Post by CC on Aug 3, 2012 13:34:41 GMT -5
1. You go by the name "repole"... is that part of your name? What is the origin behind it?
It's my last name. Wish I could give you some long interesting story, but yeah, not much more to it than that. I suppose I could mention that the name originates from a small town called Rapone in Italy. Also my name backwards spells eloper, which is surprisingly taken up as a username already on a lot of message boards I've signed up on.
2. What is your plan this season and in the future? Are you looking to 2peat this year?
Ugh, two questions in and I'm already regretting asking for questions from CC. Yes, of course I'm trying to win, the fuck wouldn't I be? We have a couple holes, and losing Copeland hurt, but we've got the best record in the league and plenty of assets to get better. There isn't a single team in the East that I don't think I can match up with, so there's really no reason to think I'm not in position to win it all again this season. Hopefully last year proved some of those "oh no he can't win without a superstar!!!" perceptions wrong and will cause people to actually be surprised if I lose.
3. What are your teams strengths and weaknesses? What do you need to improve the most and do you plan to address some of those issues?
Well apparently we need to improve our defense. We're allowing teams to shoot 20 points higher than last season, which is really can't be explained unless you assume Hollis Copeland was locking down entire teams last year with his B defense. I'd say the simplest way to beat me is with big scorers at PG/SG, where I don't really have much defense. We could certainly add a defensive big who blocks some shots to make a difference there, or try and get some more steals out of backup PG/SG, but I'm pretty happy with what Long gives as a combo guard so I don't foresee that changing. The only thing I'd really actively look to change is getting that one last defensive/rebounding big.
Strengths wise, the first few things that stick out is not turning the ball over and rebounding. The Celtics are the only team that really rebound better than us, which isn't surprising with Magic at PG. We also get to the line a ton thanks to Eaton/Robey/Tyler, which is surprising for an outside focused team, but really if it weren't for Duerod it'd make no sense to go outside with this roster.
4. A lot of talent have shifted to the East...obviously this creates more competition for you guys and weakens the West some... how do you feel about this? Are there any teams that fear you come playoff time?
Not afraid of any team as much as I am the randomness that is FBB. Any of the top 4 seeds in the East could go all the way really, there's a bunch of talent up top between the Bucks, Celtics, Hawks, and my own roster. The Hawks probably concern me the most, because of that MJ guy. What's craziest about this whole talent influx is GMs like Play and Skillz who are historically at the top of the East aren't really in the mix of things right now, but if and when they recover there's going to be a ridiculous talent overload in the East.
5. You quoted the following...
Any truth to this? Will Bingo return to Orlando anytime soon? Have there been any negotiations with Washington?
Nah. I wish there could be, but it really would handicap me long term when it comes to re-signing Robey/Duerod/Eaton/Purvis. If I were a fringe contender I'd say fuck it and go all in with Bingo, but I don't think he drastically changes my chances as great as he is. I think about it every now and then, and I suppose there's a chance that I'd go make a push for him, but if I did it'd be a very short term rental, I'd have to move him in the offseason. There's also the whole idea that this team is the anti-Bingo roster, and bringing him in would sort of defeat the whole purpose.
6. There have been a lot of big trades recently.. which ones surprise you the most? What is the worst trade so far this season?
Greeme trading for English back surprised me. Aar and him have made a shit ton of deals, I don't know what the fuck is going on there, but It seems like a ton of talent has gone back and forth.
And like everyone else, I'd agree that the Tree trade was the worst. Offered Robey and two Hornet picks for just Tree, got a "meh" in response to that. I don't think that's a top tier offer or anything, but to take Toney and Kermit for Tree and McMillen instead? Awful. Welcome back DB!
7. Speaking of trades, Play mentioned that there have been a lot of rape trades this season and there should be a limit of future picks being dealt. Give us your thoughts on this.
Meh, I don't really care. I tend to be in favor of fewer regulations than more, but I wouldn't mind a rule disallowing dealing of picks more than 5 years in the future. More than anything, I think GMs who don't stick out their shitty pick situations shouldn't be allowed back (Kobe). Kudos to Habes for sticking around to clean up his mess. I've benefited quite a bit from moves like this though, so I can't really complain
8. The Hornets are probably the worst team in the league...no talent, no GM, no future picks for many years... lets say you jumped conferences and took over the Hornets... how would you fix them?
Welp they at least have their pick this year. So the first step is to add a nice piece in the draft here. Other than potentially flipping that piece for picks back, or doing a deal like Insane and I did a few seasons back, their only real option is to wait it out and try to be mediocre. I think Spence and I will eventually get something done, or if that Seth dude gets hired I'm sure we could get something done as well. We'll find out I guess.
9. Do you see MJ winning any titles under Jay?
lol, ugh, what an awful question. Of course? The only way it doesn't happen is if MJ walks after his 4th year, and even so J will have had 4 years of contending to get something done. He's got plenty of talent on the roster to make something happen, not winning with MJ would be a pretty massive failure. And that's coming from someone who complains that Bingo got too much credit for our championships. That isn't to say I expect the Hawks to terrorize the league for a decade and win back to back to back years or anything, but the odds of MJ not producing at least one title seem slim to none. Hopefully my team and other scan keep pace with MJ and prevent the Hawks from dominating any time soon.
10. The BBS Finals will feature... and the Champs will be the....
Magic vs Suns with Magic prevailing victorious once again.
Really any of the top 4 could come out of the East, and any of the top 5 or 6 in the West, there's a lot of legitimate contenders this year it seems, no real dominant team like the Blazers/Celtics seemed to be at times last year. Only thing that makes me hesitate picking the Suns is I don't trust Outlawz ability to make a DC that gives him as good of a chance to win as he should have with that roster, but at the same time I don't love the Warriors having to rely on Richardson for scoring who I simply don't trust yet.
11. Most overated/underated GM? Worst GM atm?
Meh, I think the majority of the GMs here don't really do a very good job with their teams.
Overrated - Nanz - I get the sense that people think Nanz is a good GM. I simply don't think he is. MRR's going to end up getting wasted there which is really too bad. Hate seeing GMs who are happy to accept mediocrity.
Underrated - Hype - Trading with him isn't always the easiest, but he's assembled some nice teams and built them to make some noise come playoff time. Sort of DJ like in that way, but I think a bit more reasonable generally speaking.
Worst - Spencer? Dan, Jah, Greg, and HF could all have claims to this throne.
12. Describe each GM in your division using one word.
Skillz - absent
Nanz - shortsighted
ilovebbal - solid
dbw - lucky
ashes - unlucky
hf - bombastic
13. There are some mediocre teams out there...what teams should rebuild and why?
Nets - No where to go but down at this point and they're not good enough as is.
Bobcats - See Nets.
Pacers - Foots and Gervin are ok. Rest of the roster is garbage.
Cavs - only if they can get their picks back at a reasonable price.
Wizards - End of the line for Bingo and friends it would appear.
Lakers? - They need to do something.
14. Why is Gerald Green your favorite player? Is it because of his high flying dunks/3 pt shot? What great things do you see in him that others don't?
Green was probably the first high school prospect I was ever aware of. I remember seeing the McDonalds game or some highlights of it and thinking DAMN that kid's talented. Then I found out he was missing his right ring finger, making his hand form the permanent shocker, which is just all sorts of awesome. Stylistically he plays the way I enjoy watching players play, a lot of what he does just looks silky smooth. Even if it isn't as effective as a guy like Pierce or Harden pump faking guys into fouls on jumpers, I enjoy watching it more. He'd of been my favorite player in the league regardless of where he ended up, and then he seemingly magically fell into the Celtics laps.
If you really want to know why I've been such a big fan of his, go read the Grantland article on him from a few months back. All the ups and downs make for a pretty damned cool story, a story I've really enjoyed following since it essentially began.
15. Finally, tell us something we don't know about you!
Spiderman's my favorite superhero.
Lasagna is my favorite food, though I don't like Tomato sauce nearly as much as an Italian should.
I'm a dual citizen of the US and Italy.
The way I play basketball can be compared to Derek Fisher. I'm pretty terrible.
I was on the Denard Robinson bandwagon long before anyone expected him to be a competent college QB. He's my football equivalent to Gerald Green.
In a similar sense, Mario Balotelli is my favorite soccer player. I'm probably the only Inter fan who still feels that way.
I realized the other day that I enjoy the stats baseball produces more than baseball itself. Surprise!
THANK YOU REPOLE. YOU ARE OFF THE HOT SEAT.
