If you were to become GM of any team?

[Fresh8]

What kind of a team would you take?

- A major franchise? (ie. Lakers/Boston)
- A team which has come off a horrible season (ie. Magic)
- Reigning NBA Champs (ie. Pistons)
- A team which is in serious rebuilding efforts/in the lottery (ie. Atlanta)
- A playoff team, which may be good in the future (ie. Houston)
- A playoff team which is on the decline (ie. Jazz 2002)

And wat would you do with them?

[hmm]

....................................

[Andrew]

I would prefer a team that looks like it's on the way up but is in good shape to overhaul if need be.

And wat would you do with them?

Good question. One of the charm of video games that allow gamers to be the GM of a sports team (NBA Live being the obvious example ) is that players can wheel and deal and make all those trades the real GMs "should have made". Of course it generally works better in video games where it's easy to start all over again with everything just the way it was.

We don't have the same kind of luxuries in real life, so I certainly think I'd be more conservative. I would try to hold on to my first round picks as you never know when a good player will fall into your hands, though if I have to bypass the first round in the upcoming draft to acquire a superstar who should be a superstar for years to come, I'm pretty sure I'd pull the trigger.

I'd also like to think that I'd learn from other people's mistakes. I'd try to keep the nucleus of the team together for as long as it seems to be working. If it's not working or just doesn't seem to be able to drive the team any further, it's time to shake things up a little by bringing in more suitable players - not just making blockbuster deals that ultimately accomplish nothing.

And above all, I would try not to sign too many borderline stars to huge contracts they aren't worthy of. If I can make the team much better with players who aren't quite as flashy, I'm letting the over-hyped athlete go elsewhere for more money and less success.

[FanOfAll]

Awesome thread.

A young team. Memphis attracts my attention all the time. i will start a 2005 dynasty once Live 2005 is out.

Bro, you have some huge shoes to fill there. Don't disappoint .

I think I'd probably take the Sonics. Tough decision, but there is so much talent/moveability on that team and the team isn't going anywhere. Sund wants an offensive team ala the Kings/Mavs as of today, but MacMillan wants defensive players. Knowing me, I'd have to side with Mac here...Lewis and Radman can start packing their bags but I'll please Allen as much as I can to get him to sign an extension (although not like Houston's). It can't be for too long or too much, max 4 years, around the same $$ he's making now. If he wants more, then Lewis stays.

Another team I'd be interested in taking is the Blazers. Nash has a plan, but it doesn't look too good right now. I'd keep Miles, deal SAR. Deal DA if I can, deal Woods. Deal Damon's expiring too. Total revamp. Bring in some shooters, more big man depth. NVE starts, Telfair backs him up. Outlaw, Telfair, ZBo are the future. ZBo better learn some defense though.......

Last team would be the Hornets. I'm a big fan of BDiddy and Magloire so they're untouchable. I would actually (unlike the real Hornets who try but do not succeed) find a way to move Wesley to the bench. He is over the hill by a thousand miles. Mash would be on the block on my first day...get someone with more fire, intensity, and willing to be second fiddle to Davis. I'd probably pick up another big (although not many are left) like Steven Hunter (even though he is pure crap).

Did I forget to say easier said than done?

[Colin]

I wouldn't take a team that's made any big contract mistakes *coughNYorPortlandcough*, I would probably go for Phoenix. Number 1: favourite team, Number 2: Young Talent, Number 3: I would wheel and deal them into getting a center. Hopefully with Q.

[Sauru]

i would definetly take the celtics. as for what i would do? i would use the draft picks we seem to get every year and get this, keep the players long enough to develop. instead of drafting 3 rookies every other season then tradeing them away for more draft picks i would let them develop. also i would do better drafting. the celtics scored huge this years draft but each season before that they have done terrible.

[air gordon]

the ideal situation for me would be a team with a great fan base and an owner that would be willing to spend money if need be

i guess dallas seems closest to this. i'd love to work for someone like cuban, they have a solid & young core, and their salary situation isn't as horrible as many think

probably the first thing i would do is see what teams would be interested in my guys, especially dirk diggler. if no good offers on him, then continue to build the team around him and try to cut salary

and of course, go watch maverick games with cuban

[Sauru]

the only problem with dallas is with a owner like cuban the gm really has no say in anything. kinda how it was forever with that other dallas team(cowboys).

[twolvezfanfoever]

I want to be gm for Atlanta.If I could get them to the championship, I would be called a genius by many.Thats a real challenge. I would say Minny but that would be too easy.

[Donte Thomas]

i'd do what throwback said, someone like atlanta, work from there , if it doesn't work out, start rebuilding and start searching for a cocobee and NLSC players if needed nah. and we pull one off, i'd be better than....than......hell someone!

[FanOfAll]

I want to be gm for Atlanta.If I could get them to the championship, I would be called a genius by many.Thats a real challenge. I would say Minny but that would be too easy.

Easy? No team is easy my friend. Last year's team doesn't guarantee you a championship. It's hard to say who you're going to sign and who you're going to draft. What are you going to do with Spree's FA status? Resign him? How much? What if he wants too much? What about Ervin Johnson? What he decides to go elsewhere or wants more than you're willing? Who else will play center? KG and Madsen? Kandi Man and KG? The chances of signing a better big man next season isn't all that high considering your cap status. The Wolves don't have a pick next year either, is that correct (can't remember)? Even if you put together a "perfect" team, what if Player X chokes? What if Flip Saunders screws up in his coaching? What if KG and Player Z don't get along? What if Player Z and Player A cause a big rift in the lockerroom? Heck, not even the Pistons are easy.

[Matt]

I sure as hec wouldnt take the Pistons job, I'd ruin the franchise

I'd take the Hawks job, cos losing is not only good but expected

[magius]

an expansion team.

[MikeBibby]

ill go wit kings,bobcats,cavs,or blazerz

[Riot]

I want to be gm for Atlanta.If I could get them to the championship, I would be called a genius by many.Thats a real challenge. I would say Minny but that would be too easy.

Easy? No team is easy my friend. Last year's team doesn't guarantee you a championship. It's hard to say who you're going to sign and who you're going to draft. What are you going to do with Spree's FA status? Resign him? How much? What if he wants too much? What about Ervin Johnson? What he decides to go elsewhere or wants more than you're willing? Who else will play center? KG and Madsen? Kandi Man and KG? The chances of signing a better big man next season isn't all that high considering your cap status. The Wolves don't have a pick next year either, is that correct (can't remember)? Even if you put together a "perfect" team, what if Player X chokes? What if Flip Saunders screws up in his coaching? What if KG and Player Z don't get along? What if Player Z and Player A cause a big rift in the lockerroom? Heck, not even the Pistons are easy.

We have our picks back, I believe.

Sprewell will be getting a contract extension real soon, same can be said for Cassell.

[FanOfAll]

I thought 2005 was the last year you don't have a pick, but hey you're the T-Wolves fan here.

When Spree and Cassell get extensions, that still means more trouble. You'll still need a center when Johnson and later Kandi Man expire. KG and Wally still take up over half the salary cap. You can say you're making moves, but no team is easy. It might be "easy" to build a playoff contender or improve a playoff contender but it's not at all easy to win it all. Is it less of a challenge than a team like the Hawks? Yeah, but easy?

[matmat8]

an expansion team.

[kevC]

A team with an international superstar to have a fanbase all around the world also with the league's most prolific scorer the last two years...