Post by carmelo115 on May 15, 2024 15:17:49 GMT
1. You decided to accept Mark Williams' near max offer before free agency. What has he shown over his first few seasons to prove he's worth that money?
I think Mark is a very consistent big man. He does a bit of everything that you want from a starting center. He has been shooting at a solid 44/45 percent in his first three seasons. He is a good defender and a good rebounder. He also shoots fairly well from the free throw line at around 70%. He is also just 24 years old, so I’m hoping he can continue to improve. He does foul out a bit more than I would like, but when he plays the majority of the game, he is a guaranteed double double. He has a lot of big games also when he is able to stay on the court. I knew Mark would be someone that people would try to pry away, so when I saw that he offered to resign, I had to keep him.
2. There weren't many offseason moves you made after a pretty good season last year. Do you think your roster is set going forward or would you like to upgrade at any spot?
I would love to upgrade. I’m not in a great spot to do so since I’m just under the hard cap. I think I could improve at Small Forward. Barrett just has not been scoring much with us which is odd. I think I could upgrade with another big also. I just need to find a way to do so while staying under the hard cap.
3. Would you ever debate trading LaMelo and if so, what kind of deal would you be looking for?
I cannot say never, but I think everyone that has been in the prior versions of this league knows that I tend to hang on to players. I wanted Killian to retire a Piston in V2 and Dennis Smith was basically untouchable in V1. It would be tough to move Lamelo. I would need multiple 1sts or maybe a slight downgrade with more thrown in, but it would be very tough. I immediately regret answering yes, since Knicks is going to PM me every day now asking for him.
4. Rooths and Proctor are two young promising players. What do they bring to the table and where do they fit into the future of this roster?
I’m hoping Rooths is the next starting power forward for us. The draft preview said that he projected as one. When I look at his scouting report, he really does not have any weaknesses aside from maybe his shot blocking, so I can definitely see him as the future starter. He has a similar game to Tyler Smith, but just a bit more developed as far as rebounding and inside scoring goes. We will have to see which of the two take the reigns and win the starting job in the future. As far as Proctor goes, I could see it going one of two ways, he could either step into the starting lineup somewhere or be the super sub at guard/small forward. I thought the idea of trading Fultz was interesting, because Proctor could definitely take that role if I did decide to move on from Fultz. If I did start him, I would have to see which lineup would work best with him and Lamelo, but I definitely see him as a future starter.
5. Pivoting to your other team, what's your plan with the Suns for this upcoming season?
The Suns are tough. I didn’t think they were going to be as bad as they were last season. No matter who I played, I just couldn’t get the production that I needed. The West was tougher last season, but it just seemed like they were underperforming. It seems like the team is back to where they were under gabe, so we should be a solid team and hopefully give some of the top teams a scare. I think I need to keep Booker. I just don’t see a move that makes sense. He’s a top scorer and there aren’t many of those available regardless of how much cap space I could amass. Any trade for him would have to bring some actual assets aside from just potential cap space. If another move is out there to improve the roster, I would have to listen so I could get some help for Booker.
6. Heading into season 4, the Sixers will be looking for a three peat, which has only happened once, dating back to the original NBN. If there is 1 team out there who can take the defending champs down, who is it and why?
I think I agree with just about everyone else here that it is Toronto. The roster is already very deep and they have the capspace to add more talent, which a lot of teams don’t. They also have a GM that is never afraid to make a big trade or make multiple trades until he finds the right combination. The Grizzlies and Lakers are great teams. Both teams have some of the strongest rotations in the league. Both teams have elite interior defenders coming off the bench. They have great scoring guards on the bench. They could withstand an injury and not miss a step. You need reliable depth to be able to win it all. It doesn’t hurt to have elite point guards and both teams have that as well.
7. We've seen some top prospects struggle early on since the league has restarted, especially after some rough training camps. What are your thoughts on how the draft classes have looked on the court? Is the lack of success a product of the drafts or the randomness of FBB?
I think it is just randomness. I have liked the classes that have come in. We’ve seen some deep classes with steals at the end of the 1st and even in the 2nd round. It’s a game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t and sometimes it just takes a bit longer for the prospects to develop. The first class is starting to look a lot better now with multiple all stars this season.
8. We have not seen the worst regular season team be gifted the number 1 pick in the draft so far. Do you think there's to say that maybe full on tanking isn't necessary or even worth it with the way our lotteries have fallen so far?
I hate tanking. I’ve never done a full on tank. It’s rough to put a miserable product out there, but I do understand why teams decide to do it. I would say that it isn’t necessary because of the lottery, but at the same time, you might as well improve your odds. If you are the worst team, you get the 4th pick at worst and potentially get an All-Star with that pick. I’m against tanking. I really don’t like it, but I do understand. We just talked about the randomness of FBB. We have all seen an 8 seed beat the 1 seed. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the 8 seed win it all in FBB, but if you don’t do a full tank and sneak into the playoffs, nothing is off the table. Beating the 1 seed is always worth it, if for nothing else than to piss someone else off.
9. There has been some discussion about potentially bringing PED camps back to the league. What's your thoughts on a) the camp itself and b) would it immediately lead to a more inflated league? Would there be a way we could introduce it that would be beneficial to the health of the league?
I think I’d rather get some of the rookie playing bonuses and the weight rooms return rather than having the PED camp return. I’m not a big gambler. I do not believe that I ever used it when it was in the league and probably would not use it if it did return. I’ve gotten a few rookies that I would’ve loved to send to a weight room or get a potential boost from playing them, so I would’ve loved to have those at my disposal. As far as the camp goes, I wouldn’t want to see it used as it was before where tanking teams would take advantage of it since there was so much less to lose for them. It would lead to some inflation. I don’t necessarily hate the higher ratings, but I know a lot of people are against it. I’m not sure how to make it useable, but like I said I think I would prefer returning some of the other things that we had before we bring back something like the PED. I think the other camps are beneficial to everyone rather than just for teams that are willing to take risks.
10. Bam Adebayo was given a max deal that will pay him over 70 mil in his last year. With where a player has to be experience wise to be given a contract like this, can you foresee any players that are worth 70 million in the future? Who and why?
I know I wouldn’t be offering anyone 70 million in free agency. If Lamelo offers to resign and the final year is at 70 million, I might have to consider bringing him back and cutting the final year, but I would likely not go to 70 million if he hit free agency. I know some players will likely be offered deals like that, but I would not be doing so. It’s tough to put together a competitive roster when someone gets that much of the cap. A lot of the veteran free agents get 20-30 million, so you wouldn’t be able to get the complimentary pieces unless you have rookies that are already capable of being top end starters.
verysilentone
I think Mark is a very consistent big man. He does a bit of everything that you want from a starting center. He has been shooting at a solid 44/45 percent in his first three seasons. He is a good defender and a good rebounder. He also shoots fairly well from the free throw line at around 70%. He is also just 24 years old, so I’m hoping he can continue to improve. He does foul out a bit more than I would like, but when he plays the majority of the game, he is a guaranteed double double. He has a lot of big games also when he is able to stay on the court. I knew Mark would be someone that people would try to pry away, so when I saw that he offered to resign, I had to keep him.
2. There weren't many offseason moves you made after a pretty good season last year. Do you think your roster is set going forward or would you like to upgrade at any spot?
I would love to upgrade. I’m not in a great spot to do so since I’m just under the hard cap. I think I could improve at Small Forward. Barrett just has not been scoring much with us which is odd. I think I could upgrade with another big also. I just need to find a way to do so while staying under the hard cap.
3. Would you ever debate trading LaMelo and if so, what kind of deal would you be looking for?
I cannot say never, but I think everyone that has been in the prior versions of this league knows that I tend to hang on to players. I wanted Killian to retire a Piston in V2 and Dennis Smith was basically untouchable in V1. It would be tough to move Lamelo. I would need multiple 1sts or maybe a slight downgrade with more thrown in, but it would be very tough. I immediately regret answering yes, since Knicks is going to PM me every day now asking for him.
4. Rooths and Proctor are two young promising players. What do they bring to the table and where do they fit into the future of this roster?
I’m hoping Rooths is the next starting power forward for us. The draft preview said that he projected as one. When I look at his scouting report, he really does not have any weaknesses aside from maybe his shot blocking, so I can definitely see him as the future starter. He has a similar game to Tyler Smith, but just a bit more developed as far as rebounding and inside scoring goes. We will have to see which of the two take the reigns and win the starting job in the future. As far as Proctor goes, I could see it going one of two ways, he could either step into the starting lineup somewhere or be the super sub at guard/small forward. I thought the idea of trading Fultz was interesting, because Proctor could definitely take that role if I did decide to move on from Fultz. If I did start him, I would have to see which lineup would work best with him and Lamelo, but I definitely see him as a future starter.
5. Pivoting to your other team, what's your plan with the Suns for this upcoming season?
The Suns are tough. I didn’t think they were going to be as bad as they were last season. No matter who I played, I just couldn’t get the production that I needed. The West was tougher last season, but it just seemed like they were underperforming. It seems like the team is back to where they were under gabe, so we should be a solid team and hopefully give some of the top teams a scare. I think I need to keep Booker. I just don’t see a move that makes sense. He’s a top scorer and there aren’t many of those available regardless of how much cap space I could amass. Any trade for him would have to bring some actual assets aside from just potential cap space. If another move is out there to improve the roster, I would have to listen so I could get some help for Booker.
6. Heading into season 4, the Sixers will be looking for a three peat, which has only happened once, dating back to the original NBN. If there is 1 team out there who can take the defending champs down, who is it and why?
I think I agree with just about everyone else here that it is Toronto. The roster is already very deep and they have the capspace to add more talent, which a lot of teams don’t. They also have a GM that is never afraid to make a big trade or make multiple trades until he finds the right combination. The Grizzlies and Lakers are great teams. Both teams have some of the strongest rotations in the league. Both teams have elite interior defenders coming off the bench. They have great scoring guards on the bench. They could withstand an injury and not miss a step. You need reliable depth to be able to win it all. It doesn’t hurt to have elite point guards and both teams have that as well.
7. We've seen some top prospects struggle early on since the league has restarted, especially after some rough training camps. What are your thoughts on how the draft classes have looked on the court? Is the lack of success a product of the drafts or the randomness of FBB?
I think it is just randomness. I have liked the classes that have come in. We’ve seen some deep classes with steals at the end of the 1st and even in the 2nd round. It’s a game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t and sometimes it just takes a bit longer for the prospects to develop. The first class is starting to look a lot better now with multiple all stars this season.
8. We have not seen the worst regular season team be gifted the number 1 pick in the draft so far. Do you think there's to say that maybe full on tanking isn't necessary or even worth it with the way our lotteries have fallen so far?
I hate tanking. I’ve never done a full on tank. It’s rough to put a miserable product out there, but I do understand why teams decide to do it. I would say that it isn’t necessary because of the lottery, but at the same time, you might as well improve your odds. If you are the worst team, you get the 4th pick at worst and potentially get an All-Star with that pick. I’m against tanking. I really don’t like it, but I do understand. We just talked about the randomness of FBB. We have all seen an 8 seed beat the 1 seed. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the 8 seed win it all in FBB, but if you don’t do a full tank and sneak into the playoffs, nothing is off the table. Beating the 1 seed is always worth it, if for nothing else than to piss someone else off.
9. There has been some discussion about potentially bringing PED camps back to the league. What's your thoughts on a) the camp itself and b) would it immediately lead to a more inflated league? Would there be a way we could introduce it that would be beneficial to the health of the league?
I think I’d rather get some of the rookie playing bonuses and the weight rooms return rather than having the PED camp return. I’m not a big gambler. I do not believe that I ever used it when it was in the league and probably would not use it if it did return. I’ve gotten a few rookies that I would’ve loved to send to a weight room or get a potential boost from playing them, so I would’ve loved to have those at my disposal. As far as the camp goes, I wouldn’t want to see it used as it was before where tanking teams would take advantage of it since there was so much less to lose for them. It would lead to some inflation. I don’t necessarily hate the higher ratings, but I know a lot of people are against it. I’m not sure how to make it useable, but like I said I think I would prefer returning some of the other things that we had before we bring back something like the PED. I think the other camps are beneficial to everyone rather than just for teams that are willing to take risks.
10. Bam Adebayo was given a max deal that will pay him over 70 mil in his last year. With where a player has to be experience wise to be given a contract like this, can you foresee any players that are worth 70 million in the future? Who and why?
I know I wouldn’t be offering anyone 70 million in free agency. If Lamelo offers to resign and the final year is at 70 million, I might have to consider bringing him back and cutting the final year, but I would likely not go to 70 million if he hit free agency. I know some players will likely be offered deals like that, but I would not be doing so. It’s tough to put together a competitive roster when someone gets that much of the cap. A lot of the veteran free agents get 20-30 million, so you wouldn’t be able to get the complimentary pieces unless you have rookies that are already capable of being top end starters.
verysilentone
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