Post by ripkobebryant on Nov 8, 2024 1:26:16 GMT
1. With Season 9 almost 1/4 complete, what are your expectations after going 10-6?
Honestly not loving the start, but given the immediate injury issues I’m not all that surprised. Stockton tore his hamstring, Sarunas and Boozer both missed a sim or two together, and we are still holding onto a playoff spot, so it could be a lot worse! But either way I’m excited to get the group that’s started off 4-0 with a fresh point differential back together. It’s wild how missing the guy who leads the league in assists and steals, can be this negatively impactful for us.
2. Do you think it’s smart to compete now instead of letting your young players fully develop?
I don’t see why it’s a bad idea to compete with my roster set up the way it is. My core starting lineup are all under/around 25 years old, and are all playing at very high levels, so for me to try and not win now, would require trading away those players I invested in. My plan is to let the boys compete and develop on the fly and watch their improvements year to year, as I make adjustments to the roster around them.
3. Are there any additional moves you are trying to make for this season?
I would like to make one more big move if possible to trade for a SF that’s on my timeline. I had my eyes on AJ Dybansta but Rog had better trade chips so I missed that boat. I would love to find a way to make a trade like that happen though so my core will be set for a while.
4. Who do you think needs to take the extra step in order for your team to play better?
Get everyone back from injury for starters. like I mentioned before, the team was BALLIN before Stockton Sarunas and Boozer all got hurt in the same sim. It’s hard to gauge anything without those guys all healthy.
5. Do you think Stockton and Sarunas still have room left to improve?
Given that Sarunas is effectively a rookie with 3 years of camping left, and Stockton is now in his sophomore year, I would be shocked if they didn’t have any potential left in the tank. It’s fun to think about, seeing how effective they both already are, but the sky is the limit.
6. Do you think someone like Cameron Boozer is really valuable in this league or is the fact that he has no blocks or defense for a big lowers his value?
I think his value to a roster like mine is higher than his perceived trade value. I have a lot of scoring around him, and good defense at most other positions that help make up for his lack of STOCKS. His rebounding and clean up buckets off misses have made him into a first time all star in this system, so I personally am loving every second of his growth. If no one wants to trade for him, he can stay here as long as he wants.
7. My New York Knicks started the season 6-1 and since are now 9-7, I believe it's due to Mara being injured but, do you think we might actually be good or is it a fluke start?
It’s a good question. Your team kind of feels like the real life NYK squad of a few years ago who just had an army of solid guys who are awaiting their supsertar leader to walk through that door and take them to the promise land. If you guys can land a big fish this team takes on a whole new identity.
8. My LA Lakers in real life started the season 3-0 and are now 4-2, do you think Lakeshow are back or were the first 3 games a fluke?
Honestly I’ve seen enough of the LeLake Show to know this is a fluke. I always fear this team in a one game setting, because they have two top 5 players when they’re cooking and putting in 100%, but Lebron is so old now that he picks and chooses his battles and visibly loses his game intensity as the season progresses, and it’s sad to see. I’m a Celtics fan and even I’m rooting for them a bit just like “go get em you old bastard. Show em you still got it.” Might be the Tom Brady fan in me rooting for GOAT level careers to never end, but ugh.. it’s over
9. Who do you think currently has the best chance to win the championship this year and why? (NBN and NBA)
I’m gonna get BUCK WILD here with an extreme take, but I’m taking that Bucks. That Xavian Lee trade combined with the rise of Wilt AND Sarr, mixed with their recent success. I think we’re all gonna be shell shocked by them late in the season.
10. Which team do you think will be a force in the league in the next 2-3 years that isn't a force already? (NBN and NBA)
Same answer as above with the Bucks for starters. But I also think the Suns took a huge step this year after tanking for a short period and then making some big trades for stars to complement the young fellas. Those guys are on the rise and it’s gonna be fun to see them grow into their full potential.
11. With us fully into retro now, who is your favorite retro player yet to enter the league and why?
I’m biased, but I love Stockton in the NBN. He’s producing at such a level of success so early, doing all the things I look for in a PG prospect, that I’m fuckin hyped. He could always fall off or let me down, but so far so great.
12. You won GMOTY last season, since you can't vote yourself, who do you think is in the early running this season?
I def think it’s between the Suns and Bucks for my vote. Both have made huge trades and drafted well of late, and setting themselves up for a decade. I’m excited to see how the rest of the season plays out in the battle for GMOTY.
Honestly not loving the start, but given the immediate injury issues I’m not all that surprised. Stockton tore his hamstring, Sarunas and Boozer both missed a sim or two together, and we are still holding onto a playoff spot, so it could be a lot worse! But either way I’m excited to get the group that’s started off 4-0 with a fresh point differential back together. It’s wild how missing the guy who leads the league in assists and steals, can be this negatively impactful for us.
2. Do you think it’s smart to compete now instead of letting your young players fully develop?
I don’t see why it’s a bad idea to compete with my roster set up the way it is. My core starting lineup are all under/around 25 years old, and are all playing at very high levels, so for me to try and not win now, would require trading away those players I invested in. My plan is to let the boys compete and develop on the fly and watch their improvements year to year, as I make adjustments to the roster around them.
3. Are there any additional moves you are trying to make for this season?
I would like to make one more big move if possible to trade for a SF that’s on my timeline. I had my eyes on AJ Dybansta but Rog had better trade chips so I missed that boat. I would love to find a way to make a trade like that happen though so my core will be set for a while.
4. Who do you think needs to take the extra step in order for your team to play better?
Get everyone back from injury for starters. like I mentioned before, the team was BALLIN before Stockton Sarunas and Boozer all got hurt in the same sim. It’s hard to gauge anything without those guys all healthy.
5. Do you think Stockton and Sarunas still have room left to improve?
Given that Sarunas is effectively a rookie with 3 years of camping left, and Stockton is now in his sophomore year, I would be shocked if they didn’t have any potential left in the tank. It’s fun to think about, seeing how effective they both already are, but the sky is the limit.
6. Do you think someone like Cameron Boozer is really valuable in this league or is the fact that he has no blocks or defense for a big lowers his value?
I think his value to a roster like mine is higher than his perceived trade value. I have a lot of scoring around him, and good defense at most other positions that help make up for his lack of STOCKS. His rebounding and clean up buckets off misses have made him into a first time all star in this system, so I personally am loving every second of his growth. If no one wants to trade for him, he can stay here as long as he wants.
7. My New York Knicks started the season 6-1 and since are now 9-7, I believe it's due to Mara being injured but, do you think we might actually be good or is it a fluke start?
It’s a good question. Your team kind of feels like the real life NYK squad of a few years ago who just had an army of solid guys who are awaiting their supsertar leader to walk through that door and take them to the promise land. If you guys can land a big fish this team takes on a whole new identity.
8. My LA Lakers in real life started the season 3-0 and are now 4-2, do you think Lakeshow are back or were the first 3 games a fluke?
Honestly I’ve seen enough of the LeLake Show to know this is a fluke. I always fear this team in a one game setting, because they have two top 5 players when they’re cooking and putting in 100%, but Lebron is so old now that he picks and chooses his battles and visibly loses his game intensity as the season progresses, and it’s sad to see. I’m a Celtics fan and even I’m rooting for them a bit just like “go get em you old bastard. Show em you still got it.” Might be the Tom Brady fan in me rooting for GOAT level careers to never end, but ugh.. it’s over
9. Who do you think currently has the best chance to win the championship this year and why? (NBN and NBA)
I’m gonna get BUCK WILD here with an extreme take, but I’m taking that Bucks. That Xavian Lee trade combined with the rise of Wilt AND Sarr, mixed with their recent success. I think we’re all gonna be shell shocked by them late in the season.
10. Which team do you think will be a force in the league in the next 2-3 years that isn't a force already? (NBN and NBA)
Same answer as above with the Bucks for starters. But I also think the Suns took a huge step this year after tanking for a short period and then making some big trades for stars to complement the young fellas. Those guys are on the rise and it’s gonna be fun to see them grow into their full potential.
11. With us fully into retro now, who is your favorite retro player yet to enter the league and why?
I’m biased, but I love Stockton in the NBN. He’s producing at such a level of success so early, doing all the things I look for in a PG prospect, that I’m fuckin hyped. He could always fall off or let me down, but so far so great.
12. You won GMOTY last season, since you can't vote yourself, who do you think is in the early running this season?
I def think it’s between the Suns and Bucks for my vote. Both have made huge trades and drafted well of late, and setting themselves up for a decade. I’m excited to see how the rest of the season plays out in the battle for GMOTY.
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