#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Wow. What a difference last season makes. After trading away Zach Randolph, we were a little uncertain with how the season would go. We attempted to rebuild without our first round pick in the last draft. And when Danny Green couldn't perform up to the lofty expectations that were thrust upon his shoulders, we suffered numerous setbacks and losses that derailed what could've been a promising season while playing with Baron Davis. We attempted to course correct in a win now mode behind the legs of superstar Tracy McGrady but only he could do so much before the weight of the season eventually caved in. So now we turned the page to the offseason.

We made a deal with the 76ers to bring in our point guard of the future in Mike Conley. Mike is a young enough guy that we feel could do all the little things necessary and be a successful young guard in this league. After getting a deal that met his needs during RFA, we had the most cap in the league and didn't feel poisoned by the effects of the larger than usual contract Milwaukee gave him. Given his age and speed and abilities to be a two way player, Mike is just the guy we need running the offense for many years to come. We had our eyes on a former teammate of Conley where he played his college ball at Ohio State in Greg Oden, for quite a while. At the same age of Conley and playing together during that same span will enhance the chemistry of our squad. We probably outbid ourselves in doing so but we felt it was important step for our team to have a young enough point guard and Center to build around for many years to come.

We filled in the rest of the gaps by trading for Brandon Roy and acquiring a first round pick in the next draft for our troubles. Brandon's ability to play off the ball and hit mid range jumpers at an efficient enough rate will be a key for our offense. Also signed former Hornet, Richard Jefferson to lead the team on a team friendly one year contract. If he can play like anything of the Richard of old, we feel like we are in for a world of good. We also signed Brandon Bass to be the starting 4 on this team and Kyle Korver to be a three point marksmen off the bench. We are in control of our own fate and we aren't afraid of how the season will go. We will always hope for the best but the expectations are whatever happens, happens.

GWR: To outside observers, it seems that during the preseason your offense was better than expected and your defense was worse than expected. Do you think you'll be able to maintain the offense while fixing the defense?

JNR wrote:GWR: To outside observers, it seems that during the preseason your offense was better than expected and your defense was worse than expected. Do you think you'll be able to maintain the offense while fixing the defense?

I definitely think we can maintain this offense long term with the options we have going forward. We also brought in CJ Watson off the bench who can be a defensive key for us in the backcourt. And also some other signings like Tiago Splitter and Brandon Bass can be defensive answers for us in the paint. I'm sure we will make some adjustments in our coaching as well that can best facilitate for us a two way answer for hopefully more wins than losses.