Post by London on Aug 2, 2013 17:17:07 GMT -6
1. What Round 1 series has the best chance for an upset?[/u]
Mexico City: I really like the Sonics chance against the Bullets in the 4/5 series. If your talking actual upsets ill pick the Celtics over the Bulls just because Chicago has proven nothing except that they are a very good regular season team thats very deep. When rotations tighten and it comes down to who has the stars you look at the Celtics even though most of their stars are not quite ready yet. Can Elgin Baylor carry his team to a huge upset probably not, but if theres a chance for a huge one in the first round this is the match up you have to look at. Odds it happens 25% maybe..
Jeb: I'll say something silly right away, Maccabi strikes me as a team that could pull something off. Beckman is one of the best guards in the league and has the ability to take over a series and has done it in the past.
Boston: It's not going to be in the Americas - not with the differential in wins between top and bottom seeds. Instead, we look to the Eurasian conference, where the fight for lower seeds led to eight teams within 9 games of each other, and Tel Aviv Maccabi - a team that, record-wise, should be battling Cairo for the right to get slaughtered by Madrid - instead gets to face a Sydney team that it beat four times by an average of 12.5 a game.
Brasil: Knicks over Spurs. This one has history as the Knicks swept the Spurs last season. The Spurs also enter the playoffs without mid season signing and back-up guard Dick Farley who broke his leg with 2 games left in the season. Spurs won season series but Knicks won the most recent game. Led by former MVP Dolph Schayes and a duo of high scoring wings, this could be the perfect storm against a Spurs team that really lacks perimeter defense and athleticism.
Chicago: There are two series where I can't see an upset happening and those are Brazil/Philly and London/Lagos. I am hesistent about my series because 2 of my players are injured, including my best player. Of the remaining series, I think the most likely (besides 4/5 matchups) is the Knicks to take down the Spurs. The Spurs haven't been playing well lately and the Knicks have played them close in their 3 matchups. The Knicks also play a playoff brand style basketball (read: defense) and as much as I like Cousy, they have a bigger impact player in Schayes. Knicks in 6.
London: I think that the largest chance for an upset comes out of Eurasia where all the teams are grouped closer together. I'm not sure how much I believe in Sydney so I think I will pick them to be upset. They have a good team but since I need to pick one I will throw a dart at a board and give a possible 2nd round match-up some bulletin board material.
2. Bob Cousy won the MVP. Who was your pick for MVP?[/u]
Mexico City: I love what George Miken did this season, 25 ppg 10 boards 2 and a half blocks thats a stat line and he carried his team from out of the playoffs most of the season to a division title. Can he carry his team to a few playoff wins? perhaps wilt did it last year, perhaps Toyko is that team this year.
Jeb: For my money Bill Russell is the MVP, he does it all in my mind, when I was the Sonics GM I went after Russell minus the scoring with Satch and adding the scoring that Bill brings to the table just makes him the most complete player in the league. The DPOY may be hardware enough but I think he could stand to add another bit of tin to his collection.
Boston: I like the Cousy pick - point guards who can dish out 10 assists AND pull in nearly six boards are as valuable as you can get. If you look at the players who make up the three All-League teams, there aren't any non-Pistons players who match that kind of production, and I have a hard time giving the MVP to a high-usage rookie and a very talented PF who was traded mid-season (especially given their team is ten games under .500). Mikan is my #2 pick, but I have to show my PG-bias and say Cousy was the right pick.
Brasil: I think Cousy is the perfect pick for the MVP. His scoring, rebounding, and defense alone make him a candidate but to dish 10 dimes a game puts him over the top. Neil Johnston could have gotten votes due to efficiency but his overall production was hampered by Chicago’s Depth. Wilt could have won it as well but let’s be honest… nobody wanted to hear John gloat and the game knows this!
Chicago: I don't view Cousy as the MVP of the league. My top 3 picks would have been Neil Johnston, Wilt Chamberlain, and George Mikan. I am going to give a vote for Mikan, because the Samurai would have been one of the worst teams in the league without him, and they have a real shot at winning their opening round versus Cairo. Mikan has just been absolutely destroying the league, leading it in PER (30+) and in the top 7 for points, blocks, and rebounds. if you replace him with Cousy, that team doesn't sniff the 4th seed.
London: I kind of think Cousy was the right pick. He lead a team that isn't super stacked into a Top 3 seed. He also leads the league in assists (and did last year too). I think there were others who were also worthy of it (Wilt, Oscar, etc.) but Bob is in his prime and his team is a real threat. Good pick by the game in my opinion.
3. You have the first pick and no talent. Who do you take?[/u]
Mexico City: This is my favorate question simply cause this says nothing about if you have other picks like Mexico or Tehran, or if your simply just a no talent team that has only one pick to work with.. If your looking the best player right out the gate who'll have the most impact thats easy its Rick Barry. That guy can just plain score he's a lot like Elgin Baylor who perhaps could be even more of a scorer. If your team needs a big I like Willis Reed as the big to take. If its me though its hard for me to pass of Sergi Belov. He's by far the best pg in this draft in a pg class thats actually pretty good. I'm also assuming with my team that id have picks 9 11 14 16 and 18 still to work with where I could draft sg/ sf and other big man talent. Hard for me to pass on Reed and Barry though very hard..
Jeb: Willis Reed. Only a quick thought goes to taking Belov because what good is a point guard with no one to feed the ball to? Reed has the most upside of anyone in the draft as far as I can tell(I really need to get my copy of the game so I can try different scouts takes on the draft) and I had a soft spot for the big guys as my comments above may have hinted at.
Boston: Read the last sentence of that last answer: I love PGs, and I always loved Sergei Belov in Global, so it would be him. He would be good enough in the future to win games, but not so good that I couldn't still do horribly and get another top five pick the next season. Of the two centers, I'd pick Thurmond - Belov/Thurmond would be my #1/#2 if I was Tehran.
Brasil: If I have no other talent I think I take Belov. He may not be biggest star now but something tells me as the guards enter the league, you’re going to want one who is as good as he is. I’m sure the case will be for Barry but I fear he’ll win you more games than you want in year one of what will have to be a 2 draft rebuild. If I have some talent, Barry is the pick.
Chicago: If I have the first pick, I am taking Barry. I think he's gonna be an above average defender based on the latest scouting projections, and he's going to be a great scorer as well. I don't trust Belov to become a number one option and PGs have struggled in this league to shoot well. I like Thurmond and Reed quite a bit, but both are complementary players to me - although at an allstar level. I think Barry is a franchise player, while the other 3 are second fiddles.
London: Barry and it's not that close. Some teams apparently have him as Purple upside. I am not sure how you can pass on that kind of talent (if you don't have a good SF already, and this question supposes that we have no talent, so..) for a player that fits a need but basically I think Barry is the best talent in the draft even if the draft is kind of loaded at his position with guys who score. The main difference is that the other guys do not defend as well as he does either.
4. Who is the best draftee no one is talking about?[/u]
Mexico City: Bill Bradley.. I hate that guy but he can plain out score at the sf position and could have top 7,8 talent yet not get a peep until after the top 10. He's not the best sf in this class, but he's gonna score and give the team that drafts him a good option either off the bench or in a starter role down the road.
Jeb: Although he is getting some press I'm very interested in what Bob Love could turn into. Much as I like my SF to be one of the better scorers the things Love does on the other side of the ball are impressive. I'm curious to see what whoever takes him does with his development do they go with him as a large 3 man or do they move him into the post and try to exploit teams with a smaller faster attack?
Boston: People are TALKING about Bob Love, but not nearly enough - he's one of the few sure bets in the draft, and while his upside isn't at a Belov/Cosic/Barry level, he's going to be the type of lockdown defender that everyone's going to want when Baylor, Oscar, West and the rest of the quickly growing young guard troop finally blossom into the type of talent that will overshadow all of those old big men.
Brasil: I think Billy Cunningham has the potential to be the best all around player in this draft. Key being All-Around. Not the best overall though. He looks to be built a lot like Elgin Baylor and maybe with one boost could even be better… he really has no weakness. I think at this point, he’s my clear cut number 5 player. Chance to play the 3 or 4 in a league that really lacks true swing forwards! WOW he’s athletic.
Chicago: Everyone should know how I feel about Love, so I'll speak to a guy in Paul Silas. He's an underrated player that would be ideal as a backup 3/4 who can provide some nice rebounding and defense. He would especially be good for teams who like to play help defense as he generates a lot of steals. He might not be flashy and may never develop into a scorer, but he's advanced enough on the offense end already where you don't need to worry about him being a liability. if he doesn't go in the lottery he'll add immediate help to a playoff team for next season.
London: I think it's Gus Johnson and it's not even close. The guy is actually talented but I haven't heard his name mentioned anywhere. He'll be a guy who slides into the later lottery (or maybe just out of it) and he'll go to a team where he can help right away. He's a little bit older like Bob Love but I don't think that'll matter too much.
5. Would you support lifting the ban on Jeb and Royale in the offseason?[/u]
Mexico City: Its easy to say a rule is a rule here when it comes to 3 strikes and simply put most safe lazy gms will say that. I like the rule myself BUT and this is huge for me you have 4 teams 2 truely vacant and 2 just simply not around and 2 gms sitting around waiting till wait sim 3 and 6 next season before they can take one of these open teams?.. Is following the letter of the law here really best for the league when you have the offseason coming and no real signs gms will be taking over these missing squads.. Frankly if you have other gms waiting for teams or go to guys interested in joining this is not a discussion but we do not and id much rather have a full league and a one time exception than blindly following a rule that hurts the draft FA etc etc the league as a whole. Sure ive heard gms say "get rid of the rule then" or hey if you make an exception here you better make one if im the guy getting canned next, but if you operate that way your being short sided and niave to whats best for the league here..
Jeb: Well, I am one of those in question so I'm gonna keep my mouth shut. I'm curious what other folks thoughts are on this.
Boston: No. I don't need to explain this, except that if we lift the ban on Jeb and Royale, we need to quit the strike system. (And don't get me started on how this just proves the need for contraction, which is a dead deal).
Brasil: I would support it but I fear bending the rule this time will lead to a ton more rules being questioned. One of the best parts about this league is you know the rules, they are cut and dry. When that starts falling apart… it leaves room for conspiracies (something everyone knows I know all too well about). Leave the rules intact and we can welcome Jeb and Royale back at the appropriate time.
Chicago: I support modifying the rule to where - in the case there is no one on the waiting list when the offseason begins - the ban is for the rest of the season (through finals) and not one full calendar year, because it is tough for a team to not be managed over an entire offseason. Therefore, if no one is on the waiting list by the end of the finals, then the two GMs should get their teams back.
London: Yeah, I would, but I understand the concerns about what that would mean for the strike policy. I am a proponent of the fired until off-season amendment that some people have suggested (if there is no one on the waiting list) because it is definitely still a major punishment. And if there are guys on the waiting list they get the team and the guy is out a year going forward. Either way, I think we have a few guys coming in soon and thye'll be off suspension soon enough too.
6. Other than yourself, what GM deserves GM of the Year consideration?[/u]
Mexico City: I love what London did this year to remake their team and add stars that not only help them win now but also down the road for a long while. When you add Wilt and Hav its hard to argue. Yes other teams deserve votes, boston traded picks 10 and 12 this offseason to add Lucas to his draft class as well as add a nice center in spivey, The Pistons could have the best core going into next year with O, Stokes, ivo and Fulks.. Tehran has worst case two picks in the top 5 in this draft thanks to some solid trades. Don't forget the spurs here too they added to Cousy and have really looked solid come the playoffs. Lots of candidates this year which is great:)
Jeb: I'd hand it to Detroit, he may have payed up quite a bit to add big Mo, but down the line thats a pretty frightening lineup. Oh and if you didn't realize he managed to keep his best pick for the future and both his young stars in Ivo and of course Oscar.
Boston: Detroit deserves it for future team building, despite the fact he wouldn't trade with me. Brasil deserves it for building a team out of nothing this year, though I think his window is shorter than he'd like.
Brasil: I view the GM of the Year award as one that goes to the person who improved his team the most. Bulls and Real would be eliminated due to this and that may not be fair. I sadly think at this point, John or Sydney have to be options. However, at this point… since I can’t vote for the team that improved his team by 28 wins (after 26 last season). I’d have to vote for the Celtics or Pistons. With Pistons winning out because he’s best set up to improve his roster thru draft with 3 1sts to Celtics 1. Having that 2017 Milan pick wins it out for him.
Chicago: There are lots of good candidates - the top tier of which I think include London, Brazil, San Antonio, Sydney and Detroit. For me, Boston, myself, and Madrid should also get some consideration. Earlier in the season, I had San Antonio as the winner, but I feel like Brazil has built just an incredible team that I think has an equal chance as Madrid, Chicago, or London to take the championship this season. I had mixed feelings about the Havlicek trade for London, so Brazil gets the edge.
London: Well, I know this league HATES voting for "future moves" but I think Tehran, Detroit, Mexico City and Boston all deserve some recognition. I think I might need to vote for Brasil or the Spurs based on the moves they made to turn their rag-tag teams into contenders. I really like the move San Antonio made for Kurland. That really made them legit and gave Cousy a running mate which he sorely needed.
7. What team do you fear most next season?[/u]
Mexico City: I mentioned it before but you really have to like Boston and Detroit. Both have added nice bigs, great guards and really just need to grow together to be in the hunt espeically in the weak americas. Look for one or both of these teams to contend next year in what could be a great rivarly.
Jeb: Another year under their belts leaves John's London squad getting better and better... I'll simply go with them. Pretty self explanatory. I'm interested to see what other tricks Detroit may have up his baggy sleeves.
Boston: I don't fear Detroit - not yet, at least - or London - who will always be good but is still one shrewd move away from being a real powerhouse. I DO fear a Bob Pettit that's being led by a GM that actually shows up. Imagine if someone put pieces around Bob Pettit, guys. THEN STOP IMAGINING, because Pettit is the player that's going to kill this league dead and we're all going to be crying about how we never really had a chance.
Brasil: I believe I just stated that. London, Boston, and Detroit are the three teams I fear most (besides Real and Bulls of course if they stay the course). London has Wilt, help and #13 in a deep draft of fringe starters. Boston has 5 starters and 17 Million in Cap. Detroit Is already a good 7 deep with the exceptions to use and future picks to deal to improve. I mainly fear that team nobody sees coming though that can change the landscape of a division. Brasil’s winning obviously sent a few American teams running into a rebuild. Mainly, Mexico City!
Chicago:The scariest teams going forward will be Boston, Detroit and London once they get some pieces around their stars. Obviously, Chicago, Madrid, Brazil and Sydney will be in the mix for a few more years as well, but the gap will continue to close because those teams lack the star power of the first three teams mentioned. While I think London may make a case for the top team next season, I think Detroit and Boston are still 2 seasons away from 50-60 win contender status...but they're coming for us all.
London: I fear no team but for some reason REAL Madrid kicks my ass in our division. Beyond that I know Detroit and Boston will do a lot better next season after having rebuild last year. I also think Tehran and Mexico City could be legit threats soon. Too early to tell obviously with them but it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were in the playoff hunt. Well, maybe not Tehran yet because he'd have a lot of other teams to pass, but the Titans could make the jump with some lotto and FA luck.
Mexico City: I really like the Sonics chance against the Bullets in the 4/5 series. If your talking actual upsets ill pick the Celtics over the Bulls just because Chicago has proven nothing except that they are a very good regular season team thats very deep. When rotations tighten and it comes down to who has the stars you look at the Celtics even though most of their stars are not quite ready yet. Can Elgin Baylor carry his team to a huge upset probably not, but if theres a chance for a huge one in the first round this is the match up you have to look at. Odds it happens 25% maybe..
Jeb: I'll say something silly right away, Maccabi strikes me as a team that could pull something off. Beckman is one of the best guards in the league and has the ability to take over a series and has done it in the past.
Boston: It's not going to be in the Americas - not with the differential in wins between top and bottom seeds. Instead, we look to the Eurasian conference, where the fight for lower seeds led to eight teams within 9 games of each other, and Tel Aviv Maccabi - a team that, record-wise, should be battling Cairo for the right to get slaughtered by Madrid - instead gets to face a Sydney team that it beat four times by an average of 12.5 a game.
Brasil: Knicks over Spurs. This one has history as the Knicks swept the Spurs last season. The Spurs also enter the playoffs without mid season signing and back-up guard Dick Farley who broke his leg with 2 games left in the season. Spurs won season series but Knicks won the most recent game. Led by former MVP Dolph Schayes and a duo of high scoring wings, this could be the perfect storm against a Spurs team that really lacks perimeter defense and athleticism.
Chicago: There are two series where I can't see an upset happening and those are Brazil/Philly and London/Lagos. I am hesistent about my series because 2 of my players are injured, including my best player. Of the remaining series, I think the most likely (besides 4/5 matchups) is the Knicks to take down the Spurs. The Spurs haven't been playing well lately and the Knicks have played them close in their 3 matchups. The Knicks also play a playoff brand style basketball (read: defense) and as much as I like Cousy, they have a bigger impact player in Schayes. Knicks in 6.
London: I think that the largest chance for an upset comes out of Eurasia where all the teams are grouped closer together. I'm not sure how much I believe in Sydney so I think I will pick them to be upset. They have a good team but since I need to pick one I will throw a dart at a board and give a possible 2nd round match-up some bulletin board material.
2. Bob Cousy won the MVP. Who was your pick for MVP?[/u]
Mexico City: I love what George Miken did this season, 25 ppg 10 boards 2 and a half blocks thats a stat line and he carried his team from out of the playoffs most of the season to a division title. Can he carry his team to a few playoff wins? perhaps wilt did it last year, perhaps Toyko is that team this year.
Jeb: For my money Bill Russell is the MVP, he does it all in my mind, when I was the Sonics GM I went after Russell minus the scoring with Satch and adding the scoring that Bill brings to the table just makes him the most complete player in the league. The DPOY may be hardware enough but I think he could stand to add another bit of tin to his collection.
Boston: I like the Cousy pick - point guards who can dish out 10 assists AND pull in nearly six boards are as valuable as you can get. If you look at the players who make up the three All-League teams, there aren't any non-Pistons players who match that kind of production, and I have a hard time giving the MVP to a high-usage rookie and a very talented PF who was traded mid-season (especially given their team is ten games under .500). Mikan is my #2 pick, but I have to show my PG-bias and say Cousy was the right pick.
Brasil: I think Cousy is the perfect pick for the MVP. His scoring, rebounding, and defense alone make him a candidate but to dish 10 dimes a game puts him over the top. Neil Johnston could have gotten votes due to efficiency but his overall production was hampered by Chicago’s Depth. Wilt could have won it as well but let’s be honest… nobody wanted to hear John gloat and the game knows this!
Chicago: I don't view Cousy as the MVP of the league. My top 3 picks would have been Neil Johnston, Wilt Chamberlain, and George Mikan. I am going to give a vote for Mikan, because the Samurai would have been one of the worst teams in the league without him, and they have a real shot at winning their opening round versus Cairo. Mikan has just been absolutely destroying the league, leading it in PER (30+) and in the top 7 for points, blocks, and rebounds. if you replace him with Cousy, that team doesn't sniff the 4th seed.
London: I kind of think Cousy was the right pick. He lead a team that isn't super stacked into a Top 3 seed. He also leads the league in assists (and did last year too). I think there were others who were also worthy of it (Wilt, Oscar, etc.) but Bob is in his prime and his team is a real threat. Good pick by the game in my opinion.
3. You have the first pick and no talent. Who do you take?[/u]
Mexico City: This is my favorate question simply cause this says nothing about if you have other picks like Mexico or Tehran, or if your simply just a no talent team that has only one pick to work with.. If your looking the best player right out the gate who'll have the most impact thats easy its Rick Barry. That guy can just plain score he's a lot like Elgin Baylor who perhaps could be even more of a scorer. If your team needs a big I like Willis Reed as the big to take. If its me though its hard for me to pass of Sergi Belov. He's by far the best pg in this draft in a pg class thats actually pretty good. I'm also assuming with my team that id have picks 9 11 14 16 and 18 still to work with where I could draft sg/ sf and other big man talent. Hard for me to pass on Reed and Barry though very hard..
Jeb: Willis Reed. Only a quick thought goes to taking Belov because what good is a point guard with no one to feed the ball to? Reed has the most upside of anyone in the draft as far as I can tell(I really need to get my copy of the game so I can try different scouts takes on the draft) and I had a soft spot for the big guys as my comments above may have hinted at.
Boston: Read the last sentence of that last answer: I love PGs, and I always loved Sergei Belov in Global, so it would be him. He would be good enough in the future to win games, but not so good that I couldn't still do horribly and get another top five pick the next season. Of the two centers, I'd pick Thurmond - Belov/Thurmond would be my #1/#2 if I was Tehran.
Brasil: If I have no other talent I think I take Belov. He may not be biggest star now but something tells me as the guards enter the league, you’re going to want one who is as good as he is. I’m sure the case will be for Barry but I fear he’ll win you more games than you want in year one of what will have to be a 2 draft rebuild. If I have some talent, Barry is the pick.
Chicago: If I have the first pick, I am taking Barry. I think he's gonna be an above average defender based on the latest scouting projections, and he's going to be a great scorer as well. I don't trust Belov to become a number one option and PGs have struggled in this league to shoot well. I like Thurmond and Reed quite a bit, but both are complementary players to me - although at an allstar level. I think Barry is a franchise player, while the other 3 are second fiddles.
London: Barry and it's not that close. Some teams apparently have him as Purple upside. I am not sure how you can pass on that kind of talent (if you don't have a good SF already, and this question supposes that we have no talent, so..) for a player that fits a need but basically I think Barry is the best talent in the draft even if the draft is kind of loaded at his position with guys who score. The main difference is that the other guys do not defend as well as he does either.
4. Who is the best draftee no one is talking about?[/u]
Mexico City: Bill Bradley.. I hate that guy but he can plain out score at the sf position and could have top 7,8 talent yet not get a peep until after the top 10. He's not the best sf in this class, but he's gonna score and give the team that drafts him a good option either off the bench or in a starter role down the road.
Jeb: Although he is getting some press I'm very interested in what Bob Love could turn into. Much as I like my SF to be one of the better scorers the things Love does on the other side of the ball are impressive. I'm curious to see what whoever takes him does with his development do they go with him as a large 3 man or do they move him into the post and try to exploit teams with a smaller faster attack?
Boston: People are TALKING about Bob Love, but not nearly enough - he's one of the few sure bets in the draft, and while his upside isn't at a Belov/Cosic/Barry level, he's going to be the type of lockdown defender that everyone's going to want when Baylor, Oscar, West and the rest of the quickly growing young guard troop finally blossom into the type of talent that will overshadow all of those old big men.
Brasil: I think Billy Cunningham has the potential to be the best all around player in this draft. Key being All-Around. Not the best overall though. He looks to be built a lot like Elgin Baylor and maybe with one boost could even be better… he really has no weakness. I think at this point, he’s my clear cut number 5 player. Chance to play the 3 or 4 in a league that really lacks true swing forwards! WOW he’s athletic.
Chicago: Everyone should know how I feel about Love, so I'll speak to a guy in Paul Silas. He's an underrated player that would be ideal as a backup 3/4 who can provide some nice rebounding and defense. He would especially be good for teams who like to play help defense as he generates a lot of steals. He might not be flashy and may never develop into a scorer, but he's advanced enough on the offense end already where you don't need to worry about him being a liability. if he doesn't go in the lottery he'll add immediate help to a playoff team for next season.
London: I think it's Gus Johnson and it's not even close. The guy is actually talented but I haven't heard his name mentioned anywhere. He'll be a guy who slides into the later lottery (or maybe just out of it) and he'll go to a team where he can help right away. He's a little bit older like Bob Love but I don't think that'll matter too much.
5. Would you support lifting the ban on Jeb and Royale in the offseason?[/u]
Mexico City: Its easy to say a rule is a rule here when it comes to 3 strikes and simply put most safe lazy gms will say that. I like the rule myself BUT and this is huge for me you have 4 teams 2 truely vacant and 2 just simply not around and 2 gms sitting around waiting till wait sim 3 and 6 next season before they can take one of these open teams?.. Is following the letter of the law here really best for the league when you have the offseason coming and no real signs gms will be taking over these missing squads.. Frankly if you have other gms waiting for teams or go to guys interested in joining this is not a discussion but we do not and id much rather have a full league and a one time exception than blindly following a rule that hurts the draft FA etc etc the league as a whole. Sure ive heard gms say "get rid of the rule then" or hey if you make an exception here you better make one if im the guy getting canned next, but if you operate that way your being short sided and niave to whats best for the league here..
Jeb: Well, I am one of those in question so I'm gonna keep my mouth shut. I'm curious what other folks thoughts are on this.
Boston: No. I don't need to explain this, except that if we lift the ban on Jeb and Royale, we need to quit the strike system. (And don't get me started on how this just proves the need for contraction, which is a dead deal).
Brasil: I would support it but I fear bending the rule this time will lead to a ton more rules being questioned. One of the best parts about this league is you know the rules, they are cut and dry. When that starts falling apart… it leaves room for conspiracies (something everyone knows I know all too well about). Leave the rules intact and we can welcome Jeb and Royale back at the appropriate time.
Chicago: I support modifying the rule to where - in the case there is no one on the waiting list when the offseason begins - the ban is for the rest of the season (through finals) and not one full calendar year, because it is tough for a team to not be managed over an entire offseason. Therefore, if no one is on the waiting list by the end of the finals, then the two GMs should get their teams back.
London: Yeah, I would, but I understand the concerns about what that would mean for the strike policy. I am a proponent of the fired until off-season amendment that some people have suggested (if there is no one on the waiting list) because it is definitely still a major punishment. And if there are guys on the waiting list they get the team and the guy is out a year going forward. Either way, I think we have a few guys coming in soon and thye'll be off suspension soon enough too.
6. Other than yourself, what GM deserves GM of the Year consideration?[/u]
Mexico City: I love what London did this year to remake their team and add stars that not only help them win now but also down the road for a long while. When you add Wilt and Hav its hard to argue. Yes other teams deserve votes, boston traded picks 10 and 12 this offseason to add Lucas to his draft class as well as add a nice center in spivey, The Pistons could have the best core going into next year with O, Stokes, ivo and Fulks.. Tehran has worst case two picks in the top 5 in this draft thanks to some solid trades. Don't forget the spurs here too they added to Cousy and have really looked solid come the playoffs. Lots of candidates this year which is great:)
Jeb: I'd hand it to Detroit, he may have payed up quite a bit to add big Mo, but down the line thats a pretty frightening lineup. Oh and if you didn't realize he managed to keep his best pick for the future and both his young stars in Ivo and of course Oscar.
Boston: Detroit deserves it for future team building, despite the fact he wouldn't trade with me. Brasil deserves it for building a team out of nothing this year, though I think his window is shorter than he'd like.
Brasil: I view the GM of the Year award as one that goes to the person who improved his team the most. Bulls and Real would be eliminated due to this and that may not be fair. I sadly think at this point, John or Sydney have to be options. However, at this point… since I can’t vote for the team that improved his team by 28 wins (after 26 last season). I’d have to vote for the Celtics or Pistons. With Pistons winning out because he’s best set up to improve his roster thru draft with 3 1sts to Celtics 1. Having that 2017 Milan pick wins it out for him.
Chicago: There are lots of good candidates - the top tier of which I think include London, Brazil, San Antonio, Sydney and Detroit. For me, Boston, myself, and Madrid should also get some consideration. Earlier in the season, I had San Antonio as the winner, but I feel like Brazil has built just an incredible team that I think has an equal chance as Madrid, Chicago, or London to take the championship this season. I had mixed feelings about the Havlicek trade for London, so Brazil gets the edge.
London: Well, I know this league HATES voting for "future moves" but I think Tehran, Detroit, Mexico City and Boston all deserve some recognition. I think I might need to vote for Brasil or the Spurs based on the moves they made to turn their rag-tag teams into contenders. I really like the move San Antonio made for Kurland. That really made them legit and gave Cousy a running mate which he sorely needed.
7. What team do you fear most next season?[/u]
Mexico City: I mentioned it before but you really have to like Boston and Detroit. Both have added nice bigs, great guards and really just need to grow together to be in the hunt espeically in the weak americas. Look for one or both of these teams to contend next year in what could be a great rivarly.
Jeb: Another year under their belts leaves John's London squad getting better and better... I'll simply go with them. Pretty self explanatory. I'm interested to see what other tricks Detroit may have up his baggy sleeves.
Boston: I don't fear Detroit - not yet, at least - or London - who will always be good but is still one shrewd move away from being a real powerhouse. I DO fear a Bob Pettit that's being led by a GM that actually shows up. Imagine if someone put pieces around Bob Pettit, guys. THEN STOP IMAGINING, because Pettit is the player that's going to kill this league dead and we're all going to be crying about how we never really had a chance.
Brasil: I believe I just stated that. London, Boston, and Detroit are the three teams I fear most (besides Real and Bulls of course if they stay the course). London has Wilt, help and #13 in a deep draft of fringe starters. Boston has 5 starters and 17 Million in Cap. Detroit Is already a good 7 deep with the exceptions to use and future picks to deal to improve. I mainly fear that team nobody sees coming though that can change the landscape of a division. Brasil’s winning obviously sent a few American teams running into a rebuild. Mainly, Mexico City!
Chicago:The scariest teams going forward will be Boston, Detroit and London once they get some pieces around their stars. Obviously, Chicago, Madrid, Brazil and Sydney will be in the mix for a few more years as well, but the gap will continue to close because those teams lack the star power of the first three teams mentioned. While I think London may make a case for the top team next season, I think Detroit and Boston are still 2 seasons away from 50-60 win contender status...but they're coming for us all.
London: I fear no team but for some reason REAL Madrid kicks my ass in our division. Beyond that I know Detroit and Boston will do a lot better next season after having rebuild last year. I also think Tehran and Mexico City could be legit threats soon. Too early to tell obviously with them but it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were in the playoff hunt. Well, maybe not Tehran yet because he'd have a lot of other teams to pass, but the Titans could make the jump with some lotto and FA luck.
