Post by broadwaytra3 on Oct 5, 2023 13:25:51 GMT -6
I took over the Sonics on the day of the now infamous Moses Malone to Kings move that has reshaped the West. Last season, the Kings got over the hill denying the T-Wolves a third western conference title in a row and now are the odds on favorites to return the Finals once again. That trade has shaped my view on the arms race that is ITP Basketball and I thought I could do the same.
The last Sonics first round selection was Isaiah Stewart (who is having a career year averaging a double-double with the Hornets) way back in 2001. Since then the ‘02, ‘03, ‘04 1sts were shipped to the Lakers, ‘05 to the Spurs, and ‘06 to the Knicks. It’s only natural when harboring a generational talent like Giannis Antetomkounmpo on the roster to pair him up with other all-star caliber players. So sticking with franchise tradition the first move I made in my tenure was to trade away the ‘08 1st in a package for Andrea Bargnani to keep up with the rising firepower in the West. The thought was combining a stretch 4/5 to the team would create a free flowing, pace and space offense where Giannis, Bargnani and Flynn could thrive.
At first glance, the experiment seemed to be working. The Sonics made a marked improvement after the trade and were able to sneak into the playoffs due to their strong performance down the stretch. It wasn’t enough however the team put up a good fight but was sent home by a superior Lakers team. Despite the early exit, there was growing optimism inside the emerald gates that a full year together of the Seattle core would have enough ammo to lead the Supersonics to new heights the next season.
The first offseason in Seattle was a whirlwind, with no first-round picks and limited cap space. It was a daunting task sifting through the free agency market looking for undervalued gems but entering the first full season with the group, it seemed like the roster as a whole had made a marked improvement.
With a stapled together pack of role players playing on minimum contracts, Giannis and Bargnani became Mediterranean Gunslingers and a scouting nightmare for opponents combining for 53ppg. Flynn was averaging 7:1 assist to turnover and 15ppg of his own, but again the team still had gaping holes in its roster and the wins weren’t piling up like they were supposed to. So, sticking with franchise tradition the ‘07 1st was sent away to help plug those holes as well as trading away expiring starter Dennis Schroder. These trades brought in Tom Barker to help inside and dominate the glass, RJ Hampton a true two-guard that can defend, and Rodney Rogers filled out the roster giving the team the right pieces to optimize the run ‘n gun offense. While sliding the overachieving minimum contracts, the trades upgraded positions and added depth all around.
The team did improve once again, but after a few sims plateaued and limped into the playoffs as the sixth seed destined to face the Lakers once again. And as many assumed the same result, befell our heroes.
Another year turns and the core three salaries rise, Rogers asking price would send the team over the hard cap and had to let him walk, but there was still belief in the organization that this group could get the job done. A different approach was taken in the offseason, targeting proven players that maybe past their prime but are still serviceable players. Bringing in vets like Paul Westphal, Chris Mills, Adam Morrison to fill in the gaps.
The season arrived with much anticipation, even though the Sonics had improved so did the rest of the west and it seemed like they had been practicing at the local YMCA kitty-corner to the space needle while the rest of the league was playing on the Nike summer league circuit. An abysmal 6-7 start, a few tweaks and minor adjustments to the lineup stabilized things in Seattle but the team continued to struggle on the road. It became crucial for them to get a series with home court advantage, but week by week the distance went from 1.0 GB to 2.0 to 4.0 and those dreams have started to slip out of reach.
As the external pressures outside the building began to increase, whispers of relocation to Vancouver, Oklahoma City, or even Shanghai have started to increase. It’s no secret that the league would like to expand globally and with the two foreign born stars the Shanghai Sonics becomes more and more appealing to the league’s Secaucus headquarters. The organization has been rethinking it’s strategy on how to build a contender.
The Seattle Supersonics have made the playoffs every year in this iteration of ITP, which is something to be proud about, but it’s clear the goal from the very beginning that Seattle was willing to mortgage the future to win now. That bill is coming due and what have the Sonics won? A whole lot of meaningless games in Sims 5-13.
The restructuring of the Sonics started yesterday when the first core member Malachi Flynn was moved for a promising young talent in David West and a future draft (yes, you read that right) pick. In hopes of being able to build a more complete team within the coming seasons.
There is more than one way to win in this league, but championship windows seem to open the slam shut quickly. The teams that continually thrive are able to evolve and take advantage of that short time the window is open. Moving forward instead of banging on a closed window screaming “Let us in! Let us in!” while the contenders play outside on the grand stage, this organization is refocusing to find a crack so we can shatter the window completely when the time comes. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but young Giannis is gone. We here in the Emerald City hope not to waste the rest of prime Giannis and keep him on this side of the Pacific Ocean.
The last Sonics first round selection was Isaiah Stewart (who is having a career year averaging a double-double with the Hornets) way back in 2001. Since then the ‘02, ‘03, ‘04 1sts were shipped to the Lakers, ‘05 to the Spurs, and ‘06 to the Knicks. It’s only natural when harboring a generational talent like Giannis Antetomkounmpo on the roster to pair him up with other all-star caliber players. So sticking with franchise tradition the first move I made in my tenure was to trade away the ‘08 1st in a package for Andrea Bargnani to keep up with the rising firepower in the West. The thought was combining a stretch 4/5 to the team would create a free flowing, pace and space offense where Giannis, Bargnani and Flynn could thrive.
At first glance, the experiment seemed to be working. The Sonics made a marked improvement after the trade and were able to sneak into the playoffs due to their strong performance down the stretch. It wasn’t enough however the team put up a good fight but was sent home by a superior Lakers team. Despite the early exit, there was growing optimism inside the emerald gates that a full year together of the Seattle core would have enough ammo to lead the Supersonics to new heights the next season.
The first offseason in Seattle was a whirlwind, with no first-round picks and limited cap space. It was a daunting task sifting through the free agency market looking for undervalued gems but entering the first full season with the group, it seemed like the roster as a whole had made a marked improvement.
The Mediterranean Gunslingers
The team did improve once again, but after a few sims plateaued and limped into the playoffs as the sixth seed destined to face the Lakers once again. And as many assumed the same result, befell our heroes.
Another year turns and the core three salaries rise, Rogers asking price would send the team over the hard cap and had to let him walk, but there was still belief in the organization that this group could get the job done. A different approach was taken in the offseason, targeting proven players that maybe past their prime but are still serviceable players. Bringing in vets like Paul Westphal, Chris Mills, Adam Morrison to fill in the gaps.
The season arrived with much anticipation, even though the Sonics had improved so did the rest of the west and it seemed like they had been practicing at the local YMCA kitty-corner to the space needle while the rest of the league was playing on the Nike summer league circuit. An abysmal 6-7 start, a few tweaks and minor adjustments to the lineup stabilized things in Seattle but the team continued to struggle on the road. It became crucial for them to get a series with home court advantage, but week by week the distance went from 1.0 GB to 2.0 to 4.0 and those dreams have started to slip out of reach.
As the external pressures outside the building began to increase, whispers of relocation to Vancouver, Oklahoma City, or even Shanghai have started to increase. It’s no secret that the league would like to expand globally and with the two foreign born stars the Shanghai Sonics becomes more and more appealing to the league’s Secaucus headquarters. The organization has been rethinking it’s strategy on how to build a contender.
The Seattle Supersonics have made the playoffs every year in this iteration of ITP, which is something to be proud about, but it’s clear the goal from the very beginning that Seattle was willing to mortgage the future to win now. That bill is coming due and what have the Sonics won? A whole lot of meaningless games in Sims 5-13.
The restructuring of the Sonics started yesterday when the first core member Malachi Flynn was moved for a promising young talent in David West and a future draft (yes, you read that right) pick. In hopes of being able to build a more complete team within the coming seasons.
There is more than one way to win in this league, but championship windows seem to open the slam shut quickly. The teams that continually thrive are able to evolve and take advantage of that short time the window is open. Moving forward instead of banging on a closed window screaming “Let us in! Let us in!” while the contenders play outside on the grand stage, this organization is refocusing to find a crack so we can shatter the window completely when the time comes. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but young Giannis is gone. We here in the Emerald City hope not to waste the rest of prime Giannis and keep him on this side of the Pacific Ocean.