S2 Lay of the Land Moneyball Style - Eastern Conference
Jan 26, 2024 20:19:17 GMT
vanimmer, verysilentone, and 3 more like this
Post by zjd on Jan 26, 2024 20:19:17 GMT
In the movie Moneyball, The Oakland A’s were faced with a major salary constraint compared to other teams able to spend much more on superstar baseball players. When you have inferior resources, you look at your situation in new ways to develop an innovation strategy. Similarly, there are 29 teams and GMs in NBN who have to consider ways to work with varying resources. I'll highlight some of my thoughts on different offseason moves using quotes directly from the film, starting with the Eastern Conference.
"Adapt or die."
The Bucks moved all in and acquired Kevin Durant. After a very disappointing 41-41 record in season 1 the Bucks had to adapt or die... sticking to the same squad would've been no fun. The Bucks received some solid offers to move Giannis, but ultimately decided to chase a ring for the next few years even if it makes for an ugly season later down the road. Dame dipped in TC, but the team picked up some decent cheap FAs, so we'll see how the beginning of the season goes in Milwaukee.
“When your enemy’s making mistakes, don’t interrupt him.”
I was delighted to see the Celtics blow up their team in S1. Going into the league, they looked to be one of the top contenders, and a season later, I have no idea what to make of their direction. No major FA moves, despite having salary cap. The Mavs just flipped Tatum for a far better return and I'm left scratching my head with their current roster - and that's coming from a GM who gave him a lotto pick last year (Thanks Jrue).
"If you lose the last game of the season, nobody gives a shit."
The Pelicans biggest move of the offseason had to be acquiring 40 year old Lebron James. Lebron would make for a great mentor for Zion & they now have a nice big trio between Lebron, Zion & Jonas V. Seeing Beef Stew upgrade in TC hurts, but getting Lebron is the type of move that can hopefully help the Pelicans win the last game of the season instead.
“I pay you to get on first, not get thrown out at second.”
Nick Claxton to the Knicks was a move met with mixed reviews across GMs. Some think this is a drastic overpay, whereas others look at Claxton as a star player that the Knicks gave up zero assets to acquire. I think if you focus on the fact that there aren't many 11ppg 12rpg 3bpg and you have to spend money to get players.... Its an alright move for the Knicks. Maybe he regrets it in a few seasons, but then again if he builds the right team around Claxton, then maybe its well worth it.
“There are rich teams and poor teams, then 50 feet of crap. Then there’s us.”
I'll mention the Hawks here as they are the remaining team with the most cap room - about 90 million. Falling out of the top 4 in the draft hurt, but they did get a solid player at #5 in Carlton Carrington. Add Shaedon Sharpe, Anthony Black, there are players in Atlanta with potential. But in GM vanimmer's own words, "they are a team far from competing."
“But if we win, on our budget, with the team… we’ll have changed the game. And that’s what I want.”
The Washington Wizards had one of the best composite TC's of any team in the league after S1. They have a solid young core despite getting a later lotto pick last year, and that was with a team many people were shocked to see selected in the original team draft. The Wizards were arguably the worst situation to inherit and they look a lot better a year later... and if they can win with that.... they'll have changed the game.
“You won the exact same number of games that the Yankees won, but the Yankees spent one point four million per win, and you paid two hundred and sixty thousand.”
I look at the Orlando Magic and really like what they've done while barely going over the soft cap. They started out with a nice young squad of assets, but when you look at it from a Moneyball lens -- they have a solid squad with no gross contracts. They have several big expirings that could be used in upcoming trades, and they may have my favorite backcourt in the league in Dejounte Murray & Shai. In preseason 1 they went 6-2 and if they can compete at that type of pace in the East... it'll be fun to watch.
Is there a team or scenario that belongs with one of these quotes that I didn't mention? Is there a different Moneyball quote that applies to your own squad? Feel free to share below!
"Adapt or die."
The Bucks moved all in and acquired Kevin Durant. After a very disappointing 41-41 record in season 1 the Bucks had to adapt or die... sticking to the same squad would've been no fun. The Bucks received some solid offers to move Giannis, but ultimately decided to chase a ring for the next few years even if it makes for an ugly season later down the road. Dame dipped in TC, but the team picked up some decent cheap FAs, so we'll see how the beginning of the season goes in Milwaukee.
“When your enemy’s making mistakes, don’t interrupt him.”
I was delighted to see the Celtics blow up their team in S1. Going into the league, they looked to be one of the top contenders, and a season later, I have no idea what to make of their direction. No major FA moves, despite having salary cap. The Mavs just flipped Tatum for a far better return and I'm left scratching my head with their current roster - and that's coming from a GM who gave him a lotto pick last year (Thanks Jrue).
"If you lose the last game of the season, nobody gives a shit."
The Pelicans biggest move of the offseason had to be acquiring 40 year old Lebron James. Lebron would make for a great mentor for Zion & they now have a nice big trio between Lebron, Zion & Jonas V. Seeing Beef Stew upgrade in TC hurts, but getting Lebron is the type of move that can hopefully help the Pelicans win the last game of the season instead.
“I pay you to get on first, not get thrown out at second.”
Nick Claxton to the Knicks was a move met with mixed reviews across GMs. Some think this is a drastic overpay, whereas others look at Claxton as a star player that the Knicks gave up zero assets to acquire. I think if you focus on the fact that there aren't many 11ppg 12rpg 3bpg and you have to spend money to get players.... Its an alright move for the Knicks. Maybe he regrets it in a few seasons, but then again if he builds the right team around Claxton, then maybe its well worth it.
“There are rich teams and poor teams, then 50 feet of crap. Then there’s us.”
I'll mention the Hawks here as they are the remaining team with the most cap room - about 90 million. Falling out of the top 4 in the draft hurt, but they did get a solid player at #5 in Carlton Carrington. Add Shaedon Sharpe, Anthony Black, there are players in Atlanta with potential. But in GM vanimmer's own words, "they are a team far from competing."
“But if we win, on our budget, with the team… we’ll have changed the game. And that’s what I want.”
The Washington Wizards had one of the best composite TC's of any team in the league after S1. They have a solid young core despite getting a later lotto pick last year, and that was with a team many people were shocked to see selected in the original team draft. The Wizards were arguably the worst situation to inherit and they look a lot better a year later... and if they can win with that.... they'll have changed the game.
“You won the exact same number of games that the Yankees won, but the Yankees spent one point four million per win, and you paid two hundred and sixty thousand.”
I look at the Orlando Magic and really like what they've done while barely going over the soft cap. They started out with a nice young squad of assets, but when you look at it from a Moneyball lens -- they have a solid squad with no gross contracts. They have several big expirings that could be used in upcoming trades, and they may have my favorite backcourt in the league in Dejounte Murray & Shai. In preseason 1 they went 6-2 and if they can compete at that type of pace in the East... it'll be fun to watch.
Is there a team or scenario that belongs with one of these quotes that I didn't mention? Is there a different Moneyball quote that applies to your own squad? Feel free to share below!
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