Last night, Saturday, October 3rd, marked the 3 weeks away night before the JBL Draft. Owners are likely to begin focusing more and more on their draft night strategy. To say I'm excited is an understatement. Falling asleep every night I think about the options I could draft to fill out my roster. Of course, to that statement, Timbo would smartly reply "You are sleeping while I'm preparing."
Is it wise to have just one strategy? Of course not. A good JBL owner needs to have multiple plans for draft night, otherwise, panic sets in and disaster strikes. You can't tell me that Brussels last season didn't panic when he paid $46 for Rashard Lewis and $45 for Marcus Camby. And Dildo panicked when he paid $50 for David West. That is simply too much jake for those guys. And I don't buy the argument that "West was the last good power forward available." Nick could have had a 3-4 player combo for $50 bucks.
Now, that being said, if West was his favorite player then I'm all for overpaying. Look, Fantasy basketball is competitive and everyone wants to win - but, what makes it so much fun is following guys you like. Following teams that you like. If your team does well, your fantasy players do well, and then your Fantasy team will do well. This strategy can work (provided your favorite team doesn't rhyme with Zacramento). I have used this strategy for many years, loading my team with Sonics and Blazers while avoiding those players that I just don't like (ie. Iverson, Francis, Artest, etc).
Yesterday I saw that the Oregonian is reporting that Greg Oden is in great shape and looks amazing. Isn't this what they said last year?? Are they hyping him up again? How much does one buy into the hype? Considering I'm a big Blazers fan I definitely hope he will be a stud this season - I'm just not sure I can trust him after the year he had last year. Inconsistent play. Injuries. Limited minutes. Hmmm. And what happened to those bone chips in his knee? Did he have surgery? Now, I'm no doctor, but to my knowledge, bone chips don't just disappear. How long before those bone chips start bothering him again? The kid has potential to be a dominant rebounder and shot-blocker - but not while his knee has bone chips in there. Buyer beware me thinks.
I'll be seeing Trev today as he's helping me move furniture at my Dad's house. I'm sure we'll chat about the upcoming JBL draft. He still hasn't decided on a new team name yet. Not sure if he really liked any of our suggestions from the Podcast. Oh well, I had a blast doing it so all is not lost. I'm sure we'll chat players and strategy as well. I respect Trevor a lot for coming back every year to the JBL. His track record hasn't been great but he keeps coming back. Because of his new job and his travel schedule his online time is quite limited so I think it's great he's back in the pool. And again, when the Chicago road trip came up - Trev and Benny were in like flynn. I hope Trev can draft a good team with players he likes to watch (when he has time to turn on the TV). And maybe this season his guys can stay healthy. Last year his team was decimated by injury. He was pretty much out of it by December. Good luck ole buddy.
3 weeks until the big night. My plans are coming together. It looks like Tim will be bringing up the 1st player for auction (unless you can change this feature somehow). He is "threatening" to bring up Brandon Roy (my favorite player?). Tim has a boner for BRoy (or it's a bluff) and thinks BRoy will not be back in Golden. Well, he may very well be right. My team already has 3 guards and I don't think it would be wise to spend big bucks on another guard while I have zero rebounding. That being said, for the right price, I am definitely interested in bringing him back.
Just to touch on the favorite player thing...here's my thoughts on that. I'm 35 years old...I can no longer have a favorite player in the NBA? Why? Because they are all younger than me. In my mind, thinking back to when I was late teens, early 20's, my favorite player(s) were guys I followed through their College ball and then into the NBA. They were my age. They likely played the same video games as me. They probably drank too much tequila like me. They chased girls at the bars like me (probably even at Cheers). We kinda sorta had some things in common. But now things are different. I'm almost old enough to be their Dad. I don't have anything in common with them. I am now the GM of these guys. If anything, I should have a favorite GM. Like Sam Presti or Kevin Pritchard. I feel more of a connection with these younger GM's (trying to build a winning franchise, scouting talent, balancing budgets (his is team payroll while mine is monthly family expense) all while having a family and kids).
I do have a greater respect for a guy like Brandon Roy because he spent all 4 years at Washington getting a degree (I'm sounding old and parental like now). That being said, some of these 20 somethings are making more money in one year than I will make in 50!! I like Brandon Roy as a player because he plays for my favorite team...if Roy gets traded to Memphis...guess what...the love affair is over. So, Timbo, buyer beware buddy. If you are trying to jack up the price on my Blazers - be sure you are really comfortable pushing that button to bid the big number...because Johnny is not afraid to back away. I am also more than happy to be "stuck" with Blazers on my team...are you?
All that aside, I love the passion Tim brings to the JBL. One of my favorite guys for sure. I really wish he could have joined us in Chicago. I loved the Portland trip with the 4 of us..it was a great time...one of the best roadies I have ever done (and I have done some wicked golf roadies over the years). I'm really looking forward to seeing the boys on the 24th. I have suggested we play some poker afterwards to keep the night rolling. The night ends too soon now and with our draft to likely go even quicker now that it's online - we need to keep the fun going. Poker anyone??? How about a game of guts where everyone puts a bench player on the line?? I am very excited. I also think it's time for 2 Podcasts....one previewing the Western Conference and the other for the East. Crikker and I could talk about some fantasy studs and duds, breakout season players, fading stars, rookie surprises, etc....I think it could be fun. I'll suggest it this week. That's all for now....get ready boys, the JBL draft approaches...
No comments:
Post a Comment