#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

General Manager Inner_GI approached the podium for the first time since 2016...

Inner_GI: Good morning everyone, I'm joined by Gary Harris and Nikola Jokic today. We are here to answer any questions about the upcoming season, but first let me just bring everyone up to speed.

Last season ended with 4 injuries to our starting 5. Needless to say, the team was not pleased to have our title hopes thwarted by injuries. We felt we had a shot at returning to the finals. We did capture our 3rd straight division title as consolation. Going into the offseason, I sat down with these two great players on either side of me to discuss their plans and the New York Knicks. They were adamant on staying with the team, if we secured Jeremy Lin's services long term. He's the leader on the court.

In the off-season we looked to sign both Jokic and Harris to competitive and team friendly deals. It gives me great pleasure to have both of those players agree to stay in New York. Jokic even declined a max offer from Sacramento. After RFA, we brought back long time Knick, Jeremy Lin to another team friendly deal and Tyson Chandler on a one year deal. After that, we focused on signing quality depth at every position to reduce the regular season workload on the starting 5.

I'll hand it over to Jokic, now.

Nikola: I just want to say thank you to this organization for believing in me, and for signing me to a long term deal well above what I was asking for. I've come back to the facilities more focused than ever. I'm working extremely hard on every aspect of my game. I hope this year is my breakout season. The New York Knicks are just getting started.

Inner_GI: Gary, would you like to add anything?

Gary: I echo what Nik said, we've been on together for 3 years now, and he's a great teammate and a great friend. When he decided he was staying in New York over the move to Sacramento, I called my agent and told him to sign any offer from the Knicks. This is home. Hopefully these past 3 years are just the beginning for this organization. The eastern conference is going to be difficult test this year, but nothing easy is worth doing. Let's GO!

Inner_GI: Alright, any questions?

You won the Atlantic last year. Do you see a team in the Atlantic ready to challenge you for the crown?

Has the successful contract negotiation, solid training camp and a small hit to Anthony Davis' currents help push you to decide 100% to compete for the title? There were rumors you may rebuild this season.

Your roster is currently at 15 players and $2.7 million over the apron. Will there be a conscious effort to reset tax repeater status this season?

WigNosy wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 10:03 am You won the Atlantic last year. Do you see a team in the Atlantic ready to challenge you for the crown?

I think this year is the 76ers' year to win. Hopefully we don't make it easy.

NOLa. wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 12:18 pm Has the successful contract negotiation, solid training camp and a small hit to Anthony Davis' currents help push you to decide 100% to compete for the title? There were rumors you may rebuild this season.

We are still looking to rebuild around Jokic and Harris. We'd love to add some more young talent, and because we are forced to reset the tax, I'm not sure we can challenge for the title, but you never know what happens if you make it to the playoffs.

false9 wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 12:27 pm Your roster is currently at 15 players and $2.7 million over the apron. Will there be a conscious effort to reset tax repeater status this season?

We will 100% be resetting the tax this year. so expect some trades or cuts.

What is currently holding the Knicks back from winning the PBSL Finals this upcoming season?

digiskunk wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:55 pm What is currently holding the Knicks back from winning the PBSL Finals this upcoming season?

The tax. We couldn't make all the moves we wanted this year because of the potential of paying a 4 year tax repeater.

Nikola , you’ve had some ups and downs in tc; can you talk about your tc this year and you’re reemergence ?

Right now, you have a competitive team, but not one that looks as strong as it has in years past. As it stands, I'd say the Knicks are a playoff lock, but if you aren't banking on a championship, will we see guys like Jeremy Lin finishing the season in a Knicks jersey?

ballsohard wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:41 pm Nikola , you’ve had some ups and downs in tc; can you talk about your tc this year and you’re reemergence ?

After the way last year ended with the team suffering a plethora of injuries, I took it upon myself to work as hard as I can this offseason. I skip my vacation to stay in New York and work with Gary.

garbageman wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:34 pm Right now, you have a competitive team, but not one that looks as strong as it has in years past. As it stands, I'd say the Knicks are a playoff lock, but if you aren't banking on a championship, will we see guys like Jeremy Lin finishing the season in a Knicks jersey?

Jeremy has been the lead man in New York for 6 seasons. He's our PG. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know, if anyone wants to acquire Lin's talent, they better be ready to pay. He's a great player and a great teammate.

Chandler Parsons had a solid pre-season despite his dropoff in TC. Do you feel he will be a key contributor on this team throughout the season or do you seem him as trade bait during the year?

78# wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:26 am Chandler Parsons had a solid pre-season despite his dropoff in TC. Do you feel he will be a key contributor on this team throughout the season or do you seem him as trade bait during the year?

Chandler Parsons has always been under appreciated by the league. He's the glue to this team. We like his flexibility between the 3 and 4 positions, so we'd like to keep him as a Knick, but as I've before, the Knicks are in transition and if someone makes an offer for Parsons that helps this franchise, we will consider it.

Are the reports of the front office intentionally tanking this season just rumors?

IamQuailman wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:13 pm Are the reports of the front office intentionally tanking this season just rumors?