Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

That HOF class! KG, Kobe, Timmy, Ray, Steve Nash, Manu... The NBA lost so many greats at once

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Definitely. That class is for sure stuffed to the limits. Most of those guys went into coaching, however, and so you'll see quite a few of them being hired later in the offseason.

Simply a super season.

I give all credits to you, bro. Incredible job.

Winning a championship with J.Jack as starting PG...WOW!

^Jack earned himself a major payday with his play ... I do have a team option with him (for 6.5M) and I'm not sure whether to pick it up or not. Jack's defense is atrocious and I can't play him off the bench with Crawford (another atrocious defender); but I definitely need to upgrade my guards and my bench in the offseason.

Lots of tough choices as a good portion of my team is going to FA in the offseason -- they were designed to do that, lol, not win titles.

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Congrats to you and the team a fabulous win! Now the fun begins. I wonder just how different the team will look. Chemistry is gonna be a game changer especially defending that title.

I look forward to seeing how the rest of this plays out. Such a brilliant dynasty you have going on.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Congrats to you and the team a fabulous win! Now the fun begins. I wonder just how different the team will look. Chemistry is gonna be a game changer especially defending that title.

I look forward to seeing how the rest of this plays out. Such a brilliant dynasty you have going on.

Chemistry GOT me the title; I was at 95-96% the whole playoffs and the team performed amazingly because of it. I can afford to lose a few guys, but I've already lost Allen to retirement, so that's one.

We are not going to be the same squad next season; that's assured.

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Chemistry GOT me the title; I was at 95-96% the whole playoffs and the team performed amazingly because of it. I can afford to lose a few guys, but I've already lost Allen to retirement, so that's one.

We are not going to be the same squad next season; that's assured.

Makes a lot more difference than some people realise huh. Any targets in mind? What's your game plan? The draft is highly unlikely to help. Or are you gonna save that for the story?

[ewing6]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Congrats on the title, love this dynasty, following intently.

[Jumpman14]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Congrats on the title Trek. Loking forward to see if you can repeat.

[Cruzerr]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Congrats! I guess now we shall see if you can repeat it.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Makes a lot more difference than some people realise huh. Any targets in mind? What's your game plan? The draft is highly unlikely to help. Or are you gonna save that for the story?

^We will see that in the story. But there are plenty of very interesting options for me to ponder.

Congrats on the title, love this dynasty, following intently.

Congrats on the title Trek. Loking forward to see if you can repeat.

Congrats! I guess now we shall see if you can repeat it.

Thanks fellas! Yes, the title-repeat is going to be a major arc in the next season (among other things), so stay tuned. History is definitely NOT on my side for multiple reasons, but we'll outline that soon enough.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



June 10th, 2016


The Larry O'Brien trophy sat on a table set up in the middle of his office and Max could see all the fingerprints on it, both figuratively and literally. The trophy had been passed around for days between the team and it would be passed around more in the coming days, but for this weekend it was Max's. He needed it. He needed to see it, to touch it, to smell it, to know it was real.

Because reality and fantasy had blurred for him. They won. They won the Finals and it wasn't supposed to happen, it wasn't going to happen -- not this season. He had projected a minimal of three seasons before they were ready to go. Jefferson and Noel both had to grow as players, the team had to get more youth and impact veterans, the whole organization needed time to get past the horrible mismanagement of Prokhorov and Billy King.

Instead, they found themselves a team in the truest sense of the word. He couldn't believe how far they came, how hard they had to fight and how amazing they played on the court. They played just enough defense to survive, had inflicted a brutal loss on their arch-rivals, and had reminded the whole NBA how great Seattle basketball was.

He took a deep breath, his chest filling with pride at the accomplishments of the people below him. Lionel had been amazing and was a lifer with the organization -- Max would never let him go unless Lionel asked. The two men now had an entire offseason to plan for.

Danny Ferry, his assistant GM, had left. After the work he had done with Seattle, Danny was approached for the GM spot with the Clippers. Los Angeles and Doc Rivers had "mutually agreed to part" after Doc and new owner Steve Ballmer had butted heads repeatedly on the direction the team should take. Danny and Ballmer got along well and so Danny was hired.

Max was now on his own and that, out of anything, was the scariest part of it all. He could go out and hire another assistant GM, but he didn't need that. He needed someone he could trust would stay more than a year, someone who knew the league and its players. He needed a sharp mind, a quick learner, and someone whom was as obsessive about basketball as he was.

And he had his man. The question was if he could convince him.

There was a knock at his door and Max stood from his desk, straightening out his SuperSonics champions shirt -- a shirt he had dozens of and would wear every day from now until the start of next season -- and called out, "Come in!"

The door opened and the tall, lean form of Ray Allen stepped into a room. Dressed in a dark grey suit with a Seattle-green tie, Ray gave him a nod. "Mr. Newman."

Max internally winced. The players had yet to call him "Max" despite his repeated attempts at asking them to. Rather than correct Ray, Max merely pointed at the chair across from his desk. "Have a seat, Ray."

Ray did sit down, but he still seemed to tower over Max. It was less than ten days ago that he was a basketball player, one of the best the game had ever seen, and now he was sitting in Max's office like a job applicant.

"I'll cut straight to the chase: I want you as my head scout. All the responsibilities and benefits, no limits." Max leaned back in his chair and gripped the armrests tightly. "I want you to stay part of this team."

Ray's usually reserved face took on a look of genuine surprise, but the man quickly regained his composure. "Mr. Newman, I'm a player. I've always been a player. I've never wanted to be anything else."

Max took a short breath. "But you can't be a player anymore, Ray. Unless, you want to put off your retirement?"

A small smile. "No." He looked back at the trophy, his eyes taking in the glorious sight. "Tempting, but no," he said after a long moment. He turned his attention back to Max. "Basketball is my obsession, it's my life. I want to stay in it ... but I need time to decide."

"I can respect that." Max leaned forward. "And I guarantee you, you'll get time. I'm not here to force you to be something you're not, Ray. But I see the way you look at the players, I see the way you talk about them. You know these guys, have played with and against every kind of player there will be: that's valuable to me."

Ray gave a nod. "I know my teammates. I know my opponents. I study them relentlessly."

"And that's what I want in my head scout. You can give the team the intel we need to be prepared for every opponent there is; you can help the SuperSonics draft the next star or find the diamond in the rough in the D-League or free agency." Max got up and walked over to the trophy, resting his hands lightly atop it. "You can help us win more of these."

Ray's nosed flared out, like he was about to take a clutch free-throw. "I'll give it serious consideration." He stood and offered his hand.

Max accepted it. "I need a decision in a month."

Ray nodded. "You'll have it." He departed the office and Max was, once more, alone with the Larry O'Brien trophy.

He took a breath and looked towards his wall of pictures, his eyes falling on the autographed photo of Gary Payton. "We have work to do, Glove."

[Cruzerr]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Yes, big Ray still staying, really like the storyline.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



June 11th, 2016


"Um, Max? Max? It's your turn!" Teddy took a piece of Monopoly money and tossed it at Max.

Max, barely cognizant this morning, blinked and rubbed his head. "More coffee," he mumbled to himself as he took a deep swig of his mug, the warm liquid giving him life and a little clearer head. "My turn?"

"Duh!" Teddy threw the dice at him. "Roll doubles again so you go to jail!"

Max laughed at that. He was a damned good Monopoly player and he knew how to avoid that particular type of roll. "Watch and learn." With a flick of his wrist Max unleashed a quick roll onto the board, the dice coming up seven, a four and a three.

Teddy groaned as Max landed on Free Parking and took the substantial jackpot into his possession. "Got to love the jackpot."

"I'm going to bankrupt you," Teddy declared in faux-anger.

"Theodore!"

Both Teddy and Max looked up, hearing Teddy's mother's voice calling for him. Max shot him a look. "What did you do?"

Teddy offered a small shrug before his face went slack and he took off from the table, rushing upstairs. Max watched with amusement as Gill nearly fell down the stairs from the rush of his son.

"Watch it!" Max's older brother rolled his eyes as he finished coming downstairs and took a seat at the table to Max's left. "He forgot to clean his room and make his bed. He's gonna get an earful." Gill cracked open his newspaper, shaking his head. "Remember when Mom would do that to us?"

Max nodded, unburying his laptop from all the Monopoly money he had collected. "As I recall, you would mess up my room to get me in trouble."

"Only because you put soap on my toothbrush."

Max grinned. "Mom said you had a dirty mouth."

Gill eyed him for a moment before smirking. "And I did, especially after your little stunt." He nodded at Max's laptop. "Still working?"

"I consider it fun." Max logged on and his screen immediately filled up with draft night projections and charts.

Gill made a face as he looked at it. "What the hell are you doing? Plotting for world domination?"

"NBA world domination," Max said with a chuckle. He took another sip of his coffee and leaned back in his chair.

"Do you even have a draft pick?"

Max smirked. Yes, Seattle had a draft pick. The Wizards had only protected the pick they sent them for Brook Lopez 1-8: the pick fell to 10, allowing Seattle to keep it.

The other teams in the draft weren't so lucky. The Jazz scored the 1st pick, followed by the 76ers, and then the Lakers pick -- previously of the 76ers but traded to the Magic with Joe Johnson -- hit at number 3. Orlando got screwed out of it and the Lakers lucked out: they'd have to deliver a pick in 2017 (assuming it didn't fall in the top-3).

The Kings regained their pick thanks to it falling to 4, meaning the Bulls would have to get Sacramento's pick next year (assuming it didn't make it into the top-10). The Nuggets and Bucks followed next at 5 and 6, then the Mavericks pick hit at 7th -- meaning the Kings would get their pick in 2017 if that pick fell out of the top-7.

At 8 the Kings got Boston's pick, the Pistons grabbed the 9th spot, and then Seattle got the 10th: Max was thrilled with that as a top-10 pick in this draft was sure to produce a solid player.

The Magic got the 11th pick, Hornets 12th, T'Wolves 13th, Blazers 14th (just barely missing conveying the pick to Denver -- if it falls beyond the 14th pick next year, it will be Denver's for sure), the Raptors got the 15th (thanks to that horrible Bargnai trade the Knicks pulled), the Jazz grabbed the 16th pick (courtesy of the Favors trade), the Grizzlies retained their pick at the 17th position (they will likely convey it to the Kings next season), and the Raptors show up again at the 18th spot.

19-24 was the Pelicans, Hawks, Suns, Bulls, 76ers (via Miami), and the Spurs.

25-30 was the Warriors, Clippers, 76ers (via Thunder), Hawks (via Rockets), Suns (via Cavs), and Celtics (via the former Nets).

"We have a pick," Max finally answered after he finished his coffee. "We'll be in good position to nab a player for the future to build around. It's going to be pretty cool." He gave Gill a look. "I think Teddy would enjoy the experience."

Gill cracked a smile. "If you want to take him out of town for the weekend to the NBA draft, don't let me stop you." He looked up. "Will give me and Laura some much-needed time to ourselves."

Max choked back a laugh.

Gill rolled his eyes and started reading his paper again.

[gijimbo12]

Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I really liked following this before, but, I thought you were mostly simulating games? I love realism in dynasties, so I am sort of shocked where this one went. I like your posting style, I'm just in shock over the result in this one.


No doubt you will repeat. The ending is given away by the miracle you pulled this season. An expansion team beating the Cavs in the finals? Even making it?


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[gijimbo12]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Did you really say history isn't on your side for the repeat?

You blew history open by winning a title as an expansion team. Not to mention with this roster...


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[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I really liked following this before, but, I thought you were mostly simulating games? I love realism in dynasties, so I am sort of shocked where this one went. I like your posting style, I'm just in shock over the result in this one.


No doubt you will repeat. The ending is given away by the miracle you pulled this season. An expansion team beating the Cavs in the finals? Even making it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

^I played roughly 30 of the regular season games, and all the playoff games. I didn't think I'd make it either -- I just wanted to make the playoffs, not win the whole thing, but we outplayed every team we faced on the floor. Our talent alone should have knocked us out in the OKC series, it wasn't nearly the same level as them.

This was a completely unexpected result, especially with my regular season record (I believe I finished above .500 in those played games but not by much).

Did you really say history isn't on your side for the repeat?

You blew history open by winning a title as an expansion team. Not to mention with this roster...


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^I'm thinking more along the lines of "starless team repeats" and the last starless team to win an NBA title was the 2004 Pistons. They beat those star-studded Lakers, 4-1. They then faced the Spurs next year but they lost that one -- the 2005 Pistons took the Spurs to seven games, but they had a brutal fight through the Eastern Conference playoffs (they took the 76ers in 5, took the Pacers in 6, and then the Heat in 7 in the ECF).

That's a best case scenario for us -- we WAY overshot my expectations and the West is gonna be much tougher next season (those young studs in Minnesota and in LakerLand are gonna make noise). We also managed to avoid any crucial injuries after Noel's shoulder after the first two months of the season, which is unlikely to happen again.

I see us, truthfully, as a one-and-done champion unless we nail free agency/trades/draft to keep us in the rarefied air we breathe. The question is if we're going to mortgage our future for a championship, win-now mindset like teams in that vein do.

And that's a question we'll have answered as the offseason continues on.

Thanks for the comments and follow, stay tuned.

[Trent Booty]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Just got caught up. Great stuff so far. Congrats on the win. Ray Allen as the scout would be nice. Can't wait for more offseason news from around the league.

I need to catch up to you lol