#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Yet another preseason media presser for the Sacramento Kings franchise. Feels like we've had a lot of these over the years. Last season ultimately was a train wreck on top of other train wrecks. Let's take a closer look.

After last season having a full offseason of drafting talent and signing both Kirkendall and Udoka, I had a choice to make: do I sell the veterans for young assets or do I push my chips all in and sell the youth? I never went all in before but after having multiple trade discussions the market was open to buy talent in exchange for youth, so I decided to go all in. Up through the trade deadline we made a series of moves to obtain Bryce Dejean-Jones from the Spurs, Clifford Paugh from the 76ers, Cam Reddish from the Bucks, and many other bench-type players who filled out my team. The team had a record of 5-17 after sim 3 and sim-by-sim they began to improve.

Things were going great.

Then the All Star Break happened.

I'm not sure what happened and I've never seen a team get as many successive injuries in a row as what happened with the Kings last season. From the All Star Break through the playoffs where the Kings lost to the Lakers in the 1st round, I counted only two sims where there was no injury. It was a nightmare scenario and despite trying to fix the lineup we could never get a steady roster.

Going into the offseason there was nothing I could do until UFA. With the trio of BDJ/Udoka/Paugh I felt if I could just fill the team with solid players we can try again and hope for the best. I wanted to build a team that could score and defend so I targeted guys that can fit the team build.

I was able to sign Richard Kowalczyk from the Knicks who is a great center with the ability to hit the 3. Having him to pair with Udoka should be fun as Udoka also showed an ability to hit the 3 last season. We also brought back Melson who I really liked last season since bringing him on from the Spurs. He'll be an excellent backup 4 and needed depth.

Also brought back Reddish as I just wanted a wing who can defend and like his ability to play either the SF or SG position. To fill out the roster we signed guys who can shoot the 3 and defend like Frank Jackson, Eric Koch, Morgan Haivland, and David Logsdon. If last season taught the me anything it's that you need a good group of backups to fill in at any moment.

I hope to make the playoffs. Any questions?

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Barring any parade of injuries, do you feel the Kings are the frontrunners in the Johnson division? And if not the Kings, who do you think that would most likely be?

garbageman wrote:Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Barring any parade of injuries, do you feel the Kings are the frontrunners in the Johnson division? And if not the Kings, who do you think that would most likely be?

Not to be gross if I can go relatively healthy this season then the rest of this division would be considered lucky enough to catch a whiff of my ass from up top, God willing.


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Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Do you see this as being BDJs team, or are you expecting a player like Udoka or Paugh to step up and be the best player on the roster?

What kind of season will it take for the sad clown to go away?

Alex Sayuck - Laser Eye Basketball Magazine

Prior to last season BDJ was one of the few ironmen of PBSL. Was it a blip in the radar (hopefully not AB's radar) or do you plan to exercise some load management techniques this season to ensure he is ready for the playoffs?

I think most people would agree that you have put together a very good roster around your core 3 considering your lack of cap space or assets coming into the off-season. Still, are there any spots you would still hope to strengthen if the opportunity arises?

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AngryBanana wrote:Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Do you see this as being BDJs team, or are you expecting a player like Udoka or Paugh to step up and be the best player on the roster?

It’s definitely BDJ’s team. Despite losing that purple color he actually didn’t get hit that hard. I still expect him to be an All NBA 1st or 2nd teamer by the end of the season and with all the weapons we have on offense I don’t see why he can’t. Paugh and Udoka are still going to be monumental to any success we have, but this is BDJs team.


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false9 wrote:What kind of season will it take for the sad clown to go away?

I AM the sad clown.


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Keepit100 wrote:Alex Sayuck - Laser Eye Basketball Magazine

Prior to last season BDJ was one of the few ironmen of PBSL. Was it a blip in the radar (hopefully not AB's radar) or do you plan to exercise some load management techniques this season to ensure he is ready for the playoffs?

He had plenty of load management last season while he sat with a dislocated knee. Expect him to play at least 42 mpg due to unnecessary and untimely rest.


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MexicanMamba wrote:I think most people would agree that you have put together a very good roster around your core 3 considering your lack of cap space or assets coming into the off-season. Still, are there any spots you would still hope to strengthen if the opportunity arises?

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I actually can’t think of any right now. Starting 5 is as strong of a team as I ever put together and I really like the backups I have. Several of them were on the team last season so I know what they can bring to the table. I’ll still look around the market for any backups that may fit my team build (defender, versatility, 3P shot) and if anybody comes up I’ll definitely make an attempt to acquire.


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Greeple here, live from the airport:

Whereas you were a threat last year minus the injuries, you're an army this year with incredible players even signing vet mins to help put you over the top! You said the Lakers can't sniff your butt, but we can, and we will. Who else do you expect to see contending with you in the finals from Alpha and, if you go all the way, Omega??

I see you left Kenrich off your depth conversation. Is he on the outs? Also, can you call me daddy? Cuz ur mum would like that if you started accepting it.

Random Reporter: With BDJ showing slight signs of aging, Reddish and Rich K being on one-year deals, and last season's implosion still fresh in memory, is a title necessary for you to call this season a success?

greepleairport wrote: Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:48 pm Greeple here, live from the airport:

Whereas you were a threat last year minus the injuries, you're an army this year with incredible players even signing vet mins to help put you over the top! You said the Lakers can't sniff your butt, but we can, and we will. Who else do you expect to see contending with you in the finals from Alpha and, if you go all the way, Omega??

Alpha conference has a lot of good teams. I would honestly put your Lakers team at the top of the conference. People are making a big deal out of one of my signings, but you went to the Finals and your young guys are better than last year. Nets and Bucks in the conference will be good and Magic will still be around.

In the end it's still the Raptors championship to lose. Two unbeatable players.

IamQuailman wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:01 am I see you left Kenrich off your depth conversation. Is he on the outs? Also, can you call me daddy? Cuz ur mum would like that if you started accepting it.

No u

Xist2Inspire wrote: Sun Apr 05, 2020 10:53 am Random Reporter: With BDJ showing slight signs of aging, Reddish and Rich K being on one-year deals, and last season's implosion still fresh in memory, is a title necessary for you to call this season a success?

I would say yeah. Not in the typical sense of anything else is a failure but you don't go all in with a tax bill and vets and think an early round exit is a success. As long as I have fun it would be a success. Last season started off fun but like you mentioned with the implosion that became not so fun. Not a whole lot you can do but reconfigure the depth chart and think "It can't happen again." only for it to happen again but much worse every time.

A healthy season would be a success.