Post by ripkobebryant on Jul 11, 2024 23:25:18 GMT
I would like to thank the following guys for answering the questions and participating in the Roundtable.
I was gonna wait for 1 more person but they are on vacation and this should have already been posted.
1. Being relatively new to the league, what are your thoughts of it so far with what you already know in terms of the simming speed, the camps, drafts, etc?
cheddar: I am relatively new to this iteration of the league, I wish I had known it was being revived and I would have been here from the start. But I have been in NBN for quite some time before this go-around. When I first joined, way back when, I wasn't a huge fan of the 5 day sim pace. But I have grown to like it as it allows for the league to prolong before having to consider a restart or anything like that. The camps are fine, inflation isn't an issue generally here. I think Rog does a great job mixing the prospects, from having a generational talent every so often, to having very good players throughout the draft. I enjoy this league for sure.
slim: So far so good. It’s different than I’m used to which is exciting and challenging. I still need to fully grasp trade value in the league. It’s early but speed seems great, drafts seem solid and not too inflated, and there are twists that keep it exciting balanced out with a solid rule book.
guins: im used to 15-20 Day sims , which I certainly do prefer . I do like the draft , with the notes and International players, pretty cool. Free Agency is ok , dint like thar you can go over The Hardcap at all , and I wish we would just do 2 days for Free Agency, again , just my preference.
2. What is your current season goal and 3 year goal moving forward?
cheddar: We snuck into the playoffs last season, which was a bit unexpected. This season I firmly would like to be in the playoffs, competing to be in the top 4-5 teams in the West hopefully. From there I would like to add more talent within the next few seasons when I have the assets to do so.
slim: Both are one and the same for us. We have no short term goal in terms of wins or success. Right now we’re just focused on developing our young pieces and adding to those through the draft and FA. We’ll hope to have a complete playoff roster in 3 years and to set ourselves up for a decade of competitiveness.
guins: My goal is to always compete for a division title and a playoff spot. Kn 3 years I hope that I can add future pieces to my core through Free Agency and trades to be a contender.
3. A question the league has given multiple times but I'd like to hear from a GM just coming in, if you were able to add 3 players to your team right now which 3 would it be and why? Give a 1, 2, 3 order starting with the best.
cheddar: This is a bit odd, since generally guards are the priority in FBB. But my three would be:
1. Wemby
2. Flagg
3. Holmgren
Each of these guys have a very good skillset on both sides of the ball. Dominant defensively and can score as a top option offensively.
slim: Tough for me to answer just seeing one preseason sim really but:
1. Wemby
2. Flagg
3. Luka or Haliburton
guins: great question, I'll go
1 - Cooper Flagg , guy is a monster , can do alot of things very well.
2 - Dame Sarr , 22 and the ceiling is the roof..love what he brings to the table.
3 - Victor Wembanyama , Stud..that's all that needs to be Said, spectacular all around game.
4. It looks like we are about to start getting some really good retro players coming into the draft, who are you really excited to see come into the league soon and why?
cheddar: I said this before, but Kobe. He is the reason I really got into basketball. I am sure everyone will be after him when he is in the draft pool. But for me he is the reason I am likely even in these leagues.
slim: Again I haven’t taken too deep of a look at it but excited about Dikembe Mutumbo as my top guy.
guins: I have a core of guys that I can't wait to see. MJ..no Brainerd there , TMac , guy usually is a beast in these leagues , Shaq , who will stop him , Kobe , Black Mamba is a fun player to have.
5. As a newer GM, if anything, is there anything you would change that you are more used to from GMing in the past?
cheddar: Honestly, not really. I like the pace, I like the lack of drama, I like the reliability of Silver and Rog. Overall the league is ran very well with no real downside. At times I get a bit anxious for the draft information or re-signings. But that comes with the nature of the sim length.
slim: Not really. I’ve always been go with the flow so no complaints here. Maybe some more money for new GMs taking over inactive teams.
guins: Not having waivers is still a but strange to me , not a fan of s9gning Bums in Free Agency just to match a contract fir a deal . Live sims for the playoffs at least are always fun.
6. Now lets get to some of these teams, I know Sixers have almost won 4 championships in a row to start the league, but which teams do you look at right now and be like "damn thats a good team"?
cheddar: The Wizards. How they got swept by the Hawks last season baffles me. I think the Hawks are a good team, it's not a slight, but for the Wizards not to win one game was pretty shocking and FBB at it's finest. The Wizards have some of the best young talent in the league. Of course the Grizzlies are a good team as well. I think the Hawks are a deep team, but I don't see any noticeable jumps in TC that would put them over the top maybe?
slim: OKC sticks out due to Wemby and a good, balanced supporting cast. Memphis looks good with an elite backcourt. But I see a lot of teams that could be competing.
guins: Wizards look very strong , Grizzlies are solid , Kings are going to be tough.
7. Some of you just witnessed your first Free Agency here, I know it was pretty crazy but what are your thoughts and why?
cheddar: My first Free Agency here under the increased Salary Cap was eye opening. I mean I believe I may have maxed like two players coming off their rookie deals, but I was wayyyy off on the rest of the contracts. I mean for a player to be making nearly 90M in a season is just unfathomable. I don't think I have landed one player via Free Agency so far this time. I mean the contracts are still all relative. But it is just really astounding to see the numbers.
slim: Overpaying for guys which I fully took part in. I just wanted to make some noise in my first offseason and start to learn what good contracts look like. Haven’t really done a sim league with this kind of salary cap / large sized contracts. Seems like a lot of teams are able to hold onto cap too even though they’re competing rosters, which is new to me.
guins: Some of those contracts were ridiculous , but because of the pay scale here , they do make a bit of sense, plus new GMs , and teams coming in with a bunch of cap , do usually overpay.
8. Who do you think will win the West and East and who do you think will be our champion this year and why?
cheddar: In the West I have a hard time seeing someone beat the Griz currently. I think the Lakers are solid if healthy. The Kings took a step back after losing Sabonis, thought they were able to acquire Sherrell to help ease that blow. They will be relying heavily on Fox and Murray offensively though. In the East, I think the 76ers are still the favorites. I also think the Wizards will have a bounce back playoffs this time around. But with all things staying the same as they are now, the 76ers should win the East. I think the 76ers get their get-back and win their 4th title in 5 seasons.
slim: Let’s go with OKC and NYK. OKC winning it all. NYK has a good balanced lineup with a 30 ppg scorer on the wing. I think Wemby just sets OKC apart.
guins: East - Wizards , West - Lakers
Going with the Wizards to win it All!
9. Final Question and unrelated, Draft and FA is now done in NBA as well, do you think next season will be Boston again in the Finals and a repeat or do you think somebody else wins a championship next year?
cheddar: don't think any team improved enough to really take the Celtics out. Their biggest threat will be Philly probably, but I am not sure PG is enough to put that team over the top in his current state. The Celtics are such a deep team in all positions. I am honestly not a fan of Tatum really, hes a talented player but I feel like his presence is not the same as some of the other top talents in the league. But when you add in players like Jrue, White, Tinguspingus as fall back options on top of having Brown, you can take a bit of a back seat.
slim: I think Boston has a good shot to repeat if KP can stay healthy but I legitimately believe he cannot. I like OKC a lot after the Hartenstein and Caruso additions. Minnesota with the Ant effect. I’ll go with MIN just expecting Edwards to take another step toward greatness.
guins: Somebody else will win the Title, everything went right this season for the Celtics , congrats to them , but I see a new champ next year, not sure who though.
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