#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Hello everyone. It's been an unbelievable time celebrating our first ever PBSL championship. We always hoped to win one, but this past season we expected to make a deep run. We had some tough challenges along the way against the Pelicans and Spurs (How amazing was game 7 in that series?) as well as some breaks against the Lakers, but excited to finally bring home a championship to the city of Houston. It's been a fun offseason riding this wave of celebration, and we hope we can continue to bring more championships. Now I know what Colts owner Jim Irsay feels like after his bingers. Is he still alive in 2056? Hahaha. Also great to bring back all of our key contributors from last season's title team as well as some positive new pieces.

The draft brought us Chris Adamson. No offense to the kid, but we really didn't want to keep this pick, but he's a nice PG and he might get backup minutes. Our other draft pick was some second round bum who's probably gonna get cut and his knows it. I don't even know why he's still here.

When free agency started, we knew we had to bring back Jeremy Northup. Wait, his name is James? Haha my bad. Anyway, he was really important for our defense last season with his post and perimeter defense even though he missed the last couple of games in the Finals. What a loser lol (Will Farrell Wedding Crashers voice)

We also brought back Evan Mobley who was a key backup and actually started the last two games in the Finals when Jeremy, I mean James went down with his injury. What a guy he was last season.

Khalif Diop was added through the MLE. He might start, he might not. We don't even know yet. We know he's hungry for a championship. Wait, he won a championship two seasons with the Bulls. Oh my bad. Anyway, we're happy to have him.

We brought in some fillers as well who hopefully we don't get to see too much though Darrin Alston is always welcome here.

Hey is Matt Falcon here? Matty? It's your 5th year in the league and you're still looking a little green. Don't be surprised if you get traded. I'm kidding Matty, we love ya

Speaking of bingers, how about the head coach this preseason starting Larry Williams at PG and moving Dejuan Baker to SG. Hey buddy, how about sharing the rest of your stash with us. That guy is nuts lol.

Anyway, the rest of the guys including Steeve He's Very Fat and Sion James are here to answer questions. Michael Truman is here too btw.

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Congratulations on winning the championship! At what point last season did you start to feel like you were going to win it all, and do you still feel that feeling for this season?

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: What do you expect from Sion this year? Can we see even more growth from the young player now that he has a championship?

garbageman wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 7:42 am Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Congratulations on winning the championship! At what point last season did you start to feel like you were going to win it all, and do you still feel that feeling for this season?

I think we first felt we have had a chance with our 12 game winning streak during the season and felt better after winning 60 games. However, once we got to the playoffs, we didn't feel it until maybe after game 4 of the Finals being up 3-1. It was a nervous feeling, but surreal once we got the 4th win. A memory I won't forget.

AngryBanana wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 7:55 am Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: What do you expect from Sion this year? Can we see even more growth from the young player now that he has a championship?

I think Sion is going to take the next step to greatness. The ceiling is very high and he's still climbing. I think he will become the best two-way player in the league.

Desert here,
Do you feel like the team is going to give us a repeat championship? Or was getting the breaks you got right place right time?

Congrats on your ring. Do you feel like your team can run it back? Do you feel you other teams got better and you need to make a few moves to ensure you defend your title and not be 1 and done?

Congrats again on winning the title! You've managed to bring the team back together again for another round of title contention. Who is standing in your way and making a case to dethrone you? Will they?

Oh damn. What Eazy said, basically

Black Superman wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:36 am Desert here,
Do you feel like the team is going to give us a repeat championship? Or was getting the breaks you got right place right time?

I think we're in position to compete for another championship. Retained key pieces and improved depth. Always have to have good luck with injuries which we did last season.

Eazy P wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:55 am Congrats on your ring. Do you feel like your team can run it back? Do you feel you other teams got better and you need to make a few moves to ensure you defend your title and not be 1 and done?

Other teams have gotten better for sure, but we're very confident in this team making a deep run if healthy. We may need to improve our depth even more as the season goes along especially to cushion the blow from any injury.

greepleairport wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:58 am Congrats again on winning the title! You've managed to bring the team back together again for another round of title contention. Who is standing in your way and making a case to dethrone you? Will they?

Plenty of challengers with the Lakers, Spurs, Bulls, TWolves, Suns, etc. I think the Spurs will be our biggest roadblock in the conference. They gave us a war before we dropped the H-bomb on them in OT of game 7. The Lakers are improved and if healthy, they will give us a much different challenge.

Do you have any advice for the GMs out there that are still looking for their first title?

pennpanther1 wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 2:06 pm Do you have any advice for the GMs out there that are still looking for their first title?

1. Be like IamQuailman and find GMs you can make "good" trades with.
2. Be patient in building your team.
3. While rebuilding, figure out gameplanning before it's time for you to make a playoff run.

Congratulations on the Ship!
Can you tell us what some of your high level strategies were once you got into your playoff run?
Did you feel like the car was driving itself?
Or did you get creative in bringing down the competition?

Mike Lowry wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:34 pm Congratulations on the Ship!
Can you tell us what some of your high level strategies were once you got into your playoff run?
Did you feel like the car was driving itself?
Or did you get creative in bringing down the competition?

Sorry for the late response.

1) I slowed the pace down to 0 which was a game changer because my team operated comfortably with a slower pace. Also based my defenses on my opponents strength to limit it.

2) I was definitely making adjustments with each playoff sim. I was never truly comfortable with each gameplan but I hoped for the best.