Post by SPL on Oct 30, 2015 8:28:41 GMT -6
I am starting a series of articles where I am going to interview different people in the league. I decided that I would start things off with the man in control. From here on out, I would like to hear from you in who you would like to hear from next. So please respond and let me know. Thanks and I hope it turns out to be a good read.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living or fun when not masterminding the sim league?
I’m pretty much your typical sim leaguer. I enjoy sports and they take up a big majority of my time. I’m not your typical 33 year old as I’m not married nor do I have any kids, and I really don’t see any of that in my near future. I enjoy whiskey, but mostly just of the Canadian variety. My go to whiskeys are Crown Royal and Forty Creek, although Crown has been dominating the scene lately. I manage an Oilfield Supply store here in Texas and I’ve been in the oilfield industry around a decade.
Can you tell me a little bit about what brought you into the sim league?
I was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2010 meeting up with some guys (Bankz, Dbl, BRC, Heel, others) for a TMB tailgate for the Bama/PSU game. We rented a condo at the Chimes, partied, stole ice, and even called Greg Mcelroy a pussy to his face. Early on in the trip I was in the main living room when Bankz and Heel were talking about “free agency” and all the players that were signing with different teams. I was a seasoned vet in the online game Goalline Blitz so hearing of a league like that definitely piqued my interest. After talking about the league a little bit with Bankz, I let him know my interest, and he said he would get me on the waiting list. Shortly after the trip I found myself as GM of the Toronto Raptors.
How did it evolve to you becoming the role of commissioner?
As we progressed through the leagues I became more and more involved with the back end stuff helping out the commish with anything they needed. This started with MJ, and it continued with Odin. Odin had a good and long tenure and had enough (understandable), and we needed a replacement to move on. Odin expressed that he felt that 20s, Ian, or myself would be good candidates to take over the league. Neither of us were thrilled to that idea due to a variety of reasons, but after some serious thought, and stability of the league, I decided to take the reins.
Take us behind the scenes, this sim league has chewed up a lot of commissioners over the time, for some that don't know, what are some of the things you have to deal with?
I don’t think there is one thing you can point to and complain as “I have to deal with”. It’s more of a grind. A grind that wears you down a little bit more each day. I compare it to brakes on a car. If you ever get to the point as a commish that the brakes are metal on metal, it’s time to replace the rotor. Other than that, I still find the league a lot of fun, but some of the work just gets really tedious.
You have been doing this for sometime now, in your opinion, what is the best sim team of all time and why?
The 3005 Mavericks are my pick for the best sim league team of all time. The team started 5 eventual hall of famers (all within their prime), and had arguably the greatest sim league player of all time in David Thompson. Several seasons ago when Odin was a commish, he ran a tournament of champions using the championship teams from the years past. The ’05 Mavs walked away winners of that tournament. There truly wasn’t a weak spot on that team.
If you could form the perfect starting 5 of any players from the past or current, which 5 would you choose and why?
PG – David Thompson (stud, my first round creation pick, arguable greatest sim player)
SG – Rick Barry (completely underrated due to years played, complete all around game)
SF – Stanley Robinson (centerpiece of Rockets dynasty)
PF – Emeka Okafor (double/double machine, defensive stud)
C - Bill Walton (take that Eric, finally got him)
Back when you were an owner, you were fairly successful. What made you so successful? What did you look for in players? Any hidden secrets you are willing to share?
I think a big part of me being successful is being active. You’d be surprised how many deals I got done because I was in shout all the time and would notice when someone would shout “player x” on the trade block, or post a trade block. When GMs are to that point, they are usually wanting to make moves fast, so pouncing on the offer first is usually a big advantage. I won’t share what I look for in players as I probably will be a GM again one day, but I will tell you to be proactive in looking at other GMs rosters constantly. Look for guys that you like that aren’t being used, and make offers on those guys. The worst they can say is no. Also, be available to help GMs. Be nice to GMs in interactions. That goes a long way when talking trades, and can often factor in to that GM choosing your deal over another.
The Ank rule for SG has created some buzz, what are your thoughts on the rule?
I get what Ank is saying and I agree, however there just wasn’t much support for him throughout the league to where it justified making the change. On the larger scale of things, it wasn’t that important for me to alienate the league and overrule their opinions.
There have been a ton of people that have come into the league, who was the biggest pain in the ass and why?
I haven’t had nearly the problems with GMs that Odin was having during his tenure. It seems like the “troublemakers” have been tamer under my rule. There are those that constantly try to push my buttons and they know who they are. But then they turn around and do things like donate to laptop funds and the cheerleaders, and it makes you realize why you like being a part of the league.
What is your drink of choice and give me your beer ranking (top 5).
I answered this earlier, but I’m a Canadian whiskey man. 95% of alcohol consumption is either Crown Royal or Forty creek whiskey. I’ve never been able to get into the Tennessee whiskeys, and I’ve never been a fan of most scotches either. Just something about how smooth the Canadians are that has won me over. As far as beer, I’m not a beer drinker at all. So I’ll give you my top 5 preferred shots.
1. Washington Apple
2. Fireball
3. Patron Silver
4. Buttery Nipple
5. Body Shots
You are on death row, what is your final meal?
Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, with gravy.
Combo fajitas from Joe T Garcias, with all the fixings
Two beef muchacos from Taco Bueno
Double meat, one regular cheese, one Monterrey cheese, with mustard and pickles only from Whataburger
12 original hot wings from Wing stop, with fries and ranch
Crusted chicken romano from Cheesecake Factory
Stromboli from Sam’s Pizza made personally by Bankz
Set me a big ol handle of crown royal on the table with it
If you could put the ban hammer on any NCAA football team, what team would that be and why?
I don’t know that I hate any college football teams enough to want to drop the ban on them but I will say I thoroughly enjoy watching the Texas Longhorns get their shit pushed in the last few seasons. Living in Texas and having to deal with that arrogant ass fanbase for a decade is made all worthwhile now by seeing them crawl back into their shanties.
With this being right before halloween, give me some halloween costumes that you think would be an ideal fit for people within the league.
SPL – Ray Romano
Trofie – Daniel Murphy
Bankz – Gay vampire who only sucks through straws
20s – Dr. Evil
20s daughter – Mini me
Buster – Priest
Eric – R2D2
Kn – Shaft
Ayyoe – Apollo Creed
RW – Caitlyn Jenner
Any final thoughts, shoutouts, words of wisdom?
Props to you SPL on your latest tenure in TMBSL. I had my doubts about you rejoining the league based on your last two stints, but I’m glad you’ve come around to see what the league finally is and JOINING in on the madness.
All in all thank you for allowing me to be your Commish. I feel that we have had a good run under my reign and I’m hopeful it can go for many more seasons.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living or fun when not masterminding the sim league?
I’m pretty much your typical sim leaguer. I enjoy sports and they take up a big majority of my time. I’m not your typical 33 year old as I’m not married nor do I have any kids, and I really don’t see any of that in my near future. I enjoy whiskey, but mostly just of the Canadian variety. My go to whiskeys are Crown Royal and Forty Creek, although Crown has been dominating the scene lately. I manage an Oilfield Supply store here in Texas and I’ve been in the oilfield industry around a decade.
Can you tell me a little bit about what brought you into the sim league?
I was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2010 meeting up with some guys (Bankz, Dbl, BRC, Heel, others) for a TMB tailgate for the Bama/PSU game. We rented a condo at the Chimes, partied, stole ice, and even called Greg Mcelroy a pussy to his face. Early on in the trip I was in the main living room when Bankz and Heel were talking about “free agency” and all the players that were signing with different teams. I was a seasoned vet in the online game Goalline Blitz so hearing of a league like that definitely piqued my interest. After talking about the league a little bit with Bankz, I let him know my interest, and he said he would get me on the waiting list. Shortly after the trip I found myself as GM of the Toronto Raptors.
How did it evolve to you becoming the role of commissioner?
As we progressed through the leagues I became more and more involved with the back end stuff helping out the commish with anything they needed. This started with MJ, and it continued with Odin. Odin had a good and long tenure and had enough (understandable), and we needed a replacement to move on. Odin expressed that he felt that 20s, Ian, or myself would be good candidates to take over the league. Neither of us were thrilled to that idea due to a variety of reasons, but after some serious thought, and stability of the league, I decided to take the reins.
Take us behind the scenes, this sim league has chewed up a lot of commissioners over the time, for some that don't know, what are some of the things you have to deal with?
I don’t think there is one thing you can point to and complain as “I have to deal with”. It’s more of a grind. A grind that wears you down a little bit more each day. I compare it to brakes on a car. If you ever get to the point as a commish that the brakes are metal on metal, it’s time to replace the rotor. Other than that, I still find the league a lot of fun, but some of the work just gets really tedious.
You have been doing this for sometime now, in your opinion, what is the best sim team of all time and why?
The 3005 Mavericks are my pick for the best sim league team of all time. The team started 5 eventual hall of famers (all within their prime), and had arguably the greatest sim league player of all time in David Thompson. Several seasons ago when Odin was a commish, he ran a tournament of champions using the championship teams from the years past. The ’05 Mavs walked away winners of that tournament. There truly wasn’t a weak spot on that team.
If you could form the perfect starting 5 of any players from the past or current, which 5 would you choose and why?
PG – David Thompson (stud, my first round creation pick, arguable greatest sim player)
SG – Rick Barry (completely underrated due to years played, complete all around game)
SF – Stanley Robinson (centerpiece of Rockets dynasty)
PF – Emeka Okafor (double/double machine, defensive stud)
C - Bill Walton (take that Eric, finally got him)
Back when you were an owner, you were fairly successful. What made you so successful? What did you look for in players? Any hidden secrets you are willing to share?
I think a big part of me being successful is being active. You’d be surprised how many deals I got done because I was in shout all the time and would notice when someone would shout “player x” on the trade block, or post a trade block. When GMs are to that point, they are usually wanting to make moves fast, so pouncing on the offer first is usually a big advantage. I won’t share what I look for in players as I probably will be a GM again one day, but I will tell you to be proactive in looking at other GMs rosters constantly. Look for guys that you like that aren’t being used, and make offers on those guys. The worst they can say is no. Also, be available to help GMs. Be nice to GMs in interactions. That goes a long way when talking trades, and can often factor in to that GM choosing your deal over another.
The Ank rule for SG has created some buzz, what are your thoughts on the rule?
I get what Ank is saying and I agree, however there just wasn’t much support for him throughout the league to where it justified making the change. On the larger scale of things, it wasn’t that important for me to alienate the league and overrule their opinions.
There have been a ton of people that have come into the league, who was the biggest pain in the ass and why?
I haven’t had nearly the problems with GMs that Odin was having during his tenure. It seems like the “troublemakers” have been tamer under my rule. There are those that constantly try to push my buttons and they know who they are. But then they turn around and do things like donate to laptop funds and the cheerleaders, and it makes you realize why you like being a part of the league.
What is your drink of choice and give me your beer ranking (top 5).
I answered this earlier, but I’m a Canadian whiskey man. 95% of alcohol consumption is either Crown Royal or Forty creek whiskey. I’ve never been able to get into the Tennessee whiskeys, and I’ve never been a fan of most scotches either. Just something about how smooth the Canadians are that has won me over. As far as beer, I’m not a beer drinker at all. So I’ll give you my top 5 preferred shots.
1. Washington Apple
2. Fireball
3. Patron Silver
4. Buttery Nipple
5. Body Shots
You are on death row, what is your final meal?
Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, with gravy.
Combo fajitas from Joe T Garcias, with all the fixings
Two beef muchacos from Taco Bueno
Double meat, one regular cheese, one Monterrey cheese, with mustard and pickles only from Whataburger
12 original hot wings from Wing stop, with fries and ranch
Crusted chicken romano from Cheesecake Factory
Stromboli from Sam’s Pizza made personally by Bankz
Set me a big ol handle of crown royal on the table with it
If you could put the ban hammer on any NCAA football team, what team would that be and why?
I don’t know that I hate any college football teams enough to want to drop the ban on them but I will say I thoroughly enjoy watching the Texas Longhorns get their shit pushed in the last few seasons. Living in Texas and having to deal with that arrogant ass fanbase for a decade is made all worthwhile now by seeing them crawl back into their shanties.
With this being right before halloween, give me some halloween costumes that you think would be an ideal fit for people within the league.
SPL – Ray Romano
Trofie – Daniel Murphy
Bankz – Gay vampire who only sucks through straws
20s – Dr. Evil
20s daughter – Mini me
Buster – Priest
Eric – R2D2
Kn – Shaft
Ayyoe – Apollo Creed
RW – Caitlyn Jenner
Any final thoughts, shoutouts, words of wisdom?
Props to you SPL on your latest tenure in TMBSL. I had my doubts about you rejoining the league based on your last two stints, but I’m glad you’ve come around to see what the league finally is and JOINING in on the madness.
All in all thank you for allowing me to be your Commish. I feel that we have had a good run under my reign and I’m hopeful it can go for many more seasons.
