Post by The Slough on Jun 18, 2019 0:12:25 GMT
1. Prediction of who will face in the ECF and WCF and who wins, in how many games?
Bundy: Cavs/Wizards in the ECF with the Cavs winning in 6 and Clippers/Warriors in the WCF with Clippers advancing in 7 games, Cavs to win the ship in 7 games as well
John: Wizards vs Cavs: Cavs in 7 I believe their PG, and SG play will make the difference.
Wolves vs Clipper: Clippers in 6 I like the Clippers lineup from top to botteom and expect anther fine season from them.
Rog: The East is impossible to predict. There are three teams currently far and away the best in the conference, with the Wizards, Cavs, and Hornets taking the lead. The Celtics are the back to back defending champs and are starting to play up to their talent, so I think its between those four, despite talented teams in Toronto and Indiana as well. I'm going to go with the Wizards vs the Celtics, with the Wizards breaking through in 7 in a tough series. This would require the Celtics to get the 1 or 4 and the Wizards to get the other one, so any number of things could happen.
The West isn't easier to predict, really. I think the Warriors have proven to be the best team in the conference pretty easily, when healthy. so I'll go with them as one of the teams. I never want to count the Clippers out with their history and their team stats actually indicate they have underperformed a bit. And honestly I'm a believer the Wolves have over-performed and won't win in the playoffs, then they went and made the finals, so who knows. I'll go with the Clippers and Warriors, Warriors winning in 6.
ucfinfan86: ECF seems like a 4 team race between Wizards, Hornets, Cavs and Celtics. I think the Hornets are the best team in the league and it's hard to doubt the Celtics. I'd say Hornets over Celtics in ECF in 7
West is alot weaker top to bottom than the East. I think if the Warriors get back pre-injury Lumpp then they are the favorites. I'd say Warriors over Clippers in 6. I think the west is there for the taking if one of the top 5 or 6 teams can make a big move.
Donny: Wizards - Cavs in the East. guessing that the Cavs will squeeze out the division win over the Hornets. Wizards in 7.
Warriors - Clippers seems like the best bet in the West, assuming they can get the correct seeds to where they won't have to face off in the second round. I'll take the Clippers in 6.
Yourkers:
I will go with out East the Wizards vs the Hornets. I feel the Celtics hurt themselves with their recent trade and it can cost them in the playoffs. Ths Wizards are the hottest team and the Hornets with their recent trade have put them in the driver seat in the central. I take the wizards in 6 because I feel the Hornets depth could be their downfall.
Out west I am gonna go with grizz vs the trailblazers. I just really like both te and ms makeup. They both got really good starting 5s and I feel the west is more wide open. I like Twyman/Stokes combo to rule out west in the playoffs and the blazers big man depth is gonna make them so difficult. But I will go with star power and say grizz in 7.
2. Early MVP candidate (not associated with how fbb grades PG's) ?
Bundy:
West, Lummp, Nico and Cousy are up there so I think its out of Cousy and Nico, Stokes is a player who I think should get a MVP nod though
John:
I know FBB will select a PG so I am going to go away from PG although most of the top players in the league are PG. I like Nikos Galis, Jaen Green, Jack Twyman, Kareem Queely but most likely it will go to a PG like Bob Cousy.
Rog:
Without being biased and going with West, seriously he seemingly propels me from a 7 or 8 seed to a top 3 seed, I'll say Nico Mannion. Hes been the biggest reason for the Cavaliers going nuts this year, and I think he was by far the best acquisition this off season. I know Bob Cousy is winning it again, but Mannion is the second or third best player in the league and seriously underrated. This dude is second in 2nd in scoring, averaging 10 assists and over 2 steals while managing his turnovers and shooting insane percentages. Just crazy good.
ucfinfan86:
Pre-Injury Lumpp had a real case, but right now it's coming down to Nico vs West vs Cousy. It's hard to say anyone but Cousy when he's won the last 7. It's amazing how Nico has taken his game up a level this season. I thought he topped out with the Spurs and had an opportunity to trade for him. Had I known he would have propelled to the next level it would have been a no brainer to take that trade. It's unreal what West is doing as a sophomore. Not even Cousy came out this strong. I've only been around since 2030, but I can't imagine anyone else has hit the ground running as fast as he has in the history of the NBN. It'll be fun to watch Nico vs West vs Oscar for the next decade once Cousy finally falls off.
Donny:
Off the board slightly, but I love what Leroy Edwards has done this season. He's been incredibly efficient, scoring a great bit, very above-average rebounder, huge for stocks. Nothing else you can ask for from him.
Yourkers: Well Cousy is easily the MVP because his #s are just off the charts. But beside Cousy I will go with Lumpl at 34 he is showing his valuable the really is in turning around the fortune for the warriors and being injured the warriors have not been the same. I will now go with a non PG in Goga Bitadze as he is having a career year. 22.1 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 3m4 bpg, while shooting 47% from the field. He is doing it all for the blazers who look destined to make a legit playoff run.
3. Most underrated player not on a rookie contract (age, salary, stats, ratings,etc all matter) ?
Bundy:
Case has always been underrated and I don’t think much has changed, is elite in the areas who need a PG to be and doesn’t demand big dollars like most PGs do, his not really shooting much this Season but he doesn’t need to with Stokes and Twyman on board
John:
Going down the depth chart here from the top tier players but I like Jalen Johnson here despite his turnovers he can shoot the ball from 3, and is pretty good scorer all around. Signed to solid contract and is in his prime years but I think due to the suns record he is a forgotten man.
Rog:
Well, I'm gonna go in a random direction, given this guy is 34 doesn't really fit the last part, but here we are. Jamie Pradilla went from being a big time contributor on the Celtics back to back title team to being part of the Cavaliers resurgence. Nico Mannion and Jalen Green get all the headlines, but it can't be overstated how valuable a 15 point, 14 rebound power forward who is good defensively(even if he doesn't block shots) who only makes 7 million a year. Allows you to fill out the roster without being obtrusive, which overpaid bigs can be.
ucfinfan86:
Couple of players jump out as I look through rosters. C Perry Crosswhite, PG Gene Vance, C Honglin Qu, C Salah Mejri, PF Bailey Howell, PF Johnny Green, SG Clifton McNeeley (draft note). My most underrated is PF Bailey Howell. The combination of stats, long term contract, ratings make him the my underrated contract in the league. I know he's raised him game since he left, but I can't believe the Lakers just let him walk.
Donny:
Nelson Demarco on Minnesota. The guy's been absolutely fantastic in his starting role especially considering he hasn't started in the NBN in years. I think he's very underrated as a point guard, and his defense is likely pretty strong considering he doesn't get a crazy amount of stocks. Not to mention, he makes $6.6M.
Yourkers: Nelson DeMarco. He is a guy who never got the playing time he deserved. He has always been a good player and is now finally getting to show his true value on a team leading a division. 20 ppg and 10.7 apg while only getting paid 6.615 mill a year. That is someone for sure who is underrated.
4. Prediction of how the new Salary Cap rule will change things in the first year?
Bundy:
Haven’t looked into it as closely as Id like but Ill have to do so this offseason, I believe salary % are rising or something like that so hopefully it doesnt cause too many inflated contracts to be in the league
John:
Well I voted against it but I get the idea behind it I think it could after a season or two make Free Agency more interesting, but it could also lower owners interest in the league if the salary % raises stop a team from being able to retain the players they view as franchise players.
Rog:
I'm not even going to pretend to have that answer. This league is so different than any others I've been in, and the trading levels of some GMs is going to be very telling in the first year or two. Either you are going to have to be really good at drafting and getting steals in free agency or you will have to turn your roster over constantly to keep up and be on a long track. Its doable but I seriously hope some of the less trade willing guys in the league realize how much they need to get in front of their salary issues with the new rules.
ucfinfan86:
I think everyone is going to try and clear their salary for 2044 so they can spend freely. I'm expecting a lot of players to get overpaid, but the last day or 2 should have a lot of steals as the money dries up. I've been hesitant to acquire players who will be free agents in 2044 because I expect I will either have to pay them a lot of money or will lose them.
Donny:
I think most of us will be pretty timid in how things play out for us. Those with a ton of cap will probably be more inclined to use it and the way I see it, it'll just make re-signings and such that much more important.
Yourkers: It will make teams be on their toes. Everyone is at play at all times. It should have FA be more active and at first I can see people going crazy with it. Because with his maxes work now you can see some players not worthy of it getting it because a team wants to make sure they get said player. Now if you're smart bout it you will have teams really putting together quality teams for good overall money and it will make trading a little easier as we dont have to match contracts now. So overall more activity is a good thing.
5. Top 3 early GMOTY's candidates and why?
Bundy:
Eh probably Svedda, jcog and rog/silver will be up there, think Slough should get a few votes since his winning with a team with no real superstar on board
John:
Warriors they have completely retooled and are returning to the top of the standings. Cavs I have always liked how he has built his teams and I think be seasons end the record will show the Cavs as one of if not the best teams in the league. Third I don't have a choice right now a few teams are kinda jammed up, but I do see a couple of them trying to make moves to set them apart from the pack. I think few more sims will be interesting to watch.
Rog:
1. Cavs
2. Hornes
3. Warriors
That would be my vote if I could vote for myself right now. The Cavs are the obvious pick, and I think the vote should come down to me vs him and how much stock you put into the luck of free agency vs long term planning. The Mannion move puts the Cavs over the edge for me, what a great deal he made. Warriors also did good work in free agency and have built their roster with trade supplements. The depth moves I made plus the big trade for Dino took my team from being really good to a true title contender, potential favorite type and I think that shouldn't be ignored. Thats my order right now but I could be convinced to vote for any of the above 3 as my #1.
ucfinfan86:
Cavs - Mainly for getting the Nico deal done. Green/Havlicek isn't something he had a lot of control over
Warriors - Signing Lumpp changed the direction of this team for the next few seasons
Wizards - PG/Pettit trade is working out great right now. He's stuck with Drazen/Galis and they are playing great. Crosswhite was a huge find
Donny:
1 - Wizards. No way he's not up here, considering his team's got the best record in the league and he's come out of nowhere to shine.
2 - Hornets. Roger's done a great job re-building and he's finally center stage here to compete for a ring.
3 - Cavs. I don't know how he always does it, but he's back and better than ever with a hell of a roster and a very, very successful first half of his season.
Yourkers: Wizards- took his team to the next level and is looking destined to be a player for the title
Hornets- Same thing as the wizards as their team is just playing lights out.
Wolves- lost Vick and clyde and yet still have a team playing at the highest level. It's pretty amazing how they have been able to stay at the top after losing 2 big time players.
6. Top 3 underrated GM's in the league and why?
Bundy:
Meh i dont know thats a rather difficult question, guess Id say braz, svedda and frosty? braz is decent when his active and svedda is probably just being casual and frosty probably gets bored so he keeps moving his main players, eh yeah hard to really kiss ass on this one
John:
This one is tough for me looking over history, and longtime owners I would say most are pretty good. Then you have a drop off because of turnover, lack of activity or poor team performance. I geuss if I had to make a choice I would say Don1955 I have been in leagues with him for over a decade and I know from time to time he has little time for this stuff but when he is involved he can be a very solid owner. Rog retools and rebuilds well, Frosty has come in and done a nice job with the Raptors.
Rog:
I hate this question because I don't think GMs are underrated or overrated in this league. Like, if you have success everyone knows you are a good GM, if you don't you don't. No one thinks Jcog or Naterade or PJ is a bad GM, because their track record shows thats wrong. I think Frosty doesn't get enough credit, but hes also never put together an actual true contender so maybe hes rightfully ranked. I don't like this question, mostly because I don't have an actual answer.
ucfinfan86:
This is tough because I'm not sure how my thoughts on GMs differ from the rest of the league. Maybe we need someone to do a top 10 GM poll like Rog is doing with the top 10 players to get a feel for what everyone thinks?
I'm going to exclude the guys who I think are the surefire top guys (JCog, Van)
I think frosty is really good and usually makes me laugh the most of anyone on here. I think Jelly makes unconventional moves and they always seem to land him in contention. Donny/PJ are kind of lumped together. Both have been consistently good since I've been here but people always give them shit which can sometimes overshadow what they've accomplished.
Donny:
it and stops holding back, I'm a big fan of what he's done.
2 - Raptors. I like to mess with Frosty, but he's done a great job getting his team to be a perennial playoff competitor and shouldn't struggle to take them to the next level.
3 - Blazers. For someone who seems like he's always trying to make a move, the Blazers have been building something special here for a few seasons and I think that he's done an incredible job taking the next step after starting a bit slow.
Yourkers: I really dont think we have any underrated gms. We know who are active and who are not. We know who is capable of what. But if I have to chose I will go with
Cedi- he hasnt gotten the recognition do to the fact his team just cant win the big one but since day one he has been a player.
Frosty- Has been doing a great job with the Raptors after they took a real nose dive. Always puts together nice teams and is amazingly active
Jelly/Bundy- Same as frosty. He is amazingly active and has been putting great teams together. He will get his one day.
7. In order favorite sport and team for the top 3 and why?
Bundy:
AFL, Collingwood FC been a fan since birth so dont know any other way
NBA, Orlando Magic similar as above, was the team I backed when I was a kid so Ill stick with em. There pretty much the only team involved sports I follow
John:
1. Vikings (Born and raised a Vikings fan and like the pain of my heart getting ripped out of my chest.)
2. Twins (I was a very good baseball player, and had 9 major league teams try me out at 15. Twins I loved Kirby Puckett and thought he was the world as a kid.
3. Dart. I play darts after I couldn't bowl anymore I had a 215 average running the circuit here in Minnesota before cancer almost took my right leg. I took up Darts and 20 years later have meet most of my friends, and people I consider family doing it.
Rog:
I think you mean top 3 sports, not top 3 teams per sports because I don't really have a top 3, I root for my team and maybe 1 other one for various reasons but thats about it.
As for the sports,
1. Baseball - Dodgers
2. Football - 49ers/Nebraska Cornhuskers
3. Basketball - Lakers
I actually like Football/Basketball pretty equally, but put football at number 2 because of how much I like college football, it might be number 1 al on its own, but I just fucking love baseball. All the strategy, stats, and everything that goes into it plus its during the time of the year where its warm and the air doesn't hurt my face where I live, so thats a plus. I just love everything about baseball. As for my teams, I was born in LA and so picked up the two LA teams in the Lakers, Dodgers. When I grew up there wasn't a football team in LA, and Jeff Garcia, the end of Jerry Rice, Garrison Hearst, and of course Terrell Owens tearing the league up. So I fell in love and been a fan ever since.
ucfinfan86:
1. NFL - Miami Dolphins. I live in South Florida and football is just my favorite sport. Rooting for the Dolphins has been my #1 hobby ever since I can remember. Growing up I would watch them with my dad every Sunday and finally started going to games in the mid-late 90s.
2. NBA - Miami Heat - I started really following them in 2002. At the time I was more of a college basketball fan and was a huge UConn fan (born in CT) and Caron Butler was my favorite player. He got drafted to the Heat in 2002 and it made it easy to really transition from CBB to NBA and then the next year they drafted my new favorite player in DWade.
3. CFB - UCF Knights - Easiest to answer, because I'm an alumni.
Baseball use to be 1A with football when I was younger, but I don't care about it at all now. Growing up all I did was collect Baseball and Football cards and "play" with them while watching sportscenter all day. Ahh the 90s was a good time.
Donny:
1 - My favorite sport's gotta be hockey. I'm a big Rangers fan, grew up on the sport and I fell in love instantly. It's the most high paced, edge of your seat sport there is.
2 - Baseball, Dodgers. I've very much enjoyed watching the Dodgers over my life, being a baseball fan in Los Angeles growing up was great and it's been a rollercoaster ride in recent years.
3 - Basketball, Lakers. Also grew up on the Lakers in LA, and while recent years have been upsetting, watching some of the great teams win Championships when I was still in middle school was absolutely incrdible for me. Kobe, Shaq, Pau, and the boys.
Yourkers: Hockey- New York rangers- this the one team I grew up with that I stuck with because I just loved them from the start. The only team from New York I actually root for and even with all the ups.and downs I will never change on that
Football- Green Bay Packers- When I got to see Brett Favre play I fell in love. His style and not being afraid is what stuck out most to me. N since then now I got A-Rod to root for and got to see him win the big one.
Basketball- San Antonio Spurs- Getting to see Tim Duncan play got me hooked. He was so technical and fluent that I was just like wow. Add a guy like Manu who is a lefty like me and when I played i just wanted to play like him that it stuck for me. Just like Favre Manu was fearless and it stuck with me.
8. Top 3 favorite board games and why?
Bundy:
Monopoly, gets everyone involved and keeps everyone interested
Twisted, good game esp in the nude with the wife
Guess who, decent game especially for all ages
John:
1. Risk: Loved playing it as a kid with all my neighborhood friends.
2. Life: My Grandmother and I would play it a lot and I have great memories of her. She just passed away at 92
3. not really a board game but UNO. My kids and I play it a lot, and the smiles, laughs, and sometimes frustration have created some pretty good memories.
Rog:
We don't really play board games forreal so I'm going with this as party games instead. The only true board game on my list would be Sheriff of Nottingham, a game about trying to lie, cheat, and bribe your way into town with the most "loot", its just a fun game to play with close friends as you backstab the shit out of everyone. I will always love Cards Against Humanity, no matter how immature it is, especially getting my group of friends together who do shots until we pass the fuck out and get us drunk playing this game its just dumb fun for the sake of dumb fun. Pretty much what the game was made for haha. And lastly, I have all 5 of the Jack Box games on my switch, again stupid games for the sake of stupid games, to play when we're drunk or high for sure.
ucfinfan86:
1. Catch Phrase or any charade type of game. I like the quick thinking and acting out
2. Cards against humanity. It use to be Apples to Apples but that wore out. Cards against humanity will get to that point soon, but it hasn't yet.
3. Risk/Stratego. They were my 2 favorite games growing up. I've just always been a fan of strategy type games, hence probably why I enjoy sim leagues.
Donny:
1 - Monopoly. Once you get past the fact that it's gonna take eight hours to finish a game, I have a ton of fun playing. It's super strategic and the luck based aspect is always fun.
2 - Scrabble. I used to really enjoy playing scrabble because I was always good in English class. Basically it, I dunno, it's just a fun word game.
3 - Sorry! I grew up on Sorry, playing with family and friends, so it's more nostalgic to me than anything I think.
Yourkers: Mixtape Massacre- Sure most have not heard of this but it's a great game. It's set up like clue but instead you are a serial killer like from the movies. So you go into an area and have to roll to get the kill. Then you go on a spree but then you can fight against each other on the board. You can win just by surviving. The game is amazing and I recommend you guys check it out.
Trouble- was always just hooked to the game. It was simple and easy and just fun all the way around. I just got the avengers version of the game and its shaped like captain amaricas shield
Clue- just a straight up classic. Game of suspense and it was just fun once you know you figured outw who done it and had to race to get there. Havent played in years but I have the star wars version and def need to break it out.
Bundy: Cavs/Wizards in the ECF with the Cavs winning in 6 and Clippers/Warriors in the WCF with Clippers advancing in 7 games, Cavs to win the ship in 7 games as well
John: Wizards vs Cavs: Cavs in 7 I believe their PG, and SG play will make the difference.
Wolves vs Clipper: Clippers in 6 I like the Clippers lineup from top to botteom and expect anther fine season from them.
Rog: The East is impossible to predict. There are three teams currently far and away the best in the conference, with the Wizards, Cavs, and Hornets taking the lead. The Celtics are the back to back defending champs and are starting to play up to their talent, so I think its between those four, despite talented teams in Toronto and Indiana as well. I'm going to go with the Wizards vs the Celtics, with the Wizards breaking through in 7 in a tough series. This would require the Celtics to get the 1 or 4 and the Wizards to get the other one, so any number of things could happen.
The West isn't easier to predict, really. I think the Warriors have proven to be the best team in the conference pretty easily, when healthy. so I'll go with them as one of the teams. I never want to count the Clippers out with their history and their team stats actually indicate they have underperformed a bit. And honestly I'm a believer the Wolves have over-performed and won't win in the playoffs, then they went and made the finals, so who knows. I'll go with the Clippers and Warriors, Warriors winning in 6.
ucfinfan86: ECF seems like a 4 team race between Wizards, Hornets, Cavs and Celtics. I think the Hornets are the best team in the league and it's hard to doubt the Celtics. I'd say Hornets over Celtics in ECF in 7
West is alot weaker top to bottom than the East. I think if the Warriors get back pre-injury Lumpp then they are the favorites. I'd say Warriors over Clippers in 6. I think the west is there for the taking if one of the top 5 or 6 teams can make a big move.
Donny: Wizards - Cavs in the East. guessing that the Cavs will squeeze out the division win over the Hornets. Wizards in 7.
Warriors - Clippers seems like the best bet in the West, assuming they can get the correct seeds to where they won't have to face off in the second round. I'll take the Clippers in 6.
Yourkers:
I will go with out East the Wizards vs the Hornets. I feel the Celtics hurt themselves with their recent trade and it can cost them in the playoffs. Ths Wizards are the hottest team and the Hornets with their recent trade have put them in the driver seat in the central. I take the wizards in 6 because I feel the Hornets depth could be their downfall.
Out west I am gonna go with grizz vs the trailblazers. I just really like both te and ms makeup. They both got really good starting 5s and I feel the west is more wide open. I like Twyman/Stokes combo to rule out west in the playoffs and the blazers big man depth is gonna make them so difficult. But I will go with star power and say grizz in 7.
2. Early MVP candidate (not associated with how fbb grades PG's) ?
Bundy:
West, Lummp, Nico and Cousy are up there so I think its out of Cousy and Nico, Stokes is a player who I think should get a MVP nod though
John:
I know FBB will select a PG so I am going to go away from PG although most of the top players in the league are PG. I like Nikos Galis, Jaen Green, Jack Twyman, Kareem Queely but most likely it will go to a PG like Bob Cousy.
Rog:
Without being biased and going with West, seriously he seemingly propels me from a 7 or 8 seed to a top 3 seed, I'll say Nico Mannion. Hes been the biggest reason for the Cavaliers going nuts this year, and I think he was by far the best acquisition this off season. I know Bob Cousy is winning it again, but Mannion is the second or third best player in the league and seriously underrated. This dude is second in 2nd in scoring, averaging 10 assists and over 2 steals while managing his turnovers and shooting insane percentages. Just crazy good.
ucfinfan86:
Pre-Injury Lumpp had a real case, but right now it's coming down to Nico vs West vs Cousy. It's hard to say anyone but Cousy when he's won the last 7. It's amazing how Nico has taken his game up a level this season. I thought he topped out with the Spurs and had an opportunity to trade for him. Had I known he would have propelled to the next level it would have been a no brainer to take that trade. It's unreal what West is doing as a sophomore. Not even Cousy came out this strong. I've only been around since 2030, but I can't imagine anyone else has hit the ground running as fast as he has in the history of the NBN. It'll be fun to watch Nico vs West vs Oscar for the next decade once Cousy finally falls off.
Donny:
Off the board slightly, but I love what Leroy Edwards has done this season. He's been incredibly efficient, scoring a great bit, very above-average rebounder, huge for stocks. Nothing else you can ask for from him.
Yourkers: Well Cousy is easily the MVP because his #s are just off the charts. But beside Cousy I will go with Lumpl at 34 he is showing his valuable the really is in turning around the fortune for the warriors and being injured the warriors have not been the same. I will now go with a non PG in Goga Bitadze as he is having a career year. 22.1 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 3m4 bpg, while shooting 47% from the field. He is doing it all for the blazers who look destined to make a legit playoff run.
3. Most underrated player not on a rookie contract (age, salary, stats, ratings,etc all matter) ?
Bundy:
Case has always been underrated and I don’t think much has changed, is elite in the areas who need a PG to be and doesn’t demand big dollars like most PGs do, his not really shooting much this Season but he doesn’t need to with Stokes and Twyman on board
John:
Going down the depth chart here from the top tier players but I like Jalen Johnson here despite his turnovers he can shoot the ball from 3, and is pretty good scorer all around. Signed to solid contract and is in his prime years but I think due to the suns record he is a forgotten man.
Rog:
Well, I'm gonna go in a random direction, given this guy is 34 doesn't really fit the last part, but here we are. Jamie Pradilla went from being a big time contributor on the Celtics back to back title team to being part of the Cavaliers resurgence. Nico Mannion and Jalen Green get all the headlines, but it can't be overstated how valuable a 15 point, 14 rebound power forward who is good defensively(even if he doesn't block shots) who only makes 7 million a year. Allows you to fill out the roster without being obtrusive, which overpaid bigs can be.
ucfinfan86:
Couple of players jump out as I look through rosters. C Perry Crosswhite, PG Gene Vance, C Honglin Qu, C Salah Mejri, PF Bailey Howell, PF Johnny Green, SG Clifton McNeeley (draft note). My most underrated is PF Bailey Howell. The combination of stats, long term contract, ratings make him the my underrated contract in the league. I know he's raised him game since he left, but I can't believe the Lakers just let him walk.
Donny:
Nelson Demarco on Minnesota. The guy's been absolutely fantastic in his starting role especially considering he hasn't started in the NBN in years. I think he's very underrated as a point guard, and his defense is likely pretty strong considering he doesn't get a crazy amount of stocks. Not to mention, he makes $6.6M.
Yourkers: Nelson DeMarco. He is a guy who never got the playing time he deserved. He has always been a good player and is now finally getting to show his true value on a team leading a division. 20 ppg and 10.7 apg while only getting paid 6.615 mill a year. That is someone for sure who is underrated.
4. Prediction of how the new Salary Cap rule will change things in the first year?
Bundy:
Haven’t looked into it as closely as Id like but Ill have to do so this offseason, I believe salary % are rising or something like that so hopefully it doesnt cause too many inflated contracts to be in the league
John:
Well I voted against it but I get the idea behind it I think it could after a season or two make Free Agency more interesting, but it could also lower owners interest in the league if the salary % raises stop a team from being able to retain the players they view as franchise players.
Rog:
I'm not even going to pretend to have that answer. This league is so different than any others I've been in, and the trading levels of some GMs is going to be very telling in the first year or two. Either you are going to have to be really good at drafting and getting steals in free agency or you will have to turn your roster over constantly to keep up and be on a long track. Its doable but I seriously hope some of the less trade willing guys in the league realize how much they need to get in front of their salary issues with the new rules.
ucfinfan86:
I think everyone is going to try and clear their salary for 2044 so they can spend freely. I'm expecting a lot of players to get overpaid, but the last day or 2 should have a lot of steals as the money dries up. I've been hesitant to acquire players who will be free agents in 2044 because I expect I will either have to pay them a lot of money or will lose them.
Donny:
I think most of us will be pretty timid in how things play out for us. Those with a ton of cap will probably be more inclined to use it and the way I see it, it'll just make re-signings and such that much more important.
Yourkers: It will make teams be on their toes. Everyone is at play at all times. It should have FA be more active and at first I can see people going crazy with it. Because with his maxes work now you can see some players not worthy of it getting it because a team wants to make sure they get said player. Now if you're smart bout it you will have teams really putting together quality teams for good overall money and it will make trading a little easier as we dont have to match contracts now. So overall more activity is a good thing.
5. Top 3 early GMOTY's candidates and why?
Bundy:
Eh probably Svedda, jcog and rog/silver will be up there, think Slough should get a few votes since his winning with a team with no real superstar on board
John:
Warriors they have completely retooled and are returning to the top of the standings. Cavs I have always liked how he has built his teams and I think be seasons end the record will show the Cavs as one of if not the best teams in the league. Third I don't have a choice right now a few teams are kinda jammed up, but I do see a couple of them trying to make moves to set them apart from the pack. I think few more sims will be interesting to watch.
Rog:
1. Cavs
2. Hornes
3. Warriors
That would be my vote if I could vote for myself right now. The Cavs are the obvious pick, and I think the vote should come down to me vs him and how much stock you put into the luck of free agency vs long term planning. The Mannion move puts the Cavs over the edge for me, what a great deal he made. Warriors also did good work in free agency and have built their roster with trade supplements. The depth moves I made plus the big trade for Dino took my team from being really good to a true title contender, potential favorite type and I think that shouldn't be ignored. Thats my order right now but I could be convinced to vote for any of the above 3 as my #1.
ucfinfan86:
Cavs - Mainly for getting the Nico deal done. Green/Havlicek isn't something he had a lot of control over
Warriors - Signing Lumpp changed the direction of this team for the next few seasons
Wizards - PG/Pettit trade is working out great right now. He's stuck with Drazen/Galis and they are playing great. Crosswhite was a huge find
Donny:
1 - Wizards. No way he's not up here, considering his team's got the best record in the league and he's come out of nowhere to shine.
2 - Hornets. Roger's done a great job re-building and he's finally center stage here to compete for a ring.
3 - Cavs. I don't know how he always does it, but he's back and better than ever with a hell of a roster and a very, very successful first half of his season.
Yourkers: Wizards- took his team to the next level and is looking destined to be a player for the title
Hornets- Same thing as the wizards as their team is just playing lights out.
Wolves- lost Vick and clyde and yet still have a team playing at the highest level. It's pretty amazing how they have been able to stay at the top after losing 2 big time players.
6. Top 3 underrated GM's in the league and why?
Bundy:
Meh i dont know thats a rather difficult question, guess Id say braz, svedda and frosty? braz is decent when his active and svedda is probably just being casual and frosty probably gets bored so he keeps moving his main players, eh yeah hard to really kiss ass on this one
John:
This one is tough for me looking over history, and longtime owners I would say most are pretty good. Then you have a drop off because of turnover, lack of activity or poor team performance. I geuss if I had to make a choice I would say Don1955 I have been in leagues with him for over a decade and I know from time to time he has little time for this stuff but when he is involved he can be a very solid owner. Rog retools and rebuilds well, Frosty has come in and done a nice job with the Raptors.
Rog:
I hate this question because I don't think GMs are underrated or overrated in this league. Like, if you have success everyone knows you are a good GM, if you don't you don't. No one thinks Jcog or Naterade or PJ is a bad GM, because their track record shows thats wrong. I think Frosty doesn't get enough credit, but hes also never put together an actual true contender so maybe hes rightfully ranked. I don't like this question, mostly because I don't have an actual answer.
ucfinfan86:
This is tough because I'm not sure how my thoughts on GMs differ from the rest of the league. Maybe we need someone to do a top 10 GM poll like Rog is doing with the top 10 players to get a feel for what everyone thinks?
I'm going to exclude the guys who I think are the surefire top guys (JCog, Van)
I think frosty is really good and usually makes me laugh the most of anyone on here. I think Jelly makes unconventional moves and they always seem to land him in contention. Donny/PJ are kind of lumped together. Both have been consistently good since I've been here but people always give them shit which can sometimes overshadow what they've accomplished.
Donny:
it and stops holding back, I'm a big fan of what he's done.
2 - Raptors. I like to mess with Frosty, but he's done a great job getting his team to be a perennial playoff competitor and shouldn't struggle to take them to the next level.
3 - Blazers. For someone who seems like he's always trying to make a move, the Blazers have been building something special here for a few seasons and I think that he's done an incredible job taking the next step after starting a bit slow.
Yourkers: I really dont think we have any underrated gms. We know who are active and who are not. We know who is capable of what. But if I have to chose I will go with
Cedi- he hasnt gotten the recognition do to the fact his team just cant win the big one but since day one he has been a player.
Frosty- Has been doing a great job with the Raptors after they took a real nose dive. Always puts together nice teams and is amazingly active
Jelly/Bundy- Same as frosty. He is amazingly active and has been putting great teams together. He will get his one day.
7. In order favorite sport and team for the top 3 and why?
Bundy:
AFL, Collingwood FC been a fan since birth so dont know any other way
NBA, Orlando Magic similar as above, was the team I backed when I was a kid so Ill stick with em. There pretty much the only team involved sports I follow
John:
1. Vikings (Born and raised a Vikings fan and like the pain of my heart getting ripped out of my chest.)
2. Twins (I was a very good baseball player, and had 9 major league teams try me out at 15. Twins I loved Kirby Puckett and thought he was the world as a kid.
3. Dart. I play darts after I couldn't bowl anymore I had a 215 average running the circuit here in Minnesota before cancer almost took my right leg. I took up Darts and 20 years later have meet most of my friends, and people I consider family doing it.
Rog:
I think you mean top 3 sports, not top 3 teams per sports because I don't really have a top 3, I root for my team and maybe 1 other one for various reasons but thats about it.
As for the sports,
1. Baseball - Dodgers
2. Football - 49ers/Nebraska Cornhuskers
3. Basketball - Lakers
I actually like Football/Basketball pretty equally, but put football at number 2 because of how much I like college football, it might be number 1 al on its own, but I just fucking love baseball. All the strategy, stats, and everything that goes into it plus its during the time of the year where its warm and the air doesn't hurt my face where I live, so thats a plus. I just love everything about baseball. As for my teams, I was born in LA and so picked up the two LA teams in the Lakers, Dodgers. When I grew up there wasn't a football team in LA, and Jeff Garcia, the end of Jerry Rice, Garrison Hearst, and of course Terrell Owens tearing the league up. So I fell in love and been a fan ever since.
ucfinfan86:
1. NFL - Miami Dolphins. I live in South Florida and football is just my favorite sport. Rooting for the Dolphins has been my #1 hobby ever since I can remember. Growing up I would watch them with my dad every Sunday and finally started going to games in the mid-late 90s.
2. NBA - Miami Heat - I started really following them in 2002. At the time I was more of a college basketball fan and was a huge UConn fan (born in CT) and Caron Butler was my favorite player. He got drafted to the Heat in 2002 and it made it easy to really transition from CBB to NBA and then the next year they drafted my new favorite player in DWade.
3. CFB - UCF Knights - Easiest to answer, because I'm an alumni.
Baseball use to be 1A with football when I was younger, but I don't care about it at all now. Growing up all I did was collect Baseball and Football cards and "play" with them while watching sportscenter all day. Ahh the 90s was a good time.
Donny:
1 - My favorite sport's gotta be hockey. I'm a big Rangers fan, grew up on the sport and I fell in love instantly. It's the most high paced, edge of your seat sport there is.
2 - Baseball, Dodgers. I've very much enjoyed watching the Dodgers over my life, being a baseball fan in Los Angeles growing up was great and it's been a rollercoaster ride in recent years.
3 - Basketball, Lakers. Also grew up on the Lakers in LA, and while recent years have been upsetting, watching some of the great teams win Championships when I was still in middle school was absolutely incrdible for me. Kobe, Shaq, Pau, and the boys.
Yourkers: Hockey- New York rangers- this the one team I grew up with that I stuck with because I just loved them from the start. The only team from New York I actually root for and even with all the ups.and downs I will never change on that
Football- Green Bay Packers- When I got to see Brett Favre play I fell in love. His style and not being afraid is what stuck out most to me. N since then now I got A-Rod to root for and got to see him win the big one.
Basketball- San Antonio Spurs- Getting to see Tim Duncan play got me hooked. He was so technical and fluent that I was just like wow. Add a guy like Manu who is a lefty like me and when I played i just wanted to play like him that it stuck for me. Just like Favre Manu was fearless and it stuck with me.
8. Top 3 favorite board games and why?
Bundy:
Monopoly, gets everyone involved and keeps everyone interested
Twisted, good game esp in the nude with the wife
Guess who, decent game especially for all ages
John:
1. Risk: Loved playing it as a kid with all my neighborhood friends.
2. Life: My Grandmother and I would play it a lot and I have great memories of her. She just passed away at 92
3. not really a board game but UNO. My kids and I play it a lot, and the smiles, laughs, and sometimes frustration have created some pretty good memories.
Rog:
We don't really play board games forreal so I'm going with this as party games instead. The only true board game on my list would be Sheriff of Nottingham, a game about trying to lie, cheat, and bribe your way into town with the most "loot", its just a fun game to play with close friends as you backstab the shit out of everyone. I will always love Cards Against Humanity, no matter how immature it is, especially getting my group of friends together who do shots until we pass the fuck out and get us drunk playing this game its just dumb fun for the sake of dumb fun. Pretty much what the game was made for haha. And lastly, I have all 5 of the Jack Box games on my switch, again stupid games for the sake of stupid games, to play when we're drunk or high for sure.
ucfinfan86:
1. Catch Phrase or any charade type of game. I like the quick thinking and acting out
2. Cards against humanity. It use to be Apples to Apples but that wore out. Cards against humanity will get to that point soon, but it hasn't yet.
3. Risk/Stratego. They were my 2 favorite games growing up. I've just always been a fan of strategy type games, hence probably why I enjoy sim leagues.
Donny:
1 - Monopoly. Once you get past the fact that it's gonna take eight hours to finish a game, I have a ton of fun playing. It's super strategic and the luck based aspect is always fun.
2 - Scrabble. I used to really enjoy playing scrabble because I was always good in English class. Basically it, I dunno, it's just a fun word game.
3 - Sorry! I grew up on Sorry, playing with family and friends, so it's more nostalgic to me than anything I think.
Yourkers: Mixtape Massacre- Sure most have not heard of this but it's a great game. It's set up like clue but instead you are a serial killer like from the movies. So you go into an area and have to roll to get the kill. Then you go on a spree but then you can fight against each other on the board. You can win just by surviving. The game is amazing and I recommend you guys check it out.
Trouble- was always just hooked to the game. It was simple and easy and just fun all the way around. I just got the avengers version of the game and its shaped like captain amaricas shield
Clue- just a straight up classic. Game of suspense and it was just fun once you know you figured outw who done it and had to race to get there. Havent played in years but I have the star wars version and def need to break it out.
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