Post by Face-in on Jul 23, 2017 19:05:17 GMT -6
You've probably noticed by now that I did not quit. The truth is, it was all a lie. I never had any intention of quitting, I was just bored and wanted to make the offseason interesting with offers to include in this edition of the random rankings.
*Actually it wasn't all a lie, the freezing out of Majic was for real. So here we go, let's get back into it.
Rookies1. Donatas Zavackas
-Impressive scoring volume and incredible shooting percentages for a rookie. I doubt he’ll keep up the hot shooting during the regular season, but he should be able to still shoot 46/47%. Watson, Zavackas and Wynward is nice young group of young players. They could be a group to be reckoned with down the line if Yawn gets some FA luck or makes a big trade.
*Can we all agree to instantly move to the next iteration of the league if/once Yawn wins a title?
2. Rod Grizzard
-Great pick from Devine. The shooting and shot blocking were very good for a rookie wing, scoring volume was solid, but he needs to improve his rebounding and three-point shooting. He won’t be able to ever play SF averaging just 5 boards a game.
3. Majestic Mapp
-Was able to play PG during preseason even though he’s ineligible. Averaged a real impressive 2.0 TOPG for a rookie, with good rebounds and steals, also shot pretty well at 46.5%. Like most rookies he needs to improve his three-point shooting and scoring volume. Billy finally has a player to build around.
4. Russell Jones
-Good news is he shot better than we all expected, bad news is that he did not attempt a single three. If he still shoots this well it shouldn’t matter too much that he doesn’t take threes. Starting him at SF will be just like when people played centers at SF before the cheese rules.
5. Clifford Smith
-Speaking of cheese, I was disappointed with Method Man’s PS, I expected much better scoring and shooting. He only averaged 10 PPG so he’ll probably need +16 put into his inside scoring. The poor shooting could have easily been because he played PF, but it is concerning.
Contenders1. Pacers
-With the Royals losing Lewis, the Pacers should be the only dominant team in the east. They still have a Lue and Ewing, Niko and Cooper should be improved, and then there is all that depth. I expect them to win close to 65 and get the 1 seed pretty easily.
2. Suns
-Suns are stacked, for real now. Sexton and Lewis will make the best scoring tandem in the league, Svi is pretty solid, Frye/Bamba should be a good tandem of D/R bigs, Ebi is a good defensive wing off the bench, then there is Ike Diogu who is the best rebounder in the league and has become a good two-way big now that he blocks shots.
3. Jazz
-I’m a believer in Jazz in spite of how they finished last season. Dunn/Granger/Williams is a good perimeter trio and they still have Monk to come off the bench or play SG if Granger regresses. They should be the favorite to win the Midwest if their bigs can play some defense.
4. Spurs
-This team has become boring since it feels like they've been together for the last 5-6 seasons. Ball played great during the preseason and I really like their group four of D/R bigs. Their title chances will depend on if Jamison and Ellis can continue to average nearly 50 PPG on good shooting.
5. Hawks
-They finished last season pretty strong after a slow start, that backcourt is still one of the best in the league and they have some good D/R bigs with Zarko and Kristic. Their chances are helped due to the east looking mediocre.
6. Sonics
-Ridnour, Carter and Slava are all still elite, but my bench is awful again and I’m not confident in starting Devonta Davis at center.
*Knicks 52 is OTB (I’m serious this time) for a big or some depth.
7. Blazers
-Kaman was a good addition to help their struggling bigs. I'm not really sure why Majic gave up so much for Brown when he has two good wings with Bentl and Howard, but I do like this team and Jason D. Williams should be an MVP candidate.
8. Warriors
-Taco took a good amount of grief for his Josh Jackson trade, but he’s looking pretty smart now that Jackson is one of the better wings in the league. They could be a big climber if Luka takes a step and McGuire/Patton repeat their performances from last year.
*Actually it wasn't all a lie, the freezing out of Majic was for real. So here we go, let's get back into it.
3050 After Preseasaon
Rookies
-Impressive scoring volume and incredible shooting percentages for a rookie. I doubt he’ll keep up the hot shooting during the regular season, but he should be able to still shoot 46/47%. Watson, Zavackas and Wynward is nice young group of young players. They could be a group to be reckoned with down the line if Yawn gets some FA luck or makes a big trade.
*Can we all agree to instantly move to the next iteration of the league if/once Yawn wins a title?
2. Rod Grizzard
-Great pick from Devine. The shooting and shot blocking were very good for a rookie wing, scoring volume was solid, but he needs to improve his rebounding and three-point shooting. He won’t be able to ever play SF averaging just 5 boards a game.
3. Majestic Mapp
-Was able to play PG during preseason even though he’s ineligible. Averaged a real impressive 2.0 TOPG for a rookie, with good rebounds and steals, also shot pretty well at 46.5%. Like most rookies he needs to improve his three-point shooting and scoring volume. Billy finally has a player to build around.
4. Russell Jones
-Good news is he shot better than we all expected, bad news is that he did not attempt a single three. If he still shoots this well it shouldn’t matter too much that he doesn’t take threes. Starting him at SF will be just like when people played centers at SF before the cheese rules.
5. Clifford Smith
-Speaking of cheese, I was disappointed with Method Man’s PS, I expected much better scoring and shooting. He only averaged 10 PPG so he’ll probably need +16 put into his inside scoring. The poor shooting could have easily been because he played PF, but it is concerning.
Contenders
-With the Royals losing Lewis, the Pacers should be the only dominant team in the east. They still have a Lue and Ewing, Niko and Cooper should be improved, and then there is all that depth. I expect them to win close to 65 and get the 1 seed pretty easily.
2. Suns
-Suns are stacked, for real now. Sexton and Lewis will make the best scoring tandem in the league, Svi is pretty solid, Frye/Bamba should be a good tandem of D/R bigs, Ebi is a good defensive wing off the bench, then there is Ike Diogu who is the best rebounder in the league and has become a good two-way big now that he blocks shots.
3. Jazz
-I’m a believer in Jazz in spite of how they finished last season. Dunn/Granger/Williams is a good perimeter trio and they still have Monk to come off the bench or play SG if Granger regresses. They should be the favorite to win the Midwest if their bigs can play some defense.
4. Spurs
-This team has become boring since it feels like they've been together for the last 5-6 seasons. Ball played great during the preseason and I really like their group four of D/R bigs. Their title chances will depend on if Jamison and Ellis can continue to average nearly 50 PPG on good shooting.
5. Hawks
-They finished last season pretty strong after a slow start, that backcourt is still one of the best in the league and they have some good D/R bigs with Zarko and Kristic. Their chances are helped due to the east looking mediocre.
6. Sonics
-Ridnour, Carter and Slava are all still elite, but my bench is awful again and I’m not confident in starting Devonta Davis at center.
*Knicks 52 is OTB (I’m serious this time) for a big or some depth.
7. Blazers
-Kaman was a good addition to help their struggling bigs. I'm not really sure why Majic gave up so much for Brown when he has two good wings with Bentl and Howard, but I do like this team and Jason D. Williams should be an MVP candidate.
8. Warriors
-Taco took a good amount of grief for his Josh Jackson trade, but he’s looking pretty smart now that Jackson is one of the better wings in the league. They could be a big climber if Luka takes a step and McGuire/Patton repeat their performances from last year.
Breakout Players
1. Dajuan Wagner
-This season’s Frank Ntilikina, just look at these numbers (ignore the rebounding):
Dajuan WagnerPG 25 35.0 33.8 2.7 7.5 1.5 1.0 2.0 .511 .785 .435
2. Jalen Brunson
-He was looking like the 4th best PG in last season’s stacked PG class, but easily had the best preseason. Brunson averaged 32.6 PPG on 49% shooting. His scoring volume, shooting percentages and lack of defense makes me think he was built like Butch Lee, which I’m sure Fecta will happily take.
3. Doug Remer
-20s admitted that he has the same exact initial build as Coop Cooper and they now have nearly identical grades. Remer didn’t play during preseason, but I think it’s fair to expect similar or better numbers to what Cooper put up last season.
4. Mikki Moore
-I think Moore finally reaches his GBR potential this season (if Tim trades Leonard or Chandler) by becoming one of the better D/R bigs. During preseson, with starter’s he put up 12.6 RPG, 3.3 BPG and .9 SPG.
t5. Hamidou Diallo
-Somebody has to score on the god awful team. He averaged 25 PPG during preseason on 45% shooting, his 3P% was a respectable 38.9%. Most impressively he averaged 1.7 SPG, 1 BPG and a solid 7 rebounds.
t5. Antonio Blakeny
-It may be a year too early to predict he breaks out, however he’s well on his way to becoming Harold Miner 2.0 with those B+/A- scoring grades and he averaged 21.5 PPG this preseason. He doesn’t play any defense or rebound, but who cares if he can average 30+ a game.
Dajuan WagnerPG 25 35.0 33.8 2.7 7.5 1.5 1.0 2.0 .511 .785 .435
2. Jalen Brunson
-He was looking like the 4th best PG in last season’s stacked PG class, but easily had the best preseason. Brunson averaged 32.6 PPG on 49% shooting. His scoring volume, shooting percentages and lack of defense makes me think he was built like Butch Lee, which I’m sure Fecta will happily take.
3. Doug Remer
-20s admitted that he has the same exact initial build as Coop Cooper and they now have nearly identical grades. Remer didn’t play during preseason, but I think it’s fair to expect similar or better numbers to what Cooper put up last season.
4. Mikki Moore
-I think Moore finally reaches his GBR potential this season (if Tim trades Leonard or Chandler) by becoming one of the better D/R bigs. During preseson, with starter’s he put up 12.6 RPG, 3.3 BPG and .9 SPG.
t5. Hamidou Diallo
-Somebody has to score on the god awful team. He averaged 25 PPG during preseason on 45% shooting, his 3P% was a respectable 38.9%. Most impressively he averaged 1.7 SPG, 1 BPG and a solid 7 rebounds.
t5. Antonio Blakeny
-It may be a year too early to predict he breaks out, however he’s well on his way to becoming Harold Miner 2.0 with those B+/A- scoring grades and he averaged 21.5 PPG this preseason. He doesn’t play any defense or rebound, but who cares if he can average 30+ a game.
Offseason's Trades Offers
(Counting down from best to worst)
My Reasons for wanting to go to 5.0
(Counting down from best to worst)
12. Majic's second offer for Slava
Two Braves picks, Suns and Blazers picks for Slava
If I were selling under the normal circumstances and Majic wasn’t shunned I probably would have taken this. Those two Braves picks would have high value.
11. Majic's third offer for Slava
Vernon Maxwell, Braves 53, and Suns or Blazers firsts for Slava
Majic’s second of three offers for Slava, this is a solid offer as well with that Braves pick and because I am a Vernon Maxwell fan.
10. Majic's offer for Pierce
Braves 53, Suns 51 and 52 for Pierce
This was before the Suns landed Lewis in FA, but still the best offer for Pierce.
9. 2Poor's offer for Carter
1.16, Grizz 51, Kings 51, Kings 53 and 54
Good package of picks from 2Poor. Just like Majic’s best Slava offer, I may have taken this under normal circumstances.
8. JHB's offer for Carter
Hawks '53, Hawks '54, Braves '52 (guaranteed top 5 pick) and any of Willie Anderson, Donta Hall, De'Aaron Fox and Michael Williams resign (young cheap PG whose gone +11 since he was drafted by years ago)
Solid offer from JHB with the best sales pitch. Your welcome for the bulletin board material, Delap.
7. Spl's offer for Slava
Malik Monk
I like Monk and think he could be a nice starting PG for somebody, but I was asking for draft picks so
6. Pete's offer for Pierce
Steve Kerr and Miles Bridges for Pierce
I’m not sure which Bridges Pete was offering, but I’m going to assume it was Miles. Kerr could be good with starter’s minutes.
5. Majic's first offer for Slava
Suns 51 and 52
Decent offer since it was before the Suns became stacked.
t4. Eric's offer for Pierce
one first, two seconds, a cool 2000 dump bucks for Pierce
t4. Ward's offer for Pierce
My choice of any of his future firsts and 5k dump bucks
Eric wins the tiebreaker because of the two seconds, and Knicks picks > Rockets picks
3. KN's offers for Vince Carter
Bullets 53 and 54 for Carter's re-sign deal or Bullets 53-55 if I resigned him on a flat max
Thank god for Delap swooping in, I was going to have a hard time putting Kn at the bottom. And to be fair to Kn, he did start by saying I’d probably get better offers.
2. Delap's offer for Slava
David West and Suns 52
I don’t care how well West shot during preseason, he’s hot garbage and one of the weaker starting the bigs in the league due to how much he shoots and how he little he blocks shots.
One first isn't enough for Slava.
1. Delap's offer for Luke Ridnour
Nate Robinson and an unspecified first
Delap, why don’t you take a seat over there. It’s been a long time since I have seen or heard of a predatory offer like this. Ank has taught Delap well. An unspecified first round pick was to motivate me to go from:
Luke Ridnour PG 73 38.6 31.7 4.6 11.4 2.0 0.3 2.0 .516 .910 .464
to
Nate RobinsonPG 82 38.0 19.9 5.4 10.4 2.0 0.5 2.6 .462 .938 .415
This is easily the worst offer of the group and the worst that I have received in a very long time (not counting Eric’s troll offers).
Two Braves picks, Suns and Blazers picks for Slava
If I were selling under the normal circumstances and Majic wasn’t shunned I probably would have taken this. Those two Braves picks would have high value.
11. Majic's third offer for Slava
Vernon Maxwell, Braves 53, and Suns or Blazers firsts for Slava
Majic’s second of three offers for Slava, this is a solid offer as well with that Braves pick and because I am a Vernon Maxwell fan.
10. Majic's offer for Pierce
Braves 53, Suns 51 and 52 for Pierce
This was before the Suns landed Lewis in FA, but still the best offer for Pierce.
9. 2Poor's offer for Carter
1.16, Grizz 51, Kings 51, Kings 53 and 54
Good package of picks from 2Poor. Just like Majic’s best Slava offer, I may have taken this under normal circumstances.
8. JHB's offer for Carter
Hawks '53, Hawks '54, Braves '52 (guaranteed top 5 pick) and any of Willie Anderson, Donta Hall, De'Aaron Fox and Michael Williams resign (young cheap PG whose gone +11 since he was drafted by years ago)
Solid offer from JHB with the best sales pitch. Your welcome for the bulletin board material, Delap.
7. Spl's offer for Slava
Malik Monk
I like Monk and think he could be a nice starting PG for somebody, but I was asking for draft picks so
6. Pete's offer for Pierce
Steve Kerr and Miles Bridges for Pierce
I’m not sure which Bridges Pete was offering, but I’m going to assume it was Miles. Kerr could be good with starter’s minutes.
5. Majic's first offer for Slava
Suns 51 and 52
Decent offer since it was before the Suns became stacked.
t4. Eric's offer for Pierce
one first, two seconds, a cool 2000 dump bucks for Pierce
t4. Ward's offer for Pierce
My choice of any of his future firsts and 5k dump bucks
Eric wins the tiebreaker because of the two seconds, and Knicks picks > Rockets picks
3. KN's offers for Vince Carter
Bullets 53 and 54 for Carter's re-sign deal or Bullets 53-55 if I resigned him on a flat max
Thank god for Delap swooping in, I was going to have a hard time putting Kn at the bottom. And to be fair to Kn, he did start by saying I’d probably get better offers.
2. Delap's offer for Slava
David West and Suns 52
I don’t care how well West shot during preseason, he’s hot garbage and one of the weaker starting the bigs in the league due to how much he shoots and how he little he blocks shots.
One first isn't enough for Slava.
1. Delap's offer for Luke Ridnour
Nate Robinson and an unspecified first
Delap, why don’t you take a seat over there. It’s been a long time since I have seen or heard of a predatory offer like this. Ank has taught Delap well. An unspecified first round pick was to motivate me to go from:
Luke Ridnour PG 73 38.6 31.7 4.6 11.4 2.0 0.3 2.0 .516 .910 .464
to
Nate RobinsonPG 82 38.0 19.9 5.4 10.4 2.0 0.5 2.6 .462 .938 .415
This is easily the worst offer of the group and the worst that I have received in a very long time (not counting Eric’s troll offers).
My Reasons for wanting to go to 5.0
1. The Software
-This software is dumb to begin with, but what makes it much worse is that we know everything about it. We all know how to manipulate it with putting players at certain positions for better TCs, putting points as many points as we can into shot blocking for defense and inside scoring to juice scoring. Most of us are all trying to build the same type of team with three perimeter scorers and bigs that average 12+ boards and 3+ blocks. The league has devolved into glorified 3 on 3.
2. Not enough trades
-There’s probably a few factors here like GM apathy, a ton of equal talent in the league and draft picks have lost a lot of value. No matter what is the main cause, this is boring and a shell of what the league is when it’s running how it’s supposed to. The fun of the sim part of the league is buying/selling for your team, the ripple effects of big trades and judging what other GMs do. There is no point to selling right now because who cares about the players coming in and by the time they develop 4.0 will be just about over.
3. We’ve run out of draft classes
-These classes of mediocre college players are boring as hell. (I totally get why Heebs prefers to make these guys rather than novelty players, it’s really hard to make classes when you don’t have stats to base grades on. This was my main reason for stepping down as DM). It’s exciting when players like Jordan, Lebron, Barkley, Garnett, Magic, Iverson, etc are about to come into the league. It has to be brutal for 20s designing these guys now and feel like a chore.
4. We’re running out of GMs
-The Lakers officially don’t have a GM, Lip is "running" the Bulls until we can find somebody new, the Magic/Mavericks/T’Wolves may as well be run by the software and for god’s sake we just gave a team to Devine. There are some past GMs like Trofie, Bankz, Druce, probably Soup and Dump that come back to take teams for 5.0. Would be great to have those personalities back competing.
5. The Wheel
-I have my concerns and doubts about how a wheel format will do in sim, but I’m interested to see how things will play out. Between the mystery of the new software and uncertainty with the new wheel format, there be a lot of trades and player movement. Also, I don’t see why we can go back to some type of lotto system should the wheel be a disaster.
I'm ready to go to 5.0 ASAP, so I ask...
