#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

As I prepare for an early off-season once again, I have decided to write a series of articles to make my slow buy sure path to the ninth seed more enjoyable. In "Boxed Out" I will highlight each team as they are eliminated from playoff contention. The winners in this league get enough attention so let's talk about the losers.

January 18 Sim
Seattle Supersonics

I don't think anyone is surprised to see the Sonics as the first team eliminated from playoff contention. The highlight of this team, other than free throw shooting, is undoubtedly Danny Granger, although his potential seems much ore limited now that we've seen him against the pros. Another real bright spot is Raja Bell, a great two-way player. With two nice wings in the fold, it will be interesting to see if GM Darth goes with Aldridge, Rondo, or tries to trade down. Any way yo slice it, the savior of this team isn't coming anytime soon. I would expect Darth to stockpile assets and trade for some big stars. It seems like we've seen that before. . .

January 20 Sim - Western Conference
Memphis Grizzlies

Year one of the Grizzlies' rebuilding process is in the books. The good news is Jose Caulderon could be a special player. The bad news is that it might take a while. Bobby Simmons' growth is still slow as well. With Stack and the Glove coming off the books, Pau could get some help from FA in the mean time. Look for the Grizz to either deal Pau or make a big play in RFA.

Los Angeles Clippers

The high flying round 2 Clippers of 2003 are all but gone now. They are trying to build around a couple of Blazers outcasts, Magloire and DerMarr and young guns Garcia and Banks. With two big salaries on the books and a weak draft, the Clippers could be a few years out from a turnaround.

Golden State Warriors

This is a team that unfortunately overperformed this year. They are really starting from scratch with Carlos Delfino as the only legitimate asset. They are a team that really could use a top 5 draft pick but Bowtothebill has declined Hill's option and likes to win so don't be surprised if they make some aggressive moves in free agency.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers may have slightly underachieved this year but there is a bright bright near future for this LA squad. Felton could develop into the ideal jump shooting, handling, passing, defensive point guard. Trick or treat Tony Allen is already a defensive force. Kobe and Hughes are two-way athletic scorers. Bogut and Evans can patrol the paint and O'Neal can score down low. If they can keep the gang together and the team gels, they will float to the top of the division next season.

I had a dream the Warriors were overperforming with one P/P and the rest O/O players



















Then I remembered it was the 1990's Warriors

Sent via Morse code

Cavs are 11.5 games out with 10 left to play... You scared?

January 20 Sim - Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks

It will be interesting to see what Wig does with this mess. He has a couple of young assets and lots of picks in the upcoming draft but there is nothing I can see to get too excited about. I think the most surprising part of this is that Desmond Mason is still on the roster. A guy like that on a contract like that seems like he would have been a nice addition for a contender. I expect he'll move this offseason as Wig hunkers down for a slow rebuild.

Detroit Pistons

This is a team that could be set for a quick turnaround. As K-Mart and Dwight continue to develop, this team seems like they may be one good free agency haul away from making the playoffs and it looks like they are going to have a solid $25 million plus to throw around. Runningback has a lot of work to do but he has the freedom and the existing pieces to make a big jump.

Chicago Bulls

I have always felt bad for the Bulls (mostly because I can relate). They put together a really nice lineup and just never could win. Well, it looks like we've finally come to the end of the Bibby and Miller reign in Chicago and good riddance. With a legitimate superstar in Stephen Jackson ( almost drafted him but listened to some bad advice and drafted Magloire instead, face palm) and a nice developing point guard in Delonte West, there are some things to be happy about but it will be interesting to see what Hugo does. Will he make a big run in free agency or sell of Jackson and try to build for the long-run.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Chris Paul's rookie season has been riddled with injuries but he still looks like he will be the league's premiere point guard in only a few years. The Cavs also have some nice young pieces around him in Haywood, James, Outlaw, and even Redd. With the departure of Christie the Cavs will have some cap room but if they take the slow build with this team and trade some of their young assets at the right time they have the foundations of a contender.

Final 2 Sims
Portland Trailblazers

This is a team without a soul. I guess on the bright side it no longer has an angry German soul. The Blazers have 3 RFAs, a bunch of expiring salary, Starbury, and that is about it. Will they rebuild? Will they continue to fruitlessly try to remain relevant? Only time will tell.

Miami Heat

Now this is an interesting squad. One foot in the grave with an eye on the future. Lebron is a monster, Jefferson looks like a solid big man, and Monta Ellis looks promising but Kemp and Jalen are on the wrong side of 31. The Heat will have about $10 million to throw around this offseason and I expect it will be thrown at the likes of Kandi, Booth, Kaman, etc. Man, this free agency class is solid.

New Jersey Nets

This is an interesting team. They have a lot of great young pieces in Jameer, Kaman (RFA), Gerald Wallace, and Bynum. They could take a step back and let their guys a develop a little longer but they could also ship off some prospects to bring in a start. I tend to think that the Nets will be shopping their young guns this offseason.

Indiana Pacers

There is a lot to like about this lineup if they bring back Butler and Pierce. Pierce is a no-brainer and they may be tied to bringing back Butler because their cap situation won't allow them to bring in a comparable replacement from outside. The problem is that this team needs a perimeter defender and Butler ain't that guy. Rumor has it that Pauly was really disappointed with how last season shook out so look for the Pacers to shake things up in a big way.

Please tell me that bad advice was quail!

ballsohard wrote:Please tell me that bad advice was quail!

always is

IamQuailman wrote:

ballsohard wrote:Please tell me that bad advice was quail!

always is

Amare

ballsohard wrote:

IamQuailman wrote:

ballsohard wrote:Please tell me that bad advice was quail!

always is

The advice wasn't actually from Quail or any other GM. The advice was that I needed to draft a defensive player to counter Dirk's offense heavy game. Decent advice at the time but I obviously regret it now.

AWARDED 5 POINTS towards 15pt media allowance (do not claim full amount if it puts you over our max of 15)