Post by nybombers3 on Oct 22, 2020 16:14:41 GMT -8
So for this interview style article, I got some Western Conference GM's in to answer some questions about their conference and the league. I, of course, had to throw my 2 cents on certain topics. Tried to keep it mostly them though. All that being said, let's start:
1. How did your offseason go? Any moves you feel you missed out on?
Royal - I probably had the best offseason in BBS so far, lucked out on the #1 pick, also got another defensivd steal in Manny Harris via the draft. Acquired Jamal Crawford and Kevin Garnett via trades for draft picks and got Dirk via franchise. I feel we hit on all facets and really positioned ourselves well going forward into CY. Really wanted to get another big man in free agency though.
JR - i liked my offseason. I got more versatile lost a big but signed Kandiman so he seems to be simming well enough as a backup. Love the DWill trade for me until i saw his TOs! Yikes!
ashes - Well I am happy with my draft at least. Lance looks great, though not going to be an Outside focus guy. Hopefully he can get to prime Artest levels of offensive production. His stocks and handles are awesome, so I'm interested to see how he develops. Free Agency was unfortunate. Mistakes happen, so it's whatever, but it was definitely still a bummer. So I guess I missed out on that! Not the best of offseasons, but hey, what can you do?
Orlando Magic Johnson - Offseason went pretty well. Made a couple moves after I was knocked out of the playoffs. Traded for Ron Artest and Eddie Griffin. Drafted a few intriguing prospects and signed Korver, Diop for cheap deals this season which fits my teams plan. Run an outside focus offense and just have the bigs rebounding and blocking shots. Nothing I really missed out on. I could have trade this HOU 11 a few times but I want to see how they do before I make that move.
2. Whats the plan for the season? How far do you expect to go?
Royal - Ultimate goal is to reset CY obviously, but we have dreams of a title and I think we are 1 piece away from that.
JR - With LeBron i always feel i have a chance to win it all. I always come up short after leading the series 2-1. Seems like Lebron is a choker!
ashes -Probably win some games, I don't know. I've been very bored around here for awhile now, I'm hoping my interest sparks back up. It's getting better, but I find myself wanting to do other stuff when before I was pretty hyped to sign on BBS. I would love to get one good tank season in, but I'm never quite bad enough to compete with the dumpster fire tanking teams we have had over the course of the league. I'm definitely not about to just ship everyone out for free in order to get a top pick. There's always enough people tanking that resetting should be easy enough. If I have a few bad sims coming up (already had an injury) maybe I'll pull the plug on the season, but it always seems easier to get talent, then get value for your talent.
Orlando Magic Johnson - The plan for the season is to win. I'm curious to see how many games we can win! I don't think we're completely there yet though. I'd like to upgrade my bigs and Ron Artest didn't have a good preseason. I need more offense and rebounding. Something I may try to address during the season. I think I will make the playoffs and depending on my squad then will determine how far we go. Another year with Steph so I think as long as I get there he can take us pretty far. We shall see!
3. What teams need to jump off the treadmill in the West?
Royal - Hmm I love ashes and miss him owning the west I feel the last few seasons for him aren't ashes like and hes hanging around that 8th seed too comfortably right now. Really happy his team is doing great this season, Joe Johnson has finally found a home.
JR - I’d say the warriors need to make a move. I believe they lost dirk in FA big loss imo. They have some talent but i feel they haven’t gotten better. I win a bout the same amount of games every season but i always make at least one move in the offseason. I just can’t justify trading Bron.
ashes - The Kings! I'll do it eventually, but meh. Suns have been pretty lackluster for awhile, so them too. They tank a year, then have a mediocre season, tank the next, etc rinse and repeat. Lakers have been a mess since 'Nam, so Nanz needs to get his act together! To be honest, there are so many treadmill teams around the whole league, mine included. I dunno what's up with that!
Orlando Magic Johnson - Good question. Clippers I think need to retool a bit now that they reset their CY. They should really try hard for a PG. There are so many better options than Starbury. Now that the Twolves have a new GM, they should really tear down and start from scratch. It looks like HF is trying to win so I don't understand that but maybe he wants to get some playoff appearances under his belt and figure it out. Rockets should tear down. I know they don't have their pick this year but they really should. Not going to win with this roster. I have their pick as well.. Not really too many other teams on the treadmill in the West. Lots of teams are tanking and rebuilding their rosters. Others have talent and should really be going for it. So I can't really say any others come to mind.
nybombers3 - Funny enough, I feel like the West has had a decent amount of change talent/team wise. I guess if any, the Warriors need to decide what they are doing. I'm down for tanking with a stud. I did it with Roy. If that's the plan though, you can't half ass it. Otherwise you'll either end up as a 1st round exit or a low lotto. That's a tough place to be.
4. The Nuggets are in their CY and have made some big time moves. How confident are you in them not only making it but competing for a title?
Royal - Very.
JR – winning a title? Royal? Lmaooooooooooooooooooooooo. That’s it
ashes - They'll make it no problem, and they're probably kind of in the mix for title contention. KG and Crawford are still carrying games, and Dirk seems to have bounced back a bit. George is a future stud, but he's not ready yet, like KD in his first year. This Manny Harris shit blows my mind. I have no idea who this jabroni is and why we have another fucking Andre Emmett in the league. Weird, weird stuff, and seeing a guy like that at PF is silly, but whatevs. I think royal had him like 1st string and double 2nd string in his DC, that shit usually falls apart in FBB. I don't think they're the favorites, but the Nuggets should have a strong playoff showing for the first time in league history. Way to go royal.
Orlando Magic Johnson - Royal did make some big time moves and they seemed like all the right moves. Depth might be an issue but it's early so we shall see. He did not sim well in the preseason either going 5-8 so that is a bit cause for concern but it's still the preseason. In the end though there are a lot of bad teams in the West and I think the Nuggets are better than a lot of them. They will make the playoffs but aren't good enough to compete for a title. I think no matter what Royal will do whatever it takes to make sure he beats his CY, so for that reason alone, he should make it.
nybombers3 - They should easily make CY. Title, idk. They have the star power to make a run if things work out but they could use one of these stars in a trade for some depth if anything.
5. The Suns had an interesting offseason, dishing out cash like Oprah. Thoughts?
Royal - I mean they went from last place to a decent competable squad overnight, so Im not mad at it at all. Actually love to see a shift in power.
JR - i didn’t mind any of those signings tbh. You gotta overpay to get your guys in FA and they did that. It’s better than sitting and doing nothing like the Magic GM.
ashes - Talked about this previously, um I hate it. But DeMarcus Cousins is nice, so that's good for the Suns, after dealing with the trash that was Pau Gasol for so long. Thabo and Aldridge are super solid guys, great 5th starters. So let's pay them $120M! Meh. Gotta pay to get guys I suppose, but I don't like it when your end result is a 6th-8th seed meh squad with only one or two guys really trending upward. He might reset, so that's cool, but if it doesn't result in a title-ready squad, why do it! I say as I, too, assemble stupid mediocre teams. Meh.
Orlando Magic Johnson - I loved the Thabo signing and hated the LMA signing. Not because LMA was my guy! Well that was somewhat of the reason. He overpaid for an average big. LMA is all name with B's across the board. He is solid but he is MLE-6/7 million worthy. Not 12 million. Crazy signing and he's going to regret that I think. Otherwise I like the Thabo move. Andrew needs talent on his roster. He is desperate for some! Making some signings like that in the end isn't a bad thing because you can usually trade people but he also should be tanking really hard this year. Which doesn't help him at all. Boogie isn't there yet and he would be prime for a top 3 pick probably not anymore.
nybombers3 - I'n down for spending but I didn't like the LMA signing. I feel like a 3 year deal would've been ok if anything. Even then, eh. Thabo is cool but also overpaid. I feel they can trade him if anything though. I get trying to reset but unless they are fully into it, why win meaningless games?
6. The Clippers signed Marbury but lost Marion and Terry. Whats the game pan?
Royal - Outlawz wasnt here for the start of league and doesn't know how bad Marbs is. He fell in love with the ratings. Marbs isn't good at anything and shouldnt be on a BBS roster.
JR - Clippers don’t return pms so i have no idea. Maybe he doesn’t like me. I asked if Amare was available and he never responded so i guess he’s cool with the team as is.
ashes - Looks like an unsustainable team, but the frontcourt is very solid. Not sure how they are rebounding so poorly as a team, but Millsap is a damn stud. They will go absolutely nowhere with Starbury at PG, so this is a regular season squad, at best. I think Amare got hurt first sim, I dunno, I don't pay attention to other team's boxes. Bosh has a great first sim. Obviously all these numbers are first sim inflated, but there are a lot of bright sides to be found on the Clippers, but a move needs to be made and I'm not sure what Outlawz will try to do. If he runs this squad all year, oh well.
Orlando Magic Johnson - No idea. Outlawz seems like he is going to stay complacent for awhile again. He might squeeze out 42 wins or so here and there but I don't see him making any sort of big moves. He has pieces on this squad and he can turn it into something but Marbury is not going to take you anywhere. Chris Bosh isn't elite, Millsap is a nice piece and so is Amar'e. Butler is solid enough. They don't have enough offense and don't play enough defense. Strange squad lol.
nybombers3 - I like the big four they have but hate Marbs at PG. I can see them trying to move one of the big four for some depth or something like that. Maybe see if you can split up Amare or Butler? Idk.
7. What is the next team you can see getting CY’d in the West?
Royal - In the west hmm hopefully JR. Theres a reason hes holding onto Lebron. But in all honesty Rockets dont look good right now and have no future 1st. Im praying for him but it looks rocky in Houston.
JR - In the west? Hmm good question. Rockets the only team i am skeptical on but i do trust ahsan to get gifts since everybody likes ahsan!
ashes - Ahsan. Terrible team! He's had a terrible team almost every season in the league, and Duncan was so worn out from having to carry his shitty squad, it took years off his career! Nah he's not that bad off, to be honest, but this dude is legit going to wait until his CY again, I already know it. DD is bad. Dwight is bad. Hollins is bad. Biedrins and Curry are expiring. Bev is solid, but he's looking like every other PG at this point, so big deal. Do they have their pick this year? I don't think they do. See you in your CY! Maybe Al Jeff will be available.
Orlando Magic Johnson - I think teams like Memphis and possibly the Suns will be in there CY next. Not sure who is closer or what teams are in line for their CY but right now these are the two squads that seem to be in the worst shape talent wise in the West.
nybombers3 - Ugh. The Grizzlies and Suns are the most likely sadly. The Rockets will be interesting to see going forward as well. Not sure how they can get better going forward without moving more picks, which I hope they don't. Gifts shall be going their way I'm sure.
8. Let’s look to the East for a second. Who had the best offseason? Worst?
Royal - Best offseason hmmm I like the Raptors man. I think the got some nice young talent with Whiteside and Samuels, and they should add a high caliber player this year as well.
JR – I feel like the heat had the worst offseason. Didn’t like any of the moves or signings he made. Of course he’s gonna read this and hate on me or whatever it is he does. Anyways, best offseason i liked the Bulls offseason. Great picks! Even if play doesn’t wanna take credit or blame for the sanders pick i liked the wall sanders pairing tbh.
ashes - This is a tough question because I'll be honest, I didn't pay attention. I just know the East is getting shittier and shittier. At least the parity is. Did anyone in the East actually have a good offseason? I'm not really looking at tanking teams, because who cares? Bucks picked up Kobe and Evans blew up in TC. Dude passes to the other team 6 times a game though, so Bucks suck (sorry). Sixers had to let Thabo walk, re-signed T-Mac but he's ass now, and they're probably paying Nene too much, but Rose looks nice. Umm what else? I'm just rambling, I'll go with Heat for best offseason, they added Iggy and Bibby and brought back Wallace (who will probably retire this year) so they're looking solid again. Worst? Pacers maybe? Not that they didn't try, but they struck out just about everywhere. Hornets didn't come out too hot from this offseason either. Oof Hawks had a rough one too, did nothing with the team, lost Moiso, drafted a bust. Not good, sorry footy!
Orlando Magic Johnson - I like what the Bucks have done, they look to be a good squad out in the East. I also like the Bulls. Jumping up to take Wall. Having more lotto picks this year that team is loaded with young talent. Raptors had a sneaky good draft as well. I have to say good start for the new gm Braz. Celtics managed to resign JJ and PP but they haven't done anything again this offseason and are coming in with the same squad. How many years is he going to keep doing the same thing? The Wizards are in a similar boat. Why don't they just full on tank? Get rid of some of the players on the team and just go for it and get a top 3 pick? Not really sure what's going on over there but Celtics and Wizards are oddly similar in terms of their GMs.
9. Who will be the 8 playoff teams in the West?
Royal –
Nuggets
Sonics
Jazz
Portland
Wolves
Clippers
Spurs
Kings
JR –
sonics
spurs
nuggets
jazz
warriors
lakers
suns
Rockets
got faith in ahsan oh and no particular order.
ashes - Sonics, Nuggets, Jazz, Spurs, Blazers, Clippers, Kings, Suns. Not buying the TWolves right now. Pau Gasol will fall back to his normal trash self and TP is slowing down a bit. Brook looking cute though. I'll probably drop out too because my team is boring and not that good, so I'll probably ruin it with some trades. Clippers need a PG. Blazers have Steph. Nuggets blew their load for CY, so they are good. Sonics, Jazz, Spurs are kind of a fixture now. Maybe habes makes a day 90 deal and slips in.
Orlando Magic Johnson - It will go Spurs, Sonics, Jazz, Lakers, Trail Blazers, Nuggets, Warriors and Twolves.
nybombers3 - Sonics, Jazz, Blazers, Lakers, Nuggets, Warriors, Spurs, Clippers
10. Who will come out from each conference and who wins it all?
Royal - Lets go with Nuggets over Bucks in 6.
JR – this easy man. Knicks and Jazz. LeBron gets his first ring!
ashes - Honestly have no idea with the East, it's really hard to get behind any of the teams. I'll say Heat make a big move and finally make it to the finals to lose to the Sonics. Mark's gotta win one eventually, right?
Orlando Magic Johnson - Spurs will win the Midwest conference and Sonics will win the Pacific. I will go with the Sonics to get back to the finals and win it all this time.
BONUS:
Give me a prediction, any kind, for this season.
Royal - I got one. Paul George wont be a Nugget come playoffs.
JR - i predict the Magic GM quits. He has female tendencies and it is definitely showing as of late. Sad cus i liked this kid once upon a time in FBB! Good title for a movie tbh maybe an article? Somebody can use this if they just toss out a shoutout to me in it.
ashes - Royal will trade PG for an old ass dude because he can't help himself, and will think he can win the title! That 20 under the age column has gotta go!
Orlando Magic Johnson - We will see TWO night sims this season!!!
