Post by JR on Jun 2, 2020 14:12:12 GMT -8
Welcome to the 3rd annual JR’s Roundtable. Today we have some very special guests on. We will be discussing the league up to this point and what the future holds.
1. The Jazz and Nets both won the first 2 ships respectively, does somebody new win? Who is the favorite for this season? Why is that?
Sargo - I think we will see a new champion this season. You still have Tim Duncan out west; arguably the best player in the league. You have the Cavs led my Kevin Garnett. I could see a Cavs and Clippers finals matchup, with the Cavs winning it all. That team is very good.
Covid - Jazz and Nets both get the respect of winning it all, however they both shit the bed rather quickly by season 3. There will be a new champion, I think the Clippers, Cavs and Heat are the real contenders. My favorite is the Heat, they are well built and seem to constantly improve.
Greeme - I think the Nets have a good shot but obviously losing deke will hurt. They could also turn around and flip mj for youth and take a step back. Cavs had a solid tc and were gifted a solid big in pollard. I think that barring a big move the clips will win but obviously somebody will do something. My best guess is that wherever MJ ends up will end up with the ship.
Darell - I think this season is more wide open then ones in the past, for one you have 75% of the league tanking so records are going to be a little inflated. I think the only teams that have a legitimate shot in no particular order are the Kings, Clips, Mavs, Heat and Cavs. The Heat may fall off depending on what Kobe does from now until the trade deadline. I think the Kings and Clips have the best shot from the west, the Kings in particular are using the same formula the Clips did last season by being ultra efficient albeit with much better PG play. They still need to make one move IMO, they can either give Reid more minutes or acquire another big but I think they need more shot blocking. Its such an important part of FBB, although some people have different opinions. The Clips are facing early season adversity, LJ has been out for two weeks and they havent gelled together just yet. Once they are back at full speed the Pacific should be interesting.
2. Interesting takes there fellas, onto the next question. There has been a ton of moves, which one surprised you the most this offseason? Why is that?
Sargo - The Jamal Crawford move. Skillz was in love with Crawford but only held him for one season. Zach Randolph is decent, Manu declined, but is good, and the picks aren't much. It's a nice deal for the Spurs and a questionable one for Skillz. But it seems like these deals usually work out for him.
Covid - For me would be the three way between, Jazz Knicks and Wolves. The entire league knew what the Jazz intentions were, and I feel they sold really cheap giving them their 03 back, for too late 1st. It was just poorly executed trade, and I feel Skills probably took the driver seat on the deal and did most of the work setting it up. He's a snake.
Greeme - I mean you can never be surprised about skillz but he talked up Crawford so much I thought he would keep him a bit.
Darell - So many of Houston's moves should make this list, look I get what hes trying to do in removing any talent from his team so he can tank for the best pick possible but there is a certain way to go about it. Im a firm believer that you always play your best guys or have enough integrity to sign players that should be on a roster going into a season. Hes been called out for signing shitty players already by Spence and thats a huge red flag, then he gave out assets for nothing. Look Pollard or Kwame arent game changers but he could've easily got picks back in return. Another shocker to me was how much MJ went for, youre talking about a top 5 player in the league who can turn any team into a contender and the best asset Greeme received in return was Jay Williams? Look I get it, people might be turned away because of his age but the man has defied odds and chosen to continue playing shocking everyone not once but twice! I think he could've got a better package but on the flip side it will be interesting to see what the Nuggets do this season, they have some interesting pieces in D-rob, Pierce and Jalen in addition to MJ but I think their PG play is a huge issue.
3. Very well, this past draft just concluded there were a lot of hot takes before TC, what is your HOT take from this draft after TC?
Sargo - Not sure how much of a hot take it is now, but Dimitris will be the 2nd best player in this draft easily. He's already at 28PPG in pre-season. I know, i know, the numbers are inflated due to shit on the Rockets roster. But he can score and does so efficiently.
Covid - Draft overall lived to what everyone was saying, its utter shit!! Outside Yao and Dimitry there are a lot of projects. You however did solid with taking Tayshaun at 5. I believed in the pick, and the doubters of you are silent now.
Greeme - Well it seems that if you need scoring take a euro. Can't wait to see Luka and Deni in this league
Darell - My biggest hot take might be that Bibby is a borderline superstar after TC, Brian has one of the best assets in the league at his disposal, I personally think he needs to make a big time move to get a big man. Theyre getting next to nothing from their big men, Sheed and Magloire's %s are yuck. If there ever was a time to go for it then this would be the season to do it, I mean after the Nets gave away MJ the only teams that are truly competing are the Heat and Cavs. Theyre good but arent juggernauts by any means, with the right move or two he could make a deep push in the playoffs.
4. MJ had 75 potential to start with, how does that make you feel? He might be here till hes 43-45 is that a problem with you?
Sargo - Interesting. I like it, it allows him to play a few more years, but I think 75 may have been tooooo high. 65 would have kept him around a few more years likely, but he's still elite at 39! That is wild. I hope he retires soon, because the Nets are running the East right now.
Covid - No not at all. He missed out 1994 1995, 1999, 2000, so let the GOAT make up for his lost time. The idea of MJ, Kobe, and Lebron all in the league together, is so close to being a thing. Spencer probably had this as a plan all along!
Greeme - Kind of annoyed that Spencer told everybody it was 75 bc everybody was sure that it was 100. He should stay around forever. I think that is good. Unless I trade him. Then it is bad.
Darell - I dont have a problem with that, its clear Spence made him too good but hes the GOAT so its definitely deserved. I think hes starting to crater off this season, hes gone from an MVP level to a very good player. Could this be the start of the decline or just a slow start? Its hard to say but I hope he sticks around so I can pull a Game and give him the one year max.
5. Tim Duncan is by far the best player in this file, who do you think ranks second? Give reasons.
Sargo - This is tough. I'll say Kevin Garnett right now. There is a bigs shortage here and Garnett may very well be the 2nd best one. He can score, rebound, and block at an excellent rate. He's got to be the #2 guy in the league right now. It's crazy that him AND Webber were traded for Shaq. CRAZY.
Covid - I don't think he is the best man, I'll stand by that. Nash is the best player, there isn't a flaw in his game. Their have been a few big man that match-up well against Duncan, but as far as Nash, thats the leagues weakest position, and he just plays it so well.
Greeme - False. The most important player in the file is Ben Wallace. Smalls are always more efficient than bigs so bigs that shoot just take shots from smalls who shoot better. Play d, block shots, take care of the ball and don't shoot. Thanks.
Darell - Thats a tough one, there are so many good options about TD. I think I would group guys like Kobe, AI, Nash and KG in the next tier after TD. Kobe is the most interesting piece because hes yet to entire his prime and his ratings are so gooood. Im still a firm believer in having dominant big men to build your team around so I would say KG I mean 20/12/5 stocks is absolute nuts, hes another guys just entering his prime and I love guys that can influence the game without having the ball in their hands.
6. Are you surprised a lot of these Europeans are coming in and making an instant impact on teams? Whether they came via draft or free agency.
Sargo - I like it. Manu looked good last season, but declined a bit this training camp. Kirilenko needs work. Dimirtis is elite as discussed earlier. Milos Vujanic looks very interesting for my squad. I'm curious to see how he sims in larger minutes and how he looks after he gets some camps; C+ B+ scoring is nice for a rook.
Covid - Surprised, annoyed, confused. All these emotions make me love it in a sense man. Its different for sure and it makes these drafts all that much more wild. However, Dimitry too damn good man, hes prime Kobe already.
Greeme - Well ak looks like he busted and manu is solid but no better than that so far. The draftees looks a lot better. Kind of surprised they are so good. At least they can't play D.
Darell - Not necessarily, biggest knock against Euros is the style of play overseas is more offensive minded so these guys that come out are able to make an instant impact offensively. Not very many of them solid defensive ratings, still impressive to put 25-30 PPG off the jump with plus efficiency.
7. The 2003 draft class was just released, what are your initial thoughts on the class? Is LeBron good enough, or too good?
Sargo - He's perfect. I hope he can block the shot a bit too at the wing. Carmelos scoring looks legit and that D+ defense is AHHHH but accurate. Bosh and Wade look good too. It's going to be nice for the 4 four teams, but imagine tanking for ....David West or Chris Kaman? Awful.
Covid - Lebron is ass, its mad disrespecful, outside of that this draft is all its billed out to be, so sexy. I would love to get my hands on Kirk Hinrich for personal reasons, I will be making some noise come draft night. Melo's soring is cute. Defense a little disrespected. C C- wouldve been fine.
Greeme - the class looks very deep, much better than last year. Darko is very interesting. Sometimes he turns out great and sometimes he sucks. Lebron looks very good, maybe even a smidge too good.
Darell - Bron is where he needs to be, when he came into the league he was more of a slasher and developed his jumper as his career progressed. Cant have these high schoolers be too good, need to have them go through the right developmental phase. Really good depth throughout the draft, top 5 is ideal but there are still some starter quality players available after that.
8. Lebron obviously is the number 1 pick in this draft class, but 2-4 could go anyway, how would you rank them in the top 4, LeBron DWade, Bosh and Carmelo?
Sargo - 1. LeBron; 2. Wade; 3. Melo; 4. Bosh. I think all 4 will be elite or near elite players here.
Covid - Lebron should be #1, but Spence is a mysterious man. I wouldn't even put him that high lol. But it is Bron. So I'ma go Bron, Melo, Wade, Bosh. Melo might be A- A- scoring by opening sim!
Greeme - Really hard to tell how this class will play out. I could see guys like west howard and darko moving into the top 4. Limited to those 4 I would pick lbj melo bosh dwade
Darell - 1. Lebron is the clear cut number one obviously
2. Melo is actually really nice right off the bat, should be an immediate contributor if he has a good TC. You will have to surround him with top notch defenders to make up for his flaws on that end but it can be done. If his ratings mimic his play, handles might be a concern since has was a 3-3.5 tpg guys early on in his career.
3. I really like Bosh, quality bigs are hard to find in this league with the right camps and a solid TC he could be a 15/8 guy his first season and his inside is probably all in scoring so he should have really good efficiency.
4. Hate putting D-wade at 4 but that’s how good this class is, you could easily flip him and Bosh depending on the team that takes him but he should a star you can build your team around.
9. I’ve heard around the league that there aren’t many good teams, what do you think about that?
Sargo - It's true. The lack of bigs makes it tough to build a team here. The league is fluttered with wings, but finding those rebounding/defensive bigs is tough. I think that will change over the next few seasons, but we'll see.
Covid - My man, I've said this from the beginning, Its easier to win in this league than it is to tank. Lot of teams had horrible creation draft, and they're still hurting from it. It's not easy too turn a franchise around quickly with several talented GM's in your way. As a whole I think it will take 3 more season's until we see the 1st couple of Spencers draft classes tear it up, and the balance will definitely shift. However, it will cost 3-4 GMs jobs due to contract years in the process.
Greeme - it is silly. We don't have inflation so teams don't necessarily look as good but it is all relative.
Darell - Well it’s definitely a fact lol, a good chuck of the league shaped their strategy in prior seasons in anticipation of this draft. We all knew how good it was and the kind of stars available in the top 5 so if you didn’t feel comfortable with the guys you had currently it makes sense. I think too many teams are going to be in for a rude awakening when they realize how many guys are resigned before FA begins, if theyre banking for going all in FA.
10. A lot of teams threw money around in Free Agency, what do you feel was the worst deal given out?
Sargo - 2002 181 Timberwolves Sign PG Antonio Daniels for $14,501,500 over 3 years.
2002 181 Knicks Sign C Chris Mihm for $29,675,578 over 4 years.
2002 181 Hornets Sign PG Bobby Jackson for $39,600,000 over 3 years.
Not a fan of these moves. Mihm is OK, but was slightly overpaid. I get it due to the lack of bigs. The Wolves are tanking and re-signed Daniels. Why? He sucks ass. I don't get it. Another "tanking" team in the Hornets gave Bobby Jackson a 3 year max. Right now, it makes no sense unless they can get an asset for him via trade.
Covid - Worse deal for me, even though backed by some was Cuttino Mobley, he looked the same since I drafted him round 8, and threw away to Raptors. Teams tend to forget that we have a limit on AC's. So getting a older vet who looks decent and plan on camping him is the dumbest thing. We have to take care of our youth, and they will take care of you.
Greeme - bottom 5 are
Bobby Jackson for $39,600,000 over 3 years
Chris Mihm for $29,675,578 over 4 years
Bruce Bowen for $40,400,000 over 4 years
Chris Mihm for $29,675,578 over 4 years.
Cuttino Mobley for $46,230,600 over 6 years
These are all guys that gms will try desperately to move them next year before fa in order to free up cap. Worst is mihm I think. That is why I wrote him twice lol
Darell - Bruce Bowen stands out like a sore thumb, kinda crazy how he plays 30+ mpg and cant crack 5 PPG. I mean Habes clearly wanted him so it makes sense for Phoenix to throw the kitchen sink at him to make sure he signs. William Avery looked good on paper, and he had a nice TC to boot but man 4.5+ TPG is rough for your starting PG. Don’t think even Starbust approached those numbers, not sure if hes been camped already but if he has that contract is rough.
11. Alright this one has nothing to do with the league, stranded on an island you get to take one person, one book and one movie, GO! Why?
Sargo - My fiance; a hustler magazine; and Superbad. Can't go wrong with that!!!!!
Covid - America ain't for me right now, can I go now?? I'm ready!! I'm taking Bear Grylls, with the book Deep Survival, and probably take the Cruicble to keep me spiritually sane.
Greeme - my wife, the bible, dead poets society
Darell - Easily taking Alison Brie, if theres one chick I would simp over its her plus she seems super down to earth. Don’t really read much but my favorite book of all time is Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time, such an interesting read if you haven’t had a chance to check it out will make you question things you already knew. Honestly anything with Leo is a good choice, would probably go with The Wolf of Wall Street.
12. Ok, I will open It up for any questions for myself now ask away, or don’t.
Sargo - What are your thoughts on the trolls in this league?
JR – Are there any REAL trolls here? I mean playing with Vedda, Tyga, Royal, You, Eli, Trap for so many years I don’t view these guys as trolls at all.
Covid - When you going to make me a uncle?
JR – Honestly man I don’t even wanna bring a child into this world its scary to think about what’s happening around the United States. Still haven’t found a mother either bro.
Greeme - Pass
Darell - 1. How long have you been in FBB leagues?
JR – Ummm I think 10-12 years not exactly sure but around there.
2. You seem like a well-respected GM, how long have you been in sim leagues with this group?
JR – Well like 5-6 of them for those 10 years the rest are pretty new to me.
3. Who do you know from the league IRL if any?
JR – Covid and I went to high school together. I met Game in Vegas once and plans to do it again soon.
4. What do you do for work?
JR – I handle the numbers for a restaurant and bartend.
5. Where do you live?
JR – Fresno CA
6. A man was born in 1992 and died in 1953, how is this possible?
JR – fuck idk im too high for this shit.
I just wanna thank the original michael , Royal , greeme , darell for answering these questions.
I just wanna thank the original michael , Royal , greeme , darell for answering these questions.
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