Post by Orlando Magic on Mar 11, 2008 18:47:42 GMT -5
Seattle, Washington – March 11th
As I approach my next GM interview I suddenly am struck by the fact that not only am I interviewing the all-powerful admin of NBA Legends, Seattle. But the interview I am walking into is going to take place in the sky deck of the Space Needle?! Who is this man and what am I walking into? Who would have thought that my work for the Orlando organization would have gotten me so much recognition that I now find myself being escorted by a beautiful woman to see the commish himself.
I near Seattle as he sits in a cloud of expensive cigar smoke, sipping what can only be the finest scotch from a crystal snifter. It hits me that this man is the Tony Montana of the NBA and if I don’t watch it, I will be saying hello to his little friend. But I have survived many a’ flying objects from “The Mad Scientist” back on the East Coast. How bad could things get here? I take my seat with a newly filled glass of scotch and we begin.
- Thanks for granting me some of your time; I know as a GM and an admin you’re a busy man
Calm tone of voice, smiling face, maybe I had this guy wrong?
- Let’s get right into it, your team has been the surprise story of the league this year and your coach is almost a lock for coach of the year. Tell me why you think your team has improved so drastically from last season
- As you look towards your own division, who are you most frightened of? Utah has been lingering around mediocrity while Minnesota has really come into their own with the acquisition of Butler. So who are you most scared of in regards to divisional supremacy?
- Shifting the focus a bit to the bigger picture, despite your incredible turnaround, all good managers always have areas of improvement. If you could change one thing about your squad, what would you change to take you to the top spot in the western conference?
- So give me specifics, if you could target some players throughout the league to trade for, who would you love to add to the starting lineup to get that scoring punch alongside Redd
- Great stuff, now let's take a step back here and talk more about your duties as the sole admin of the league. I will take this time to first of all complement your incredible work so far at creating the most successful league that this reporter has ever been a part of. And if I had to say why that is the case, I would say it is the constant innovations and new angles on the league that you have created; from the player rating boost to the staff-directed player rating changes. If I may ask, what kind of changes do you have for the future?
- Thoroughly disappointing answer here SEA, but understandable at the same time. As punishment I am going to take a stab in the dark here at a slightly more controversial question. You have made it well known that you will not tolerate inactivity/poor GM performance in your league. So who is getting the axe next? Give me some hot seaters and also some GM's that you haven't been too pleased with.
Just as these words left my mouth I suddenly felt the entire mood swing, and not in my favor. I felt as if maybe I should have asked something slightly different to end the interview…but how bad could things get with this one anyways? We started off so well.
- Certainly is a cop out answer if I have ever heard one. But we can move on.
I suddenly find myself in the shadow of what appears to be a 7 foot giant who emerged from some sort of shadowy corner. I guess these are the perks of having an entire basketball organization at your fingertips. After the most nerve-wracking elevator ride back down the Needle, I feel somewhat accomplished that I lasted that long with the most powerful man of NBA Legends. And now I impart my knowledge to you my faithful reader. If I may leave on one note, this league is in very capable hands. Hands that I won’t be shaking again for quite some time.
Reporting from Seattle, The Midway Monster – ESPN News
As I approach my next GM interview I suddenly am struck by the fact that not only am I interviewing the all-powerful admin of NBA Legends, Seattle. But the interview I am walking into is going to take place in the sky deck of the Space Needle?! Who is this man and what am I walking into? Who would have thought that my work for the Orlando organization would have gotten me so much recognition that I now find myself being escorted by a beautiful woman to see the commish himself.
I near Seattle as he sits in a cloud of expensive cigar smoke, sipping what can only be the finest scotch from a crystal snifter. It hits me that this man is the Tony Montana of the NBA and if I don’t watch it, I will be saying hello to his little friend. But I have survived many a’ flying objects from “The Mad Scientist” back on the East Coast. How bad could things get here? I take my seat with a newly filled glass of scotch and we begin.
- Thanks for granting me some of your time; I know as a GM and an admin you’re a busy man
Yeah no problem! Always looking to talk with all the members on the forum, including all staff reporters.
Calm tone of voice, smiling face, maybe I had this guy wrong?
- Let’s get right into it, your team has been the surprise story of the league this year and your coach is almost a lock for coach of the year. Tell me why you think your team has improved so drastically from last season
Well, it all started with the drafting of Greg Oden. That pick had sort of a domino effect on my moves. Landing Michael Redd from the Knicks for essentially 3 1st rounders and Raja Bell was huge as well. My team is very balanced on both the offensive end and the defensive end. Just a great turnaround from last season’s horrible outcome.
- As you look towards your own division, who are you most frightened of? Utah has been lingering around mediocrity while Minnesota has really come into their own with the acquisition of Butler. So who are you most scared of in regards to divisional supremacy?
Utah still strikes a little fear in me. He has had some horrible injuries thus far. RJ missed 8 weeks earlier and Deron is currently out 4 weeks. Utah will make a push, but the Sonics organization as a whole have to withstand the pressure. Minny is also a team that can make a run. I won’t be too concerned with them until they get an actual GM as their previous one had to quit due to personal reasons. Our division as a whole is on the rise and I couldn’t be more proud.
- Shifting the focus a bit to the bigger picture, despite your incredible turnaround, all good managers always have areas of improvement. If you could change one thing about your squad, what would you change to take you to the top spot in the western conference?
Well, you know how I stated earlier that we were a well balanced team on both ends? Well, the offense could definitely use some work. Other than Redd, the other 4 starters are known for their defense more than their offense. So if I had one weakness, it is not having enough of a scoring punch. At least not one that can keep up with the likes of the Suns and Hornets
- So give me specifics, if you could target some players throughout the league to trade for, who would you love to add to the starting lineup to get that scoring punch alongside Redd
Well, I’ve had an eye on a few solid scoring SF's that I would like to acquire in a deal for AK-47. Guys like Rashard Lewis, Caron Butler, and even Corey Maggette have all been discussed in the "war room."
- Great stuff, now let's take a step back here and talk more about your duties as the sole admin of the league. I will take this time to first of all complement your incredible work so far at creating the most successful league that this reporter has ever been a part of. And if I had to say why that is the case, I would say it is the constant innovations and new angles on the league that you have created; from the player rating boost to the staff-directed player rating changes. If I may ask, what kind of changes do you have for the future?
Well, being in the sim league business is a very difficult thing to do. It’s so competitive nowadays. It seems like new leagues are popping up left and right. As an admin, you have to continue to keep coming up with new and bright ideas to keep your leagues activity at a very high level. Right now I don’t have anything new to share with you, but once I do get something you will be the first to know.
- Thoroughly disappointing answer here SEA, but understandable at the same time. As punishment I am going to take a stab in the dark here at a slightly more controversial question. You have made it well known that you will not tolerate inactivity/poor GM performance in your league. So who is getting the axe next? Give me some hot seaters and also some GM's that you haven't been too pleased with.
Just as these words left my mouth I suddenly felt the entire mood swing, and not in my favor. I felt as if maybe I should have asked something slightly different to end the interview…but how bad could things get with this one anyways? We started off so well.
First off, I would probably say that you have definitely crossed that line here. I am very pleased with the league as is and even if I did have some sort of beef with another GM, I would not let some weasel reporter like yourself drag it out of me. I am a business man and do things in a professional manner. How dare you accuse me of plotting against other GMs.
- Certainly is a cop out answer if I have ever heard one. But we can move on.
I think we are done here. Good day. Big will see you out.
I suddenly find myself in the shadow of what appears to be a 7 foot giant who emerged from some sort of shadowy corner. I guess these are the perks of having an entire basketball organization at your fingertips. After the most nerve-wracking elevator ride back down the Needle, I feel somewhat accomplished that I lasted that long with the most powerful man of NBA Legends. And now I impart my knowledge to you my faithful reader. If I may leave on one note, this league is in very capable hands. Hands that I won’t be shaking again for quite some time.
Reporting from Seattle, The Midway Monster – ESPN News