#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Hey everyone! I hope y’all are doing well and enjoying the return of sim league. I know I am. I have found that this season has been a nice, after what felt like a prolonged playoffs last season. Sometimes breaks are great not only for the body, but for the mind…

I needed it too. Last season was rough towards the end. I traded for Clauer in a mid season move to compete and the team for sure played better. However, I was not fully invested in game planning, and it showed. I wound up ending the season out of the playoffs because of this. Damn Nuggets…

So I had a long break to rest and I feel ready to be engaged for this season. One of my fears came true firstly, with Gates going to UFA. It was something I thought I could actually work with and sign someone else before Gates and Clauer resign. Nope. They were the first two to sign in UFA and my cap was gone like that. However, I was not out of moves. I made a move for Eddie “Bennie” Cruce. A deal that became more expensive as each UFA day passed, but I got it done nonetheless.

I now feel really good about this roster. I think it will be interesting to see how to gameplan given the hit Clauer had in his QKN, but that just will allow me to experiment some I think. I’m very stoked for this team and seeing what they can get done. A core five of DJ, AG, Griner, Cruce, and Clauer allow for a lot of balance of offense and defense. While also having dynamite players like Morrow of the bench will be great too. Finally, I don’t know if Lew will play this season as he still may not be ready, but let’s see.

My main hope is a deep run in the playoffs after missing last year. It’s a big jump but I think this team is ready for it.

With that any questions?


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Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: The standards are high in Boston. Is there a team in the Glen Sabo Division that you are concerned?

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Random Reporter: With Daniel Johnson due for a new contract next season, this jacking the price of this roster even higher, how important is it that the team puts together a deep playoff run this season?

Lew is a talent, for sure, but knowing you had temporary cap space before UFA, was there ever any consideration to dealing Lew for another star players to really stack this roster once Ebba and Gates re-signed?

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jlmarines wrote:Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: The standards are high in Boston. Is there a team in the Glen Sabo Division that you are concerned?

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Well. The Timberwolves have great talent, but the GM is absent. The Lakers are always a threat, but he is actively trying to tank. The Grizz are fresh out of jail, so they are still rebuilding, and the Raptors are a team that may present some problems, but they won’t probably win over 40 games.

So, I don’t think with all those things there is a team other then those mentioned for the reason, I should worry about.


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Xist2Inspire wrote:Random Reporter: With Daniel Johnson due for a new contract next season, this jacking the price of this roster even higher, how important is it that the team puts together a deep playoff run this season?

Yeah. I hope to have a deep run, and will ultimately dictate how I proceed next offseason. Thankfully I also have Cruce on a team deal, so I can also maybe decline his option to try to lessen the blow as well. Maybe I even try to package DJ and Lee for another player like Alvarado??? Idk, only time will tell.


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MexicanMamba wrote:Lew is a talent, for sure, but knowing you had temporary cap space before UFA, was there ever any consideration to dealing Lew for another star players to really stack this roster once Ebba and Gates re-signed?

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I did send some feelers out, I think to even you, on draft day about a Lew trade. Ultimately I decided it was better to keep Lew and hope he has a good camp to where he can be a quality bench player this year. Where I either move him into replacing Cruce or Clauer or move for an upgrade.


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Looks like Gates is starting to round off in his TCs and may be just about peak Gates this year. Do you have higher expectations from him than last? Do you think he'll ever hit full purp?

greepleairport wrote:Looks like Gates is starting to round off in his TCs and may be just about peak Gates this year. Do you have higher expectations from him than last? Do you think he'll ever hit full purp?

Yeah. I hoping his stats will be similar to what he does in the regular season. I have hopes that he becomes an all star for the first time. However, he may have to be a team player and float around a bit instead of going for personal accolades.

Full purp may never happen and I’m fine with that. He is very good how he is now, and doesn’t need the color to justify his worth to this team. This is his team to lead and will go as far as he can take it.


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Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With the hit to Clauer's quickness and efficiency stats last year that left a lot to be desired, can you describe the conundrum of not giving him that contract and risking losing him vs. signing him to a long contract and knowing that you've probably seen him at his peak?

Desert here....

Your team was 7th in the pre season power rankings. Do you feel that is an accurate depiction of where your team is right now?

Nick Melon; Orlando Sentinel: You’ve stated known teams that could give you trouble in your own division but which teams also in the Silky Johnson division could be ones that could prevent you from making a run to the finals?

garbageman wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2024 10:00 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With the hit to Clauer's quickness and efficiency stats last year that left a lot to be desired, can you describe the conundrum of not giving him that contract and risking losing him vs. signing him to a long contract and knowing that you've probably seen him at his peak?

Coming into the offseason, we were pretty sure we wanted to keep Claure as we felt he was a good fit in this roster. There was some doubt in the beginning of the offseason on how much to bring him back for, but ultimately he played so well and the team improved so much when he was brought in that we felt good about the max. I knew that the deal may have been a little ambitious given his age, but I felt good that he could be moved if needed. The QKN hit for sure hurt as, I was not expecting this rough of a TC right after getting paid. A real Al Haynesworth type situation may arise in the bean town, and we are ready to flick him if needed.

With that said, even with him getting hit in TC, I do think that he is still a great player that will perform well this year and into the future.

Black Superman wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2024 10:04 pm Desert here....

Your team was 7th in the pre season power rankings. Do you feel that is an accurate depiction of where your team is right now?

I have never held the power rankings in high regard. I thought they were so bad I created my own rankings. So, no. I do not think it is a good representation.

NickMalone77 wrote: Mon Apr 15, 2024 12:17 am Nick Melon; Orlando Sentinel: You’ve stated known teams that could give you trouble in your own division but which teams also in the Silky Johnson division could be ones that could prevent you from making a run to the finals?

Bulls.

Who is your best option off the bench?

pennpanther1 wrote: Mon Apr 15, 2024 7:31 am Who is your best option off the bench?

Well number one would be @@BigDaddyd8720's mom, but she sadly is out for the year. I would maybe say after her, Anthony Morrow.

*finally gets called on after having hand raised for 6 and 1/2 minutes*

Good morning, First off, how dare you bring my mother into this. SHE'S A NICE LADY!

Second, with missing the playoffs last season, and having high expectations this season, if it doesn't work out, do you see yourself starting a rebuild sooner rather than later? Or do you still see your team as a contender and plan to build around your players you have now?

Skeeter Valentine, Junior Writer, Bluffington Post, Sim Sports Division:

My Banana, you just finished your 5th season without a playoff berth, what will it mean to you and the players to finally get over that hump? Was this timeframe built into your original plans of rebuild, or is it taking a little longer than expected?

BigDaddyd8720 wrote:*finally gets called on after having hand raised for 6 and 1/2 minutes*

Good morning, First off, how dare you bring my mother into this. SHE'S A NICE LADY!

Second, with missing the playoffs last season, and having high expectations this season, if it doesn't work out, do you see yourself starting a rebuild sooner rather than later? Or do you still see your team as a contender and plan to build around your players you have now?

I think the rebuild would consist of moving on from players like Cruce and Clauer (harder to do). Outside of that we’re probably going to stay consistent.


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Jedihero wrote:Skeeter Valentine, Junior Writer, Bluffington Post, Sim Sports Division:

My Banana, you just finished your 5th season without a playoff berth, what will it mean to you and the players to finally get over that hump? Was this timeframe built into your original plans of rebuild, or is it taking a little longer than expected?

I ain’t nobodies Banana. Im a free Banana. I now have two guys who are seasoned vets to the playoffs so I hope that they hold it down and show the others what is expected from a playoff caliber team.

As far as time frame, honestly it pretty much was since we moved on from Harper a few seasons back. It was always going to rely on Gates finally developing and he has. Plus the additions of DJ, Cruce, and Clauer with Griner’s emergence this team may have the right tools to start finally cooking.


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