Post by Odin on Mar 16, 2016 6:42:29 GMT -6
1. Let's start with the obvious: recently there has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding Eric and the way he's building the draft classes. What are your opinions on the matter?
Heebs: I don't have a big problem with it. Eric says he follows profiles, and for the most part he does. So we're playing with a level playing field because we should know what we're getting. There has been a lot of commotion around it because some outspoken GMs have drafted some busts. I have to say that I a bit concerned by the number of non-PGs averaging 2.5+ TOs/gm. I wish eric would do some statistical analysis of per game averages for eric-made vs. soup-made players in a given year of their career. With that data, I think we could prove or disprove that this generation of players is worse.
Fason: Love Eric but I don't like how he makes players. I think he tries to be too realistic and it's sucking some of the fun out of this. I don't really mind the TOs from PGs but do have a problem with the poor shooting percentages and how a lot of his players don't shoot enough.
RV: I don’t have an issue with the way that Eric has built the draft classes. I’ve surely selected some busts over the past few years but I’m not putting that on his design of players. Is it different than what we had in the past? Yeah, obviously. But it’s something to adjust to and I think at this point most GMs have done so. My only complaint about the build of any players is the success of Ronald Savage. If there ever was a player that should have been a 100% bust, it should’ve been this waste of sperm. But he wasn't an Eric guy and I digress.
Odin: I think we all know my opinion. Low percentages and usage. Too many steals. Too many turnovers. While I think eric will get it eventually I haven't seen too many worse eras of player creation in TMBSL. I think the biggest issue seems to be his unwillingness to take the criticism and alter his approach.
2. Over the last few years there has been a shift in power towards the East. Are East GMs finally learning how to win or have the elites of the West fallen apart?
Heebs: There are some outstanding GMs in the West. That said, the West's dominance was really just Soup and his legacy as puppeteer for GBG. Now that the West has been washed clean of Soup's influence, we're starting to see more balance. It also helps that we replaced MJ with JHB and Devine/RW with Duc. Now if only we could find a replacement for Dump . . .
Fason: I'm not sure there has really been a shift in power, we just had a couple finals finally go our way. Overall, the GMs in the West are still much more competitive and active. Nearly half the GMs in the East are apathetic.
RV: I think it’s a matter of both. Some guys in the East are figuring stuff out while some of the better West guys
haven’t been around as much. It also didn’t hurt the East that the Thunder dynasty finally came to an end. That alone helped the East as much as anything in terms of title winning chances.
Odin: The last 3-4 FAs have really favored the East and has caused a good deal of this recent success. We will never catch up to the number of titles the West has, at least not in 4.0. I wouldn't necessarily say East GMs have learned how to win, perhaps just all of them except for myself. There are quite a few apathetic GMs currently but hopefully that changes soon.
3. Speaking of elite, give me your top 5 players and explain what makes them so great.
Heebs: LJ - Elite scoring and rebounding. Super efficient.
Lockhart - Elite defensive production and has turned it on as a scorer this year.
Kyrie - Unfair. The only thing holding him back from being the best player ever is the TOs.
Butler - high production across the board. Super efficient. Would be in the running for best player in the league is he blocked shots.
Jim Silvestro - I wanted to go with a big man here, but the artist FKA sim Dump is too good to ignore as much as I want to.
Fason: Sim Dump-Just had an all time great season
Terrell Brandon-Second best PG in the league
Matthew Lockhart-Stanley Robinson reincarnated
Larry Johnson-Best scorer in the league
George Ackles-Really well rounded, can do everything but shoot 3s.
RV: In no specific order: Matthew Lockhart, Kevin Garnett, Terrell Brandon, Sim Dump, and I’m going to throw a homer Julius Randle in there.
Odin: I'll echo the thoughts on LJ, Lockhart, Dump, and Kyrie but obviously the 5th is the great Myles Turner. Best big in the league hands down. He's actually so good he has transcended the PF position.
4. TMBSL currently has two different podcasts, one ran by bankz and the other spl. Which do you prefer and why?
Heebs: Both of them don't hold a candle to RW reading forum excerpts from a professional studio. That was the pinacle of podcasting and I wish we could get back to those simpler times.
Fason: Bankz' podcast by far, because his is more focused on the GMs of the league where Spl's is more focused on the players. Spl talks about the league as if there is actual basketball being played.
RV: Though he and I have had our (many and major) disagreements, I’m a bankz guy through and through. He’s been there for me in a lot of situations and I won’t forget that. Nothing against SPL, whose podcast is the only one I’ve called into, but it’s just not as good. The bankz and soup relationship really helps out his podcast as well. They’re able to go back and forth and really create a fun dialogue to listen to.
Odin: Definitely prefer the lack of constant stuttering in Bankz' pod and really that's all I'm looking. I don't much care for listening to two hours of drama but I'd rather here drama than stuttering and a lack of direction.
5. I've had a few trades fall through recently after it seemed we had reached a deal. Are you a bit dirty when negotiating? If so, what's the worst thing you've done?
Heebs: I am not dirty. While I can be challenging to negotiate with because I don't give up a lot of ground and have a tendency to overvalue my assets, I am always honest and responsive in trade negotiations. The dirtiest thing I do in sim League is have a fake news publication, which I wildly overvalue, that has been known to overstate the value of other GM's players (see, eg, Ankly when I had his pick) and understate the value of my own.
Fason: I like to think I'm really honest and fair while negotiating. I never want to burn any bridges for future trades.
RV: I think my worst aspect, as has been said many times by many GMs, is my inability to respond. I suck at trading. I think I’ve agreed to some trades in principle in PMs and when the final PM to post has come around, just ignored it.
Odin: I have never done anything dishonest while trading ever. Not my style.
6. The era of cheesing SFs is approaching an end. Which GMs have been most guilty of taking advantage of the cheese? Which players have benefited most from it? Do you personally have an issue with cheesing?
Heebs: Most GMs have cheesed at some point. I definitely value rebounding quite a bit, and would sacrifice scoring for a cheese wing (see, eg, trying to trade for Jeff Murray all season). While I definitely see the issue, I don't have strong feelings one way or the other. I do feel like people should be able to move players to a legal position (e.g., move a SG to SF) to get a benefit from increased TCs in attributes they want. That is "realistic" in the sense that you have begun training a player at a different position.
Fason: Odin, Trofie, and Dirt are the GMs that I can remember taking advantage of bigs playing SF.
Ank, Pete, Buster and I guess 20s for a brief period of time took advantage of playing SFs at SG.
Some of the players who I can remember benefiting most from cheesing were Myles Turner, Krsitaps Porzingis, Rudy Gay, Reggie King, Champ Godbolt and Nick Fazekas.
*I don't consider playing Magic Johnson at PG as cheesing.
I'm okay with cheesing within reason. I thought Kristaps playing SG was dumb. Moving forward, I like the idea of giving everyone a designated position (1-5) in their draft profile then only allowing them to slide up or down one spot.
RV: I mean, the 3017 Clippers only won a title because of a cheese SF. I think Dirt has been able to take advantage of it quite a bit but I see nothing wrong with what he or any others did. It’s a part of the software and something that the entire league was aware of. If there is a way to make your team better and you don’t do it, that’s on you. Ain’t going to hate the player for making their team the best possible.
Odin: Frankly, I love cheese. From NCAA to TMBSL to Destiny, doesn't matter what it is I'm going to cheese as often as possible. Why? Because it's fucking retarded not to put yourself in the best position to win. Cheesing =/= cheating.
7. What do you think of your team currently? What do you plan on doing to improve/change your situation? Is your future bright or real depressing?
Heebs: I like my team. I'm still searching for an elite PG. If I can keep KG, I think I've got a solid team for the next few sim years. I hope Exum takes another step forward this TC. If I see more progress from him, I plan on putting my +3 into him and seeing where we go. Other than that - I'm in MLE land for the foreseeable future.
Fason: I probably could contend for one more year but I'd rather blow it up right now so I can get everything in order to tank for 3032, 3033 and maybe 3034.
I have mixed feelings on my future.
has me shook.
RV: My team (and my team’s history) is thoroughly frustrating to me but the only person I can blame is myself. I have Randle, an absolute stud, but that’s about all. Jimmer and and Danilo just resigned to some team-friendly deals but I’m not sure I have the other pieces necessary to make a move that would really push me forward. I’m stuck in that no-mans land of consistently getting the 8-12 pick in the lotto and failing at those picks. Rick Mahorn was a huge disappointment in his rookie year so here’s to hoping that gets better. Baron Davis is a huge bust but maybe Van Exel and his potential can get a bump? If not, I’ll be back in the same range next year and probably without Randle. Someone help me? Take me under their wing as Soup did dump? Please?
Odin: Well, I had planned on landing a big time FA to add to my roster of AARP members and that's exactly what happened. While I may be in the title hunt this year it will likely be my last. JO, Zinger, and Turner should all retire leaving my roster a barren wasteland. It would be really clutch for Dragic to take a huge step forward but it's not something I'm expecting, he only got that contract because i can buy it out next year if necessary. I don't have my pick until 3034 so the future is cloudy at best.
8. Of those who have not won a title in 4.0 who is the most likely to pop their cherry this year?
Heebs: KN. Kyrie, Jesus, Nauls, and Blair is a sick top 4.
Fason: 1. Kn-Bullets were the best team in the east last season imo, just had some bad luck with Kyrie getting hurt. I love his chances with Kyrie/Jesus still improving and Blair is still one of the best bigs in the league.
2. Bankz-He has the best backcourt in the league and a great defensive front court.
3. Odin-Has good shot to get back to the finals as long as his old guys don't die this TC
RV: I think kn88 is up there. Being able to throw out Kyrie+Jesus in a 7 game series gives him as good of a chance as any of the championship virgins in my opinion.
Odin: I think Fason nailed it. Kn has an incredible roster and so does bankz despite him hemorrhaging players in FA over the last few years. My team is very nice for the time being but that won't last much longer.
9. How will you feel when Donald Trump is elected President?
Heebs: Embarrassed and frightened. I don't think he has the maturity, judgment, or personality to by the Mayor of Sioux City let alone the President of the United States. The idea of him being in charge if we or a close ally are attacked gives me the worst anxiety I've ever experienced.
Fason:
RV: I’m so terrified of this happening. If any of you are actual Trump supporters, please reach out and explain why. It literally makes no sense to be behind this racist, bigoted individual.
Odin: I'm pretty conflicted on this. On one hand, he's absolutely awful from his policies to the way he carries himself. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure he's just taking advantage of a weak GOP and is saying what he needs to say to get elected, and I can't really fault sociopathy because it is an effective strategy. If I'm wrong about that I see a terrible 4years months before he gets assassinated.
Heebs: I don't have a big problem with it. Eric says he follows profiles, and for the most part he does. So we're playing with a level playing field because we should know what we're getting. There has been a lot of commotion around it because some outspoken GMs have drafted some busts. I have to say that I a bit concerned by the number of non-PGs averaging 2.5+ TOs/gm. I wish eric would do some statistical analysis of per game averages for eric-made vs. soup-made players in a given year of their career. With that data, I think we could prove or disprove that this generation of players is worse.
Fason: Love Eric but I don't like how he makes players. I think he tries to be too realistic and it's sucking some of the fun out of this. I don't really mind the TOs from PGs but do have a problem with the poor shooting percentages and how a lot of his players don't shoot enough.
RV: I don’t have an issue with the way that Eric has built the draft classes. I’ve surely selected some busts over the past few years but I’m not putting that on his design of players. Is it different than what we had in the past? Yeah, obviously. But it’s something to adjust to and I think at this point most GMs have done so. My only complaint about the build of any players is the success of Ronald Savage. If there ever was a player that should have been a 100% bust, it should’ve been this waste of sperm. But he wasn't an Eric guy and I digress.
Odin: I think we all know my opinion. Low percentages and usage. Too many steals. Too many turnovers. While I think eric will get it eventually I haven't seen too many worse eras of player creation in TMBSL. I think the biggest issue seems to be his unwillingness to take the criticism and alter his approach.
2. Over the last few years there has been a shift in power towards the East. Are East GMs finally learning how to win or have the elites of the West fallen apart?
Heebs: There are some outstanding GMs in the West. That said, the West's dominance was really just Soup and his legacy as puppeteer for GBG. Now that the West has been washed clean of Soup's influence, we're starting to see more balance. It also helps that we replaced MJ with JHB and Devine/RW with Duc. Now if only we could find a replacement for Dump . . .
Fason: I'm not sure there has really been a shift in power, we just had a couple finals finally go our way. Overall, the GMs in the West are still much more competitive and active. Nearly half the GMs in the East are apathetic.
RV: I think it’s a matter of both. Some guys in the East are figuring stuff out while some of the better West guys
haven’t been around as much. It also didn’t hurt the East that the Thunder dynasty finally came to an end. That alone helped the East as much as anything in terms of title winning chances.
Odin: The last 3-4 FAs have really favored the East and has caused a good deal of this recent success. We will never catch up to the number of titles the West has, at least not in 4.0. I wouldn't necessarily say East GMs have learned how to win, perhaps just all of them except for myself. There are quite a few apathetic GMs currently but hopefully that changes soon.
3. Speaking of elite, give me your top 5 players and explain what makes them so great.
Heebs: LJ - Elite scoring and rebounding. Super efficient.
Lockhart - Elite defensive production and has turned it on as a scorer this year.
Kyrie - Unfair. The only thing holding him back from being the best player ever is the TOs.
Butler - high production across the board. Super efficient. Would be in the running for best player in the league is he blocked shots.
Jim Silvestro - I wanted to go with a big man here, but the artist FKA sim Dump is too good to ignore as much as I want to.
Fason: Sim Dump-Just had an all time great season
Terrell Brandon-Second best PG in the league
Matthew Lockhart-Stanley Robinson reincarnated
Larry Johnson-Best scorer in the league
George Ackles-Really well rounded, can do everything but shoot 3s.
RV: In no specific order: Matthew Lockhart, Kevin Garnett, Terrell Brandon, Sim Dump, and I’m going to throw a homer Julius Randle in there.
Odin: I'll echo the thoughts on LJ, Lockhart, Dump, and Kyrie but obviously the 5th is the great Myles Turner. Best big in the league hands down. He's actually so good he has transcended the PF position.
4. TMBSL currently has two different podcasts, one ran by bankz and the other spl. Which do you prefer and why?
Heebs: Both of them don't hold a candle to RW reading forum excerpts from a professional studio. That was the pinacle of podcasting and I wish we could get back to those simpler times.
Fason: Bankz' podcast by far, because his is more focused on the GMs of the league where Spl's is more focused on the players. Spl talks about the league as if there is actual basketball being played.
RV: Though he and I have had our (many and major) disagreements, I’m a bankz guy through and through. He’s been there for me in a lot of situations and I won’t forget that. Nothing against SPL, whose podcast is the only one I’ve called into, but it’s just not as good. The bankz and soup relationship really helps out his podcast as well. They’re able to go back and forth and really create a fun dialogue to listen to.
Odin: Definitely prefer the lack of constant stuttering in Bankz' pod and really that's all I'm looking. I don't much care for listening to two hours of drama but I'd rather here drama than stuttering and a lack of direction.
5. I've had a few trades fall through recently after it seemed we had reached a deal. Are you a bit dirty when negotiating? If so, what's the worst thing you've done?
Heebs: I am not dirty. While I can be challenging to negotiate with because I don't give up a lot of ground and have a tendency to overvalue my assets, I am always honest and responsive in trade negotiations. The dirtiest thing I do in sim League is have a fake news publication, which I wildly overvalue, that has been known to overstate the value of other GM's players (see, eg, Ankly when I had his pick) and understate the value of my own.
Fason: I like to think I'm really honest and fair while negotiating. I never want to burn any bridges for future trades.
RV: I think my worst aspect, as has been said many times by many GMs, is my inability to respond. I suck at trading. I think I’ve agreed to some trades in principle in PMs and when the final PM to post has come around, just ignored it.
Odin: I have never done anything dishonest while trading ever. Not my style.
6. The era of cheesing SFs is approaching an end. Which GMs have been most guilty of taking advantage of the cheese? Which players have benefited most from it? Do you personally have an issue with cheesing?
Heebs: Most GMs have cheesed at some point. I definitely value rebounding quite a bit, and would sacrifice scoring for a cheese wing (see, eg, trying to trade for Jeff Murray all season). While I definitely see the issue, I don't have strong feelings one way or the other. I do feel like people should be able to move players to a legal position (e.g., move a SG to SF) to get a benefit from increased TCs in attributes they want. That is "realistic" in the sense that you have begun training a player at a different position.
Fason: Odin, Trofie, and Dirt are the GMs that I can remember taking advantage of bigs playing SF.
Ank, Pete, Buster and I guess 20s for a brief period of time took advantage of playing SFs at SG.
Some of the players who I can remember benefiting most from cheesing were Myles Turner, Krsitaps Porzingis, Rudy Gay, Reggie King, Champ Godbolt and Nick Fazekas.
*I don't consider playing Magic Johnson at PG as cheesing.
I'm okay with cheesing within reason. I thought Kristaps playing SG was dumb. Moving forward, I like the idea of giving everyone a designated position (1-5) in their draft profile then only allowing them to slide up or down one spot.
RV: I mean, the 3017 Clippers only won a title because of a cheese SF. I think Dirt has been able to take advantage of it quite a bit but I see nothing wrong with what he or any others did. It’s a part of the software and something that the entire league was aware of. If there is a way to make your team better and you don’t do it, that’s on you. Ain’t going to hate the player for making their team the best possible.
Odin: Frankly, I love cheese. From NCAA to TMBSL to Destiny, doesn't matter what it is I'm going to cheese as often as possible. Why? Because it's fucking retarded not to put yourself in the best position to win. Cheesing =/= cheating.
7. What do you think of your team currently? What do you plan on doing to improve/change your situation? Is your future bright or real depressing?
Heebs: I like my team. I'm still searching for an elite PG. If I can keep KG, I think I've got a solid team for the next few sim years. I hope Exum takes another step forward this TC. If I see more progress from him, I plan on putting my +3 into him and seeing where we go. Other than that - I'm in MLE land for the foreseeable future.
Fason: I probably could contend for one more year but I'd rather blow it up right now so I can get everything in order to tank for 3032, 3033 and maybe 3034.
I have mixed feelings on my future.
has me shook.RV: My team (and my team’s history) is thoroughly frustrating to me but the only person I can blame is myself. I have Randle, an absolute stud, but that’s about all. Jimmer and and Danilo just resigned to some team-friendly deals but I’m not sure I have the other pieces necessary to make a move that would really push me forward. I’m stuck in that no-mans land of consistently getting the 8-12 pick in the lotto and failing at those picks. Rick Mahorn was a huge disappointment in his rookie year so here’s to hoping that gets better. Baron Davis is a huge bust but maybe Van Exel and his potential can get a bump? If not, I’ll be back in the same range next year and probably without Randle. Someone help me? Take me under their wing as Soup did dump? Please?
Odin: Well, I had planned on landing a big time FA to add to my roster of AARP members and that's exactly what happened. While I may be in the title hunt this year it will likely be my last. JO, Zinger, and Turner should all retire leaving my roster a barren wasteland. It would be really clutch for Dragic to take a huge step forward but it's not something I'm expecting, he only got that contract because i can buy it out next year if necessary. I don't have my pick until 3034 so the future is cloudy at best.
8. Of those who have not won a title in 4.0 who is the most likely to pop their cherry this year?
Heebs: KN. Kyrie, Jesus, Nauls, and Blair is a sick top 4.
Fason: 1. Kn-Bullets were the best team in the east last season imo, just had some bad luck with Kyrie getting hurt. I love his chances with Kyrie/Jesus still improving and Blair is still one of the best bigs in the league.
2. Bankz-He has the best backcourt in the league and a great defensive front court.
3. Odin-Has good shot to get back to the finals as long as his old guys don't die this TC
RV: I think kn88 is up there. Being able to throw out Kyrie+Jesus in a 7 game series gives him as good of a chance as any of the championship virgins in my opinion.
Odin: I think Fason nailed it. Kn has an incredible roster and so does bankz despite him hemorrhaging players in FA over the last few years. My team is very nice for the time being but that won't last much longer.
9. How will you feel when Donald Trump is elected President?
Heebs: Embarrassed and frightened. I don't think he has the maturity, judgment, or personality to by the Mayor of Sioux City let alone the President of the United States. The idea of him being in charge if we or a close ally are attacked gives me the worst anxiety I've ever experienced.
Fason:
RV: I’m so terrified of this happening. If any of you are actual Trump supporters, please reach out and explain why. It literally makes no sense to be behind this racist, bigoted individual.
Odin: I'm pretty conflicted on this. On one hand, he's absolutely awful from his policies to the way he carries himself. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure he's just taking advantage of a weak GOP and is saying what he needs to say to get elected, and I can't really fault sociopathy because it is an effective strategy. If I'm wrong about that I see a terrible 4
