#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Hi everyone. I'd like to begin by taking a quick look back.

Last season, we pushed all our chips in for Paul George, James Harden, and Thomas Robinson. We won 52 games, the most in my tenure, and had a winning record after having five consecutive losing seasons. All of that was tempered by a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. To me, the season was a failure.

Entering the offseason, it was clear there was a hole in the front court. We had an optimal target in mind, and when the opportunity came to trade for Deandre Jordan, we did not hesitate. It came at great cost, but we are happy with the acquisition. We were also pleased to bring back Paul George, James Harden, Dario Saric, and Marcus Smart. Nic Batum, Jae Crowder, and Aaron Brooks will provide steadying hands off the bench.

With this group and this payroll, there is one clear goal for us. It's title or bust.

I'll take your questions now.

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: When you look back at your series against the Milwaukee Bucks, it's a bit of a shock that the Magic got swept. Is there anything in particular that stood out in this series as a learning experience?

How can this team build on last year? Do you think you can contend for the Eastern Conference Championship?

garbageman wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:00 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: When you look back at your series against the Milwaukee Bucks, it's a bit of a shock that the Magic got swept. Is there anything in particular that stood out in this series as a learning experience?

There may have been a bit of naïveté in game planing. Having been told repeatedly that the playoffs are a different animal than the regular season, we may have diverged too much from what was a good regular season forumula in game planning for the first 2 games, and there were shifts with George/Saric/Smart that we decided not to submit for games 3-4. I hope we can avoid any painful lessons this season.

Inner_GI wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:13 pm How can this team build on last year? Do you think you can contend for the Eastern Conference Championship?

It's title or bust for us, but it will certainly be a challenge. As stated in the Skype chat, the East is a bloodbath. It could be argued that there are many as six title contenders in the conference. We have the talent to compete though.

How much of an impact do you expect DeAndre Jordan to make compared to Thomas Robinson? How will this change your offensive dynamic?

Was the trade for DeAndre simply a trade to acquire more talent, or was it to try and get a defensive anchor to attempt to slow down Anthony Davis if you ran into him in the playoffs?


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digiskunk wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:48 pm How much of an impact do you expect DeAndre Jordan to make compared to Thomas Robinson? How will this change your offensive dynamic?

He brings a bit more athleticism than Robinson. I think this will manifest itself on the offensive boards.

NOLa. wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 2:03 pm Was the trade for DeAndre simply a trade to acquire more talent, or was it to try and get a defensive anchor to attempt to slow down Anthony Davis if you ran into him in the playoffs?


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While he'd be a great matchup against AD, Jordan brings a presence on the boards and defensively that will be appreciable against everyone.

Did you feel the Aaron Brooks signing was more important to your title hopes for what he adds to Orlando or what it removes from Detroit?

Realistically, this team on paper should be the favorite to win it all, despite how dominant Anthony Davis is. What would you say to GMs who dismiss you and say "well until he does something, I don't care who he has playing for him. If he can't game plan he might as well be the Jazz"?

DarthVegito wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:16 pm"If he can't game plan he might as well be the Jazz"?

You keep saying it’s title or bust , but you’ve failed to make it out of the second round during your tenure as a gm. What makes you think you know what it takes to win a championship to put such high stakes on this team ? What did you learn least year to make you know these stakes are the right stakes and not lip service ? (I know this comes across as snarky but I’m not meaning it that way!)

DarthVegito wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:16 pm Realistically, this team on paper should be the favorite to win it all, despite how dominant Anthony Davis is. What would you say to GMs who dismiss you and say "well until he does something, I don't care who he has playing for him. If he can't game plan he might as well be the Jazz"?

ballsohard wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:55 pm You keep saying it’s title or bust , but you’ve failed to make it out of the second round during your tenure as a gm. What makes you think you know what it takes to win a championship to put such high stakes on this team ? What did you learn least year to make you know these stakes are the right stakes and not lip service ? (I know this comes across as snarky but I’m not meaning it that way!)

I'm taking out two birds with one stone here-

To those who would dismiss me- you are absolutely entitled to do so. Champions are crowned in June, not the offseason. Until I win something, I can understand why an outsider would bet on a more experienced GM. But I'm willing to be on me; otherwise I might as well go on CRUISE CONTROL.

The stakes are more a function of the timetable of players' age and salaries. Being a GM is a continual learning process, and last year was no different. In terms of there regular season, there were players who could fit certain roles in DCs and those that were not successful, and I discussed the playoffs above. It's safe to say there will probably be more learning as this season goes on- I aspire for it to end differently.

Word is that Marcus Smart's taken huge strides in training camp this offseason, and has really responded to the faith you've had in him. What kind of role will he play this season, and what are you hoping he'll be able to bring to the team?

WigNosy wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:43 pm Did you feel the Aaron Brooks signing was more important to your title hopes for what he adds to Orlando or what it removes from Detroit?

It's more for what he adds here, I expect quality backup minutes and a different looks from Marcus when he's in the game. Detroit seems to have a suitable replacement in Vasquez.

With your current roster do you think you can win the East and do you plan on making any future moves this season?

Eazy P wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:41 pm With your current roster do you think you can win the East and do you plan on making any future moves this season?

I think the team as constructed is good enough. It's hard to envision anymore more moves, simply because the only tradable parts are DJ, PG, Harden and fringe players. But if anyone is on sale for some sweet points or second rounders, that's a different story.

Do you put any stock in going undefeated in the preseason? Were the rotations pretty similiar to what you plan on running during the regular season?

Conroy wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 2:12 pm Do you put any stock in going undefeated in the preseason? Were the rotations pretty similiar to what you plan on running during the regular season?

The lineup looked to be about what I will roll out on opening night. I hope we'll match our preseason performance, but I take these results with a grain of salt. I'd also expect the rest of the East to look much better.