BI's Spotlight V2 #5- Flaming Homer
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2023 9:24 pm
This will be the fifth in a series of articles spotlighting different GM's in the league and picking the brains of the braintrust here in the league. Each one will have customized questions that vary in terms of detail and intention. Some will be directly tied to the GM's team, some will be more directed to the league as a whole - all will relate in some form or fashion to basketball. Each article is worth scouting points for a full Insider article. The fifth interview is with Flaming Homer, so let's kick this off.
1. What made you become a mod, and how has it changed your role (if at all) in the league
That happened without me doing much
Myles and Jon reached out to me as Myles wanted to take a break and were looking for someone to step in and take over some tasks.
I really enjoy being in the CSL and knew that work must be put in to keep it running. Especially so complex as the CSL, compared to other leagues.
I also had enough time in my personal schedule, and it didn't take much thinking to accept the offer.
And it did change my role as GM of the Hawks quite a bit. Before, I really was focusing everything on getting a competitive team up and win as much as possible, could not wait until the Sim was done.
Of course, that is still the case. I want the Hawks back on top. But somehow it took some "pressure" out of it. Other tasks in the background got more important and it was much easier for me to decide for a long term rebuild.
Not sure if I would have done that without being admin. Now I have always enough CSL tasks to take care of, and can grow the team slowly over the seasons, without pushing it.
2. Do you think you have your franchise player on this roster, and if not who is the closest thing to?
That is the big question, I can't answer yet. I hope, but I'm not sure.
Perry is a great talent, and he fits right in my “tradition” of no nonsense defensive minded big’s. My first trade in the CSL was for Josh Davis, my best value pick, late in the 1st round was Michael Young and now I got lucky to draft Reggie.
He stays for the foreseeable future, but he is not aggressive enough on offense, that I would see him as a franchise player.
Naji is the opposite. I hope he develops into an efficient volume scorer, but for my taste his defense is just meh, not what I would call a franchise player either.
Giddey still has the potential for it, but he seems to develop slowly. Hard to tell.
And of course. not to forget Okoro, who developed nicely after his rough rookie season. I really like his game. But it seems to me, he is more the #3, maybe a #2 player.
3. What is the goal this season if you had to decide between an early lotto pick or a playoff berth?
Clearly early lotto pick, especially in a stacked draft like that.
I would never active tank though. I always try to play a team to the best of their abilities.
But I also know that we are not really a playoff team yet. It is probably helpful to get some more experience in another play-in game or maybe even round 1.
Though, adding another top10 pick would help the team in the long term more.
4. What is your approach to team building, and what is your approach to drafting?
Especially with the 22 engine, my approach is to create a balanced and deep team (as I would in RL if I would manage a team). I do think spacing and good fit of players with each other is more important now and finding this fitting puzzle pieces is fun for me.
Also, with all this little injuries and that wins and losses can more easily lead to streaks in the one or other direction, a deep bench should help to keep a team afloat over a season.
Balancing that with the strict CSL financials is challenging but keeps it interesting.
When it comes to drafting, I look for a combination of raw talent (overall ratings) and fit. I still tend to draft more complete players over specialists, even knowing you need them to balance the roster.
I totally enjoy scouting the players and going back and forth over my sheets to think about who could be available at that point and to decide who to pick then. Scouting and drafting was the most exciting part for me during the last seasons and will be until the team is hopefully ready to hang with the top teams.
5. If you could add any player in the league on your team who would it be and why?
With being still a believer in top talent it would be Jovic. That was the kind of generational player I was hoping to luck into
He would fit the timeline of my team and has such a well-rounded game, that building a roster around him should be a lot of fun.
Before him entering the league, it would have been Zion or Luka. Same reasons, top overall talent and young enough to align with the rest of the team.
6. Are you a fan of the NBA or basketball in general?
Basketball is clearly my favorite sport, talking from a player view.
Unfortunately, I don't play anymore and over the last years I lost interest in watching the NBA. Just too soft and all about money.
Never had much interest in international basketball. Also never got the hang of college basketball, I think you have to grow up with it, to really enjoy it. Or it is just that I get easily bored while watching a screen.
I hope you enjoyed this look into an integral player in this league, and if you are interested in being interviewed please express your interest here: https://www.championsimleague.com/viewt ... 65&t=15050
It'll be first come first serve, and I'll gauge interest and go from there.
1. What made you become a mod, and how has it changed your role (if at all) in the league
That happened without me doing much
Myles and Jon reached out to me as Myles wanted to take a break and were looking for someone to step in and take over some tasks.
I really enjoy being in the CSL and knew that work must be put in to keep it running. Especially so complex as the CSL, compared to other leagues.
I also had enough time in my personal schedule, and it didn't take much thinking to accept the offer.
And it did change my role as GM of the Hawks quite a bit. Before, I really was focusing everything on getting a competitive team up and win as much as possible, could not wait until the Sim was done.
Of course, that is still the case. I want the Hawks back on top. But somehow it took some "pressure" out of it. Other tasks in the background got more important and it was much easier for me to decide for a long term rebuild.
Not sure if I would have done that without being admin. Now I have always enough CSL tasks to take care of, and can grow the team slowly over the seasons, without pushing it.
2. Do you think you have your franchise player on this roster, and if not who is the closest thing to?
That is the big question, I can't answer yet. I hope, but I'm not sure.
Perry is a great talent, and he fits right in my “tradition” of no nonsense defensive minded big’s. My first trade in the CSL was for Josh Davis, my best value pick, late in the 1st round was Michael Young and now I got lucky to draft Reggie.
He stays for the foreseeable future, but he is not aggressive enough on offense, that I would see him as a franchise player.
Naji is the opposite. I hope he develops into an efficient volume scorer, but for my taste his defense is just meh, not what I would call a franchise player either.
Giddey still has the potential for it, but he seems to develop slowly. Hard to tell.
And of course. not to forget Okoro, who developed nicely after his rough rookie season. I really like his game. But it seems to me, he is more the #3, maybe a #2 player.
3. What is the goal this season if you had to decide between an early lotto pick or a playoff berth?
Clearly early lotto pick, especially in a stacked draft like that.
I would never active tank though. I always try to play a team to the best of their abilities.
But I also know that we are not really a playoff team yet. It is probably helpful to get some more experience in another play-in game or maybe even round 1.
Though, adding another top10 pick would help the team in the long term more.
4. What is your approach to team building, and what is your approach to drafting?
Especially with the 22 engine, my approach is to create a balanced and deep team (as I would in RL if I would manage a team). I do think spacing and good fit of players with each other is more important now and finding this fitting puzzle pieces is fun for me.
Also, with all this little injuries and that wins and losses can more easily lead to streaks in the one or other direction, a deep bench should help to keep a team afloat over a season.
Balancing that with the strict CSL financials is challenging but keeps it interesting.
When it comes to drafting, I look for a combination of raw talent (overall ratings) and fit. I still tend to draft more complete players over specialists, even knowing you need them to balance the roster.
I totally enjoy scouting the players and going back and forth over my sheets to think about who could be available at that point and to decide who to pick then. Scouting and drafting was the most exciting part for me during the last seasons and will be until the team is hopefully ready to hang with the top teams.
5. If you could add any player in the league on your team who would it be and why?
With being still a believer in top talent it would be Jovic. That was the kind of generational player I was hoping to luck into
He would fit the timeline of my team and has such a well-rounded game, that building a roster around him should be a lot of fun.
Before him entering the league, it would have been Zion or Luka. Same reasons, top overall talent and young enough to align with the rest of the team.
6. Are you a fan of the NBA or basketball in general?
Basketball is clearly my favorite sport, talking from a player view.
Unfortunately, I don't play anymore and over the last years I lost interest in watching the NBA. Just too soft and all about money.
Never had much interest in international basketball. Also never got the hang of college basketball, I think you have to grow up with it, to really enjoy it. Or it is just that I get easily bored while watching a screen.
I hope you enjoyed this look into an integral player in this league, and if you are interested in being interviewed please express your interest here: https://www.championsimleague.com/viewt ... 65&t=15050
It'll be first come first serve, and I'll gauge interest and go from there.