Editors note: In lieu of a traditional impressions piece on the offseason, I decided to record my own thoughts as I went through the process instead so give readers an idea of what its like to play the mode from first-hand experiences.

Western Conference finals. OKC vs. San Antonio. Being a video game, this surely meant my ticket to the NBA Finals as the Thunder was punched right?

Not so fast my friend.

After taking a 2-0 series lead, the Spurs came back to tie the series. In a gut-wrenching Game 5, my Thunder pulled it out at the end to take the 3-2 series lead. Surely, this meant an NBA Finals berth was coming. There’s no way I could mess it up? Wrong.

The Spurs came back in Game 6 and simply trounced me. Literally, it was like playing a basketball efficiency machine. The Spurs took me to the woodshed and tore my defense apart (like they did in 2013-14’s Western Conference Finals) and won by 15.

Game 7 arrived, and despite my best efforts the Bionic Basketball Machine from San Antonio simply went on a run in the second half that never ended.

I had just lost in seven to the Spurs. It was a bitter pill to say the least, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

Entering the offseason, I knew we had some key holes to fill — but I also knew that I couldn’t go crazy on any multi-year deals with Durant’s contract coming up the next offseason and Westbrook/Ibaka the next.

My core had matured and gotten insanely good, just not good enough. I traded Reggie Jackson at the trade deadline for Nate Robinson and a 2017 1st Round Draft Pick to the Nuggets. So Robinson was leaving along with two other guys who never saw the court.

The offseason plan was to improve the team through a combination of the draft and free agency without breaking the bank. Life in the small market isn’t easy, all apologies to Sam Presti for my offseason rants this year.

In the lead-up to the draft, I saw a particular talent at point guard at the top of draft boards I couldn’t help but think could be a big deal — but I had the 29th pick and he was 2nd and 3rd on most draft boards. I scouted him anyways, because you never know. But mainly my focus was on finding a good defensive guard and a big man who could eat some minutes playing defense down low.

Draft day arrived and my point guard fell past the third pick. Then the fourth pick. Then the fifth. Then the sixth. This went on until the 15th pick. Then came the trade offer.

Serge Ibaka for the 15th pick this year and next year’s first round pick. Tempting, but that’d leave a hole in my frontcourt. Pass.

We moved onwards, with the point guard falling and falling. Then the 21st pick came and the Suns called. They wanted to trade two first round picks (my 29th, next year’s first round pick and 2017’s 2nd round pick) for their 21st pick. This wasn’t good either, but I sensed an opening.

I countered the offer by offering a Power Forward (Grant Jerrett) that I wouldn’t miss, plus my first round pick and second round pick this year — I didn’t need two picks anyways.

Phoenix accepted. I moved up, I picked my point guard. He’s got a good attitude and is durable. Maybe the game is broken, maybe it was rigged for me, I don’t know. I just know I now replaced Reggie Jackson with a guy who is starting off at 80 overall heading into next year.

Talk about feeling like Sam Presti for a bit.

I moved through the draft with no remaining picks. As I chilled out, along came the 21st pick in the second round and you know who came calling. The Suns were interested in dealing once again. This pick for the 2017 second round pick. This made too much sense, I had already picked up an extra draft pick in the first round in 2017 and I wouldn’t need three that year.

I had spent time scouting a center out of Kentucky who was a bit of a project, but at 7’2” I figured he could be the possible eventual replacement to Kendrick Perkins after his contract expired this upcoming season with Steven Adams already cemented as my starting center.

Free agency arrived and I signed Willie Green, the highest defensively rated Shooting Guard available on a one-year deal. It didn’t hurt his biggest priority was playing for a winner after all.

So in one offseason of roster moves I had managed to ensure my long-term depth at center, replace Reggie Jackson, and load up my 2017 class with two first round picks in case I couldn’t sign both Westbrook and Ibaka.

Not a bad offseason, now onto year two and my vengeful pursuit of an NBA Championship.