Spotlight Article - CHI

[blackice]

This is a series I am bringing back, from years ago. I have decided to interview each GM in the league to get their opinion on a number topics that are all related to basketball in some way or another. The questions will be standardized so that each GM has a chance to reflect on how they will approach the interview. Depending on how the feedback is from each GM, I could potentially bring this series back every few seasons to see how each GM has grown and if the answers vary from series to series I will make it a regular part of the league. So without further ado, let's give the league what they want!


1. What got you interested in basketball? This could pertain to your childhood, or if you picked up on it later in life.

What got me into basketball was NBA Live 06. That game was sick and I had sooo many good times with it I started following NBA and playing basketball right after and still do although not that regularly nowadays..

2. Are you an NBA fan? If so what's your favourite team?

At it's current state, I don't like what NBA has become. All the phisicality is gone and it's the era of all-offense, no defense games and I don't enjoy that, not even a bit. The 00s and 10s were dominated by strong defenses and very few 20 ppg scorers, you had to be exceptionally good to crack those numbers. Now, it's all transition, no defense, defenders can't really touch opposing players and basketball just like soccer which I love is a physical game, there has to be some contact otherwise offense prevails too easily.

And of course I'm a Bulls fan but they suck. Our front office SUCKS.

3. Who is your favourite player and why?

My favorite player has always been Derrick Rose, but he's retired now. Nowadays I like Jokic. His game has some finesse that I love watching, he's so clever, he's that good, one of the best ever, and he also gets very physical when necessary. He doesn't look like a baskeball player and is one of the best to ever play the game, which is crazy.

4. Tell us about your team, and where you are now with the roster?

We're trying to contend. Right now we are pretenders but the addition of a DPOY like Bruno might transform our roster. The difference between pretenders and contenders lies on DETAILS and the small but extremely necessary upgrades Fernando gives us over Tillman might be just what we need to succed. And we also have Clarke who's going to be developed to be the beta to a future alpha we'll try to secure in the draft 4 years from now! I really like at we are, but on the other hand we're trapped on a corner so it has to work out as we don't have more ways to upgrade the roster really.

5. Give a detailed answer on how you approach drafting, trading, and coaching.

Okay, for drafting, I always go with BPA mostly likely. BPA not only in terms of talent but impact as well, some guys are talented but their impact is projected to be low. I'm not afraid about swinging to the fences like we did with Clarke last draft, but only when it's extremely valuable to do so, otherwise go with what's stablished already. I think most people overthink the process of drafting.

As for trading, I've said it before, it's not about what you say or even how you say it. To trade effectively, you gotta read the room. Negotiations happens when both feels like they're having any kind of edge and if your trade partner doesn't think the same way, nothing you can say will change that. Both should PERCEIVE VALUE.

Negotiations are about breaking objections and it's easier if your first objection isn't the fact your parter doesn't see value. It's important to understand what the other wants, not what you think he should want. People often mistake that, and it's quite easy to do so. You of course always knows what you want so that kind of connection is what separates people who can and can't trade.

I'm not really good at coaching. Just try stuff for a few games, see how it goes, repeat, and in the playoffs just be unpredictable lol. But I'm better at trading than coaching so I could use a coach for the Bulls.

Much thanks to Marcos, and we hope you appreciate this insight into the CHI GM!

[Andrewu91]

Unfortunate loss of Bruno but he will be back before the playoffs. That's all that matters like the 6th seeded Nets last year.

Good luck

[Tulogit2Quit]

Agreed 100% on negotiations! Haven’t been here long, but being a part of a lot of leagues in OOTP taught me that about trading with others. Hope the injury doesn’t see you back too far!

[cb4raptorscb4]

Man, NBA Live was the shit. I remember getting NBA Live 2000 for PC and that was part of my intro into games.

[TheTwoWallaces]

NBA Live 06 was great. My personal favorite was 05 with Melo on the cover, but 06 with Wade was also a blast.

You and I have both maxed out our rosters at the same time. Should be a fun chapter in the Detroit v. Chicago rivarly. You guys got us last year, but I have a feeling this rivalry will be pretty good for a few seasons!

[bt]

All star weekend in 05 was great. Remember playing that when I was younger.

Bulls have a pretty reasonable mix. Right in the thick of it once Bruno returns but there's some good young talent here, especially if Clarke booms.

[Flaming Homer]

Now Bruno is almost back in play and it will be interesting to see how you bring him back into the lineup. After some initial hiccups after that injuries, the team looks really strong again even without a top center in the league. A BKN-CHI matchup in the playoffs would be dope.

I second your take about nowadays NBA and may just put a link to it in my response to BI if I ever get to write it up.
I tried the past few days to watch a game and it is just played like a 90's All Star game, unwatchable for me if no one even tries to defend. And if he does, he gets called for every little sh*t, but the offense is allowed to travel their way to the basket.
All for the show ...