#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Its been a while since I've dusted off the old podium and made an address to the media in advance of a new season. The last few years, despite our team's talent and success, have been difficult for me. So difficult to the point that I almost decided to step away from the league entirely. Fortunately, some of the good folks around the league took the time to reach out and talked some sense into me. So I'll be sticking around for a bit. My other option was to "retire" and create a Pedro account to run this team... no one's done that before, right!?

Anyway, after my ineptitude led to Cliff Paugh's early departure last offseason from the Milwaukee Bucks, we pivoted to all around big swingmen, investing in Cam Reddish and Carl Howard as our future at the wing. It worked for us, with the help of another key signing (and homecoming) of big man Chieck Diallo. However, we needed to make another move to put us over the top. But after a few solid deals fell through and my confidence in steering this team in the direction it needed to be headed, we managed to secure one of our best free agent signings in our history: Josh Schumann. Schumann is one of the top up-and-coming forwards in the league, and due to contract timing, he was not eligible for the contraction draft. Had he been in the contraction draft, he would have been most definitely a top 3 pick. However, fortunately he was set to be an RFA this offseason until Grizzlies contraction made him a UFA. He hit the open market and apparently took our meeting first... and it ended up being his only meeting. We are thrilled to insert him not only into our Forward rotation... but also into the starting line-up. He came into training camp in the best shape of his young career, looking even bigger and better than we had ever anticipated.

With all the buzz surrounding Josh, it's easy for our other signings to take a small back seat. But I don't want to ignore our depth in our front court! The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is back in the house for a few more seasons. We love having him as our anchor down low next to Chieck Diallo, while King continues to grow as a player. We brought in additional guys like Tony Ellis and Wiley Paris, to provide the depth we need at interior scoring, rebounding and rim defense.

Lastly, we drafted a young fella in John Rainbolt who we really like as a backup guard for De'Aaron Fox. Having another facilitator on the court will also us some flexibility in how we use Fox in our offense. He had to play PG out of necessity, but now this allows us some leeway to play with a small ball lineup.

Any questions?

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Bucks used to be one of the most trade-friendly teams in the entire league. Why do you think so many deals fell through this offseason? Do you think the eventual deals that your potential trade partners made were better than what you offered?

Would you consider yourself the favorite to win the Mourning Division?

garbageman wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:42 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Bucks used to be one of the most trade-friendly teams in the entire league. Why do you think so many deals fell through this offseason? Do you think the eventual deals that your potential trade partners made were better than what you offered?

Those are some interesting questions. I think the GMs involved each wanted to make a move that best worked out for their team. Obviously I like to think my offer was better than the competition, but I don't know the full picture/scope of their plan so maybe what I had going didn't really mesh with the future state. I understand it and respect it. Doesn't mean I can't let it get me frustrated... just part of the game we all play. I know it's never personal.

false9 wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:44 pm Would you consider yourself the favorite to win the Mourning Division?

This division is tougher that we all think. Nets had a great season last year and got better this year. The Knicks, despite all the tax debt, have a squad that is the epitome of win-now (because they are about to be in Louie/Chad territory for a while lol). Never can count the Magic out of the mix... they are full tricks AND ASSETS TO MAKE GAME-CHANGING MOVES. The Sixers and Cavs... they are interesting teams that I think aren't final products. Not sure how all the pieces fit but I wouldn't be surprised if they were above-.500. All that said, Frye yeah, I'mma win the Division.

Is my man King Kaldur'ahm about ready for the big time ???

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Are you happy with the circumstances of being in the same division as your long-time rival Knicks at a moment where you've both seem to be peaking?

NOLa. wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:44 pm Are you happy with the circumstances of being in the same division as your long-time rival Knicks at a moment where you've both seem to be peaking?

The only thing peeking is him peeking at deez nuts sitting square on his forehead.

MexicanMamba wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:18 pm Is my man King Kaldur'ahm about ready for the big time ???

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King is certainly going to be competing for a spot as a scoring contributor off the bench for us this year, but he requires a bit more polishing in other areas if he’s really going see a significant boost in minutes.