San Antonio
Assistant to the General Manager
It's clobberin' time!
Posts: 975 
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Post by San Antonio on Jul 24, 2013 0:28:10 GMT -6
With the ABCA season more than halfway over, I wanted to discuss a topic that will be up for debate very shortly. GM of the Year voting will take place at seasons end and I want to give a look at 5 GMs that have made key moves to improve their team this season. In no particular order here are the candidates that I believe are in the running:
London Towers: (2013 Record: 46-36) (2014 Record: 36-16)
London has to be in the discussion with the acquisitions of Wilt, Havlicek. Al Bianci. Gone from last year's rosters include: Bill Spivey, Max Z, Bob Boozer, Jan Bobrovsky, and the vastly overrated Monk (just kidding). With talent that most teams would die for, London has received talent that will help them win now and certainly in the future.
Boston Celtics: ( 2013 Record: 24-58) (2014 Record: 25-27)
With the Celtics already surpassed last season's win total and in contention for a playoff spot, (certainly helps that half the teams in the league are tanking) they have a very good shot at winning this award. No one expected Boston to be competitive this season, but with the acquisition of Bill Spivey and FORREST, they have been in contention for the 7th playoff spot. Also a draft trade to acquire a potential superstar PF in Jerry Lucas has helped them significantly. Oh by the way, they drafted some bum named Jerry Alan West. Ever heard of him?
San Antonio Spurs: (2013 Record: 44-38) (2014 Record: 37-16)
For some odd reason, I believe the Spurs should win GM of the Year. I wonder why? But with key acquisitions of Bob Kurland, Stan Miasek, and Vern Mikkelson; the Spurs are a vastly improved team from the season before. They’ve gone from a middle of the pack team, to a championship contender. Since acquiring Miasek the Spurs have gone 28-10, which included a 10 game win streak. Before the season, they were certainly a playoff team, but championship contender? No. With the moves they made, their now in the running.
Brazil Franca BC: (2013 Record: 26-36) (2014 Record: 35-18)
Here’s another team that nobody probably thought would be a contender, at least this season. Like the Celtics, they went from drafting in the lottery to the playoffs. Unlike the Celtics, they are in contention for a title this season. They have become contender with the acquisitions of Ray Felix, Joe Grabowski, Gene Conley, Tom Gola, Slater Martin, Dick Garmarker, Larry Costello, and the drafting of Lenny Wilkens. They will make a lot of noise in the playoffs with their depth and talent on the roster.
Detroit Pistons: (2013 Record: 23-59) (2014 Record: 23-31)
Detroit is another team that, barring some freak disaster, will surpass last season's win total. The biggest moves they made were acquiring Stokes, Ivo, Fulks and drafting Oscar. Give Detroit a lot of credit for making bold moves they made, like the trade of five 1st round draft picks to acquire Stokes. Five 1sts is a lot to give up, but to get a player like Stokes, you almost have to do it with the lack of bigs in the league. While they might not make the playoffs this season, a core of Stokes, Oscar, Ivo, and Fulks will make some noise sooner rather than later.
There you have it, 5 GMs that I believe are in contention for the GM of the Year. I’m sure I left some teams out and my apologies. So let the debate for this award begin…
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Tel Aviv
Assistant to the General Manager
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Posts: 1,193
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Post by Tel Aviv on Jul 24, 2013 4:46:55 GMT -6
Nice job, definately some good contenders for gm of the year this year. I also think Sydney should be in contention aswell.
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Drew
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 777
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Post by Drew on Jul 24, 2013 4:51:40 GMT -6
I've got to go with London, especially the way he's performing post-Hondo trade.
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Post by Derek on Jul 24, 2013 6:29:34 GMT -6
Thanks for recognition, much appreciated. I'm just hoping I get a vote outside of my own.
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Post by London on Jul 24, 2013 6:57:21 GMT -6
Some GMs won't vote for great moves on a rebuilding team but I disagree and think BOS and DET deserve some attention for their moves.
100% agree the the Spurs GM has also been in the running this season. Making big moves to win doesn't always pay off but you found good value for your assets. They'll be represented on my ballot for sure.
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Drew
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 777
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Post by Drew on Jul 24, 2013 7:09:36 GMT -6
i'm hoping to get a few votes. turned around the 2nd worst team in the league with literally satch sanders and a bunch of yellows and oranges to a playoff team, with the future beast that is Sauro Bufalini.
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Post by Phil Jackson on Jul 24, 2013 8:59:33 GMT -6
I orchestrated a 3-way deal to fill my biggest hole and have the best record in the league. Don't think I'll win but I think I should be in the conversation.
My vote goes to SA, though.
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Post by Derek on Jul 24, 2013 9:01:30 GMT -6
I orchestrated a 3-way deal to fill my biggest hole and have the best record in the league. Don't think I'll win but I think I should be in the conversation. My vote goes to SA, though. You'll be on my ballot as long as you hold onto top spot. No way I can leave top team off the ballot. |
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Post by Los Angeles on Jul 24, 2013 9:23:10 GMT -6
All deserving candidates
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Post by Berlin on Jul 24, 2013 9:38:25 GMT -6
I'm still keeping a slot open for KK...I think that Fulks deal was the one that turns his ship around at last...  |
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Post by London on Jul 24, 2013 10:53:21 GMT -6
Yeah where are Tehran and MC on this list..
Tehran deserves a nom just for that KK trade.
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craig
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 1,315
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Post by craig on Jul 24, 2013 14:06:25 GMT -6
There are a few teams missing from here. I personally like the teams who make small improvement to get better. I think everyone wants to make a giant move or shake things up, but to me it is more impressive to stick to plan and just add a single piece.
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Post by Derek on Jul 24, 2013 14:09:03 GMT -6
There are a few teams missing from here. I personally like the teams who make small improvement to get better. I think everyone wants to make a giant move or shake things up, but to me it is more impressive to stick to plan and just add a single piece. According to Chicago, I'm on pace for 56 wins. Up slightly from 26 last year. 30 win improvement. From 26th to tied for 3rd. Not too shabby. |
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craig
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 1,315
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Post by craig on Jul 24, 2013 14:22:40 GMT -6
You're in the running, Most of this list is teams who went from non-playoff teams into the playoffs. I personally like a team like Chicago, has been consistent all year, been the best team, and made moves to make his team better.
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San Antonio
Assistant to the General Manager
It's clobberin' time!
Posts: 975
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Post by San Antonio on Jul 24, 2013 16:38:35 GMT -6
Yeah where are Tehran and MC on this list.. Tehran deserves a nom just for that KK trade. They very well could've been on the list since they've able to hoard all the firsts in the next draft. Since their draft positions aren't known yet and who knows what they're going to do their picks, I left them off the list. They've done great jobs though. |
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Joe
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 856
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Post by Joe on Jul 24, 2013 17:24:42 GMT -6
Nice article, i agree with all of the teams listed here. Chicago has to be in the picture, as does Sydney. MC and Tehran are set up nicely for the future but I think they would be more in the running for next year than this. As for who would win, I guess that really depends on if I'm voting for this year alone or doing the best job setting the team up for success both this year and the future. If we are talking about this year then your frontrunners have to be Chicago, San Antonio, Brazil, and Sydney not necessarily in that order. In fact by that criteria I'd probably have to give it to Brazil at this point. If you are talking about overall best moves to set up a franchise success both short term and long term then I think London, Boston and Detroit more rise to the top. A few other gms that have done a great job this year that deserve recognition but just not enough that I would consider them gm of the year such as 76ers, CSP, Sonics (even though he was fired).
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Post by Sydney on Jul 24, 2013 17:40:32 GMT -6
I'm a little shocked that I'm not on here. Only 1 player is on my team from the prior season and we're leading our division after not even making the playoffs last year.
Who do I think I should replace? Corey. The addition of Spivey was a good complimentary piece but it didn't put his team anywhere other than a first round exit for this year in the weaker conference.
I think Detroit deserves to be on here because of the acquisition of Mo Stokes, the fleecing of Milan and a few other deals that have set his team up for the foreseeable future.
My personal vote goes to Brasil (biting my teeth) but he was able to turn that team around and build it for a few years to come. Albeit with the help of a few deals that were salary dumps, he was able to augment his bench and add complimentary pieces. His offseason, paired with his deadline deals have really built his team.
It's a tough year as a lot of other GMs made bold moves to alter their franchises, particularly SA and London. I am not forgetting Chicago, even though he made a good trade to acquire KC Jones, I don't think he really separated himself from the bunch. London somehow acquired Wilt (still don't understand why he was traded) and Hondo, all while keeping enough talent to compete. SA added big pieces to a team and has been hot. Unfortunately, I don't see SA winning since his deals were not franchise altering.
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Drew
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 777
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Post by Drew on Jul 24, 2013 18:36:14 GMT -6
Great article btw. I love articles that get heated convos going like this.
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craig
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 1,315
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Post by craig on Jul 24, 2013 19:21:23 GMT -6
Yeah where are Tehran and MC on this list.. Tehran deserves a nom just for that KK trade. That was an awesome trade to start my rebuild, but I am a far way from competiting. I am guessing I am atleast 3 years away from doing anything meaningful. |
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Post by London on Jul 24, 2013 19:59:09 GMT -6
If we are talking about this year then your frontrunners have to be Chicago, San Antonio, Brazil, and Sydney not necessarily in that order. In fact by that criteria I'd probably have to give it to Brazil at this point. If you are talking about overall best moves to set up a franchise success both short term and long term then I think London, Boston and Detroit more rise to the top. I'm curious why I fit the 2nd criteria and not the first...? |
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Joe
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 856
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Post by Joe on Jul 24, 2013 21:41:35 GMT -6
Well I believe I read a post of yours in a different thread where you said you built for the future instead of winning now. Gonna have to see if I can find it.
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Joe
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 856
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Post by Joe on Jul 24, 2013 21:42:38 GMT -6
3) London Towers
London jumps up a little bit above their record (1-2 spots tops) because of the Wilt factor. The team has been playing well since trading for him and were at one point the best defensive team in the league (based on some stats). They were an early favorite that traded for their future instead. Still a contender but not the same team they were a few weeks ago.
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Post by Bayi on Jul 24, 2013 22:08:32 GMT -6
Who do I think I should replace? Corey. The addition of Spivey was a good complimentary piece but it didn't put his team anywhere other than a first round exit for this year in the weaker conference. I'd mention that the draft and trades therein count in this too, but GM of the Year and the arguments that sprout up around it are both annoying and pointless. GMs shouldn't be measured on year increments. Teams ebb and flow. Teams contain multitudes. |
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Post by London on Jul 24, 2013 22:20:55 GMT -6
3) London Towers London jumps up a little bit above their record (1-2 spots tops) because of the Wilt factor. The team has been playing well since trading for him and were at one point the best defensive team in the league (based on some stats). They were an early favorite that traded for their future instead. Still a contender but not the same team they were a few weeks ago. I'm still contending, it's not like I don't have the same chance as any of the other Top 5 teams. |
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Joe
Assistant to the General Manager
Posts: 856
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Post by Joe on Jul 24, 2013 22:38:21 GMT -6
I'm not saying you aren't contending. You asked me why I put you into the category I did and its because of your own post. Its not a bad thing. I actually think the future of the three teams in the category I put you in is brighter than the other teams. The other teams are built to win now and in the immediate future. You are always thinking long term. Thats what good gms do.
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