Post by [Account Deleted] on May 7, 2016 19:35:45 GMT -6
Atlantic
1. Fason and Canes both added some good pieces this offseason; Heebs, Dump, and JHB have all been consistent playoff teams the past four or five seasons; Kn88 has been on the throne of the Atlantic for several years now; and Eric is a dickhead. Which GM is the favorite to win the division? Who is your dark horse? Can we all agree the Knicks are the clear bottom feeders?
Fason is totally not a very good GM and somehow managed to fall into a very good team. What a lucky guy. He takes the division. The Knicks and Eric the League Jackass are the clear bottom feeders of this division. I think that Dump's team is a dark horse to win this division. They are very good, it will just require the minor miracle that they stay healthy all season and Turner and Reef don't shit the bed
KN's Bullets are the favorite until proven otherwise and he only improved his roster this offseason with the addition of KG. There isn't a better top 3 in the league. Fason's Sixers are probably the team that has the best chance of knocking off the Bullets from the top of the division, but with his additions this offseason, you can't really call him a dark horse. Therefore, I am gonna go slightly homer and say my heat are the dark horse. I'm really excited about my roster and it should play really well in an inside focused offense. Fuck the Knicks (sorry eric)
I'll go with the Bullets for now, but that doesn't look too good after sim 1. I need to figure out the combo after the KG trade. The Sixers should be very good Fason did a great job overhauling his roster. He's the early favorite for GM of the year. The Celtics should be good unless Osteoporosis hits. The Heat is the dark horse imo. Canes has a a really nice young team. Heebs is always in the mix. It's a great division.
The Atlantic belongs to the Bullets. On paper they are the best team in the league. A dark horse to maybe keep it close for the division would be the nets. I love Lockhart and Dipo is coming along nicely. Fason is proving he may be the best GM in the East at this point. Dump has a solid playoff roster. Magic are the team probably on the outside looking in for the playoffs. For as many picks JHB has shipped off you would think he would have a stronger roster. I don't agree that Eric is some evil dude people need to fucking relax. His knicks are in clear rebuild mode and will need some TLC.
This is still Knâs division to win it and will be for a while with that backcourt. Other than him Dump has really put together a nice roster and is someone that needs to compete now with the age of some of his players. Other than that Fason is someone that just knows how to build competitive teams and will be right there to compete for the division.
2. We all know the Beastlantic is the best division in the league. What's your All-Atlantic/All-NBA team?
PG: Kyrie
Wing: Jesus
Wing: Lockhart
Big: Payne (fuck the world call me a homer)
Big: Embiid
This one is pretty easy
Big: KG
Big: Embid
Wing:Lockhart
Wing:Jesus
PG:Kyrie
PG: Kyrie
Wing: Jesus
Wing: Lockhart
Big: KG
Big: Embiid
PG: Irving
SG: Jesus
SF: Lockhart
PF: KG
C: Embid
C: Joel Embiid
PF: Adrien Payne
SF: Matthew Lockhart
SG: Jesus Shuttlesworth
PG: Kyrie Irving
3. Which player outside of your All-Atlantic team is most poised to break through and become a superstar?
Rex "The Three God" Walters. Look for this guy to put up 30 ppg this season or next. He is the truth.
Gonna go full homer and say Penny. He has great PG grades and is ready to be a triple double machine. He is up to A handles which means he should rack up plenty of assists and hopefully his turnovers decrease a little bit. But yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Penny takes home Most Improved this year.
Jesse Epstein for sure. (Editor's note: Way to pay attention to the question kn SMH)
I mentioned him in question one but I feel like Dipo could be close to taking the next step. Zo should also be a monster but might be a year or two away from hitting that zone.
Ben McLemore is going to be the next superstar. He is shooting really good to start the year and in the limited games so far has turned the ball over less. I think as he gets more efficient he is going to be a great player for Fason.
Bonus: Rank the Atlantic GMs from most trustworthy to Eric.
1. JHB
2. Everyone else
3. Eric
What can I say? I'm a great guy.
KN
Fason
Canes
Dump
Eric
JHB
Heebs
Added later: Forgot about the Hurley thing. put dump at the bottom of my trusted GM list as well
This is weak, but I like and trust every GM in the division, even Dump. Canes brought me into the league toward the end of 2.0 and helped me out a lot. I've kicked it with Heebs in real life and he's a good dude. I like Fason a lot. Eric's my guy and I'm riding with him. Dump's promised to put in a good word for me when Melanie decides to go black. JHB is good money and I promise to send him a KD Wizards jersey when he comes home this summer. But yeah, no one in the division has tried to trade rape me or been difficult to negotiate with, so it's hard to distrust them.
1) Fason - He's always upfront and honest with everything.
2) KN - Most chill dude in the league. Nothing but love for KN
3) Eric - Fuck them haters. Eric is a good dude
4) Canes - Solid dude, pain in the ass to talk trade with.
5) Heebs - The top 5 I have no issues with trust always fair and honest guys
6) JHB - Didn't he do some shady shit at the start of the year with his bff or something? Idk never did anything to me personally so idk (Editor's note: No he didn't. Your memory seems to be failing you)
7) Dump - Before this offseason Dump wouldn't be at the bottom. But the shit he pulled on the Hurley deal will likely have me avoiding doing business with him in the future if possible.
1 Kn
2 Fason
3 Heebs
4 Dump
5 JHB
6 Canes
7 Eric
Central
1. Which Central GM did work this offseason? Rate the division by their offseason performances.
Definitely Odin. He re-tooled his roster, raped a couple GMs, and his his team poised to fight for some post-season success despite looking on the cusp of a major rebuild last season. Bruns had a stellar draft by getting JJ. After that, everybody was pretty meh.
Unless I am missing something, the Central didn't do too much this offseason in terms of buying. I like what Bruns did. He won the lotto and still managed to keep his team pretty shitty. Should be able to pair another top 5 pick with JJ next year.
Odin and Trofie had the most eventful offseasons. I think Odin did a nice job because he made a lot of big moves and still has a good team. Props. We have to wait to see how Sim Ocho and Schröder pan out to grade Trofie's offseason, but I like that he took risks. Cleveland and Chicago made some solid tank moves. Pete looks like he's banking on irl Bullzards legends C-Webb and Otto to take the next step. RV stood pat. I wasn't too sure about those deals JW gave Daugherty and Avent. Sprewell was one of my favorite players irl, so I hope that works out for Duc.
In the end, Chicago got Jimmy, so they win the offseason.
1. Bulls - got a pure stud in the draft. Made a few other nice moves. Set up well for the future
2. Bucks - always a mover and a shaker. Always making moves seems set up for a nice year.
3. Cavs - Young pieces coming together didn't do anything to hurt his roster.
4. Raptors - Might be on the verge of making a big move to catapult to the top of this list
5. Hawks - Still building to never land
6. Pacers - Another ho hum offseason
7. Hornets - Never makes moves and is always in the basement. Did get good value for the big he shipped.
8. Bobcats - Made move after move but looks like he's just spinning his wheels and getting deeper in the mud.
Obviously you have to love what Bruns got out of the offseason, he was able to draft a lock superstar for a long time. Getting someone who will be great is a huge advantage for him going forward. I like the way the draft played out for myself, having Sprewell fall to me was really nice as he filled a position on need and hopefully can turn into a quality wing for me in the future. It was an interesting offseason for Trofie as he gave up a lot for a young player in Schröder. Iâll trust trofie though as his track record is pretty consistent.
2. After seeing the Pacers atop the Central in preseason, can anyone explain how JW took a .500 team, traded its best player, and largely neglected to do much else and has still had this much success?
Arvydas Sabonis is the truth.
Preseason records are the biggest waste of time. Had years where I had a great team that went 3-15 in preseason and bad teams hat went over .500.
The software will software. He still has a valuable roster and his pacers should be in the running for a playoff spot
The preseason mean nothing really but the software can just give weird results in those small number of games. Plus, Sabonis is awesome.
3. The Cavs were above .500 in preseason. Gugliotta looks like a player. Are they contenders or pretenders in the Central?
I think they are still pretenders. They have some work to do and I don't think Shaun is motivated to be a winner yet.
I really like Gugliotta, but sorry, the Cavs are a pretender. They should be good down the road though.
The Cavs suck and that's a good thing for them. I like what you're doing, Shaun.
They are up and coming. The core is coming together nicely. But for this season sans a large trade he's a pretender to the crown.
Pretenders just like Shaun wants, they are trying to position themselves to get better through the draft.
Bonus: Other than PB&J is there a more inseparable duo than RV and mediocrity?
Dump and loneliness. Sick double burn.
Bonus: Not cool JHB. RV is a good man.
It's been rough for RV since he had those nice squads with Clyde. With that said, there could be a deal out there for a certain franchise PG. Go get him.
Nope
Hall & Oates
Midwest
1. Take your moment to rant about the Jesse Epstein situation. The floor is yours:
I still think the problem is that someone abused their power to build a player that would play for him almost assuredly. Never let them play for him IMO. But I'm happy with the resolution.
I have pretty much said everything that needs to be said on this issue. Soup has handled it perfectly by getting rid of 0/0/0 throughout the league and tweaking Eptein's blocks. I don't know if it was enough though. There is a pretty decent chance Epstein is the league MVP starting next season. Hopefully we don't end up with nick diaz 2.0 and it kills the fun of the league
1. I'm not trippin' over that. I'm fortunate enough to have a young point god of my own, so I'm straight.
Super Players are bad for the league. Congrats to dil on his 2nd of 4.0
Eric knowing exactly what he did and his attempts to argue them when everyone agrees the situation was fucked. I think changing the 0/0/0 and change the hometown would be good enough to change the situation for the better. Own up to what happened and just more on and it will be for the better. Also, I said it already but great job soup on handling it.
2. 20s has largely been the class of this division for about the past decade, but hasn't won the gold to validate his reign...which is more likely in KCO - a rebuild or a title?
He's due. It's hard to sustain this level of success and not get lucky in a playoffs. I think this is his year.
20s hates to rebuild/tank. He will adjust on the fly and be back on top soon enough. Though he has been much busier lately. Id say there is a better chance of him stepping away than tanking.
A title. He still has the best 1-3 in the league, and they're 26, 30, and 30. I like his defensive bigs are nice. He'll be in the mix for at least a few more seasons.
His run is impressive. He and I both have nothing to show for two of the best teams in the league for the past 5 + years. But he has the respect of the league and they know his talent is top notch. He doesn't do many full out tanks so I think a retool and title run is more likely.
Title, he is long overdue for a title and he has an awesome roster. I believe this will be the year he wins it all.
3. Almost all of the teams in this division have pretty solid lineups. There are no clear tankers. How many teams make the postseason? Which Midwest GM(s) is/are left in the cold?
I think all the teams in this division are STRONG except for one. The team that misses the playoffs for certain: SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS
I am going to say the Jazz, Rockets, and Thunder are on the outside looking in. Epstein is going to get Dil to 30ish wins, but with some creative DC maneuvering he will be in the lotto.
Barring injuries, the Jazz, Kings, Nuggets, Wolves, and Rockets will make it. I like what GBG did to become a playoff team last year, but that division might be too good for his team to make it this year.
I think the Nuggets, Kings, Rockets and Wolves are playoff teams. GBG still is overvaluing prospects and has yet to find a legit mega star. I don't see the Thunder making the playoffs. I think SPL hasn't tweaked his roster enough or freshened it up and those Jazz look like they on the downhill. Word is he is looking to move some of his better guys. Spurs is bad and tanking.
Kings, Nuggets, Jazz, Wolves, and Rockets all make the playoffs. Meaning no Thunder or Spurs.
Bonus. When will GBG realize Wiggins is a steaming pile of shit?
I'm just glad he refused to trade him to me after his rookie season because I wanted a super-defensive wing tandem of Wiggins and Artest. Disaster averted.
GBG will pull a Canes and go down with the Wiggins ship. It's always hardest to accept that a highly touted prospect is a bust.
He won't shoot and turns it over too much. Maybe he doesn't shoot enough because he gets stripped every time he sets up to shoot
I don't think Wiggins is a piece of trash but he overvalued him greatly. It's probably time to cut bait if he has a offer bringing him some sort of future assets. Eric didn't like WIggins and he's never going to be elite because of it. A nice role player but nothing more.
If it hasnât happened yet it probably never will.
Pacific
1. Dirt won a title and immediately traded two starting bigs for one. Thoughts on the trade?
I wanted to crack on him for this but he seems to be better than ever. He's a wizard. Great trade for both sides.
I have learned to never doubt dirt. He loves making trades and is quick to recognize if a move didn't work and make another one to fix any issues.Keep doing your thing dirt.
Dirt has three titles. He knows what he's doing.
It not a bad move Mutombo is solid and he gets a pick and added some depth.
Dirt is another guy who I trust in the decisions he makes. He has rebuilt and won multiple titles with different cores. He will eventually again be at the top of the league.
2. Despite dirt's title, the Pacific has generally been one of our weaker divisions for awhile. Outside of LA, there may be no clear playoff teams in this division. Do you see a surprise team in this division that could make a big run? Who and why?
Call me a homer but I think Majic (Magic...get it?) may give some people a surprise this season. I'm not sure if it will mean he makes the postseason or not, but I don't think he will be a cellar dweller. I predict he fights for the final seed in the playoffs.
I have been surprised and honestly can't figure out why Buster's teams haven't been better with Clegane and Arizin and some solid defensive bigs.
Any time a team has a big who can put up 28+/12+/4+ on good percentages while putting your opponent in foul trouble, you have a chance to steal a playoff spot. I don't think it happens for Ank though.
You figure the five Midwest teams plus the Clippers and Lakers will make it. The Grizzlies are the best of the remaining teams in the west, so they'll make it.
Clippers are the only title contending team. The rest are hot garbage
I would say the Grizzlies because they have the most talent of the bunch. A top big in Tobi really could help the grizzlies win games.
3. How do you rate Taco's return on Fason's and Trof's pilfering of his roster?
I'm usually a proponent of quality over quantity, but when you get fucking twelve firsts back in a trade, you've made quite the bounty. That's enough to just shower picks on people when you are ready to make moves.
Taco tore down his team. It needed to be done imo. However, he got a lot of garbage firsts. If it was a GM like Fason, I'd have faith that he could turn those garbage firsts into elite talent down the line, but I don't think taco put's in the time or the work to pull it off. He is stuck hoping that one of the teams whose picks he now owns decides to blow it up and comes to him with a star player.
I liked the deal he made with Trofie, even though I'm hoping three of those picks are trash. I would've asked for McLemore, but I like that he got his picks back in the Saric trade. I get why he dumped Blake for nothing. I don't know why he signed Tyreke, though. He should probably try to trade him and see what Lindsey Hunter does with big minutes.
The weak get chewed alive in this league. No surprise super active vet GMs got the deals in they did. Can't half ass this league its too competitive
He got quantity over quality in those deals. He may end up with a lot of picks but Iâm not really sure the quality will be there to make any turn into something worthwhile.
Bonus. How many of Druce's teams miss the playoffs?
The Blazers come closer but both teams are on the outside looking in come playoff time.
1 team misses imo.
1
Feels like he's always in the playoffs... wait... Not sure if this is shade or a trivia question. going Trivia route and say 6
1
TMBSL
1. Give us your picks for the end of year awards:
MVP: Epstein
ROY: Epstein
DPOY: Mystic Stone
MVP: Kyrie
ROY: Epstein
DPOY: ZO (HOMER PICK)
MVP: Kyrie
ROY: Mr. Grannis
DPOY: Zo
MVP: Kyrie Irving
ROTY: Cheat Code 2.0
DPOTY: Mystic Stone
MVP: Kyrie
ROY: Jesse Epstein
DPOY: Joel Embiid
2. Who is your favorite to win the title? Who is your favorite to win the Wilkins sweepstakes?
I am going with my boy 20's to finally claim the gold. Magic (via Spurs) win the Wilkins sweepstakes. DOWN WITH THE SPURS!
Bullets win the title while posting the best record
Bruns wins the Wilkins sweepstakes and builds a monster wing combo
Kings. The Cavs and Suns made phenomenal tank moves by signing Jacobson and Washburn. Those teams are ass. It should be a fun battle.
East - Bullets West - Rockets
Wilkins Sweepstakes: Yawn
I think the Kings win it all this year. The team that will have the most ping pong balls is the Phoenix Suns
Bonus: How bad has JHB been trade raping Trof lately with the Lopez-Payne trade and the Stack-Brooks/Walters trade?
Oh man I haven't seen a rape this bad since I watched Law and Order: SVU all the time.
Trof never gets trade raped. Sorry JHB
You've been raping him as badly as Presti raped Morey in the Harden deal. Oh wait ...
Swish.
Bonus: Trofie is my boy... you may win a battle but you always lose the war.
Yea Iâll bet this ends up playing out better for Trofie.
1. Fason and Canes both added some good pieces this offseason; Heebs, Dump, and JHB have all been consistent playoff teams the past four or five seasons; Kn88 has been on the throne of the Atlantic for several years now; and Eric is a dickhead. Which GM is the favorite to win the division? Who is your dark horse? Can we all agree the Knicks are the clear bottom feeders?
Fason is totally not a very good GM and somehow managed to fall into a very good team. What a lucky guy. He takes the division. The Knicks and Eric the League Jackass are the clear bottom feeders of this division. I think that Dump's team is a dark horse to win this division. They are very good, it will just require the minor miracle that they stay healthy all season and Turner and Reef don't shit the bed
KN's Bullets are the favorite until proven otherwise and he only improved his roster this offseason with the addition of KG. There isn't a better top 3 in the league. Fason's Sixers are probably the team that has the best chance of knocking off the Bullets from the top of the division, but with his additions this offseason, you can't really call him a dark horse. Therefore, I am gonna go slightly homer and say my heat are the dark horse. I'm really excited about my roster and it should play really well in an inside focused offense. Fuck the Knicks (sorry eric)
I'll go with the Bullets for now, but that doesn't look too good after sim 1. I need to figure out the combo after the KG trade. The Sixers should be very good Fason did a great job overhauling his roster. He's the early favorite for GM of the year. The Celtics should be good unless Osteoporosis hits. The Heat is the dark horse imo. Canes has a a really nice young team. Heebs is always in the mix. It's a great division.
The Atlantic belongs to the Bullets. On paper they are the best team in the league. A dark horse to maybe keep it close for the division would be the nets. I love Lockhart and Dipo is coming along nicely. Fason is proving he may be the best GM in the East at this point. Dump has a solid playoff roster. Magic are the team probably on the outside looking in for the playoffs. For as many picks JHB has shipped off you would think he would have a stronger roster. I don't agree that Eric is some evil dude people need to fucking relax. His knicks are in clear rebuild mode and will need some TLC.
This is still Knâs division to win it and will be for a while with that backcourt. Other than him Dump has really put together a nice roster and is someone that needs to compete now with the age of some of his players. Other than that Fason is someone that just knows how to build competitive teams and will be right there to compete for the division.
2. We all know the Beastlantic is the best division in the league. What's your All-Atlantic/All-NBA team?
PG: Kyrie
Wing: Jesus
Wing: Lockhart
Big: Payne (fuck the world call me a homer)
Big: Embiid
This one is pretty easy
Big: KG
Big: Embid
Wing:Lockhart
Wing:Jesus
PG:Kyrie
PG: Kyrie
Wing: Jesus
Wing: Lockhart
Big: KG
Big: Embiid
PG: Irving
SG: Jesus
SF: Lockhart
PF: KG
C: Embid
C: Joel Embiid
PF: Adrien Payne
SF: Matthew Lockhart
SG: Jesus Shuttlesworth
PG: Kyrie Irving
3. Which player outside of your All-Atlantic team is most poised to break through and become a superstar?
Rex "The Three God" Walters. Look for this guy to put up 30 ppg this season or next. He is the truth.
Gonna go full homer and say Penny. He has great PG grades and is ready to be a triple double machine. He is up to A handles which means he should rack up plenty of assists and hopefully his turnovers decrease a little bit. But yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Penny takes home Most Improved this year.
Jesse Epstein for sure. (Editor's note: Way to pay attention to the question kn SMH)
I mentioned him in question one but I feel like Dipo could be close to taking the next step. Zo should also be a monster but might be a year or two away from hitting that zone.
Ben McLemore is going to be the next superstar. He is shooting really good to start the year and in the limited games so far has turned the ball over less. I think as he gets more efficient he is going to be a great player for Fason.
Bonus: Rank the Atlantic GMs from most trustworthy to Eric.
1. JHB
2. Everyone else
3. Eric
What can I say? I'm a great guy.
KN
Fason
Canes
Dump
Eric
JHB
Heebs
Added later: Forgot about the Hurley thing. put dump at the bottom of my trusted GM list as well
This is weak, but I like and trust every GM in the division, even Dump. Canes brought me into the league toward the end of 2.0 and helped me out a lot. I've kicked it with Heebs in real life and he's a good dude. I like Fason a lot. Eric's my guy and I'm riding with him. Dump's promised to put in a good word for me when Melanie decides to go black. JHB is good money and I promise to send him a KD Wizards jersey when he comes home this summer. But yeah, no one in the division has tried to trade rape me or been difficult to negotiate with, so it's hard to distrust them.
1) Fason - He's always upfront and honest with everything.
2) KN - Most chill dude in the league. Nothing but love for KN
3) Eric - Fuck them haters. Eric is a good dude
4) Canes - Solid dude, pain in the ass to talk trade with.
5) Heebs - The top 5 I have no issues with trust always fair and honest guys
6) JHB - Didn't he do some shady shit at the start of the year with his bff or something? Idk never did anything to me personally so idk (Editor's note: No he didn't. Your memory seems to be failing you)
7) Dump - Before this offseason Dump wouldn't be at the bottom. But the shit he pulled on the Hurley deal will likely have me avoiding doing business with him in the future if possible.
1 Kn
2 Fason
3 Heebs
4 Dump
5 JHB
6 Canes
7 Eric
Central
1. Which Central GM did work this offseason? Rate the division by their offseason performances.
Definitely Odin. He re-tooled his roster, raped a couple GMs, and his his team poised to fight for some post-season success despite looking on the cusp of a major rebuild last season. Bruns had a stellar draft by getting JJ. After that, everybody was pretty meh.
Unless I am missing something, the Central didn't do too much this offseason in terms of buying. I like what Bruns did. He won the lotto and still managed to keep his team pretty shitty. Should be able to pair another top 5 pick with JJ next year.
Odin and Trofie had the most eventful offseasons. I think Odin did a nice job because he made a lot of big moves and still has a good team. Props. We have to wait to see how Sim Ocho and Schröder pan out to grade Trofie's offseason, but I like that he took risks. Cleveland and Chicago made some solid tank moves. Pete looks like he's banking on irl Bullzards legends C-Webb and Otto to take the next step. RV stood pat. I wasn't too sure about those deals JW gave Daugherty and Avent. Sprewell was one of my favorite players irl, so I hope that works out for Duc.
In the end, Chicago got Jimmy, so they win the offseason.
1. Bulls - got a pure stud in the draft. Made a few other nice moves. Set up well for the future
2. Bucks - always a mover and a shaker. Always making moves seems set up for a nice year.
3. Cavs - Young pieces coming together didn't do anything to hurt his roster.
4. Raptors - Might be on the verge of making a big move to catapult to the top of this list
5. Hawks - Still building to never land
6. Pacers - Another ho hum offseason
7. Hornets - Never makes moves and is always in the basement. Did get good value for the big he shipped.
8. Bobcats - Made move after move but looks like he's just spinning his wheels and getting deeper in the mud.
Obviously you have to love what Bruns got out of the offseason, he was able to draft a lock superstar for a long time. Getting someone who will be great is a huge advantage for him going forward. I like the way the draft played out for myself, having Sprewell fall to me was really nice as he filled a position on need and hopefully can turn into a quality wing for me in the future. It was an interesting offseason for Trofie as he gave up a lot for a young player in Schröder. Iâll trust trofie though as his track record is pretty consistent.
2. After seeing the Pacers atop the Central in preseason, can anyone explain how JW took a .500 team, traded its best player, and largely neglected to do much else and has still had this much success?
Arvydas Sabonis is the truth.
Preseason records are the biggest waste of time. Had years where I had a great team that went 3-15 in preseason and bad teams hat went over .500.
The software will software. He still has a valuable roster and his pacers should be in the running for a playoff spot
The preseason mean nothing really but the software can just give weird results in those small number of games. Plus, Sabonis is awesome.
3. The Cavs were above .500 in preseason. Gugliotta looks like a player. Are they contenders or pretenders in the Central?
I think they are still pretenders. They have some work to do and I don't think Shaun is motivated to be a winner yet.
I really like Gugliotta, but sorry, the Cavs are a pretender. They should be good down the road though.
The Cavs suck and that's a good thing for them. I like what you're doing, Shaun.
They are up and coming. The core is coming together nicely. But for this season sans a large trade he's a pretender to the crown.
Pretenders just like Shaun wants, they are trying to position themselves to get better through the draft.
Bonus: Other than PB&J is there a more inseparable duo than RV and mediocrity?
Dump and loneliness. Sick double burn.
Bonus: Not cool JHB. RV is a good man.
It's been rough for RV since he had those nice squads with Clyde. With that said, there could be a deal out there for a certain franchise PG. Go get him.
Nope
Hall & Oates
Midwest
1. Take your moment to rant about the Jesse Epstein situation. The floor is yours:
I still think the problem is that someone abused their power to build a player that would play for him almost assuredly. Never let them play for him IMO. But I'm happy with the resolution.
I have pretty much said everything that needs to be said on this issue. Soup has handled it perfectly by getting rid of 0/0/0 throughout the league and tweaking Eptein's blocks. I don't know if it was enough though. There is a pretty decent chance Epstein is the league MVP starting next season. Hopefully we don't end up with nick diaz 2.0 and it kills the fun of the league
1. I'm not trippin' over that. I'm fortunate enough to have a young point god of my own, so I'm straight.
Super Players are bad for the league. Congrats to dil on his 2nd of 4.0
Eric knowing exactly what he did and his attempts to argue them when everyone agrees the situation was fucked. I think changing the 0/0/0 and change the hometown would be good enough to change the situation for the better. Own up to what happened and just more on and it will be for the better. Also, I said it already but great job soup on handling it.
2. 20s has largely been the class of this division for about the past decade, but hasn't won the gold to validate his reign...which is more likely in KCO - a rebuild or a title?
He's due. It's hard to sustain this level of success and not get lucky in a playoffs. I think this is his year.
20s hates to rebuild/tank. He will adjust on the fly and be back on top soon enough. Though he has been much busier lately. Id say there is a better chance of him stepping away than tanking.
A title. He still has the best 1-3 in the league, and they're 26, 30, and 30. I like his defensive bigs are nice. He'll be in the mix for at least a few more seasons.
His run is impressive. He and I both have nothing to show for two of the best teams in the league for the past 5 + years. But he has the respect of the league and they know his talent is top notch. He doesn't do many full out tanks so I think a retool and title run is more likely.
Title, he is long overdue for a title and he has an awesome roster. I believe this will be the year he wins it all.
3. Almost all of the teams in this division have pretty solid lineups. There are no clear tankers. How many teams make the postseason? Which Midwest GM(s) is/are left in the cold?
I think all the teams in this division are STRONG except for one. The team that misses the playoffs for certain: SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS SPURS
I am going to say the Jazz, Rockets, and Thunder are on the outside looking in. Epstein is going to get Dil to 30ish wins, but with some creative DC maneuvering he will be in the lotto.
Barring injuries, the Jazz, Kings, Nuggets, Wolves, and Rockets will make it. I like what GBG did to become a playoff team last year, but that division might be too good for his team to make it this year.
I think the Nuggets, Kings, Rockets and Wolves are playoff teams. GBG still is overvaluing prospects and has yet to find a legit mega star. I don't see the Thunder making the playoffs. I think SPL hasn't tweaked his roster enough or freshened it up and those Jazz look like they on the downhill. Word is he is looking to move some of his better guys. Spurs is bad and tanking.
Kings, Nuggets, Jazz, Wolves, and Rockets all make the playoffs. Meaning no Thunder or Spurs.
Bonus. When will GBG realize Wiggins is a steaming pile of shit?
I'm just glad he refused to trade him to me after his rookie season because I wanted a super-defensive wing tandem of Wiggins and Artest. Disaster averted.
GBG will pull a Canes and go down with the Wiggins ship. It's always hardest to accept that a highly touted prospect is a bust.
He won't shoot and turns it over too much. Maybe he doesn't shoot enough because he gets stripped every time he sets up to shoot
I don't think Wiggins is a piece of trash but he overvalued him greatly. It's probably time to cut bait if he has a offer bringing him some sort of future assets. Eric didn't like WIggins and he's never going to be elite because of it. A nice role player but nothing more.
If it hasnât happened yet it probably never will.
Pacific
1. Dirt won a title and immediately traded two starting bigs for one. Thoughts on the trade?
I wanted to crack on him for this but he seems to be better than ever. He's a wizard. Great trade for both sides.
I have learned to never doubt dirt. He loves making trades and is quick to recognize if a move didn't work and make another one to fix any issues.Keep doing your thing dirt.
Dirt has three titles. He knows what he's doing.
It not a bad move Mutombo is solid and he gets a pick and added some depth.
Dirt is another guy who I trust in the decisions he makes. He has rebuilt and won multiple titles with different cores. He will eventually again be at the top of the league.
2. Despite dirt's title, the Pacific has generally been one of our weaker divisions for awhile. Outside of LA, there may be no clear playoff teams in this division. Do you see a surprise team in this division that could make a big run? Who and why?
Call me a homer but I think Majic (Magic...get it?) may give some people a surprise this season. I'm not sure if it will mean he makes the postseason or not, but I don't think he will be a cellar dweller. I predict he fights for the final seed in the playoffs.
I have been surprised and honestly can't figure out why Buster's teams haven't been better with Clegane and Arizin and some solid defensive bigs.
Any time a team has a big who can put up 28+/12+/4+ on good percentages while putting your opponent in foul trouble, you have a chance to steal a playoff spot. I don't think it happens for Ank though.
You figure the five Midwest teams plus the Clippers and Lakers will make it. The Grizzlies are the best of the remaining teams in the west, so they'll make it.
Clippers are the only title contending team. The rest are hot garbage
I would say the Grizzlies because they have the most talent of the bunch. A top big in Tobi really could help the grizzlies win games.
3. How do you rate Taco's return on Fason's and Trof's pilfering of his roster?
I'm usually a proponent of quality over quantity, but when you get fucking twelve firsts back in a trade, you've made quite the bounty. That's enough to just shower picks on people when you are ready to make moves.
Taco tore down his team. It needed to be done imo. However, he got a lot of garbage firsts. If it was a GM like Fason, I'd have faith that he could turn those garbage firsts into elite talent down the line, but I don't think taco put's in the time or the work to pull it off. He is stuck hoping that one of the teams whose picks he now owns decides to blow it up and comes to him with a star player.
I liked the deal he made with Trofie, even though I'm hoping three of those picks are trash. I would've asked for McLemore, but I like that he got his picks back in the Saric trade. I get why he dumped Blake for nothing. I don't know why he signed Tyreke, though. He should probably try to trade him and see what Lindsey Hunter does with big minutes.
The weak get chewed alive in this league. No surprise super active vet GMs got the deals in they did. Can't half ass this league its too competitive
He got quantity over quality in those deals. He may end up with a lot of picks but Iâm not really sure the quality will be there to make any turn into something worthwhile.
Bonus. How many of Druce's teams miss the playoffs?
The Blazers come closer but both teams are on the outside looking in come playoff time.
1 team misses imo.
1
Feels like he's always in the playoffs... wait... Not sure if this is shade or a trivia question. going Trivia route and say 6
1
TMBSL
1. Give us your picks for the end of year awards:
MVP: Epstein
ROY: Epstein
DPOY: Mystic Stone
MVP: Kyrie
ROY: Epstein
DPOY: ZO (HOMER PICK)
MVP: Kyrie
ROY: Mr. Grannis
DPOY: Zo
MVP: Kyrie Irving
ROTY: Cheat Code 2.0
DPOTY: Mystic Stone
MVP: Kyrie
ROY: Jesse Epstein
DPOY: Joel Embiid
2. Who is your favorite to win the title? Who is your favorite to win the Wilkins sweepstakes?
I am going with my boy 20's to finally claim the gold. Magic (via Spurs) win the Wilkins sweepstakes. DOWN WITH THE SPURS!
Bullets win the title while posting the best record
Bruns wins the Wilkins sweepstakes and builds a monster wing combo
Kings. The Cavs and Suns made phenomenal tank moves by signing Jacobson and Washburn. Those teams are ass. It should be a fun battle.
East - Bullets West - Rockets
Wilkins Sweepstakes: Yawn
I think the Kings win it all this year. The team that will have the most ping pong balls is the Phoenix Suns
Bonus: How bad has JHB been trade raping Trof lately with the Lopez-Payne trade and the Stack-Brooks/Walters trade?
Oh man I haven't seen a rape this bad since I watched Law and Order: SVU all the time.
Trof never gets trade raped. Sorry JHB
You've been raping him as badly as Presti raped Morey in the Harden deal. Oh wait ...
Swish.
Bonus: Trofie is my boy... you may win a battle but you always lose the war.
Yea Iâll bet this ends up playing out better for Trofie.