#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Hey all -

Back again in Philly. Recapping last season, I finished the last presser making no promises about this team making the playoffs because I just wanted to continue developing my stable of prospects that were anchored by my newly acquired UFA Ernest Long. The season was humming along and the Sixers were sticking around the #7 seed with Orlando and Brooklyn and managing to hover around .500 for much of the first half of the season. Then it happened.

In a humdrum game against the Spurs in January, after a routine breakaway dunk, much like his days at Dayton, Obi Toppin landed awkwardly and immediately crumpled in pain. Snap. Crackle. Pop. His leg was shattered. His potentials dropped across the board and when AB broke the news to me via text I couldnt believe it. With a gaping hole at SG, I decided I wouldnt want to just throw in the towel and wait another season. The Process had to be adjusted. So I decided to start trading, even if it meant going into the tax. My 2036 1 netted Josh Hart from Minnesota and my new prospect, Daniel Oturu netted me a group of bench players and points from OKC. Fortunately, for me the playoff landscape in my conference had also shifted during this time. I was able to go on a mini-run right at the end and finished the season at 43-39, one game ahead of Brooklyn, and clinched the last playoff spot in the Alpha Conference. My opponent was my division foe, the Milwaukee Bucks. It was a tough series. Well, for me at least. The Bucks swept us and completely destroyed me in every game. It was ugly.

Fast forward to the offseason. Quailman was definitely a gamer to continue engaging in trade talks even after I brushed him off with a curt, "Nah bro" and we quickly agreed on a trade for Justin Rodriquez. Rodriquez had torched me in the playoffs so it was nice to acquire him even though I had to part with my frontcourt in Ernest Long and my glue guy, Mamadi Diakite. Despite losing em, it will be fun to face off against them in the years to come. I was able to use my newfound cap space in UFA snagged Cliff Paugh on a 1+1 and managed to steal Conrad McRae from Milwaukee to get some nice revenge on him for the playoff sweep. Definitely looking forward to continue playing some 4D chess with the Bucks this season with our new frontcourts.

Training camp went as expected. Winston and Wiseman surged, Obi, Rodriquez, and McRae held steady, and my vets for the most part survived Father Time. I'm excited for this season even in a tough division. The Bucks and Magic are still better squads while the Nets and Cavs are cooking up some serious fire in the kitchen with their prospects and the Knicks won about 20 more games last season than I thought they would so I am expecting Dr. Recommend to shock and awe yet again. But overall, I am looking forward to build off last year's surprise playoff appearance and hopefully last longer than 2 playoff sims this time.

Projected lineup
C: Conrad McRae
PF: James Wiseman
SF: Justin Rodriquez
SG: Cliff Paugh
PG: Cassius Winston

Any questions?

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With the Bucks having an uncharacteristically stumbling offseason and the Magic dropping Bronny James to retool around Ronnie Reynolds, Richard Hunt, and a still-young Joshua Schumann, the 76ers squad looks like they're favored to win the Mourning Division. If the teams stayed as they were, which team from your conference would give you the most problems?

With 3 of your projected starting 5 having played for the Bucks, do you expect to trade for any other of his players like Ja Morant? What about Bucks players do you like most.

Building off Sham here, You do look like the favored Mourning division winner. It's Obi's last rookie contract year and he could be starting for most teams in this league. Where does Obi fit into this equation? How about years to come?

You’ve been a favorite to win and ended up in the lotto- what’s different now ?

garbageman wrote: Sun Aug 30, 2020 2:37 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With the Bucks having an uncharacteristically stumbling offseason and the Magic dropping Bronny James to retool around Ronnie Reynolds, Richard Hunt, and a still-young Joshua Schumann, the 76ers squad looks like they're favored to win the Mourning Division. If the teams stayed as they were, which team from your conference would give you the most problems?

The Washington Wizards. I cant figure em out. The computer recs cant figure em out. I get destroyed every time I play em. I think my squad is a just a poor man's version of theirs. One day, I'll knock them out. Just not tomorrow.

greepleairport wrote: Sun Aug 30, 2020 4:00 pm Building off Sham here, You do look like the favored Mourning division winner. It's Obi's last rookie contract year and he could be starting for most teams in this league. Where does Obi fit into this equation? How about years to come?

Prior to the injury, I viewed Obi as Robin to Wiseman's Batman. Oh how things have changed. I see him as a valuable 6th man this season with Paugh handling SG duties. Moving past this season, he is still a major cog in the operation. I'm excited to see him return from his injury and ready to unleash him now that the docs have cleared him.

ballsohard wrote: Sun Aug 30, 2020 4:34 pm You’ve been a favorite to win and ended up in the lotto- what’s different now ?

A little more wiser this time is all.

NOLa. wrote: Sun Aug 30, 2020 3:48 pm With 3 of your projected starting 5 having played for the Bucks, do you expect to trade for any other of his players like Ja Morant? What about Bucks players do you like most.

What are the main benefits of having Paugh starting over Obi instead of having him being a true super sub off the bench ?

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MexicanMamba wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2020 6:47 am What are the main benefits of having Paugh starting over Obi instead of having him being a true super sub off the bench ?

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I like the slightly better efficiency Paugh brings to the offense, at the expense of defensive coverage Toppin offers at the 2 spot. I may need to readjust that thinking as the season progresses because I dont see myself winning shootout after shootout every night if my defense does not improve in the regular season.

Congrats on winning out trade and the division! Is it anything but sunny in Philadelphia for the coming years?

IamQuailman wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2020 1:05 pm Congrats on winning out trade and the division! Is it anything but sunny in Philadelphia for the coming years?

But I sure as hell hope so