#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

It's time once again for another season of Knicks basketball and also for another Knicks preseason press conference that most likely will be read dramatically on Horns & Fangs. We've got an interesting batch of players on the team this season. We're set up good long term with what we have. Basically to sum it up we're taking a team depth and rotation approach. Scott Bulter, Ronald Jordan, Harold Bye, Armando Gilkey, Michael Evan, Ken Quackenbush, Adam Mokoka, John McIntyre, and Modestine Degrimonpon are going to be the main focal points of the team this season. We've got good depth and the rest of the roster are a good mix of role players and scorers. James Hilburn, Matthew O'Connor, Arthur Lujan, Randell Russell, and Eugenio Wentz make up a solid roster. Now I know the team doesn't look like a powerhouse on paper but we do have one thing that's lurking right there but is likely being overlooked. Every player on this team averages over 4.5 points per game in their career but to be fair all but one player averages more than 10 minutes per game playing time. If we can improve our rebounding and assists numbers from last season we will be doing good this season. Well to sum up my thoughts on that it means we have a solid rotation but we lack the big three that made this team a winner many seasons ago. That is my plan for this team long term but I know everyone thinks I'm crazy and have no clue what I'm doing. That said we have our solid rotation but need to find our other big two to team up with Bulter, one forward and one guard, to have the big three that we need to win a second Knicks championship. In conclusion we're definitely rebuilding this year. Last season I had the right idea but the big three that we had all played the same position so it was a disaster. Now we're set to make it happen next season at worst in all scenarios without getting into tax hell and barring the draft auto picker computer being high on crystal meth again like it was this season. This season I think we'll surprise a few people with how we play. We have a better overall roster set up than the previous two seasons but we will have to really do a lot to make the playoffs except of course if we have a big three step up and lead us there. It will depend mainly on team chemistry and morale plus staying healthy. Injuries can derail a season even worse than TC deaths and the numerous leg injuries that have happened in recent seasons. I'm looking forward to a great season for the Knicks and hoping for the best.

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: It seems that you have placed some high praise on Bulter, for good reason, and plan for him to be in your teams future for the next few season. With him being on the last year of his deal, do you plan to offer him a max contract to retain him in the offseason?

AngryBanana wrote: Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:48 pm Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: It seems that you have placed some high praise on Bulter, for good reason, and plan for him to be in your teams future for the next few season. With him being on the last year of his deal, do you plan to offer him a max contract to retain him in the offseason?

Most likely yes. We need a good big to build around and I think it's him. We need a Jokic type Center to pair up with two more stars and I think we can do it. I've got the roleplayers good to go just need the big three.

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: If you could trade for any two players to put around Scot Bulter for your big three, who would they be and why?

garbageman wrote: Sat Dec 12, 2020 5:00 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: If you could trade for any two players to put around Scot Bulter for your big three, who would they be and why?

Honestly I'd rather try in free agency than doing a trade. Less risk, more reward. Also less sliminess but that's another story. I did try for some free agents this season but they signed for other teams.

No trades? The market went from Not to Hot in a few days. Would you have been more willing to trade before any slimy deals emerged this offseason?

greepleairport wrote: Sat Dec 12, 2020 9:06 pm No trades? The market went from Not to Hot in a few days. Would you have been more willing to trade before any slimy deals emerged this offseason?

Not really. A lot of the trade market were fake blues and good players on the decline or with atrocious contracts. The free agent options weren't the best either with only one purple in it.

The Knicks have struggled in several team defensive categories for a few seasons now, particularly in points allowed as they have ranked in the bottom 5 for two consecutive seasons.

You were able to land Scott Bulter and Modestine Degrimonpon to help with the frontcourt, but the Knicks' backcourt looks like it will still have defensive issues this season. Are you aiming to fix this via paid training or by designing new defensive schemes to highlight the frontcourt's strength?

Three seasons ago you mentioned using free agency as the way to add talent and you would wreck the league. Since then you’ve produce 7 win and 21 win seasons. This is lead to widespread criticism that you’re a cheapskate at the negotiation table with free agents and trading. Does you lack of progress make you recalibrate your strategy a little ?

K-100 wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:55 am The Knicks have struggled in several team defensive categories for a few seasons now, particularly in points allowed as they have ranked in the bottom 5 for two consecutive seasons.

You were able to land Scott Bulter and Modestine Degrimonpon to help with the frontcourt, but the Knicks' backcourt looks like it will still have defensive issues this season. Are you aiming to fix this via paid training or by designing new defensive schemes to highlight the frontcourt's strength?

Maybe new schemes but most likely just going to have to tough it out this season and upgrade next season.

ballsohard wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 7:38 am Three seasons ago you mentioned using free agency as the way to add talent and you would wreck the league. Since then you’ve produce 7 win and 21 win seasons. This is lead to widespread criticism that you’re a cheapskate at the negotiation table with free agents and trading. Does you lack of progress make you recalibrate your strategy a little ?

No because I'm not trading for 33 or older year old soon to be dead in TC players who are on $50 million contracts or trading for contract dump bench bums like I used to. I recalibrated my strategy this season just couldn't get the players I wanted but I did get the supporting cast and roleplayers good to go. I guess I'll have to offer better contracts in free agency next season but if I don't think they're worth a supermax contract I'm not paying it.

You highlighted Matthew O'Connor as a solid role player. He appears to have bounced back with training camp, but recommended preseason depth charts have him inactive. Do you plan on being more hands on to get players like him playing time or do you trust "recommended" to deliver the results you expect?