#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

So… It’s been a while. I almost contemplated not even wanting to entertain the thoughts of what another run would look like. Would my skill and education of what this game meant to “ME” translate back into the game against familiar foes and new opponents? Even if you replace the names and skills of the players, would time apart make you a relic?

All of these internal thoughts percolated internally well before my first cup of coffee for the day. This was well before the gaggle of reporters would show up from near and far. Would my thoughts still gather enough interest to help showcase what I’ve learned from my time away? Would it inspire others to come back and take over other teams that would become available in this league?

More thoughts… More sips of coffee. More ticks of the clock…

“I hope everyone is ready for the next season to begin! At some point, the seasons blend together and the next moment, you’re sitting on the “It’s a Small World” ride in Disney and wonder where the time went?”

The coffee really triggers some repressed thoughts and wakes the brain cells up. Especially when you’ve got cameras, recorders, microphones, whatever tech equipment is available in 2053 within a few inches from your face. Some of these reporters get so close to you that they have no clue what personal space is.

“Last season was fun. I came back after a hiatus and was approached by some friends of mine that noticed countless days of spending slouched over in a resort chair in the Caribbean made me a bit restless I suppose. I enjoyed my time away but I guess there was some purpose missing. The game missed me. I missed it. There was a spark again and it was time for a haircut and a shave.”

Looking at the game with some perspective, and a few more gray hairs since the last time I was around, the time away made the appreciation grow a few folds larger. Another few sips and another few reporters file into the Orlando lobby of the team facilities.

“Orlando isn’t New Orleans. It’s not Chalmette. It’s not Charlotte. But it has its own challenges and its own history that would make the thoughts of coming back all the more appealing. I took over a talented team that wasn’t my own. Made some minor changes that needed some TLC and turned a sub .500 team to a 50 + win squad. But it wasn’t my own. It wasn’t what I envisioned this team could be or what it could turn into. The ceiling needed to be opened a bit.”

I hope people brought their hard hats along with their hard questions today. Another few sips of the coffee to wake anyone up. Maybe the next sip will get me some Mickey Mouse ears.

“In order to embrace the change, you need to see what the team is and what you want it to be. You have to create your own magic in essence. That’s why I needed to strip down to the bare bones of this team and see what could be rebuilt for the short and long term vision of what this team is and what it can be. We sent out a league wide message via social media, the league group pages, carrier pigeons, even various private connections to connect with some friends around the league to see what would be possible.”

These papers tell me I’ve made some transactions so let’s go over them…

“One of the first calls we made was to our friends in Chicago and found some various middle ground on a rebuild package for a front court talent like Ken Dirks. We really liked the abilities of prospects like Okay Djamgouz (we’re still learning how to pronounce his last name), and Walker Kessler. That combined a first from our friends in Indiana and it was an appealing option out of the deals we had presented to us at the time.

Then our old friend from Milwaukee had relocated to Detroit and had a keen interest in the league MVP, Harold Schiff. Maybe it was the special Sake he had from Japan but when one presents a trade offer over some drinks on a special napkin, you keep the napkin, toss the drink in the garbage, and submit the napkin to the league offices when the offer suffices what you’re looking for. A young wing talent like Jeff Van Gundy even for his age, combined with his skill and IQ for the game could make him a future head coach in this game one day. That combined with a valued depth piece like Booker Davis and a first in the next draft from our checked out friends in DC, damn right I saved that napkin.

Then we contacted some friends in Dallas, and Charlotte, among other places to fill out the depth and remaining mysteries around with this team. There’s still holes to fix and improve with his team. It won’t be an overnight fix but I’ve embraced the magic to turn this team into something I could call my own. Sometimes, that’s the fun that makes an old cat like me coming back to make this game fun and interesting again.”

Sometimes the coffee helps to churn out the thoughts.

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Would you say that you are already a better Orlando GM than False9?

AngryBanana wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:18 am Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Would you say that you are already a better Orlando GM than False9?

No. He was a great GM and won quite a few titles. We all have our different approaches to winning and building. I’m not trying to be better than anyone other than myself. If I can bring a title to Orlando, then I’ll be satisfied with the success I’ve built here.

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Magic really went hard after Ousmane Dieng and got him at max value. What are your plans and expectations for Dieng and the Magic this season?

garbageman wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:46 am Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Magic really went hard after Ousmane Dieng and got him at max value. What are your plans and expectations for Dieng and the Magic this season?

We really liked his versatility on both sides of the court. I feel like his skill on the wing could translate really well for us and our plan isn’t to suck, but we aren’t afraid to win either. I feel like he’s a great transitional piece that could lead our team for us at least for right now while Van Gundy and Djamgouz develop.