bishnykfan wrote:My thoughts on hoffa and his profiles and other things people find annoying about him...
I don't recall a time that I have ever stepped in and stopped anyone from discussing basketball in this game. Other than the personal attacks, which I really didn't like at all earlier this year, I don't think I've ever stepped in and limited anyone from discussing anything here, if it is related to basketball. As someone who has invested a ton of time into this, my belief is that the more discussion and activity here about all things NBA is good for the game while limiting speech in any manner (outside of the personal attacks and non-basketball things) would not be a good thing. Honestly, it's why I'm here...for the discussion on both players and teams, roster building and hearing different perspectives and strategies.
Now, saying that, I do completely understand where some are coming from when they get upset with hoffa for advertising things that may perceivably hurt them in the game. I'm sure it would upset me if I was a rival GM. I've had to deal with more than one upset GM via PM over the years due to some of the stuff hoffa has posted. I would say this though, hoffa isn't trying to hide anything. He openly states what his intentions are. He comes out and says that his strategy is to get the other 29 GM's to spend more money. The way I've always looked at it is that hoffa brings something to the game that encourages passion and both positive and negative thoughts from his opposing GM's. 1. Honestly, I was kind of impressed with the work that he put into his offseason FA profiles. 2. Same way I felt about BK with his spreadsheets and a few others who go out of their way to add to the game.
3. Of course none of this would be allowed from an active GM in the NBA. He is doing the role of a journalist which can obviously be considered a clear conflict of interest. 4. To me it was always harmless. I figured by this point everyone knew how they felt about him and would take everything he says with a grain of salt.
I don't think the league would flourish or be better by having me step in and actually begin enforcing "tampering" rules. I don't think I should be the police on what should and what shouldn't be allowed to be said in the discussion thread. I think the idea of the game is to see how 30 different people try to build a winning franchise, something we haven't seen much of in NY the past 20 years.
However, if enough people feel differently then I do, I will definitely consider and post any well thought out rule change proposal and let the league decide. I just caution that IMO, limiting basketball speech on here in any regard, could cause a drop in interest.
1. This is nonsense. Just because he is putting in bush league work publicly that benefits himself, by attempting to influence others, should not overshadow the ethical time and work others put in behind the scenes that don't cause collateral damage. I have zero problems being outbid for a free agent. But I do have a problem with being outbid due to collaborative efforts spurred by one GM working in concert with others.
2. BK's spreadsheets never provided an outline for GMs to target specific players from specific teams. C'mon man. Stop it. BK's spreadsheets were for himself. He shared them with specific posters privately who asked for them specifically.
3. That's all I am concerned about. If it wouldn't be allowed in the NBA, it shouldn't be allowed here. We are trying to align this league as closely to real life as possible. GMs don't assistant GM for others. It's really that simple. Clear conflict of interest.
4. Again, you can't have someone openly admitting they aren't operating in good faith, yet pat them on the head and promote them as harmless. If you are trying to get GMs to overspend that is market manipulation. If one does it covertly, it can have blind eye turned to it. But when one operates as such overtly, how can it be celebrated as some noble act just because it is openly admitted?
In summation, no one is trying to suppress freedom of speech in the discussion thread. No one is trying to dampen league interest or make GMs less active. As I told mpharris, GMs can be active and entertaining without resorting to unethical disruption.
Posting player profiles is one thing. Posting direct strategies outlining who to target, how much teams should spend, bold font detailing how teams cap situations are standing, how much they can offer, which of their free agents to target, and why...is straight up bush league.
Every GM should take pride in doing their own homework down to those fine intricate details. This is not a waiting list GM who is taking it upon himself to take on journalistic duties until a team opens up and is operating as third-party. No, this is a direct league participant.
And I certainly see zero league ethical value in a GM placing a free agent bid, then immediately running to the discussion thread to say,
"Wow, the bid on Player XXX is currently at $XXX/xxx years." Or
"There's currently 1 hr left before Player XXX is signed. Put a bid in now if you don't want to see him signed for that cheap." I don't see how that's good for the league. Or else, just make the bid process public in the discussion forum. Why is it all via PM in the first place then?
I can't believe I actually have to speak on this stuff in the first place. It's obvious it's a foul way to operate.
