#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Rules: 1 point if you give thoughtful(and I stress THOUGHTFUL) answers which I will award after the timer ends for responses. The timer ends for responses at the moment the corresponding week's Sim is run.



Deadline Wednesday 5pm, Sim #8.

Question:
All-Star Game has been completed and we are moving down the other side of the season...I don't think there's been a ton of movement in the standings throughout the last few weeks of sims. If things stay mostly the same:

What team or teams that may be in that #5-#8 seed currently can you see being most dangerous in the playoffs?

Side bar. How's this not a trade related question on trade deadline day?

Personally I think it may be the Hawks or the Pelicans. Both made great trades before the deadline with the Celtics to boost their roster. Pelicans got Ainsworth, just in time for the Zike injury. While the Hawks got King, who will help bring an even balance to that roster. If I’m the Suns, Rockets, or Spurs I would not look forward to seeing either of the balanced rosters post trade deadline OR in the playoffs.


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Black Superman wrote: Mon Oct 16, 2023 4:22 pm Side bar. How's this not a trade related question on trade deadline day?

We just had a question on trades a couple sims ago when the Pelicans put everyone on the trade block and got no offers.


Anyway, to answer the real question:

#5 in Alpha is me. I'm not going to be a threat. I'm not even worried about it.

#6 is the Wizards, and I think they might be a threat. I don't know how, but they always play better than their team looks. Remy Martin is having a hell of a year. Will they win it all? No. But they could go far.

#7 is the Cavs. It'd be great to see them make the playoffs again, but I don't see them making the moves to guarantee that 7th seed. The Raptors and even the Bucks are probably going to be more aggressive, and the Cavs don't have a player who's as good as Wemby, Ware, or even Ridenhour. But they're lucky they don't have Ridenhour's contract. That's gonna be a tough one to get out of. I think Nate had the right idea in the town hall I was talking about earlier to get Ridenhour to the Heat. But what's that got to do with the Cavs? Nothing. I suppose I could talk about wrestling gifs or something, but I'll just move on.

In the Alpha, we got the Pistons at 6, and their currently selling, but Doug's always ready to turn on a dime if the right offer comes through. Could they be a threat? Sure. Could they decide to tank? Sure. Gary might be a wildcard in someways, but Doug is a wildcard, too, in a more controlled way.

#7 is the Kings. They've got a good team, but they'd need to get aggressive on the trade market and trade assets that they probably value a little much because they're a team that grows attached to the players they draft.

I think that's it...Lakers will win for sure. Not even game 7 or reverse cursing can stop them.

Damn. I wish the Hawks had tried to move in on Blakeney. But now I think it will be the pelicans, especially if they don't get any trade offers.They have a highly skilled dangerous team that is just waiting to take down a higher seed.


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AngryBanana wrote: Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:19 pm Personally I think it may be the Hawks or the Pelicans. Both made great trades before the deadline with the Celtics to boost their roster. Pelicans got Ainsworth, just in time for the Zike injury.

He's not even injured though, he's just going through intensive therapy for his recent alien abduction experience

There is a cluster of neck and neck teams in Omega - Pelicans, Hawks, and Pistons - battling for order in 4-6. The Spurs recent lightweight losing streak will surely come to an end as the season moves on so I don't think they'll dip into the waters with these 3 teams.

Hawks have thrown in the towel, opting to get out of the tax instead of compete. They have one more tradable asset in Zepeda to get some upgraded talent back in Atlanta for a second-half push, but presuming the Jazz deal gets accepted and Leroy's salary off the books, they might remain content having dropped their bill from 136pts to 19pts in a few quick moves.

So this leaves the Pelicans and Pistons, an underperformer and overperformer, respectively. One has got to give. If the Pellies hit their potential, they're the team to watch. If the Pistons are as cohesive as they seem with their reduced firepower? They're the spoiler.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are no stranger to the playoffs the past few seasons and they seem hellbent on jumping over their 1st round roadblock so I think a hungry, new GM with a dangerous lineup is the perfect recipe for an upset or two to happen if the stars align just right. The Raptors have a strong defensive identity and are nearly unbeatable at home this season. If they can steal a road game, watch out this team can do some serious damage in the playoffs (finally).

Pelicans for sure. I'm a big fan of PG Nicholas Zike. Zike is the main reason the Pelicans have 3 players that average more than 20 pts per game. I expect the Pelicans to score a lot of pts during the playoffs. Zike has experience winning a championship. I expect Zike to lead the team deep to the playoffs.

Pelicans will definitely make some noise on the closing stretch of the season, even without a move made. Their team has been trending upward and playing much better as the season has progressed. Also, don't count out the Pistons. The Trade Deadline isn't here yet, but they could still try to pull a rabbit or two out of their hat to make themselves better positioned for the playoffs.

Also, the Raptors continue to make moves, and honestly I love the Ayo addition for them. He's a defensive presence they sorely needed on the perimeter! I would love to see these moves pay off for them with a deep playoff run.

I think the raptors made a decent move. I'm not sure if ayo is the scoring they need. But more scoring never hurts so raptors are only being mentioned honorably.

Pistons are the scariest team currently in that 5-7 range. They have faired well in the conference and decent in the division considering it's a gauntlet with only one team actually dominating in division play. The suns are mid on the road. So if they can get a 4 seed on this push with rakes look out for them to upset a 5 seed and then potentially face he suns who they have played very well this season. I could see them getting to the conf finals if they can get the 4 and right matchups like hawks who have sold a lot and then suns in round 2. #homestretch