Post by lakers209er on Feb 21, 2015 23:06:24 GMT
Well here's my first roundtable eeverrr.....
1. Who's the MVP of your team right now?
Grizzlies) On a team with Michael Jordan and Shawn Kemp I still have to say the MVP is Larry Bird. He just does it all and has been close to a triple double a few times this year. I am really impressed with his shot blocking. I think he Is my favorite player on my team currently. Hes putting up league MVP stats with 30 and 10 2.5 blocks and 5 dimes a game. Hopefully he wins it!
Raptors) Whole roster thus far this season. Fact that we are just under .500% trying to tank the whole season says one of two things. Either you're a shit GM who doesn't know how to tank, or a team that is too talented to tank but not championship material. I think a little bit of both, but we just can't consistently lose and we didn't have Reggie Miller during that stretch. Late lotto for the win
Celtics) That's a tough one. I have two All-Stars in Vandy and Pistol and both rightfully deserve it from their play so far this season. Vandy going 26/7/5 and Pistol going 24.5/5/8.6/3 steals is pretty impressive. But I'd have to go with last year's MVP Pistol Pete, with his two player of the week awards and since you need good guard play to be relevant in this league. But if Vandy continues to develop he will be an MVP too very soon.
Pacers) It's hard to say, my team is REALLY balanced, a different person leads us in scoring and rebounds every night. Most would expect me to say Kareem here, but Reggie Lewis is resilient and though he has some turnover issues in the 1st option spot, he made a huge difference (bigger than the addition of WBF has). Lewis was scoring 24 PPG prior to ballhog WBF coming to town and that's in an inside offense.
Magic) We have a bunch of old and young players who are all working hard and pulling their weight, but I'd have to say that the face of our franchise is probably Wilt Chamberlain right now. He's the grizzled vet who's done bullshitting and he wants a ring. In the first third of this season when it was mainly Wilt's team, he led us in scoring, rebounding, and blocks through his leadership, our record reflected his no-nonsense style of play.
Sonics) Kenny Smith, though if you removed any player that's plays a lot of minutes for this team right now, things would change drastically
Mavericks) Larry fucking Steele. Top 10 in PPG, Leader in FTA, Leader in RPG; best big in the game. The guy has been making strides ever since I got him and thank god for that otherwise his contract would've been an absolute nightmare. Have started using him as No 1 Option these days so the league should watch out.
2. Which team has been the most surprising or disappointing so far this season?
Grizzlies) I feel that the nets are currently most disappointing. After facing hard cap issues post CY I expected them to be able to make a big push toward the playoffs. I think that Arizin was exactly what they needed but with 60 Mil plus off the books after this year it could be a really different nets team next year. The most surprising has to be the Kings. After losing Moses they fell a bit and now are back on top of the west slaying teams Thon style.
Raptors) Don't really see one. Was the Grizzlies for a while but they are finally rolling as they are 8-2 in their last ten and now 26 and 16 overall on the season. Jazz have been kinda surprising because you expect the team to lose, but their players aren't listening to the GM.
Celtics) I'm surprised the Pacers have gotten this good, and how the Sonics have maintained their dominant ways in the Pacific. But I'd have to say I'm most surprised with how bad the Cavs are. In a good way of course, they're impressively bad, though moving your good players help but still to be that bad is quite impressive.
Pacers) The Pistons have my jaw on the floor near the top of the East. Maybe its scheduling against a weak conference, but JBC has finally get to what I'm assuming was his peak and they're winning games. Sometimes a high seed in the playoffs is all you need.
Magic) The Kings tbh. There are a few surprising teams, but the SacTown Kings didn't make any big FA signings, and really their only big acquisition in the offseason was Joe Dumars (who is looking pretty good right now). If you asked me before the season, I definitely wouldn't have guessed that the Kings would have a top 5 record at this point in the season.
Sonics) Kings are really surprising, thought it would take them a little longer to compete after losing Malone, Makers the real deal though
Mavericks) Surprising – Kings being 3rd is pretty impressive. Don't remember them making any moves outside of drafting Dumars but they have somehow won a lot more. We'll see if this continues…
Disappointing – Clippers, they made a lot of nice moves but aren't quite there yet… Truck & Rudy have been horrid and shouldn't be playing so much on a contending team. I think the Raptors are just one piece away from being really good again so I'll say they've been disappointing so far too.
3. Has your team been playing to your expectations so far this season?
Grizzlies) My team had a slow start with little depth and a average FA. Will always regret not offering Wilt 200k more which would have been max. I think now we have finally clicked and will continue on with good play as the season goes on. Not sure how far this team could go. In a normal season I would say champs for sure but so many teams are so stacked thanks to so many teams tanking. Weird balance this year.
Raptors) Team has played beyond expectations considering that I was trying to tank, my best scoring option went down and we still were a tough team to beat most nights.
Celtics) To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect after moving Bridgeman. I knew that we would have a tough time after moving our #1 option last season. But we're playing pretty well right now, 15 games over .500 is pretty good. Thurl is developing well and Teagle has been a nice addition. However I wish I still had Tree because I miss his defense.
Pacers) What can I say, we overtook 1st seed this past sim and I bet we're gonna stay there. Sure, there's more losses than you'd want or expect, but with the cap dropping I think even the bottom dwellers are more talented than in past years so I guess you can't expect a 60 win season realistically anymore. Maybe the Sonics can make me look silly and do it.
Magic) Yes.. and recently no. Before we acquired star guard Allonzo Raines, this team farrr exceeded my expectations. I wasn't shocked because I knew we had talent, but those consecutive 9-1, 8-2 sims made me pretty happy from a team-building standpoint. After we signed Webber and Wilt and picked up Wiggans, I knew that we were closing in on contender status, and my main concern was the play of Isaiah and Stanley. I'm happy to say that those two have picked up the slack and played well with our veterans. We've been playing at a .500 level ever since we have acquired Allonzo Raines so clearly he has disrupted our chemistry. However we are more talented now than ever and I believe it's only a matter of time before the team figures it out and we'll recapture some of our early success.
Sonics) exceeded them, even though we won the ship last season, I felt like I really fucked up the offseason, turns out the complete opposite happened, defense has been our calling card this season apparently
Mavericks) Better than expected. 6-2 with narrow losses since all my trades were done, so it’s been promising. Originally planned to tank this year for real but yet again decided not to after my team looked better than anticipated. Steele & Wilkins have really exceeded expectations this season. I hope to be 4th seed eventually. I would like for us to be 4th seed behind Grizz, Lakers, Sonics.
4. Do you have a rivalry with a certain team(s)/GM(s)?
Grizzlies) This year my rivals are all the teams that could take me out in the playoffs. Magic, Pacers, Lakers, Clippers. I got to prepare my team to beat these guys but sadly I do not have all that many assets to work with to make the team any better.
Raptors) Not really. Raptors and Bulls had a nice rivalry for a bit but that died down after a while. Bucks beat us last two postseasons but I wouldn't really consider it a rivalry since we haven't done shit against them in the postseason.
Celtics) Fuck the Griz, Fuck the Magic, Fuck the Raptors, Fuck the Sonics, Fuck Mikan. But on a serious note, Magic and Raptors. Shorty and Ty are great GM's and I hate having to get passed them in the East..
Pacers) I was stoked on seeing a Pacers-Sixers ECF for the next 5+ seasons, but with Cfin out I guess that won't happen. I haven't really been here long enough to have rivalries, but I'll stir some up soon, lol. Would expect many exciting Pacers-Magic/Grizz matchips in the future. Maybe crazyguy will be able to give us a new Pacers-Knicks ECF.
Magic) Ah, I don't have a Celtics-Lakers kind of rivalry with anyone, but we've all been in the league long enough to know which teams we circle the calenders for. All those years of being thrashed by bloops' Bulls has definitely given me a chip on my shoulder whenever we play them. More recently, it's been fun competing against the Heat and Celtics who have both had some pretty good teams recently and in the past. We play them 4 times a season so it's fun. And I can't forget about Braz who is one of the most aggressive traders in the league. He's put together some pretty amazing teams over the seasons and every matchup has this Finals-matchup feel to it. Lastly, the Pacers seem to be gunning for our heads lately, and so we'll just have to stay tuned and see what happens there.
Sonics) Rivalry's are for those that dunno how to separate themselves from the competition, therefore, I have no rivals
Mavericks) I don’t deserve any rivals because I still haven’t won a championship yet haha. I guess I like beating BD because he’s been the King of the West. I also enjoy beating the Rockets these days ever since they took Battle away
5. Which blockbuster trade from this season has been the most effective so far?
Grizzlies) So far it has to be Larry Bird. I think my team has shown vast improvement. Pacers have gotten a lot better too and somehow the Magic are worse but that makes no sense because they did not give up any great players and only added a 30 ppg scorer.
Raptors) Bird to the Grizzlies has to be atop the list. Getting the best player in the file for mere role players wasn't the greatest haul. Bucks made the deal with the intent of tanking, but currently still in the playoffs.
Celtics) Definitely think that the Pacers acquiring WBF was huge. They're only weakness was PG and they upgraded in a big way. Thought the deal was questionable though, giving up questionable young players for a proven All-Star but if WBF retires they don't seem to be in a position where they could upgrade like that again, and will have to wait to draft a good starting caliber player with no draft picks in the upcoming seasons.
Pacers) It's hard to say. Magic have fallen a bit, and I have sorta kept pace.. looks like the two hottest teams are the Wolves, who haven't traded, and the Clippers. The addition of Jerry West has been nice and I expect they end up top 4 in the West.
Magic) That's a tricky one to answer. The Pacers and Grizzlies have obviously benefited a lot from the deconstruction of the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Rockets are a much much better team with Junior Bridgeman. I'll go with the Pacers because I honestly did not think they were a contender until they made that trade. Now they are sitting a top the East and one of the best teams in the league. The Grizz had MJ and Kemp and were already considered a threat to win it all despite their early struggles.
Sonics) idk, it's probably one of them Grizzle trades, WBF was a nice pick up for Indy though, had been targeted him for awhile but had a hard time matching salary
Mavericks) The Bird deal was really nice for the Grizz, their offense looks deadly with him in the mix next to Jordan. World B Free deal was also a good one, for the Pacers. Kinda disappointed that the Bucks went for those packages tbh, but I guess they didn’t have other options.
6. Will the celtics or sonics make an appearance in the finals again? If not, who will?
Grizzlies) No I doubt it, Celtics moved bridgeman and are still recovering and Sonics are really good but I think so fr this season a few teams can easily compete with them, last season that was not the case.
Raptors) Magic and Grizzlies. Basically Cheatriots Vs. Seacawks. You don't root for either, just gotta root for a good series and make sure they don't repeat.
Celtics) Sonics definitely have a great shot, they are completely dominating the west. Celtics suck, I don't think they have a shot in hell of making it.
Pacers) Celtics probably won't be able to barring many ill-timed injuries without Bridgeman, but the Sonics have been leading the West all year with basically the same team as last year. The Grizz or Clippers could probably give him some trouble. My prediction for finals is PACERS over Grizzlies!
Magic) I doubt the Celtics will make it that far again. They lost some major scoring in Bridgeman and now they lose Tree's shot blocking. The Sonics have the best chance to make it out of the West if you ask me, mainly due to the emergence of Kenny Smith. They still have Playoffs MVP Moses Malone, and their starting 5 has no weakness at this point.
Sonics) yer, will be playing against 2nd place, 2nd place obviously gets 2nd place
Mavericks) I like the Grizz from the West, although the Sonics obviously have a great chance of making it too. The East is a little harder to predict right now, but I’d pick the safe bet of the Pacers right now, unless the Magic figure out their DC or make a move.
7. Are you excited for the new NCAA league?
Grizzlies) Since I was able to draft Brazilian great, Oscar Schmitt I am really excited. I want to see how he will translate into the league. May not be able to draft him since I don’t have picks for a while but atleast I will be able to have him now. Who should I take second round? LOL
Raptors) Didn't get Webber or Richmond, so no. Not really. But yeah it looks interesting and should a nice little scouting tool. Maybe Itty can finally build a legit contender
Celtics) Yeah, I'm actually looking forward to it. I think it'll be a nice and new part of the league. I think it'll also help GM's in future drafts to take less risks on players with questionable notes if they know what to expect from seeing them produce in actual games. Not sure what the transition from NCAA to NBADSL matrix will be but I think all of this will a great addition.
Pacers) I'm excited for the free draft scouts, but thats really the most exciting part of it for me. I hope its more fun/easier for bundy than writing notes every year, thats gotta be dull as shit.
Magic) It's something new, and I think it can be a great scouting tool for people that take the time to look. I'm excited to see what a lot of these new players can do.
Sonics) more desperate chucking? Ya sure, I'm excited
Mavericks) Yes, I’m a fan of Webber and I’m glad I can start with him. I think it’ll be a cool league feature. Let’s go Chicago Maroons!
8. Do you play basketball at all in real life?
Grizzlies) Yes only recreationally now. I am on an intramural team at my college and play at the gym. I love playing. Actually just spirant my ankle last night and am now on crutches. But ball is life
Raptors) Yeah bruh ball so hard
Celtics) I do, recreationally, when it's not freezing or snowing outside of course. During the summer I usually play pick up games with bloop, ball, and braz at local courts.
Pacers) Only organized ball was 4th grade rec. I was PG for the Lakers, lost in the semis to the Celtics sigh.. Used to ball all the time til the past couple years. Go to the Y occasionally but there's never anyone there lol.
Magic) I play at my local gym about once a week.
Sonics) yer, I have an amazing 3pt shot and grab all rebounds, you can see where my inspiration for the teams I build come from
Mavericks) Yes, but nothing noteworthy… played a lot as a kid but prefer watching nowadays. I wonder who the best NBADSL baller is.
