#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

As the press files in, they notice something different about the Grizzlies press room. First, it's for sure in Canada. I know, weird. Second it's setup with a small runway in the middle with the podium to the side. Brand new colors. That's weird too... Lights cut out and a spotlight covers the podium as a lone figure walks out



GM Enrique: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Obviously we've changed some things since last season. New division, new players, new old city... we figured we might as well go with a new identity too. Allow me to re-introduce to you, your Vancouver Grizzlies...
GM Enrique: We decided that we would re-design our VanMemphis logo with something close to our old Vancouver colors. This way we continue to show our shared history with the city of Memphis. Our jerseys are reminiscent of the old Vancouver Jerseys, simply modernized. First the Away Jerseys:

Out Come Andris Biedrins, Rajon Rondo, and Aubrey Broomfield in the first of three new jerseys GM Enrique: Aubrey Broomfield fell to us at pick 10. We know he's more of a piece for the future and super raw/young, but we're excited to have him in now, learning from the likes of solid big men vets like Kevin Garnett and Carl Landry.

GM Enrique:Something you learn very quickly as a GM is that plans change, and sometime you have to pivot on the fly. We decided as a group, we wanted to attempt to push this team. Therefore we made a move. We traded two of our younger players in Andre Drummond and Elfrid Payton and Omer Asik + Tony Allen. We we're excited about both of them here, but are confident that they will find success in Denver. Omer and Tony are consummate professionals throughout the process and we'd like to thank Tony Allen especially for helping us complete this deal with a sign and trade. Onto our new players. In the trade, we received a quality starting big man in Andris Biedrins, who has always found success in doing the little things to help a team run. We look forward to seeing what he can do for us. More importantly we grabbed a really great point guard. Rajon Rondo has been a leader who has made everyone around him better. He can do it all on both sides of the ball and we're very excited to have him as our floor general this coming year.

As the first trio walks away, out comes Gerald Henderson, Alec Burks and Tony Parker in the alternate uniforms GM Enrique: While the trade was being set up we knew we wanted to bring in some more solid depth and some value. Alec Burks has shown he can put the ball in the hoop and we hope he'll bring some of that fire and scoring ability for us as we had trouble scoring last year. Tony Parker along with Gilbert Arenas, was a solid backup for us last season and we hope they both can continue that success with their second year with us. Gerald Henderson is someone who we've tried to get our hands on him in the past and find that now, we have him at a great value for what he can bring.

The second trio walks away and the lights cut low again. Two spotlights start swinging wildly before settling on either side of the stage. At the same time Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler both walk out, meet in the middle with a handshake routine (it's super dope), and walk side by side to the front of the runway donning the new Grizzlies home unis. GM Enrique:Finally, we we're thrilled to be able to bring back our duo of Jimmy & Kawhi after restricted free agency. We liked the growth they both showed last year and are excited to see if they keep growing as they continue their careers in Vancouver. Now then, if there are any questions, I'll take those now

Your issues with a miscommunication with the league office during RFA were widely reported. Do you feel like your players have a strong understanding of what you expect out of them?

Nick Melon; The Advocate: After "signing" Tobias Harris and actually signing and winning Alec Burks, what kind of role do you expect Burks to have after a less than stellar TC for one of the newest members to the Grizzlies roster?

How do you see the new Division panning out? Is winning the division within reach, in your opinion?

WigNosy wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2017 4:48 pm Your issues with a miscommunication with the league office during RFA were widely reported. Do you feel like your players have a strong understanding of what you expect out of them?

Thankfully I'm only in charge of the money. I feel that Coach Joerger does a fantastic job of communicating what we all expect out of our guys

NickMalone77 wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:26 pm Nick Melon; The Advocate: After "signing" Tobias Harris and actually signing and winning Alec Burks, what kind of role do you expect Burks to have after a less than stellar TC for one of the newest members to the Grizzlies roster?

Well since i answered that a few minutes ago. I'll just repeat it here

LoCo89 wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2017 1:30 pm
Alec Burks has shown he can put the ball in the hoop and we hope he'll bring some of that fire and scoring ability for us as we had trouble scoring last year.

Inner_GI wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:49 am How do you see the new Division panning out? Is winning the division within reach, in your opinion?

Honestly, the division probably got a bit easier in general. The Nuggets were a stalwart of the division, constantly representing the MidWest in the playoffs and beyond, and the Timberwolves are a team that looks to be on the rise. They will not be missed

But as for us, our goal is to get into the playoffs this year. We thought we could last year, but Kawhi's inury really derailed us at the end of the year. Its been about 6 seasons for us, and we'd like to try to get back there with this group.

You have always been exploring trade options to send away either Kawhi or Jimmy. Is that all over now that they both went through RFA or do you expect to go right back to it once they are trade eligible again?

When did you hire bigdub?

What's your rotation at PF looking like this season and do you anticipate seeing Rondo increase the efficiency for your dynamite wings?

Jon Snow, WSN -

2 part question. Is it safe to assume that Kawhi's primary position this year will be PF again? And do you think playing so many minutes there will perhaps stunt his perimeter skills?

Your trade to get Rajon Rondo came at the expense of two young prospects in Elfrid Payton and Andre Drummond. With Rondo aging and growing more expensive, and without a pick in the next draft, are the Grizzlies in win now mode? If so, is the team complete, or are there more moves you have to make to get it done?

aburns211 wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2017 2:23 pm You have always been exploring trade options to send away either Kawhi or Jimmy. Is that all over now that they both went through RFA or do you expect to go right back to it once they are trade eligible again?

Couldn't tell you right now. But we've always felt like we'vebeen flexible with these two and don't see that changing in the future

78# wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2017 10:07 pm When did you hire bigdub?

What's your rotation at PF looking like this season and do you anticipate seeing Rondo increase the efficiency for your dynamite wings?

We want to once again feature Kawhi at PF, while also giving Carl Landry some time to come in against back up bigs. Finally we expect Aubrey Broomfield to get a few minutes a game to get his feet wet.

We certainly hope Rondo can bring that for us

PaulyP wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2017 11:06 pm Jon Snow, WSN -

2 part question. Is it safe to assume that Kawhi's primary position this year will be PF again? And do you think playing so many minutes there will perhaps stunt his perimeter skills?

Yes and it's entirely possible, but we feel that Kawhi playing both positions unlocks our offense and allows it to be a bit more unpredictable.

garbageman wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2017 1:36 am Your trade to get Rajon Rondo came at the expense of two young prospects in Elfrid Payton and Andre Drummond. With Rondo aging and growing more expensive, and without a pick in the next draft, are the Grizzlies in win now mode? If so, is the team complete, or are there more moves you have to make to get it done?

We always planned on being in a more win now mode this year since we traded our pick so yes. As for being complete, we're not sure. We do think we have some flexibility in our ability to make a move later in the season

While Elfrid Payton's exit wasn't particularly surprising, seeing Andre Drummond traded was definitely a shocker. What was the thought process behind letting go of such a promising young big?

Loco, you may claim 3 points for your presser (Only asked 2 questions in other Pressers).