#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

GM Ian Quailmen walks out to the song "My Heart Will Go On"

GM Quailmen: Greetings, everyone! It's that time of year again. And yes, the mood is somber. We had a disappointing post-season and even more disappointing off-season. We suffered a heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the 2nd round of the playoffs, once again missing out on a chance to make the Conference Finals. We are proud of the fire and resolve we had as a team, but the showing in Game 7 on our home court was reprehensible and tarnished an otherwise franchise-best seasons.

GM Quailmen: Then came the off-season. Last season, our team was one of the best at taking care of the ball on the court, but this off-season, when this front office was passed the ball, we turned it over. We lost key members of our team... Rick Fox, Bobby Phills, Terrell Brandon, Derek Strong... They've all travelled near and far to greener (emphasis on green) pastures. To Terrell Brandon: We won't miss your 40% Field Goal percentages, but we will also miss your ability to run an offense and set up others to score. To Bobby Phills: LOL, we don't blame you for taking that check and running. Godspeed. To Rick Fox: You were a 4th banana on our team but took first banana shots in the playoffs. We wanted you back for your defense but were also willing to part with your hero-ball attitude. To Derek Strong: You went home. Who can blame you? Indy is your home and we wish you the best.

GM Quailmen: NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THAT OUT THE WAY. Let's look to the future. The East is putrid, and anyone (even the Magic, who blew themselves up after losing in the finals to a superteam) can make the playoffs. Speaking of the Magic, as part of their blow up, we swooped in and grabbed their All-Defense Power Forward, Bo Outlaw. We knew this FA would be a challenge, and if there was a way to secure some talent via trades, we were going to do it. Then Free Agency Round 1 (and the worst case scenario) happened. After the initial wave of free agents made their decisions and set the market, we hung our heads for 1 night but then took to the phones and worked the lines. We managed to snag some very good veteran talent in the form of Chris Gatling, Greg Anthony, and a familiar face in Eric Murdock.

GM Quailmen: So despite some initial turmoil, the Milwaukee Bucks bounced back and came into training camp with new resolve. And it paid off with all returning Bucks have a net positive training camp, with Jalen Rose and Ruben Patterson both being stand outs. Jalen, forever, has been surrounded by above average defensive talent, but with the departure of Rick Fox and Terrell Brandon, Jalen took to heart the need for a defensive improvement. And that he did. On top of that, Ruben Patterson stepped up his defensive game, knowing that he will be called upon this year to potentially start. Additionally, Muresan, Outlaw, Big Z, and A-Gold were other training camp standouts.

GM Quailmen: Our goals for this season remain the same: playoffs or bust. NAY. CHAMPIONSHIP OR BUST. We WILL make it to the Finals. I will bet my job on it that this is the season. Milwaukee's Best Guarantee. That said, we will never shy away from entertaining any possible move that it may take to get there. Please don't read into it as any 1 particular player is on the outs and on the block. But if things do not shake out in the beginning, we will right the ship by any means possible.

GM Quailmen: Now for your questions.

(images coming soon)

Random Reporter: What position will Jalen Rose see the most minutes at this season? It seems like his skills are needed in many different areas. Also, will you look to add more talent throughout the season at the 1-3 spots to bolster your bench?

Clark Kent, Daily Planet

Do you blame the offseason defections to lack of foreskin err foresight, or dumb luck?

Do you feel as uninterested in your team as the rest of the league apparently does judging by the attendance here?

Clark Kent, Daily Planet:

One more thing, Winter is Coming.

Xist2Inspire wrote:Random Reporter: What position will Jalen Rose see the most minutes at this season? It seems like his skills are needed in many different areas. Also, will you look to add more talent throughout the season at the 1-3 spots to bolster your bench?

Jalen will by far get the most minutes. He will be asked alot of, but he also has embraced and welcomed the role of leader on this team both on and off the court. This is his team.

As for the talent at spots 1-3, we plan on using a combination of players various positions. With that said, adding depth and talent is always a welcomed thought. Whether or not we will actively pursue it or let it come to us, that has yet to be decided.

Soundwave wrote:Clark Kent, Daily Planet

Do you blame the offseason defections to lack of foreskin err foresight, or dumb luck?

Do you feel as uninterested in your team as the rest of the league apparently does judging by the attendance here?

The offseason plan was to go hard at Gary Payton and Robert Pack. Apparently, Pack was already putting on a Bucks hat when an 11th hour call came from our friends in Dallas. Robert would rather ride the coattails of a superstar for his entire career (first Webber, now Hardaway) than be a leader on a team on the cusp of greatness. Are we bitter? Slightly. But that is not the fault of our own or the Mavericks organization. Just the fickle nature of Robot Pack.

Apparently, we offered slightly less than the Celtics for Terrell Brandon. To add to that, Brandon felt a little slighted by our "unsubstantial" offer (his words not ours). We had come to terms with losing Fox though. We knew he desired big money at a long term rate that we would rather not pay. I felt our offer for Phills was above a fair rate, but the fact that he got max money... who can fault him for that?

As for uninterested parties, we will make them interested come tip off of regular season.

IamQuailman wrote:

Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, speaking of (de)Presser before TC there was talks of blowing up the team, Jalen's potential went purple but has much else changed? Is there a specific goal in mind, let's say the team is .500 at the All-Star break what will happen? And to play devils advocate what if you are atop the division and looking at a top 1 or 2 seed will you sacrifice your future to bring in a guy who could be a difference maker.

Conroy wrote:Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, speaking of (de)Presser before TC there was talks of blowing up the team, Jalen's potential went purple but has much else changed? Is there a specific goal in mind, let's say the team is .500 at the All-Star break what will happen? And to play devils advocate what if you are atop the division and looking at a top 1 or 2 seed will you sacrifice your future to bring in a guy who could be a difference maker.

Lots of questions! Preesh, bruh. There were rumblings of anxiety after our premature post-season departure, but we squashed that with our pursuit of vets to come in and fill out our roster. Once again we have a very deep roster that we will be looking to add to in the future. How and by what means, we are not sure yet. Fortunately, our depth in the front court (along with favorable option deals) gives some flexibility with moves in the future.