Starting From the Bottom

[Tim Moungey]

In Washington, we celebrated a .500 record and 8th seed showing, taking the Miami Heat to 6 games. It was LeBron's Heat vs Kevin Durant's Thunder in the Finals, with Oklahoma City winning it all. But I was tired of being the assistant. I wanted something to call my own. So I quit the day after the season and took the position of General Manager of the Albuquerque Golden Birds in the D-League. My best friend lived there, so it was a good enough reason for me pack up bags, leaving the capital and its chilly winters for the comparative warmth and sunshine of New Mexico.

The Golden Birds were 29-19 last season, making it to the Conference Championship before they lost, so I was inheriting a comparatively proud basketball tradition. Because the coaching staff had success, I let them stay as they were. I didn't plan on being here long-term anyway. This was just a stopgap until I could get a top job in the NBA.

2013-14 Draft Notes
I really liked the look of Terrance Williams, a 6'9, 271 lb beast out of UMass 19 year old one and done, mocked to go 7th to the Timberwolves, and Brad Martin, licorice skinny at 6'10, 196, the opposite of Williams' beast physique. The 22 year old senior Oklahoma State Cowboy was mocked 6th to the Lakers. In my opinion, Eric Neterville from Marquette, 21, looked like the best point guard in the class. I was stunned the so-called experts were picking him 11th to Utah. He looked Top 5 to me. The guys who were slated Top 5 - Billy Moss (20 year old SF - BYU); undersized PF Cedrick Read (Washington), Buddy Stevenson (SF, 21, North Carolina State), 20 year old tweener forward Jarod Johnson out of Western Kentucky, and 21 year old Florida Gator PG Nathaniel Hampton, didn't wow me at all.

1. SF Billy Moss - Toronto Raptors
2. PG Nathaniel Hampton - Charlotte Bobcats
3. PF Cedrick Read - Phoenix Suns
4. C Terrance Williams - Cleveland Cavaliers

My first wow factor pick goes 3 slots early. Smart move by Cleveland here.

5. SF Brad Martin - Orlando Magic

I know basketball, and so do the Magic.

6. SF Don Williams - Los Angeles Lakers
7. C Eddy Nabors - Dallas Mavericks
8. C Jonas Thomas - New Orleans Pelicans
9. PF Jarod Johnson - Indiana Pacers

Quite a big drop for a guy most thought was going #4. But there's another guy who was considered a Top 3 pick who is dropping even further.

10. SF Buddy Stevenson - Houston Rockets

If the mockers are right, the Rockets just got a huge steal here.

11. PG Jim Worley - Utah Jazz
12. PG Devin Arline - New Orleans Pelicans
13. C Jake Bradley - Boston Celtics
14. C Alex Johnson - New York Knicks
15. C Shamar Haralson - Philadelphia 76ers
16. SF Steven Reid - Brooklyn Nets

Run on big men ends. The kid I had tabbed as the top PG is still out there, though.

17. PG Tobias Harris - Washington Wizards
18. SG Eric Burke - San Antonio Spurs
19. PG Guy Naimy - Memphis Grizzlies
20. C Neil Cherry - Milwaukee Bucks
21. SG Tanner Jones - Chicago Bulls
22. PG Eric Neterville - Denver Nuggets

*Finally*. Neterville is going to make a bunch of teams sorry they didn't pick him.

I tune out the rest of the draft, and concentrate on who we're picking.

Beautiful gift from the 76ers, sending us last year's D-League MVP Will Barton, and we also return All-D-League 2nd Team Jamal Crawford. I officially <3 you, Philadelphia.

We're picking #4/#13

Round 1
PG Eric Maynor
Center and point guard are obviously our biggest needs, but the point guard pool gets really thin after Maynor, who was an 8 MPG player for the champion Thunder last season. He can pass, dish, and shoot, and plays solid enough defense.

Round 2
PF Tiny Gallon
Best all-around rebounder left. Not great defensively, but you can't argue with 6'10, 302 lbs. He was a 15.9 MPG guy for Anaheim last year, so we may be overdrafting.

Round 3
SF Jeremy Evans
While SG/SF is our strongest area, there's always the chance of call-ups, and Evans is an exceptional defender and shotblocker for this level. Played very well for the LA Sea Dogs last year.

Round 4
C Chris Moten - Canisius
Undrafted rookie free agent who plays strong defense and has some shotblocking ability. Welcome to professional basketball, Chris.

Round 5
PG Craig Bond - LSU
Drafted in the 2nd round by the Sacramento Kings, but they haven't decided whether or not to sign him. Exceptional ballthief who is good enough to be a point guard at this level.

Round 6
SG Tony Gaffney
28 year old who played spot minutes for Erie last year, but I love his shotblocking out of the wings.

Round 7
PF Jon Brockman
Elite defender and one of the best all-around rebounders left. 12th man with the Rockets last year.

Round 8
C Quintin Hill - Michigan State
UDRFA. Preternatural ability to draw fouls and plays great defense with decent rebounding for this level.

Round 9
SF Lance Stephenson
Garbage minutes for Erie last year, but I like him as a solid all-around player of what's left.

Round 10
PG Ben Hansbrough - Notre Dame
24 year old point guard and younger Hansbrough brother who has never gotten a professional basketball opportunity. We'll give him one.

Lineup and Rotation
PG Eric Maynor
SG Will Barton
SF Jae Crowder
PF Jeremy Evans
CE Tiny Gallon
6th Craig Bond (PG/SG)
7th SG Tony Gaffney (SG/SF)
8th Ben Hansbrough (PG/SG)
9th Lance Stephenson (SG)
10th Jon Brockman (PF/C)
11th Chris Moten (PF/C)
12th Quintin Hill (PF/C)

So our first three picks make the starting lineup, with UDRFA Craig Bond getting the 6th man role.

By the time of our first game in the end of November, we've been assigned #2 overall pick Nathaniel Hampton , #31 pick Mateen Turner, and 27th overall pick Brad Surpin. Needless to say, those three start at PG, PF, and C respectively.

And despite that rush of talent, we lose 97-99 at home to Colorado in our opener. Will Barton exploded for 24 points, and Jeremy Evans chipped in 12 off the bench, but just ugh.

And then lose 99-109 in Colorado the next game, despite 25 points from Brad Surpin and a jaw-dropping 17 points, 17 assists from Nathaniel Hampton.

We finally get off the snide, stomping also winless Iowa 100-85 on their turf behind Mateen Turner's 21 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals, and 12 points, 13 assists from Nathaniel Hampton. 13 bench points by Eric Maynor, too.

The next night, we overcome an awful first quarter to storm from behind, knocking off unbeat Tulsa 107-104 in a burnbarner. Mateen Turner continues the magic of the Mateen name with 23 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, while Eric Maynor (16 points) and Tiny Gallon (10 points) pace the bench.

Critical game dropped in Fort Wayne 87-91, where only Will Barton (23 points, 9 rebounds) bothered to play.

106-87 rout of the Mammoths, but I'm wondering when we'll finally get a home game again. Will Barton explodes for 32 points and 10 rebounds, Mateen Turner has 26 points and 8 rebounds, and yeah. Brad Surpin got called up, so Tiny Gallon moved back into a starting role in this one.

Next night, another damn road game - 80-88 loss to the Reptiles. Craig Bond made the most of his start after Will Barton got called up with a day-high 25 points on 11/15 shooting, and Jeremy Evans had 12 bench points, but this was just sad. Our post game has looked abysmal, so I sign 33 year old Joel Pryzbilla, who is an immediate upgrade over what we had at center. Ben Hansbrough is cut in favor of inking 33 year old Earl Watson at the same time Lance Stephenson gets his walking papers and we sign 33 year old Reggie Evans, who is also a massive talent boost.

Irritatingly, the Celtics send us scrub Bernard James, but we again top Austin 93-83, finally at home. All five of our starters hit double-digit figures, and Nathaniel Hampton put up 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Just missing the debut double-double was Joel Pryzbilla with 10 points, 9 rebounds. It's part of a two game home series against the Mammoths, and we murder them 129-94 the next night. 27 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, a block and a steal by Nathaniel Hampton, 22 points, 5 assists and a block from Craig Bond, and 29 points, 9 rebounds from Mateen Turner. Pacing the bench - Eric Maynor with 10 points. At 5-4, we're finally over .500 for the first time this season.

Now you might ask why the #2 overall pick is down here. Well, the truth is Nathaniel Hampton is raw, raw, raw with coyote ugly defense. He's not even an NBA rotational player right now, and his durability is the worst I've ever seen - rated 5 out of 100 by our scouts. If he can stay healthy, he's got future All-Star potential.

We don't play again until after Christmas, where we pick up a key home win against Idaho, 91-84, on the back of Craig Bond's 22 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, Nathaniel Hampton's 25 points, and Eric Maynor's 10 bench points.

A fourth quarter comeback keys a 99-96 win over Anaheim, with all five starters scoring 12 or more. Standouts: Nathaniel Hampton (24 points, 5 assists, and a steal) and Joe Pryzbilla (12 points, 10 rebounds, and a block).

Thanks to that win streak, we're 7-4 at the start of January, and have gone from a rough start to the top of the Southwest by a half-game over Colorado.

Golden Bird Leaders
Points: Nathaniel Hampton and Mateen Turner - 16; Craig Bond - 12
Assists: Nathaniel Hampton - 8.3, Eric Maynor - 2.9
Rebounds: Joel Pryzbilla - 9.5, Mateen Turner - 6.8, Tiny Gallon - 4.5
Blocks: Jeremy Evans - 0.9
Steals: Craig Bond, Nathaniel Hampton, Mateen Turner - 1.1

Nathaniel Hampton is 3rd in the league in assists, Joel Pryzbilla is 5th in rebounds, and Craig Bond is 4th in FG % with 55.3.

Team Rankings: Tied for 2nd in scoring with 98.9 points a game, 1st in assists with 22.7, 3rd in blocks with 3.1, 2nd in FG % with 50.5, 6th in 3 point % at 38.8, tied for 1st in fewest turnovers allowed with 12.5, 9th in assists allowed with 20, tied for 3rd in steals given up with 5.5, 3rd in Opp FG% with 43.7, 7th in opp 3 point % at 35.1, and 7th in turnovers forced at 14.5. In short - we're one of the elite teams in the D-League at the moment, and barring any sudden changes, we'll be loaded to make a deep playoff run again. Of course, this is the D-League, where crazy things can in fact happen. To be honest, I'm stunned we haven't had losses yet.

[Tim Moungey]

January opens with yet another road game, and all five starters hit double digit scoring in a 97-93 slip of the Reptiles, edging past their 12 3 pointers. Leading the way is Mateen Turner with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals. Craig Bond racks up 21 points and 7 rebounds, and Joel Pryzbilla snags a 14 point, 11 rebound, steal and block showing. Unfortunately, we lose the back-to-back of the doubleheader set, 98-110. 31 points from Nathaniel Hampton, 13 point, 12 rebound double-double by Mateen Turner and 12 bench points from Eric Maynor, as our five game win steak is snapped.

I'm getting really sick and tired of the Reptiles, as we play them for the third straight game, though this time in Albuquerque. We smash them 107-83, as Joel Pryzbilla has his best Golden Bird Game, grabbing 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals. Jae Crowder hits 10 of 11 for 20 points and 2 steals, Mateen Turner nets 19 points, 8 rebounds and for some reason, pre-star Draymond Green is now here, starting at SF. Oh, and 14 points, 12 assists from Eric Maynor, as Nathaniel Hampton finally got called back up. The Reptiles again the next night, 101-90 win as Mateen Turner takes in 27 points, 8 rebounds; Draymond Green with the 11 point, 10 rebound, block double-double, Eric Maynor with a double-double of his own at 15 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds and a steal; and 10 points off the bench by Jeremy Evans.

Out in Bakersfield, 91-69 defensive beatdown. 23 points, 8 assists,8 rebounds, and steal by Eric Maynor, 17 points, 12 assists, steal by Craig Bond, 12 points and 10 rebounds by Joel Pryzbilla, 11 points and 14 rebounds by Mateen Turner. Night after in Los Angeles, comfortable 89-75 win as Craig Bond rips them for 23 points and 7 rebounds and Tiny Gallon is big off the bench with 10 points, 9 rebounds.

Jae Crowder got a call-up, so I quickly sign 22 year old UDRFA Chris Nixon from NC State, a defensive specialist wing who got himself undrafted with an absolutely **** attitude.

21 points, 2 blocks, 2 steals for Craig Bond in a 93-72 road rout of the Colorado Timberjacks. Double-doubles for Mateen Turner (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Joel Pryzbilla (16 points, 11 rebounds).

I'm getting really fed up with these road games. 72-76 loss to Idaho the next night to end our second five game win streak, despite 20 points by Craig Bond. 13 road games to 6 home games. Can you say unbalanced schedule?

Finally the start of a home stand, critical playoff positioning battle as we flatten Fort Wayne 101-84 behind Mateen Turner's 23 points and 10 rebounds. Eric Maynor just misses a 20/10 with 18 points and 9 assists.

Austin's been awesome in January, but they slump out 106-94 losers, thanks to Bernard James' 20 points, 6 rebounds, block and steal off the bench, and Earl Watson's 10 bench points. Why did James suddenly erupt with a great game? Because Mateen Turner broke his wrist and is out 43 days. That's not happy news at all. In response, I cut Tony Gaffney and sign 35 year old Kenyon Martin, because under no circumstances do I want James out there starting.

The Dakota Great Apes come to town and we whip them 100-78. Craig Bond is PotG again with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal, and Jeremy Evans comes through with 12 bench points. Eric Maynor got signed by the 76ers before the game, so Earl Watson started. In need of a point guard, we bring in 32 year old Kirk Hinrich off the street, continuing our trend of picking up faded NBA lights.

Last game in January sees us 108-95 winners over Anaheim. Draymond Green paves the way with 24 points, 5 assists, and a steal, Kirk Hinrich scores 22 in his Golden Birds debut, and Craig Bond nets 10 points off the bench.

We're now 17-6, with the D-League's best record, and 3 games ahead of Austin. Hopefully we'll snag a title and an NBA job will open up. The D-League grind is not exactly exciting.

[Tim Moungey]

You know it's pure defense when you win 74-64. Joel Pryzbilla bangs in the paint for 16 points and 16 boards and Chris Nixon scores 12 bench points in his first action as we top motherbleeping Reno. Will Barton is back now, too, and starts at SF in our 91-75 victory over the Sea Dogs. A dazzling 21 bench points by Jeremy Evans eclipses the 11 point, 12 assist, 8 rebound, 2 steal double-double by Earl Watson.

Long break until February 20th for our next game, and we top Tulsa 100-77 on the road. All five starters with 12+ points, keyed by Kenyon Martin's 18 point, 12 rebound, 2 steal outing. 10 bench points for Tiny Gallon. 27 points and 3 steals by Craig Bond bounce us to a 98-80 win on the doubleheader after Earl Watson got hurt in the first game. 12 points, 10 rebounds and a block for Joel Pryzbilla, 15 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals by Will Barton, and Jeremy Evans elevates for 17 bench points. We've now won 21 games, and only disaster would keep us from reaching or bettering last year's 29-19 mark. Three more wins gets us to a guaranteed .500, four to a locked winning record.

22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks off the bench by Will Barton, 21 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals from Draymond Green, and we piss away a vital away in Austin 80-97. No one else hit double-digit scoring. Revenge comes a few days later, 89-85, thanks to Joel Pryzbilla's 20 points and 16 rebounds, Draymond Green's 20 points and 12 boards, and 19 Will Barton bench points. That caps off February, and we're #2 behind Fort Wayne, who has been torrid lately, and is 28-7. We're 4.5 games up on the Mammoths in our division, however.

Ugly 75-56 home win vs the Otters, with Joel Pzybilla's 10 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and a block the only notable showing.

14 point, 10 rebound double-double by Draymond Green and a flawless 8 of 8 night from Will Barton for 16 points, 6 rebounds in 12 minutes as we curb-stomp the Reptiles on the road, 94-68, securing .500.

Three double-doubles as we host and spank the Mammoths 101-82. 20 points, 10 rebounds by Draymond Green, 14 points, 11 rebounds from Kenyon Martin, and 10 points, 13 boards courtesy of Joel Pryzbilla. Winning record locked down. 20 points, 11 rebounds from Joel Pryzbilla and 19 points, 10 assists, 2 blocks, and 3 steals by Earl Watson power a home 111-84 laugher over Utah. Will Barton chipped in 11 bench points. I'm bored with the D-League, so I'll just summarize what happens with the rest of the regular season.

We don't lose again until April 8th, and by that point, we're 38-8, and have locked up the #1 seed for the playoffs. We end the regular season 39-9, thanks to just our second home loss of the season, to Tulsa, in the last game. Damn. I really wanted those 40 wins. But of course Joel Pryzbilla gets signed right before the end of the regular season by the Heat, screwing with our title hopes.

Division foes Austin Mammoths are our opponents in the conference finals, and we win 100-90 thanks to Mateen Turner's 22 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds.

That sets up a title match against the Fort Wayne Defenders, as it rightfully should be. We were the two most dominant teams all season long. And we win the D-League championship 86-79!! Mateen Turner with Mateen magic of 22 points, 10 rebounds, my D-League draft find of Craig Bond throwing down 10 bench points. ...Oh wait. It's best 2 out of 3. We lose in Fort Wayne 91-98 with only Jamal Crowder able to do anything of note with 27 points. Then it's back to Albuquerque, where in front of the home fans, 23 points each from Mateen Turner and Jamal Crawford, and a virtuouso game by Kirk Hinrich bring in the title 102-90. Hinrich wins Game MVP with 25 points 7 assists and 6 rebounds.

As the team and city celebrate the trophy, I couldn't help but think this is nice and all, but it's not what I want to be doing. I'm not coming back to the D-League. No interest in building a Golden Birds dynasty or whatever.

Craig Bond wins D-League 6th Man of the Year, and that's our only award. Clearly, the D-League award voters are stupid, stupid people.

So is the NBA, who is letting a True Talent like me go unhired. I vow to ignore basketball until an opening comes up.

[Magic Bird]

Mateen Turner continues the magic of the Mateen name with 23 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals

Mateen Turner appears impressive for a D-League player. Now you need to find a talented complementary guard named Yeaton to complete a Mateen Yeaton backcourt.

[Myles Nelson]

Really interesting premise! I wish there was an easy stats page for all the players who played even one game with you. Hopefully you find an NBA job soon!

[Tim Moungey]

Mateen Turner appears impressive for a D-League player. Now you need to find a talented complementary guard named Yeaton to complete a Mateen Yeaton backcourt.

That would be amazing. Sadly, I don't think Yeaton is in the first names file, but not sure.

Really interesting premise! I wish there was an easy stats page for all the players who played even one game with you. Hopefully you find an NBA job soon!

That's one of the best things about FOF is how deep that stat tracking goes. I haven't played much with DDS4 or 17 TBH - I miss having DSR and PA/SF too much, and I have trouble figuring out the defensive value of players without those metrics.

2014-15 Draft Notes
Everyone is buzzing about Tariel Mouravov, a 6'10, 247 lbs 19 year old kid from Estonia who has double-double writ large. Can't play defense or block shots, but a very exciting looking player nonetheless in the pre-draft hype. It's a draft of unusual international big men at the top - 20 year old Barend Ostrander is a 6'11, 236 lbs Dutchman who looks like someone capable of playing all three frontline spots, though troubled by consistency issues. 20 year old PG Darius Morris from the University of Washington has star power written all over him, and it wouldn't shock me if he was the first pick. Good size at 6'3, 187 lbs. Lots of undersized 2s and big men in this class. Sleeper pick who I think could be a steal - 22 year old Ivan Erage from Auburn, who is mocked 25th overall. Perfect size at 6'10, 212, and looks to have a lot of skills. Tons of international players in this draft overall.

1. SF Josh Smith - Houston Rockets

A shocker of a pick - hope he's better than his name predecessor.

2. PF David Reese - Charlotte Bobcats

Crazy draft.

3. PG Darius Morris - Utah Jazz

Great selection here - Rockets and Bobcats made bad choices and should feel bad.

4. PF Barend Ostrander - Toronto Raptors

Wow! Can't believe Tariel is dropping this far.

5. PF Marco Stoudemire - Brooklyn Nets
6. SG Eddie Jones - San Antonio Spurs
7. PF Tariel Mouravov - Memphis Grizzlies

FREAKING FINALLY! Although I also have to laugh - He so doesn't fit the Grit N Grind system.

8. PF Leandro Tantos - Chicago Bulls

Argentinian hybrid forward the analysts loved, but in the run-up to the draft, I saw him as a mid-late first at best. Wasn't impressed at all.

9. PF Yaaqov Valscuays - Detroit Pistons
10. SG Greg Mueller - Boston Celtics
11. C T.J. Weems - Atlanta Hawks

7'2, 270 lbs. I tend not to like these guys because they're too heavy to be effective in my opinion, but we'll see.

12. C Ferdinand Kisslinger - New York Knicks
13. PG Josh Coulter - Washington

Second Husky PG to be taken in the first round - Morris played SG in their setup last college season.

14. PF Lane Bayyan - Dallas Mavericks
15. C Gilberto Montero - Cleveland Cavaliers
16. SG Chris Davis - Minnesota Timberwolves
17. C Nick Smith - Houston Rockets

Two Smiths as rookies on the same team - cute.

18. C Ivoree Campbell - Denver Nuggets
19. C Tony Haston - Philadelphia 76ers
20. C Anthony Johnson - Indiana Pacers
21. SF Keith Thames - Utah Jazz

The run on big men finally ends. It's been a bigs heavy draft overall so far.

22. PF Leo Wright - Sacramento Kings
23. C Marcus McInnis - Golden State Warriors
24. PF Ramon Scholl - New Orleans Pelicans
25. PG Isidoros Samos - Milwaukee Bucks

The team with the Greek Freak adds another true Greek.

26. SG Doylan Bayyan - New Orleans Pelicans
27. C Roye Baharab - Washington Wizards
28. C Ronald Brown - Oklahoma City Thunder
29. PF Dedrick Branson - Los Angeles Clippers
30. C Brennen Layne - Miami Heat

I'm floored Ivan Erage didn't even merit a 2nd round pick.

Countries Draft In First Round
Netherlands - PF Barend Ostrander
Estonia - PF Tariel Mouravov
Argentina - PF Leandro Tantos
Latvia - PF Yaaqov Valscuays
Germany - C Ferdinand Kisslinger
Italy - C Gilberto Montero
Greece - PG Isidoros Samos
Israel - C Roye Baharab

That's 8 of 30 picks! 14 in 2016 is the IRL record, with 10 international players in the first 30 picks in 2014 draft is second most. But as far as numbers of countries represented? 5 in the first round in 2004 draft, 18 overall. 2016 draft? 12 in the first round, 20 overall. I don't know if there's any other drafts that beat it, but definitely a wow factor class from an international perspective in the first. No international players in the second round, however. 8 of 9 were bigs (though Tantos is a hybrid forward IMO). No true wings at all.

Fascinating stuff. Maybe I'll follow everyone's career for a bit while I wait for an NBA job.

The Exotic Eight
PF Barend Ostrander (20) - 6'11, 236 - Netherlands (#4 overall)
Could develop into an elite defender who can score. Currently the first big man off the bench behind Amir Johnson and Jonas V, but is also slated to play SF in a pinch. Good handling, but his rebounding looks terrible.

PF Tariel Mouravov (19) - 6'10, 247 - Estonia (#7 overall)
Raw, but with elite scoring and foul drawing potential. Rebounding upside is frankly disappointing, and he has no elevation at all to block shots. Fourth big on the depth chart and all three frontcourt positions. A little too fat for the 3 IMO, but he also looks to shoot the 3 ball, so it makes sense that he's being asked to take on a Dirk-style role.

PF Leandro Tantos (21) - 6'9, 225 - Argentina (#8 overall)
Elite rebounder right now, and frankly could probably play some C in a smallball lineup, but he's the fourth forward. He's also super dumb when it comes to basketball, is horrible on the defensive end, and doesn't seem like anything more than a rebounding specialist/rotation player. Not seeing a future for him as a starter at all. Looking like a huge whiff by the Bulls here.

PF Yaaqov Valscuays (21) - 6'10, 229 - Latvia (#9 overall)
One of the rawest players ever, and will always be a terrible rebounder, but if he develops, he'll be an All-Star forward capable of competing for scoring titles and decent enough on the defensive end. I'm seeing a guy who could use major pref work and the kind of kid I would kill to have on my roster as a slimmed down SF. First 3 off the bench, but the Pistons are so bad in the post bench spots, he'll see minutes there as well as the fourth big. Not really a guy I see as a 4, but if and when I get an NBA gig, I'm going to go hard after him to maximize his career.

C Ferdinand Kisslinger (19) 6'10, 255 - Germany (#12 overall)
Should be a good rebounder with decent shotblocking and quality ability to draw fouls. But absolute ass on the defensive end outside of rebounding and blocking, and won't seek to score at all. Also not that bright. I could see him as a fifth starter down the line. 4th big and the first not to get tagged as a SF.

C Gilberto Montero (20) - 6'9, 252 - Italy (#15 overall)
Looks like a solid starter with elite shotblocking ability right now and just a good all-around skilllset. No weaknesses here, and a really durable dude. He's undersized, but I frankly like the Italian even more than I do Yaaqov and consider him the biggest steal so far of the international prospects. Criminally the 5th big in the preseason.

[b]PG Isidoros Samos (21) - 6'2, 155 - Greece (#25 overall)
Pure defensive specialist and ballthief. Needs to gain about 30 lbs and play SG. Doesn't really have PG ability, but his defense alone should make him a valued reserve throughout his career. Won't play and probably headed to the D-League. I'm sad because Giannis isn't in the default file after all.

C Roye Baharab (19) - 7'2, 285 - Israel (#27 overall)
Could develop into a rebounding/defense reserve big with excellent handles. Raw right now and also looks ready to head to the D-League.

[b]Darius Morris looks as amazing as I thought, and he'll start off as the 6th man combo guard, though I think he should be in the lineup right now. Hell of a steal by the Jazz. David Reese is starting for Charlotte and looks a lot better than I expected, but boy does he need pref work. Josh Smith has bust written all over him.

[Tim Moungey]

Because I don't care about the NBA when I'm not employed, I ignore it.

Miami Heat win the title. Darius Morris is Rookie of the Year as I expected, and our lone All-Rookie Exotic Eight representative is Ferdinand Kisslinger, who makes the All-Rookie 1st Team at C.

Open Jobs
New York Knicks
Chicago Bulls
Atlanta Hawks
Portland Trailblazers
Los Angeles Clippers

The Hawks have the best overall position, with the #1 pick and some talent on the roster. The Knicks have huge expirings next year before finally ending the Carmelo Anthony/Amare Stoudemire trainwreck. I'd never take the Clippers - a 57 win team? No thanks. Portland has Andre Drummond and Dion Waiters as building blocks, and LaMarcus Aldridge expires after this upcoming season. As for Da Bulls? Derrick Rose is pre-body destruction, but Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah are old (so is Carlos Boozer), and there's no talent to speak of on the wing spots (remember, Nikola Mirotic is a scrub on the DDS3 rosters).

Kind of leaning towards Bulls or Knicks, to be honest. Both have star pieces I would immediately flip, and the Knicks have two first round picks. New York's been mired in mediocrity for a long, long time, and it'd be full circle with starting with New York. OTOH, Chicago is a team I've never taken over and they were my childhood favorite team, for reasons I've explained before. OTOH, the Bulls are a dramatically underachieving team in this universe, whereas the Knicks are... well.. the Knicks.

Screw it. Let's see if Chicago will take me on. The Knicks have been done over and over on these boards, from my one year shot to zike_42's extended run with them. The Bulls, nope.

...They reject me.

So do the Knicks.

Well, ****. Portland, Atlanta, and the Clippers are all interested, however.

Problem being, I hate the Blazers' logo, Atlanta has the #1 pick, and I've no interest at all in the Clippers.

Bloody hell this is difficult.

In the end, I just can't do it. I can't bring myself to be in a situation I'm not going to like.

Moving on.

Oh, what about Ivan Erage? Indeed a scrub, and he ironically played bench minutes for Albuquerque.

[Tim Moungey]

So the game crashed on me a few years simming down the road and I forgot to save.

I'm taking that as a sign I should sign up for Atlanta.

First thing I do is fire everyone except Tyrone Hill (3rd assistant) and hire myself as head coach.

Point Guards
Jeff Teague - 6'2, 180 - 27
Can shoot, has some scoring ability, a master at stealing the ball, and really great defensive metrics. I'd like him better if he were taller to shift to SG, or if he had stronger floor general skills, but he's not a bad option at all to have there.

Devin Arline - 6'0, 170 - 23
Drafted 12th overall by the Pelicans in this universe's second draft class. Loves the 3 ball way too much for his actual talent, but a phenomenal backup PG to have who could become a shutdown defender, although not as turnover generating as I would like in my pressure system. Definitely a future fifth starter, whether for us or someone else.

Shooting Guards
Craig Davis
2nd round pick last year and scrub.

Joe Johnson - 6'7, 234 - 33
Way overpaid for his talent level and old. We're stuck with him, unfortunately, unless I can find a taker willing to pay him $23.1 million a year. Drive Stop Rate is just 15.2%! Since I'm the guy now, he'll never see the court if I have anything to say about it.

Lloyd Mitchell
1st round pick scrub from the very first draft class.

Shannon Brown - 6'4, 211 (29)
Also bad.

Small Forward[b]
[b]Danny Green - 6'6, 210 (28)
The perfect 3 in my setup. 3 and D to the max. Atlanta got him from the Spurs for a first round pick and he'll line up at SF until his skill start diminishing. IMO the best player on the team.

Marvin Williams - 6'9, 240 (248)
Great 3 point shooter, but way too fat to play SF (awful DSR). Since there's no weight loss, he'll be moved.

Josh Howard (35)
Remember when he was considered a future All-Star? Old defensive specialist now. Not part of my long term plans.

Power Forwards

Josh Smith - 6'9, 240 (28)
The most overrated player in the NBA. I can't wait to get him off the roster, talent aside.

Drew Gordon (25)
Young scrub.

Nick Collison (35)
Old scrub making too much money at $2.2 million.

Centers
Al Horford - 6'10, 240 (28)
No denying Big Al's talent, but he's a locker room cancer and way underachieves relative to his ratings.

T.J. Weems - 7'2, 270 (21)
Fat, lazy, and can only block shots. Bust of a lottery pick.

So we're great at SF, fine at PG, and need adjustments everywhere else. Time to go shopping.

Atlanta Hawks receive
C Marc Gasol
SG Tony Allen

Memphis Grizzlies receive
SG Joe Johnson
C T.J. Weems

What this means for the Hawks
Joe Johnson didn't at all fit what new Hawks GM Jestor wanted, so he gets one of the league's best shutdown perimeter defenders at 33 in Tony Allen, who will immediately start at the 2. Marc Gasol is an All-Star who won Defensive Player of the Year a few seasons ago, and is consistently on the NBA's All-Defense teams. If he scored more, he would be an All-NBA player, but the 30 year old Spanish big man is just shy of the kind of dominance that would land him in that category.

What this means for the Grizzlies
Gasol is in the last season of his contract and Memphis wanted to get something for him. What they got was a secondary scorer to put next to Rudy Gay - something they admittedly needed. Weems brings a young shotblocker for the future to have alongside Tariel Mouravov's stellar scoring output, and buys them insurance in case the promising, but raw Jay Mosely (#29 pick 3 years ago) fails to develop. It's a move that makes some sense, but is still strange, given both Atlanta and Memphis are mid-tier teams.

Winner: Atlanta
It's that Jestor magic we're so familiar with, already in place.

Atlanta Hawks receive
C Gilberto Montero
SG Louis Williams
C Joel Anthony

Cleveland Cavaliers receive
PF Josh Smith
PG Devin Arline
SG Craig Davis

What this means for the Hawks
One of the league's worst kept secrets was b]Jestor[/b]'s love for Italian-born Gilberto Montero. The 21 year old dominated the D-League last season, and many scouts feel he has tremendous upside to be a stellar two-way player, one who could be the biggest steal of last season's international big heavy first round class. 28 year old "Sweet Lou" Louis Williams is a bench scorer on a two year contract, but doesn't figure to see much playing time. Joel Anthony, 32, is a solid third string big able to draw fouls and play respectable defense.

What this means for the Cavaliers
Cleveland's biggest problem the last few seasons has been a scorer in the post to alleviate the perimeter game dominated by Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, and the departed Williams. They fill that void with Smith, who plays with the ferocity of a tiger and gives them much needed punch in the frontcourt. Arline is a promising defender and will either start alongside Irving in a small backcourt, or serve as an excellent combo guard 6th man off the bench. Davis is here as a prospect that won't amount to much.

Winner: Cleveland
The Hawks overpaid for Montero if he doesn't develop and now have a gaping hole at backup PG. The Cavaliers addressed a major need and improved their backcourt all in one. And with Terrence Williams and Tristan Thompson on the roster, Cleveland didn't really have a need for the Italian.

Eh, whatever. I love our starting lineup now, and feel like we're really deep in the post. I'd like to acquire a premiere PG, but that would involve giving up Al Horford, who moves to his better suited position of PF. He and Marc Gasol will also allow us to bring Gilberto Montero along carefully, with minutes and pref work for a season of apprenticeship before taking over at one of the starting spots. I honestly think we're now good enough to be a playoff team.

...So uh... bad news. I didn't realize that Gasol was an FA this season. The owner wants me to shave costs so that we're at the salary cap after I told him we'd be a playoff team. **** **** ****.

T.R. Dunn and Shane Battier become the 1st and 2nd assistant coaches respectively, and I extend Tyrone Hill's contract another 3 years.

Gilberto Montero has all his rookie options picked up.

Draft
The WSSN sees this as a very weak class overall, and have us taking 20 year old SF Harris Jones out of Central Michigan. Just my luck, to have the #1 pick in a bad class. But my staff initially loves 21 year old SG Ted Strong out of Mississippi State and PG Tristan DuBois, a 19 year old Belgian. DuBois is initially high on my list, too.

But then the workouts happen, and one player jumps out at us as the real top player in the class for our area of need. And so we shock the world with our selection.

"With the 1st overall pick in the 2014-15 draft, the Atlanta Hawks select....



Maurice Matthew, small forward, from the University of Michigan!"

There's another Big 10 prospect I would love to grab who impressed me over the Belgian in some key areas, but we'll see what happens.

2. SF Harris Jones - Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers offer me the #4 pick for Matthew. I laugh in their faces.

3. PG Tristan DuBois - Toronto Raptors

Horrible offer for Danny Green from Charlotte.

LOL, the draft heads go absolutely ape, raking the Raptors repeatedly for taking DuBois. Admittedly the Belgian looked awful in workouts, but this is the thinnest draft class I've ever seen at PG.

The Pelicans offer me Jarrett Jack and pick #56 for Marvin Williams. A better contract, stopgap solution to our backup PG issue, and a ticket? SIGN ME UP!

4. PF Damion Gates - Los Angeles Lakers
5. SF Rahim Dawson - Portland Trailblazers
6. SF Rayford Cliff - Brooklyn Nets
7. SG Ted Strong - Indiana Pacers

Really disappointed in his workout.

8. PF Ryan Lang - San Antonio Spurs

Draft heads loved this kid from Day One. It'll be interesting to see how he does.

9. SF Josh Horan - Chicago Bulls
10. PG Damone Mason - Houston Rockets

...FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well, we probably didn't have the assets to get him anyway.

11. PF Adam Shine - Houston Rockets
12. SF Deon Dunn - Cleveland Cavaliers

I tried to trade into this pick to get exactly this kid, but we couldn't make it work financially. I'm pissed. Steal of the draft, and one I almost thought about at #1. There's two more wings I really like, so when one goes, I'll try to trade back in and grab the other.

13. C Mario Shelton - Memphis Grizzlies
14. PG Kevin Laster - New York Knicks
15. PG Mihail Zimmerman - Philadelphia 76ers
16. C Brandon Price - Utah Jazz
17. PG Aaron Anderson - Denver Nuggets

! That must mean they're giving up on Eric Neterville! I quickly call up Denver, and for pick #56, Lloyd Mitchell, Shannon Brown, and Drew Gordon, we get Neterville and Rudy Fernandez, who has a PO, but if he picks it up, would be a good option as a backup SF. Oh, and the Nuggets 2017 2nd round pick.

18. SF Sviatoslav Gogunov - Milwaukee Bucks
19. SG Chris Butler - New York Knicks

I prefer one SF over the other, so I send #35, our 2016 2nd, and the Nuggets 2017 2nd to the Kings for pick #20, which I turn into...

20. SF Mihail Simmons - Kansas State - Atlanta Hawks

Excellent wing size and ability to generate turnovers should be phenomenal. Perhaps not the best shooter or ballhandler, but I love this kid as a backup.

21. SF Derek Owens - Washington Wizards

They probably would have taken Simmons.

22. C Julius Jones - Minnesota Timberwolves
23. SF Rashod Dickel - Memphis Grizzlies
24. SF Rick Abney - Detroit Pistons

The other SF I really liked. A bit short at 6'5.

25. SF Carlos Taylor - Oklahoma City Thunder
26. SF Tobias Thomas - New Orleans Pelicans
27. PG Marc Ballis - Detroit Pistons
28. PG Justin Dersch - Charlotte Bobcats
29. SF Rodney Ball - Golden State Warriors
30. C Josh Williams - Miami Heat

I'll review everything later, but my initial hunch about this being a terrible PG class was spot on, bar a couple players that I'll talk about later. I may have made a slight mistake in passing on Harris Jones, but I'm still happy enough with our pick. And man, was I ever right in taking Mihail Simmons.

[Magic Bird]

How much money was Marc Gasol paid last season? The possible frontcourt rotation of Gasol, Horford, and Montero sounds too tantalizing not to resign Gasol. I would expect that group to dominate games.

Sadly, I don't think Yeaton is in the first names file, but not sure.

In reference to this, I meant something like Mateen Turner and John Yeaton in the same backcourt. However, the opportunity for that is in the past.

[Tim Moungey]

How much money was Marc Gasol paid last season? The possible frontcourt rotation of Gasol, Horford, and Montero sounds too tantalizing not to resign Gasol. I would expect that group to dominate games.

Sadly, I don't think Yeaton is in the first names file, but not sure.

In reference to this, I meant something like Mateen Turner and John Yeaton in the same backcourt. However, the opportunity for that is in the past.

Never say it's entirely in the past. One never knows what DDS will drum up. And yeah, I may have to say screw it and re-sign Gasol, even though it may end me in unemployment gaol.

Re: Gasol's contract last year - I forget, but his cap hold is in excess of $23 million. Obvs his number will go down from that, so we'll see what happens.