Post by ashes on Jul 6, 2020 23:45:16 GMT -8
Interviewing the Milwaukee Bucks GM, Chipperboy18
1. First of all, good morning or evening to you! I don't bother to keep track of it anymore. Let's just start off with something basic. Tell us about yourself and a little about your sim league experience.
Chipper: I’ve been around for awhile, been doing sims since 08-09 or so. Been in a JSB league that’s been off and on since 2009 (currently back on), and was in BBS, ABCA, UOSL, and whatever the heck traves called his leagues 😆. But I’ve been doing this for long enough. It’s fun. It’s been good to get back into them with the pandemic leaving real sports on the outs. I’m a diehard Atlanta sports fan, and also a die-hard Liverpool fan. One of those is actually winning things right now. I’m 30, married, with one kid (4), from Atlanta, and I work in hotels. We might be getting the doctor’s and nurses back at the hotel again because of the pandemic spiking again. Having to social distance and live without my wife and son for two months SUCKED and I don’t recommend it. But we may have to do that again soon if people don’t get their act together and stay home and wear freaking masks.
Can't say I've ever tried JSB. HR based FBB off of it right? I feel you on living without your wife and kid, I'm going on 5 months now. Not fun.
Actual image of chipperboy.
2. All right, time to switch gears. How does it feel knowing you might be the first GM to be fired twice? How'd you get yourself into this situation?
Chipper: Ughhhh I hate this happened the way it did.. The first time though, that was a complete misunderstanding and it was my fault, a long time ago I switched my online status on proboards to always be invisible. I don’t honestly remember the original reason but I liked it so I kept it. This was my first proboards in awhile, so I honestly forgot about that fact, so when they said I hadn’t been on in a few days, I was surprised. I hadn’t posted, but I was watching. So the day that I got fired, I was working at the hotel with the doctor’s and nurses in. So it was busy for them, and I get it. I’m actually kind of glad I missed the creation draft in a way. I SUCK at creation drafts.
Funny situation. I think you'll get it together and make it through, but it doesn't look like it will be easy. Nash has really carried you, but I'd still be a little worried about injuries. Better post more! I'm not a huge fan of creation drafts, I always question all my picks. But it was a fun way to start the league for sure. Also, one could argue you suck at regular drafts too but more on that later!
3. We'll stick with talking about your team. Tell me your thought process on building your roster and where you've done well and where you've done poorly? Are you satisfied at this point, or will you be looking to make some more moves?
Chipper: I’m satisfied as of now with how my team has gotten here, although I’ve missed a number of big opportunities to do even better. I get so many PMs that sometimes, I miss a notification or I press read all and I totally don’t see an offer, and those are ALWAYS the offers that should have instantly accepted (Brian Grant and Milos for Marion was a few days ago, totally misread that one as Hill and Milos and didn’t clarify. Mad about that). I started out with the Bucks terrible and decided to do the rebuild thing, although it started out with a terrible pick in Diop my first draft. But I feel I did pretty well with picks going forward, especially the Tinsley pick. People derided that at the time, but he was the PERFECT tanking PG: he couldn’t score, he turned it over almost as much as he got an assist, and it was great. Helped me really get where I needed to with the tank. Got unlucky in the lotto for LeBron etc and fell to 5th, but I traded down, picked up an extra asset, still got the guy I would have picked at 5 in Kaman, and used Kaman to get me Nash. The key for me was when I stopped asking everyone else for advice and started saying “fuck it, let me make the decisions on my own so I can live with them”. My decision-making improved a helluva lot with that. And I ALWAYS look to make more moves. I’m not kidding where I say I make as many moves as Skillz does in my other league, maybe more. I love trading. Gun-shy right now because Contract Year and all, but if I make it through this, best believe you’re going to see me making a ton of deals in the offseason.
Tinsley pick was still bad! Who cares if he was a tanking PG. Yikes what a bad pick. Kaman really emerged into a nice player, definitely the best pick you've made. Well Arvy is up there too. It's good to be proactive but you've definitely been a little indecisive I think to start out. Also, there is no way you trade more than Skillz! Stop trying to convince us otherwise.
This image says it all.
4. Discuss your experience in BBS2020 so far. How do you feel about the league so far? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Chipper: This league is the 2nd greatest league I’ve been in (well, it’s a tie, with UOSL honestly). My JSB league that I’m in is #1 for me because of how well set-up that league is with the Discord and with the process being so easy for the simmer to import DCs that GMs send in themselves by making them on the website. GMs also make trades on the website too, and it’s all neatly bundled for the commish to grab the transactions and sim each time. It’s made it very enjoyable, plus I’m close friends with a lot of those guys in that league from all over the world. But this league, BBS, is fantastic. Everyone knows how awesome a commish Spencer is, and the GMs in the league are very knowledgeable and fun to interact with. If I could change one thing, it would be the sim engine. I hate FBB. FBB2013 is far superior to this, and JSB with the right user interface on a website is great as well. FBB is so badly coded and poorly made. It works for us though because the uploading is pretty easy and it’s been around for so long that everyone knows it.
I think utilizing something like Discord is an amazing asset for a league, so I can see how that would be very cool. The whole website import stuff, I dunno. Seems too OOTP for me, and we are all stubborn old FBB farts. The more I play around with FBB3, the more I enjoy it. Definitely seems a lot better in general, but I think it would take a lot of adjustment for folks used to FBB2001. Plus seems a little more difficult for the simmer. Overall though, I think it has definite advantages over this dated program.
5. Tell me your top 5 favorite BBS GMs and why.
Chipper:
1) Ashes (I’ve known you for longer than anybody else here I think- plus you’re really great to interact with)
2) Skillz (he’s just fun to watch trade so much really)
3) Nanz (really nice guy, and I love the way he builds his teams)
4) Galo (nice guy and very knowledgeable. Plus it’s funny when I make a move he disagrees with, he always posts in the thread “ah chip”. So that’s enjoyable)
5) Royal (he's honestly hilarious, and he has had my picks and it's funny to watch his reactions when I have a good sim)
6) everybody else - I know I missed a few people, but these came to the top of my head first.
Aww, so sweet.
6. Alright, now you have to kill one of those GMs. Which one and why?
Chipper: Royal. Sometimes his hate for my team makes me want to slap him silly. I get it, he wants my team to suck so he can do better with picks. But it's funny the trades he tries to send me that would supposedly make me better, but in reality would make me shit and would kill my team. We still ended up making the trade for Spree, just not for Kaman like he wanted.
Solid choice. I think I would have gone with Skillz but only because I think him negotiating for his life would be truly amazing. Just imagine it!
7. What has been your favorite trade in the league to date and why? Doesn't have to be a deal involving you.
Chipper: Kobe for AI. The hilarity of the reaction around the league to that was just so great. I get it, he wanted to have sex with his wife instead of doing a massive post tear. I would choose the same. But at least get SOMETHING in addition to AI. It’s Kobe!! Come on!! That thread was just amazing for all the responses and posts in it.
Lucky for me that I am currently unable to have sex with my wife so I got Kobe! I guess that's lucky? I'd definitely trade Kobe to be with my wife though.
8. Let's talk about Carlos Boozer. What are your thoughts on Boozer and how he's developed? Obviously hindsight is 20/20 but discuss the deep burn that Boozer isn't Dimitris Diamantidis. Where would you be if you had gone a different direction instead of Boozer?
Chipper: I’m still a big fan of his, but his lack of blocked shots REALLY hurts his value. Looking back I didn’t get LeBron or anyone else in that top 4 that next season, but DD would have helped me win more games that season that I didn’t want to win. And I’ve gotten BURNED by DD in many other leagues, that’s the honest to god truth. I did say when the draft happened that DD was going to be a monster stud because I passed on him. I still believe that if I picked him, he’d bust again. That’s just my luck. If I had picked him? I’m not really sure what would have happened honestly. I probably end up dealing him for a big package at some point in 03 I think. Value was highest then. I believe it’s always good to sell high and buy low. Boozer can still be a valuable asset, he just needs to find the right fit and team.
I've never even seen Diamond in a league! Or if I have I don't remember him. Can't let that stuff influence you! But hey, I took Amare instead! Boozer still seems like a really solid, efficient scorer who will get 10+ boards, a steal or two, and low TOs. He's not that bad, but he needs an elite defensive big man next to him and an offense geared towards using his strengths. Still, I think he can find success in the future.
I think this is Carlos Boozer. Digging the beard.
9. You've been given the choice to build a team around one of three players: Pau Gasol, Zach Randolph, or Gerald Wallace. Which player to you build your team around and why?
Chipper: Zach Randolph. I’m a SUCKER for efficiency and I feel he is very efficient with his shots. Yeah, he doesn’t get blocks, but big men are hard to find in the league, and he can put up 26 a game with 9 boards and 1.1 stocks. That’s not bad at all. Gasol is good, but less efficient I think, and Wallace is great defensively, but I prefer Z-Bo.
ZBo is the easy choice here, but I'm going with Gasol! I think he still has some potential left in the tank and mostly I like to piss off kobe. ZBo is putting up Dirk numbers at SF I think, though. Pretty crazy stuff! I think Wallace is the worst of the three. Terrible offensive player padding stats on a terrible team, and his TOs kind of negate his stocks. He's like 2nd option right now though, so hopefully his TOs improve with less utilization. If he can climb a bit more in stocks and drop his TOs to like 2 a game, then yeah he's amazing.
10. If you had to pick one team to switch rosters with, which team would it be and why?
Chipper: Kings. You have Kobe and that’s always a lot of fun. I love watching box scores that have the 50 or 60 point games. Kobe can do that on the regular I think. Plus you have Ben and Kaman, which I think is a great defensive duo, and you have a lot of assets you can use to make yourself even better. It’s a fun roster to build with. You could win the title this season, but even if you don’t, you’re sitting pretty in the future.
Alright chip, get off my nuts! Just kidding. I think I have a solid window right now, but I don't know how long I'll ride it out. My goal was 2007 which is pretty realistic, but I could probably stretch it further by ACing Ben as he dips. The constant juggling of finances is annoying, and the longer you keep a team together the harder it is to improve, in my opinion, because eventually, your only pieces are the main guys on your roster. Unless you draft a steal. I think if I could change anything, it would have been getting some average position picks to hold on to. Might look towards that for the future.
11. Okay, describe your perfect evening with Spencer. You're on a nice first date and you're feeling it. What does Spencer do to seal the deal?
Chipper: He does a night sim. Is this a trick question? This is too obvious an answer.
That's all it takes? You're a pretty easy guy, Chipper. One night sim and you're open for business! Hear that Spencer ? Be gentle! I think I'd need a little more romance, maybe have Spencer cook me a nice steak and whisper sweet nothings in my ear. Kaman has 91 potential left. Ooh Spence, say it again.
Pick up the tab, because I just simmed. Simmed hard.
12. Who is your ideal player in FBB and why? What player around the league fits this mold? Which starter do you hate the most in the league?
Chipper: I’ll answer 3rd part first: Jerry Stackhouse. That dude sucks in this game. Inefficient and just terrible. This is going to be a common theme this interview, I like guys who score a bunch of points, play well defensively, and don’t turn it over. If they get assists, even better. That player is Steve Nash. Again, I’m thrilled to have him, have wanted him since I got in this league. He does everything I’ve ever wanted in a player.
Poor Stack. Guy has really had a rough go at it here. Kobe's scoring output has dropped off slightly, maybe assists do matter a little! Kidding, they're worthless. Steve Nash is great though, glad he's doing well for you.
13. If you could replace one GM, who would it be and why?
Chipper: I like and respect all the GMs too much to answer this. I think everybody has their own plan for their team and they’re going at it in their own ways. Do I disagree with some of the directions? Sure. Do I think any of them should be fired? No. Well, maybe footy because he’s a Manchester United fan. ;-)
Such a cop out! Need drama and controversy damnit! Call out someone! Game get your shit together and try to win for once ya bum!
14. What is your favorite real life NBA team and why? How are they doing? Is there anything for you to be excited about?
Chipper: HAWKS BABYYYYY. Absolutely a TON to be excited about when they start playing again (next season). Trae/Collins/Hunter/Reddish/Huerter/unnamed draft pick/CAP SPACE is a helluva base. Get the team to defend all-around and we’ll be set. Very curious what moves they make this offseason. They should be a playoff team next year depending on what is done.
Interesting! Well, the interesting part to me is I had no idea who was on the Hawks! Not going to lie, I'm really behind on NBA times. I remember back in the day I knew every prospect because of FBB. Now I barely recognize names. Basketball has kind of fallen off for me over the years, plus it's really hard to keep track of stuff in the Navy.
15. As we all know, you are in your contract year along with jeb's Timberwolves. Last season we lost all three teams to the Contract Year despite grumblings that resetting the CY might be a little bit too easy. How do you feel about your chances? What about jeb? Give me your thoughts on the CY program. Is it too easy and could it be improved?
Chipper: I think the CY is perfect as is. If you don’t make playoffs and/or get over .500 in 4 seasons, you’re not trying hard enough. It’s too easy to make moves in this league and improve yourself. I felt not great about my chances coming into the season. The Nash trade has changed that. He’s a cheat code, seriously. Him and Hill is a great tandem. Jeb should make it, he has too much talent not to. I want to personally thank him for not taking the Nash trade before me, though. With Nash for that package, he’s the clear title favorite. But he should have no problem surviving this whatsoever.
I think you'll make it. Having a guy who puts up 30 a night is a great way to start! But remember the Magic! Don't get complacent and you can't wait to make moves if things go South. That was my main concern with jeb, because the longer he waited, he was really vulnerable to a few bad sims putting him in desperation mode, and that's how franchises get ruined! Though after his Bibby gift, he'll make it no problem. Hate the idea of JRich starting at SG though, but thank god Caron will be in the starting lineup now. I would've loved to have seen him keep Pierce, move him to SG and lower him in the options. I think that would have been better than what he's got now, but he's safe. As for the Contract Year itself, I think if you enter your CY, it should be a little harder than 42 games!
Googled Contract Year and this was the first result. Quit shirking guys!
16. Excluding the CY teams, which team around the league worries you the most in terms of their future? Call them out and tell us what they need to do better.
Chipper: Ooof. Um. I actually think the concerning ones were CYed last season- maybe the Magic? Trap has AI but that failed trade that was voided with Nuggets was highly concerning. Hopefully the first impression of Trap is incorrect and he turns into an All-World GM, but he didn't get off to a great start with that one.
Eh. He's still getting his feet wet. Should've gone with a seasoned guy. Like erbes! Dude is done!
17. Who is the MVP this season? Not FBB's MVP, but your MVP. What would you trade for the player/how do you value them?
Chipper: I have him! Steve Nash. Biased as hell, but to me point guards are so important in FBB and always have been. And I think Nash is the best PG in the league, he does everything. Scores bunches, assists, not as many turnovers as you’d think, and is fine defensively. He’s singlehandedly carrying my team this season when Hill is having a relative “off year.” And he could save me from being CYed. If that’s not the MVP I don’t know who is.
Honestly, Nash probably should have an MVP here, but FBB is dumb. Tim Duncan will monopolize it forever. I can get behind Nash being the MVP if he carries you to a solid seed in the playoffs and satisfies your CY. He's amazing. But talk about someone else for once!
He's got both eyes on the prize!
18. Which conference is the better conference in terms of GM strength? Describe why you feel that way. Don't pull any punches!
Chipper: Absolutely the East. While the West has the overall top GM (you), the East has like 7 of the top 10 (Skillz, Sargo, play/insane, svedda, kobe, jah, greeme). The East is ridiculously stacked, it’s crazy.
Oof finally some shade! Not sure if I agree totally. Sargo has been solid, but gave up on TD too soon for my liking! Play is washed up! Svedda called it early after some rough exits, but he's turning it around again. I don't buy jah in the top 10 yet! His team is pulling a Toronto this season, don't think it can sustain the current success, but he's drafted well and kept all the guys as per usual! I tease jah, glad things are working out. Some Western Conference GMs should take a bit of offense here!
19. Tell us an interesting fact about yourself in explicit detail.
Chipper: Uh…. My great-uncle is the only playwright in history to win a Tony, a Pulitzer, and an Oscar? He’s pretty neat. Lives in New York and his Oscar is at the back of a cabinet kind of hidden. Humble guy. I don’t have many other interesting facts about myself honestly. Mom’s from Ireland but my dad is Jewish and I was raised Jewish? I guess that’s interesting. I’m an Irish Jew. It's unique.
Your great-uncle sounds super interesting! I asked about you, you boring fuck! Nah, that's pretty cool though. He should go for a Grammy next. Hey, my first name is Irish and my last name is Jewish! Man I'm also super interesting.
Huh. So that's what the Pulitzer looks like. Neat.
20. Who's in the finals this season and who wins it all?
Chipper: Gotta go with the Kings and the Wizards! Kings to win it because Kobe and Kaman will DOMINATE. Well, maybe not dominate on Kaman’s end, but Kobe’s amazing so yeah. Kings in 6.
I think I can get through the West again this year, but the Hornets look unstoppable! I think the Hornets will make it to the Finals and if I can get back there again I'm going to have a tough time! Thanks for your time Chipper, try to be more controversial next time!
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