Post by Sydney on Apr 6, 2015 10:47:13 GMT -6
(AP) Sydney - As we enter opening day of the 2027 season of ABCA legends, we here at the AP of Sydney have developed Five Burning Questions
that are outstanding as the day begins. This is a time for optimism for most clubs and a time to just sit around and wait till next offseason for some. So let's get down to what a lot of people are waiting to see happen.
1. Is this the end of a Dynasty in Seattle?
a. After setting the ABCA league on fire for the better part of a decade led by the duo of Alex English and JoJo White, this team may finally be reaching the end of their peak. Numerous finals appearances, with 2 trophies to show for it, Seattle has been on a run that has made them the crown jewel of ABCA. After losing to the Partizan in last year’s finals, it seems inevitable that father time may be catching up to the most successful franchise in ABCA. JoJo White and Alex English have both surpassed the dreaded 30 year age mark and have started to show some slight, if only minor, signs of decline. This team is still built for another run but this may be the last season where they contend with the core that’s led them to greatness.
2. Who’s taking over the title of best player in ABCA?
a. As a nice segway from question #1, Alex English is arguably the best player in ABCA or to some, it is Kareem Abdul Jabbar. However, as mentioned previously, both players are now at the age where the inveitable decline starts to set in. Elvin Hayes has seen this but has been near elite since but the question comes into play of who is going to take over this throne? Will it be Hakeem Olajuwon or Michael Jordan? How about John Stockton who had himself a crazy good training camp? Maybe another contender will emerge from the woodshed but we won’t know until the season is wrapped up. I’m putting my money on The Dream.
3. What team will inexplicably blow it up and go full rebuild mode?
a. We see this every season in ABCA – A team hopeful of competing for a championship only to tear it down 3 weeks into the season and rebuild the team from pieces. There’s always a handful of teams that should take this direction but only few commit to this process as it is long and arduous. It takes a lot of courage to bite the bullet and hit reset and the longer a team waits, the worse chance they have at competing for a top draft pick. I think there’s a few teams currently on this bubble and they seem to know it but I will withhold any predictions for this question.
4. Who will declare for this draft class?
a. After what seems to be a historic draft class in terms of name value and potential talent, this year’s draft may be very weak on overall talent due to early declarations. There have been names thrown around that would highlight this class, such as Pau Gasol but that just doesn’t quite feel like the headliner we’re accustomed to. For a lot of teams rebuilding and those who are going to choose the inevitable (see question #3), a draft class talent level is paramount to being able to right the ship in a timely fashion. No one ever enjoys a rebuild that lasts multiple seasons and the players who declare for the draft play a key role in helping determine a franchises short and long term future.
5. Who is willing to negotiate and re-sign with their club mid-season?
a. This question is the only one able to be answered on a specific date, which is after Sim 2 of the season. This free agency has a chance to be historical in terms of talent if they are unwilling to resign in season. With the likes of players such as Charles Barkley, Adrian Dantley, David Robsinon, Joe Dumars, Ron Harper, Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Chris Mullin, Clifford Robinson and Scottie Pippen all potentially testing the waters, a lot of teams will be on the edge of their seats come sim 2. Some players will offer discounts, others will want the max but either way, having a player WILLING to re-sign is a huge relief to a lot of teams as it not only allows them the ability to retain a player in an exclusive period but also helps players values on the trade market.
that are outstanding as the day begins. This is a time for optimism for most clubs and a time to just sit around and wait till next offseason for some. So let's get down to what a lot of people are waiting to see happen.
1. Is this the end of a Dynasty in Seattle?
a. After setting the ABCA league on fire for the better part of a decade led by the duo of Alex English and JoJo White, this team may finally be reaching the end of their peak. Numerous finals appearances, with 2 trophies to show for it, Seattle has been on a run that has made them the crown jewel of ABCA. After losing to the Partizan in last year’s finals, it seems inevitable that father time may be catching up to the most successful franchise in ABCA. JoJo White and Alex English have both surpassed the dreaded 30 year age mark and have started to show some slight, if only minor, signs of decline. This team is still built for another run but this may be the last season where they contend with the core that’s led them to greatness.
2. Who’s taking over the title of best player in ABCA?
a. As a nice segway from question #1, Alex English is arguably the best player in ABCA or to some, it is Kareem Abdul Jabbar. However, as mentioned previously, both players are now at the age where the inveitable decline starts to set in. Elvin Hayes has seen this but has been near elite since but the question comes into play of who is going to take over this throne? Will it be Hakeem Olajuwon or Michael Jordan? How about John Stockton who had himself a crazy good training camp? Maybe another contender will emerge from the woodshed but we won’t know until the season is wrapped up. I’m putting my money on The Dream.
3. What team will inexplicably blow it up and go full rebuild mode?
a. We see this every season in ABCA – A team hopeful of competing for a championship only to tear it down 3 weeks into the season and rebuild the team from pieces. There’s always a handful of teams that should take this direction but only few commit to this process as it is long and arduous. It takes a lot of courage to bite the bullet and hit reset and the longer a team waits, the worse chance they have at competing for a top draft pick. I think there’s a few teams currently on this bubble and they seem to know it but I will withhold any predictions for this question.
4. Who will declare for this draft class?
a. After what seems to be a historic draft class in terms of name value and potential talent, this year’s draft may be very weak on overall talent due to early declarations. There have been names thrown around that would highlight this class, such as Pau Gasol but that just doesn’t quite feel like the headliner we’re accustomed to. For a lot of teams rebuilding and those who are going to choose the inevitable (see question #3), a draft class talent level is paramount to being able to right the ship in a timely fashion. No one ever enjoys a rebuild that lasts multiple seasons and the players who declare for the draft play a key role in helping determine a franchises short and long term future.
5. Who is willing to negotiate and re-sign with their club mid-season?
a. This question is the only one able to be answered on a specific date, which is after Sim 2 of the season. This free agency has a chance to be historical in terms of talent if they are unwilling to resign in season. With the likes of players such as Charles Barkley, Adrian Dantley, David Robsinon, Joe Dumars, Ron Harper, Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Chris Mullin, Clifford Robinson and Scottie Pippen all potentially testing the waters, a lot of teams will be on the edge of their seats come sim 2. Some players will offer discounts, others will want the max but either way, having a player WILLING to re-sign is a huge relief to a lot of teams as it not only allows them the ability to retain a player in an exclusive period but also helps players values on the trade market.
esp on points 3-5