#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

GM Quailmen: Welcome all. Another year, another presser, another no ring to show for. No point in covering what happened last year. We went all in, mortgaged the future on the present, and came out with nothing but a 2nd round sweep to show for it. So let's look to the future (starting with this off-season recap).

GM Quailmen: We entered the off-season feeling the burden of a tax bill looming. After paying 60 points for the previous season, Rudy Gay's impending salary, along with upcoming contracts left us with very little flexibility. As a result, we offloaded Rudy Gay's contract for a "retooling" package including Hollis Thompson, Jamychal Green, and #7 overall pick... which turned into Buddy Hield. Many questioned what the hell we were doing. But *shrug* it is what it is. We sorta have a plan.

GM Quailmen: Other than those new players, we have returned our very solid foundational pieces in Ricky Rubio, Kyrie Irving, Enes Kanter, and Sean Kilpatrick. They all came into training camp in the best shape of their lives and ready to compete again. We do have some glaring holes in our team, primarily in our Power Forward situation. We had anticipated Kevin Seraphin being ready to take over after the departure of Ed Davis last season, but instead he came in fat and lazy. Not to mention his work ethic is that of a fossilized dog turd. Sorry... let me compose myself for a moment. *breathes in and out* Ok, so we will be, in the interim, attacking our situation at the power forward position with the mentality of PF by committee. We were delighted to see Thomas Bedard, our #13 overall pick, come in ready to prove many of his nay-sayers wrong. Our other young'un Thomas Hamilton also looks poised to contribute.

GM Quailmen: Usually this is the part where we pitch to you rainbows and roses and pump sunshine about championships and high aspirations. But honestly, we just want to get through the season with no Broken Legs, no tax bill, and a winning record. Anything more is a plus for us.

GM Quailmen: Any questions?

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Rumor has it, you were shopping Kyrie Irving pretty heavily in the offseason. However, after a solid training camp all around, Kyrie looks like the great player he's been projected to be. With predictions putting you in the middle of the pack, do you still shop to completely retool now that he has more trade value, or do you stick with him?

garbageman wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:17 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Rumor has it, you were shopping Kyrie Irving pretty heavily in the offseason. However, after a solid training camp all around, Kyrie looks like the great player he's been projected to be. With predictions putting you in the middle of the pack, do you still shop to completely retool now that he has more trade value, or do you stick with him?

After the season, we sat down with Kyrie and told him that he was set to be the face of this franchise but shit the bed last season. Deep down, when we brought in Rudy Gay, Kyrie felt hurt and disrespected because he took it as us not having faith in him. We let him know we WANT him here, but he needs to want to be here, needs to stop being a little bitch, and prove that he can be our cornerstone. Apparently he took that to heart. We are excited to see that fire in his eyes again. That said, the leash with him is shorter than ever before.

GWR: Is it satisfying seeing the leap Enes Kanter has made when so many around the league doubted he'd ever arrive?

JNR wrote:GWR: Is it satisfying seeing the leap Enes Kanter has made when so many around the league doubted he'd ever arrive?

We always had faith in Enes. He's a lunchpail guy who doesn't need daily praise and pats on the guy. He just wants to get better every day, for his own sake and for the team. We all know PreSeason stats are never absolutely indicative of how the regular season will go, but we are very excited to watch Enes continue on his upward trajectory

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Can you offer kind of the insiders view on the teams emotions this summer ? We saw Gay on the block and traded for scraps. Then we saw Irving on the block. Then off the block. Then Rubio to being untouchable to him being on the block. Then Kanter being on the block. It's just seems like you were going through some things.

To piggyback on balls question above, were you close to dealing either Kyrie, Rubio or Kanter? Give us some background on the one negotiation that most shipped one or more of these guys out of Milwaukee.


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ballsohard wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:58 pm Can you offer kind of the insiders view on the teams emotions this summer ? We saw Gay on the block and traded for scraps. Then we saw Irving on the block. Then off the block. Then Rubio to being untouchable to him being on the block. Then Kanter being on the block. It's just seems like you were going through some things.

There was confusion across the organization, and honestly a disconnect on the team's direction. Many things factored into it: tax concerns, sustainability, talent. But honestly it stems from the disappointment of going all in and losing out... plus not sticking with players like Otto Porter, Draymond Green, and Victor Oladipo longer. Can't have cake and eat it too apparently. So that disappointment somewhat wonders if the window has closed with 3 max players as our franchise pillars. How do you build around that? Lots of questions, confusions, and emotions. Thanks for bringing them back to the forefront.

NOLa. wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:00 pm To piggyback on balls question above, were you close to dealing either Kyrie, Rubio or Kanter? Give us some background on the one negotiation that most shipped one or more of these guys out of Milwaukee.


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We entertained talks for a handful of players on our team, but here we are with the roster we have. I'd rather not speak to negotiations because things fall through all the time for various reasons, reasons of which are not always my own. So with respect to other GMs who we were engaged in talks with, I will decline.

Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, just getting through the season doesn't seem like your style. What happens if there's a hot start? Will there be a deal to improve immediately? What about a slow start will that accelerate a rebuild?

Conroy wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:39 pm Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, just getting through the season doesn't seem like your style. What happens if there's a hot start? Will there be a deal to improve immediately? What about a slow start will that accelerate a rebuild?

Those are some beautiful questions. I honestly have no clue.

Kanter is starting to look like an all-around great center but he doesn't protect the rim all that well. Do you have plans on training his blocking skills?

kucoach7 wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 3:52 pm Kanter is starting to look like an all-around great center but he doesn't protect the rim all that well. Do you have plans on training his blocking skills?

We are broke, so all signs pointing to NERP.

Chris Christie, Star-Ledger: How do the players feel about being off and on the block like an Atlantic City hooker?

RPF wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 5:02 pm Chris Christie, Star-Ledger: How do the players feel about being off and on the block like an Atlantic City hooker?

At this point, they are just collecting a pay check and try to stay away from the dirt sheets.

Craig Biggio - Houston Chronicle: With all the moves your team has made the past two seasons, you still have a strong core with quality depth. Do you feel the capability is there to have a solid playoff team making it at least to the second round?

78# wrote:Craig Biggio - Houston Chronicle: With all the moves your team has made the past two seasons, you still have a strong core with quality depth. Do you feel the capability is there to have a solid playoff team making it at least to the second round?

Honestly, probably not.

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You mentioned you were disappointed in Kevin Seraphin's lack of effort... do you worry that is carrying over into the front office?

Nick Melon; The Advocate: Do you see Thomas Bedard as the future 4 of your franchise? How do Kyrie and Kanter feel consistently being off and on the trade block?

WigNosy wrote: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:21 pm You mentioned you were disappointed in Kevin Seraphin's lack of effort... do you worry that is carrying over into the front office?

We were only disappointed because he took such a leap last season. He came back down to earth (pretty much back down to where he started before last season's TC honestly) and that was disappointing. But he's still a good player for us and we foresee him being a contributor on this team.

NickMalone77 wrote: Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:14 pm Nick Melon; The Advocate: Do you see Thomas Bedard as the future 4 of your franchise? How do Kyrie and Kanter feel consistently being off and on the trade block?

Thomas Bedard is an interesting player. He's great on the boards, can score on the inside as well. In the interim, I think he's perfect to bring an offensive punch off the bench for us. Kanter is fine. Kyrie knows where we are at.

First off, how are you hoping to replace at least some of Gay's impact? Secondly, who will be starting at SF now that he's gone?

Xist2Inspire wrote:First off, how are you hoping to replace at least some of Gay's impact? Secondly, who will be starting at SF now that he's gone?

Kyrie will be our offensive focal point. Looking for a group effort from kanter, rubio and our bench. Hollis is the starting 3 and we are interested to see what he can bring to the table.

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If you could be any element on the periodic table of elements, which element would you be and why?