GM a Team Winter 2010 - Writeups

[Karmaloop]

GM: Karmaloop
E-Mail: packattack254@yahoo.com OR karmaloop1234@yahoo.com
AIM: lakers fan 864

PG: Louis Williams (30) / D.J. Augustin (18)
SG: Michael Redd (26) / Mike Dunleavy Jr. (16) / Kyle Weaver (6) / Terrico White
SF: Mike Dunleavy Jr. (14) / Anthony Randolph (28) / Earl Clark (6)
PF: Marreese Speights (28) / Tyler Hansbrough (12) / Derrick Favors (8) / Brandan Wright
C: Roy Hibbert (24) / Nick Collison (14) / Robin Lopez (10)

Rights:
Robin Benzing
Latavious Williams

Untouchable: None
Nearly Untouchable: SF Anthony Randolph, C Roy Hibbert
Hard To Get: PG D.J. Augustin, PF Marresse Speights, PF Tyler Hansbrough, C Robin Lopez
Trade Block: SG Michael Redd, SG/SF Mike Dunleavy
Trade Chips: SG Quentin Richardson, SF James Jones, PF/C Jason Smith


Salaries
Augustin, D.J.; $2,374,680 / $2,540,400 / $3,236,470 / $4,385,416
Clark, Earl: $1,766,280 / $1,898,760 / $2,031,240 / $3,008,266 / $4,184,499
Nick Collison: $6,250,000 / $6,750,000
Dunleavy Jr., Mike: 9,780,992 / 10,561,984
Hansbrough, Tyler: 1,859,160 / 1,998,600 / 2,138,040 / 3,055,259 / 4,225,423
Hibbert, Roy: 1,575,360 / 1,685,280 / 2,588,590 / 3,655,089
Jones, James*: $4,330,000 / $1,856,000 / $1,984,000 / $2,112,000
Lopez, Robin: $1,745,520 / $1,867,320 / $2,862,602 / $4,001,917
Randolph, Anthony: $1,837,560 / $1,965,720 / $2,911,231 / $4,049,523
Redd, Michael: $17,040,000 / $18,300,000
Speights, Marresse: $1,658,280 / $1,773,960 / $2,721,255 / $3,823,363
Tinsley, Jamaal*: 5,184,000 / 5,400,000
Weaver, Kyle: $870,968 / $935,484 / $1,000,000
Williams, Louis: $4,972,500 / $5,000,000 / $5,176,000 / $5,351,500
Wright, Brandan: $2,671,440 / $3,398,072 / $4,580,601

Red = BYC
Blue = Player Option
Purple = Team Option
Orange = Unguaranteed Contract
Light Blue = Qualifying Offer
Orange = ETO
* = Not on roster/still paying

Draft Picks

Credits

2011 2nd Round Pick (from Minnesota)

2012 1st Round Pick from Phialdelphia (unprotected)

Debts

2012 1st Round Pick-Top 12 Protected


Transactions
1.SG Dahntay Jones, PF Josh McRoberts, and 2012 1st Round Pick for SF Earl Clark and C Robin Lopez.
2.PG Travis Diener, PF Solomon Jones, and PF Troy Murphy for SG Michael Redd and SG Kyle Weaver.
3.PG T.J. Ford and SG Brandon Rush for PG Louis Williams, SG Willie Green, PF Jason Smith, 2010 2nd Round Pick, and unprotected 2012 1st Round Pick.
4.SG Luther Head and C Jeff Foster for PG D.J. Augustin and C DeSagana Diop.
5.PG Earl Watson, SG Willie Green, and SF Danny Granger for SF Andre Iguodala and PF Marreese Speights.
6.PG A.J. Price, SF Andre Iguodala, C DeSagana Diop for SG Quentin Richardson, SF Anthony Randolph, SF James Jones, and PF Brandan Wright.
7.Waive SF James Jones.
8.SG Quentin Richardson for PF Nick Collison and C Sean May.
9.Waive C Sean May
10.PF Jason Smith for PG Antonio Daniels, SG Rashad McCants, and 2011 2nd round pick (via Minnesota.


Direction

At first I had planned to make a contender around Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert, which was one of the biggest reasons why I picked up Michael Redd, but shortly after I decided to just blow the team up to put them in a better position to contend for a championship in the future. It was extremely to hard to part with Danny Granger, one of my favorite players in the NBA, but I felt the package put us in a better position after the trade. This deal gives us a a franchise small forward, power forward, and center, so all the Pacers need to add is a couple of guards to make them a legitimate future championship contender.


Reason I Went That Way

I didn't have much of a choice. I didn't have a whole lot of assets that were garnering interest outside of Roy Hibbert and Danny Granger, so it was time to blow this ship up.

[lukekarts]

Depth Chart

C: Emeka Okafor [36]; Hamady N'Diaye [6]; Joel Anthony [6]
PF: Amar'e Stoudemire [36]; Louis Amundson [12]
SF: Rashard Lewis [36]; Joey Graham [12]
SG: Wesley Matthews [30]; Rasual Butler [18]
PG: Jrue Holiday [24] / Michael Conley [24]

Starters:



Key bench:



Salaries (& Draft Picks)




Team Direction

The initial things that struck me when taking over the Phoenix Suns were:

1. Amar'e Stoudemire was heavily linked to a move away in 2010's Free Agency (and still is)
2. Steve Nash, despite playing well, isn't getting any younger, nor is Grant Hill
3. The youngsters look like nothing other than solid role players.

So I set about to make the team younger, with more promising players, but not at the cost of a playoff space.

How the team is better off than when I started

I think the best way of looking at this is to do it positionally, and then summarise an overview, so here goes:

Center

Robin Lopez (21) / Channing Frye (26) / Jarron Collins (31) vs. Emeka Okafor (27) / Joel Anthony (27) / Hamady N'Diaye (23)

When I took over this team, Frye was starting, and whilst doing well with his 3 point shooting, his non existent defense and rebounding meant Phoenix weren't doing well inside. When Lopez took the role, their performances improved and he added a bit of hustle and D to the middle, but nothing spectacular. With this in mind, I have partnered Emeka Okafor with Amar'e in the front court - in my opinion, the perfect complimentary player for Stat. Okafor is a top 5/6 defensive Center, and should provide 2 blocks and 10 rebounds whilst defending the opposing teams big - and letting Amar'e carry the load offensively. Backing him up comes the shot blocking expert Joel Anthony (1.4 in 14 minutes), and draftee, Big East's DPOY Hamady N'Diaye. N'Diaye averaged 4.5 BPG in college, and should have a Thabeet-type impact on the game defensively, and is an intriguing prospect.

Overall, I am confident that defensively I have improved, whilst not impacting the team offensively. I have also added better depth.

Power Forward

Amar'e Stoudemire (27) / Louis Amundson (27)

The key thing here is that, despite trading them away, I have ultimately ended up with the same Power Forward rotation that I began with. Amar'e got his max deal - something I believe he truly deserved, considering his phenomenal performances since the All Star Break in 2010. In March, he averaged 27.3 points on .577 shooting and added 9.9 rebounds!!!! Quite a feat considering a year ago he broke his eye and had to lay face down for 20 hours a day over a month long period... Lou Amundson is solid backup material here - rebounds well, blocks shots, plays tough D (for a Sun).

Overall, it is the same PF rotation that is currently carrying a team into top 4 playoff contention in the West.

Small Forward

Grant Hill (37) / Earl Clark (22) vs. Rashard Lewis (30) / Joey Graham (27)

The original rotation was not bad - Hill is still a solid player, whilst Dudley has been a good 3 point shooter off the bench. But looking at the bigs I have on board, I felt adding Rashard to the position was a significant upgrade in talent, his 3-point expertise, clutch shooting will help spread the floor for Amar'e immensely, and his production over Hill gives me an ideal 2nd option on offense - and one who went to the finals in the same role for Orlando in 2009. I know the 'contract' argument will be banded about, BUT please acknowledge I can afford him, and he is still a very good player. His backup is Graham, a more efficient player than the D-League assigned Clark before him, who offers an athletic touch for when this team returns to its uptempo roots.

Overall - I got more expensive, but at the same time I added excellent 3-point shooting and a legit 2nd option on offense, and a more serviceable bench option.

Shooting Guard

Jason Richardson (29) / Jared Dudley (24) vs. Wesley Matthews (23) / Rasual Butler (30) / Wayne Ellington (22)

Richardson and Dudley are OK. Both have good shooting range, but neither have massive potential, and Richardson is overpaid. Adding Wesley Matthews was a huge gain for me, and he's a guy who is totally underhyped around the league. READ THIS! He has steadily worked his way up to 30 minutes per game under Jerry Sloan this season, and has improved every facet of his game. He's pretty quick, an excellent finisher, and averaged 13 points, 55% FG, 46.6% 3P%, 89% FT%; 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals for March. Sure, he's no Dwyane Wade, but he's a solid 4th option nonetheless and defends well for a rookie. I'm confident this guy will be better than Richardson and he's not far off already. On the bench, I have replaced Jared Dudley with the slasher/shooter Rasual Butler, who in limited minutes will score in bunches, and the promising youngster Wayne Ellington.

Overall I think the immediate production of Matthews / Butler is comparable, but with Ellington also in the mix, has tremendous upside potential, and is much, much cheaper.

Point Guard

Steve Nash (36) / Goran Dragic (23) vs. Michael Conley (22) / Jrue Holiday (19)

Steve Nash, despite being one of the greatest attacking point guards, is old, and can't defend. With that in mind, I addressed the key issues here - Conley and Holiday are both young, and the latter in particular is known for his good defensive skills. Conley has been often criticised for not living up to 4th pick hype, however looking past that is a point guard who has improved each year since joining the league in 2007, and will STILL only be 22 at the start of the 10/11 campaign. Averaging 12 points and 5.3 assists, and shooting an excellent 40% 3 pt clip, Conley fits the team nicely as a facilitator who can punish those who leave him open. Sharing minutes (and starts) is the exceptional young talent of Jrue Holiday, currently the NBA's youngest player, a guy who has shown heaps of talent since getting the starting job full time this year, and in March has been averaging 13.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 49.7% FG, 45.5% 3P FG (!)

Overall here, I have lost some offensive production but am better defensively, and have arguably the most promising PG duo in the league.

Summary

Overall, I am confident my team is a playoff contender. I addressed the biggest issue - defense - with Emeka Okafor, and most of the other additions are improvements defensively on the original Suns. I still have one of the top 5 offensive options in the league with Stoudemire, and a nice young core, with guys like Conley, Holiday, Matthews, Ellington & N'Diaye all having heaps of potential. I've also added a legit second option (Rashard) and 3 starters (Rashard/Matthews/Conley) capable of hitting the open 3 with great accuracy, meaning teams who double up on Amar'e will be punished. It's also worth noting that my biggest rivals - LAL and POR, are assembled on for a cost of at least $25m per year more than my team - sure, they can afford it, but I have built my team in the knowledge that the Suns can't afford to pay over $80m and have made significant cost cutting moves in the past to stay under that limit.

Interestingly, I can also field a team that provides significant size mismatches for others, with Holiday (6'4), Matthews (6'5), Lewis (6'10) being a great swingman rotation in terms of height. I will also become one of the best shot blocking teams in the league, Okafor, Anthony, N'Diaye, Amundson & Stat being capable of blocking shots.

Perhaps more crucially, I don't have two players on the verge or retirement, and Phoenix have a much brighter future ahead of them

[crazybranman360]

Derek Rose/Jordan Farmar
Michael Pietrus/Randy Foye/Gearld Henderson/Morris Peterson
Rudy Gay/Kelenna Azibuike/Peja Stojakovic
Boris Diaw/Darius Songalia
Joakim Noah/Zaza Pachulia

Player 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015
Derrick Rose $5,546,169 $6,993,708 $9,091,820
Peja Stojakovic $14,256,000
Morris Peterson $6,200,000
Joakim Noah $3,128,536 $4,239,167
Darius Songaila $4,818,000
Boris Diaw $9,000,000 $9,000,000
Rudy Gay $13,000,000 14,800,000 15,660,000 16,740,000 17,820,000
Randy Foye $4,795,096
Mickael Pietrus $5,300,000 $5,300,000
Gerald Henderson $2,103,840 $2,250,600 $3,101,327 $4,267,426
Jordan Farmar $2,847,126
Zaza Pachulia $4,251,250 $4,750,000 $5,248,750

Total team salary= 74.9 million

Blue- Team Option
Red- Qualifying Offer
Grey- Unguarenteed
Green- Player Option
Purple- Early Termination

Draft Picks:
Credits: 2015 Memphis 2nd round pick + Memphis 2010 2nd round pick + Miami's 2011 1st
Debits: Miami recieves 2010 + 2012 2nd Round picks + 2010 1st

Trade + Transactions

Emeka Okafor/Ike Diogu/Bobby Brown/Sean Marks for Jordan Farmar/Derek Fisher/Memphis 2nd/DJ Mebga/Josh Powell

Derek Rose + Joakim Noah + Brad Miller for Chris Paul + Hilton Armstrong + James Posey

Boris Diaw + Zaza Pachulia + Gearld Henderson for Brad Miller + Marcus Thorton

Trevor Ariza and Deavon George for Darren Collison + Derek Fisher + 2010 1st

Trevor Ariza + Deavon George + Josh Powell for Michael Pietrus + Randy Foye

Rudy Gay + Etan Thomas + Miami's 2011 1st for David West

Matched Rudy Gays offer sheet
Signed Kelenna Azubuike

Direction: At first i wanted to cut salary but try to stay competitive. I thought my best move was trading Chris Paul (I know crazy). I got back Derek Rose + Joakim Noah + Boris Diaw (i got Brad Miller and traded him for Diaw). This allowed me to get more talented. Then I got Rudy Gay so now i'm pretty talented.
This team is clearly much better especially on the wings. Peterson + Peja < Pietrus + Gay.

[Mascot]

ok guys send in rankings, they will be due by the end of April 10th

gmateam@hotmail.com

[TMACFORMVP]

GM: TMACFORMVP
Email: t_mac_1123@hotmail.com

[size=150]STARTING LINEUP



[PG] - Devin Harris - $8,981,000 /// $9,319,000 /// $8,500,000
[SG] - Manu Ginobili - $8,944,765 /// $9,660,616 /// $10,376,197
[SF] - Wilson Chandler - $2,130,482 /// $3,099,851
[PF] - Carl Landry - $3,000,000
[Cc] - Dwight Howard - $16,647,180 /// $18,091,770

BENCH



[PG] - Eric Maynor -
[SG] - Anthony Parker - $2,855,769
[SF] - Chase Budinger - $780,871 /// $884,293 /// $942,293
[PF] - Ryan Anderson - $1,409,040 ///$2,244,601
[Cc] - Channing Frye - $1,400,000 /// $1,512,000 /// $1,624,000

EXTRA

Reggie Williams - $500,000
Nick Young/size]

[size=150]DRAFT PICKS

- 2011 First Round Pick (Bulls)
- 2011 Second Round Pick (Bulls)
- 2012 First Round Pick (Bulls)
- 2012 Second Round Pick (Bulls)[/size]

TRANSACTIONS

Code: Select all

1. Traded John Salmons and Taj Gibson in exchange for Carl Landry, Chase Budinger, and Brian Cook.
2. Traded Jerome James, and Brian Cook, 2010 Conditional Pick in exchange for Eddy Curry, and Wilson Chandler.
3. Traded Brad Miller, Derrick Rose, and Joakim Noah in exchange for Chris Paul, James Posey, Hilton Armstrong, and Julian Wright.
4. Traded Eddy Curry, Tyrus Thomas, and James Johnson in exchange for Jason Richardson, and Louis Amundson
5. Traded Luol Deng, and a wafer thin mint in exchange for Emeka Okafor.
6. Traded Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, Louis Amundson, and Lindsey Hunter in exchange for Dwight Howard, Rodney Stuckey, Chuck Atkins, PJ Brown, and Ryan Anderson.
7. Traded Jason Richardson, Chucky Atkins, 2012 Chicago 2nd and James Posey in exchange for Brian Scalebrine, Acie Law, Anthony Parker, and Brad Miller
8. Traded Julian Wright for a 1.55M TPE, and Patty Mills.
9. Traded Kirk Hinrich for Earl Watson, and Leandro Barbosa.
10. Traded Brad Miller, Jannero Pargo, and Aaron Gray in exchange for Zydrunas Ilguaskas, Josh Powell, Salim Stoudamire, and the draft rights to Victor Claver.
11. Traded rights to Claver and Leandro Barbosa in exchange for Mike Bibby and Randolph Morris.
12. Traded Tyrus Thomas (cap) and Rodney Stuckey for Devin Harris.
13. Traded Bibby for Eric Maynor, and Nick Young.


I'll be honest, I was disappointed there was no panel to decide on FA. I had always thought there would be one comprised of those that he mentioned making the decisions in FA. I won't divulge into that matter, specifically about the teams since that should come forth in rankings, but had I known Mascot would be the one primarily making the decisions, I wouldn't have continued the FA path. It's not really a spur of the moment thing, but a stance I had much earlier in the competition as well. Was also disappointed I couldn't get a reason towards why my team wasn't an option for potential FA's. Note, not why they didn't sign, but why the Bulls as a team weren't an option, quoted as "there were only two other offers considered, neither of which yours."

It is what is though, and I applaud the job that's been done. I tried to build a team that would be able to bring in a max FA, but be talented enough that I wouldn't crumble and fall like teams in the past that have decided to do in that route. With that capspace, I managed to turn it into an upgrade using Stuckey and space into Devin Harris, and signing Manu Ginobili, who seems like he's reclaimed his spot as one of the top 5 SG's in the league.

Post all-star break: 22.5 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 5.6 APG on .487 / .420 / .890

The same can be said about Devin Harris's play after the all-star break, returning to that level he was at in which he was an all-star last season, roughly 18 points, and 8 assists on 42% from the floor. With a strong backcourt, we also boast a bench comprised of both youth and veteran experience. Maynor has shown flashes when given minutes, the same situation with Nick Young. Anthony Parker provides a stabalizing veteran presence. We also feel Reggie Williams will be an adequate role player in the NBA for a long time with his recent play for the Warriors.

The rest of the roster consists of other breakout players such as both Carl Landry, and Wilson Chandler. Both having terrific seasons, Landry being mentioned as a possible all-star earlier in the season with the Rockets. He's one of the best young PF's in the league, a dangerous finisher, and above average mid-range jump-shooter. Chandler has improved his off the dribble game, and after starting out the season poorly, discounting the first month of the season, he's been shooting over 50% from the field, very impressive for a perimeter player. Budinger has been on a tear late, proving to be one of the better rookies in the NBA.

Finally, the team is built around one of the top 5 players in the NBA. Dwight Howard. He's far and away the best big man in the NBA, and assures any team one of the top ranked defenses in the league. He's the best rebounder, shot-blocker, and consistently among the FG% leaders in the NBA as well. He gets teams into the bonus, and for a "lack of an offensive game," he still drops 19 PPG on over 60% from the floor.

Last year, he led his team to the NBA Finals. The keys to their success was outside shooting to compliment the inside play of Howard, and overall dominant defense. This teams sum of parts is in fact better defensively than the current Orlando Magic, but most importantly provides similarly impressive shooting. Frye/Anderson being among the best big man shooters in the league, Budinger, Ginobili, and Parker all also being deadly from behind the arc. Landry is a very good mid-range shooter as well. Their weaknesses was a another legitimate option to create from the backcourt (as Alston was starting), some toughness on the inside, and potentially a more proven closer. On the Bulls, he'll have the luxury of two perimeter players being able to take the big shots down the stretch, toughness on the inside with Landry, and still benefit from the original blueprint of the Magic's success with shooting, shooting, and more shooting.

We feel the Bulls can contend in the Eastern Conference, and do it for a very long time, as our core players, aside from Ginobili (in which we still have our 2011 pick, youth in guys like Maynor, Young, and Budinger to take over in years time) are all still very young.

Just wanted to get one in, if it doesn't count, that's fine.

[Mascot]

its fine and will count I want everyone to have a chance at this. However, i do not expect people who have already sent in rankings to redo them unless they want to.

21 of 30 not to bad think its better than most games.

[roc]

What will be the penalty for no write up?

I think not allowing said teams to vote/rank would suffice.

and

Will each team that sends in a ranking be given a 1st place vote like every other game?

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

What will be the penalty for no write up?

I think not allowing said teams to vote/rank would suffice.

and

Will each team that sends in a ranking be given a 1st place vote like every other game?

That makes no sense because then they don't have to give points to all the other teams, as whenever you rank you're actually hurting your own ranking.

[roc]

yeah forgot for a second that we are doing the point system different this time

so a penalty for not sending in rankings if you are one of the teams that did a write up/are eligible to vote/rank

[Snakebites]

Who's bright idea was it to have a category that completely ignores salaries?

[lukekarts]

Who's bright idea was it to have a category that completely ignores salaries?

What's the problem?

[Snakebites]

Who's bright idea was it to have a category that completely ignores salaries?

What's the problem?

Thats a critical aspect that shouldn't be ignored in ANY category. Salaries are a restriction everyone should have to deal with, and you really compromise the game by allowing a category that negates them.

I won't be voting in this game with that category. I don't find it to be worth the effort.

[lukekarts]

Who's bright idea was it to have a category that completely ignores salaries?

What's the problem?

Thats a critical aspect that shouldn't be ignored in ANY category. Its one thing to have a category that ignores the future to win now. Win now is a legitimate tactic with legitimate consequences in the confines of this game.

Its another thing to reward people for gluttonously adding salary. I guess I would have thought the issue with that would be fairly obvious.

I won't be submitting votes for this game. Penalize me however you like.

It doesn't reward people who have big salaries. Salary =/= great team.

[Snakebites]

^The criteria specifically says to ignore salaries.

So yes, its rewarding people for spending more imaginary money to improve their teams.

More salary =/= better teams, but it sure makes it a lot easier to improve your team if you are operating with no salary restrictions. And thats a restriction everyone should have to work with and not have a way out of.

[lukekarts]

Yes but they get punished in the other 2 rankings for having stupid salaries....

[SabasRevenge!]

Should we get our votes in even with several write ups missing?

[Snakebites]

Yes but they get punished in the other 2 rankings for having stupid salaries....

So?

Winning one category is a win. There shouldn't be a way to win with stupid salaries.

[roc]

Should we get our votes in even with several write ups missing?

The status quo for this recurring theme is to only rank the teams that bothered to do a proper write up.

[Mascot]

Should we get our votes in even with several write ups missing?

The status quo for this recurring theme is to only rank the teams that bothered to do a proper write up.

you can rank all of them or you can only rank the ones who did writeups, its up to you.

most people including myself only go with the ones who took the time to do writeups.

[Mascot]

Yes but they get punished in the other 2 rankings for having stupid salaries....

So?

Winning one category is a win. There shouldn't be a way to win with stupid salaries.

the most important category in the whole thing is #3, the other two imho are not as important. Every time there has been 3 sets of rankings based on win now, best rebuild and best job. If the team is good and will win now more than any other team they should lose placement because of bad salaries? | dont think they should if they have the better talent level.


Like I said the most important is #3, that's what I used to determine who got the first 5 picks for teams from the last game. Here is where those #1 teams with 100 million salaries will be ranked last because the job they did managing the salaries was horrible.