Welcome to the first edition of Inside The Brains of CSL series, as this will be a series of interviews with different GMs of the CSL to discuss their outlook for the league, their ways of managing a team, and just chit chats about the state of the league!
Today we have former CSL champion, the Houston Rockets GM BizGilwalker as our guest! As we all know, Biz is a veteran that is well respected within the basketball sims community! Without further ado, let's get this interview started!
So how long have you been involved within the sim league community, and what brought you into this unique side of fantasy basketball?
BizGilwalker: I originally started out playing Trade Games on RealGM, with Riot, BlackIce, Andy, Jace, and some other familiar names. About 3 years ago, Andy invited me to join oCSL, and I've been here ever since. This is the only sim league I've been in that ever got off the ground, and I'm in it for the long haul!
As a former CSL champion, what is your philosophy in regards to team building. What methods do you prefer when it comes to play style? What do you feel is the most important aspect of building up a successful franchise that can win it all?
BizGilwalker: To me, versatility is the single most important quality in a team, whether you're talking about a real life NBA team, a 2K team, or a DDS team. Getting players that are capable of playing different roles, different positions, and mesh with different players in different systems is huge. That was the biggest strength of my title team. They were able to compensate for a season-ending injury to Thad Young and replace his production on the boards, on offense, and on defense.
Being fortunate enough to build around a superstar scorer like James Harden is huge, because he can score and make plays for others no matter who you surround him with, and regardless of what position he plays at. Surrounding him with four two-way players was the number one priority for years.
Do you enjoy keeping your core together for a long time, or do you feel changes is always necessary to sustain success? When it comes to trading, do you always have to win the deal?
BizGilwalker: This season was the year where I decided I really wanted to shake things up for the first time after our title run. I wanted to explore different ways to build a roster, and my love for trades definitely got the best of me in the much-maligned Faried/LaVine trade. It hasn't fully come together yet, and has left a rather large hole at center, but this is ongoing retooling project, and I'm confident that Harden will be back to the finals before too long while he's still in his prime.
Do you have any inspiration when it comes to your team building philosophy? Anyone from the basketball sim community, or perhaps a real life NBA executive?
BizGilwalker: I've been learning this engine for the better part of 3 years now (maybe more) but I've used different approaches with every iteration of my team. My first team (the Indiana Pacers in oCSL), I went all-in in a Billy King-esque move where I traded everything in the world for LeBron James and signed ancient artifacts Dirk and Kobe to massive contracts that would expire long after they retired, in a desperate effort to create a contender. Never got to see that team in the playoffs because oCSL died before I got a chance but in hindsight, we probably fall short.
Then the new CSL started, I was assigned the Rockets, and proceeded to build what I hoped would be a super team with Harden and a dominant Howard/Cousins front court. Flanked with Aminu, Anderson, and a flurry of bench players, my inexperience with the engine led to us missing the playoffs by a single game.
At this point, I traded off Cousins for Oladipo and Iguodala, and continued to amass well-rounded versatile players until we eventually won a title.
This season, I've decided to see what a sharpshooting offensive minded team can do, but it's clear that the team misses the defense and rebounding of a center. A good mix of old and new would be ideal.
Who do you feel is the MVP of the CSL thus far, and do you feel the league has a good balance when it comes to competitiveness right now?
BizGilwalker: I'd be lying if I didn't say James Harden. He has won MVP multiple times, has led us to 4 deep playoff runs, including a title and an overtime game 7 finals loss. I actually think Kevin Durant is a more talented player, but he's got the misfortune of being owned by the worst GM in the league.
I think the league is ever-changing. Every year, some of the same teams are near the top but there's always a couple new teams that emerge as powerhouses. The best teams in the league right now are super-deep, have star talents, and have a cohesive roster that is able to withstand whatever is thrown their way. That comes from smart GMing and the right amount of timing and luck, because you're not always able to trade for the players you want at the price you want.
Who's your favorite player in CSL, and in the NBA? If that certain player is available, will you be willing to overpay to acquire his service?
BizGilwalker: Okaro White is basically my dream player to place next to a star scorer like Harden. An elite defender, and capable scorer and rebounder, he reminds me of someone who was once my all-time favorite player growing up- Gerald Wallace, someone who would've been absolutely insane next to a star scorer. Doug is already very aware that I'm willing to vastly overpay for Okaro's services.
Which young team do you feel has the most potential to win the CSL championship within the next few seasons? Do you feel there's a team that's stuck in the middle, and should consider rebuilding?
BizGilwalker: Given the recent relaxation of trade rules, I don't think there's any way to determine what a middling team should do. I will say that Phoenix is my favorite for this season. They are building exactly how I'd build without a superstar. Defense-first, and still lots of talented offensive players. They are incredibly versatile, capable of elite defense at every position and damn near impossible to get a win against. That's a job well done.
Any big plans for the upcoming trade deadline, as your team hasn't been performing the way you have envisioned from the off season? Do you regret trading away franchise favorites such as Kenneth Faried, Thad Young, and Andre Iguodala?
BizGilwalker: Like I said, this roster is not built to win a championship this year. We'll remain very competitive (we're now on a 4-game win streak) but getting younger and more affordable talent is huge in a retooling process. I definitely miss Kenneth Faried right now, but LaVine is a really nice young star that is starting to find his way here. Young and Iggy were expensive and aging and I'm alright with what we got in those trades.
Last but not least, besides your own team, which two teams do you see making it to this year's CSL final, and who will win it all?
BizGilwalker: I see Phoenix coming out of the West. Too much defense, and too much depth, I see them storming through the Western Conference and winning it all over either Toronto or Chicago- two very well-built teams that have the ability to get even better at the trade deadline.
