2Inspire wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:54 am Random Reporter: When will your focus shift from succeeding with the current roster to building a team around the Hub?

Great question. I think that shift has already begun, passing Canfield onto Memphis and getting younger by acquiring Warley. Warley's ceiling is not as high as Canfield's, unfortunately, so we still have a few more things to figure out. It will be hard to move on from guys like Ridenhour and Morelock in favor of a core that meets Hub's primetime timeline, but we're not thinking about making drastically big moves overnight.