#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

GM: Well, it was all in due time that things would change in Milwaukee. It came sooner than later, but the feel around the organization was that we just weren't what we thought we were. It is difficult to say farewell to the man, the myth, and the legend Ron OPtest but the organization decided to shake things up and change the direction of the franchise. We made our one last push lasts season, but couldn't advance far enough in the playoffs. With large salaries climbing and cap space to sign players disappearing while glaring hole emerged, we decided to sell high on assets. Well, planned to sell high. We didn't get everything we wanted for our players, but we feel that we did get enough to start our rebuild focused around two young talents in Brandon Jennings and Derrick Favors.

GM: For those that missed out on our off-season, a quick recap: OJ Mayo for essentially the Bucks 2011 1st; Artest for rebuilding package that included Nikola Pekovic, #7 (soon to be Favors), and 2 future picks; Tony Parker for Kendrik Perkins and #25 (Luke Babbitt); Marcin Gortat for a future 1st. Signed a lot of project players like Maurice Speights and, and made a splash to bring in former Kings stand-out, Chris Douglas-Roberts. One thing that we do like is that we have 6 picks in the next 3 drafts (not counting the 3 picks we just had in the 2010 draft). We know that some of these won't pan out (Luke Babbitt already came in unfocused and 40 lbs overweight), but it gives us the opportunity AND flexibility to make some moves in the future. And if anyone knows this organization, they know we like to make moves.

GM: Our projected starting line-up is still in flux, but we envision getting Brandon Jennings the full reigns at the PG spot. Kendrick and Derrick will man the front court, with Pekovic coming off the bench. CDR will flip flop between both wing positions. Jordan Farmar and Eric Gordon will rotate in at the 2. The rest is up for grabs.

GM: I'll open it up for questions.

Can you talk about your previous run with some of the accomplishments you made as a team; then discuss why you decided now was the time to call it quits with that build and start fresh?

GWR: You still need a future superstar, since he isn't on the team now. Are you going to try and acquire one or are you content to just tank and see what's in the draft?

How long do you see this rebuild/tank lasting? Is the 2013 draft one that catchez your eye?

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Are you disappointed in coming out of your firesafe with no young star potential players?

What's Eric role on the team? Will he play a key role offensively for your squad?

ballsohard wrote:Can you talk about your previous run with some of the accomplishments you made as a team; then discuss why you decided now was the time to call it quits with that build and start fresh?

With our core of Ron Artest and pals (Amare, Tony, Shane specifically), we were able to make numerous runs deep into the playoffs. Sadly, injuries and/or bad coaching ended up shorting us a few times. However, we had the perfect storm with those 4 during our title year. However, after that season, Amare would be entering into a contract year, Tony and Shane were both Free Agents, and Ron was already on a Super Max 3rd contract. Needless to say, we couldn't keep all 4. We let Shane walk and then ended up trading Amare. We had brought in Marcin Gortat and (via Amare trade) Reggie Evans and OJ Mayo. With those guys, we felt possibly we had what it took to make a run again. However, Reggie didn't pan out as hoped and was becoming a free agent. Both Ron and Tony are getting about to be on the wrong side of 30. Sure I could've assembled a crew around them, but financially, it would not be sustainable. And to be honest, we felt like our window had closed. Fortunately, during that window, we had won a championship; so at least it wasn't all for nothing.

Why ship Artest and Parker? those contracts only get bigger each year, and honestly, if I waited longer and a bad TC happens, then their value is tanked more than our new squad looks. So we decided to maximize what we could. Thanks to slander campaigns against Tony Parker, his value wasn't as high as we had hoped. With Ron, we hoped for a multi-asset package including a top 10 pick in this draft. Would have loved top 5, but there were no viable options there. Have to take what the market presents. We didn't have a perfect storm present itself to us like the Kings (a team whose rebuild we highly admire).

JNR wrote:GWR: You still need a future superstar, since he isn't on the team now. Are you going to try and acquire one or are you content to just tank and see what's in the draft?

Right now, we are in wait and see mode. If the right offer presents itself to us, we could make a move, but we are very content standing pat and taking the patient and slow path.

NOLa. wrote:How long do you see this rebuild/tank lasting? Is the 2013 draft one that catchez your eye?

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We will re-evaluate each off-season, however, we do not want to rush it more than we have to.

coltsguy510 wrote:Are you disappointed in coming out of your firesafe with no young star potential players?

Yeah, somewhat. But we take what we get. We had no idea Blake Griffin was even on the market, nor did we inquire about him when making the ron artest offer. However, the offer we got would never have been available if the Blake Griffin trade never occurred. So it's a catch 22. Teams tend to be stingy with their young talent, even if you are sending back arguably one of (if not THE) best two-way wings this game has seen who is still in peak prime. Everyone wants a Superstar elite player, but when he comes available, there is never going to be a deal that meet what I would expect back. I am pretty sure many teams have felt that in the past when trading superstars. You take what the market dictates.

Eazy P wrote:What's Eric role on the team? Will he play a key role offensively for your squad?

It's very possible he could be playing substantial minutes at the 2 for us this season. He may be one of the better guards we have offensively on our roster, and between him and Jennings, they can both get to the rim. Farmar and Gordon will definitely have a camp competition.

Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, wanted to offer my condolences. What are the plans for the upcoming season going to check out a few Packers games? Cheer for the Badgers to do well in March Madness? Brewers? Fast pass at the Harley Davidson museum? I hear the Milwaukee Riverwalk is nice this time of year.

Conroy wrote:Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, wanted to offer my condolences. What are the plans for the upcoming season going to check out a few Packers games? Cheer for the Badgers to do well in March Madness? Brewers? Fast pass at the Harley Davidson museum? I hear the Milwaukee Riverwalk is nice this time of year.

Suicide isn't out of the question.

Nick Melon; The Advocate: Eric Gordon had a decent camp since coming over from Sacramento. Any plans to feature him in a starting capacity or hold a towel at the end of the bench?

NickMalone77 wrote:Nick Melon; The Advocate: Eric Gordon had a decent camp since coming over from Sacramento. Any plans to feature him in a starting capacity or hold a towel at the end of the bench?

Due to our lack of depth on the wing, Gordon will see ample amounts of playing time.

Hi Conroy
Hi Nick
Hi Tani
Hi JNR
Hi Balls
Hi CG

Soundwave wrote:Hi Conroy
Hi Nick
Hi Tani
Hi JNR
Hi Balls
Hi CG

ded

What do you see in Derrick Favors that caused you to pick him #7 in the draft? Can he become a franchise cornerstone?

WigNosy wrote:What do you see in Derrick Favors that caused you to pick him #7 in the draft? Can he become a franchise cornerstone?

Derrick actually reminds us of another big man that we drafted long ago, Brian Grant. He has some athleticism to him, he's a very good rebounder, and he can play defense. We will work with him to develop his offensive game, but we feel that he can improve there as well.

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IamQuailman wrote:

Soundwave wrote:Hi Conroy
Hi Nick
Hi Tani
Hi JNR
Hi Balls
Hi CG

ded

Reminds me of...a certain team in Milwaukee.

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Random Reporter: What are your expectations for Perkins this year? Do you see him as a key part of your future?

Xist2Inspire wrote:Random Reporter: What are your expectations for Perkins this year? Do you see him as a key part of your future?

We have no future. Therefore, Perkins is existing in a vacuum of time and space. And if you come into that vacuum, he is gonna Frye yo shit up CUZ YOU DONT GO HARD IN KENDRICK'S PAINT.