2014-15 GM Survey: RESULTS

[jwoo]

We ended up with 19 submissions, which is a solid number! Wanted to make sure we had like two-thirds in before pubbing results, so thanks everyone for taking the time to do it. Here are the results with some analysis (and jokes!) that are sure to earn me lots of RP.



Also lol there were 21 Questions.

1. Which team will win the 2015 SLN title? Feel free to elaborate why.

1. Nuggets (5 votes)
2. Mavs, Bucks, 76ers (tie, three votes)
3. Spurs (2 votes)

Also receiving votes: Pistons, Rockets, Jazz (99% sure it was Ralph voting for himself)

The Nugs look like people's favorites to win the thing, currently sitting at 17-6 with a home heavy schedule. The star power on the roster is clearly contender-level, with the only real hole on the roster being the patchwork wing defender minutes that Tony Allen vacated. This voting has kinda taken place over the course of a week, so this vote is a little noisy since everyone was working with different information.

There are a pretty wide range of contenders this season, though, which was generally reflected here. The Bucks and Sixers look like the voting favorites in the East. I wonder what odds you could get right now on a Midwest division champion versus the field for the title?

2. Disregarding contracts, age, etc, who is the current best player in SLN not named LeBron?

1. Kyrie Irving (9 votes)
2. Kevin Durant (6 votes)

Also receiving votes: Eddy Curry (2 votes), Dwyane Wade, LeBron (read the question bro smh)

Kyrie took this one home, which I think is a pretty strong argument since this isn't factoring in the effects of the stip — but KD is right behind him. I tossed Eddy Curry and Wade on the ballot, and someone wrote in LeBron (smh).

3. Disregarding contracts, age, etc, who is the most underrated player in SLN?

1. Gerald Wallace, Jimmy Butler, Jeremy Lin (tie, 2 votes each)

Also receiving votes: Andrei Kirilenko, Amar'e, Blake Griffin, Danny Granger, Deron Williams, Hassan Whiteside, Josh Howard, KD, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marvin Williams, Paul Pierce, Spencer Hawes

I love asking this question because we get such an interesting range of names, but also, it's so wide that we don't really learn that much lol. But three players got multiple votes — Gerald Wallace (who is kind of wasting away in Washington rn), Jimmy Butler (who is about to get a max contract, so I feel like he is properly rated?) and Jeremy Lin (I voted for him, lol). Some of the names on the list are... more underrated than others. But it's an interesting list. Curious to hear arguments here next time.

4. Disregarding contracts, age, etc, who is the most overrated player in SLN?

1. Chris Paul (4 votes)
2. Steph Curry, Kwame Brown (2 votes each)

Also receiving votes: Chris Bosh, Darko, Greg Oden, James Harden, Kobe, Aldridge, Manu, Pau Gasol, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Shaun Livingston

Much like real life, Chris Paul is our overrated king. Weston should pin it on SLN Scott Foster. CP is having a perfectly good season right now other than the 3.6 turnovers so iI don't know if I'd totally agree, but the Bullets are kinda underachieving again, so I get it. He is on pace for the best shooting season of his career, though.

Some other interesting names on here. Steph is one I don't totally get? I don't really get the Kwame one either because I don't think anyone rates Kwame anymore lol. He might have been overrated like six seasons ago, he's currently super productive.

5. If we ran a new creation draft and you had the No. 1 pick, which current SLN player not named LeBron would you choose to start a franchise with?


1. Joel Embiid (7 votes)
2. Kevin Durant (6 votes)
3. Kyrie Irving (3 votes)

Also receiving votes: Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis

Embiid wins this one by a hair (although I think someone voted for Embiid and Jokic both or something, which wasn't the question (one pick only!) — I think I'd like to see him sim before I cast my vote for him, but right now he would seem to have all the upside in the world. I do think bigs kinda have meandering development trajectories at times though.

6. Who has the biggest butt in SLN?

1. DeSagana Diop (5 votes)
2. Eddy Curry (4 votes)
3. Eddie Griffin (3 votes)

Also receiving votes: Greg Oden, Kirilenko, Bosh, Darko, DeAndre Jordan, Embiid

The Giant Ass award is always a personal favorite, and I think Diop has won it like every time we've done one of these. Good candidates on here. Curious to see who eventually usurps this generation of butts a few seasons from now. DeAndre Jordan seems like a good name for that.

7. Which current non-rookie contract is the best bargain in the league?

1. Tony Parker (5 votes)
2. Steph Curry (3 votes)
3. Marvin Williams (2 votes)

Also receiving votes: Spencer Hawes, Damion James, Joakim Noah, Johan Petro, Josh Howard, Michael Beasley, Nic Batum

Tony Parker offering a rookie max instead of a vet max after previously being grossly underpaid for seven seasons is really so annoying lol. Can't argue with these guys. Merv definitely voted for Damion James before he spun him off the other day. I can also only think of one person who would vote for Spencer Hawes.

8. Which player is on the worst contract in the league?

1. John Wall (7 votes)
2. Dwight Howard (6 votes)
3. Gilbert Arenas (2 votes)

Also receiving votes: Dwyane Wade, Anderson Varejao, Tyreke Evans, Manu Ginobili

John Wall edges Dwight (that statement reads a lot differently in 2024, let me tell ya) for worst deal in the league, according to the voters. Dunno who voted for Varejao but that one is definitely not the worst? Wall is not doing much to help matters this season.

9. Which SLN franchise is best-positioned for the foreseeable future?

1. Phoenix Suns (7 votes)
2. New York Knicks (4 votes)
3. New Jersey Nets (2 votes)

Also receiving votes: Sixers, Celtics, Kings, Heat, Pacers, Rockets

The Suns executed a really great quick pivot into and out of a tank, and while they are middle of the pack right now, I think they're probably the correct answer here, with Conley and Oden under team control, some assets to burn, some prospects, and Jokic on his rookie deal. The Suns are probably a year or two away from being really good, but they are on quite solid footing right now. Knicks position is a great hand as well, albeit they're a couple seasons behind the Suns on a trajectory.

10. As nicely as possible, which SLN franchise is worst-positioned for the foreseeable future? (Everybody love everybody)

1. Warriors (6 votes)
2. Pistons (3 votes)
3. Trail Blazers (2 votes)

Also receiving votes: Bulls, Cavs, Clippers, Hornets, Mavs, Sonics, Jazz

Some interesting votes on here that are open for interpretation. I think Clint and RB should play rock paper scissors for it.

11. Which SLN franchise is the most confusing?

1. Warriors (10 votes)
2. Timberwolves (2 votes)

Also receiving votes: Clippers, Hornets, Mavs, Heat, Nets, Pistons, Sonics

Rock, Clint, I picked rock, smh.

12. Who would you have taken first in the 2014 draft?

1. Joel Embiid (13 votes)
2. Nikola Jokic (6 votes)

Embiid takes this one home in a pretty big landslide — I personally would have gone Jokic just because it seems weirder and more fun, but everyone is more bullish on Embiid at this stage. This is gonna be a great one to ask again in like four seasons!

13. Which player will be the biggest steal of the 2014 draft?

1. Dante Exum, Joel Embiid, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, Langston Galloway, Bogdan Bogdanovic (2 votes each)

Also receiving votes: Aaron Gordon, Clint Capela, Joe Harris, Marcus Smart, Spencer Dinwiddie, Zach LaVine, Jusuf Nurkic

Widespread votes here but a few standouts. Exum is destroying playing the 2 in the NDL so far, he's probably gonna be a huge value for Josh, or at least a great trade asset. I don't get how Embiid was a steal, he was literally the top pick. I liked Clarkson and Galloway, Randle fell, Bogdan to me went around the right spot. Overall — this was such a fucking fun draft class. Props to ashes for this one, I think it's one of my favorites so far.

14. Which future player are you most excited to see Ashes construct?

1. Luka Doncic (7 votes)
2. Victor Wembanyama (5.5 votes)
3. Ben Simmons (3 votes)

Also receiving votes: Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Kristaps Porzingis, Chet (half a vote?)

All great answers here. Going to take a guess at what these top guys will be built like as rookies for funsies.

Luka: Going to guess he's an 100 potential SF who can only start at PG (like Russ), he'll have OP strength but low quickness and jumping, he'll have high passing and turn the ball over a lot, and it'll look something like: B B A- C C+ or something like that out of the box. Basically he'll be sort of like Russ and Harden combined — which, based on how both those guys have done so far...may not be that sexy? Dunno.

Victor: Gonna guess he will also be an SF, and he probably won't be allowed to change positions — thus ensuring development in every area including his shooting, but he should be able to start across the frontcourt since he kinda plays every position on offense IRL. I'd guess he'll have low strength for a center but obviously will have 100 potential so it will correct itself. Should have the highest starting defense for a rookie ever? Will have to have some turnovers to be not wholly broken. Maybe like a B B C+ A- B or something to start? Basically, he'll have so many blocks you want to play him at center anyway.

15. Which SLN GM is your favorite to deal with?

1. Jesse (3 votes)
2. Tyler, Weilheimer, Mantypas, GX (tie, 2 votes each)

Also receiving votes: Derek, Jordo, Josh, Merv, Nav, Pankin, Quady, Tonger

Jesse has won this unofficial popularity award I believe for the first time? You are all my favorites. Except if you make me play rock paper scissors again.

16. Which SLN GM is the toughest negotiator?

1. JWoo, Merv (tie, 5 votes each)
2. Jesse (3.5 votes)
3. Hoff, Mantypas, Matt, Quady, Nick, GX (he got half a vote)

I voted for Merv, he's way tougher than me.

17. Which GM would you most trust to get you out of a perilous situation?

1. Jesse (5 votes)
2. Matt, GX, Clint (2 votes each)

Also receiving votes: Hoff, JWoo, Mantypas, Nav, Pankin, Ralph, Swamp Man, Jordo

Jesse also wins this one but I'm not so sure. If we were stranded on a desert island I could see Jesse drawing a face on a coconut while it was still on a tree and just calling it Boban. Not sure how helpful that would be for our escape.

18. What's a topic you'd like to hear discussed on a pod?

Some responses:
— Team building philosophies
— Biggest blunders in SLN history
— Chief Keef's Almighty So 2
— Fantasy draft (with fantasy scoring)
— Redraft of every player in league history (assuming they’re all rookies to start)
— More fake trades
— the NDL
— greatest SLN teams of all time
— Would love to hear people deep dive into league history, previous eras etc
— Creation Draft redo
— More players that have since retired that could have been amazing if camped properly
— Potential trades/moves for each team big and small
— RP environment
— Less a topic, but want to hear new voices
— Training camp progression and how it works

Some good ones on here. We've covered some of these things on pods. I particularly would love some in-depth history type pods if people have the time to research things like that.

The idea of a fantasy draft could be fun and kind of meta but also a lot of work. Lot of good ideas here. I agree on the new voices — hope people will start podding more! I love listening to other people's pods, and ashes also loves pods, we should please our god.

19. Thoughts on having harder off-season deadlines to keep the league moving?

Some responses:

— Hell yes, absurd when 1-2 people hold up 29
— Eh - feels like offseason moves plenty fast
— Against it, touch grass, etc.
— Anti – real life gets in the way and Ashes has a family and job that keep him busy enough
— No thanks
— Pass, things come up for everyone
— yes
— No deadlines
— thumbs up
— Open to it but more in the sense that one or two people shouldn't hold things up, versus needing to enforce anything
— Nah
—League needs it
— No because things like the wedding this past offseason. Things happen and I believe most the league is active enough.
— I think league is moving pretty fast right now. League is in a good place.
— I'm down
— Sure
— Love
— I like the current pace
— No, think it works fine now

I decided to just post these responses since there were varying levels of interest, but it's come up enough with enough people that it felt like it was worth having more of a discussion. Seemed like a generally balanced mix of people being in favor and against. I think the idea here is more that some people just don't want situations where a few people who are taking extraordinarily long to respond shouldn't hold up ashes from simming when he has time (it's actually probably more respectful of his time in that way). The votes were like one or two skewed toward not having deadlines.

20. Would you like to see RP stipend jobs rotate?

1. No (12 votes)
2. Yes (7 votes)

Gonna go ahead and guess the people who have the jobs voted no, lol, but this doesn't seem like an issue for the majority.

21. If you could improve one thing about SLN, what would it be? Feel free to elaborate.

Some responses:

— Jobs should rotate after a certain period of time and content should be more incentivized. More content is generally good for the league, if you're worried about ratings inflation, lower job/playoff RP but more content is not going to be a remotely bad thing
— More shit talk on the boards! Just more posting in general
— An RP job that's basically like news editor / chyron / splash page for top moves of the week. It can otherwise get quite challenging to follow everything.
— Less shit talking other GMs over text
— Seeing some sort of plus/minus in the box scores, would be a really fun wrinkle to seeing which players are actually effective rather than guessing
quicker offseasons
— Would love to use the current NBA lottery odds, which are flatter and less rewarding for all-out tankers. Realize that would be extra work for ashes to trade those picks around manually, but do think it would improve some things/incentives around tanking
— Rigid sim schedule
— Include other GMs more on pods to here different perspectives and share the love and RP
— RP rewards / incentives (two people essentially said this)
— Calculate RP trade cap on net basis instead of gross basis

These were the main suggestions I got back from people, which might be good discussion fodder in the forums if anything speaks to anyone.

I liked the idea of the news editor job — I was trying to do something along those lines when we made the twitter account last year, but I couldn't tell if people actually liked the tweets or not, and it was pretty labor intensive to always be tweeting stuff lol. But if people want that type of thing I would be willing to do it (or hand over the account to someone, or have it be run by a few different people), but I do think it's stipend worthy to get updates on the league beyond just the basic sim alerts.

The lottery odds thing was my idea — probably a pain for Ashes, but I think it would be a huge help to balance tanking. It would have to just be run offline and then the picks manually moved around, which is annoying for him.

The pod thing came up again, maybe we create/use the podcast thread so people who want to pod can crowdsource?

Lot of other good ideas here. Would love some discussion in the thread!

Thanks again everyone for voting — I really like doing these surveys every few seasons and I'm trying to keep making them better/more interesting so would love suggestions too.

[Tyler]

I voted Whiteside but Marvin Williams is really crazy underrated

[Tyler]

I think the number 1 rule in the league of don’t be a dick should be ok to be violated if and ONLY IF if you’re shit talking on the boards

[Merv]

Surveys are fun. Need another one of these next year that becomes podcast family feud

[Merv]

Diop should have a big butt award named after him. He personifies all that is large tuchus

[Joe]

Pretty annoyed I chuckled at the Dwight joke

[Jesse]

drawing a face on a coconut while it was still on a tree and just calling it Boban

You get me. I finally feel seen.

[mantypas/CavsCzar]

For the one person that voted the Cavs as worst positioned for the foreseeable future, I have like all my picks, a few of other peoples picks, and good assets. I get resigning may be tough, but yeah seemed like a weird vote. To those that voted positive thing about me, thanks love yall

[mantypas/CavsCzar]

I think I also meant to vote Greg Oden as most underrated, not overrated lol

[Merv]

Flatter lotto odds would lead to more tinkering with trying to find sleepers and accumulating asset value in a tear down. As someone who is doing both of these to my detriment, I approve this message!