ACD - Article: The Hot Seat w/ Ashes
Aug 29, 2020 7:04:59 GMT -8
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Post by Skillz on Aug 29, 2020 7:04:59 GMT -8
Hot Seat W/ Ashes
ashes , welcome to the Hot Seat! It is a pleasure to have you.
1. Let’s cut right to the chase. You have more regular season wins, playoff wins, championships and finals appearances than anyone else in this version of BBS. Are you the best GM here? What do you attribute your success to in this version?
ASHES: I have had a lot of success this version and the funny response is I just take advantage of CY teams! Ez pz! I don't consider myself the best GM by any means, but I think I've done a much better job here than I have in FBB leagues in the past. The last league I did well in was BBSBL, where I was dominant, so I tried to maintain that mindset and approach even though OOTP and FBB are very different. In past iterations of BBS, I was a much more careful GM who usually chose to stay the course and got very attached to my players, which led to me making far less trades than I've made here. This time around, I've had a goal in mind in what kind of teams I wanted to build and always look to make moves that make sense with that goal in mind. I think my moves for Ben Wallace and Allen Iverson were actually the biggest contributions to building the team that I did. I think my first Kobe trade was awful for me (even though Amare is really nice now). Honestly, my Nash trade worked out way better for me than I thought it would. From what I saw Kaman struggled at Center on the Bucks, and I figured he might have more success at PF. I thought Maggette sucked and was only a contract filler (a bad one at that) and Milos was okay but I didn't really think he could be good starter on a championship team, so my initial thought was to trade him and some other asset for an upgrade. Kaman ended up being was better than I thought at the PF, and Maggette turned out to be a very good non-option starter. I still think Chipper's DC was to blame for the Bucks missing out. Spencer nabbed a bunch of wins in the transition period between Chipper and Andy, but either way the trade worked out WAY better than I thought it would. My Iverson for Kobe trade was a silly move by break that I advised against, but hey it is what it is. Complete win for me.
Overall, I've made good moves while trying to minimize bad ones. I've still made bad trades (lul at me bailing out Nanz), but I usually make any trade with something in mind and I'm happy regardless of what happens, because I just make moves in line with what I want from my team at that time. I try to maintain my contracts well, and cycle my players accordingly. I think my performance here is a departure from my old way of thinking and willingness to deal a lot more than the past.
Skillz: What a humble man you are! It is interesting, when looking at your tenure, I really don’t think you’ve “won” a disproportionate amount of your trades. To your point, I actually think you’ve come in on the losing end on some of the more high-profile moves. To me, that makes your success all the more impressive. It means you aren’t relying on one-off, one-sided blockbusters to build your team and have a plan in place. The best GMs aren’t worried about popular opinion when they post a trade.
2. You have stated your aversion to the classic, “tank and bank” rebuild method, preferring to rebuild on the fly. Talk us through this. Do you think it’s a cop-out for teams to tank?
Ashes: Yeah, I used do the whole tank for a few seasons, build through the draft and FA, rinse and repeat, but I'm not a big fan of it in general. Lotto, TC and FA are too dependent on luck. You can put yourself in the best position possible and still come out with nothing, and then your team falls in a hole that leads to a desperation CY attempt then immediate rebuild with worse assets, or at the very least your assets have lost the value they once had. This time around, I've tried to do a constant re-tool, which so far has had more success for me. Plus tanking might be the most boring thing in the world for me, and nothing is worse than dropping in the lotto. Plus there have been so many late bloomers in the league, it's hard to count on guys to develop those first few seasons. Artest and Amare! I'm dead certain than I'll trade Gay, and then look at him randomly three seasons from now and he's a good player. Either way, it's hard to count on either. I don't necessarily think it's a cop-out, just too much luck needed in my opinion. For every Jazz and Sonics (who are run by fantastic GMs regardless) there more Hawks, Magic, Raptors, Grizzlies, Warriors, etc. that it doesn't always work out and the GMs have to scramble to make up for it.
Skillz: Agreed 100%. I’m a broken record here, but I don’t really “rate” or respect the GMs who constantly rely on the long-term tank and bank strategy to become relevant. It’s not hard. Anyone can do it. I understand wanting to mix it up every once and a while, and maybe tanking for one of your favorite players, but if you are reliant on completely resetting your roster and gutting your team every 2-3 years…you aren’t very good at this.
3. What is the biggest mistake GM’s make in their respective CY’s ?
Ashes: Waiting too long and getting enamored with their youth. I've said it before and I still stand by my stance. I absolutely hate waiting until the last year to throw a team together or hope your young guys are ready enough. Like what if the Spurs were going into their CY and absolutely dependent on KD being ready day 1? I think you also put yourself into a worse position trade-wise the longer you push to the CY date. Bynum is a good example of this. Lot of "oh he should be fine" or "he'll make it easily" and it's very rarely been the case, even if they do even up making it, it's almost always a close call. Warriors and Grizzlies scraped through their CY, and came out looking worse for wear (Warriors have finally turned it around again though). Like I look at the Rockets and still don't like their situation all too much. He has Duncan incoming, so it's hard to see him missing it, but once the Suns pull it together, he's left with Hollins, his own picks, and picks from the Sonics, Bulls, and Kings. Either way, he's heading into CY with Duncan, Hollins, a 15M Paccelis, and a team of leftover FAs. I'm sure we'll see the same slobbering footy got, and a scramble to win 42 games or make 8th seed. It's hard to bet against Duncan, but injuries and depth are a thing. I'm sure he'll be fine, he should make it!
Skillz: Amen. Don’t overrate youth. At least in your head. Hype the shit out of your youth, and then trade said youth! FBB is a random game and unless you have a homerun prospect with the right “stuff,” there’s always a chance the player does not develop the way you’d expect. See: Bynum. All of us pay a premium on young, fun prospects so I agree that CY teams should be more proactive in the way they conceive of their young guys. And also, to our last point: I know this is a zero-sum game, but I am shocked by the amount of Contract Year teams every eason. You don’t need to rebuild for 3 years to get good!
4. You just traded for the Yi man, after SLAMMING me for hyping the YEEEE monster after I picked him. What changed your tune? Where do you think Yi goes in a redraft?
Ashes: I was wrong. I'll admit it. I'm glad Yi has a fight chance at being good in a sim league for once, but man I hated of all the GMs you ended up with him and being right! You hype up so many bad to average players!
Skillz: It’s not hype, just love. It’s all genuine affection. And when I trade my sons, it’s to put them in a better place! And YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE is going to be awesome. Definite 100 potential.
5. Tensions seem to be somewhat high in the league lately. I think this is fairly normal in corona-world. We can all be tightly wound. Do you think there is a double standard applied to non-“Hue crew” members with friends trades? Do you think JR and Covid have a point?
Ashes: I can see where they are coming from, but the lengths they went to was crazy annoying, and very disappointing in general. We're too old for this circa 2005 trolling! I think there is a good amount of "friend" trades, but nothing too egregious in my opinion. I think it mostly stems from these guys being more in contact with each other. When you have a group of people comfortable with each other with more avenues of discussion available, obviously it'll lead to more deals. My only communication with people is through the boards, and even then I'm on a 15-18 hour difference in schedule! Believe me fellas, Spencer was put on notice for friend trade policing long ago! He's got it under control. Though I do enjoy seeing trades get royal'd. I vote for the next Nanz HC bailout to get royal'd!
Skillz: Yep. I have my own form of annoying habits, to be sure, but I really don’t understand the trolling. It’s objectively not funny or even amusing. You more than covered it.
6. If you could pick 5 GM’s in the league to go out and grab a beer with who you have NOT MET in person, who would they be? Why?
Ashes: Habes, Mark, Royal, Svedda, and footy! You don't strike me as much of a drinker, Skillz, I feel like you and I would go bowling or something. Anyways, Habes because I'm actually curious how we'd get along in person! Seems like an earnest dude! Mark and I would probably get along famously and have a good time. Royal and I would probably have a lot to talk and bitch about, so some drinking and Navy trashing is always a recipe for a good time, and military folk are always a riot drunk. Svedda I just have to see outside of this element! He can't possibly be such a sour puss in real life, can he? There's no way! Footy is an Aussie, and that is a fabulous recipe for a good time. I hope he has a THICK Aussie accent. Also would love to hear his stories and perspective on Aussie women. Every Aussie I've met has some crazy stories and opinions on their own women that I find fascinating, because in the Navy dudes are obsessed with Aussie women and usually clean house when they pull into Australia!
Skillz: You’ve got me pegged wrong, brother. I enjoy drinking and absolutely suck at bowling. Love the addition of Footy. The man gets a lot of shit, but he’s a good dude. Aussies know how to have a good time. I spent 4 months abroad in Sydney in 2011 and had a blast. I’ll go with Nanz and Mark as well since I’ve never actually met them in person, though Mark claims he saw me on the streets of NY. I’ll add Ashan to the list, because he brings the positivity and good vibes. And then I’ll go with Manas and Galo….two awesome dudes! We’ll do it in the Bay Area with SPENCE!
7. Spence PM’s you tomorrow and tells you that Reilly and two other BBS legends want to come back and join. He needs to fire 3 GM’s. Who do you recommend he fires?
Ashes: Oh goodness, this is a tough one. Outlawz was supposed to be that dude! What names are we talking about here? Reilly, aar, DBW? Krup?? Lol martinez?!?! THE djmyte? Other Steve part deaux? I hate to say Outlawz, but he is definitely an outlier nowadays, so I suppose he has to be first on the list, I mean just now posting his first DC is pretty rough. I guess I would go with jeb next. Love the guy, but he seems a little out of it now. Treading water and shows up in spurts. I'm sure he's busy. Last one is tough, so it comes from a mix of a selfish place of wanting someone back and just very little knowledge of the guy to begin with, so I'd say trap. Not a shot at the guy at all, he seems fine! But you asked for three and three you get!
Skillz: Relly, Aar and DBW would be the additions to me. I remember hating Martinez. We have enough trolls. I’d agree with you on Outlawz and Jeb. Both nice fellas but I don’t think either are adding much to the league at this point. My list fire would be controversial, but I’m going to say Kobe. He’s active and a good GM, but he’s such a negative presence IMO. We come here for fun. I think he’s a net-negative most days to be completely honest.
8. If you could pick one current GM to co-run the Kings, who would you pick and why?
Ashes: Game. He's a mess! What are you doing big dog?? He's been on a treadmill at best, and really bad at worst. Never seems to want to take the dive to fully win, then wants to stubbornly win without his pick and a bad team! Come on my guy, commit! Do something! He made a mess out of his team when he looked like he just a step or two away from being pretty darn good! Let me groom game. Solid 19th pick. Just needs a +24 and few TCs! Or give me royal so he stops doing whatever it is he is doing! Is Royal the best worst GM or the worst best GM? I always look at his team and I'm like dang can it get any older with any less picks?? Royal says yes. Then he randomly wins 45. Crazy stuff.
Skillz: Why would you pick bad GMs to co-run your team? You are just putting the Kings in a worse position! Don’t be the smartest man in the room, Ashes!
9. Set an Over/Under for the stoppage point of BBS2020. How far do we make it!? How long can we keep this beautiful thing going.
Ashes: I don't see why it can't be the start of something great again. Obviously we had more time with covid running amuck, but even then if we can operate with even half this level of activity in a year, we should be set to go as long as Spencer wants. Even through a full cycle and restart. We are all grown now. Sure life will happen and times will get busier, but I think we can hold this together for awhile if we want. I'm saying the stopping point is just when Spencer gets too busy with Jack and life. Until then, we're good to go!
Skillz: We just gotta Venmo spence more $ and BEERS. I’m going to say 2035. That’s about 14 more months, real time. Seems fair?
10. Some GMs just need help. Propose one trade to Footy, Trap or Game that they are free to post.
Ashes: I'm not sure about this one to be honest. Trap has probably gotten to the point where there is nothing I can offer that makes his team too much better this year. He has a very short, tight window obviously, but he's probably safest staying the course. Footy definitely needs a little push to be secure. Game needs a lot of help!
Footy - Salaries are a pain in the dick to match. 12 players and right up against the HC. Rough situation to work with! I'd say something around Bynum and Krstic, but it's taking too much time to make it work and keep footy with 12 players. Bynum Manu Halperin Miller for Krstic Gay 2 Min FAs. Gets a defensive-minded big and Gay can back-up two positions for now, maybe develops more later, play Barea more. Or a smaller Manu for Radmanovic, Richardson, and Sam Cassell. Radman can provide offense off the bench, he can play Barea more, and he has more versatile contracts to move for a good 3rd big man.
Game - Is he trying to win now? Lol, I dunno what to make of it. Wtf how is he hc'd also! I dislike so many of his players. KVH for Hill and his 08? I don't know.
Skillz: All of those deals suck. Leave the Trade Machine to me.
Ashes – you are off the Hot Seat. Well done, my friend!
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