We are finally coming to the end of the long offseason. I expect the sim to be released sometime in the next 3-4 weeks and am looking forward to an early December start to BaF Season 5. Congrats to the four semifinalists of the Bubble tourney and a big thank you to Melo for running things.
Just an FYI since I know a few people asked, I did reach out to Slicin via PM about 10 days ago and my message is still in my outbox, so hopefully everything is ok with him. I know he had a lot of things happening in his personal life so hopefully it's just that life is happening to him and he will check back in eventually when things ease up a bit.
For now though, for BaF, we have reached the part of the offseason just before the start of the regular season, where I will accept power rankings from any GM who would like to participate. Just like in years past, this will be completely voluntary.
The way our power rankings work:
Each team submits to me via PM their power rankings (1-29). You don't rank your own team. Each team can also say a sentence or two about each team, positive or negative if they would like. You can put as much effort into it as you'd like but it should be no more than 1-2 sentences saying how you feel about each team, what you like, what you dislike, big offseason acquisitions, etc. Basically, a justification for why you rank each team where you are ranking them.
Any team that sends in their power rankings will get to see where they are ranked in return by their GM counterparts. Any GM who doesn't take the time to do a ranking will not get to see their ranking. Last years power rankings are in the spoiler below for reference. Each year, since year two, we have had a larger group of GM's participate in this. In 2019, we had 17 GM's submit their rankings. 21 GM's participated last season. I'd love to get all 30 GM's actively involved in this this year but understand that probably not everyone will do this. However, if we can continue to up the number from 21, that would be a good sign of the activity level in the league at this current time and be a good indicator of the potential for the future of BaF.
I will give each team three weeks to complete this. So as to not distract from next weekends Bubble semis and finals, I will ask each team to submit their power rankings via PM by SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20th. Please indicate in your PM's subject that the PM is "Team Names power rankings", so I don't confuse it for a transaction. Then, the annual power rankings will be revealed on Sunday, 11/21, which will hopefully be right around the time the game is released and player ratings come out for this upcoming season.
If anyone has any questions on how this works, feel free to ask.
1. New Orleans Pelicans (1/5) What other GM's are saying about New Orleans:
"Pooch did an incredible job - adding a ton of talent on a budget. Pels might be scary this year. Trae's still mad that he hasn't been extended."
"Will see a sizeable jump up in the standing, some very good moves made this offseason solidifying its depth which was its achilles heal the past season"
"GM squeezed value out of every move. Masterful job. Really good team too."
2. Portland Trailblazers (1/8) What other GM's are saying about Portland:
"GM put in work this off-season, one of the deepest teams in BAF history"
"Completely rebuilt the team with some trades and signings, should be back in the conference finals."
"This team is really deep. Assuming KD doesn't take a hit based on a past injury this team will be a championship contender. Nice to see Lowry and Derozan combo back together with Siakam being one of the most improved players in the game. Add in two elite bench pieces in Powell and TJ Warren and this team could be raising the trophy."
3. Indiana Pacers (1/7) What other GM's are saying about Indiana:
"Young and extremely talented team. They should be a problem in the east"
"Too much star power, and with the emergence of Luka as possibly a top 5 player, this team will be scary for years."
"How did you people let this happen?"
4. Dallas Mavericks (1/11) What other GM's are saying about Dallas:
"It's crazy when Giannis, Jokic, and Holiday might not be enough in the west…"
"This former Champion’s big three is still elite but not enough quality depth behind them Other teams are passing them. Still a playoff lock in a strong West conference."
"What can be said Giannis and Jokic is a crazy good duo. Might be the 2nd best duo in the game. Add in Holiday as there 3rd banana and good role players like Bridges, White, and Kleber this is a good team. I just have them 3rd in the west because the other two teams are deeper."
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (1/10) What other GM's are saying about Cleveland:
"Probably strongest offensive team in competition, I think they could use a move or two to add balance and move further up. Too offensively built up in my opinion."
"Cleveland is finally here, sharing the ball only potential weakness."
"It's remarkable the team Melo's put together while still carrying so much dead weight in contracts. Jamal Murray was a great addition and they balled out in 2k. Tatum and Bam should both get huge bumps. Talk your ****, Melo. Your time is now."
6. Chicago Bulls (3/16) What other GM's are saying about Chicago:
"Traderswiss likely still has a couple more moves prior to opeing day but Kawhi and Dray are solid to build around and has improved its depth from prior years. Question is has it done enough to get past the conference finals"
"Got bigger in the middle with Jonas and added some quality rotation pieces (Rozier/Barton/Draymond) to last year’s Eastern Conference runner ups. Will be right back in the mix gut a tier below Cleveland-Indiana."
"Kawhi doesn't have a second star which will ultimately be the difference in my opinion between CHI last year and CHI this year. This team is very deep and will be a tough out in the playoffs but I don't think they have the offensive fire power to deal with the other top seeded teams in the east."
7. Los Angeles Clippers (5/19) What other GM's are saying about the Clippers:
"Really exciting team, the addition of Irving leads to one of the best back courts in the league"
"Love he 3 guard lineup of Kyrie/SGA/Middelton they all can shoot it and create there own shot. Add in a bruiser like Nurkic and this team will be a playoff team for sure. Can they be more? I think they are just a tier below the big dogs in the west."
"Some really talented guys with some nice young pieces who will be improving"
8. Golden State Warriors (4/20) What other GM's are saying about Golden State:
"Great job of building his team - may be even better than last year"
"The champs set themselves up well for the future and should still field a solid squad. You've got to figure NewEra isn't done smoothing out some of the edges after a full makeover."
"Entirely dependent on how the sim treats Wall. Solid team outside of him, but if the sim treats him as if he never got injured, this team could be something special."
9. Miami Heat (4/18) What other GM's are saying about Miami:
"Harden is still one of the best players in the NBA and he is a sim monster. Not sure there is a better fit next to harden then Brogden a good defensive low usage PG. Add in secondary scorer like Harris and they will give teams a tough time. But I don't think this team has the depth to overtake the top teams in the east."
"New GM has made some tweaks to the roster, team likely taken a small step backwards with several young players brought into the mix"
"You can never discredit a Harden led team, Harris will be asked to score more than ever."
10. Charlotte Hornets (7/21) What other GM's are saying about Charlotte:
"Hoffa made his move and obtained Ingram - who should get a nice bump - and signed Aldridge - should have a nice season."
"Really fun team. They could give some teams fits. If Edwards hits, watch out."
"There's simply a lot of talent on this squad and cash on hand to help improve it. Not much defense. We'll see what the Sim thinks of this group. If not so great, we could see some fireworks midseason."
11. Utah Jazz (6/18) What other GM's are saying about Utah:
"Good balance offensivily - lacks a big and desense"
"Playoff team. GM on a mission. Could spoil a top teams hopes in a first round matchup."
"Defense makes me want to claw my eyes out, but the offense should be good"
12. Toronto Raptors (7/22) What other GM's are saying about Toronto:
"Still has the King, and the sim will likely still be fairly kind to Boogie but while he was able to retain Harris/Redick, this team got hit hard in free agency especially with the loss of Rose. Right back battling for one of the final 2 or 3 seeds in the East."
"Good job retaining Harris. Smartest move would be to deal LeBron by the deadline. Too much power in the East. We think time to get what you can for LeBron, and push reset."
"All depends on what the Sim thinks about Cousins. There's good shooting and playmaking around LeBron but if Cousins gets docked I don't see a second option."
13. Denver Nuggets (6/20) What other GM's are saying about the Denver:
"Twin towers as formidable as they come, back court a little lacking."
"Scary twin towers, and guard play. Watch out for this team. They’re a sleeper in the west."
"Solid, deep squad but one that I ultimately think took a step back this offseason in the West as others moved forward."
14. Milwaukee Bucks (6/21) What other GM's are saying about Milwaukee:
"Potential best defensive team in the league"
"Very strong defensive team. If Butler gets bumped up they could be dangerous in playoffs."
"Jimmy Butler is a stud and this team brought in some solid role players but I am just not sure they have enough ammo to get through a loaded east and the conference is especially hard with Indy/CLE/Chi."
15. Atlanta Hawks (13/22) What other GM's are saying about Atlanta:
"Needs to build around Steph and add a second solid piece, good GM who will find a way to make moves"
"Are Curry's shoulders big enough?"
"Curry is a stud but they just have no second running mate. They have some nice pieces and they will be fighting for a playoff spot but I think they just miss out."
16. Sacramento Kings (9/21) What other GM's are saying about Sacramento:
"Bit concerned with offense on this team, will be relying a lot on its bench for it"
"Pretty deep team with some good players and youth. Might be a piece or two away from making true noise in the gauntlet out west"
"Love the fit of Lopez/Zubac, Isaac, Brown, and Kemba but a few tough contracts makes it hard to see this team compete with the top squads in the West."
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (14/25) What other GM's are saying about Minnesota:
"Depth for days, but little star power."
"The rebuild is in effect, and the new GM has been solid. Team lacks a #1 option which causes them to miss playoffs."
"I like what they did in the offseaon to add some future assets and they have a ton of depth but who is going to lead that team in scoring?"
18. Orlando Magic (12/26) What other GM's are saying about Orlando:
"They have some really exciting pieces. They could surprise this year and have a bright future"
"In a transition phase, the thought of Wiggins carrying a team is scary."
"No stars but this team but they have some interesting SIM talent. They might sneak up on us and make some of those teams in the east sweat to make the playoffs."
19. San Antonio Spurs (25/29) What other GM's are saying about San Antonio:
"Young team, will eventually grow, but needs more talent fast"
"Extremely fun team and will be fun to follow as they develop"
"Team sucks but Wiseman's gonna ball out"
20. Los Angeles Lakers (26/29) What other GM's are saying about the Lakers:
"Ton of young talent, should try and consolidate some for a big name."
"Team should be solid in two years after getting out of AB and JJ deals."
"Up and comer or still bad? They had a great draft this year and a few pieces such as Johnson and Bazley that I see as likely to take a step forward. The big challenge here is figuring out the keepers from the dumpers long term."
21. Boston Celtics (28/29) What other GM's are saying about Boston:
"Whats there to say, likely has more draft picks than wins next season..to bad one of them is not its own"
"No reason to turn on the TV this year, it's going to be ugly."
"0-82? Quite possible."
All-Time Draft
PG- Oscar Robertson/Bob Cousy SG- Earl Monroe/James Harden/Dana Barros SF- Billy Cunningham/Michael Finley/Chet Walker PF- Elvin Hayes/Dolph Schayes/Tom Chambers/Danny Manning C- Walt Bellamy/Neil Johnston/Darryl Dawkins
Available in PHX: Robert Covington- $75/4 years Larry Nance Jr.- $50/1 year Grant Williams- $18/3 years Josh Green- $17/2(3) years Joël Ayayi- $6/2(3) years
Looking for draft capital or young talent
BAF: Phoenix Suns PG: Ja Morant / Ajay Mitchell / Ryan Nembhard SG: Coby White / Quentin Grimes / Kon Knueppel SF: Keegan Murray / Caleb Martin / Andre Jackson Jr PF: Matas Buzelis / Tristan da Silva C: Evan Mobley / Quinten Post / Luka Garza
Walker Kessler/Daniel Gafford/Adem Bona Nikola Jokic/Santi Aldama/Isaiah Stewart Aaron Nesmith/Josh Hart/Jaime Jaquez Alex Caruso/Keon Ellis/Justin Champagnie Steph Curry/Chris Paul/Ryan Rollins
B: Melo | Lonzo B: J. Green | Donte | N. Clifford B: Herb | K. Oubre | B. Hield B: Zion | J. Isaac | D. Jones Jr | A. Toohey B: KP | G. Yabusele | J. Huff
Walker Kessler/Daniel Gafford/Adem Bona Nikola Jokic/Santi Aldama/Isaiah Stewart Aaron Nesmith/Josh Hart/Jaime Jaquez Alex Caruso/Keon Ellis/Justin Champagnie Steph Curry/Chris Paul/Ryan Rollins
Walker Kessler/Daniel Gafford/Adem Bona Nikola Jokic/Santi Aldama/Isaiah Stewart Aaron Nesmith/Josh Hart/Jaime Jaquez Alex Caruso/Keon Ellis/Justin Champagnie Steph Curry/Chris Paul/Ryan Rollins
I'm just happy to get this far. Need my bigs by committee to put up a decent fight against that monster you have manning the middle.
4-Peat! 22-25 BAF Champion Spurs:
ROSTER
Walker Kessler/Daniel Gafford/Adem Bona Nikola Jokic/Santi Aldama/Isaiah Stewart Aaron Nesmith/Josh Hart/Jaime Jaquez Alex Caruso/Keon Ellis/Justin Champagnie Steph Curry/Chris Paul/Ryan Rollins
Your son looks much more confident this year. Making better/quicker decisions that get the ball downhill. That bodes well for him. When he plays like that he reminds me of my own son.
I'm just happy to get this far. Need my bigs by committee to put up a decent fight against that monster you have manning the middle.
Steph is just automatic man. And in a game like 2k there’s no telling what could happen. There just isn’t much I can do with him except hope a couple of his shots don’t fall. We’ll have to play our best and try to get out to an early lead if we wanna come away with the W. It’s on to the finals from here bro, so let’s give the fans & our BAF fam a show!
Deeeez Knicks wrote: Lets see it updated with Frank #1
much more accurate list if so
Your son looks much more confident this year. Making better/quicker decisions that get the ball downhill. That bodes well for him. When he plays like that he reminds me of my own son.
Frank next sga confirmed
B: Melo | Lonzo B: J. Green | Donte | N. Clifford B: Herb | K. Oubre | B. Hield B: Zion | J. Isaac | D. Jones Jr | A. Toohey B: KP | G. Yabusele | J. Huff
Trezz … I’ll take it
