To say that things haven't gone well this year in Brussels is a bit of an under-statement. He drafted Eric Gordon to pair with keeper Zach Randolph. They have combined for just 6 games this season. Yes, I'm aware that all JBL teams have suffered through various serious injuries this season (I have yet to get anything from my $36 dollar centre Brook Lopez)...but Brussels is really taking an injury beating this season. In addition to Gordon and Zach they have now lost Varejao for an extended period of time as well. Now, I see LaMarcus Aldridge sprains his ankle. Ugh. Poor Timmy.
What can a JBL owner do when everything is going against him? Every move Timmy has tried appears to have back fired this season.
He could have traded Dorell Wright to Chilliwack at the start of the season. The return would have been JaVale McGee. Instead, he traded Wright for Jan Vesely. Ouch.
Timbo was the one who bid $33 bucks to grab James Johnson off the waiver wire way back when. The same James Johnson who has 30+ steals and 40+ blocks. Unfortunately, in Brussels, Johnson didn't do much. He came alive after Brussels had sent him packing.
Brussels has already exhausted his $130 dollar Free Agent budget. He doesn't have any money to sign any players!! Oh boy. Timmy has tried many FA's but none have had much success. He's spent the money on Johnson $33, Patrick Patterson $21, Terrence Williams $15, Ersan Ilyasova $11, Mareese Speights, Gary Neal, Trevor Booker, Mehmet Okur, Jason Thompson, Francisco Garcia, Daniel Gibson, Jerryd Bayless and Roddy Buckets. He's tried. But only a couple of those guys are still on the Brussels roster.
So, what`s the plan in Brussels...
Well, the first part has to be to get out of the basement. Last place means no keepers. It does mean 13 lottery balls however. Will Timbo try to acquire other rookie picks as well...Brussels best keeper option appears to be Ty Lawson but the squad will have to move up to earn that keeper spot.
The other challenge in making further roster moves is that the team salary is currently at $203 bucks. The salary cap floor is $200 so he won`t be able to trade a big salary guy (LaMarcus or Zach) for a super cheap guy as he would go under the cap. The other challenge will be to try and secure good keepers while also realizing that he has to get out of last to keep those guys. I failed to this last season when I gather 3-4 good keepers only to see my squad fall from 8th to 12th and end up with just 1 keeper. Challenging tasks ahead in Brussels.
I`m sure Brussels will field many trade offers for LaMarcus (if the ankle injury isn`t serious). Also, when Zach returns, he`ll be on any teams list that needs a 20 and 10 guy (that should be all of us). I don`t think Eric Gordon will be sought after much as his knee injury is a great unknown. Also, it will be tough to move his salary without going below the salary cap floor. I can see JBL teams inquiring on Mo Williams and Jason Terry as well. Both are veteran guards that can help many teams. And then there`s Chris Kaman, Kenyon Martin or Jason Thompson. All decent forwards that can help out. There is talent in Brussels so I think Timbo will be very busy come March 18th and the JBL Keeper Trade deadline.
I can`t wait for this March 2nd to 4th Portland roadie with the boys because I have this vision that Brussels and Idaho will be super active in trade discussions that weekend and there are some monster deals done in that 72 hours. We shall see. Oh yes, we shall see.
Well, that`s it for me tonight. Brussels has endured numerous injuries this JBL season and I`m not sure any JBL owner would be able to right the ship with the number of casualties the Muscles have faced this season. But, the JBL goes on. There are always challenges ahead of us. It`s not too early to think about next season. Tim`s focus should be on getting out of 13th and getting the best keeper he can on his roster for next season. Whether that`s Ty Lawson or someone else if up to him to decide. That`s the beauty of the JBL.
Good luck Timmy. Good luck Brussels. Enjoy the ride and the challenge. I went through it all last season and as disappointed I was in the year my Showers had - the challenge of staying in the present (getting out of 13th) while also trying to build for next season (trying to identify and acquire the best keepers possible). Have fun with it....
Cheers.
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