SSBA

How many of you have improved your team?

C:
Chris Mihm (now) [B- C- D- A- B+ C ] {17.7ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.7bpg}

vs.

Rafael Araujo (then) [B+ C D+ B B- F ] {20.5ppg, 9.2rpg, 0.7bpg}

Winner: Mihm. Better scorer and rebounder, with more potential. Hoffa puts up some big numbers, but Mihm has scored all that he needs to for me.

PF:
Carlos Boozer (Now) [B+ C- C B+ A- A ] {21.1ppg, 9.9rpg, 3.5apg}

vs.

Chris Bosh (then) [ B- C- D+ B+ C+ A ] {10.3ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg}

Winner: Boozer. No question. He can score, rebound and handle the ball much better than Bosh. Boozer also has a distinct size advantage over Bosh. Weight and Height do matter for post players. With both having A potential, Boozer is the better player and fit for my team, no question.

SF:
Michael Finley (Now) [ B- A- C B C- C ] {18.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.7apg}

vs.

Jalen Rose (then) [C+ A- C- B- C C ] {2.4ppg, 1.5rpg, 0.7apg}

Winner: Finley. I'm very surprised that Jalen hasn't got more time though. He's a capable 15ppg scorer. I guess the big contract scares people away, much like it did for me.

SG:
Vince Carter (Now) [B+ A- B- B+ C- C ] {27.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 4.6apg}

vs.

Vince Carter (then)

Winner: Push. :)

PG:
Sam Cassell (Now) [C+ A- A B D+ C ] {15.6ppg, 9.9apg, 4.4rpg}

vs.

Rafer Alston (then) [C B+ B+ B+ D+ C ] {9.5ppg, 6.1apg, 4.2rpg}

Winner: Cassell, although he is likely only here for one year. He's vet. leadership and ability to dish the ball give him the obvious edge.

BENCH:
PG Lorenzen Ellis (now) [B- B- B B C B ] {Rookie}
C Wang Zhi Zhi (now) [C D F+ B+ C C ] {5.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 0.7bpg}
C Greg Ostertag (now) [C+ D+ C- A- B C ] {11.9ppg, 9.7rpg, 2.3bpg}

vs.

SG Morris Peterson (then) [C B+ C B- C- B ] {5.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.2apg)
SF Donyell Marshall (then) [C+ C+ D+ A- C C ] {5.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.1spg}
C Kevin Willis (then) [?] {?}

Winner: Now group. Even though I have no backup swingman, I'll get them in FA.

DRAFT PICKS:

Winner: Now. I lost my 07 and 08 seconds, picked up the Heat 07 and 08 seconds, and have both my firsts, as well as the Kings 08 First.



So how bout you? And lets turn this into a poll of Most Improved Team. Now accepting nomintations...

Clippers:

C:  Chandler (now) over Kaman (before) ... though I still have to see if Chandler can really play that center spot for a full season. Up to now he did a  very good job.

PF:  Brand.... still the same

SF: Maggette.... still the same

SG:  Gordon (now) over Kittles (before) ... Kittles may have better ratings, but Gordon has the better stats. He came up with some huge games. He put up crazy assist numbers when he came to the Clippers for a SG with his handling ratings! Also Gordon is much better for my team than Kittles because my team looks at the future, about 3 years from now.

PG: Livingston (now) over Jaric (before) ... Again, Jaric has better ratings, but Livingston can put up the same (if not better) stats. And Livingston is definitely the better ball handler, something my team needs. Same with SG position, Livingston is better for my team because it's a young team building for the future.

I don't have a bench now, so I can not compare them.

I have 2 first round picks next year to add more young prospects for the future!

I have capspace to add one or two good player(s) this off season.

It is definitely not the best team, but I do believe a much improved team. Now they need experience.

I believe I have upgraded my team. Not so much to compete now, but we will talk in a couple years from now.  :D

I think I made pretty good upgrades at my spots, and added depth to my team:

Starters

Center - Eddy Curry (same)
Eddy Curry is a great scoring option at Center (B+) and I have him locked up for a great contract (4 years/20 mill)

Power Forward - Griffin (now) vs Chandler (then)
Although Griffin is a natural center, his ratings dont change when switched to the PF position.  Griffin is already a better offensive player, and will eventually be as good of a defensive player (I hope).

Small Forward - Dunleavy (now) vs Deng (then)
Dunleavy is a better offensive player and better in general.  Hopefully his A potential results in B+ defense

Shooting Guard - Barry (now) vs Gordan (then)
Barry is a much better player right now, but Gordan has age and potential over him

Point Guard - Mercer (now) vs Hinrich (then)
This one is split, both are very good players.  Mercer has better 'traditional' PG (has much better defense, only -1 in handles), while Hinrich is a better offensive option.  I think Mercer fits my team better.

Bench - This is where I think I improved the most

Center - Kaman (now) vs Trybanski
No contest here, Trybankski will be lucky to ever play again, while Kaman is a young center with great defense

Power Forward - Wilcox (same) and Baly (currently involved in trade)
Wilcox is a decent bench player, although he won't see much time.  Baly is involved is a restructured deal with Mo Pete, whos a solid backup at the SF

Small Forward - Erob (then) vs Mo Pete (? - involved in restuctured deal)
If all things with the Hawks pan out, I'd have Mo at backup SF.  Hes much better than Erob, who is on my team just because of his expiring contract

Shooting Guard - Piatkowski (same)
Eric is a solid scoring option when on the floor (B+ outside)

Point Guard - Claxton vs Williams
Again no contest here, Speedy is a great defensive player (A-) and has solid handles.

Picks/Capspace

Capspace - I'll have 25-30 million in cap come off my books next year

Picks
2 1rst in 08

Well I'll just have to wait until my team is completed to do the comparison, which should be right after free agency.

Any nomintations, ladies?

Warriors, Raptors, myself (a little biased  :))

Ok, I added the Hawks too.

I've taken a huge lead  :wink:

And I've come back to tie you :}

Now vs. Then
Center

Tanner Houbregs vs. Predrag Drobnjak

-Tanner is better by a large magin, anyway at least I get a push of anyone disagrees because I still have Drobnjak

Power Forward

Stromile Swift vs. Antoine Walker

-Swift was an all star this year, he's better than Toine

Small Forward

Al Harrington vs. Josh Childress

-Harringtons #'s were better but I think that  Childress might win here

Shooting Guard

Allan Houston vs. Tony Delk

-Despite the contract, Houston is a better player here, A shooting is a nice attribute to have

Point Guard

TJ Ford vs. Nobody (Tony Delk who have played there)

-TJ Ford wins here by forfeit[/b]

Now:
Samuel Dalembert
Emeka Okafor
Lamond Murray
Garrett Pettit
Antonio Daniels

Then:
Jason Collins
Alonzo Mourning
Richard Jefferson
Rodney Buford
Jason Kidd


People will say, "yeah, well you got to sign Okafor".  Yeah, but when the "Okafor Race" started, I was 4th in the race.  The Hawks, Nuggets, and Jazz all had more cap room than me.  Then I was able to find a team with cap room that would be willing to take my big contract, and catapult myself into the forefront of getting Okafor.

I now have myself positioned with two superstars, possibly the best inside-outside combo in the game, two great roleplayers (how many teams have an A defender at C along with a 5/1 assist to turnover guy at point), and enough caproom next year to add a max free agent.  I did all this without giving up 1 of my draft picks.

I turned an old guy, a guy with an expiring contract, and a lot of bad contracts into what I believe is the best young core in the league.  That, combined with having all of my draft picks and retaining great cap flexibility IMO puts me in the running of putting myself in the best position in the league.

^ Yeah well you got to sign Okafor  


 :wink:

Haha.

I know HawksGM was pissed when he saw that trade posted where I shaved off 7 million in cap room days before free agency ;)

lol, o yea i was, i spent about 2 hours figuring how i was gonna build my team around Emeka, then that trade got posted :(

Shouldn't we wait on this untill the end of free agency?

Well, we could, but since there is nothing to do these days, we might as well do it now. And there is like 4 days in between draft and FA where nothing goes on, so this is something to do.

Pistons Now and Then:

Center - Oscar Ferry(now) - Ben Wallace (then)
Not many centers better than Wallace, but i managed to get 12 years younger and more offensive with the center position... adv - Push

Power Forward - Troy Murphy(now) - Rasheed Wallace(then)
Basically the same type of Power Forwards, but Murphy is a lot younger and has more potential... adv - Murphy

Small Forward - Rashard Lewis(now) - Tayshaun Prince(then)
No need to even explain...  Lewis is one of the best SF's in the game... adv - Lewis

Shooting Guard - Bruce Bowen(now) - Richard Hamilton(then)
I like Bowen more because he is better defensively, but Rip is a better all-around player...  adv - Hamilton

Point Guard - Steve Nash(now) - Chauncey Billups(then)
Not much to say here...  Nash is like a Top 3 PG in the game...  No one has handles like him, but billups was a very good all-around player... adv - Nash

Bench(now)
Ethan Terpening
Derrick Coleman
David Wesley
Eric Williams

Bench(then)
Derrick Coleman
Elden Campbell
Lindsey Hunter
Antonio McDyess

Overall I think I improve my team a lot...  Pistons were a decent  team to start with, but i think the "new" team has a good mix of young stars with veteran role players(just the right mix to make a nice play-off run)...

Golden State Warriors

Center - now - Andris Biedrins - then - Adonal Foyle
Foyle is a nice center to have, but as a tandem, he and Murphy were not that great.  Biedrins was already on my roster, it was just getting rid of Murphy that allowed me to start him, so it is a push...  

PF - now - Ben Wallace - then - Troy Murphy
Easily, easily Ben Wallace.  He makes the entire team better, and compensates for Biedrins weaknesses perfectly.  Getting him was also the reason I was able to start Biedrins over Foyle, puching Foyle to the bench as one of the best Big men off the bench in the league.

SF - now - Vlad Radmanovic/Luol Deng   Then - Mike Dunleavy
If I resign Vlad in the offseason, he is definitely better then Dunleavy.  If Luol Deng is my SF, it is still in my favor.  Only thing I need from my small forward is defense, and maybe some outside shooting.  Both Deng and Radman are better defenders then Dunleavy.

SG - now - JRich   Then - JRich
Then was actually better, since JRich made a lot less money.. lol

PG - Now - Kirk Hinrich   Then - Speedy Claxton
Huge, huge upgrade...  Claxton is a nice backup, and below average starter...  Hinrich, imo, will be one of the top 10 PG's in the league this year.

When you think of it, the trade was Okafor, Boozer and Hump for Kidd and RJ.  Kidd was alrite for the Jazz, but RJ is just an ok player.

That was my intention right from the getgo.  I made that trade banking that none of the other teams would be able to dump enough salary and catch up to me.

No sixers in the poll?

You haven't made a case for yourself.

And I think the fact that the Warriors have 4 votes and the Raptors have 1 shows that most of SSBA is mad at me for making so many trades that improved my team so much.

Lol...  Considering how bad the real Warriors are, I must be doing something right.  I ended their 5+ year playoff drought...   :D

:) Look at how bad the real Raptors are.

Real Warriors are much, much worse, record wise...

True, but the SSBA Raptors are much, much better than the SSBA Warroirs :)

You may be slightly better (if that makes your ego feel better)...

But I also have youth on my side
Raps average age... 25.4 years
Warriors average age 22 years   :shock:

And no matter how well Greg Ostertag plays, he will always be Greg Ostertag...  :wink:

Youth, smouth.

Mihm, Boozer, Finley, Vince, Cassell, Ostertag, Ellis = Best 7 in SSBA. Easily. :wink:

I know you love to pat yourself on the back, but out of your starting 5 you have 1 A- defender, 2 b+, and 2 B's.

Not terrible, but that will place you in the lower half of the league defensively.

Taking a page from the kings, just trying it out :)

I think I'm just going to let my record speak for itself.

But you still have Ostertag...  And that will always bring you down...
And you did not draft his brother, Zack Osetrtag, which I was very disappointed in...

C - Andris Biedrins - 18
PF - Big Ben Wallace - 30
SF - Luol Deng - 19
SG - Jason Richardson - 23
PG - Kirk Hinrich - 23

C - Mihm - 25
PF - Boozer - 22
SF - Finley - 31
SG - Carter - 27
PG - Cassel - 34

Break out the crutches for Cassel and Finley...  
We all know that even when Ben retires, his hair will live on!!!!

Since when is having 2 players under 20 an asset?

Finley was 30 last year whenhe gave me 18 and 5. Cassell was 33 last year when he put up 15 and 10.

And Ostertag was good for 12, 10, and 2.5 blocks. He's the shiznit. But I am lookiing to get another 2nd to draft his bro.

Most people would like good players under 20 rather then good players over 30...
Gotta think about the future ;)
Ostertag is not allowed to be the schiznit...  He is Greg Ostertag...
But if you do get his brother, you definitely get bonus points...

Anyone who has same last name plaers should get an added 5 ppg :)

It's nice to have youth, but it would be even nice to have youth with potential (which the warriors don't have outside of biedrins).

I still believe I'm setup for the future than either of you two putzes

I don't care about the future, I've suffered through 5 years f being so close..

I WANT MY SSBA CROWN

better get some defenders ;)

That's why I decided to trade Ferry for Dalembert

I have one thing brewing right now...if that works out, I'll have a better defensive team.

If not, then I cold give up 100 ppg, but I'm gonna score 110 :)

Well, if you are not counting JRich's B potential, and Hinrich's B potential as actual potential...  And I hoping that Deng's potential is a big fat lie.

But Pettit and Okafor are OK...    :mrgreen:
OK, they are awesome.
And as long as Sammy stays good (D potential is a little funny in a 23 year old), the future between you and the Hawks looks to be quite interesting (Swift and Houbreg vs Sammy and Okafor)

I am just waiting for Yao, Garnett, and Nowitzki to age...  Then Biedrins can be the dominant big man in the conference.. lol

Yeah, I hadn't really looked at your roster.  I'd expect Richardson and Hinrich to improve.

and yes, Okafor and Pettit are an awesome pair :)

Sammy's interesting.  I'm tempted to call the bluff on his potential.  It just doesn't make any sense.  Not as sure as I am on Hoffa ( ;) ), but I think it might be at least slightly higher.

The biggest difference between the Nets and myself is Petit and Daniels, he has a backcourt and my backcourt only consists of Allan Houston and TJ Ford right now

 :roll:

Lol.

an I might just have a starting SF who is 7' 295, that's a big boy

Haha, yes, I threw that one in there just for you.

Should be interesting this offseason.  I don't know how scouted potential works.  Does it stay the same?  Does it go down in correspondence to their real potential?  Does it get re-scouted.

I guess what I'm asking is, let's say a player has a D scouted potential and B real potential.  Will his scouted potential go down from the D, will it stay at the D, or will it get re-scouted (and possibly jump up to a B after this TC).

I think it gets re-scouted.  If I remember correctly, in the last league I signed Stromile Swift, who at that time had a D scouted potential.  After the first TC it went up to a C.

That would be pretty cool if potential went up. Possibly Vince could get back to B.

Maybe you should try Swift at SF...  And just have Baly and Houbreg sit in the paint, chuckle, and body slam every player that comes with 5 feet of them...
Actually, Ollie Miller is available as a free agent too...  You could have the all Chub chub team...
Houbreg, Baly, and Miller in the paint...  Every team would be shooting from half court against you, because there would be no room inside the 3 point line...

With Tanner's outside shooting you might be able to get by with a big frontline.

Baly's defense went UP went moved to SF... Insane...

lol...yea maybe Oliver would like to play behind Tanner...and to the Nets Tanner and Maques Baly both have C+ outside which will help....C+ outside is better than Al Harrington or Josh Smith who would play SF instead of Baly

I want to see Tanner hit a few 3's....then that would convince me you have a team.

I don't have a very good defensive team (Barry, Mercer, Calxton only ones with A-) but I think I'm set for teh future.  I have tons of cap space next year, a potential franchise player, a good mix of inside and oustide offense, and lots of youth/potential.  I also think I got pretty good depth with Kaman, Mo, and Claxton coming off the bench.

haha, I'll be sure to post it when he goes 5-7 from the land of 3 :D

I think you did a great job rebuilding your team...
In the playoff's this year, your Chicago Bulls!!!!
And you have some depth, which alot of teams this year do not have...

Then:

C: Etan Thomas
PF: Kwame Brown
SF: Antawn Jamison
SG: Larry Hughes
PG: Gilbert Arenas

Bench: Brendan Haywood, Steve Blake, Juan Dixon

Now:

C: Etan Thomas
PF: Amare Stoudemire
SF: Rasheed Wallace
SG: Gilbert Arenas
PG: Yet to be determined

Bench: Wally Szczerbiak, Danny Fortson, Kenny Thomas